Abstract:
In the past, when centering the center of a liquid surface and fixation thereof proved difficult during mounting a container into an automatic analytical apparatus, there was sometimes the possibility that the accuracy of checking the liquid surface conditions and the pipetting precision could not be ensured. When this problem occurred, there was the possibility that the reliability of the analysis results would be diminished. Accordingly, an automatic analytical apparatus is provided with a probe for suctioning a liquid to be used in analysis, wherein the apparatus is provided with a transport apparatus for transporting a container accommodating the liquid, and a container-clamping apparatus for clamping the container transported by the transport apparatus. The container-clamping apparatus has a vibration suppression mechanism for retaining the clamped container with an elastic body, and a centering retention mechanism with which centering of the container center can be fixed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an automatic analytical apparatus including an imaging device which images liquid in a container containing the liquid or a pipetting device which pipets the liquid. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Recently, trace pipetting of liquid of a reagent and a sample to be used in an analysis is performed to reduce running cost. To suction trace liquid, it is necessary to grasp an accurate liquid surface height and suction liquid at a fixed position such as a liquid surface position or directly below the liquid surface position. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp the liquid surface height and accurately control a suction probe position and a liquid surface position. 
         [0003]    Examples of a method for grasping a liquid surface height include a method for obtaining an image and information on a container containing liquid and liquid in the container by such as a camera or a laser source from the outside of the container and a method for detecting a position of a liquid surface height based on a change in a capacitance when a probe tip and a liquid surface come into contact when the suction probe is moved down in the container. 
         [0004]    For example, PTL 1 discloses that a sample checker which irradiates a side wall of a container with a laser source to check a specimen in a blood collection tube includes a chuck mechanism for clamping and fixing the blood collection tube during irradiation of the laser source. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             PTL 1: JP 2011-252804 A 
           
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    As described above, a specimen transport apparatus and an automatic analytical apparatus need to accurately grasp a liquid surface height. However, in the case where blood collection tubes of various diameters are mixedly used, a blood collection tube with a small diameter is less firmly held than a blood collection tube with a large diameter. Therefore, it is assumed that the blood collection tube might be carried in an inclined state or the tube might not be centered since the center of the blood collection tube is varied. For example, if a container is inclined or is not centered when information on a liquid surface height is obtained by a camera and a laser, the liquid surface height information may not be accurately obtained. Further, further, in a pipetting process, since a container is not centered, a liquid surface position is varied, and reproductivity of trace pipetting may not be secured. 
         [0007]    In the case where such process failure occurs, a user needs to confirm whether the process is correctly performed, and if the process is affected by which a container is not centered at a correct position, the user needs to instruct to perform the same process to the container one more time, or an operator needs to perform the process. Consequently, a report of an analysis result might be delayed, and reliability of the analysis result might be decreased. 
         [0008]    In view of the above issue, an object of the present invention is to provide a container holding device capable of suppressing a backtracking operation by a user, a delay of the result report, and a decrease in reliability of the analysis result by performing a process after a, container is certainly centered. The above object and other objects of the present invention and new characteristics will be clarified by the description herein and attached drawings. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0009]    Characteristics of the present invention in view of the above issue is as below. 
