Abstract:
Each of nozzles includes a micropore which is used as a channel, and the channel is exposed to the outside in the vicinity of a front end of the nozzle. An arm supports the nozzles so that the front ends of the nozzles are movable in an insertion/extraction direction, in which the front ends are inserted into or extracted from a specimen container, and the front ends of the nozzles are able to be simultaneously located in the specimen container. An arm movement mechanism and a nozzle movement mechanism respectively move the nozzles so as to move any one of the front ends of the nozzles in the insertion/extraction direction. Particularly, the nozzle movement mechanism is able to change a relative positional relationship of the front end of the nozzle movement mechanism with respect to the insertion/extraction direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-063250, filed Mar. 16, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a suction device which sucks substances such as a blood plasma component and a blood cell component contained in a liquid substance such as blood stored in a container from the container, and an analysis device which analyzes characteristics of the liquid substance on the basis of the substances sucked by using the suction device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In a blood analysis using a blood analysis device, recently, a sample has been directly taken from a vacuum blood collection tube after a centrifuging operation in many cases. In addition, there is a case in which components in a blood corpuscle fraction are measured by using a vacuum blood collection tube containing anticoagulant (for example, refer to JP-A-2006-288220). 
         [0006]    Incidentally, in the case where a blood plasma component and a blood cell component are measured in a totality of blood, it is necessary to suck the blood plasma component and the blood cell component from the totality of blood. 
         [0007]    In this case, in the past, the blood plasma component and the blood cell component were separately sucked from the totality of blood, phase-separated into the blood plasma component and the blood cell component and stored in the container, by using one nozzle. However, in order to suck each of the blood plasma component and the blood cell component by using one nozzle, a cycle including a suction operation, a discharge operation, and a cleaning operation needs to be repeated twice for one subject. For this reason, much time is taken to reach the end of the operation of sucking the blood plasma component and the blood cell component. In addition, in the case where the nozzle is not sufficiently cleaned, one component remaining in the nozzle may be mixed with the other component. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the invention is to suck a plurality of substances contained in a liquid substance in a short time while suppressing the mixture of the substances. 
         [0009]    According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a suction device capable of sucking a substance contained in a liquid substance stored in a container, the suction device including: a plurality of nozzles each of which includes a channel and in which the channel is opened to the outside in the vicinity of a front end of the nozzle; a support member which supports the plurality of nozzles so that the front ends of the plurality of nozzles are moveable in an insertion/extraction direction, in which the front ends are inserted into or extracted from the container, and the front ends of the plurality of nozzles are able to be simultaneously located in the container; and a movement unit capable of changing a relative positional relationship of the front ends of the plurality of nozzles with respect to the insertion/extraction direction by moving the plurality of nozzles so as to move any one of the front ends of the plurality of nozzles in the insertion/extraction direction. 
         [0010]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a suction device capable of sucking a substance contained in a liquid substance stored in a container, the suction device including: a plurality of nozzles each of which includes a channel and in which the channel is opened to the outside in the vicinity of a front end of the nozzle; a support member which fixes and supports the plurality of nozzles so that the front ends of the plurality of nozzles are able to be simultaneously located in the container and the entrance depths of the front ends of the plurality of nozzles with respect to the liquid substance are different from each other; and a movement unit which moves the support member so as to move the front ends of the plurality of nozzles in an insertion/extraction direction in which the front ends are inserted into or extracted from the container. 
         [0011]    According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an analysis device including: a suction device according to the first or second aspect; and an analysis unit which analyzes different properties for the liquid substance on the basis of the substance sucked from the container by the plurality of nozzles included in the suction device. 
         [0012]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sample section, a reagent section, and a reaction section of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a partially cut away view showing a structure according to a first embodiment of a probe unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit connected to a nozzle and a probe of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a process sequence according to the first embodiment of a system control unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of the state where the further downward movement of an arm of  FIG. 2  ends. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of the state where the downward movement of a nozzle using a nozzle movement mechanism stops. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a partially cut away view showing a structure according to a second embodiment of the probe unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a process sequence according to the second embodiment of the system control unit of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Hereinafter, several embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analysis device  100  according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the automatic analysis device  100  includes a measurement unit  110 , an analysis control unit  120 , an analysis data process unit  130 , an output unit  140 , an operation unit  150 , and a system control unit  160 . 
