Abstract:
An analyzer comprises a container supplying unit which supplies a container, an agitating unit which agitates liquid in the container, and a measurement unit which performs a measurement using the liquid agitated by the agitating unit. The agitating unit comprises a base which is configured to move relative to the container supplying unit, a driving source which is mounted on the base, a container catcher which is configured to catch the container at one side, a transmitting member which transmits the power of the driving source to the other end side of the container catcher, and a supporting member which supports the container catcher at a position between one end and the other end of the container catcher.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an agitation apparatus for agitating a liquid in a container, and an analyzer provided with same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Sample analyzers used in the fields of biochemistry, immunology, coagulation and the like, dispense reagent and sample into a reaction container and mix the reagent and the sample by agitating the liquid within the reaction container to prepare a measurement sample to be used for measurements. 
         [0003]    United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0086432 discloses a mixing apparatus provided with a cuvette holder for holding a cuvette, a transport arm for moving the cuvette holder, a rubber disk disposed between the transport arm and the cuvette holder, an oscillating device including a motor, and an eccentric pin provided on the motor. The cuvette holder has a connector hole formed complementarily with the eccentric pin. The motor is fixed on a base at a predetermined position, and the transport arm is movable relative to the base. When mixing the sample within the cuvette, the transport arm is moved so that the connector hole of the cuvette holder is lowered onto the eccentric pin to connect the connector hole and the eccentric pin. The cuvette holder is oscillated by circular motion of the eccentric pin when the motor shaft is rotated, thus mixing the sample within the cuvette. 
         [0004]    When the cuvette holder holds a cuvette in this mixing apparatus, the transport arm is moved to move the cuvette holder that does not hold a cuvette to a cuvette supplying position since a cuvette must be held in the cuvette holder. When sample or reagent is dispensed to the cuvette held in the cuvette holder, the transport arm must be moved to transfer the cuvette holder to the sample or reagent dispensing position so as to dispense the sample or reagent to the cuvette. However, it is difficult to ensure positional accuracy of the cuvette holder since the cuvette holder is supported on the transport arm only by the flexible rubber disk, hence concern that the cuvette will be inadequately supported in the cuvette holder. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
         [0006]    A first aspect of the present invention is an analyzer comprising: a container supplying unit which supplies a container; an agitating unit which agitates liquid in the container; and a measurement unit which performs a measurement using the liquid agitated by the agitating unit. The agitating unit comprises: a base which is configured to move relative to the container supplying unit; a driving source which is mounted on the base; a container catcher which is configured to catch the container at one side; and a transmitting member which transmits the power of the driving source to the other end side of the container catcher. 
         [0007]    A second aspect of the present invention is an analyzer comprising: a container supplying unit which supplies a container; an agitating unit which agitates liquid in the container; and a measurement unit which performs a measurement using the liquid agitated by the agitating unit. The agitating unit comprises: a base which is configured to move relative to the container supplying unit; a driving source which is mounted on the base; a container catcher which is configured to catch the container at one side; and a rotating shaft which transmits the power of the driving source to the other end side of the container catcher and oscillates the container catcher. The rotating shaft is rotated by the driving source, and passes through the other end of the container catcher. 
         [0008]    A third aspect of the present invention is an agitating apparatus for agitating a liquid in a container, comprising: a base which is configured to be movable; a driving source which is mounted on the base; a container catcher which is configured to catch the container at one side; a transmitting member which transmits the power of the driving source to the other end side of the container catcher and oscillates the container catcher; and a supporting member which supports the container catcher at a position between one end and the other end of the container catcher. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows the structure of an embodiment of the sample analyzer; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the structure of a container transporting unit; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view showing the structure of agitation apparatus of the embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a left side view showing the structure of agitation apparatus of the embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view showing the structure of a reaction container; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a left side view showing the structure of the agitation apparatus when the catcher is elevated; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the agitation apparatus of the embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic left side view of another example of an agitation apparatus; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic left side view of another example of an agitation apparatus; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8C  is a schematic left side view of another example of an agitation apparatus; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a schematic left side view of another example of an agitation apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
       [Structure of the Sample Analyzer] 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows the structure of an embodiment of the sample analyzer.  FIG. 1  shows the sample analyzer  1  viewed from above at a frontal elevation. The sample analyzer  1  of the embodiment performs analysis by optically measuring the degree of activity or the amount of a specific substance related to coagulation and fibrinolytic function of a sample (blood sample). The sample analyzer  1  optically measures a sample using coagulation time, synthetic substrate, and immunoturbidimetric assay methods. Coagulation time method measurement items include PT (prothrombin time), APTT (active partial thromboplastin time), FbG (fibrinogen concentration) and the like. Measurement items of the synthetic substrate method include AT and the like, and measurement items of the immunoturbidimetric assay method include D-dimer, FDP and the like. 