         [0010]    Specifically, a container-clamping apparatus for clamping a container transported by a transport mechanism is included. The container-clamping apparatus includes at least two container holding members, an arm, and a connection member. The container holding members hold a side wall of the container. The arm moves the container holding members toward the container. The connection member connects the arm and the container holding member. At least apart of the container holding member or the connection member is formed of an elastic body. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0011]    According to the present invention, by the above-described configuration, a container is centered which is held by a chuck mechanism. Consequently an accurate liquid surface position can be detected, and highly reproductive liquid pipetting can be realized. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a view illustrating a state in which a holder using an arm opening/closing mechanism is opened by a linear movement in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a view illustrating a state in which the holder using the arm opening/closing mechanism is closed by a linear movement in the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is an overall view of the holder using the arm opening/closing mechanism by a linear movement in the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a view illustrating a state in which a holder using an arm opening/closing mechanism is opened by a rotational movement in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a view illustrating a state in which the holder using the arm opening/closing mechanism is closed by a rotational movement in the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2C  is an overall view of the holder using the arm opening/closing mechanism by a rotational movement in the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a configuration view of a sample checker including a container holding mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a configuration view of an automatic analytical apparatus using a vibration suppression mechanism between a holder and a holder attachment unit in another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an overall view of the automatic analytical apparatus including the container holding mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a view illustrating a state in which a holder using an arm opening/closing mechanism is opened by a linear movement in which the center of a container can be predominantly positioned in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a view illustrating a state in which the holder using the arm opening/closing mechanism is closed by a linear movement in which the center of a container can be predominantly positioned in the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  is an overall view of the holder using the arm opening/closing mechanism by a linear movement in which the center of a container can be predominantly positioned in the embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Examples based on the present invention will be described below as embodiments of the present invention. 
       Example 1 
       [0025]    As an embodiment of the present invention, a container holding device  100  using an arm opening/closing mechanism by a liner movement will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 1C .  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are views illustrating the container holder  100  from an upper surface side.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a state in which the container holder  100  is not holding a container.  FIG. 1B  illustrates a state in which the container holder  100  is holding the container.  FIG. 1C  illustrates an overall view of the container holder  100  and a container  101  erected on a rack  102  as an example of a holding target. 
         [0026]    A container-clamping apparatus  100  includes an actuator  103 , an opening/closing arm  104 , an elastic body  105 , a container holding member  106 , and a linear movement mechanism  107 . Power generated by rotation of the actuator  103  is transmitted to the opening/closing arm  104  via a link mechanism  108 , and the opening/closing arm  104  opens and closes on right and left sides. At this time, the opening/closing arm  104  linearly drives by the linear movement mechanism  107  so as to open on right and left sides in association with driving of the actuator  103 . 
         [0027]    The elastic body  105  is provided to each of the opening/closing arms  104  for suppressing vibration and centering a container. Further, the container holding member  106  is provided to a tip of the elastic body  105 . Since the container holding member  106  is connected via the elastic body  105 , the elastic body is compressed when holding a container ( FIG. 1B ). Therefore, the container is pushed by the same elastic body from the both sides, and the center of containers having various diameters can be also positioned at a same position. Further, even if a container is inclined, the container can be held upright by applying the same elastic force from both sides of the container. 
         [0028]    Further, even if vibration occurs around the container-clamping apparatus  100 , the vibration is absorbed by the elastic body  105 . Therefore, the vibration is not transmitted to a container held by the container-clamping apparatus  105 , and the container can be stably held. 
         [0029]    A vibration suppression mechanism is configured as a spring connected to each arm opening/closing mechanism. However, the vibration suppression mechanism may be an elastic body, such as rubber, other than a spring. Further, the container holding member  106  is formed in a block body having a recess such that the member can hold a container having a cylindrical shape. However, the member may have another shape depending on a container shape. 
         [0030]    A basic operation of the container-clamping apparatus  100  according to the example will be described next. Here, an operation for holding a test tube mounted on a rack will be described as an example of a holding target container. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. 
         [0031]    A detector (not illustrated) is provided near the container-clamping apparatus  100 . The detector detects that a container to be held arrives through a lower side of the container-clamping apparatus  100 . As the detector, a known detecting means such as a light sensor, an RFID reader, a bar code reader may be used. As detection method, arrival of a specimen container may be detected, and after arrival of the rack  102  is detected, a test tube mounted on the rack  102  may be transported so as to move to an appropriate holding position of the container-clamping apparatus  100 . 
