Abstract:
This relates to an automatic blood analyzer that enables to test many items by using a small quantity of blood from infants and critically ill patients that is not possible for tests by conventional automatic blood analyzers, and obtains highly accurate measured data useful for early curative effect. Between the sample nozzle of the sample dispensing device and the washing water supply line, two dispensing lines of a dispensing line by a micro syringe that performs dispensing of more than a prescribed quantity and a pressure dispensing line that performs dispensing of less than a prescribed quantity, and a wipeout device that wipes out the outer surface of each dispensing nozzle are placed before and after a working of dispensing of the sample and the reagent.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an automatic blood analyzer that expands a sample dispensing range thereof to the unit of nanoliter (nl) and improves the accuracy of measurement, and more particularly to an automatic blood analyzer having two functions of dispensing sample by micro syringe pump and pressure.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]     Quite a few automatic blood analyzers which analyze blood components or urinary constituents such as GOT, GPT, ALP and TP are used at medical sites such like medical institution, and the test results are appreciated as therapeutic data. Currently, since automatic blood analyzers for general biochemistry are usually based on a sample dispensing method of so-called “micro syringe method” that requires three microliters or a minimum dispensing quantity guaranteeing accuracy, the analyzers generally requite 3-30 microliters per test. Besides, automatic immunochemical analyzers usually require 10-100 microliters.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, the quantity of blood sample and that of reagent are determined with three microliters as a minimum quantity or a guarantee of less than 2% of CV (coefficient of variation) that is a limit of conventional dispensing technology, or an analytical condition of individual test items. Therefore, in the case of testing infants and critically ill patients that have strict difficulty in blood diagram, immediate and accurate clinical examination can be performed only on a limited number of items at present. Furthermore, since the accuracy of measurement is still insufficient, different medical institutions have different measured data, and presently have difficulties in judging early therapeutic effects.  
         [0004]     This invention has been achieved in consideration of the present situation, and the purpose thereof is to provide an automatic blood analyzer that enables multiple blood tests for infants and critically ill patients and produces measured data with high accuracy that are helpful for early therapeutic effect.  
       DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention has been made to achieve the above purpose. The invention described in Claim  1  provides an automatic blood analyzer based on a technology, involving the following steps. After a sample nozzle attached to a sample dispensing device has suctioned a sample required for items of measurement from a sample vessel into a reaction vessel, a liquid removing portion removes the sample adhered to an outer surface of the sample nozzle, and then the sample nozzle is delivered to the reaction vessel. Next, after having dispensed a required quantity of the sample into the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel is delivered to a reagent dispensing position. After a reagent nozzle has suctioned a prescribed quantity of a reagent for items of measurement at the reagent dispensing position, a liquid adhesion removing portion removes the reagent adhered to an outer surface of the reagent nozzle, and then dispenses a required quantity of the reagent from the reagent nozzle attached to the reagent dispensing device into a reaction vessel. Next, the reaction sample reacted by warming is optically measured by a prescribed wave length. The automatic analyzer is characterized in that: two dispensing lines of a micro syringe dispensing line dispensing a volume of more than a prescribed sample quantity and a pressure dispensing line dispensing a volume of less than a prescribed sample quantity are connected with a three-way valve between the sample nozzle attached to the sample dispensing device and a washing water supply line; and the above micro syringe dispensing line is equipped with a two-way valve, and the pressure dispensing line is equipped with a two-way valve and a pressure maintenance portion. Moreover, dispensing from the sample and the reagent to the reaction tube may be performed in an order from the reagent to the sample, but an order from the sample is more effective from the viewpoint of stirring effect. A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the sample dispensing ahead of the reagent.  
         [0006]     According to the invention, all test conditions based on a quantity of sample and a quantity of reagent required for conventional automatic blood analyzers are prescribed on the basis of a dispensing quantity of minimum sample. As described in Claim  2 , the invention is, however, equipped with a pressure dispensing line that can measure the lowest limit of the dispensing quantity to the unit of nanoliter (nl) as well as a quantity at the micro syringe line.  
         [0007]     The invention provides a reliable working of discharging and dispensing of a prescribed, slight quantity (nanoliter) of sample, where a high-speed plunger valve is accurately controlled over open and close thereof in a militime.  
