Specimen container inclination correction mechanism, and method for controlling same

When a specimen transport system transfers a specimen container to a transport rack, the specimen container located at a position adjacent to a transfer position thereof is inclined on the rack, and there is a possibility that the one specimen container may collide with the other specimen container when the one specimen container is transferred. Where the transferred specimen container is inclined after being transferred, and a specimen container transfer mechanism is raised from the location, there is also a possibility that the one specimen container and the other specimen container adjacent thereto may collide with each other. Consequently, an inclination angle of a transferred specimen container and a specimen container adjacent thereto is corrected by loading a specimen container inclination correction mechanism including two inclination correction units at a specimen container transfer position. In this manner, a contact risk is suppressed and a stable transfer process is made possible.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mechanism provided with a function to correct inclination of a specimen container in transferring the specimen container of a specimen transport system and an automatic analysis device.

BACKGROUND ART

In clinical tests, a specimen transport system transports a specimen container to an automatic analysis device through a specimen transport line after specimen pretreatment (specimen allocation and centrifugation) and dispensing treatment (child specimen generation) are performed on the specimen contained in the specimen container. The transported specimen container is subjected to an analysis process in the automatic analysis device. Thereafter, the specimen container passes through the specimen transport line again, and is transported for post-treatment (specimen capping and storage).

At this time, the specimen transport system and the automatic analysis device which are manufactured by mutually different companies are often connected to each other. In this case, the specimen container is transferred to a specimen transport rack used inside the automatic analysis device manufactured by the other company, and is allocated to the analysis device. The transferred specimen container is inclined inside the rack unless a posture of the specimen container is corrected by the rack. Consequently, treatment such as dispensing, transfer, and analysis cannot be stably performed.

In order to solve the above-described problem, PTL 1 discloses the following. In transferring the specimen container, the specimen container installed in a row adjacent to a position of a transfer destination is separated from the transfer destination position by a regulation member so as not to disturb the transfer.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The regulation member disclosed in PTL 1 can regulate the posture of the specimen container installed in the row adjacent to the position of the transfer destination (transfer destination position), but cannot correct the inclination of the transferred specimen container itself. Therefore, when the specimen container is inclined after the specimen container is completely transferred and a transfer mechanism completely transferring the specimen container is separated from a transfer position, there is a possibility that the transfer mechanism may come into contact with the inclined specimen container. In addition, in a case where the transfer container is held adjacent to a position before the specimen container is transferred (former position prior to transfer), if the specimen container is inclined, there is a possibility that the transfer mechanism may come into contact with the specimen container held adjacent to the former position prior to transfer. If the specimen container and the transfer mechanism come into contact with each other in this way, there is a risk that a specimen analysis result may be delayed due to device operation break and the specimen may be damaged.

In view of the above-described problems, the invention aims to provide a specimen transfer device which eliminates a risk that a transfer target specimen container and a specimen container held around the transfer target specimen container and a transfer mechanism may come into contact with each other, when the specimen container is transferred to a transfer destination position or when the specimen container is removed from a former position prior to transfer.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention includes the following characteristics.

That is, there is provided a specimen transport system including a correction mechanism that corrects inclination of a specimen container for the specimen container loaded on a specimen rack including a plurality of container insertion ports which detachably hold the specimen container, a specimen transfer mechanism that has a plurality of arms which grip each side surface of the specimen containers, and a motor which drives the arms in an upward/downward direction, that transfers the specimen container to an empty container insertion port on the specimen rack, or that extracts the specimen container loaded on the specimen rack from a corresponding specimen container tray, and a control mechanism that controls each operation of the correction mechanism and the specimen transfer mechanism. The correction mechanism includes a first inclination correction holder that corrects the inclination of the specimen container of a first container insertion port accessed by the specimen transfer mechanism, a second inclination correction holder that corrects the inclination of the specimen container of a second container insertion port located at a position adjacent to the container insertion port, and a drive source that individually opens/closes the first inclination correction holder and the second inclination correction holder.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The invention includes the above-described characteristics. Accordingly, when the specimen container is transferred to the transfer position, or when the transferred specimen container is removed, the specimen container located at the transfer position and the specimen container adjacent to the transfer position can be corrected to have a vertical posture without being inclined. Therefore, a transfer operation can be stably performed without the specimen container transfer mechanism and the specimen container coming into contact with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a schematic view illustrating a configuration example of a specimen transport system1whose partial configuration is a specimen container transfer device2having a specimen container inclination correction mechanism22loaded thereon according to an embodiment of the invention.