         [0032]    When the detector detects that the sample container  101  erected on the rack  102  arrives at a holding position, the opening/closing arm  104  shifts to a closed position by which the actuator  103  rotationally drives, and the link mechanism  108  pushing the opening/closing arm  104  on both sides to open moves to a position where the link mechanism  108  does not come into contact with the opening/closing arm. At this time, the actuator  103  is driven by a motor  109 . When it is notified that the detector detects a container, the motor  109  rotationally drives the actuator  103 . 
         [0033]    When the opening/closing arms  104  shift from an open state to a close state, an amount to move in a direction in which the opening/closing arms  104  approach each other is preferably larger than a movement amount needed to cause the container holding member  106  to come into contact with a side surface of a container. Accordingly, in the case of holding the container (as illustrated in  FIG. 1B ), the elastic body  105  is compressed at all times, and a repulsive force is generated between a side surface of the container and the opening/closing arm. A pair of the opening/closing arms includes the elastic body  105  having an elastic modulus which is the same on right and left sides. Therefore, a container held by the container holding member  106  is pushed by the same force from both sides. Further, since the pair of the opening/closing arms is driven by rotation of an actuator, a driving amount thereof is constant at all times. Therefore, even if a position of the container is deviated, the center of the container can be held and centered at all times at the same position since the container is pushed by the same force from the both sides. Further, the same repulsive force is applied from both sides of the container. Therefore, even if the containers have various diameters, the center of the container can be held at the same position. 
         [0034]    Further, the same repulsive force is applied to a side surface of a container held by the container holding member  106  from both sides. Therefore, even if a shaft center of a container is inclined, the container can be held at a correct position, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the container can be held at all times at the same position and in the same state. 
         [0035]    Further, even if an external vibration of such as device vibration is generated on a lateral direction, the vibration is absorbed by the elastic body  105 , and the vibration is not transmitted to the held container. 
         [0036]    In the present example, as a container to be held, the sample container  101  is assumed which has a test tube shape and is erected on the rack  102  which can carry a plurality of test containers. However, the container is not limited thereto. A test container carried by a holder which can mount one test tube may be held, and a reagent bottle containing a reagent and a reaction vessel for storing reaction liquid in which a sample and a reagent are mixed may be held. An external shape of these containers may be other than a cylindrical shape. In this case, a container holding member preferably has an appropriate shape along an external shape of a container to be held. 
       Example 2 
       [0037]    As an embodiment of other examples according to the present invention, a container-clamping apparatus  200  using an arm opening/closing mechanism by a rotation movement will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A to 2C . A description overlapping with that in the Example 1 will be omitted.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a state in which the container-clamping apparatus  200  does not hold a container (an upper surface view).  FIG. 2B  illustrates a state in which the container-clamping apparatus  200  holds the container (an upper surface view).  FIG. 2C  illustrates a state in which the container-clamping apparatus  200  holds a container  101  (a perspective view). 
         [0038]    The container holding device  200  includes an actuator  201 , an opening/closing arm  202 , an elastic body  203 , a container holding member  204 , a spring  205 , and a motor  207 . Power generated by rotation of the actuator  201  is transmitted to the opening/closing arm  202  through link mechanisms  206  and  206 ′, and the opening/closing arm  202  is opened and closed on right and left sides. At this time, a container holding member is fixed at the rear of the mechanism in the opening/closing arm  202 . Therefore, the container holding member rotationally drives so as to hold or release a container in association with driving of the actuator  201 . 
         [0039]    The container holding member  204  according to the example includes a roller mechanism. The roller mechanism includes a shaft extending in a length direction of a container and two rollers provided at both ends of the shaft, and two roller mechanisms are provided to each opening/closing arm. 
         [0040]    When it is detected that a container  101  erected on a rack  102  to be held has arrived at a holding position of a container holder, a controller rotates the actuator  201  to shift the opening/closing arm  202  in an open state to a close state, and holds a container. 
         [0041]    According to the example, effects similar to that in the example 1 can be realized by a different configuration, and even if a container position is deviated from a holding position, the center of the container can be held at all times and centered at the same position since the container is pushed by the same force from the both sides. Since a pressure is applied by an elastic body from both sides of the container, even if a diameter of the container is varied, the center of the container can be held at the same position. 
