Abstract:
A sample analyzer is disclosed which enables to confirm the position of a pipette of dispensing section not depend on instruction directed a start of a position confirmation operation from the operator, and to prevent a pipette from being damaged or credibility of analysis results from declining. 
     Concretely, the sample analyzer comprises a pipette, a pipette moving mechanism and a position confirming member disposed at a position where the pipette can be moved by the pipette moving mechanism. The position confirming member comprises a space into which a tip end of the pipette can be inserted. When the sample analyzer carries out the position confirmation process, the tip end of the pipette is moved by the pipette moving mechanism so as to be inserted into the space of the position confirming member. When a sensor sensed that the tip end of the pipette collides with the position confirming member, the sample analyzer stops the movement of the pipette and notify that the pipette of the pipette moving mechanism has a problem.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2008-052954 filed on Mar. 4, 2008, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a sample analyzer for analyzing a sample, such as an immunological analyzer and a blood-clotting analyzer. In addition, the invention relates to a computer program product for use in the sample analyzer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There has been known a sample analyzer for analyzing components of a sample by subjecting a specimen prepared by mixing the sample and a reagent to a measuring operation. The sample analyzer has a reagent dispensing section configured to suction the reagent from a reagent container containing the reagent and to eject the suctioned reagent into a cuvette (reaction container). The operation of the reagent dispensing section is controlled by a control section provided in the sample analyzer in accordance with a predetermined operation sequence. 
         [0004]    The reagent container is provided with an opening to which a pipette of the reagent dispensing section is inserted to suction the reagent. In order to prevent the reagent from being vaporized or contaminated, the opening is formed as small as possible. For this reason, the reagent cannot be properly suctioned when the pipette is not accurately positioned in the opening. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, in order to properly dispense the reagent, it is necessary to adjust the pipette so as to be accurately positioned at a predetermined position. 
         [0006]    JP2001-91522 discloses that a pipette of a dispensing section is adjusted so as to be positioned at a predetermined position. According to JP2001-91522, the adjustment of the pipette of the dispensing section is performed in such a manner that a user executes a predetermined adjustment program when mounting an analyzer or exchanging a dispensing section-related part. 
         [0007]    When the sample analyzer is used for a long period of time, deterioration of a mechanism for driving the reagent dispensing section (extending of a driving belt, and the like), and the like may cause gradual displacement of a stop position of the pipette. Further, the pipette may be bent when the user touches the pipette of the dispensing section. In this case, when the analyzer performs an analyzing operation, it is difficult to accurately position a tip end of the pipette at a predetermined position and thus the pipette may be brought into contact with a reagent container and be thereby damaged. 
         [0008]    In a technique of JP2001-91522, the pipette can be adjusted so as to be positioned at a predetermined position. However, the pipette damage caused by prolonged use of the sample analyzer cannot be prevented. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A first aspect of the invention is a sample analyzer comprising: a pipette for dispensing a reagent or a sample; a pipette moving mechanism for moving the pipette; a position confirming section disposed at a position where the pipette can be reached; and a controller for performing a position confirming process comprising: moving the pipette by the pipette moving mechanism so as to be disposed at a predetermined position included in the position confirming section; and judging whether the moved pipette is disposed at the predetermined position. 
         [0010]    A second aspect of the invention is a sample analyzer comprising: a pipette for dispensing a reagent or a sample; a pipette moving mechanism for moving the pipette; a position confirming section disposed at a position where the pipette can be reached; and a controller, including a memory under control of a processor, the memory storing instructions enabling the processor to carry out operations, comprising: moving the pipette by the pipette moving mechanism so as to be disposed at a predetermined position included in the position confirming section; and judging whether the pipette moved by the moving step is disposed at the predetermined position. 
         [0011]    A third aspect of the invention is a computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium; and instructions, on the computer readable medium, adapted to enable a sample analyzer, comprising a pipette for dispensing a reagent or a sample, a pipette moving mechanism for moving the pipette, and a position confirming section disposed at a position where the pipette can be reached, to perform operations, comprising: moving the pipette by the pipette moving mechanism so as to be disposed at a predetermined position included in the position confirming section; and judging whether the pipette moved by the moving step is disposed at the predetermined position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a plan explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an immunological analyzer (sample analyzer) according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a measuring unit of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the configurations of a measurement control section and a control device of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the overall flow of analysis of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of a reagent dispensing section of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating an arm section and a collision detecting sensor of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pipette cleaning section of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a menu screen displayed on a display section of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of the position confirming member illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Hereinafter, embodiments of a sample analyzer of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       [Overall Configuration of Device] 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a plan explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an immunological analyzer (sample analyzer) according to an embodiment of the invention and  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a measuring unit of the immunological analyzer illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    The immunological analyzer  1  according to an embodiment of the invention is a device for inspecting various measuring items such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tumor marker, and thyroid hormone by using a sample (specimen) such as blood. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the immunological analyzer  1  is mainly configured by a measuring unit (measuring section)  2  including a plurality of mechanisms and a control device  400  as a data processing unit which is electrically connected to the measuring unit  2 . 