A specimen allocated from a pretreatment system3by an operator is loaded on a transport holder (not illustrated) held inside the specimen transport system1, and is transported to a proper pretreatment unit by a transport device such as a belt conveyor. Depending on requested items, the specimen is subjected to processes such as centrifugation, cap opening, and dispensing inside the pretreatment system3. The specimen is transported to the specimen transfer device2by way of a holder transport system4. According to the present embodiment, a specimen holder holds a specimen container one by one.

In the invention, an analysis device5connected to the pretreatment system3via the specimen transfer device2performs an analysis process by loading the specimen container on a transport body having a type different from that of the transport holder. Therefore, the specimen transfer device2has the function to take the specimen container out of the transport holder so as to transfer the specimen container to a specimen rack (not illustrated) used in the analysis device5. The specimen container transferred to the specimen rack is transported to the analysis device5so as to perform the analysis process. Furthermore, the specimen transfer device2may have a function to transfer the specimen container which is loaded on the specimen rack and whose analysis process is completed by the analysis device5, to the transport holder.

FIG. 2is a schematic view illustrating a configuration example of the specimen container transfer device2according to an embodiment of the invention.

The specimen container transfer device2has a specimen holder supply line10that transports the specimen container installed in a holder for transporting the specimen transported from the holder transport system4to a supply holder-side specimen container transfer position30, an empty holder collection line11that collects an empty holder after the specimen container is transferred to the specimen rack, a specimen holder return line13that receives the specimen container whose analysis is completed, at a return holder-side specimen container transfer position31, and that transports the specimen container to the holder transport system4, and an empty holder supply line12that supplies an empty holder to the specimen holder return line13.

Furthermore, the specimen transfer device2has a rack buffer24that buffers a specimen rack28used for transporting the specimen inside the analysis device5, a specimen rack supply line20that transports the specimen rack28from the rack buffer24to a supply rack-side specimen container transfer position32, and that transports the specimen container to the analysis device5after the specimen container is transferred, and a specimen rack return line21that transports the specimen rack28from the analysis device5to a return rack-side specimen container transfer position33, and that transports the specimen container to the rack buffer24after the specimen container is transferred. A plurality of the specimen racks28are loaded on the rack buffer24. These specimen racks28are transported by two hooking units (not illustrated) which hook and push out the racks. Similarly, the specimen rack supply line20and the specimen rack return line21transport the specimen racks28by causing a hooking unit to hook an end surface of the specimen racks28.

Furthermore, the specimen transfer device2has a supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26that grips the specimen container loaded on the holder located on the specimen holder supply line10, and that transfers the specimen container to the specimen rack located on the specimen rack supply line20, and a return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27that grips the specimen container loaded on the specimen rack located on the specimen rack return line21, and that transfers the specimen container to the holder located on the specimen holder return line13.

Furthermore, the specimen transfer device2has a specimen container inclination correction mechanism22afor the supply rack which corrects inclination of the specimen container at timing that the specimen container is transferred at the supply rack-side specimen transfer position32located on the specimen rack supply line20, and a specimen container inclination correction mechanism22bfor the return rack which has a structure the same as that of the specimen container inclination correction mechanism22afor the supply rack, and which is located at a return rack-side specimen transfer position33located on the specimen rack return line21.

In the invention, the terms of “correction” of the specimen container includes not only holding the specimen container and maintaining the specimen container in an upright posture, but also surrounding the periphery and keeping an inclination angle of the specimen container within a predetermined range. For example, the following case may be employed. Not using a gripping force that is enough only to hold the specimen container, the specimen container is held using the gripping force which can extract the specimen container if the specimen container is pulled out by the specimen container transfer mechanism.

The specimen container inclination correction mechanism illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5has a pair of first inclination correction holders51which corrects the inclination angle for the specimen container located at the specimen container transfer position, a pair of second inclination correction holders52which corrects the inclination angle for the specimen container at a position adjacent to the first inclination correction holder51, a motor50for driving the specimen container inclination correction mechanism which performs an operation for opening/closing the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52, an elastic member53, a pair of cams55fixed to a shaft of the motor50, two detectors56and57for detecting an opened state and closed state of the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52, and a detection member58fixed to the cam55.