         [0042]    Further, even if an external vibration such as device vibration is generated on a lateral direction, the vibration is absorbed by the elastic body  203 , and the vibration is not transmitted to the held container. 
       Example 3 
       [0043]    In this example, a method for achieving an optimum centering function regardless of a container type will be described by using a container holding device  300 . 
         [0044]    A bar code reader  313  illustrated in  FIG. 3  reads a bar code  312  attached on a side surface of a container  101 . Information for specifying a container type can be obtained from the bar code  112 , and by inquiring the read information to a database stored in a device controller  311 , information on the difference of the shape of the container  101  can be preliminary obtained from registered container information. Container shape information may be directly read from the bar code  312 . 
         [0045]    For example, by determining whether a diameter of the container  101  is φ16 mm or φ13 mm, a rotation frequency of an actuator provided to a container holder can be changed. For example, in the case where the container diameter is φ13 mm, the rotation frequency of the actuator is increased in comparison with a container having a diameter of φ16 mm. Consequently, an elastic body can be sufficiently compressed even while holding a small diameter container, and a holding force can be adjusted to the optimum force. Further, when a large diameter container is held, an excessive force is not applied, and the container is hardly damaged. Furthermore, a container can be held according to a shape such that effects by external vibration such as device vibration is suppressed. An arbitrary configuration written in other examples can be used in a specific configuration of the container holding device  300 . 
       Example 4 
       [0046]    As an example of the present invention, a sample checker including a container holding device  300  according to the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . The sample checker according to the example includes a function to detect foam on a liquid surface of a sample in a blood collection tube by an imaging means such as a camera before pipetting and analyzing the sample. 
         [0047]    First, a configuration in the example will be described. A sample to be checked is erected on a rack  102  in a state in which the sample is put in a container  101  such as a blood collection tube and transported in an automatic analytical apparatus by using a transport means such as a belt conveyor. An apparatus which can transport, on a belt conveyor, a rack which can mount multiple containers will be exemplified in the example. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the apparatus, a sample disk which rotationally drives by arranging sample containers on the circumference and the sample checker may be combined. Further, the apparatus may separately carry a holder mounting one container on a belt conveyor. 
         [0048]    A container type which can be used might be specified in some apparatus. However, according to user usage, multiple container types may be mixedly used. For example, a small container is used for a trace sample, and a container having a large internal volume such as a blood collection tube is used for a large volume sample. A small container may be erected at an opening of the blood collection tube. 
         [0049]    A bar code  312  can be attached to a container  101  for identification, and such as a sample type can be recognized by reading the bar code  312  by a bar code reader  313 . Other than the bar code, a two-dimensional code, an RFID tag, and an IC chip may be attached. In this case, a sample checker includes a reader corresponding to each storage medium. 
         [0050]    Next, a sample check method using a container holding mechanism according to the example will be described. 
         [0051]    A sample contained in the container  101  might have a foam  303  on a liquid surface. The foam  303  is generally visually confirmed before a user processes a sample, and the foam is appropriately removed by such as foam breaking. However, in the case where it is necessary to handle a large volume sample in a short time and in the case where preprocessing of a sample is automated by other system, it is difficult to totally remove the foam  303 . 
         [0052]    Generally, when an automatic analytical apparatus separates liquid of a sample and a reagent, an amount of a pipetting probe immersed in a target liquid is increased, an amount of remaining liquid on an outer wall of the pipetting probe is increased, and carrying to a target for a next separating operation (cross-communication) is increased. To avoid such issue, a pipetting probe is used which has a probe mounting a function to detect a position of a liquid surface by measuring, in real time, a change in a physical quantity of such as a resistance, a capacitance, an inner pressure in a probe, and a probe vibration frequency, which are a physical quantity changed when coming into contact with a liquid surface to reduce an immersed amount of the pipetting probe. A liquid surface detection is used to minimize an immersed contamination amount of a pipetting probe  304  and is an essential function in an automatic analytical apparatus since there are various types of sample containers  101 , and an amount of filled sample is not fixed. However, a conventional liquid surface detection function cannot distinct the foam  303  as a liquid surface. In this case, a film and a foam are incorrectly determined as a liquid surface, and suction is performed without coming into contact with an analysis target. Therefore, an originally needed amount is not separated, and an accurate analysis result may not be output. 