         [0022]    The sample analyzer  1  has an apparatus body  2 , and a cover  3  which covers from the top surface to the front surface. The cover  3  is connected to the apparatus body  2  by a hinge so as to be capable of opening and closing. The sample analyzer  1  has a touch panel display  4 ; a user inputs information (for example, sample ID, patient information, measurement start instruction) required for analyzing a sample using the touch screen display, and the touch screen display  4  also shows measurement results. 
         [0023]    The part of the apparatus body  2  that is covered by the cover  3  when the cover  3  is closed forms an open area. This open area is provided with a reagent section  5  for installing measurement reagent, primary dispensing container section  6  for installing containers into which sample are dispensed, reaction container supplier  7  for supplying reaction containers for mixing and reacting reagent and sample, and measuring unit  8  for measuring a sample in a reaction container disposed on the same table. A sample dispensing unit  91  for dispensing sample, reagent dispensing unit  92  for dispensing reagent and container transport unit  10  for moving the reaction container from the reaction container supplier  7  to the measuring unit  8  are also provided on the table. 
         [0024]    The reagent section  5  has a plurality of holes for accommodating reagent containers. The reagent section  5  has a built in cooling device capable of cooling the accommodated reagent containers at a constant temperature. 
         [0025]    The primary dispensing container for dispensing sample can be installed in and detached from the primary dispensing container section  6 . The primary dispensing container has a plurality of concavities into which sample is dispensed by the sample dispensing unit  91 . In the sample analyzer of the present embodiment, measurement instructions for a plurality of measurement items may be issued for a single sample. In such cases the same number of reaction containers are prepared as the specified measurement items, and sample must be dispensed to each respective reaction container. The primary dispensing container section  6  dispenses a single sample to a single concavity of the primary dispensing container using the sample dispensing unit  91  to aspirate sample from a collection tube accommodating the sample. The sample dispensed in a single concavity is then dispensed by the sample dispensing unit  91  to one or more reaction containers according to the measurement item. 
         [0026]    The reaction container supplier  7  accommodates a plurality of reaction containers and supplies (ejects) the accommodated reaction containers one by one. 
         [0027]    The measuring unit  8  has a plurality of holes for holding reaction containers. The reaction containers that contain sample and reagent are transported by the container transporting unit  10  and are held in the holes of the measuring unit  8 . A heater is provided within the measuring unit  8 , and this heater heats the liquid in the reaction container disposed in each of the holes to a constant temperature. A light emitting part and a light receiving part are provided at each hole of the measuring unit  8 , and the degree of light absorbency of the measurement sample (the mixture of sample and reagent) in the reaction container of each hole can be measured. The measured data are transmitted to a controller built into the apparatus body  2 , the received data are process by the controller and measurement results are obtained. 
         [0028]    Guide rails extend in the front-to-back direction and lateral direction in the apparatus body  2 , and the sample dispensing unit  91  and reagent dispensing unit  92  are respectively movable along the guide rails in the front-to-back and lateral directions, that is, movable in the two perpendicular horizontal axial directions. The sample dispensing unit  91  and the reagent dispensing unit  92  are each provided with a nozzle for dispensing sample and reagent. Each nozzle is movable in vertical directions, and the nozzle is disposed in the upward position when the sample dispensing unit  91  and reagent dispensing unit  92  are moving, and the nozzle is lowered when sample and reagent are discharged from the sample dispensing unit  91  and reagent dispensing unit  92 . 
