Method and apparatus for automatically analyzing reaction solutions of samples

Abstract: When an operator touches a reagent interruption key during a continuous analysis of samples in an automatic analyser, the succeeding sampling operation is temporarily suspended and a reagent interruption screen (41) is displayed on a screen of a CRT (2-23). Reagent delivery to pipetted samples and photometric measurement of the reaction solutions are continued. A standby time period, before exchanging reagent bottles can be started, is displayed on the screen. When the standby time period becomes zero, the operator touches the execution key. Then a screen representing the state ready for exchanging a reagent bottle is displayed and the automatic analyser is placed in a reagent exchange standby state, waiting for exchanging the reagent bottle. When the operator touches the execution key after exchanging the reagent bottle, the automatic analyser checks the bar codes on the reagent bottles in the reagent disks and registers the reagent information. Thereafter, the operation screen is displayed and the automatic analyser resumes normal operation and continues the analysis.

Description: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically analyzing a reaction solution in accordance with the preambles of the independent claims 1 and 7. Such a method and apparatus is known from U.S. 5,314,825. In the conventional automatic analyzing apparatus, as disclosed in U.S.P. 4,451,433, for example, reagents are prepared before analyzing samples in correspondence to the number of the samples and the number of analysis items required for the measurement, then the analysis of the samples is started. In such a conventional apparatus, when a sample required to be analyzed immediately or a sample to be analyzed normally is added or when a measured value of a sample having been analyzed is an abnormal value, it is required to analyze again the same sample having been analyzed. If the number of samples to be analyzed exceeds the predetermined number of the samples which was estimated in advance due to unpredictable factor, there arises a problem that the amounts of the reagents become insufficient for the analysis. Since not all the reagents become insufficient in their amounts, the analysis can be continued as to some analysis items corresponding to the reagent(s) having sufficient amount. However, as to the reagent with insufficient amount, the analysis result of the analysis item associated with such a reagent becomes insufficient since the reagent can not be added during the analysis operation. Accordingly, in this case, an operator exchanges a reagent bottle associated with the analysis item having insufficient remaining amounts of reagent for a new one, then selects the sample(s) corresponding to the analysis item having not been analyzed due to the shortage of the reagent, and analyzes the sample(s) again. When the automatic analyzing apparatus is in an operation state for performing a sample delivering operation, a reagents delivering operation and a light-measurement operation after starting the analysis of samples, a disk (hereinafter referred to a reagent disk) mounting a reagent pipetting unit and reagent bottles thereon is operated. Accordingly, a reagent bottle can not be exchanged during the analysis operation even if the remaining amount of the reagent bottle which has been provided before the analysis operation becomes small. Thus, when remaining amount of a reagent within a reagent bottle for a particular analysis item becomes small and the analysis using the reagent has not been completed, an operator is required to push a sampling stop key thereby to shift the automatic analyzing apparatus to a standby state, and thereafter-to register a new reagent bottle. In this manner, there arises a problem that the efficiency for analyzing samples is degraded since an operator is required to perform such an additional troublesome analysis operation and to analyze the same samples twice. Further, in a case where, although an amount of the reagent was sufficient for analyzing a predetermined number of samples, a sample(s) to be analyzed is added or an analysis item(s) as to a sample(s) having been analyzed once is required to be analyzed again (that is, when a measured value of an analysis item for a sample having been analyzed is an abnormal value, the analysis is performed again as to the same analysis item of the same sample so as to verify the correct value), it is required to shift the automatic analyzing apparatus to the standby state from a present operation state or a sampling stop state thereby to register a new reagent bottle. The above-cited prior art U.S. 5,314,825 shows an automatic analyzing apparatus with a display indicating that an operation of the apparatus is paused until a certain operation has been carried out. However, that prior art does not give any information to the operator as to how long the operation will take. An object of the present invention is to further develop an apparatus and a method as above-mentioned such that