         [0053]    Therefore, in the example, foam is detected by an imaging unit  306  at a sample separating position (a position for temporary stop) for separating a sample. Specifically, a lighting  307  is irradiated from upward at a position for temporary stop for separating a sample. The imaging unit  306  is provided on an upper side of a blood collection tube as well as the lighting  307  and images a reflected light which is a light returned when a lighting light  308  from the lighting  307  reflects on a target sample liquid surface. Regarding the lighting  307  and the imaging unit  306 , for example, the lighting  307  may be a white light source, and the imaging unit may be a camera which images an image of a liquid surface. Further, the lighting may be a laser light, and the imaging unit may be a light receiving element obtaining a reflected light from a liquid surface. An image analysis unit  310  detects foam on a sample liquid surface in a container by image-processing an obtained image. A position where the imaging unit is provided is not limited to an upper side of a blood collection tube, and the imaging unit may be provided on a side, a lower side, or an oblique upper side of the blood collection tube. 
         [0054]    In the case where foam is detected, it is notified to the device controller  311 , and the device controller  311  determines that sample separating by the pipetting probe  304  is “negative”. Consequently, the device controller  311  carries the container on an abnormal sample tray. In the case where foam is not detected and in the case where foam is detected at a position where does not affect the separating operation, sample separating by the pipetting probe  304  is determined as “possible”, and the device controller  311  carries the container on a normal sample tray or carries the container to a separation device through a transport line. The imaging unit  306  is generally image-photographing by a camera. However, the unit can be replaced to a variation measurement of a target by a laser. 
         [0055]    Generally, as the container  101  to be used, various containers are used depending on a purpose as described above. In the case where a centroid position of the container  101  mounted on the rack  102  is low, the container is stable in a state mounted on the rack and hardly affected by external vibration such as device vibration. However, in the case where a centroid position of the container  101  is high with respect to the rack  102 , such as in the case where a large volume of specimens are contained in a container and in the case where a small container containing liquid is erected at an opening of an empty blood collection tube, the container is easily affected by external vibration such as device vibration. If a container is vibrated by external vibration during imaging, an image obtained for sample check is likely to be blurred, and foam might be erroneously detected. 
         [0056]    Therefore, in the case where it is realized that a centroid position of the container  101  is high with respect to the rack  102  by reading information stored in the bar code  312  by the bar code reader  313 , the container  101  is held by the container-clamping apparatus  300  when the container  101  is imaged to suppress blurring by external vibration such as device vibration on the image obtained for sample check. The container may be controlled so as to be held at all times without having a process to detect a container type. 
         [0057]    By including the container-clamping apparatus  300  according to the present invention in a sample checker, the center of a container is positioned at the same position regardless of a container type. Therefore, existence and a position of a foam can be accurately detected when foam is detected. Further, in a state in which device vibration may occur during sample check, the sample checker can suppress a deviation of a liquid surface position by the vibration and accurately detect a state of foam on a liquid surface. 
       Example 5 
       [0058]    As another example of the present invention, a pipetting device including a container holding device  400  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . A description will be omitted regarding a content which is not changed from other examples. 
         [0059]    The pipetting device in the example moves a probe  402  downward in a container and suctions a predetermined amount of samples from the vicinity of a sample liquid surface when a sample container mounted on a carried rack is carried at a pipetting position. The probe  402  which has been suctioned the sample moves upward and comes out of the container. Then, the probe  402  discharges the suctioned sample by a rotation movement or a horizontal movement in a reaction vessel (not illustrated) disposed at other position. Consequently, the predetermined amount of samples can be separated in another container. 