         [0024]    The measuring unit  2  has a sample transporting section (sampler)  10 , an urgent sample•tip transporting section  20 , a pipette tip supply device  30 , a tip removing section  40 , a sample dispensing section  50 , a reagent mounting section ( 60   a  and  60   b )  60 , first and second reaction sections  80   a  and  80   b,  a reagent dispensing section ( 90   a  to  90   e )  90 , a B/F separating section ( 100   a  and  100   b )  100 , a detecting section  120  and a measurement control section (see  FIG. 2  for reference)  140  for controlling operations of the mechanisms such as the sample transporting section (sampler)  10  and the sample dispensing section  50 . In the immunological analyzer  1  according to this embodiment, a disposable pipette tip is exchanged for every suction and ejection of the sample to control mixing of the sample such as blood suctioned and emitted by the sample dispensing section  50  with another sample. 
         [0025]    With the immunological analyzer  1 , capture antibodies (reagent R 1 ) bound to antigens included in the sample such as blood as a measuring target (analysis target) are bound to magnetic particles (reagent R 2 ) and then the bound antigens, capture antibodies and magnetic particles are drawn to a magnet of the first B/F (Bound Free) separating section  100   a  to remove the reagent R 1  including the unreacted (free) capture antibodies. In addition, after the antigens to which the magnetic particles are bound and labeled antibodies (reagent R 3 ) are bound to each other, the bound magnetic particles, antigens and labeled antibodies are drawn to a magnet of the second B/F separating section  100   b  to remove the reagent R 3  including the unreacted (free) labeled antibodies. Further, luminescent substrates (reagent R 5 ) emitting light in the course of the reaction with a dispersion liquid (reagent R 4 ) or the labeled antibodies are added and then an amount of luminescence generated by the reaction of the labeled antibodies with the luminescent substrates is measured. Through such a course, the antigens included in the sample bound to the labeled antibodies are quantitatively-measured. 
       [Configuration of Measuring Unit] 
       [0026]    The mechanisms of the measuring unit  2  can properly employ known configurations. However, hereinafter, the configurations thereof will be simply described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the measurement control section  140  is mainly configured by a CPU  140   a,  a storage section including a ROM  140   b  and a RAM  140   c,  an input/output interface  140   d  and a communication interface  140   e.  The CPU  140   a,  ROM  140   b,  RAM  140   c,  input/output interface  140   d  and communication interface  140   e  are connected to each other by a bus  140   f.    
         [0028]    The CPU  140   a  can execute a computer program  141  stored in the ROM  140   b  and a computer program loaded to the RAM  140   c.    
         [0029]    The ROM  140   b  includes a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM and an EEPROM and a computer program to be executed on the CPU  140   a  and data to be used for the computer program are recorded therein. 
         [0030]    The RAM  140   c  includes a SRAM and a DRAM. The RAM  140   c  is used to read computer programs recorded in the ROM  140   b.  Moreover, the RAM  140   c  is used as a work area of the CPU  140   a  when the computer programs are executed. 
         [0031]    The input/output interface  140   d  includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394 and RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, and an analog interface including a D/A converter and an A/D converter. A bar-code reader  150  is connected to the input/output interface  140   d.  To a test tube  3  (see  FIG. 1  for reference) containing the sample and a rack  4  (see  FIG. 1  for reference) on which a plurality of the test tubes  3  are placed, bar-codes in which information for specifying the sample in the test tube  3  or the rack  4  is recorded are adhered. The bar-code reader  150  is used to read the bar-codes adhered to the test tube  3  and the rack  4 . 
         [0032]    The communication interface  140   e  is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trade name) interface. Through the communication interface  140   e,  the measurement control section  140  can send and receive data to and from a computer  401  by using a predetermined communication protocol. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sample transporting section  10  is configured so as to transport the rack  4  on which the plurality of the test tubes  3  containing the samples are placed to a position corresponding to a suction position of the sample dispensing section  50 . The sample transporting section  10  has a rack setting section  10   a  for setting the rack  4  on which the test tube  3  containing the unprocessed sample is placed and a rack storing section  10   b  for storing the rack  4  on which the test tube  3  containing the sample after dispensing is placed. By transporting the test tube  3  containing the unprocessed sample to the position corresponding to the suction position of the sample dispensing section  50 , the sample such as blood in the test tube  3  is suctioned by the sample dispensing section  50  and the rack  4  on which the test tube  3  is placed is stored in the rack storing section  10   b.    
         [0034]    The urgent sample•tip transporting section  20  is configured so as to transport the test tube  3  containing an urgent sample requiring to be inspected by entering into the sample transported by the sample transporting section  10  to a mounting position of the sample dispensing section  50 . 
         [0035]    The pipette tip supply device  30  has a function of placing a one put pipette tip on a tip mounting section  23   a  of a transporting rack  23  of the urgent sample•tip transporting section  20 . 
         [0036]    The tip removing section  40  is provided to remove the pipette tip mounted on the sample dispensing section  50  to be described later. 
         [0037]    The sample dispensing section  50  has a function of dispensing the sample in the test tube  3  transported to the suction position by the sample transporting section  10  into a cuvette (not shown) held in a holding section  81   a  of a first reaction table  81  of the first reaction section  80   a  to be described later. The sample dispensing section  50  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  51  around a shaft  52  and move it in an up-and-down direction. Further, a nozzle section for suctioning and ejecting the sample is provided at a tip end of the arm section  51 . A tip end of the nozzle section is mounted with the tip of the pipette transported by a transporting rack (not shown) of the urgent sample•tip transporting section  20 . 