         [0026]    The measurement unit  110  further includes a sample section  111 , a reagent section  112 , and a reaction section  113 . The sample section  111  manages a calibrator for each measurement item or a test specimen (sample) taken from a subject. The reagent section  112  manages a reagent causing a chemical reaction with a component of the sample according to the measurement item. The reaction section  113  performs a measurement according to the measurement item for a reaction liquid between the sample and the reagent. The reaction section  113  outputs a calibrator signal indicating a measurement result for the calibrator and an analysis signal indicating the measurement result for the sample to the analysis data process unit  130 . 
         [0027]    The analysis control unit  120  further includes a mechanism section  121  and a mechanism control section  122 . The mechanism section  121  drives various movable components described later and included in the measurement unit  110 . The mechanism control section  122  controls the operation of the mechanism section  121 . 
         [0028]    The analysis data process unit  130  further includes a calculation section  131  and a storage section  132 . The calculation section  131  creates a calibration table for each measurement item on the basis of the calibrator signal output from the measurement unit  110 . The calculation section  131  calculates analysis data for each measurement item on the basis of the calibration table and the analysis signal output from the measurement unit  110 . The storage section  132  includes a hard disk and the like, and stores the calibration table or the analysis data. The calculation section  131  outputs the calibration table or the analysis data to the output unit  140  if necessary. 
         [0029]    The output unit  140  further includes a printing section  141 , a display section  142 , and an on-line section  143 . The printing section  141  includes a printer or the like, and prints the analysis data or the calibration table output from the calculation section  131  on a printer sheet or the like in a predetermined format. The display section  142  includes a CRT (cathode-ray tube), an LCD (liquid crystal display), or the like, and displays the analysis data or the calibration table output from the calculation section  131  thereon. 
         [0030]    Under the control of the system control unit  160 , the display section  142  displays a subject information input screen for inputting a subject ID and a subject name and the like, an analysis condition setting screen for setting an analysis condition for each measurement item, a measurement item setting screen for selectively setting the measurement item for each sample, and the like. The on-line section  143  transmits the analysis data or the calibration table output from the calculation section  131  to another device via a network. 
         [0031]    The operation unit  150  includes an input unit such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, or a touch key panel. The operation unit  150  is operated by the operator so as to set the analysis condition for each measurement item, to input subject information such as a subject ID or a subject name, to selectively input the measurement item for each sample, and to perform the sample measurement or the calibration for each measurement item. The operation unit  150  outputs a command signal indicating the contents of the operation performed by the operator to the system control unit  160 . 
         [0032]    The system control unit  160  includes a CPU and a storage circuit, and generally controls the constituents of the automatic analysis device  100 . In detail, the system control unit  160  determines the analysis condition for each measurement item, the subject information, the measurement item for each sample, and the like on the basis of the command signal supplied from the operation unit  150 , and stores such information. The system control unit  160  controls the operation of the measurement unit  110  so as to perform the measurement in accordance with a predetermined sequence of a certain cycle on the basis of such information. The system control unit  160  controls the analysis data process unit  130  so as to calculate the desired analysis data or to create the desired calibration table. Further, the system control unit  160  controls the output unit  140  so as to output the calibration table or the analysis data in a desired format. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a configuration of the sample section  111 , the reagent section  112 , and the reaction section  113 . 
         [0034]    The sample section  111  includes a reagent container  11 , samplers  12   a  and  12   b , a rack  13 , an arm  14 , a probe unit  15 , and a pump unit  16 . 
         [0035]    The reagent container  11  stores a calibrator and a precise management specimen or sample. 
         [0036]    The sampler  12   a  may be set in such a manner that a plurality of specimen containers  11  is disposed in two rows in a circumferential shape. The sampler  12   a  rotates to move the set specimen containers  11  along the circumference. Each position of setting the specimen containers  11  in the sampler  12   a  is allocated to a calibrator set position or a precise management specimen set position in advance. The specimen container  11  storing the calibrator is set in the former set position, and the specimen container  11  storing the precise management specimen is set in the latter set position. 