         [0060]    In the case where the pipetting probe  402  having a liquid surface detection function separates liquid, to minimize an immersed contamination amount of the pipetting probe, a sample is generally separated at a position where the pipetting probe moves downward by a predetermined amount after detecting a liquid surface position. However, in the case where external vibration occurs when the pipetting probe is moving downward, a liquid surface moves by vibration, and detecting an accurate liquid surface position may be difficult. Further, even if the pipetting probe accurately detects a liquid surface position, a side area of a probe coming into contact with a sample is increased when the liquid surface moves by vibration after detection, and contamination by suctioning a next sample liquid in a state in which a sample is attached on a side surface of the probe may increasingly occur. 
         [0061]    The container holding device  400  according to the example includes an elastic body  401  between with a container-clamping apparatus attachment unit  403  for attaching the container holding device to a case of a pipetting device. Therefore, even if an elastic body is not provided between an opening/closing arm of the container holder  400  and a container holding mechanism, effects by external vibration is absorbed by the elastic body  401 , and therefore a configuration of the container holding device  400  can be simplified. 
         [0062]    According to the example, an elastic body  201  is provided between the container holding device  400  and the container holder attachment unit  403 , and therefore, in comparison with the case where the elastic body is provided at a tip of the container-clamping apparatus  400 , the elastic body can be disposed on a wide area, and vibration can be effectively suppressed. 
         [0063]    Further, since the container-clamping apparatus  400  stably clamps a container at a pipetting position, even in the case where external vibration occurs when a sample is separated, it can be prevented that the vibration is transmitted to liquid in a container. Consequently, a liquid surface does not vibrate when a pipetting probe moves downward, and pipetting accuracy is stabilized. The container holding device according to the example may be replaced to a configuration described in other examples according to the present invention. 
       Example 6 
       [0064]    As another example of the present invention, an automatic analytical apparatus including a container-clamping apparatus  105  will be described. Examples of the automatic analytical apparatus include, but not limited to, various type apparatuses, such as a biochemical analytical apparatus, an immune analytical apparatus, a coagulation analytical apparatus. In the example, the case of applying the immune analytical apparatus will be described. 
         [0065]    First, the basic configuration and operation of the automatic immune analytical apparatus will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The automatic immune analytical apparatus includes such as a sample rack  10 , a reagent disk  11 , a container lid opening/closing mechanism  12 , a sample pipetting mechanism  13 , a reagent pipetting mechanism  14 , a magnetic particle agitation mechanism  15 , a magazine  16 , a reaction tank  17 , a transport mechanism  20 , a chip discarding unit  21 , a transport mechanism  23 , an impurity suction mechanism  24 , a washing liquid discharging mechanism  25 , a transport mechanism  27 , and a reagent discharging mechanism  28 . A sample is placed on the sample rack  10 . The reagent disk  11  stores a reagent container  11   a  having a lid, which contains a reagent and magnetic particles needed in an immune reaction. The container lid opening/closing mechanism  12  opens and closes a lid of the reagent container  11   a  having the lid. The sample pipetting mechanism  13  pipets and separates a sample. The reagent pipetting mechanism  14  pipets and separates a reagent and magnetic particles from the reagent container  11   a  having a lid. The magnetic particle agitation mechanism  15  agitates magnetic particles in the reagent container  11   a  having a lid. The magazine  16  stores a reaction vessel  16   a  (hereinafter called a vessel) to be used in reaction and a chip  16   b  to be used for pipetting and separating a sample. The reaction tank  17  can control a temperature to react a sample and a reagent in the vessel  16   a . The transport mechanism  20  transports the vessel  16   a  to the reaction tank  17  and a vessel discarding unit  18  and transports the chip  16   b  to a buffer  19  which temporarily stores a sample for pipetting. The chip discarding unit  21  discards the chip  16   b  used for pipetting of the sample. The transport mechanism  23  transports the vessel  16   a  from the reaction tank  17  to a magnetic separator  22  or from the magnetic separator  22  to the reaction tank  17 . The impurity suction mechanism  24  suctions liquid including impurities in the vessel  16   a  transported by the magnetic separator  22 . The washing liquid discharging mechanism  25  discharges washing liquid in the vessel  16   a  transported to the magnetic separator  22 . The transport mechanism  27  transports the vessel  16   a  from the reaction tank  17  to a detection unit  26  or from the detection unit  26  to the reaction tank  17 . The reagent discharging mechanism  28  discharges a reagent for detection to the vessel  16   a  transported to the detection unit  26 . 