the convenience of the operation is improved. The method according to the present invention is characterized in claim 1 and a corresponding apparatus is characterized in claim 7. According to the invention an operator of the apparatus is informed about the time necessary for executing a certain operation of the analyzing apparatus. According to the present invention, the automatic analyzing apparatus is placed in a reagent exchange waiting state for waiting for exchanging the reagent bottle indicated by the request. The light-measurement operation is continued even in the reagent exchange waiting state. Further, information of the reagent of the new reagent bottle such as analysis item information or information representing a kind of the new reagent is registered in a memory of the control unit in response to input of a signal representing completion of the exchange for the new reagent bottle during the reagent exchange standby state. Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the temporary suspension of the sample delivery operation and the reagent delivery operation is canceled after the information of the new reagent bottle is registered, the automatic analyzing apparatus restores to the operation state. Further, when an instruction instructing to cancel the interruption is issued after the request for exchanging in the step (b) or during the reagent exchange standby state, the automatic analyzing apparatus restores to the operation state. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a flow chart for explaining the operation of an automatic analyzing apparatus of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of the automatic analyzing apparatus to which the present invention is applied; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a reagent information screen displayed on a CRT of the automatic analyzing apparatus in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reagent interruption screen; and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen representing ready for exchanging a reagent bottle. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Firstly, the arrangement of the automatic analyzing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, reaction containers 2-2 are provided on the outer periphery of a reaction disk 2-1. The reaction disk 2-1 is entirely kept at a predetermined temperature by an incubation bath 2-3. A constant-temperature water supplying unit 2-4 supplies water of constant temperature (e.g., 37 °C) to the incubation bath 2-3. A multiplicity of sample cups 2-6 are provided on a sample disk unit 2-5. A sample within each of the sample cups 2-6 is sucked by a predetermined amount into a nozzle . 2-8 mounted at a movable arm of a sample pipetting unit 2-7, then the sucked sample is delivered into the reaction container 2-2 positioned at a sample delivery position. An identification information of each of the sample cups 2-6 is read by a bar code reader 2-26. In each of two reagent disks 2-9A1 and 2-9B1, there are set a multiplicity of reagent bottles each pasted on its outer wall with a label having reagent information represented by a bar code. Bar code readers 2-27A and 2-278 are disposed in correspondence to the reagent disks 2-9A1 and 2-9B1, respectively. When new reagent bottles are set in the reagent disk, the reagent information of the respective new reagent bottles is read by the corresponding bar code readers and registered in a hard disk drive unit 2-24 serving as a memory device together with the information of the setting position of the new reagent bottle on the reagent disk. First reagent pipetting unit 2-10A and a second reagent pipetting unit 2-10B are provided in correspondence with the reagent disks 2-9A1 and 2-9B1, respectively. Reagent probes 2-28A and 2-28B are provided for pipetting reagents corresponding to the analysis items into the reagent bottles. Washing solution bottles 2-9A2 and 2-9B2 each containing therein washing solution for supplementarily washing the contamination within the reaction containers 2-2 are provided between the reaction disk 2-1 and the reagent disks 2-9A1 and 2-9B1, respectively. The washing solution is delivered into the reaction containers 2-2 by the reagent probes 2-28A and 2-28B, then the solution in the reagent containers is discharged into an exhausting unit (not shown). Since the washing solution is sucked into the reagent probes 2-28A and 2-28B from the washing solution bottles and then discharged into the exhausting unit, the contamination within the probes can also be eliminated. At the outside of the reagent disks 2-9A1 and 2-9B1, there are provided stirrers 2-11 for stirring the mixture within the reaction containers 2-2 in the vicinity of the reaction disk 2-1. A reference numeral 2-12 depicts a multi-wavelength photometer and 2-13 a light source lamp. The reaction container 2-2 containing therein a subject being subjected to the light measurement is disposed between a multi-wavelength photometer 2-12 and a light source lamp 2-13. A reference numeral 2-14 depicts a washing unit for washing the reaction