         [0038]    The reagent mounting section  60   a  is a rotation table which is rotated and driven. On this section, a reagent container  201  for containing the reagent R 1  including the capture antibodies and a reagent container  202  for containing the reagent R 3  including the labeled antibodies are mounted. 
         [0039]    In addition, the reagent mounting section  60   b  is a rotation table which is rotated and driven. On this section, a reagent container for containing the reagent R 2  including the magnetic particles is mounted. 
         [0040]    The first reaction section  80   a  is provided to rotate and move by a predetermined angle at predetermined intervals (in this embodiment, 20 seconds) the cuvette held in the holding section  81   a  of the first reaction table  81  which is rotated and driven and to stir the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the sample in the cuvette. That is, the first reaction section  80   a  is provided to react the reagent R 2  having the magnetic particles with the antigens in the sample in the cuvette. The first reaction section  80   a  is configured by the first reaction table  81  and a container transporting section  82 . The first reaction table  81  transports the cuvette containing the sample and the reagents R 1  and R 2  in a rotation direction. The container transporting section  82  stirs the sample and the reagents R 1  and R 2  in the cuvette  8  and transports the cuvette containing the stirred sample and reagents R 1  and R 2  to the first B/F separating section  100   a  to be described later. 
         [0041]    The container transporting section  82  is rotatably mounted at the center of the first reaction table  81 . The container transporting section  82  has a function of grasping the cuvette held in the holding section  81   a  of the first reaction table  81  and stirring the specimen in the cuvette. In addition, the container transporting section  82  also has a function of transporting the cuvette containing the specimen resulting from stirring and incubating the sample and the reagents R 1  and R 2  to the first B/F separating section  100   a.    
         [0042]    The reagent dispensing section  90   a  has a function of suctioning the reagent R 1  in the reagent container mounted on the reagent mounting section  60   a  and dispensing the suctioned reagent R 1  into the cuvette of the first reaction section  80   a.  The reagent dispensing section  90   a  has a driving section (see  FIG. 5  for reference)  160  capable of rotating an arm section  91   b  around a shaft  91   c  and moving it in an up-and-down direction. A pipette P (see  FIG. 5  for reference) for suctioning and ejecting the reagent R 1  in the reagent container  201  is attached to a tip end of the arm section  91   b.  Further, the reagent dispensing section  90   a  has a collision detecting sensor (see  FIG. 6  for reference)  170  for use in detecting collision of the pipette P with an obstacle. The driving section  160  constitutes a pipette moving mechanism for moving a tip end of the pipette P to a predetermined position (position of a position confirming member  210  (see  FIG. 5  for reference)) as described below. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of the reagent dispensing section. As illustrated in this drawing, the driving section  160  has a rotating motor  161 , a lifting motor  162 , and a transmission mechanism  163  for transmitting power of the rotating motor  161  and the lifting motor  162  to the shaft  91   c.  For example, the transmission mechanism  163  includes a belt transmission mechanism, a gear mechanism and the like for decelerating rotation power of the rotating motor  161  to transmit the decelerated rotation power to the shaft  91   c  and a belt transmission mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism and the like for converting rotation power of the lifting motor  162  into linear power in an up-and-down direction to transmit the converted power to the shaft  91   c.  Rotation pulses of the rotating motor  161  and the lifting motor  162  are detected by an encoder (omitted). 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the arm section  91   b  and the collision detecting sensor  170 . In this drawing, the arm section  91   b,  inside of which is exposed by detaching an upper cover  91   b   1  (indicated by the chain double-dashed line) is illustrated. The pipette P is supported on the arm section  91   b  so as to be moved in an up-and-down direction and downward movement of the pipette P is regulated within a predetermined range. Further, the pipette P is urged downward by an urging member  171  including a compression coil spring. The arm section  91   b  is provided with a base  172  movable together with the pipette P in an up-and-down direction and a sensing member  173  is attached on the base  172 . A circuit board  174  is erected on the arm section  91   b  and the collision detecting sensor  170  is attached to the circuit board  174 . 
         [0045]    In this embodiment, the collision detecting sensor  170  includes a transmission type sensor having a light projecting section and a light receiving section. The sensing member  173  is provided with a light shielding plate  173   a  disposed between the light projecting section and the light receiving section of the collision detecting sensor  170 . Normally, the light shielding plate  173   a  shields the light from the collision detecting sensor  170  to switch the collision detecting sensor  170  off. When the pipette P is moved downward and collides with the obstacle, the pipette P is moved upward with respect to the arm section  91   b  and the light shielding plate  173   a  is also moved upward through the base  172 . Accordingly, the shielding of the light from the collision detecting sensor  170  is released. In this manner, when the collision detecting sensor  170  is switched on, the collision of the pipette P with the obstacle is detected by the measurement control section  140 . 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the reagent dispensing section  90   b  has a function of dispensing the reagent R 2  in the reagent container mounted on the reagent mounting section  60   b  into the cuvette into which the sample and the reagent R 1  of the first reaction section  80   a  are dispensed. The reagent dispensing section  90   b  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  92   b  around a shaft  92   c  and move it in an up-and down direction. Further, a pipette P for suctioning and ejecting the reagent R 2  in the reagent container is attached to a tip end of the arm section  92   b.  As in the case of the reagent dispensing section  90   a,  the reagent dispensing section  90   b  has a driving section  160  and a collision detecting sensor  170  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, the first B/F separating section  100   a  is provided to separate the unreacted reagent R 1  (unnecessary components) and the magnetic particles from the specimen in the cuvette transported by the container transporting section  82  of the first reaction section  80   a.    