The pair of first inclination correction holders51includes a pair of first fixing members54(arms) disposed on both sides of the cam55, and a correction member having a V-shaped recess which is disposed in the distal end of the arm and which comes into contact with an outer wall of the specimen container. Since such a correction member is provided, the inclination angle of the specimen container is suppressed. Accordingly, the specimen container can have an angle close to an upright angle.

Each of the second fixing members59(arms) is fixed to the first fixing member54so as to be rotatable around a shaft60. The second inclination correction holder52is fixed to the distal end of the pair of second fixing members59. In addition, an elastic member53is fixed to the pair of second fixing members59, and a pulling force is applied in a direction in which the second inclination correction holders52move close to each other. A correction member having a shape the same as that of the first inclination correction holder51is disposed in the second inclination correction holder51.

The cam55fixed to the shaft of the motor50is located inside the first fixing member54, and the first fixing member54and the cam55are in contact with each other. If the motor50is rotated, the cam55is rotated together. The first fixing member54in contact with the cam55is operated in an opening/closing direction. In this manner, a mechanism is configured so that the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are opened and closed.

A position relationship between the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52is the same as an interval of the positions29holding the specimen container on the specimen rack28. The position relationship is as follows. The inclination of the specimen container transferred on the specimen rack28is corrected by the first inclination correction holder51, and the inclination of the specimen container adjacent thereto is corrected by the second inclination correction holder52.

In addition, the maximum opening amount of the first inclination correction holder51is larger than the maximum opening amount of the second inclination correction holder52. The present embodiment is configured so that the first inclination correction holder51is more widely opened as large as 4 mm. In this manner, it is possible to close the second inclination correction holder52while the first inclination correction holder51remains in an opened state.

If the motor50of the specimen container inclination correction mechanism22is rotated, the cam55and the detection member58which are fixed to the shaft of the motor50are rotated together. In the present embodiment, the detection member has a V-shape in which two detection rods are arranged to form a predetermined angle. In a state where the detection member58is inserted into only the first detector56(FIG. 6(a)), the cam55spreads the first fixing member54, and the second fixing member59connected to the first fixing member via the shaft60is also brought into the opened state. Therefore, both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are in the opened state. In this state, even if the specimen container loaded on the specimen rack passes under the specimen container inclination correction mechanism22, the inclination correction unit does not come into contact with the specimen container.

In a state where the detection member58is inserted into both the detector56and the detector57(FIG. 6(b)), a contact state between the cam55and the first fixing member54is changed. In this manner, the first fixing member54and the second fixing member59are brought into a slightly closed state compared to the state illustrated inFIG. 6(a). The contact state between the cam55and the first fixing member54is not completely released. Accordingly, the first inclination correction holder51is in the opened state. However, the second inclination correction holder52is fixed with a flat width narrower than that of the first inclination correction holder51. Accordingly, the second inclination correction holder52is brought into a closed state. Therefore, the inclination of the specimen container loaded at the adjacent position34of the specimen container which is a target transferred by the specimen transfer mechanism is corrected on the specimen rack.

The terms of “the closed state” described herein means a state where a function to correct the inclination of the specimen container is fulfilled by the inclination correction unit coming into contact with at least one point of a wall surface of the specimen container. The closed state does not necessarily indicate only a state where the outer wall of the specimen container is fixedly held. In addition, “the opened state” means that the outer wall is not in the closed state.

In a state where the detection member58is inserted into only the detector57(FIG. 6(c)), the cam55and the first fixing portion54are not in a complete contact state. In this case, both the first fixing portion54and the second fixing portion59are pulled in a closing direction by the tension of the elastic member53, and both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are in the closed state. Therefore, the inclination of both the specimen container of the transfer target and the specimen container located at the adjacent position34of the specimen container is corrected by the specimen container transfer mechanism.

As described above, the motor50including the cam is rotated, and the contact state between the cam and the first fixing member54is adjusted. In this manner, an opening/closing state of the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52can be individually controlled. According to this mechanism, when the transfer mechanism transfers the specimen container to the empty position on the rack or extracts the specimen container held on the rack in order to transfer the specimen container to another place, the transfer mechanism corrects the inclination of the specimen container located at the position accessed by the transfer mechanism and the specimen container located at the adjacent position34. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the contact risk between the specimen container and the transfer mechanism.