containers 2-2. Then the explanation will be made as to a control system and a signal processing system of the automatic analyzing apparatus. A microcomputer 2-15 includes a clock unit and controls the operation of the respective units. A reference numeral 2-16 depicts an interface, 2-17 a logarithmic (log) converter, 2-18 an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, 2-19 a reagent pump unit, 2-20 a washing solution pump and 2-21 a sample pump unit. A reference numeral 2-22 depicts a printer for printing the analyzing results etc., 2-23 a cathode ray tube (CRT) for displaying a screen, 2-24 the hard disc drive unit serving as a memory device and 2-25 an operation panel (that is, a key board or a pointing device such as a touch screen, a mouse or the like). In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the samples contained in the sample cups 2-6 are sequentially delivered into the reaction containers 2-2 on the reaction disk 2-1 by using the nozzle 2-8 of the sample pipetting unit 2-7 in accordance with the analysis parameters stored in a memory of the microcomputer 2-15 which have been inputted in advance through the operation panel 2-25. Then, the reaction containers 2-2 in which the samples have been delivered are sequentially transferred to a reagent delivery position in accordance with the counterclockwise rotation of the reaction disk 2-1. Thereafter, the reagents are delivered by a predetermined amount into the reaction containers 2-2, in which the samples have been delivered, by using the probes 2-28A and 2-28B of the reagent pipetting units 2-10A and 2-10B, respectively, in accordance with the measuring conditions according to the respective analysis items (the analysis parameters) stored in the microcomputer 2-15. Then, the mixture of the sample and the reagent within each of the reaction containers 2-2 is stirred and mixed so as to be homogeneous. When the reaction container 2-2 crosses a light measuring position, an absorbance of the mixture within the reaction container 2-2 is measured by the multi-wavelength photometer 2-12. The absorbance thus measured is taken into the microcomputer 2-15 through the logarithmic converter 2-17, the A/D converter 2-18 and the interface 2-16. The absorbance is converted into concentration data on the basis of a calibration curve prepared from the absorbance of the standard sample solution which has been measured in advance by the analysis method designated for each analysis item. The concentration data thus measured for the respective analysis items is outputted to the printer 2-22 and/or the screen of the CRT 2-23. In order to make the automatic analyzing apparatus execute the aforesaid operations, an operator sets the various parameters required for measuring all the analysis items, registers the samples and confirms the results of the analysis with reference to the screen of the CRT 2-23. Fig. 3 shows an example of the screen for the reagent information displayed on the screen of the CRT 2-23. Reference numerals 3-1A, 3-1B, 3-1C, 3-1D and 3-1E in Fig. 3 depict special display sections for selecting functions of the automatic analyzing apparatus. These display sections are arranged to display menus associated with the functions, respectively. An operator in advance measures parameters and data necessary for the measurement by using the display sections "MAINTENANCE", CALIBRATION", "QC" corresponding to the functions such as the maintenance, calibration, QC or the like, respectively, and requests the analysis items necessary for the respective samples by using the display section "ROUTINE PROCESS" corresponding to the function of the routine process. Further, as usual, an operator confirms whether or not there remains sufficient amount of reagents as to the analysis items to be analyzed from now by using the display section "REAGENT INFORMATION" corresponding to the function of the reagent information. The display section "TEST" 3-2 on the screen 3 displays the analysis items. The analysis items displayed on this display section correspond to the analysis items of the parameters set by using the display section "MAINTENANCE". The display section "EFFECTIVE TEST NUMBER" 3-3 displays the smaller one of the remaining amounts of the reagents used for each of the respective analysis items. For example, as to the analysis item "GOT", the display section "EFFECTIVE TEST NUMBER" 3-3 displays the smaller one of the remaining amounts between the first reagent R1 and the second reagent R2. In this example, two bottles of the first reagent R1 were set and the remaining amount thereof corresponds to an amount of 360 tests for the analysis item "GOT", and the remaining amount of the second reagent R2 corresponds to an amount of 130 tests for the analysis item "GOT". According to such a display, an operator can confirm that the reagents for the analysis item GOT" are ensured by an amount corresponding to 130 tests (corresponds to 130 samples) in total. The display section "TYPE" 3-4 displays the types of the reagents, that is, the first reagent R1 and the second reagent