Abstract:
The present invention addresses the problem of inefficient utilization in a specimen pre-processing connection system due to integrated operation of a portion for connecting with pre-processing and a portion for connecting with an automated analysis system. The specific structure of the present invention contributes to providing a highly efficient system by causing a function for connecting to pre-processing and receiving a specimen from a pre-processing system and a function for connecting to an automated analysis system and transferring a specimen to the automated analysis system to each operate independently in a single unit, so that the functions do not affect each other during reset processing, and making it possible for either function to operate alone.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a specimen pre-processing connection apparatus that connects a specimen pre-processing automation system automatically performing the pre-processing of a specimen and a transport system (hereinafter, an automatic analysis system) including an automatic analysis apparatus automatically analyzing components of a specimen and transports a specimen between these systems, and a system including the specimen pre-processing connection apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, in an inspection room of a hospital, the automation of manual labor in inspection work has been advanced for the purpose of improving work efficiency and preventing the mix-up of a specimen and the infection of a worker. In order to introduce an automatic analysis apparatus and to realize pre-processing (centrifugation, an unplugging process, a dispensing process, and the like) and post-processing (a plugging process, the storage of a specimen, and the like) which occupy the majority of an inspection work time, and the automation of a specimen analysis process, a system related to the pre-processing and transportation of a specimen (hereinafter, a specimen transport system) has been invented and released in the market. 
     In general, a specimen transport system has a structure in which a specimen processing system performing the pre-processing and post-processing of a specimen and an analysis system analyzing a specimen are connected to each other by a transport unit. In the specimen processing system, a plurality of units having various functions are disposed along the transport line. In general, the specimen processing system is configured such that a specimen is injected from an injection unit which is disposed upstream of the transport line, the specimen is processed in the units disposed along the transport line, and the processed specimen is stored in a storage unit on the most downstream side. Meanwhile, the specimen processing system may be divided into systems different from each other during a pre-processing process and a post-processing process, and the specimen processing system and the analysis system may be directly connected to each other. 
     For example, PTL 1 discloses a system in which a dispensing unit is disposed at the end thereof, a transport line which moves backward against a transport line from an injection unit to the dispensing unit is provided, and a specimen processed and stored in the dispensing unit is transported in an upstream direction by the transport line moving backward. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: International Publication No. WO 2011/040203 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Incidentally, it is considered that a specimen processing system and an analysis system cannot be used individually. For example, such a state includes a case where consumables are required to be added to some units of the specimen processing system, a case where the shortage of a reagent occurs in the analysis system, or a case where the maintenance of each system is performed. Furthermore, units operated during the day and the night may be used interchangeably in an inspection room, and thus it is considered that all of the systems are not in an operation state. In this case, in the specimen transport system disclosed in PTL 1, a transport path on the specimen processing system side is required to be in a closed loop state so that a process of transporting a specimen can be completed only within the specimen processing system, in order to stably operate the specimen processing system regardless of the state of the analysis system. On contrary, in order to perform an operation using only the analysis system in a case where the specimen processing system cannot be used, a transport path on the analysis system side is required to be set to be in a closed loop state. 
     Accordingly, a transport path of a unit disposed at an end of the specimen processing system or the specimen processing system has to be set to be in a closed loop state. However, a unit disposed at an end of a pre-processing system varies depending on a configuration (layout) of the pre-processing system. For this reason, when a transport path of a unit disposed at an end is designed to have a closed loop structure for each system layout, there is a problem that structures of the respective units cannot be unified and standardized. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a connection unit according to claim  1  of the invention includes a first transport line that transports a specimen rack holding a specimen in a first direction, a second transport line that transports a specimen rack holding a specimen in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a first connection bypass that connects the first transport line and the second transport line to each other and transports a specimen rack holding a specimen in a third direction, and a second connection bypass that connects the first transport line and the second transport line to each other and transports a specimen rack holding a specimen in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, and holds a specimen for forming a first loop structure by the first transport line, the second transport line, and the first connection bypass and forming a second loop structure by the first transport line, the second transport line, and the second connection bypass. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the invention, one unit can have two functions as an end point of a specimen processing system connected to a specimen processing system and as a start point of an analysis system connected to an automatic analysis system. 