A shape of the correction member illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5is merely an example, and the correction member is not limited to this shape. For example, the correction member may have a type provided with a position relationship where a plurality of rollers can pinch the specimen container. In addition, the correction member may have a surrounding shape which simply surrounds the specimen container. In short, any configuration may be adopted as long as it is possible to suppress the contact between the specimen container and specimen container adjacent thereto or the specimen container transfer mechanism by inclining the specimen container.

In addition, the detection member58is not limited to the V-shape. In the invention, the inclination correction mechanism employs a three-stage state, and thus, the inclination is identified by turning on/off two detectors. However, in a case where the employed state has three or more stages, the inclination correction mechanism may include the more detectors and detection members.

In addition, the transfer of the specimen container in the invention is not necessarily limited to the transfer between the holder and the specimen rack. For example, the inclination correction mechanism may be disposed between the specimen tray having the specimen containers arrayed thereon and the rack holder when the specimen container is transferred. In this case, for example, the specimen container inclination correction mechanism22is also disposed above the tray side so as to correct the inclination of the specimen container located at the specimen transfer position on the tray and the specimen container adjacent thereto.

First, control in a case where the specimen container loaded on the holder is transferred to the specimen rack capable of loading ten specimen containers will be described.

In a state where the specimen container allocated to the pretreatment system3is loaded on the holder, the specimen container is transported and is subjected to processes such as centrifugation, cap opening, and dispensing. Thereafter, the specimen container passes through the holder transport system4, and is transported to the specimen container transfer device2. The specimen container transported to the specimen container transfer device2is transported to the supply holder-side specimen container transfer position30located on the specimen holder supply line10, and waits for the subsequent process.

On the other hand, on the rack transport side, the specimen rack28waiting for the subsequent process in the rack buffer24is transported to the specimen rack supply line20. Thereafter, the end surface of the rack is pushed by the supply rack transport mechanism35which operates the specimen rack28on the specimen rack supply line20, thereby moving the specimen rack28until the position29aof the specimen rack28reaches the supply rack-side specimen container transfer position32of the specimen rack supply line20.

The supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism includes a movement mechanism having a plurality of openable/closable arms (specimen container chuck40), a drive source such as a motor and a solenoid for opening/closing the arms, and a rail mechanism for moving the arms in an upward/downward direction. The supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26moves to above the specimen container transported to the supply holder-side specimen container transfer position30on the specimen holder supply line10, and is lowered after opening the specimen container chuck40. After being lowered, the specimen container chuck40is closed, and the specimen container is gripped. The specimen container is raised, and is extracted from the holder.

Next, the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26moves to above the position29aof the specimen rack28located at the supply rack-side transfer position32in a state where the specimen container chuck40grips the specimen container. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 6(b), the supply rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22arotates the motor50, and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into both the detector56and the detector57. In this manner, the first inclination correction holder51is brought into an opened state, and the second inclination correction holder52is brought into a closed state. However, in this case, the position29ahas the specimen container transferred first. Accordingly, the specimen container is not installed at the adjacent position, and the second inclination correction holder52does not come into contact with the outer wall of the specimen container. In this way, when the first specimen container is transferred, it is unlikely to happen that the specimen container adjacent thereto is inclined to inhibit the transfer process of the specimen container. Therefore, the process for switching to a state inFIG. 6(b)may be omitted.

The supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is lowered, and is inserted into the position29aof the specimen rack28. If the specimen container chuck40is opened, and it is detected that the specimen container is completely transferred, as illustrated inFIG. 6(c), the supply rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22arotates the motor50, and is stopped after the mode is switched to a state where the detection member58is detected by only the detector57. In this manner, both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are brought into a closed state. Thus, the inclination of the transferred specimen container to the position29acan be corrected. Then, the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26opens the specimen container chuck40, and releases the specimen container. The supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is raised, and the specimen container is completely transferred to the position29a.

The specimen container inclination correction mechanism22corrects the inclination of the specimen container loaded at the position29a. Accordingly, when the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is raised, it is possible to suppress the risk that the specimen container chuck40and the specimen container loaded at the position29amay come into contact with each other.

After the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is raised, the supply rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22arotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(a), and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into only the detector56. In this manner, both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are brought into an opened state, thereby stopping an operation for suppressing the inclination of the specimen container. Thereafter, the supply rack transport mechanism35pushes the specimen rack28, transports the specimen rack28until the position29breaches the supply rack-side specimen container transfer position32, and waits for the subsequent process.