         [0066]    Next, a standard operation will be described. First, by the transport mechanism  20 , the vessel  16   a  is transported on the reaction tank  17  from the magazine  16 , and also the chip  16   b  is transported to the buffer  19 . The reaction tank  17  rotates, and the transported vessel  16   a  moves to a reagent pipetting position. By the reagent pipetting mechanism  14 , a reagent is pipetted from the reagent disk  11  to the vessel  16   a  on the reaction tank  17 . 
         [0067]    The reaction tank  17  rotates again, and the vessel  16   a  moves to the sample pipetting position. The chip  16   b  transported to the buffer  19  is mounted to a chip holder by an upward and downward operation of the sample pipetting mechanism  13 , and a sample is separated from the sample rack  10  and pipetted to the vessel  16   a  moved to the sample pipetting position. The used chip  16   b  is discharged to the chip discarding unit  21  by an upward and downward operation of the sample pipetting mechanism  13 . 
         [0068]    The vessel  16   a  in which a sample and a reagent have been pipetted moves to a reagent pipetting position by reaction of the reaction tank  17  after waiting for a reaction for a certain period of time in the reaction tank  17 , and magnetic particles are pipetted and separated from the reagent disk  11  by the reagent pipetting mechanism  14 . Further, after waiting for a reaction for a certain period of time in the reaction tank  17 , the reaction tank  17  rotates, and the vessel  16   a  on the reaction tank  17  is transported to the magnetic separator  22  by the transport mechanism  23 . 
         [0069]    To separate magnetic components including reaction products and non magnetic components including impurities in the vessel  16   a , the magnetic separator  22  repeats suctioning by the impurity suction mechanism  24  and discharging washing liquid by the washing liquid discharging mechanism  25  several times. Consequently, magnetic components including reaction products are remained in the vessel  16   a , and the vessel  16   a  is returned to the reaction tank  17  by the transport mechanism  23   
         [0070]    After the reaction tank  17  rotates, and the vessel  16   a  is transported to the detection unit  26  by the transport mechanism  27 , a reagent for detection is discharged by the reagent discharging mechanism  28  to the vessel  16   a , and detection is performed. The vessel  16   a  which has been detected is returned to the reaction tank  17  by the transport mechanism  27 , the reaction tank  17  rotates, and the vessel  16   a  is discarded to the vessel discarding unit  18  by the transport mechanism  20 . After that, the above-described operation is repeated to a sample to be used. 
         [0071]    The container-clamping apparatus  105  according to the example is provided on an upper side of a position where the sample pipetting mechanism  13  separates a sample from the sample rack  10 . By providing the container-clamping apparatus at this position, while separating a liquid surface of the transported sample, vibration caused by operations by other mechanisms in an automatic immune analytical apparatus is not transmitted to a sample, and the sample can be accurately separated. 