         [0008]     Moreover, the invention according to Claim  3  provides the liquid adhesion removing portion that has a two-ply fluid absorption tape, a supply reel and a take-up reel for the fluid absorption tape, and a means for opening the fluid absorption tape in V-formation. Accuracy of dispensing is improved in a manner that the sample nozzle, a reagent nozzle and a stirrer are inserted in between the fluid absorption tape opened in V-formation for contacting with the fluid absorption tape and remove the liquid adhered to an outer surface of the above each nozzle or the stirrer, and prevent the liquid adhered to the outer surface of nozzles from influencing on the dispensing quantity of the sample or the reagent. In addition, complete prevention of cross contamination by the reaction liquid adhered to the stirrer and the washing water performs a highly reliable measurement 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram of mechanism that shows a principle of an automatic blood analyzer according to the embodiment of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory plan view that shows a mechanism of a nozzle wipeout device of the automatic blood analyzer.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory elevation view of mechanism of a nozzle wipeout device of the automatic blood analyzer.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section diagram of a reaction vessel that is used to the automatic blood analyzer.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a reaction vessel of the automatic blood analyzer.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram of a flow-channel piping of a sample dispensing system of the automatic blood analyzer. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams.  
         [0016]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an automatic blood analyzer  1  in the embodiment is constituted of: a sample vessel delivery device  3 , holding a plurality of sample vessels  2  in loop-formation; a sample dispensing device  4 , suctioning a slight amount of sample from the inside of the sample vessel  2  at a sample suction position A; a liquid adhesion removing device  5 , removing the sample adhered to the outer surface of a sample nozzle PA attached to the sample dispensing device  4  at a liquid adhesion removing position B; a reaction table  7 , holding a plurality of reaction vessels  6  in which the sample sucked into the sample nozzle PA is dispensed at a sample dispensing position C and trindles the vessels; a reagent dispensing device  8 , dispensing a primary reagent and a secondary reagent according to the items of measurement into the reaction vessel  6  at a reagent dispensing position D; a reagent supply device  10 , holding a reagent vessel  9  contained with the primary reagent and the secondary reagent according to the items of measurement, in loop-formation, and performing a rotatory delivery to a primary reagent suction position E or a secondary reagent suction position F; a reagent adhesion removing device  11 , removing the sample adhered to the outer surface of a reagent nozzle PB attached to the above reagent dispensing device  8  at a liquid adhesion removing position G; a stirring device  12 , stirring for homogenizing a mixed condition of the sample contained in the reaction vessel  6  and the reagent at a stirring position H; a detector sensor  13 , exposing a light to be measured according to the items of measurement to the reaction liquid at a light measurement position I; an arithmetic circuit (not shown), converting the data measured by the detector sensor  13  into a voltage for arithmetic processing and performing a quantitative analysis on the items of measurement; a reaction vessel washing device  14 , ejecting the measured reaction liquid in the reaction vessel  6  at a washing position J and washing the inside of the reaction vessel; a control circuit (not shown), controlling drive for an organic, continuous operation of the above functions; and a printer (not shown), printing out the measured data in association with information of the sample. The analyzer  1  simultaneously measures two reagents for 24 items, with a process capacity of 300 tests per hour. For this reason, the reaction table  7  is equipped with 48 pieces of three-light-path cells. In  FIG. 1 , the code K shows a washing trough position of a sample nozzle wipeout device  5 , the code L a washing trough position of a reagent nozzle removing device  11 , and the code M a washing trough position of the stirring device  12 , respectively Furthermore,  FIG. 1  does not show an “electrolyte analysis unit”, but the invention can have it built in as is the case with conventional automatic blood analyzers.  
         [0017]     The sample vessel delivery device  3  employs a turntable method, and is formed so as to deliver the sample vessel  2  to the sample suction position. A with an intermittent pitch at a regular interval. Samples to be set are a general sample, a photometry sample, an emergency sample, an accuracy controlled sample and the like. “Bar code number” and “turntable number” identify samples.  
         [0018]     Dispensing of sample is performed in the following manner: the sample nozzle PA rises from a washing trough position K of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5  to a nozzle wipeout height, rotates to a nozzle wipeout position B for removing the washing water adhesion and suctions samples at the sample suction position A; the sample nozzle PA again removes the blood adhesion at the liquid adhesion removing position B and is delivered to the sample dispensing position C of the reaction table  6  for dispensing a requirement of suctioned sample into a reaction tube at the position C and descends to a nozzle washing trough T at the washing trough position K of the sample nozzle wipeout position  5 ; and the sample nozzle PA is washed for completion of the process. Delivery of the sample nozzle PA is performed in the sample dispensing device  4 , and sample suction is performed by a sample dispensing system (to be described later). Moreover, washing of the inside of the sample nozzle PA is performed with the washing water from a pressurized washing device  52 .  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , The sample nozzle wipeout device  5  is formed so that a long two-ply fluid absorption tape  21 A can be taken up from a supply reel  22 A to a take-up reel  23 A at a prescribed timing at a prescribed quantity. A pair of a guide roller  24 A and a guide roller  25 A is placed between the above reels  22 A and  23 A where the fluid absorption tape  21 A is suspended. A separation roller  26 A is placed between the guide roller  24 A and the guide roller  25 A for separating the superimposed fluid absorption tape  21 A in V-formation. Between the guide roller  25 A and the separation roller  26 A, the nozzle wipeout position B and the washing trough position K are placed. The code  27 A in  FIG. 2  is a sensor for detecting whether the fluid absorption tape  21 A exists or not, and the code  28 A in the same figure is a motor for taking up the fluid absorption tape  21 A.  