         [0037]    The sampler  12   b  may be set in a plurality of the racks  13 . The racks  13  may be set in such a manner that a plurality of the specimen containers  11  is arranged in a linear shape. The racks  13  are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the specimen containers  11 . The sampler  12   b  moves the racks  13  in the arrangement direction thereof. In addition, the sampler  12   b  moves the racks  13  in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction thereof at the sample suction position. Each position where the specimen containers  11  are set in the racks  13  is allocated to the sample set position in advance, and the specimen container  11  storing the sample is set in the set position. 
         [0038]    One end of an arm  14  is rotatably supported. The other end of the arm  14  is attached with a probe unit  15 . The arm  14  is rotated by an arm movement mechanism  121   a  included in the mechanism section  121 . In addition, the arm  14  is moved in the vertical direction by the arm movement mechanism  121   a . In this manner, the arm  14  moves the probe unit  15  along the circular-arc orbit or moves the probe unit  15  in the vertical direction. The pump unit  16  generates a pressure for allowing the probe unit  15  to suck or discharge the sample in such a manner that the pump unit  16  sucks or discharges a pressure transfer medium such as water. In this manner, the arm  14 , the probe unit  15 , and the pump unit  16  constitute a suction device for sucking the sample stored in the specimen container  11 . 
         [0039]    The reagent section  112  includes a reagent bottle  21 , reagent racks  22   a  and  22   b , arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a , and  24   b , leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b , and reagent probes  27   a ,  27   b ,  28   a , and  28   b.    
         [0040]    The reagent bottle  21  stores a reagent which selectively reacts with the sample. 
         [0041]    The reagent racks  22   a  and  22   b  store a plurality of the reagent bottles  21 , respectively. Each of the reagent racks  22   a  and  22   b  is a substantially circumferential container of which the upper surface is opened. The reagent racks  22   a  and  22   b  are capable of storing the plurality of reagent bottles  21  which are arranged in two rows in a circumferential shape, respectively. Each of the reagent racks  22   a  and  22   b  is rotated by a rotation mechanism not shown in  FIG. 1  and described later. 
         [0042]    One ends of the arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a , and  24   b  are respectively supported by the leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b . The other ends of the arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a , and  24   b  are respectively attached with reagent probes  27   a ,  27   b ,  28   a , and  28   b.    
         [0043]    When the leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b  are rotated by a known rotation mechanism not shown in  FIG. 1 , the arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a , and  24   b  are respectively rotated. In  FIG. 1 , a part of the leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b  is shown, and in practice they are longer than the shown size. In addition, the leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b  are linearly moved in the vertical direction by a known linear movement mechanism not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    The reagent probes  27   a ,  27   b ,  28   a , and  28   b  are moved along the circular-arc orbit or in the vertical direction by the arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a , and  24   b  and the leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b . Each of the reagent probes  27   a ,  27   b ,  28   a , and  28   b  has a cavity therein, and the cavity is connected to a pump (not shown) through the arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a , and  24   b  and the leg portions  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a , and  26   b . The reagent probes  27   a ,  27   b ,  28   a , and  28   b  suck or discharge the reagent by using a pressure generated by the pump connected thereto. 
         [0045]    The reaction section  113  includes a reaction container  31 , a disk  32 , stirring units  33   a  and  33   b , a side light unit  34 , and a cleaning unit  35 . 
         [0046]    A plurality of the reaction containers  31  is arranged in a circumferential shape. The reaction containers  31  store the reaction liquid obtained by reacting the sample with the reagent. 
         [0047]    A disk  32  rotatably holds the reaction containers  31 . The disk  32  rotates in the counter-clockwise direction by a predetermined angle during four analysis cycles. One analysis cycle is, for example, 4.5 seconds. The disk  32  may rotate in the clockwise direction. 