         [0048]    The cuvette of the first B/F separating section  100   a  from which the unreacted reagent R 1  and the like are separated is transported to a holding section  83   a  of a second reaction table  83  of the second reaction section  80   b  by a transporting mechanism  96 . The transporting mechanism  96  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  96   a  having a cuvette grasping section (not shown) at a tip end thereof around a shaft  96   b  and move it in an up-and-down direction. 
         [0049]    The second reaction section  80   b  has the same configuration as the first reaction section  80   a  and is provided to rotate and move by a predetermined angle at predetermined intervals (in this embodiment, 20 seconds) the cuvette held in the holding section  83   a  of the second reaction table  83  and to stir the reagents R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and R 5  and the sample in the cuvette. That is, the second reaction section  80   b  is provided to react the reagent R 3  having the labeled antibodies with the antigens in the sample and to react the reagent R 5  having the luminescent substrates with the labeled antibodies of the reagent R 3  in the cuvette. The second reaction section  80   b  is configured by the second reaction table  83  for transporting the cuvette  8  containing the sample and the reagents R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and R 5  in a rotation direction and a container transporting section  84  for stirring the reagents R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and R 5  and the sample in the cuvette and transporting the cuvette containing the stirred sample and the like to the second B/F separating section  100   b  to be described later. The container transporting section  84  has a function of transporting the cuvette processed by the second B/F separating section  100   b  to the holding section  83   a  of the second reaction table  83  again. 
         [0050]    The reagent dispensing section  90   c  has a function of suctioning the reagent R 3  in the reagent container  202  mounted on the reagent mounting section  60   a  and dispensing the suctioned reagent R 3  into the cuvette into which the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the sample of the second reaction section  80   b  are dispensed. The reagent dispensing section  90   c  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  93   b  around a shaft  93   c  and move it in an up-and down direction. Further, a pipette P for suctioning and ejecting the reagent R 3  in the reagent container is attached to a tip end of the arm section  93   b.  As in the case of the reagent dispensing section  90   a,  the reagent dispensing section  90   c  has a driving section  160  and a collision detecting sensor  170  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0051]    The second B/F separating section  100   b  has the same configuration as the first B/F separating section  100   a  and is provided to separate the unreacted reagent R 3  (unnecessary components) and the magnetic particles from the reagent in the cuvette transported by the container transporting section  84  of the second reaction section  80   b.    
         [0052]    The reagent R 4  dispensing section  90   d  and the reagent R 5  dispensing section  90   e  are provided to move a nozzle section (not shown) in an up-and-down direction to thereby supply the reagent R 4  and the reagent R 5  to the cuvette held in the second reaction table  83  of the second reaction section  80   b.    
         [0053]    The detecting section  120  is provided to obtain an amount of luminescence generated in the course of the reaction of the luminescent substrates with the labeled antibodies bound to the antigens of the sample subjected to a predetermined process by a photomultiplier tube to thereby measure an amount of the antigens included in the sample. The detecting section  120  has a transporting mechanism section  121  for transporting the cuvette held in the holding section  83   a  of the second reaction table  83  of the second reaction section  80   b  to the detecting section  120 . 
         [0054]    In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the measuring unit  2  according to this embodiment has pipette cleaning sections  220  for cleaning the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  and the position confirming members  210  for confirming positions of the tip ends of the pipettes P as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Hereinafter, a description will be given with respect to the position confirming member  210  and the pipette cleaning section  220  for the reagent dispensing section  90   a.  Since the position confirming members  210  and the pipette cleaning sections  220  for the reagent dispensing sections  90   b  and  90   c  have the same configurations, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
       (Configuration of Pipette Cleaning Section)  
       [0055]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pipette cleaning section  220  has a cleaning container  221  and the cleaning container  221  is provided with a cleaning hole  222  for inserting the pipette P therethrough and a cleaning nozzle  223  for ejecting a cleaning liquid into the cleaning hole  222 . The cleaning hole  222  is open at an upper end of the cleaning container  221  and the pipette P can be inserted from this opening. The cleaning nozzle  223  is configured so as to clean the pipette P by ejecting the cleaning liquid to the cleaning hole  222  from the obliquely upper side and thereby spraying the cleaning liquid to the pipette P inserted into the cleaning hole  222 . 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in plan view, the pipette cleaning section  220  is disposed on a moving locus (rotation locus around the shaft  91   c;  see the arrow for reference) of the pipette P of the reagent dispensing section  90   a.  In addition, the pipette cleaning section  220  is disposed at a predetermined distance away from an origin position (for example, position of the arm section  91   b  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the arm section  91   b  of the reagent dispensing section  90   a  in a horizontal direction and a downward direction. Accordingly, by rotating the arm section  91   b  of the reagent dispensing section  90   a  from the origin position to an upper position of the pipette cleaning section  220  by a predetermined distance and moving the arm section  91   b  downward, the pipette P can be inserted into the cleaning hole  222  of the cleaning container  221 . 