R2, used in the associated analysis items. The display section "POSITION" 3-5 displays setting positions where the reagent bottles are positioned. The display section "REMAINING TEST NUMBER" 3-6 displays the remaining amounts of the respective reagent bottles both as numerical values and the bar graphs so that an operator is able to understand the remaining values at a glance. On the screen 3, a reference numeral 3-7 depicts a start key, 3-8 a sampling stop key, 3-9 a stop key, 3-10 a print key, 3-11 an alarm key and 3-12 an reagent interruption key. The operation of the automatic analyzing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Fig. 1. Firstly, when the automatic analyzing apparatus is in a standby state (step 1-1), an operator operates the operation panel 2-25 to display the display screen 3 shown in Fig. 3 on the CRT thereby to confirm the remaining amounts of the respective reagents. Then, the operator touches the start key 3-7 to place the automatically analyzing apparatus in an operation state (step 1-2), whereby the automatic analyzing apparatus starts the continuous analyzing operation of the samples. When the sampling operation as to all the samples set on the sample disk unit 2-5 is completed, the automatic analyzing apparatus is automatically placed in a sampling stop state (step 1-3), then stops the operation thereof (step 1-4) and the process thereof returns to the standby state (step 1-1). Data representing the results of the measurement as to the analysis items having been measured during the aforesaid period from the step 1-1 to the step 1-4 is outputted to the printer 2-22 or the CRT 2-23. When there arises a case during the operation that a new sample to be measured is added or the sample having been measured once is required to be analyzed again, if the remaining amount of the reagent within the reagent bottle necessary for measuring such a sample is insufficient, the operator is able to exchange the regent bottle for new one without waiting for the automatic analyzing apparatus to be in the standby state. In other words, in the present embodiment, in a case where the remaining amount of the reagent within the reagent bottle becomes small during the operation, when the operator touches the reagent interruption key 3-12 on the display screen 3 shown in Fig. 3 so as to request the reagent interruption, the automatic analyzing apparatus is placed in a reagent interruption" input state (step 1-5). Thus, a part of the analysis operation is temporarily stopped or suspended, that is, the automatic analyzing apparatus is placed in a sampling stop state capable of restarting the operation (step 1-6). Succeedingly, a reagent interruption screen (a small screen of a window like configuration) is displayed within the "reagent information" screen 3, as shown in Fig. 4 (step 1-6A). In this case, the automatic analyzing apparatus is placed in the sampling stop state, wherein the nozzle 2-8 stops the sampling operation of the samples after the reagent interruption, and the next process is stopped until the delivery of the reagents corresponding to the analysis items of the samples having been sampled heretofore is completed. The time period required for complet delivery of the reagent from the reagent bottle corresponding to the final analysis item is calculated in accordance with the scheduling information as to the analysis conditions of all the analysis items, and the calculated time period is displayed on the reagent interruption screen 4-1 as the time period 4-2 required until reagent registration. This time period 4-2 is continuously counted down until the time period becomes 0 minute. In other words, the reagent interruption screen 4-1 displays standby time information representing the time period from the reagent interruption to a state where the exchanging operation of the reagent bottle by the operator becomes possible. The microcomputer 2-15 serving as a control unit determines whether the aforesaid required time period, that is, the standby time period becomes 0 minute or a cancel key 4-3 is touched (step 1-7). When the cancel key 4-3 is touched, the process restores to the operation state (step 1-2). In contrast, when the standby time period becomes 0 minute, determination is made whether or not an execution key 4-4 is touched (step 1-a). If it is determined that the execution key 4-4 is touched, a "ready for reagent exchange" screen 5-1 ( a small display screen of a window like configuration) is displayed within the reagent information screen 3 as shown in Fig. 5 to notify the operator that the exchanging operation of the reagent bottle is possible (step 1-7B). Then, the process proceeds to a state waiting for exchanging the reagent (step 1-8). During this period, both the rotating operation of the reaction disk 2-1 and the light-measuring operation of the multi-wavelength photometer 2-12 are continued thereby to execute the analyzing operation of the reaction solution. It is determined by the microcomputer 2-15 whether or not the operator has exchanged the old reagent bottle(s) of the reagent disk 2-9A1 