Sample analyzer, sample analyzing method, and computer program product

• US 8,663,559 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Inventors: Shibata, Masaharu, Yoshida, Noriyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US12/079,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080241957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,167 Days
• Field of Search: 422/50, 422/63, 422/64, 422/65, 422/66, 422/67, 422/81, 422/82.01, 422/82.05, 422/68.1, 436/43, 436/47, 436/54, 436/63, 436/66, 436/67, 436/68, 436/69, 436/70, 436/71, 436/174, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00465 Separating and mixing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00584 Control arrangements for automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A sample analyzer that includes a sample preparing section operative to aspirate a sample from a sample container and a measuring section operative to prepare a plurality of measurement samples from the aspirated sample. A control unit is configured to sequentially measure the plurality of prepared measurement samples, obtain a plurality of measurement data for the respective measurement samples, and obtain an analysis result of a predetermined item of the sample based on the plurality of measurement data.

Claims

1. A sample analyzer comprising:

a retaining section for retaining a sample aspirated from a sample container;

a sample preparing section that includes a mixing chamber to prepare a measurement sample by using a part of the sample retained in the retaining section and a reagent for measuring a predetermined item;

a measuring section that includes a measurement device that measures the measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section, and obtains measurement data; and

a control unit configured to;

control the sample preparing section to sequentially prepare a plurality of measurement samples from the retained sample, wherein a mixing ratio of the part of the sample and the reagent is substantially identical for each of the plurality of measurement samples; and

control the measuring section to sequentially measure the plurality of measurement samples, and to obtain a plurality of measurement data; and

obtain a statistical analysis result of the predetermined item of the sample based on the plurality of measurement data obtained by the measuring section.

2. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the retaining section comprises a pipette for aspirating the sample from the sample container.

3. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is connected to the measurement device such that the control unit controls the sample preparing section and the measuring section so that a processing time from an end of the measurement sample preparation until a start of a measurement of a measurement sample is substantially identical for each of the plurality of measurement samples.

4. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the control unit creates a scattergram based on the plurality of measurement data.

5. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is arranged with the measurement device such that the control unit controls the sample preparing section and the measuring section so that while the measuring section is measuring a certain measurement sample prepared by using a part of the sample, the sample preparing section starts preparing a next measurement sample by using another part of the sample, the next measurement sample being measured by the measuring section after the certain measurement sample.

6. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the statistical analysis result comprises any one of an average value of the plurality of measurement data, an average of some of the plurality of measurement data, and a measurement data positioned most intermediately among the plurality of measurement data.

7. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the measurement device includes a blood cell counter and the statistical analysis result of the predetermined item comprises an analysis result relating to a number of blood cells.

8. The sample analyzer of claim 7, wherein the measurement device includes a blood cell counter and the sample comprises a body fluid, and wherein the predetermined item comprises a number of white blood cells.

9. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the measurement device includes a blood cell counter and the sample comprises a blood sample, and wherein the predetermined item comprises a number of blast cells or a number of megakaryocytes.

10. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein:

the mixing chamber is a mixing chamber for white blood cell measurement configured to prepare a measurement sample for white blood cell measurement;

the sample preparing section further comprises a mixing chamber for red blood cell measurement configured to prepare a measurement sample for red blood cell measurement;

the measurement device comprises a white blood cell detector connected to the mixing chamber for white blood cell measurement, and a red blood cell detector connected to the mixing chamber for red blood cell measurement.