       (Configuration of Position Confirming Member)  
       [0057]    The position confirming member  210  is used to confirm whether the pipette P of the reagent dispensing section  90   a  has been accurately disposed at a predetermined position when the pipette P has moved to the predetermined position. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the position confirming member  210  is formed in a block shape having a hole (space)  211  penetrating therethrough in an up-and-down direction. The hole  211  has a diameter slightly larger (about 2 mm) than an outer diameter of the pipette P such that the pipette P can be inserted therethrough with a small gap (gap of about 1 mm in radius). The hole  211  may be a hole with a bottom not penetrating through the position confirming member  210 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the hole  211  may have a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipette P at an upper end thereof such that the pipette P can be inserted therethrough with a small gap (gap of about 1 mm in radius), and may have a diameter at the other part thererof such that the pipette P can be inserted therethrough with a sufficient gap. By forming the hole in such a shape, position confirmation accuracy of the position confirming member  210  can be maintained and the probability that the pipette P is contaminated by the reagent and the cleaning liquid sticking to an inner wall surface of the hole  211  can be reduced. 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in plan view, the position confirming member  210  is disposed on the moving locus (rotation locus around the shaft  91   c;  see the arrow for reference) of the pipette P of the reagent dispensing section  90   a.  In addition, the position confirming member  210  is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the origin position (for example, position of the arm section  91   b  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the arm section  91   b  of the reagent dispensing section  90   a  in a horizontal direction and a downward direction. Accordingly, by rotating the arm section  91   b  from the origin position to an upper position of the position confirming member  210  by a predetermined distance and moving the arm section  91   b  downward, the tip end of the pipette P can be inserted into the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210 . 
         [0059]    The pipette P is disposed at a position having a possibility of being touched by a user in the measuring unit  2 . For this reason, the user may touch the pipette P by mistake and the pipette P may be thereby bent. Moreover, due to elongation of the belt used for a long period of time, the driving section  160  of the reagent dispensing section  90   a  may not accurately stop the tip end of the pipette P at a predetermined position. When such problems (problems of the pipette P in shape and operation) are generated, the tip end of the pipette P cannot be inserted into the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210  and thus the tip end of the pipette P collides with the position confirming member  210  as indicated by the chain double-dashed line of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0060]    As described above, the arm section  91   b  according to this embodiment is provided with the collision detecting sensor  170 . Accordingly, when the tip end of the pipette P collides with the position confirming member  210 , the measurement control section  140  can detect the collision. In other words, it is possible to detect whether the tip end of the pipette P has been disposed at a predetermined position (in the hole  211 ) on the basis of an output of the collision detecting sensor  170  by the measurement control section  140 . In this embodiment, the position confirming member  210  and the collision detecting sensor  170  constitute position confirming means for confirming whether the tip end of the pipette P has been disposed at a predetermined position. 
       [Configuration of Control Device] 
       [0061]    The control device  400  includes a personal computer (PC)  401  and the like. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the control device has a control section  400   a,  a display section  400   b  and an input section (input means)  400   c  such as a keyboard or a mouse. The control section  400   a  has a function of controlling operations of the mechanisms in the measuring unit  2  and analyzing optical information of the sample obtained by the measuring unit  2 . The control section  400   a  includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like. The display section  400   b  is used to display information about the analysis result obtained by the control section  400   a.    
         [0062]    Next, the configuration of the control device  400  will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the control section  400   a  is mainly configured by a CPU  401   a,  a storage section including a ROM  401   b,  a RAM  401   c  and a hard disk  401   d  and the like, a reading device  401   e,  an input/output interface  401   f,  a communication interface  401   g,  and an image output interface  401   h.    
         [0063]    The CPU  401   a,  ROM  401   b,  RAM  401   c,  hard disk  401   d,  reading device  401   e,  input/output interface  401   f,  communication interface  401   g,  and image output interface  401   h  are connected to each other by a bus  401   i.    
         [0064]    The CPU  401   a  can execute a computer program stored in the ROM  401   b  and a computer program loaded to the RAM  401   c.  The computer  401  functions as the control device  400  by executing an application program  404   a  to be described later on the CPU  401   a.    
         [0065]    The ROM  401   b  includes a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM and an EEPROM and a computer program to be executed on the CPU  401   a  and data to be used for the computer program are recorded therein. 
         [0066]    The RAM  401   c  includes a SRAM and a DRAM. The RAM  401   c  is used to read computer programs recorded in the ROM  401   b  and the hard disk  401   d.  Moreover, the RAM  140   c  is used as a work area of the CPU  401   a  when the computer programs are executed. 
         [0067]    On the hard disk  401   d,  various computer programs  404   a  for being executed on the CPU  401   a,  such as an operating system and an application program, and data to be used for the computer programs are installed. For example, an application program for registering a measuring order and an application program for controlling the operation of the measuring unit  2  are installed on the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0068]    The reading device  401   e  includes a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, and a DVD-ROM drive to read a computer program or data recorded in a portable recording medium  404 . The portable recording medium  404  stores the application program  404   a  according to this embodiment and the computer  401  reads the application program  404   a  from the portable recording medium  404  to install the application program  404   a  on the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0069]    Further, the application program  404   a  can be not only provided by the portable recording medium  404  but also provided from an exterior device communicatably connected to the computer  401  by an electrical communication line (both wired and wireless) through the electrical communication line. For example, the application program  404   a  can be stored in a hard disk of a server computer on the internet and the computer  401  can access the server computer to download the application program  404   a  and then the downloaded application program can be installed on the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0070]    For example, on the hard disk  401   d,  an operating system to provide a graphical user interface environment such as Windows (registered trade name) made and distributed by Microsoft corporation, America, is installed. In the following description, the application program  404   a  according to this embodiment operates on the above-mentioned operating system. 