and/or the reagent disk 2-9B1 for a new reagent bottle(s) and the registration of the reagent bottle is possible (step 1-9). In this case, if a cancel key 5-2 is touched, the process returns to the step 1-2. When the operator touches an execution key 5-3 after exchanging the reagent bottle (step 1-10), both the reagent disk 2-9A1 for the first reagent R1 and the reagent disk 2-9B1 for the second reagent R2 are rotated. Then, the bar codes of the reagent bottles of the respective reagent disks are read, and the kinds and the setting positions of the respective reagents thus read are registered, that is, updated. The registration state of the reagents thus updated is displayed on the reagent information screen 3 shown in Fig. 3 (step 1-11). Then, it is determined whether or not the registration of the reagents is completed (step 1-12). If it is determined that the registration of the reagents is completed, the temporary suspended state of both the sample delivery operation and the reagent delivery operation is canceled, then the operation screen is displayed on the CRT (step 1-13) and the process returns to the step 1-2. Thereafter, the sampling operation is restarted by the sample pipetting unit 2-7 as to the samples having not been sampled yet thereby to continue the continuous analysis operation. As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when there arises a need for exchanging a reagent bottle, the reagent exchange operation can be executed without restoring the automatically analyzing apparatus to the standby state by placing the apparatus in the "reagent interruption" input state. In this case, it is possible to automatically set and display the exchanging timing of the reagent, to automatic register a new reagent thus exchanged, and thereafter to automatically restore the automatic analyzing apparatus to the operation state. While, in the aforesaid embodiment, both the reagent interruption screen 4-1 and the "ready for reagent exchange" screen 5-1 are displayed as a part of the reagent information screen 3, each of the screens 4-1 and 5-1 may be displayed on the entire screen of the CRT. Further, while, in the aforesaid embodiment, among all the functions displayed on the screen 3 in Fig. 3, the operation of the remaining functions other than the reagent information is limited, it is possible to arrange the apparatus to operate only the selected function(s). For example, the functions designated by the stop key 3-9 and the alarm key 3-11 may be made operable even in the reagent interruption state. The explanation will be made as to the second embodiment of the present invention. The reagents used in the analysis are sucked into the reagent probes 2-28B and 2-28A from the reagent bottles disposed at the reagent disks 2-9B1 and 2-9A1, respectively. If the washing solution bottles are disposed within the reagent disks 2-9B1 and 2-9A1, the reagent probes 2-28B and 2-28A can not be operated in the reagent registration state since the reagent disks 2-9B1 and 2-9A1 are being operated. Accordingly, the carry over washing process due to the contamination within the reaction containers 2-2 of the reaction disk 2-1 can not be performed, for example. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 2, in the case where the washing solution bottles 2-9B2 and 2-9A2 are disposed outside the reagent disks 2-9B1 and 2-9A1 and disposed along the moving loci of the reagent probes 2-28B and 2-28A, respectively, the carry over washing process etc. can be performed by operating the reagent probes 2-28B and 2-28A between the reaction disk 2-1 and the washing solution bottles even in the reagent registration state in which the reagent disks 2-9B1 and 2-9A1 are operated. The second embodiment is arranged in a manner that, when the "reagent interruption" input state is executed and the addition of the reagents as to the samples having been pipetted is completed, the reagent registration operation is executed in parallel to the washing operation of the reaction containers using the reagent probes 2-28B and 2-28A or the washing operation of the reagent probes themselves. In concrete, in the flowchart shown in Fig. 1, a step for executing the washing operation using the reagent probes 2-28A and 2-28B is inserted after the step 1-7. When the cancel key 4-3 or 5-2 is touched or the reagent registration process is completed during the washing operation, the process returns to the step 1-2. The arrangement of the remaining portions of the second embodiment is same as that of the first embodiment, and so the explanation and the drawings thereof is omitted. The second embodiment of the present invention is able to attain the same technical advantages as those of the first embodiment, and further able to execute the washing operation of the reaction containers or the reagent probes during the reagent interruption state. While, in the aforesaid embodiments, the samples are pipetted into the reaction containers before pipetting the reagents, the automatic analyzing apparatus may be arranged to pipette the reagents before pipetting the samples.