     In addition, according to the invention, it is easy to separately control an operation regarding connection to a pre-processing system and an operation regarding connection to an automatic analysis system, because of a simple structure. Thereby, it is possible to separately perform a reset process on a portion connected to the pre-processing system and a portion connected to the automatic analysis system without including a plurality of processing apparatuses CPU, and to perform an operation more efficiently by avoiding the stop of the overall system which cannot be avoided in a system that operates both the systems integrally. 
     Furthermore, control for stopping only any of functions (hereinafter, an off-line mode) is facilitated depending on circumstances of the automatic analysis system and the pre-processing system which are connected to the system, and thus it is possible to construct a system with higher flexibility. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a path configuration of a specimen pre-processing connection system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating connection of the specimen pre-processing connection system, a pre-processing system, and an automatic analysis system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a specimen and a rack. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a specimen pre-processing connection system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a setting screen related to off-line setting of the specimen pre-processing connection system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram illustrating the concept of division arrangement of the pre-processing system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating the concept of division arrangement of the pre-processing system according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An outline of a representative invention among inventions described in the specification will be briefly described below. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a system according to the invention.  FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a path configuration of a connection unit according to the invention.  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating connection of the connection unit, a specimen processing system, and an automatic analysis system according to the invention.  FIG. 4  is an example illustrating a specimen and a specimen rack.  FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a specimen pre-processing connection system according to the invention.  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a setting screen related to off-line setting of the specimen pre-processing connection system according to the invention. 
     The overall configuration of a system  300  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The system  300  includes a pre-processing system  2 , an automatic analysis system  3 , a connection unit  1  that connects the systems to each other, and a control unit  4  (computer) which controls the systems and the unit. Here, the connection unit  1  is a main portion according to the invention. 
     The specimen processing system  2  refers to a system that, with respect to a specimen  51  obtained from a patient and then sent into an inspection room, performs processes represented as arrival confirmation, centrifugation, an unplugging process, a dispensing process, a plugging process, a storage process, and the like, that is, a series of processes required before the injection of the specimen into an automatic analysis apparatus. For example, the specimen processing system includes a plugging unit, a storage unit, an injection unit, a centrifugal unit, a labeler unit, and a dispensing unit. An arrangement order of the units may be changed depending on the size or layout of the system. In addition, other units may also be included depending on the purpose of processing. 
     On the other hand, the automatic analysis system  3  refers to a system that includes one or more automatic analysis apparatuses ( 341 ,  342 ) analyzing components of the specimen  51  and a line ( 330 ) transporting the specimen  51  to the automatic analysis apparatuses. 
     A configuration of the connection unit  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . The connection unit  1  includes main transport lines  11   a  and  11   b  that transport a specimen rack  52  holding the specimen  51 , empty rack transport lines  12   a  and  12   b  that exclusively transport the empty rack  52 , a connection line  13  that connects the main transport line and the empty-rack-only transport line to each other, main transport line connection bypasses  14   a  and  14   b  that connect the main transport lines to each other, and empty rack line connection bypasses  15   a  and  15   b  that connect the empty-rack-only transport lines to each other. 
     In order to avoid degradation of processing capacity due to a clog caused by transporting a rack having the specimen  51  installed thereon and an empty rack  52  on the same line, the empty rack transport line  12  is disposed separately from the main transport line  11  and is set as a line for exclusively transporting only an empty rack. In addition, in order to avoid an increase in the size of the system, it is preferable to dispose the empty rack transport line  12  at the lower position of the main transport line  11 . 
     The connection line  13  is installed to connect the main transport line  11   a  and the empty rack transport line  12  to each other. In a case where the empty rack transport line  12  is disposed at the lower position of the main transport line  11 , the connection line  13  is configured to be inclined to connect an upper line and a lower line to each other. 
     Next, a function of the connection unit  1  in an inspection room will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . The left end of the connection unit  1  is connected to the specimen processing system  2 , the right end thereof is connected to the automatic analysis system  3 , and the left and right ends thereof function as units that transport the specimen  51  therebetween. Meanwhile, although the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  are briefly described herein, a plurality of functional modules such as a specimen injection module, a centrifugation module, unplugging and plugging modules, a dispensing module, and a specimen storage module are configured to be connected to each other in the actual pre-processing system  2 . In addition, the automatic analysis system  3  may be configured such that a plurality of analysis modules are connected to each other, and a plurality of automatic analysis systems  3  may be connected to each other. 