         [0020]     The sample nozzle PA that absorbed the sample in this manner descends to the nozzle wipeout height at the washing trough position K between the guide roller  25 A and the separation roller  26 A of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5 . Then, the sample nozzle PA rotates to the fluid absorption removing position B and the nozzle PA contacts with the fluid absorption tape  21 A. Accordingly, the sample adhered to the outer surface of the nozzle PA is absorbed and a dispensing quantity can be exactly controlled. After the sample nozzle PA has contacted with the fluid absorption tape  21 A at the position B, when the sample nozzle PA rotates, outer circumferential thereof can be contacted with the fluid absorption tape  21 . Moreover, for the sample nozzle PA, the inside and the outside of the nozzle are washed in the washing trough at the washing trough position K of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5  after the sample has been dispensed. That is to say that, the sample nozzle PA descends at the washing trough position K between the guide roller  25 A and the separation roller  26 A of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5  until the sample nozzle PA is soaked in the wash fluid in the washing trough. The inside surface is washed with the wash fluid from a washing syringe and the outside surface is washed with the wash fluid that is to be delivered to the trough. When a working of suctioning and dispensing is completed, a tip of the sample nozzle is soused in the washing trough.  
         [0021]     Accordingly, when a suctioning of the sample starts, the sample suction is performed after the washing water adhered to the outer surface of the nozzle has been wiped out at the wipeout position B of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5 . That is to say that, the sample nozzle PA rises up to the wipeout height at the washing trough position K, then rotates to the wipeout position B. The nozzle PA contacts with the fluid absorption tape  21 A and the sample adhered to the outer surface of the nozzle PA is removed.  
         [0022]     Dispensing of reagent is performed in a manner: the reagent nozzle PB rises from a washing trough position L of the reagent nozzle wipeout position  11  to the nozzle wipeout height and rotates to a nozzle wipeout position G for wiping out the washing water adhesion. Next, the reagent nozzle PB suctions the reagent at the reagent suction position E (or F) and the blood adhesion is again wiped out at the liquid adhesion removing position G, and then is delivered to the sample dispensing position D of the reaction table  6 . After a prescribed quantity of the suction reagent has been dispensed in a reaction tube at the position D, the reagent nozzle PB descends to the nozzle washing trough at the washing trough position L of the reagent nozzle wipeout device  11 , where the reagent nozzle PB is washed for completion. Delivery of the reagent nozzle PB is performed by a reagent dispensing device  8 , a working of suction and discharge of the reagent is performed with a reagent suction and discharge device  55 . Furthermore, washing of the inside of the reagent nozzle PB is carried out with the washing water from a reagent washing device  50 .  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reagent nozzle wipeout device  11  is formed so that a long two-ply fluid absorption tape  21 B is taken up at a prescribed quantity in a prescribed timing from a supply reel  22 B to a take-up reel  23 B. A pair of a guide roller  24 B and a guide roller  25 B, suspended with the fluid absorption tape  21 B, is placed between the reel  22 B and the reel  23 B. Between the guide roller  24 B and the guide roller  25 B, a separation roller  26 B is placed for separating the superimposed fluid absorption tape  21 B in V-formation. Besides, the nozzle wipeout position G and the washing trough position L are set between the guide roller  25 B and the separation roller  26 B. In  FIG. 2 , the code  27 B is a sensor for detecting whether the fluid absorption tape  21 B exists or not, and the code  28 B is a motor for taking up the fluid absorption tape  21 B.  
         [0024]     The reagent nozzle PB suctioned the reagent in this way descends to the nozzle wipeout height at the washing trough position L between the guide roller  25 B and the separation roller  26 B of the reagent nozzle wipeout device  11 , and rotates to the liquid adhesion removing position G. Since the nozzle PB contacts with the fluid absorption tape  21  and thus the reagent adhered to the outer surface of the nozzle PB is taken up, a dispensing quantity can be exactly controlled.  