         [0029]    The container transporting unit  10  is movable in lateral directions along guide rails provided within the apparatus body  2 . The container transporting unit  10  grips the reaction container supplied from the reaction container supplier  7 , and moves the reaction container to a hole in the measuring unit  8 . The container transporting unit  10  oscillates the held reaction container to agitate the sample and reagent within the reaction container. 
         [0030]    In the sample analyzer  1  of the present embodiment, sample aspirated from the collection tube by the sample dispensing unit  91  is dispensed (primary dispensation) at a fixed dose into a hole of the primary dispensing container installed in the primary dispensing container section  6 . On the other hand, the reaction container supplied from the reaction container supplier  7  is gripped by the container transporting unit  10 . Part of the sample in the holes of the primary dispensing container is aspirated by the sample dispensing unit  91  and dispensed (secondary dispensation) to the reaction container held in the container transporting unit  10 . The reaction container holding the sample of the secondary dispensation is moved to the holder of the measuring unit  8  by the container transporting unit  10  and heated for a predetermined time while in the holder. After the predetermined heating time, the heated reaction container is removed from the measuring unit by the container transporting unit  10 . 8 Blood coagulation reagent corresponding to a measurement item is aspirated by the reagent dispensing unit  92  from the reagent container in the reagent section  5 , and dispensed to the reaction container held in the container transporting unit  10 . The container transporting unit  10  then oscillates the reaction container to agitate and mix the sample and reagent within the reaction container to prepare a measurement sample. The reaction container that has been agitated to mix the sample and reagent contained therein is then returned to the holder of the measuring unit  8  and again heated for a predetermined time. The sample and blood coagulation reagent are thus mixed within the reaction container and the blood coagulation reaction occurs. In the measuring unit  8 , the sample measurements are performed by irradiating light on the reaction container that accommodates the measurement sample, and detecting the amount of light transmitted through the container. 
       Structure of the Container Transporting Unit 
       [0031]    The structure of the container transporting unit is described in detail below.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the structure of the container transporting unit. The container transporting unit  10  has a frame  11 , and an agitating apparatus  12  mounted within the frame  11 . The frame  11  is a metal plate which is curved in a boxy shape that is open below so as to cover the agitating apparatus  12  from above. A guide part  13  which has a guide rail passing through is provided above the frame  11 . The frame  11  is connected to the transmission belt of the apparatus body  2 , and the transporting unit  10  is moved laterally (X direction in the drawing) when the transmission belt is driven and the guide part  13  slides on the guide rail. 
         [0032]    The agitating apparatus  12  is movable in the front-to-back direction, that is, the Y direction, within the frame  11 . A motor  14  for moving the agitating apparatus  12  is provided on the outside of the frame  11 . Also provided inside the frame  11  are guide rail  141  extending in the front-to-back direction, and a drive force transmission mechanism which includes a transmission belt and pulley. The agitating apparatus  12  has a guide part through which a guide rail  141  passes; actuation of the motor  14  drives the power transmission mechanism to move the agitating apparatus  12  when the guide part slide son the guide rail  141 . The agitating apparatus  12  is thus freely movable in the X direction and the Y direction within a range of movement. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a frontal view showing the structure of the agitating apparatus, and  FIG. 4  is a left side view of same. The agitating apparatus  12  of the present embodiment is provided with a base  121 , a catcher  122  which holds the reaction container, an elevator block  123 , rubber support  124  which connects the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122 , a motor  125  which moves the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122  in vertical directions (Z directions in the drawing), a motor  126  which oscillates the reaction container held by the catcher  122 , and a rotating shaft  127  which is connected to the output shaft of the motor  126 . 