Claims: An analyzing method using an automatic analyzing apparatus in which samples and reagents are delivered into a series of reaction containers (2-2) on a reaction line to form reaction solutions within the reaction containers and light measurements are performed as to the reaction solutions with respect to a predetermined analysis item, said method comprising the steps of: (a) shifting said automatic analyzing apparatus to an operation state from a standby state, and performing a sample delivery operation, a reagent delivery operation and a light-measurement operation on the reaction solution during the H operation state; and (b) in response to a request for exchanging a reagent bottle for a new one during said operation state, temporarily suspending said sample delivery operation, and continuing said reagent delivery operation until necessary amounts of reagents are added to the respective samples which have been delivered into said reaction containers on the reaction line; (c) displaying an interruption screen (4-1) on a display unit (2-23) in response to said request for exchanging said reagent bottle; (d) representing on said display unit that the exchange of said reagent bottle indicated by said request is possible when delivery of the reagent in said step (b) is completed; (e) placing said automatic analyzing apparatus in a reagent exchange waiting state for waiting for an exchange of said reagent bottle indicated by said request; characterized in that step (c) comprises calculating the time period required for complete for delivery of the reagent from the reagent bottle corresponding to the final analysis item in accordance with the scheduling information, displaying said calculated time period on said interruption screen (4-1), and counting down said time period with said delivering operation. An analyzing method according to claim 1, wherein said light-measurement operation is continued even in said reagent exchange waiting state succeeding said step (c). An analyzing method according to claim 1, wherein information of said new reagent bottle is registered in a memory in response to input of a signal representing completion of the exchange of said new reagent bottle during said reagent exchange waiting state. An analyzing method according to claim 3, wherein, when said temporary suspension of said sample delivery operation and said reagent delivery operation is cancelled after said information of said new reagent bottle is registered, said automatic analyzing apparatus restores said operation state. An analyzing method according to claim 1, wherein, when an instruction instructing to cancel said interruption is issued after said request for exchanging in said step (b) or during said reagent exchange waiting state, said automatic analyzing apparatus restores said operation state. An automatic analyzing apparatus including a reaction line having a series of reaction containers (2-2) thereon, a sample supply unit (2-5) for delivering samples to be analyzed into reaction containers (2-2) on said reaction line, a reagent supply unit (2-9A1, 2-9B1) for delivering reagents according to analysis items into said reaction containers (2-2) on said reaction line, and a light-measurement unit (2-12, 2-13) for performing light measurements as to reaction solutions within said reaction containers on said reaction line, said automatic analyzing apparatus further comprising: an input unit (2-25) for inputting a signal requesting exchange of a reagent bottle and a signal for representing completion of exchange of a reagent bottle; and a control unit (2-15) which is adapted to control said automatically analyzing apparatus in a manner that said automatical analyzing apparatus is shifted from a standby state to an operation state for executing a sample delivery operation, a reagent delivery operation and a light-measurement operation of the reaction solution, wherein said sample delivery operation is temporarily suspended in response to an interrupt request for exchanging a reagent bottle, said automatic analyzing apparatus is placed in a reagent exchange waiting state for waiting for exchange of a reagent bottle when the necessary amounts of reagents have been added to the samples which already have been delivered into said reaction containers, and said automatic analyzing apparatus is restored to said operation state from said temporary suspension state in response to an input representing completion of exchange of the reagent bottle by a new reagent bottle; a display unit adapted to display an interruption screen (4-1) in response to said request for exchanging said reagent bottle and to display that the exchange of said reagent bottle indicated by said request is possible when delivery of the reagent is completed; characterized in that said control unit is further adapted to calculate the time period required for complete delivery of the reagent from the reagent bottle corresponding to the final analysis item in accordance with the scheduling information, and the display unit is adapted to display said calculated time period on said interruption screen (4-1), and to count down said time period with said delivering operation. An automatic analyzing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a read unit (2-27A, 2-27B) for reading identification information of said new reagent bottle in response to said input representing completion of exchange of the reagent bottle, wherein said control unit is adapted to restore said automatic analyzing apparatus to said operation state from said temporary suspension state as to said sample delivery operation and said reagent delivery operation after completion of reading of said identification information of said new reagent bottle. An automatic analyzing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said input unit includes a key provided on said screen of said display unit for inputting said request for exchanging a reagent bottle and a key provided on said screen of said display unit for inputting said input representing completion of exchange of the reagent bottle. An automatic analyzing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said reagent supply unit includes a reagent disk (2-9A1) on which a plurality of reagent bottles are disposed, a movable probe (2-28A, 2-28B) for pipetting reagent within said reaction containers, and a washing solution bottle (2-9A2, 2-9B2) disposed between said reagent disk and said reaction line, and wherein said control unit washes said movable probe by using said washing solution bottle during said reagent exchange waiting state.

Inventors: KOAKUTSU TAKAHIRO, TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI, KOAKUTSU, TAKAHIRO, TAKAHASHI, ATSUSHI
Applicants: HITACHI LTD, HITACHI, LTD.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G01N35
IPC codes: G01N35