         [0025]     Moreover, for the reagent nozzle PB, the inside and the outside of the nozzle are washed at the washing trough position L of the reagent nozzle wipeout device  11  after the reagent has been dispensed. That is to say that, the reagent nozzle PB descends at the washing trough position L between the guide roller  25 B and the separation roller  26 B of the sample nozzle wipeout device  11  until the nozzle PB is soaked in the wash fluid of the washing trough. The inside surface is washed with the wash fluid from the washing syringe, and the outside surface is washed with the wash fluid that is to be delivered to the trough. When a working of suction and dispensing is completed, the tip of the reagent nozzle is soused in the washing trough.  
         [0026]     Accordingly, when the sample suction starts, a reagent suction is performed after the washing water adhered to the outer surface of the nozzle has been wiped out at the wipeout position G of the reagent nozzle wipeout device  11 . That is that, the reagent nozzle PB rises up to the wipeout height at the washing trough position L, then rotates to the wipeout position G. The nozzle PB contacts with the fluid absorption tape  21 B, and the reagent adhered to the outer surface of the nozzle PB is removed.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the reaction vessel  6  is made of translucent material such like glass in a tubular shape with bottom as well as a face receiving incident light S 1  is laid in arc formation towards the center of a circular where the reaction vessels are placed. Moreover, transmission faces S 2 , S 3  and S 4  as outgoing surface are also laid in steps on the flat, in arc formation. In this embodiment, light path length formed between the outgoing surfaces S 2 , S 3  and S 4  of these steps, and the face receiving incident light S 1  has three types: a shortest-length light path d 1 , a middle-length light path d 2 , and a long-length light path d 3 . In this invention, the light path length is not limited to three types of the embodiment and may be formed so as to obtain more than two types of the light path length.  
         [0028]     In  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the code Io is an incident light, I×1 a transmitted light in the S 4  portion, I×2 a transmitted light in the S 3  portion, I×3 a transmitted light in the S 2  portion, Cx a concentration of liquid to be measured, OD×1 an absorbance that the concentration Cx is measured at the S 4  portion, OD×2 an absorbance that the concentration Cx is measured at the S 3  portion, and OD×3 an absorbance that the concentration Cx is measured at the S 2  portion.  
         [0029]     Since the blood analysis method employing this reaction vessel  6  is as same as the Patent 2002-264375 that the applicant has previously proposed, detailed explanation is omitted here.  
         [0030]     In this embodiment, the reaction table  7  is formed so as to deliver each reaction vessel  6  by rotational transfer from the sample dispensing position C via the reagent dispensing position D and the stirring position H to the optical measurement position I in turn. In this reaction table  7 , a reaction fluid between the sample and the reagent is controlled by temperature control circuit (not shown) so as to maintain constant temperature, namely,  37  degrees C. +/−0.1 degrees C. Further, the reagent is warmed up to about 37 degrees C. by the reagent dispensing device  8  and dispensed into a reaction tube.  
         [0031]     The reagent dispensing device  8 , having the reagent nozzle PB that suctions reagent, dispenses a primary reagent or a secondary reagent according to the items of measurement in the reaction vessel  6  containing the dispensed sample, at the reagent dispensing position D. The reagent nozzle PB suctions a prescribed quantity of the primary reagent or the secondary reagent according to the items of measurement at the primary reagent suction position E or the secondary reagent suction position F. Then, the reagent nozzle PB is delivered to the reagent adhesion wipeout position G, and the reagent adhered to the outer surface of the reagent nozzle PB is wiped out at the position G. In this manner, quantity of the reagent to be dispensed can be exactly controlled.  
         [0032]     In this embodiment, for a reagent vessel  9  involving the primary reagent and the secondary reagent, a primary reagent housing vessel  9 A is housed on the outside of the vessel, and a secondary reagent housing vessel  9 B is housed in the vessel and the reagent is cooled at about 10-12 degrees C.  
         [0033]     The reagent supply device  10  delivers the above reagent vessel  9 A and the reagent vessel  9 B housing reagent according to the items of measurement to a primary reagent dispensing position E or a reagent dispensing position F by control over clockwise and counter rotations. Furthermore, each reagent vessel has “bar code label” for controlling and controls types, production date of the reagent and the like.  
         [0034]     The stirring device  12  is used for homogenizing a reaction between the dispensed sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel  9 , and inserted with a stirrer (not shown) in the reaction liquid for swinging and rotation. The stirrer that completed stirring is washed for preventing cross contamination. The stirring device  12  may be equipped with a wipeout device which has the same formation as the fluid adhesion wipeout device  5  that wipes out the reaction fluid adhered to the outer surface of the stirrer after use. This is not particularly shown here.  