         [0071]    The input/output interface  401   f  includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394 and RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, and an analog interface including a D/A converter and an A/D converter. The keyboard  400   c  is connected to the input/output interface  401   f.  A user uses the keyboard  400   c  to input data to the computer  401 . 
         [0072]    The communication interface  401   g  is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trade name) interface. Through the communication interface  401   g,  the computer  401  can send and receive data to and from the measuring unit  2  by using a predetermined communication protocol. 
         [0073]    The image output interface  401   h  is connected to the display section  400   b  including LCD and CRT to output a picture signal responding to image data given from the CPU  401   a  to the display section  400   b.  The display section  400   b  displays an image (screen) in accordance with the input picture signal. 
         [0074]    [Overall Process of Analysis Which is Performed by Immunological Analyzer] 
         [0075]      FIG. 4  illustrates the overall flow of the analysis which is performed by the immunological analyzer  1 . Hereinafter, the overall analysis which is performed by the immunological analyzer  1  will be described. In the following description, “process” is a process controlled by the control section  400   a  of the control device  400  or the measurement control section  140  of the measuring unit  2 . 
         [0076]    Firstly, when the immunological analyzer  1  is turned on, initialization of the measurement control section  140  is performed (Step S 1 ). In this initializing operation, program initialization, returning of the driving section of the immunological analyzer  1  to the origin position and the like are performed. 
         [0077]    Meanwhile, when the control device  400  communicatably connected to the immunological analyzer  1  is turned on, initialization of the control section  400   a  of the control device  400  is performed (Step S 101 ). In this initializing operation, program initialization and the like are performed. 
         [0078]    When the initialization of the measurement control section  140  and the control device  400  ends, the immunological analyzer  1  is kept in a state in which it is ready to start measurement (analysis) (standby state). 
         [0079]    Next, in Step S 102 , an order of the samples to be analyzed by the immunological analyzer  1  is registered (Step S 102 ). In this order registration, for example, information such as sample numbers or measuring items (analysis items) is input from the keyboard (input means)  400   c  by a user, and then after confirming the content, the user clicks an instruction button for the order registration. The order registration performed by the control section  400   a  is stored in a storage area of the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0080]    Next, in Step S 103 , determining whether a measurement start instruction has been received is performed by the control section  400   a.    FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a menu screen  301  displayed on the display section  400   b  of the control device  400  in the standby state. In the menu screen  301 , a title bar  301   a,  a menu bar  301   b,  a tool bar  301   c  and a main display section  301   d  are displayed. “Measurement start” buttons  303  and  302  are provided in the tool bar  301   c  and the main display section  301   d.  The measurement (analysis) start instruction can be given to the immunological analyzer  1  by pressing (clicking) the “measurement start” buttons  303  and  302 . 
         [0081]    When the control section  400   a  determines that the measurement start instruction has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 104 . When the control section  400   a  determines that the measurement start instruction has not been received (No), the process proceeds to Step S 119 . In Step S 104 , the control section  400   a  sends a measurement start signal to the measurement control section  140 . 
         [0082]    Next, in Step S 2 , determining whether the measurement start signal has been received is performed by the measurement control section  140 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the measurement start signal has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 3 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the measurement start signal has not been received (No), the process proceeds to Step S 23 . 
         [0083]    In Step S 3 , the measurement control section  140  performs initializing operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c,  that is, operations for returning the pipettes P to the origin positions thereof. Then, the process proceeds to Step S 4 . 
         [0084]    In Step S 4 , cleaning for the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  is performed. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are inserted into the cleaning containers  221  and then the cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning nozzles  222  is sprayed to the pipettes P. 
         [0085]    Next, in Step S 5 , the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are moved. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pipette P is moved to the upper position of the position confirming member  210  by the driving section  160  and then is moved downward. The tip end of the pipette P is inserted into the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210 . In this manner, the tip end of the pipette P is disposed at a confirmation position Q. 
         [0086]    In Step S 6 , when the tip end of the pipette P is inserted into the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210 , the measurement control section  140  determines whether the pipette P has collided with the position confirming member  210  on the basis of an output of the collision detecting sensor  170  to confirm that the tip end of the pipette P reaches the confirmation position Q. Specifically, in case where the tip end of the pipette P is inserted into the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210 , it is determined that the tip end of the pipette P reaches the confirmation position Q when the collision detecting sensor  170  does not change in output without sensing anything (that is, when light from the collision detecting sensor  170  is shielded by the light shielding plate  173   a ), and it is determined that the pipette P collides with the position confirming member  210  and the tip end of the pipette P does not reach the confirmation position Q when the collision detecting sensor  170  changes in output without sensing anything (that is, when light shielding of the light shielding plate  173   a  for the collision detecting sensor  170  is released to switch the collision detecting sensor  170  on). When the measurement control section  140  determines that the tip end of the pipette P has reached the confirmation position Q in the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210  (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 9 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the tip end of the pipette P has not been inserted so as to reach the confirmation position Q in the hole  211  of the position confirming member  210  (No), the process proceeds to Step S 7 . 
         [0087]    In Step S 7 , by the measurement control section  140 , a signal indicating a position confirmation error of the pipette P is sent to the control device  400  and the process proceeds to Step S 8 . 
         [0088]    Next, in Step S 8 , the measurement control section  140  moves the pipette P to an upper limit position and then stops the pipette P and the overall operation of the device. After that, the process proceeds to Step S 23 . 