Subsequently, if the second specimen container is transported to the transfer position on the specimen holder supply line10, similarly to the first specimen container, the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism.26moves to the supply holder-side specimen container transfer position30, opens the specimen container chuck40, and is lowered. If the second specimen container is gripped, the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is raised, and moves again to the supply rack specimen container transfer position32.

Here, similarly to when the first specimen container is transferred as described above, the supply rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22arotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(b), and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into both the detector56and the detector57. Thus, the first inclination correction holder51is brought into an opened state, and the second inclination correction holder52is brought into a closed state. In this manner, the inclination of the first specimen container loaded at the adjacent position34of the supply rack specimen container transfer position, that is, at the position29a, is corrected by the second inclination correction holder52so as to have an upright posture. Even if the specimen container is loaded at the position29a, this configuration suppresses the risk that the specimen container may be greatly inclined and may come into contact with the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26or the specimen container transported by the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26.

While maintaining this state, the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is lowered, and the specimen container is inserted into the position29bof the rack. After the lowering operation, similarly to when the first specimen container is transferred, the supply rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22arotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(c), and is stopped after inserting detection member58into only the detector57. Thus, both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are brought into a closed state. In this manner, it is possible to suppress not only the inclination of the specimen container inserted into the position29a, but also the inclination of the specimen container inserted into the position29b.

The specimen container transfer mechanism26opens the specimen container chuck40, and releases the specimen container transferred to the position29b. Thereafter, the supply-side specimen container transfer mechanism26is raised, and the specimen rack28is completely transferred to the position29b. In this case, the specimen container inclination correction mechanism22also causes both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52to suppress the inclination of the specimen containers located at the position29aand the position29b. Accordingly, the specimen container transfer mechanism22can be raised without coming into contact with the specimen container.

After the specimen rack28is completely transferred to the position29b, the supply rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22arotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(a), and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into only the detector56. Both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are opened so as to stop correcting the inclination of the specimen container.

Subsequently, the specimen rack supply line20moves the specimen rack28so that the position29cof the specimen rack28reaches the transfer position, and prepares for the transfer of the next specimen container. If the specimen container is completely transferred to the position29fof the specimen rack28by using the above-described transfer method, the specimen rack28is transported from the specimen rack supply line20, and is transported to the analysis device5.

Next, control in a case where the specimen containers loaded on the specimen rack having the plurality of specimen containers loaded thereon are transferred to the holder one by one will be described.

The specimen container whose analysis process is completed in the analysis device5is transported from the analysis device5in a state where the specimen container is loaded on the specimen rack28, and is transported to the specimen container transfer device2. In the specimen rack28, the specimen containers are inserted into all of the positions29. After the specimen rack28is transported to the specimen rack return line21of the specimen container transfer device2, the specimen rack28is transported until the position29fof the specimen rack28directly reaches the return rack-side specimen container transfer position33on the specimen rack return line21. At this time, similarly to the specimen rack supply line20according to Embodiment 1, the transporting method of the specimen rack28is configured so that the specimen rack28is transported by pushing the end surface of the specimen rack28by the return rack transport mechanism36.

At this time, the return-side specimen container transfer device27rotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(a)so that the specimen container inserted into the specimen rack28does not collide with the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52of the return-side specimen container transfer device27, and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into only the detector56. Both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are brought into an opened state.

Thereafter, the specimen rack28is transported until the position29freaches the return rack-side specimen container transfer position33, and the return-side specimen container transfer device27moves to above the position29fof the specimen rack28.

Here, the return rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22brotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(c), and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into only the detector57. Both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are brought into a closed state. This configuration suppresses the inclination of the specimen container located at the position29fof the specimen rack28and the specimen container located at the position29eadjacent thereto.

If the return rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22bsuppresses the inclination of the specimen container, the return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27opens the specimen container chuck40, and is lowered to the position29f. At this time, the inclination of the specimen containers loaded at the positions29fand29eis suppressed by the return rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22b. Accordingly, the return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27can be smoothly lowered without the specimen container chuck40and the specimen container coming into contact with each other.