         [0048]    The stirring unit  33   a  includes two stirring members. The stirring unit  33   a  is capable of moving the two stirring members between two stirring positions corresponding to the upper position of the reaction container  31  and two cleaning positions different therefrom. In addition, the stirring unit  33   a  is capable of moving the two stirring members in the vertical direction. The stirring unit  33   a  has a function of cleaning each of the two stirring members at the two cleaning positions. The stirring unit  33   a  is used to stir a first reagent and the sample dispensed to the reaction container  31 . 
         [0049]    The stirring unit  33   b  includes two stirring members. The stirring unit  33   b  is capable of moving the two stirring members between two stirring positions corresponding to the upper position of the reaction container  31  and two cleaning positions different therefrom. In addition, the stirring unit  33   b  is capable of moving the two stirring members in the vertical direction. The stirring unit  33   b  has a function of cleaning each of the two stirring members at the two cleaning positions. The stirring unit  33   b  is used to stir a first reagent, a second reagent, and the sample dispensed to the reaction container  31 . 
         [0050]    The side light unit  34  emits light when the reaction container  31  passes the side light position, and measures a light absorption degree of a set wavelength on the basis of the transmitted light. In addition, the side light unit  34  generates an analysis signal as a signal indicating the measured light absorption degree. 
         [0051]    The cleaning unit  35  includes a cleaning nozzle and a drying nozzle. The cleaning unit  35  sucks and cleans the reaction liquid in the inside of the reaction container  31  by using the cleaning nozzle. In addition, the cleaning unit  35  dries the inside of the reaction container  31  after the cleaning operation by using the drying nozzle. The reaction container  31  cleaned and dried by the cleaning unit  35  is used again for the measurement. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0052]      FIG. 3  is a partially cut away view showing a structure of the probe unit  15  according to a first embodiment. 
         [0053]    The probe unit  15  includes nozzles  15   a  and  15   b , probes  15   c  and  15   d , and holding members  15   e ,  15   f , and  15   g.    
         [0054]    The sections of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are shown in  FIG. 3 . The external shape of each of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  is formed in a thin and long needle shape, and micropores are respectively formed therein so as to penetrate a portion between both ends. The micropores of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are connected to the pump unit  16  through tubes  17  and  18 . When the micropores of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  enter a negative pressure state by the pump unit  16 , the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  suck the sample into the micropores from the openings of the front ends. In addition, when the negative pressure inside the micropores is canceled by the pump unit  16 , the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  discharge the sample held inside the micropores. As a material of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b , for example, stainless steel or platinum is used, where the material has conductivity, is not deformed when the inside of the micropore enters a negative pressure, and is not degenerated due to the adhesion of the sample. In addition, the pump unit  16  has a function of individually controlling the pressure of each of the micropores of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b.    
         [0055]    Each of the probes  15   c  and  15   d  is made from a conductive material not causing degeneration due to the adhesion to the sample, that is, stainless steel or platinum so as to have a thin and long bar shape. The probes  15   c  and  15   d  are respectively attached to the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  so that the front end of the probe  15   c  has a predetermined gap with respect to the front end of the nozzle  15   a  and the front end of the probe  15   d  has a predetermined gap with respect to the front end of the nozzle  15   b . In addition, in the portions of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  attached to the probes  15   c  and  15   d , the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are insulated from the probes  15   c  and  15   d.    
         [0056]    The holding members  15   e  and  15   f  fix the nozzle  15   a  to a casing  14   a  of the arm  14  or a support member (not shown). The holding member  15   g  is fixed and attached to the nozzle  15   b . The holding member  15   g  is attached to the casing  14   a  of the arm  14  or a guide portion  14   b  provided in a support member (not shown). The guide portion  14   b  supports the holding member  15   g  so as to be movable in the vertical direction (the lengthwise direction of  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0057]    In this manner, the relative position of the nozzle  15   a  with respect to the arm  14  cannot be changed, but the relative position of the nozzle  15   b  with respect to the arm  14  can be changed in the vertical direction. The nozzle  15   b  is held by a nozzle movement mechanism  121   b . The nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  fixes the relative position of the nozzle  15   b  with respect to the arm  14  in the horizontal direction, and reciprocates the nozzle  15   b  in the vertical direction so that the relative position of the nozzle  15   b  with respect to the arm  14  in the vertical direction changes. The nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  may be directly configured as a known mechanism for reciprocating a bar-shaped object. In addition, the nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  is included in the mechanism section  121 . 