         [0034]    The base  121  is formed by a curved metal plate into the basic skeletal structure of the agitating apparatus  12 . A motor  125  is mounted on the base  121  to move the catcher  122  in vertical directions. A power transmission mechanism  128 , which includes a transmission belt  128   a  and pulleys  128   b  and  128   c , is connected to the output shaft of the motor  125 , and an elevator block  123  is connected to the transmission belt  128   a  of the power transmission mechanism  128 . A through hole is provided in the elevator block  123 , and guide rails  129   a  and  129   b , which extend from the top part to the bottom part of the base  121 , pass through this through hole in the elevator block  123 . When the motor  125  is operating, the power transmission mechanism  128  is actuated to move the elevator block  123  in vertical directions as the elevator block  123  slides on the guide rails  129   a  and  129   b.    
         [0035]    The rubber support  124  is mounted on the front surface of the elevator block  123 , and this rubber support  124  supports the catcher  122 . The rubber support  124  is elastic, and therefore the catcher  122  is connected so as to be displaceable (oscillatable) within a predetermined range (that is, a range allowed by the rubber elasticity of the rubber support  124 ) relative to the elevator block  123 . 
         [0036]    The catcher  122  is configured mainly by synthetic resin such as polyacetal or the like, and has a plate-like base part  122   a  which extends in vertical directions, a gripping part  122   b  provided at the bottom end of the base part  122   a , and a substantially horizontal plate-like connecting part  122   c  provided at the top end of the base part  122   a . The rubber support  124  mentioned above is connected to the base part  122   a . The gripping part  122   b  is the part that holds the reaction container. 
         [0037]    The structure of the reaction container is described below.  FIG. 5  is a frontal view showing the structure of the reaction container. The reaction container  20  is cylindrical in shape with a semi-spherical bottom part. An empty space is provided inside the reaction container to accommodate sample and reagent. An annular flange collar  21  is provided at the top end of the reaction container  20 . 
         [0038]    The agitating apparatus  12  is described below using  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The gripping part  122   b  protrudes forward from the bottom end of the base part  122   a . The gripping part  122   b  has a structure and shape which is capable of engaging the flange collar  21  of the reaction container  20 . 
         [0039]    The connecting part  122   c  extends backward from the top end of the base part  122   a . A through hole is provided in the connecting part  122   c , and the reaction container  20  is oscillatable via this through hole in a manner to be described later. 
         [0040]    A motor  126  (step motor) is mounted on the top end of the base  121 . The output shaft of the motor  126  extends downward and is connected to a power transmission mechanism  130  which includes a transmission belt  130   a . and pulleys  130   b  and  130   c . A rotating shaft  127  is connected to the driven pulley  130   c  of the power transmission mechanism  130 . The rotating shaft  127  is a metal rod extending from the top end of the base  121  to a bearing  131  provided therebelow. The top end and the bottom end of the rotating shaft  127  are linear shaped parts along the center of rotation of the rotating shaft  127 . The linear part on the bottom side specifically is a positioning part  127   a  which supports the catcher  122  when the catcher holds a reaction container  20 . The intermediate part of the rotating shaft  127  is an eccentric part  127   b  which is curved so as to depart from the center of rotation of the rotating shaft  127 . The eccentric part  127   b  has a first incline  127   p  at the top side, a linear part  127   q  at the intermediate part, and a second incline  127   r  at the bottom side. The first incline  127   p  extends to the linear part on the top end side of the rotating shaft  127 , and is inclined so as to increase the amount of displacement from the center of rotation of the rotating shaft downward. The first incline  127   p  extends to the linear part  127   q  at the bottom end to maximize the amount of displacement from the center of rotation. The linear part  127   q  extends parallel to the axial direction of the center or rotation. The second incline  127   r  extends to the linear part on the bottom end side of the rotating shaft  127 , and is inclined so as to decrease the amount of displacement from the center of rotation of the rotating shaft downward. The top end of the second incline  127   r  extends the bottom end of the linear part  127   q . The angle of inclination of the second incline  127   r  (that is, the angle formed in the axial direction of the second incline  127   r  relative to the axial direction of the center of rotation of the rotating shaft  127 ) is less than the angle of inclination of the first incline  127   p  (that is, the angle formed by the axial direction of the first incline  127   p  relative to the axial direction of the center of rotation of the rotating shaft  127 ). 