         [0035]     A detection portion  13  is a spectrophotometer using a diffraction grating (which can be replaced with a wave length conversion method using filter) as a light dispersion element. The portion  13  is formed so as to disperse the light to be measured from the light source that is transmitted through the reaction vessel  6  into a monochromatic light so that a plurality of the light receiving elements (photo array  56 ) are arranged on a focal point of the diffraction grating. From these, output from the light receiving element according to the items of measurement are delivered to the arithmetic circuit.  
         [0036]     In the arithmetic circuit, the output data are computed based on the prescribed computation method, and the computed data are printed out from the printer.  
         [0037]     Furthermore, the control circuit is a circuit that entirely controls the automatic blood analyzer and performs communication with the outer CPU. The control circuit, equipped with a storage that automatically stores and saves the measured data and the reaction time course data and trouble data of each reaction vessel  6 , can immediately make a test report in real time by reading out the above measured data from the outer output terminal to the outer computer.  
         [0038]     Next, the sample dispensing system of the automatic blood analyzer in this embodiment will be described based on  FIG. 6 .  
         [0039]     The code  30  is a vessel containing a washing water, the code  31  is a three-way valve that changes a flow channel  34  with a flow channel  32  or a flow channel  33 , the code  35  is a washing syringe for washing the suction system and constantly pressurizing the flow channel  33 , the code  36  is a syringe drive motor, the code  37  is a syringe control circuit, the code  38  is for example a pressure maintenance portion that is formed in coiled shape at the middle of the a flow channel  39 , the code  40  is a two-way valve (high-speed plunger valve) that breaks and opens the sample nozzle PA and the pressure maintenance portion  38  via the three-way valve  41 , the code  41  is a three-way valve that changes the flow channel  39  and a flow channel  42 , the code  42  is a flow channel that connects the sample nozzle PA and the micro syringe  43  via the three-way valve  41 , the code  43  is a two-way valve that breaks and opens the flow channel  42  and the flow channel  33 , the code  44  is a micro syringe that suctions the sample and dispenses the sample of about more than three microliters, the code  45  is a syringe drive motor that performs drive-control over a micro syringe  44 , the code  46  is a flow channel that connects the sample nozzle PA with the three-way valve  41 , the code  47  is a sample suction and discharge machine, the code  48  is a pressure sensing circuit that measures and controls the pressure inside the flow channel  39 , and the code  52  is a pressurized wash machine.  
         [0040]     The sample dispensing system of the automatic blood analyzer  1  in the embodiment has two flow channels: a sample suction and discharge flow channel  39  by the micro syringe  44  via the three-way valve  41 , and the flow channel  42  that dispenses the sample by the pressure of the pressure maintenance portion. These systems are in the following conditions when the sample dispensing system starts operation. The three-way valve  41  is in a condition that a flow channel  46  and the flow channel  42  are connected. The sample nozzle PA and the micro syringe  44  are connected. The three-way valve  31  is connected with the flow channel  32  and the flow channel  34  so that it is connected with the syringe  35  and the washing water W. Furthermore, a two-way valve  40  and a two-way valve  43  are closed. The micro syringe  44  and the washing syringe  35  are positioned at the upper limit. From these conditions, working of each dispensing is performed in the below way.  
         [0041]     When dispensing by the micro syringe  44 , the sample vessel delivery device  3  first delivers a sample to the prescribed position A. Simultaneously, the sample nozzle PA removes the water adhered to the outer wall of the nozzle in the sample nozzle wipeout device  5 , and delivers it to the sample suction position A of the sample vessel delivery device  3  via the sample dispensing device  4 . At this time, bar code posted to the sample at the position A is read out by the sample bar code reader for confirming the test information.  
         [0042]     Next the sample nozzle PA suctions a prescribed quantity of the sample from the inside of the sample vessel  2  at the sample suction position A. After suction of the sample, the sample adhered to the outer wall of the sample nozzle PA in the sample nozzle wipeout device is wiped out by the sample nozzle wipeout device  5 , and a prescribed quantity of blood is dispensed into the reaction vessel  6  at the C position of the reaction table  7  or at the blood dispensing position Q of electrolyte (ISE). During the dispensing, the washing syringe  35  suctions a prescribed quantity of the washing water.  
         [0043]     After sample dispensing, the sample nozzle PA is washed with a nozzle washing trough T at a nozzle washing position K. That is that, when the inside of the sample nozzle PA is washed, the three-way valve  31  is changed to the flow channel  33  and the two-way valve  43  is left open for flowing washing water from the flow channel  34  to the flow channel  33  to the flow channel  42  to the flow channel  46  by the washing syringe  35 . Moreover, the two-way valve  43  is closed up and the two-way valve  40  is left open for flowing washing water from the flow channel  34  to the flow channel  33  to the flow channel  39  to the flow channel  46  by the washing syringe  35 . When washing the outer side of the sample nozzle PA, washing water of the nozzle washing trough T is used.  