     More specifically, the main transport line  11   a  transporting a specimen from the specimen processing system  2  side to the analysis system  3  side is connected to a delivery line  81  which is an end point within the pre-processing system  2  at the left end thereof and is connected to a reception line  82  which is a start point within the automatic analysis system  3  at the right end thereof. The main transport line  11   b  transporting a specimen from the analysis system  3  side to the specimen processing system  2  side is connected to a reception line  83  within the specimen processing system  2  at the left end thereof and is connected to a delivery line  84  within the automatic analysis system  3  at the right end thereof. An empty rack transport line  12   a  transporting an empty rack from the analysis system  3  side to the specimen processing system  2  side is connected to an empty rack reception line  85  within the pre-processing system  2  at the left end thereof and is connected to an empty rack delivery line  86  within the automatic analysis system  3  at the right end thereof. An empty rack transport line  12   b  transporting an empty rack from the specimen processing system  2  side to the analysis system  3  side is connected to an empty rack delivery line  87  within the pre-processing system  2  at the left end thereof and is connected to an empty rack reception line  88  within the automatic analysis system  3  at the right end thereof. 
     Next, roles of lines and bypasses and a flow of a specimen  51  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2  and  3 . 
     Among specimens  51  processed by the above-mentioned specimen processing system  2 , a specimen  51  analyzed by the automatic analysis apparatus is transported to the main transport line  11   a . The specimen  51  is transported in a direction of an arrow  21  on this line, and is sent to the automatic analysis system  3 . A branch  41  connected to the empty rack transport line  12   a  is present on the line  11   a , and thus a specimen  51  failed to be subjected to pre-processing or a specimen  51  having lost a path can be stopped to be transported to the automatic analysis system  3  by using the branch  41  and can be taken out on the connection line  13 . In a case where the specimen  51  is removed, a rack is configured as the empty rack  52 , and is recovered by the empty rack transport line  12   a  through the connection line  13 . 
     The specimen  51  having returned from the automatic analysis system  3  is transported to the main transport line  11   b . The specimen  51  is transported in a direction of an arrow  22  on the line, is sent back to the pre-processing system, and is subjected to a predetermined process, such as a storage process, in the pre-processing system. A branch  42  is also installed in the main transport line  11   b . In a case where the specimen  51  required to be reexamined is returned, the course thereof can be changed to the main transport line connection bypass  14   b  (arrow  25 ) using the branch  42 , and can be transported to the automatic analysis system  13  again through the main transport line  11   a . Alternatively, a specimen  51  failed to be processed within the automatic analysis system is similarly transported in the order of the branch  42 , the main transport line connection bypass  14   b , the main transport line  11   a , and the branch  41 , and it is possible to remove the specimen  51  on the connection line  13  and to collect the empty rack  52 . 
     The connection unit  1  plays a role in exchanging a specimen  51  between the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  and a role in circulating the empty rack  52 . In a case where the empty rack  52  is intensively transported to either the specimen processing system  2  or the automatic analysis system  3  and becomes exhausted, there is the possibility of an operation as a system being stopped. In order to avoid this, a function of supplying the empty rack  52  to both the systems is provided to a specimen pre-processing connection system, which is located at an intermediate position between the systems. Specifically, empty-rack-only transport lines form loop structures  61  and  63  within a region  31  connected to the pre-processing system  2  and a region  33  connected to the automatic analysis system  3 , respectively. 
     The empty rack line connection bypass  15  and the connection line  13  play such a role. The former one transports a specimen  51  in a direction of arrow  26 . The empty rack transport lines  12   b  and  12   a  connected to the empty rack lines  87  and  85  of the pre-processing system  2  form the loop structure  61 . Similarly, regarding the latter one, the loop structure  63  is formed by the presence of the connection line  13 . 
     In general, the empty rack  52  supplied from the empty rack line  87  of the pre-processing system  2  is returned to the empty rack line  85  of the pre-processing system  2  through the empty rack line connection bypass  15 . Similarly, regarding the latter one, the empty rack  52  supplied from the empty rack line  86  of the automatic analysis system  3  is returned to the empty rack line  88  of the automatic analysis system  3  through the connection line  13 . 