         [0041]    The rotating shaft  127  passes through the previously mentioned through hole in the connecting part  122   c  of the catcher  122 . The size of the through hole is slightly larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft  127 . Therefore, the connecting part  122   c  is movable from the positioning part  127   a  through the second incline  127   r  toward the linear part  127   q.    
       Operation of the Agitating Apparatus 
       [0042]    The operation of the agitating apparatus of the present embodiment is described below. When the reaction container  20  is supplied from the reaction container supplier  7 , the motor  125  is actuated in the agitating apparatus  12  to position the connecting part  122   c  of the catcher  122  at the positioning part  127   a  of the rotating shaft  127 . Hence, the elevator Nock  123  and the catcher  122  integratedly descend as a unit, and the connecting part  122   c  moves along the rotating shaft  127  toward the positioning part  127   a . The catcher  122  therefore is disposed at the first position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  (refer to the dashed line in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0043]    When the catcher  122  is disposed at the first position and the rotating shaft  127  is rotated by the motor  126 , the position of the positioning part  127   a  is unchanged relative to the center of rotation because the positioning part  127   a  is provided along the center of rotation. That is, the position of the positioning part  127   a  does not change relative to the base  121  whatever the position of the eccentric part  127   b  of the rotational shaft  127  relative to the center of rotation. Therefore, when the catcher  122  is disposed at the first position (that is, when the catcher  122  is supported by the positioning part  127   a ), the position (orientation) relative to the base  121  of the catcher  122  remains constant. 
         [0044]    At this time the catcher  122  is supported at two points by the rubber support  124  and the rotating shaft  127 . Any reduction of positional accuracy of the catcher  122  is inhibited by the elasticity of the rubber support  124  so as to ensure excellent positional integrity. 
         [0045]    In this condition, the container transporting unit  10  is moved in the X direction and the Y direction to move the catcher  122  toward the reaction container supplier  7 . The catcher  122  is positioned so that the gripping part  122   b  is behind the reaction container  20 , and the motor  14  is then actuated to move the agitating apparatus  12  forward within the frame  11 . The gripping part  122   b  thus engages the flange  21  of the reaction container  20 . When the catcher  122  grips the flange  21  of the reaction container  20 , the motor  125  is actuated to integratedly raise the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122  as a unit. The reaction container  20  is thus removed from the reaction container supplier  7 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a left side view showing the structure of the agitating apparatus when the catcher  122  is elevated; When the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122  are raised via the drive of the motor  125 , the connecting part  122   c  of the catcher  122  is positioned on the linear part  127   q  of the rotating shaft  127 . The catcher  122  is therefore set at the second position shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0047]    When a sample is to be dispensed to the reaction container and the catcher  122  holds the reaction container  20  at the second position, the container transporting unit  10  is moved in the X direction and the Y direction to dispose the catcher  122  at the sample dispensing position to receive the sample. When the catcher  122  is disposed at the sample dispensing position, the sample dispensing unit  91  aspirates the sample from the primary dispensing container and dispenses this sample into the reaction container held by the catcher  122 . When the sample has been thus dispensed to the reaction container  20 , the container transporting unit  10  is moved in the X direction and the Y direction to move the catcher  122  to the measuring unit  8 . With the catcher  122  positioned above one holder of the measuring unit  8 , the motor  125  is actuated and the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122  integratedly descend as a unit so that the reaction container  20  is inserted into the hole. After the reaction container  20  is inserted in the holder, the motor  14  is actuated to move backward within the frame  11 . The gripping part  122   b  and the flange  21  of the reaction container  20  thus disengage and the reaction container  20  is removed from the catcher  122 . 