         [0044]     Next, when dispensing a slight quantity by pressure, suction of the sample is performed via lines of the flow channel  46  and the flow channel  42  or via the flow channel  46  and the flow channel  39 , and via the line of the pressure maintenance portion  38  at the sample micro syringe  44 . The description explains of a case when the flow channel  46  and the flow channel  42  suction the sample. After the micro syringe  44  has suctioned a prescribed quantity of the sample, a three-way valve  41  switches over to the flow channel  46  and the flow channel  39 . Further, at the same time, after the washing syringe  35  has suctioned a prescribed quantity of the washing water, the three-way valve  31  switches over to connect the flow channel  34  with the flow channel  33  and to connect the washing syringe  35  with the pressure maintenance portion  38 . The syringe drive motor  36  is driven for boosting the washing syringe  35  to pressure the flow channel  33 , the flow channel  34  and the pressure maintenance portion. Information of the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing circuit  48  is fed back to the syringe control circuit  37 . The syringe drive motor  36  is controlled over drive in the syringe control circuit so as to keep the pressure maintenance portion constant.  
         [0045]     On the other hand, the sample nozzle PA wipes out the sample adhered to the outer wall by the sample nozzle wipeout device  5  and then moves to the sample dispensing position C of the reaction table  7  or to the blood dispensing position Q of the electrolyte (ISE). The nozzle PA controls over on and off of the two-way valve  40  at a high speed for a period according to the dispensing quantity at a constant pressure, and dispenses blood into the reaction vessel  6  at the sample dispensing position C or into the electrolyte analysis position Q. Moreover, the high-speed plunger valve  40  is usually operated at a rated voltage and a rated current. Since long energization sets off a discharge of high temperature, it is desirable to descend the voltage and the current to the hold voltage and the hold current.  
         [0046]     After sample dispensing, the sample nozzle PA is washed at the nozzle washing trough T of the nozzle washing position K as is the case with the sample nozzle PA that is dispensed with the micro syringe  44 . After completion of such washing, the sample nozzle PA is reset to a completion status of the sample dispensing cycle operation as shown in  FIG. 1 , for the next working of sample dispensing.  
         [0047]     Operation of the automatic blood analyzer  1  with the above sample dispensing system is explained based on the embodiment.  
         [0048]     When voltage of the analyzer is switched on, the analyzer and the control device start operation of the system. Simultaneously, the light source lamp has an idling voltage lower than the rated voltage, and a temperature control circuit of the reaction table machine  7  and the reagent table machine  20  starts a temperature control. After about 20 minutes, a steady state is produced. During this time, prescribed preparation for measurement (sample, reagent, washing water and the like) is performed. When the analyzer becomes steady and the preparation of measurement is ready, the operation portion of the device instructs an operation start-up of measurement. Immediately, the light source lamp switches the idling voltage over to the rated voltage. When the light source lamp is not used for measurement, it is desirable to zero the voltage from the life. But, since it requires time before the voltage becomes stabilized after the light source lamp has been lighted, it has an arrangement of keeping the voltage at an idling voltage and shortening the stabilizing time after the rated voltage has been put on for initiating a start-up of the actual measurement earlier. However, even if the voltage is kept at the idling voltage, since it takes two to three minutes before it stabilizes, the real situation is kept in a suspended state when a start-up of measurement is commanded. That is that, since on-state of measurement can be confirmed at every cycle time (12 seconds in the case of 300 tests per hour of processing capacity) before the light source stabilizes, it initiates only the reaction table machine  7  according to the time sequence. Further, from some cycles before completion of standby time, the reaction vessel  6  before use, equipped with the reaction table  7 , performs discharge, suction and ejection of washing water by the washing nozzle (not shown) of the washing device  14 . This washing is simultaneously performed over a plurality of reaction tubes. Furthermore, the washing water infusion nozzle is equipped with a liquid surface sensor for preventing overflow and the last washing nozzle is equipped with a sensor for confirming complete ejection of washing water. Washing water is warmed up to about 37 degrees C. by the washing device  14  before being infused into the reaction tube.  
         [0049]     The washing liquid W is supplied from the washing water supply and ejection portion  19  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The washing is repeated at a complete cycle time.  
         [0050]     Besides, in the washing process, water blank of the reaction vessel  6  at the prescribed place is measured and the blank data is stored in the storage portion of the control circuit for administering damage or contamination of each reaction vessel  6 .  