     Here, the empty rack  52  supplied from the empty rack line  87  of the specimen processing system  2  is transported to the empty rack line  88  of the automatic analysis system  3  through the empty-rack-only transport line (advancing)  12   b  as necessary. Similarly, the empty rack  52  supplied from the empty rack line  86  of the automatic analysis system is transported to the empty rack line  85  of the pre-processing system  2  through the empty-rack-only transport line (returning)  12   a . Thereby, the mutual supply of the empty rack between both the systems is realized, and thus the empty rack is avoided being exhausted. 
     In addition, a rack holding a specimen  51  has to be circulated within the specimen processing system and the analysis system, and thus a main transport line transporting the rack having the specimen  51  installed thereon is also required to have a loop structure. In the invention, the main transport line connection bypass  14   a  in a pre-processing system region and the main transport line connection bypass  14   b  in an automatic analysis system region form loop structures  62  and  64 , respectively. 
     In the invention, the connection unit  1  is conceptually divided into two regions. When one of the regions is set as a connection region (region  31  on the left side of a dashed line  30 ) to the specimen processing system  2 , and the other is set as a connection region (region  33  on the right side of the dashed line  30 ) to the automatic analysis system, lines in the respective regions can form a total of two types of loop structures, that is, the loop structures  61  and  62  and the loop structures  63  and  64  together with the lines within the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  as described above. 
     Next, the control of the connection unit  1  will be described. 
     As described above, the pre-processing system connection region  31  is configured as the right end of the pre-processing system  2 , and the automatic analysis system connection region  33  is configured as the left end  3  of the automatic analysis system by the presence of the loop structures  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64 . 
     In the invention, respective regions are configured to be capable of being controlled separately. For example, in a reset process, a former one is the lowermost end and is set as a standard of the reset process, while a latter one is the uppermost end and can start reset by receiving an instruction from a downstream line. In addition, it is possible to perform an off-line process for stopping only one of the regions. 
     A specific workflow of an example of a reset process will be described below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     When the start of a reset process is instructed by the control unit  4  (step  101 ), the empty rack transport line  12 , the automatic analysis system connection region  33 , and the processing system connection region  31  start the reset process separately. 
     Regarding a mechanism, the empty rack transport line  12   b , the empty rack transport line  12   a , the empty rack line connection bypass  15 , and the connection line  13  correspond to the empty rack transport line  12 . Since these lines are capable of controlling reset regardless of the on-line and off-line states of the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3 , normal reset is performed (step  106 ), and the reset process is terminated. 
     In the automatic analysis system connection region  33 , a reset control method varies depending on whether the automatic analysis system  3  is in an on-line state or an off-line state. Meanwhile, the on-line state refers to a state where the automatic analysis system  3  is in operation, and the off-line state refers to a state where the automatic analysis system  3  is not in operation. A mechanism that receives or sends the rack  52  from the automatic analysis system  3  is not required to perform a reset operation in a case where the automatic analysis system  3  is in an off-line state. On the other hand, in a case of an on-line state, it is necessary to perform a reset operation, and thus it is determined whether the automatic analysis system  3  is in an on-line state or an off-line state (step  103 ). When it is determined that the automatic analysis system is in an on-line state, the reset of a region taking charge of a connection portion is performed (step  105 ). When it is determined that the automatic analysis system is in an off-line state, this process is passed. Next, normal reset is performed (step  107 ) and is then terminated. 
     Similarly, regarding the specimen processing system side, determination of whether being an on-line state or an off-line state (whether or not being in operation) is performed (step  102 ), and then respective reset processes are performed. 
     Finally, three branched reset processes are synchronized with each other to thereby terminate reset (step  109 ). 
     These settings can be performed by an operation unit, and an off-line state of the specimen processing system and an off-line state of the automatic analysis system can be set. A specific example will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a screen  201  required for setting. 
     Check boxes  202  and  203  are provided to set the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  to be in an off-line state. In a case where the specimen processing system  2  is desired to set in an off-line state, the check box  202  is checked. In a case where the automatic analysis system  3  is desired to set in an off-line state, the check box  203  is checked. Thereafter, set contents are registered in a control system  4  by pressing an OK button  204 . 