         [0058]    The horizontal relative position of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d  is set so as to be simultaneously inserted into one of the specimen containers  11 . In addition, even in the state where the nozzle  15   b  is located at the uppermost side of the movable range, the vertical relative position of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  is set so that the front end of the nozzle  15   b  is located below the front end of the nozzle  15   a.    
         [0059]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit connected to the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d . In addition, a pair of the electric circuits shown in  FIG. 4  is provided in the nozzle  15   a  and the probe  15   c , and a pair of the electric circuits is provided in the nozzle  15   b  and the probe  15   d.    
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the probe unit  15  includes an electric circuit including a power supply  15   h , a resistor  15   i , and a boundary face detector  15   j  in addition to the constituents shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0061]    The power supply  15   h  and the resistor  15   i  are connected in series to each other between the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d . The boundary face detector  15   j  is connected to a connection point between the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the resistor  15   i . In this manner, in the electric circuit, a voltage value obtained by dividing an output voltage of the power supply  15   h  by an electric resistance value R 1  of a substance existing between the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d  and a resistance value of the resistor  15   i  is input to the boundary face detector  15   j . The boundary face detector  15   j  detects a boundary face (hereinafter, referred to as a liquid face) between the external air and the sample or a boundary face (hereinafter, referred to as a boundary face) between a blood plasma component and a blood cell component inside the sample on the basis of a variation in the input voltage value. The detection result of the boundary face detector  15   j  is given to the system control unit  160 . 
         [0062]    Next, an operation of the automatic analysis device  100  including the probe unit  15  having the above-described configuration according to the first embodiment will be described. However, a characteristic operation of the automatic analysis device  100  according to the first embodiment is an operation of sucking blood from the specimen container  11  in the state where a blood plasma component and a blood cell component are in an interface separation state in the inside of the specimen container  11 . Since the other operations are the same as those of the same type of existing automatic analysis device, description thereof is omitted. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the interface-separated blood, a blood plasma component  51  is located at the upper position, and a blood cell component  52  is located at the lower position. When it is necessary to dispense the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  to the reaction container  31 , the system control unit  160  positions the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  at an upper position of the corresponding specimen container  11  by rotating the arm  14 . In this state, the system control unit  160  performs a process of sucking the sample as below. 
         [0064]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a process sequence of the system control unit  160  when the sample is sucked from the specimen container  11 . 
         [0065]    In Step Sa 1 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to move down the arm  14 . In accordance with the downward movement of the arm  14 , the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are moved down. In addition, at this time point, the nozzle  15   b  is located at the uppermost position (hereinafter, referred to as a reference position). 
         [0066]    When the arm  14  is moved down in this manner, the nozzle  15   b  is first inserted into the specimen container  11 , and then the nozzle  15   a  is inserted into the specimen container  11  after a while. When the arm  14  is further moved down, the nozzle  15   b  first arrives at the blood, and then the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the blood after a while. 
         [0067]    Incidentally, when the front ends of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  do not arrive at the liquid face, since only the external air exists between the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d , the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d  are insulated from each other. For this reason, a current does not flow to the resistor  15   i , and a voltage is not input to the boundary face detector  15   j.    
         [0068]    When the front ends of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  arrive at the liquid face, the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d  are electrically connected to each other through the blood plasma component  51 . For this reason, a current flows to the resistor  15   i , and a voltage is input to the boundary face detector  15   j . In addition, when the front ends of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  arrive at the boundary face, since a substance electrically connecting the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d  to each other changes from the blood plasma component  51  to a blood cell component  52 , the resistance value R 1  changes, and a voltage value input to the boundary face detector  15   j  changes. Therefore, the boundary face detector  15   j  connected to the nozzle  15   a  detects a state where the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face in accordance with a variation in voltage of the liquid face. In addition, the boundary face detector  15   j  connected to the nozzle  15   b  detects a state where the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face in accordance with a variation in voltage of the boundary face. 