         [0051]     When sample dispensing starts, dispensing of the primary reagent and stirring, and dispensing of the secondary reagent and stirring after a prescribed time, are continuously carried out. When sample according to the items of the first measurement is dispensed into a reaction tube at the position C of the reaction table  7 , the reaction tube moves to the dispensing position D of the primary reagent in the same cycle (the next cycle can be used) and a prescribed quantity of the primary reagent is dispensed. When the sample and the reagent are dispensed, the sample vessel delivery device, the sample nozzle PA, the reagent nozzle PB, the sample dispensing device  4 , the reagent dispensing device  8 , the nozzle wipeout devices, the reaction table  7  and the reagent table  20  respectively work in the previously mentioned way. When actual measurement starts, each device performs the below measurement.  
         [0052]     In other words, the reaction table  7  rotates so as to lead the reaction vessel  6  at the position N of the reaction table  7  to the sample dispensing position C.  
         [0053]     Simultaneously, the sample nozzle PA moves to the sample suction position A by the sample dispensing device  4  for suctioning the sample and dispensing the sample into the reaction tube at the reaction tube position C. Next, the reaction table  7  rotates in the same cycle and delivers the reaction tube at the position C to the position D. The reagent nozzle PB moves to the reagent suction position E by the reagent dispensing device  8  for suctioning the primary reagent to dispense the primary reagent into the reaction tube at the reaction tube position D. When the sample is dispensed, if the reaction tube at the reaction tube position is a tube in which the sample and the primary reagent are dispensed, the secondary reagent is dispensed into the reaction tube. Simultaneously, stirring of the reaction tube that the secondary reagent is dispensed at the position H in the previous cycle is performed by the stirring device  12 . Moreover, at the same time as dispensing of the primary reagent, stirring of the reaction tube that the primary reagent is dispensed at the position H in the previous cycle is performed by the stirring device  12 .  
         [0054]     In the analyzer, dispensing of the sample and the primary reagent, and stirring of the solution (sample and primary reagent) are carried out concurrently. Furthermore, dispensing of the secondary reagent and stirring of the solution (sample, primary reagent and secondary reagent), and washing of the reaction tube are concurrently performed.  
         [0055]     The below explanation is a detailed behavior of the sample nozzle PA at sample dispensing and the reagent nozzle PB at reagent dispensing.  
         [0056]     For sample dispensing, a sample is automatically supplied to the sample suction position A in the sample vessel delivery device  3 .  
         [0057]     Next, the sample nozzle PA rises to the nozzle wipeout height by the sample dispensing device  4 , at the washing trough position K of the nozzle removing device  5 , and rotates to the removing position B for initiating the sample nozzle PA to hit at a wipeout paper  21   a  and raises it as it stands to the upper position. At this time, the washing water adhered to the outer wall of the nozzle is wiped out. Furthermore, if the nozzle PA is hit at the wipeout paper  21   a  and rotates, the entire outer circumference of the nozzle is wiped out.  
         [0058]     Next, the sample nozzle PA rotates to the sample suction position A and descends to the sample liquid surface at the sample suction position A. The liquid surface sensor detects the sample level and stops. Then, the sample nozzle PA suctions a required quantity of the sample by the micro syringe  44  attached to the sample suction and discharge device  47 , and rises. The liquid surface sensor uses a capacitance method, and controls the descending speed of the sample nozzle PA according to the suction speed (liquid surface descending speed) according to the size of the sample vessel  2 .  
         [0059]     Then, the sample nozzle PA rotates to the washing trough position K of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5  and descends to the removing position. Then, the sample nozzle PA rotates to the removing position B, and contacts with a wipeout paper  21 A to wipeout the blood adhered to the outer wall of the sample nozzle.  
         [0060]     Next, the sample nozzle PA rotates to the sample dispensing position C of the reaction table  7 , and dispenses the sample into the reaction vessel  6 . Furthermore, in the case of dispensing into the ISE machine  31 , the sample nozzle PA rotates to the sample dispensing position Q and dispenses the sample into the electrolyte analysis device.  
         [0061]     The sample nozzle PA after sample dispensing returns to the washing trough position K of the sample nozzle wipeout device  5  and descends to the washing trough. The outer wall of the sample nozzle PA is washed with the washing water in the washing trough, and the inside wall is washed with the washing water from the syringe  35  attached to a pressurized washing device  38 . In this manner, a cycle  1  of the sample dispensing is completed.  
         [0062]     For reagent dispensing, a reagent table  20  attached to the reagent supply device  10  rotates so that the primary reagent according to the items of measurement comes to the primary reagent suction position E.  