     In this manner, even in a system in which the specimen processing system and the automatic analysis system are connected to each other, it is possible to provide a highly efficient system which can separately control a pre-processing system region and an automatic analysis system region without physically separating the systems and which can be operated by designating an on-line state or an off-line state of each of the regions. 
     The control of a specimen  51  will be described below. Information regarding states (an off-line state or an on-line state) of the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  is managed by the control system  4 . 
     In a case where both the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  are registered to be in an on-line state in the control system  4 , the control system  4  performs control so as to transport the specimen between the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3 . Specifically, two branch points ( 41 ,  43 ) that are present in the main transport line  11   a  are opened, and the specimen  51  transported in a direction of the arrow  21  by the main transport line  11   a  is transported to the automatic analysis system  3  as it is. In addition, two branch points ( 42 ,  44 ) that are present in the main transport line  11   b  are opened, and the specimen  51  transported in a direction of the arrow  22  by the main transport line  11   b  is transported to the specimen pre-processing system  3  as it is. Similarly, regarding the empty specimen rack  52 , branch points  45  and  46  are opened, and control is performed so that the specimen  51  can move between the systems. 
     On the other hand, in a case where the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  are respectively registered to be in an off-line state and an on-line state in the control system  4 , the control system  4  controls the specimen  51  to be stayed within the automatic analysis system  3 . Specifically, the branch point  42  of the main transport line  11   b  is closed, and the specimen  51  returned from the automatic analysis system  3  is avoided entering the pre-processing system connection region  31 . The specimen  51  passes a bypass in a direction of an arrow  25 , and then returns to the automatic analysis system  3  through the main transport line  11   a . Similarly, regarding the empty specimen rack  52 , the branch point  46  is closed, and the empty specimen rack  52  is controlled to return to the automatic analysis system  3  through the  12   b.    
     In a case where, the specimen processing system  2  and the automatic analysis system  3  are respectively registered to be in an off-line state and an on-line state in the control system  4 , the control system  4  controls the specimen  51  to be stayed within the specimen pre-processing system  2 . 
     In the above-described invention, a description has been given of an example in which the pre-processing system and the automatic analysis system are respectively installed on the left side and the right side of the connection unit  1 , but there is no essential difference even connections on the right and left sides are reversed. 
     Next, another example will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are diagrams illustrating the concept of division arrangement of the pre-processing system according to the invention. It is possible to increase variations in an layout of the system  300  by the position of the connection unit  1  according to the invention. 
     Here, the concept of a station required to describe variations in a layout of the system  300  will be briefly described. A reception station  210  refers to an aggregate of units constituted by, for example, an injection unit, a centrifugal unit, and an unplugging unit, and is in charge of a process of receiving a specimen. A dispensing station  220  refers to an aggregate constituted by, for example, a labeler unit and a dispensing unit, and is in charge of a process of dividing a specimen into small parts. A storage station  230  refers to an aggregate constituted by, for example, a plugging unit and a storage unit, and is in charge of a process of storing a specimen. 
     Regarding a layout of the system  300 , in a system  301  in (a) of  FIG. 7A , connection units (the right side unit is denoted by  1 A, and the left side unit is denoted by  1 B) are respectively disposed at both ends of each station ( 210 ,  220 ,  230 ). Thereby, a closed loop is configured in a transport path within each of the stations  210 ,  220 , and  230 , and the stations  210 ,  220 , and  230  can be individually operated. In addition, the size of the system  300  can be freely determined by adjusting the length of the halfway transport path  330 , and thus it is possible to construct a system with higher flexibility such as a layout being able to be designed in consideration of situations of an institution (an inspection room, a laboratory, or the like) to be introduced. 
     As an application mode, as in a system  302  in (b) of  FIG. 7 , the reception station  210  and the dispensing station  220  may be disposed in adjacent to each other, and only the storage station  230  may be disposed at a separate place. An inspection room in which a specimen storage place is separated from an analysis place is effective. 
     Alternatively, as in a system  303  in (c) of  FIG. 7 , the reception station  210  and the storage station  230  may be disposed in adjacent, and only the dispensing station  230  may be disposed at a separate place. 
     Alternatively, as in a system  304  in (d) of  FIG. 7 , analysis apparatuses ( 341 ,  342 ) may also be disposed between the reception station  210  and the dispensing station  220 . 