After being lowered, the specimen container chuck40is closed so as to grip the specimen container. If it is detected that the specimen container chuck40is closed, the return rack specimen container inclination correction mechanism22brotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(b), and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into both the detector56and the detector57. In this manner, the first inclination correction holder51is brought into an opened state, and the second inclination correction holder52is brought into a closed state. Therefore, the inclination correction of the specimen container located at the position29fis released, and the specimen container chuck40is closed and raised in the return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27. The return-side specimen container transfer mechanism.27extracts the specimen container loaded at the position29ffrom the specimen rack. At this time, the specimen container located at the position29eis still brought into a state where the inclination is suppressed by the second inclination correction holder52. Accordingly, when the specimen container located at the position29fis pulled out, the specimen container chuck40or the specimen container does not come into contact with and does not collide with the specimen container located at the position29e.

After being raised, the return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27moves to the return holder-side specimen container transfer position31on the specimen holder return line13, is lowered again, and inserts the specimen container into the holder. Thereafter, the return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27opens the specimen container chuck40, is raised again, and the specimen container is completely transferred to the position29fof the specimen rack28.

After the return-side specimen container transfer mechanism27is raised, the return-side specimen container transfer device27rotates the motor50as illustrated inFIG. 6(a), and is stopped after inserting the detection member58into only the detector56. Both the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are brought into an opened state. The specimen rack return line21operates the return rack transport mechanism36so as to move the position29eof the specimen rack28to the return rack-side specimen container transfer position33.

Subsequently, the specimen container located at the position29eof the specimen rack28starts to be transferred. The operation is similar to the transfer operation performed at the position29f. The specimen container transferred to the holder passes through the holder transport system4after the specimen container transfer device2is transported, and is transported to the pretreatment system3so as to be stored. After all of the specimen containers up to the position29aare completely transferred, the specimen rack28is transported from the specimen rack return line21, and is transported to the rack buffer24. The specimen rack28is reused by transferring the arrived specimen container to the subsequent specimen holder supply line10.

Herein, an embodiment has been described as follows. When the specimen container located at the return rack-side specimen container transfer position33is pulled out, only the first inclination correction holder51of the specimen container inclination correction mechanism22is opened, and the specimen container is pulled out by the specimen container transfer mechanism27. However, without performing the operation for opening the first inclination correction holder51, the first inclination correction holder51can also be pulled out using a member having a small frictional force such as the first inclination correction holder51whose shape is a roller. In this case, the first inclination correction mechanism.22is brought into a state illustrated inFIG. 6(c). While the inclination of the specimen container is corrected, the specimen chuck mechanism unit40is raised so as to extract the specimen container.

In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the specimen container is transferred to/from the specimen rack for transporting the specimen container. However, instead of the transporting rack, the rack may be used for storing and holding the specimen container. In addition, not only the rack may have the plurality of insertion ports juxtaposed with each other, but the rack (tray) may have two-dimensional insertion ports juxtaposed with each other in both rows and lines.

Furthermore, the first inclination correction holder51and the second inclination correction holder52are opened and closed by the same motor50. However, the invention is not limited thereto. An individual drive source may be provided for each inclination correction unit.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1SPECIMEN TRANSPORT SYSTEM

2SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER DEVICE

4HOLDER TRANSPORT SYSTEM

10SPECIMEN HOLDER SUPPLY LINE

11EMPTY HOLDER COLLECTION LINE

12EMPTY HOLDER SUPPLY LINE

13SPECIMEN HOLDER RETURN LINE

20SPECIMEN RACK SUPPLY LINE

21SPECIMEN RACK RETURN LINE

22aSUPPLY RACK SPECIMEN CONTAINER INCLINATION CORRECTION MECHANISM

22bRETURN RACK SPECIMEN CONTAINER INCLINATION CORRECTION MECHANISM

26SUPPLY-SIDE SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER MECHANISM

27RETURN-SIDE SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER MECHANISM

30SUPPLY HOLDER-SIDE SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER POSITION

31RETURN HOLDER-SIDE SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER POSITION

32SUPPLY RACK-SIDE SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER POSITION

33RETURN RACK-SIDE SPECIMEN CONTAINER TRANSFER POSITION

35SUPPLY RACK TRANSPORT MECHANISM

36RETURN RACK TRANSPORT MECHANISM

51FIRST INCLINATION CORRECTION HOLDER

52SECOND INCLINATION CORRECTION HOLDER

54FIRST FIXING MEMBER

59SECOND FIXING MEMBER