Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi Instrument Engineering Co., Ltd.

Susumu Kai

Isao Shindo

Hiroshi Mitsumaki

Masaaki Hanawa

Tadashi Ohishi

Hiroshi Watanabe

Hitoshi Tokieda

Kasumi Yoshida

Katsushi Takahashi

Toshiyuki Ikeda

Shigeo Mutou

Takao Terayama

Kazuo Honma

Kazuhisa Machida

Yoshimitsu Takagi

Hiroshi Ohki

Masao Okayama

Eitaro Ito

Hideyuki Yanami

Kazuhiro Sano

Yutaka Kimura

Shigeru Yonekawa

Shigeo Mutoh

Tokio Omori

Yasuhiro Higuchi

An operation guidance method of clinical system which enables a doctor or nurse unskilled in testing to operate the clinical system without operation error by providing operation guidance. In the system, an initial screen shows numerals 1 to 5 indicating the order of procedure of sample test and character information indicating the contents of works (1 confirmation of sample, 2 confirmation of request, 3 feeding samples, 4 confirmation of result and 5 finish) as contents displayed in an operation menu. When an operator selects a 'start' button, display images showing as guidance on the respective works are sequentially displayed. Further, a display image as guidance on arbitrary one of the works may be displayed by selection of one of the works in the operation menu.

Operation guidance method of clinical system

A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

Sample rack handling system

A sample of a sample rack is sampled at analyzing units in the middle of a transfer line. A standby unit and a rack collecting unit are arranged near an exit of the transfer line. After sampling, sample racks are sorted out to the standby unit or the rack collecting unit at a first switching unit. The racks contained in the standby unit are sorted out to a returning line or the rack collecting unit in a second switching unit corresponding to a judged result of whether or not reexamination is required.

Automatic analyzing apparatus

A sample analysis system includes blood serum analysis units, blood plasma analysis units and urine analysis units which are arranged along a main conveyor line. The width size of each analysis unit on the side along the main conveyor line is the same. Each analysis unit can be removed integral with a sampling line and its rack transfer device from, the main conveyor line. Removed analysis units can be replaced by each other without changing the entry and exit positions for the sample rack. The conveyor line has the same number of line frame segments as the number of the analysis units.

Sample analysis system

A sample of a sample rack is sampled at analyzing units in the middle of a transfer line. A standby unit and a rack collecting unit are arranged near an exit of the transfer line. After sample, sampleracks are sorted out to the standby unit or the rack collecting unit at a first switching unit. The racks contained in the standby unit are sorted out to a returning line or the rack collecting unit in a second switching unit corresponding to a judged result of whether or not reexamination is required.

An analytic test sheet feeder comprises a cylindrical container 11 having an elongated through hole 15 formed in a side wall thereof for receiving a test sheet, a container support 18 which comprises an upper portion having a semi-cylindrical concave surface and a hole 20 formed in a central portion of the concave surface to permit a test sheet descending from the through hole of the container 11 to be taken out therethrough 20, and a test sheet delivering stage 31 which receives and delivers the test sheet descending from the through hole 15.

Analytic test sheet feeder

Test strip supply apparatus includes a rotatable container which has guide part materials for holding a through groove and a weight. Under a supporting table having a take-out hole for the test strip dropped from the through groove of the container, a conveyance stage is provided for receiving the test strip dropped from the through groove and transferring it. The weight facing near both ends of the through groove lets the test strip descend and prevents a surplus number of the test strips from entering the through groove.

Test strip supply apparatus

A sample container containing a urine sample is transferred by a sample positioning device to a liquid level sensing position. At this sensing position, the liquid level in the sample container is detected by a level sensor, followed by transfer of the sample container to a dipping position. A liquid level rising member is then inserted into the sample container. While being held by a handling device, a test strip is dipped into the sample in the sample container with the liquid level raised. Thereafter, the test strip is lifted out of the sample container and transferred to a measuring device. Color development in reagent sections on the test strip is measured by a photometer in terms of the reflected light strength. With the present invention, analysis using test strips can be implemented even when the sample volume into the sample container is small.

Analytical method and analytical apparatus using test strips

A liquid sample automatic analyzer is achieved in which if any test strip is not placed at a photometric position for such a reason that a test strip automatic supply device has failed to supply the test strip, this failure is detected to enable automatic judgment on that the measured results of examination correspond to which samples. A presence/absence detector is provided in the test strip automatic supply device, and a pressure detector for detecting whether the test strip is gripped or not is provided in a grip device. Detection signals from the presence/absence detector and the pressure detector are supplied to a control unit. Based on those detection signals, the control unit determines a failure in taking out or gripping the test strip, if occurs. Accordingly, even when the test strip is not placed at the photometric position in the measuring device and a vacant position occurs, this occurrence of the vacant position is detected to enable the analyzer to automatically and correctly judge that the measured results of examination correspond to which samples.

Liquid sample automatic analyzer

A test strip automatic supply device has: a cylindrical container 11 provided with a slit 15 which is formed in a side wall thereof so as to contain an elongate test strip; a container-supporting table having, in an upper portion thereof, a semi-cylindrical concave surface provided with an opening 20 which is formed in a middle portion of the concave surface so as to allow a test strip fitted in the slit of the container 11 to fall through and be taken out; and a carrying stage 31 which receives and transports a test strip falling from the slit 15. While the transporting stage 31 is transporting a test strip, an optical detector finds whether the test strip is faced up or down. The device has such a function that a side-reversing mechanism flips it over during transportation if it is face down. An operator only has to put test strips in the container. The tests strips are automatically let out of the container one at a time.

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Hitachinaka, Japan

Susumu Kai