         [0048]    When dispensing the reagent into the reaction container, the container transporting unit  10  is moved in the X direction and the Y direction to move the catcher  122  toward the measuring unit  8 . The catcher  122  is positioned behind the reaction container  20  held in the holder of the measuring unit  8 , and the motor  14  is then actuated to move the agitating apparatus  12  forward within the frame  11 . The gripping part  122   b  thus engages the flange  21  of the reaction container  20 . When the catcher  122  grips the flange  21  of the reaction container  20 , the motor  125  is actuated to integratedly raise the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122  as a unit. The reaction container  20  is thus removed from the holder of the measuring unit  8 . 
         [0049]    When the catcher  122  holds the reaction container  20  at the second position, the container transporting unit  10  is moved in the X direction and the Y direction to dispose the catcher  122  at the reagent dispensing position to receive the reagent. When the catcher  122  is disposed at the reagent dispensing position, the reagent dispensing unit  92  aspirates the reagent from the reagent container and dispenses this reagent into the reaction container  20  held by the catcher  122 . When the reagent is thus dispensed into the reaction container  20 , the agitating apparatus  12  performs the agitation operation. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the agitating apparatus  12 . When the catcher  122  is disposed at the second position, the through hole provided in the connecting part  122   c  of the catcher  122  is positioned at the linear part  127   q  of the rotating shaft  127 . When the agitating apparatus  12  performs the agitating operation, the motor  126  is actuated in the condition to rotate the rotating shaft  127 . Hence, the eccentric part  127   b  rotates eccentrically and the connecting part  122   c  disposed at the linear part  127   q  rotates together with the eccentric part  127   q  around the center of rotation of the rotating shaft. That is, the inner wall of the through hole of the connecting part  122   c  periodically displaces (oscillates) the catcher  122  via the contact with the linear part  127   q  of the rotating shaft  127 . At this time the catcher  122  is supported by the rubber support  124 , and the catcher  122  is displaced (oscillated) by pivoting on the rubber support  124  within the tolerance range of the elastic force of the rubber support  124 . As a result, the periodic operation of the catcher  122  is repeated continuously through the continued operation of the motor  126 , and hence the reaction container  20  held by the catcher  122  is oscillated so as to agitate and mix the sample and reagent within the reaction container  20 . 
         [0051]    After the sample and reagent are agitated in the reaction container  20 , the reaction container  20  is again inserted in the holder of the measuring unit  8 . At this time, the container transporting unit  10  is moved in the X direction and the Y direction to move the catcher  122  toward the reaction container supplier  7 . With the catcher  122  positioned above one holder of the measuring unit  8 , the motor  125  is actuated and the elevator block  123  and the catcher  122  integratedly descend as a unit so that the reaction container  20  is inserted into the hole. After the reaction container  20  is inserted in the holder, the motor  14  is actuated to move backward within the frame  11 . The gripping part  122   b  and the flange  21  of the reaction container  20  thus disengage and the reaction container  20  is removed from the catcher  122 . 
         [0052]    Since the catcher  122  is supported by a plurality of members (rubber support  124  and rotating shaft  127 ) as described above, the positional accuracy of the catcher  122  is adequately ensured and poor holding of the reaction container  20  is avoided when the catcher  122  is moved to the container supplying position of the reaction container supplier  7 . Since the catcher  122  can be oscillated by the rotation of the rotating shaft  127 , the rotating shaft  127  has the effect of ensuring the positional accuracy of the catcher  122  and the effect of oscillating the catcher  122 . Therefore, the liquid within the reaction container  20  can be agitated and poor holding of the reaction container  20  can be avoided by this simple construction. Note that since the sample and reagent can be dispensed to the reaction container  20  and the catcher  122  can be supported at two points by the rubber support  124  and the positioning unit  127   a  of the rotating shaft  127 , positional accuracy of the catcher  122  can be adequately ensured and inadequate agitation of the sample and reagent is avoided. 
         [0053]    Since the catcher  122  is normally supported by the rotating shaft  127  and the positioning part  127   q  when the catcher  122  grips the reaction container  20  and when the sample and reagent are dispensed, the catcher  122 , the orientation of the catcher  122  relative to the base  121  is constant, thus readily ensuring the positional accuracy of the catcher  122 . 