         [0089]    In Step S 105 , determining whether the error signal has been received is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the control section  400   a  determines that the error signal has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 106 . When the control section  400   a  determines that the error signal has not been received (No), the process proceeds to Step S 109 . 
         [0090]    In Step S 106 , by the control section  400   a,  the position confirmation error of the pipette P is displayed on the display section  400   b.  For example, the error display shows that the pipette P is bent or has a problem in movement, or that exchange with a new pipette P is required. The user sees the error display and thus recognizes that the shape or the operation of the pipette P has a problem. In this manner, measures such as exchange of the pipette P can be performed. The error display includes a confirmation button for returning the device state to a standby state and a pipette position adjustment button for performing position adjustment of the pipette. 
         [0091]    Next, in Step S 107 , determining whether the confirmation button has been selected or the pipette position adjustment button has been selected is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the confirmation button is selected, the process proceeds to Step S 119  and the device returns to a standby state. When the pipette position adjustment button is selected in Step S 107 , the position of the pipette is adjusted in Step S 108 . 
         [0092]    Next, in Step S 9 , the rack  4  on which the plurality of the test tubes  3  containing the samples are placed is transported to a position corresponding to the suction position of the sample dispensing arm  50  by the sample transporting section  10 . A bar-code in which information (rack number) for specifying the rack  4  is recorded is adhered to the rack  4  and is read (Step S 10 ) by the bar-code reader (see  FIG. 3  for reference)  150  provided in the transport path for transporting the rack  4  to a predetermined position. The read rack number is sent to the control device  400  by the measurement control section  140  in Step S 11 . 
         [0093]    Next, in Step S 109 , determining whether the rack number has been received is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the control section  400   a  determines that the rack number has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 110 . 
         [0094]    Next, in Step S 110 , searching of an order page is performed by the control section  400   a.  That is, from order information stored in the storage area of the hard disk  401   d,  the control section  400   a  searches the order information related to the rack number received in Step S 109 . 
         [0095]    As in the case of the rack  4 , a bar-code in which information (sample number) for specifying the sample in the test tube  3  is recorded is adhered to the test tube  3  and is read (Step S 12 ) by the bar-code reader (see  FIG. 3  for reference)  150  provided in the transport path for transporting the rack  4  on which the test tube  3  is placed to a predetermined position. In Step S 13 , the measurement control section  140  sends the read sample number to the control device  400 . The bar-codes of the test tube  3  and the rack  4  may be read by different bar-code readers or by a common bar-code reader. 
         [0096]    Next, in Step S 111 , determining whether the sample number has been received is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the control section  400   a  determines that the sample number has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 112 . 
         [0097]    Next, in Step S 112 , searching of the order is performed by the control section  400   a.  That is, from the order information related to the specified rack number searched in Step S 110 , the control section  400   a  searches the order information related to the sample number received in Step S 111 . Then, in Step S 113 , the control section  400   a  sends an order instruction to the measurement control section  140 . 
         [0098]    Next, in Step S 14 , determining whether the order instruction has been received is performed by the measurement control section  140 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the order instruction has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 15 . 
         [0099]    Next, in Step S 15 , the ordered item is subjected to a measuring operation. Specifically, the sample in the test tube  3  is dispensed into the cuvette by the sample dispensing section  50 , a predetermined reagent is dispensed into the cuvette by the reagent dispensing section  90   a  and the like (Step S 16 ), and then a predetermined process is performed in the B/F separating sections  100   a  and  100   b  to mix the reagent and the specimen and thus a measuring specimen is prepared. The pipette P after the dispensing of the reagent is cleaned by the pipette cleaning section  220  (Step S 17 ). After that, by the detecting section  120 , the measuring specimen is subjected to a predetermined measuring operation (Step S 18 ) and then the measurement result is sent to the control device  400  by the measurement control section  140  (Step S 19 ). 
         [0100]    Next, in Step S 114 , determining whether the measurement result has been received is performed by the control section  400 . When the control section  400   a  determines that the measurement result has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 115 . 
         [0101]    In Step S 115 , the measurement result sent from the measurement control section  140  is analyzed. That is, from the sent measurement result and an analytical curve preliminarily created using a standard specimen and stored in the hard disk  401   d,  the control section  400   a  computes the concentration of the antigens in the target for measurement and stores the result (analysis result). Further, the control section  400   a  outputs the analysis result to the display section  400   b  (Step S 116 ). 
         [0102]    Next, in Step S 117 , determining whether the samples in all of the test tubes  3  held in the rack  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the control section  400   a  determines that the samples in all of the test tubes  3  held in the rack  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 118 . When the control section  400   a  determines that the samples in all of the test tubes  3  held in the rack  4  have not been subjected to the measuring operation (No), the process returns to Step S 111 . 
         [0103]    Next, in Step S 118 , determining whether all of the racks  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the control section  400   a  determines that all of the racks  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 119 . When the control section  400   a  determines that all of the racks  4  have not been subjected to the measuring operation (No), the process returns to Step S 105 . 
         [0104]    Next, in Step S 119 , determining whether an instruction for shutdown of the control device  400  has been received is performed by the control section  400   a.  When the control section  400   a  determines that the instruction for shutdown has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 120 . When the control section  400   a  determines that the instruction for shutdown has not been received (No), the process returns to Step S 102 . 