         [0063]     Next, after the reagent nozzle PB has risen to the nozzle wipeout height by the reagent dispensing device  8  and rotated to the wipeout position G to initiate the reagent nozzle PB to hit at a wipeout paper  21 , the reagent nozzle PB is raised to the upper direction as it stands. At this time, the washing water adhered to the outer wall of the nozzle is wiped out. Further, if the nozzle PB rotates after it has hit at a wipeout paper  21 B, the entire outer circumference of the nozzle is wiped out.  
         [0064]     Thereafter, the reagent nozzle PB is delivered to the reagent suction position E of the reagent table  20 .  
         [0065]     At the primary reagent suction position E, the reagent nozzle PB descends to a liquid surface of the primary reagent and stops, and suctions a required quantity by the reagent syringe attached to the reagent dispensing device  8  and rises. The liquid surface of the reagent is detected by the liquid surface sensor of capacitance method.  
         [0066]     Then, after the reagent nozzle PB has rotated to the washing trough position L of the reagent nozzle wipeout position  11  and descended to the wipeout height, the nozzle PB rotates to the nozzle wipeout position G to hit at the wipeout paper  21 B, wipes out the reagent adhered to the outer wall of the nozzle, and rises.  
         [0067]     Next, the reagent nozzle PB rotates to the reagent dispensing position D of the reaction table  7  and dispenses the reagent into the reaction vessel  6 .  
         [0068]     After having dispensed the primary reagent, the reagent nozzle PB rotates to the nozzle washing trough position L and descends to the inside of the nozzle washing trough and the outer wall of the nozzle is washed with the washing water. The inside wall suctioned the reagent is washed with the washing water from the washing syringe attached to the reagent washing device  50 . In this manner, a cycle  1  of the reagent dispensing is completed.  
         [0069]     Next, dispensing of the secondary reagent and stirring process will be described.  
         [0070]     When the primary reagent and the sample are dispensed for a prescribed number of times, the secondary reagent starts dispensing into the reaction vessel  6  at the reagent dispensing position D at the same timing as that for sample dispensing.  
         [0071]     That is that, after the primary reagent has been dispensed into the reaction vessel  6  at the reagent dispensing position D, the reaction vessel  6  rotates to the sample dispensing position C.  
         [0072]     Next, the reagent table  20  rotates so that the secondary reagent according to the items of measurement comes to the secondary reagent suction position F.  
         [0073]     After the reagent nozzle PB has risen up to the nozzle wipeout position by the reagent dispensing device  8 , rotated to the wipeout position G and the reagent nozzle PB has hit at the wipeout paper  21 B, the reagent nozzle PB is drawn up to the upper direction and the washing water adhered to the outer wall of the nozzle is wiped out.  
         [0074]     Then, the reagent nozzle PB rotates to the secondary reagent suction position F of the reagent dispensing device, the reagent nozzle PB descends to the liquid surface of the secondary reagent at the reagent suction position F and stops. The reagent nozzle PB suctions a required quantity by the syringe attached to the reagent dispensing device  8 , and rises. The liquid surface sensor of capacitive method detects the liquid surface of the reagent.  
         [0075]     Next, the reagent nozzle PB rotates to the washing trough position L of the reagent nozzle wipeout device  11 , where the reagent nozzle PB descends to the wipeout height and rotates to the wipeout position G to hit at the wipeout paper  21 B. After the secondary reagent adhered to the outer wall of the nozzle has been suctioned, the nozzle PB rises.  
         [0076]     Then, the reagent nozzle PB rotates to the reagent dispensing position D and dispenses the secondary reagent into the reaction vessel  6  in which the primary reagent and the sample are dispensed. Simultaneously, the stirring device  12  stirs the inside of the reaction vessel  6  at the stirring position H.  
         [0077]     After the secondary reagent has been dispensed, the reagent nozzle PB rotates to the nozzle washing trough position L, descends to the washing water position, and washes the outer wall with the washing water. The inside wall suctioned the reagent is washed with the washing water delivered from the washing syringe of the reagent washing machine  50 .  
         [0078]     Next, measurement process will be described. When the reaction table  7  rotates at every cycle time for dispensing the sample and the reagent, if the washing water, the reaction tube containing primary reagent and sample, and the reaction tube containing sample, primary reagent and secondary reagent pass through the optical measurement position I, the detector sensor  13  measures all reaction tubes at a prescribed timing, and any calculated values are stored or printed out by printer. The detector sensor disperses the transmitted light at the optical measurement position I into a monochromatic light by diffraction grating. The prescribed monochromatic light is ejected out as a signal by the photo array  56  of light-voltage conversion element.  
       INDUTRIAL APLICABILITY  
       [0079]     The automatic blood analyzer of the invention is formed as in the above description. Accordingly, the analyzer has excellent effects: it can test many items with a small amount of blood and obtain measured data of high accuracy that are useful for early therapeutic effect.