Patent ID: 7951330
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clinical specimen processing apparatus comprising: a mechanism that performs a predetermined operation to process a clinical specimen, wherein the mechanism comprises an object used for performing the predetermined operation and a detection piece which moves in conjunction with the object; a sensor that detects the detection piece when the object is at a predetermined position, wherein the sensor comprises a light transmitting type sensor; and a controller that is in communication with the mechanism and the sensor, the controller configured to control the mechanism so that the mechanism executes the predetermined operation beginning from a first initial time, wherein the controller controls the mechanism during the predetermined operation in such a manner that the controller will re-execute the predetermined operation at a second initial time should the sensor fail to detect the detection piece when the object is at the predetermined position after a predetermined time as measured from the first initial time has elapsed.