     Furthermore, it is possible to further increase variations in a layout by forming the transport path  330  connecting the stations ( 210 ,  220 ,  230 ) or the automatic analysis apparatuses ( 341 ,  342 ) in an L shape. 
     Meanwhile, connection units  1 A and  1 B are disposed at ends on aside which is not connected to a transport path of a station (for example, the storage station  230  in (a) of  FIG. 7A  or the dispensing station  220  in (d) of  FIG. 7B ) which is located at the end of the system, but the connection units  1 A and  1 B are not necessarily essential. For example, in a case where the units disposed at ends of each station have already had a transport line structure for forming an end of a closed loop, these connection units may also be omitted. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1  CONNECTION UNIT 
       1 A CONNECTION UNIT (DISPOSED ON RIGHT SIDE) 
       1 B CONNECTION UNIT (DISPOSED ON LEFT SIDE) 
       2  SPECIMEN PROCESSING SYSTEM 
       3  AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM 
       4  CONTROL SYSTEM 
       11  MAIN TRANSPORT LINE 
       11   a  MAIN TRANSPORT LINE (ADVANCING) 
       11   b  MAIN TRANSPORT LINE (RETURNING) 
       12  EMPTY RACK TRANSPORT LINE 
       12   a  EMPTY RACK TRANSPORT LINE (RETURNING) 
       12   b  EMPTY RACK TRANSPORT LINE (ADVANCING) 
       13  CONNECTION LINE 
       14  MAIN TRANSPORT LINE CONNECTION BYPASS 
       14   a  MAIN TRANSPORT LINE CONNECTION BYPASS (PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM REGION) 
       14   b  MAIN TRANSPORT LINE CONNECTION BYPASS (AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM REGION) 
       15  EMPTY RACK LINE CONNECTION BYPASS 
       21  TO  27  ARROW 
       30  DASHED LINE INDICATING BOUNDARY OF EACH FUNCTION 
       31  PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM CONNECTION REGION 
       33  AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM CONNECTION REGION 
       41  TO  46  BRANCH POINT 
       51  SPECIMEN 
       52  SPECIMEN RACK 
       61  CLOSED LOOP STRUCTURE OF EMPTY-RACK-ONLY TRANSPORT LINE FORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM 
       62  CLOSED LOOP STRUCTURE OF MAIN TRANSPORT LINE FORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM 
       63  CLOSED LOOP STRUCTURE OF EMPTY-RACK-ONLY TRANSPORT LINE FORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM 
       64  CLOSED LOOP STRUCTURE OF MAIN TRANSPORT LINE FORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM 
       71  ARROW INDICATING TRANSPORT DIRECTION OF SPECIMEN HOLDING RACK 
       72  ARROW INDICATING TRANSPORT DIRECTION OF EMPTY RACK 
       81  SPECIMEN HOLDING RACK DELIVERY LINE (WITHIN PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM) 
       82  SPECIMEN HOLDING RACK RECEPTION LINE (WITHIN AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM) 
       83  SPECIMEN HOLDING RACK RECEPTION LINE (WITHIN PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM) 
       84  SPECIMEN HOLDING RACK DELIVERY LINE (WITHIN AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM) 
       85  EMPTY RACK RECEPTION LINE (WITHIN PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM) 
       86  EMPTY RACK DELIVERY LINE (WITHIN AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM) 
       87  EMPTY RACK DELIVERY LINE (WITHIN PRE-PROCESSING SYSTEM) 
       88  EMPTY RACK RECEPTION LINE (WITHIN AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM) 
       91  LEFT END OF ENTIRE SYSTEM 
       92  RIGHT END OF ENTIRE SYSTEM 
       101  START OF RESET 
       102  ON-LINE 
       103  ON-LINE 
       104  REGION RESET 
       105  REGION RESET 
       106  RESET 
       107  NORMAL RESET 
       108  NORMAL RESET 
       109  TERMINATION OF RESET 
       201  OFF-LINE SETTING WINDOW 
       202  CHECK BOX 
       203  CHECK BOX 
       204  OK BUTTON 
       210  RECEPTION STATION 
       220  DISPENSING STATION 
       230  STORAGE STATION 
       300  SYSTEM 
       301  TO  304  LAYOUT 
       341  TO  342  AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS APPARATUS 
       330  TRANSPORT PATH