         [0069]    In the state where the arm  14  is moved down, the system control unit  160  enters the standby state from Step Sa 2  to Step Sa 4 . In this standby state, the system control unit  160  waits for the state where the arm  14  arrives at a predetermined lower limit, the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face, or the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face. 
         [0070]    Incidentally, in the case where a specific amount of sample is not stored in the specimen container  11 , the arm  14  arrives at the lower limit before the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face. In addition, in the case where the amount of the blood plasma component  51  is small, the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face before the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face. In these cases, there is concern in that both the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are not correctly sucked. For this reason, in this case, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sa 2  or Step Sa 3  to Step Sa 5 . In Step Sa 5 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to stop the downward movement of the arm  14 . Subsequently, in Step Sa 6 , the system control unit  160  instructs the display section  142  to perform an error display. Accordingly, the operator is informed that the sample is not correctly stored in the specimen container  11 . 
         [0071]    Meanwhile, when the system control unit  160  is in the standby state from Step Sa 2  to Step Sa 4 , if it is detected that the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sa 4  to Step Sa 7 . In Step Sa 7 , the system control unit  160  waits for the state where the arm  14  is further moved down by a specific amount after a time point when the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face. In addition, the further downward movement of the arm  14  is performed so as to insert the front end of the nozzle  15   a  into the blood plasma component  51  to a degree that the blood plasma component  51  is sufficiently sucked. 
         [0072]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of the state where the further downward movement of the arm  14  ends. 
         [0073]    When the further downward movement ends, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sa 1  to Step Sa 8 . In Step Sa 8 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to stop the downward movement of the arm  14 . Subsequently, in Step Sa 9 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to start the operation of the nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  so that the nozzle  15   b  starts to move downward. In addition, in the state where the nozzle  15   b  moves down, the system control unit  160  enters the standby state of Step Sa 10  and Step Sa 11 . In this standby state, the system control unit  160  waits for the state where the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the predetermined lower limit or the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face. 
         [0074]    Incidentally, in the case where the amount of the blood cell component  52  is large, the nozzle  15   b  may arrive at the lower limit before the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face. Then, in this case, since it is not possible to insert the front end of the nozzle  15   b  into the blood cell component  52 , it is not possible to correctly suck the blood cell component  52 . Therefore, in this case, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sa 10  to Step Sa 12 . In Step Sa 12 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to stop the downward movement of the nozzle  15   b . Subsequently, in Step Sa 13 , the system control unit  160  instructs the display section  142  to perform an error display. Accordingly, the operator is informed that the sample is not correctly stored in the specimen container  11 . 
         [0075]    Meanwhile, when the system control unit  160  is in the standby state of Step Sa 10  and Step Sa 11 , if it is detected that the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sa 11  to Step Sa 14 . In addition, in Step Sa 14 , the system control unit  160  waits for the state where the nozzle  15   b  is further moved down by a specific amount after a time point when the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the liquid face. In addition, the further downward movement of the nozzle  15   b  is performed so as to insert the front end of the nozzle  15   b  into the blood cell component  52  to a degree that the blood cell component  52  is sufficiently sucked. 
         [0076]    When the further downward movement ends, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sa 14  to Step Sa 15 . In Step Sa 15 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to stop the downward movement of the nozzle  15   b . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the nozzle  15   a  is stopped in the state where the front end thereof is inserted into the blood plasma component  51 , and the nozzle  15   b  is stopped in the state where the front end thereof is inserted into the blood cell component  52 . In Step Sa 16 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to generate a negative pressure in the micropores of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  at the same time. Accordingly, the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are simultaneously sucked by the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b.    
         [0077]    Subsequently, in Step Sa 17 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to operate the nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  so that the nozzle  15   b  is moved up to the reference position. Further, in Step Sa 18 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to move up the arm  14  to the uppermost position. 
         [0078]    As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously suck the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52 . For this reason, it is possible to shorten the time required for the suction process by up to a half of the time required for the case where the operations of sucking the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are performed in time series. In addition, since the time required for the suction process is shortened, it is possible to shorten the time required for the inspection. 