         [0072]    Further, the immune analytical apparatus may include a sample check mechanism. Existence of foam on a liquid surface can be checked by irradiating a lighting light and a laser light to a sample liquid surface for sample check and by checking a reflected light from a liquid surface by an imaging unit such as a camera and a light detector. By holding a container by the container-clamping apparatus according to the example for sample check, vibration caused by operations by other mechanisms is not transmitted to a sample during the sample check, a state of a liquid surface can be accurately checked. In this case, the sample check mechanism is preferably provided at a position which is same as a pipetting position by the sample pipetting mechanism or an upper stream side than the position. In the case where a pipetting position and a sample check position are the same, a container holder according to the present invention can be commonly used, and a number of mechanisms can be decreased. 
         [0073]    Further, the container-clamping apparatus  105  according to the example may hold a reagent container at a position where the reagent pipetting mechanism  14  pipets a reagent contained in a reagent container and a position where the magnetic particle agitation mechanism  15  agitates a reagent. In this case, effects on a reagent by vibration caused by operations of peripheral mechanisms can be suppressed, and the reagent can be separated and agitated always in the same state. 
         [0074]    Further, the container holder according to the example may hold the vessel  16   a  at a suction position by the impurity suction mechanism  24  which separates impurities other than magnetic particles in the vessel  16   a  containing reaction liquid. In this case, impurities can be removed in the vessel always in the same state. 
       Example 7 
       [0075]    In the example, other embodiment of a container-clamping apparatus using an arm opening/closing mechanism by a liner movement which can position the center of a container will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6A to 6C . A description overlapping with that in the Example 1 will be omitted. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views illustrating a container holder from an upper surface side.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a state in which the container holder is not holding a container.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a state in which the container holder is holding the container.  FIG. 6C  illustrates an overall view of the container holder and a container  101  erected on a rack  102  as an example of a holding target. 
         [0077]    A basic configuration and an operation outline of the container-clamping apparatus  600  are similar to those in the Example 1. However, a spring  601 , a belt  602 , and a pulley  603  which support a liner movement are added in comparison with the Example 1. Further, a container holding member  605  and a connection member  606  for connecting the container holding member  605  to an opening/closing arm  604  are provided to a tip of the opening/closing arm  604 . In the example, the connection member  606  is formed of a rigid material. 
         [0078]    In the example, at least a part of the container holding member  605  is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, and therefore, a centering function of a container described in the Examples 1 and 2 can be achieved by which the elastic body portion is compressed when the container is held. A whole of the container holding member  605  may be formed of an elastic body, or a part of the member may be formed of the elastic body, and other parts may be formed of a rigid member. When power from the opening/closing arm  604  is transmitted to a container, the container is compressed. Therefore, at least a region between the rigid member  606  and the container holding member  605  includes a region formed of an elastic body. 
         [0079]    Power generated by rotation of an actuator  607  by a motor  609  is transmitted to the opening/closing arm  604  via a link mechanism  608 , and the opening/closing arm  604  is opened and closed on right and left sides by a linear movement mechanism  610 . At this time, the belt  602  attached via the pulley  603  and the right and left opening/closing arms  604  are connected, and power for opening and closing is transmitted each other via the belt by opening and closing the opening/closing arm  604 . Therefore, an operation amount of both opening/closing strokes in an arm opening/closing operation by a liner movement becomes uniform, and the center position can be stably and easily positioned by a uniform force when the container  101  is held via the container holding member  605 . 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  600  container-clamping apparatus 
           101  container 
           102  rack 
           103 ,  201  actuator 
           104 ,  202  opening/closing arm 
           105 ,  203  elastic body 
           106 ,  204  container holding member 
           107  linear movement mechanism 
           108 ,  206  link mechanism 
           109 ,  207  motor 
           303  foam 
           304 ,  402  probe 
           306  imaging unit 
           307  lighting 
           308  lighting light 
           309  imaging controller 
           310  image analysis unit 
           311  device controller 
           312  bar code 
           313  bar code reader 
           401  elastic body 
           403  container holder attachment unit 
           601  spring 
           602  belt 
           603  pulley 
           604  opening/closing arm 
           605  container holding member 
           606  connection member 
           607  actuator 
           608  link mechanism 
           609  motor