         [0105]    Next, in Step S 120 , a shutdown signal is sent to the measurement control section  140  from the control section  400   a.    
         [0106]    Then, in Step S 121 , shutdown of the control device  400  is performed by the control section  400   a  and then the process ends. 
         [0107]    In addition, in Step S 20 , determining whether the samples in all of the test tubes  3  held in the rack  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation is performed by the measurement control section  140 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the samples in all of the test tubes  3  held in the rack  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 22 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the samples in all of the test tubes  3  held in the rack  4  have not been subjected to the measuring operation (No), the sample transporting section  10  is controlled (Step S 21 ) so as to transport the rack  4  by a predetermined distance (a distance to a suctioning position from the test tube containing the sample to be subjected to the measuring operation next time) and the process returns to Step S 12 . 
         [0108]    Next, in Step S 22 , determining whether all of the racks  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation is performed by the measurement control section  140 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that all of the racks  4  have been subjected to the measuring operation (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 23 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that all of the racks  4  have not been subjected to the measuring operation (No), the process returns to Step S 4 . 
         [0109]    Next, in Step S 23 , determining whether the shutdown signal has been received is performed by the measurement control section  140 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the shutdown signal has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S 24 . When the measurement control section  140  determines that the shutdown signal has not been received (No), the process returns to Step S 2 . 
         [0110]    Then, in Step S 24 , the shutdown of the immunological analyzer  1  is performed by the measurement control section  140  and then the process ends. 
         [0111]    In the above-mentioned overall process of the immunological analyzer  1 , the position confirming operations (Step S 6 ) of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are automatically performed in accordance with a predetermined operation sequence after the control device  400  and the measuring unit  2  are initialized (Steps S 1  and S 101 ) and then are ready to start measurement. Accordingly, the user does not have to intentionally perform the position confirming operation of the pipette P and to manage timing at which the position confirmation of the pipette P is performed. Consequently, a burden on the user can be reduced. 
         [0112]    Further, the position confirming operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are performed after the measurement start instruction is received in the control device  400 . Accordingly, the position confirming operation of the pipette P is necessarily performed at every measurement (analysis). Consequently, it is possible to prevent that reliability of the measurement result is lowered by insufficient cleaning of the pipette P or a damage of the pipette P through the collision with the reagent container or the like, resulting from a problem of the pipette P (a problem of the pipette P in shape or operation). 
         [0113]    The position confirming operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are performed by inserting the pipettes P into the holes  211  of the position confirming members  210 . When the pipette P is normal, the pipette P is rarely brought into contact with the position confirming member  210 . Consequently, the pipette P and the position confirming member  210  can be prevented from being contaminated. 
         [0114]    In addition, the position confirming operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are immediately performed after the pipettes P are cleaned (Steps S 4  to S 6 ). Consequently, the position confirming member  210  can be prevented from being contaminated by the contact or approximation of the pipette P to the position confirming member  210 . 
         [0115]    The position confirming operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  are performed before the sample is dispensed by the sample dispensing section  50 . Consequently, even if it is found that the pipette P has a problem and the measurement is stopped, the sample is not wasted. 
         [0116]    The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and its design can be properly changed. 
         [0117]    For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the collision detecting sensor  170  is used as the position confirming sensor of the pipette P. However, a sensor made for position confirmation may be separately provided. For example, a transmission type sensor having a light projecting section and a light receiving section is used as the position confirming member  210  to detect whether the tip end of the pipette P has been inserted between the light projecting section and the light receiving section (space) by the transmission type sensor. 
         [0118]    Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the measurement control section  140  is configured so as to confirm the position of the tip end of the pipette P. However, the position confirmation of the pipette can be performed by confirming a position of a middle part of the pipette P or a position of the liquid ejected from the pipette. 
         [0119]    The position confirming operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c  may be performed at predetermined intervals (for example, at intervals of 30 minutes) when the immunological analyzer  1  is in a standby state. In this case, even if the user touches the pipette P during the standby state and the pipette P is thereby bent, it can be detected that the pipette P is bent before the measurement is started. Consequently, it is possible to prevent that reliability of the measurement result is lowered by insufficient cleaning of the pipette P or a damage of the pipette P through the collision with the reagent container or the like, resulting from the start of the measurement with the bent pipette P. 
         [0120]    The immunological analyzer  1  according to the above-mentioned embodiments has the position confirming member  210  made for position confirmation in order to perform the position confirming operation of the pipette P. However, the reagent containers  201  are  202  or the cleaning container  221  can be used as the position confirming member. In this case, the openings of the reagent containers  201  and  202  or the opening of the cleaning container  221  are formed as a hole (space) and determining whether the pipette P has been inserted into the hole is performed. Therefore, the position of the tip end of the pipette P can be confirmed. However, as described above, when the position confirming member  210  made for position confirmation is used, the diameter of the hole  211  can be freely decided and thus the position confirming operation of the pipette P can be more accurately performed. 
         [0121]    The immunological analyzer  1  according to the above-mentioned embodiments is configured so as to perform the position confirming operations of the pipettes P of the reagent dispensing sections  90   a  to  90   c,  but may be configured so as to perform the position confirming operation of the pipette of the sample dispensing section  50 . 
         [0122]    The invention is not limited to the immunological analyzer and can be applied to other analyzers such as a blood-clotting measuring device, a multiple blood cell analyzer, an in-urine physical component analyzer and a genetic amplification measuring device.