         [0079]    In addition, according to the first embodiment, since it is possible to change the relative positional relationship between the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  in the vertical direction just by moving down the nozzle  15   b , it is possible to respectively insert the front ends of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  into the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  to a degree that the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are sufficiently sucked. As a result, the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  can be precisely sucked. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0080]      FIG. 8  is a partially cut away view showing a structure of the probe unit  15  according to a second embodiment. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituents as those of  FIG. 3 , and the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0081]    The probe unit  15  includes the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b , the probes  15   c  and  15   d , and the holding members  15   e ,  15   f ,  15   m , and  15   n.    
         [0082]    That is, in the second embodiment, the probe unit  15  includes the holding members  15   m  and  15   n  instead of the holding member  15   g  according to the first embodiment. In addition, the guide portion  14   b  is not provided in the casing  14   a , and the nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  is not included in the mechanism section  121 . 
         [0083]    The holding members  15   m  and  15   n  fix the nozzle  15   b  to the casing  14   a  or the support member (not shown). 
         [0084]    The horizontal relative position of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  and the probes  15   c  and  15   d  is set so that they are simultaneously inserted into one of the specimen containers  11 . In addition, the vertical relative position of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  is set so that the front end of the nozzle  15   b  is located below the front end of the nozzle  15   a . Further, the vertical gap between the front end of the nozzle  15   b  and the front end of the nozzle  15   a  is set to be substantially equal to a standard gap between the liquid face and the boundary face. 
         [0085]    Next, an operation of the automatic analysis device  100  including the probe unit  15  having the above-described configuration according to the second embodiment will be described. However, a characteristic operation of the automatic analysis device  100  according to the second embodiment is an operation of sucking blood from the specimen container  11  in the state where a blood plasma component and a blood cell component are in an interface separation state in the inside of the specimen container  11 . Since the other operations are the same as those of the same type of existing automatic analysis device, description thereof is omitted. 
         [0086]    The system control unit  160  rotates the arm  14  so that the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are located at the upper position of the specimen container  11  storing a blood as a suction target. In this state, the system control unit  160  performs the process for sucking the sample as below. 
         [0087]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a process sequence of the system control unit  160  when the sample is sucked from the specimen container  11 . 
         [0088]    In Step Sb 1 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to move down the arm  14 . In accordance with the downward movement of the arm  14 , the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are moved down. 
         [0089]    In the state where the arm  14  is moved down, the system control unit  160  enters the standby sate from Step Sb 2  to Step Sb 4 . In this standby state, the system control unit  160  waits for the state where the arm  14  arrives at a predetermined lower limit, the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face, or the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face. 
         [0090]    Incidentally, when the system control unit  160  is in the standby state from Step Sb 2  to Step Sb 4 , if it is detected that the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sb 3  to Step Sb 5 . Subsequently, in Step Sb 5 , the system control unit  160  enables a liquid face detection flag. Subsequently, the system control unit  160  moves the process to Step Sb 7 . 
         [0091]    Meanwhile, when the system control unit  160  is in the standby state from Step Sb 2  to Step Sb 4 , if it is detected that the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sb 4  to Step Sb 6 . Then, in Step Sb 6 , the system control unit  160  enables a boundary face detection flag. Subsequently, the system control unit  160  moves the process to Step Sb 7 . 
         [0092]    In addition, the liquid face detection flag and the boundary face detection flag are realized by, for example, a memory included in the system control unit  160 . Further, the liquid face detection flag and the boundary face detection flag are disabled and initialized upon starting the process of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0093]    In Step Sb 7 , the system control unit  160  checks whether both the liquid face detection flag and the boundary face detection flag are enabled. Then, when any one of the liquid face detection flag and the boundary face detection flag is disabled, the system control unit  160  returns to the standby state from Step Sb 2  to Step Sb 4 . 
         [0094]    Incidentally, in the case where any one of the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  stored in the specimen container  11  is extremely small, the arm  14  arrives at the lower limit before the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face and the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face. Therefore, in this case, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sb 2  to Step Sb 8 . In Step Sb 8 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to stop the downward movement of the arm  14 . Subsequently, in Step Sb 9 , the system control unit  160  instructs the display section  142  to perform an error display. Accordingly, the operator is informed that the sample is not correctly stored in the specimen container  11 . 
         [0095]    Meanwhile, when the nozzle  15   a  arrives at the liquid face and the nozzle  15   b  arrives at the boundary face before the arm  14  arrives at the lower limit, the system control unit  160  is capable of checking that both the liquid face detection flag and the boundary face detection flag are enabled in Step Sb 7 . In this case, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sb 7  to Step Sb 10 . In Step Sb 10 , the system control unit  160  waits for the state where the arm  14  is further moved down by a specific amount from that time point. In addition, the further downward movement of the arm  14  is performed so as to insert the front ends of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  into the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  to a degree that the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are sufficiently sucked.  FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of the state where the further downward movement of the arm  14  ends. 
         [0096]    When the further downward movement ends, the system control unit  160  moves the process from Step Sb 10  to Step Sb 11 . In Step Sb 11 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to stop the downward movement of the arm  14 . Subsequently, in Step Sb 12 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to simultaneously generate a negative pressure in the micropores of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b . Accordingly, the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are simultaneously sucked by the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b.    
         [0097]    Subsequently, in Step Sb 13 , the system control unit  160  instructs the mechanism control section  122  to move up the arm  14  to the uppermost position. 
         [0098]    As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously suck the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52 . For this reason, it is possible to shorten the time required for the suction process by up to a half of the time required for the case where the operations of sucking the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52  are performed in time series. In addition, since the time required for the suction process is shortened, it is possible to shorten the time required for the inspection. 
         [0099]    Further, according to the second embodiment, since only the arm  14  is moved down so as to insert the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  into a blood, it is possible to simplify the structure and control compared with the first embodiment. However, the adaptability for a difference in the amount of the blood plasma component  51  is higher in the first embodiment than the second embodiment. 
         [0100]    The embodiments may be modified into various forms as below. 
         [0101]    In the first embodiment, the nozzle  15   a  may be movable relative to the arm  14 , and the nozzle  15   b  may be fixed to the arm  14 . In addition, the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  may be individually movable. Further, in the case where the nozzle  15   a  is movable, for example, the support structure and the nozzle movement mechanism which are the same as those of the nozzle  15   b  may be provided. 
         [0102]    In the above-described embodiments, the movement direction of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  using the arm  14  and the movement direction of the nozzle  15   b  using the nozzle movement mechanism  121   b  are set to the vertical direction, but the movement direction of the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  may be set to any direction in which the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  are inserted into the specimen container  11  from the opening thereof. 
         [0103]    In the above-described embodiments, the number of the nozzles included in the probe unit  15  may be three or more. 
         [0104]    The substance as the suction target may be an arbitrary substance other than the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52 , but may not be a blood component. 
         [0105]    The probe unit  15  in the above-described embodiments may be applied to a device other than the automatic analysis device such as a blood inspection device. 
         [0106]    A sensor for detecting a variation in the electric resistance value may be used instead of one probe so as to detect whether the nozzle arrives at the liquid face and the boundary face. Alternatively, the liquid face and the boundary face may be detected by using a variation in the capacitance, a variation in the pressure, or a variation in the light absorption degree. 
         [0107]    When the component to be injected into the reaction container is any one of the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52 , it is not necessary to move down all the nozzles  15   a  and  15   b  to be inserted into the specimen container  11 . In such a case, for example, only the nozzle  15   b  is made to arrive at the necessary component, and the nozzle  15   a  is maintained to be exposed to the external air. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the nozzle  15   b  is inserted into the blood plasma component  51  while being moved down to the downmost position, the nozzle  15   a  can be maintained so as not to contact with any one of the blood plasma component  51  and the blood cell component  52 . 
         [0108]    That is, at least one of the nozzles is located in at least one of the plurality of regions divided by a plurality of the boundary faces so as to realize a state where the other nozzle is located in a space. In this manner, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation of cleaning the nozzle not contacting with the blood component. 
         [0109]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.