         [0054]    The function of agitating the liquid within the reaction container  20  and the function of gripping the reaction container  20  are readily switchable insofar as the connecting part  122   c  of the catcher  122  is positioned at the eccentric part  127   b  when the reaction container  20  is oscillated and insofar as the catcher  122  is positioned at the positioning part  127   a  when the reaction container  20  is gripped. The function of agitating the liquid within the reaction container  20  and the function of gripping the reaction container  20  are readily switchable by simply changing the position of the catcher  122  along the rotating shaft  127 . 
         [0055]    The amount of displacement (distance) from the center of rotation of the rotating shaft  127  to the connection area of the catcher  122  and the rotating shaft can be changed and the oscillation radius (amplitude of oscillation) of the catcher  122  can be easily changed by moving the catcher  122  along the rotating shaft  127 . Therefore, the oscillation radius of the catcher  122  can be easily changed without changing the output of the motor  126 . Spilling of the liquid from the reaction container  20  can be prevented by changing the oscillation radius of the catcher  122  according to the amount of liquid in the reaction container  20 . Note that since a step motor is used as the motor  126 , the number of rotations of the motor  126  can be controlled and the oscillation speed of the catcher  122  is easily changeable. 
         [0056]    Since the leverage point of the connection part  122   c  is provided on the opposite side of the action point of the gripping part  122   b  sandwiching the pivot point of the base  122   a  when the reaction container  20  is oscillated, the amount of displacement of the gripping part  122   b  can be suitably adjusted when the motor  126  is actuated by appropriately setting the distance between the base  122   a  and the gripping part  122   b  and the distance between the base  122   a  and the connecting part  122   c . Since the base  122   a  and the connecting part  122   c  are fixed relative to the base  121  when the reaction container  20  is gripped, the positional accuracy of the catcher  122  can be readily ensured by fixing the gripping part  122   b  relative to the base  121 . 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0057]    Note that although the above embodiment is described as having a structure wherein the rotating shaft  127  is provided with a linear part  127   a  and eccentric part  127   b , and the eccentric part  127   b  is provided with a first incline  127   p , linear part  127   q , and second incline  127   r , the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in  FIG. 8A , for example, a rotating shaft  227  which is bent in a square crank shape may be provided, and a connecting part  222   c  of a catcher  222  may be connected at the crank part  227   a  separated from the center of rotation of the rotating shaft  227 . Hence, the crank part  227   a  rotates eccentrically via the rotating of the rotating shaft  227 , and this eccentric rotation oscillates the reaction container gripped in the catcher  222 . 
         [0058]    The structure shown in  FIG. 8B  shows a rotating shaft  327  which is inclined relative to the center of rotation may be provided, with a connecting part  322   c  of the catcher  322  being connected at a suitable location of the rotating shaft  327 . In this way the eccentric rotation of the rotating shaft  327  oscillates the reaction container gripped by the catcher  322 . 
         [0059]    The structure shown in  FIG. 8C  shows a rotating shaft  427  which is parallel to the axial direction of the center of rotation at a predetermined distance is provided, and a connecting part  422   c  of the catcher  422  is connected at the rotating shaft  427 . In this way the eccentric rotation of the rotating shaft  427  oscillates the reaction container gripped by the catcher  422 . 
         [0060]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8A through 8C , the crank  227   a , rotating shafts  327  and  427  are preferably stopped at a fixed position (rotational angle) when the empty catcher first grips a reaction container. In this way the catcher can be supported at a constant position (orientation) by the crank  227   a  and rotating shafts  327  and  427  when the empty catcher first grips a reaction container, thus ensuring sufficient positional accuracy. 
         [0061]    Although the above embodiments are described in terms of structures in which a through hole is provided in the catcher  122 , and the catcher  122  and rotating shaft  127  are connected by having the rotating shaft  127  pass through the through hole, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a disk  527  which rotates in conjunction with the rotation of a motor may be provided, and a hole may be provided at a position separated from the center of a disk  527 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . A rod-like part  522   c  is provided at part of the catcher  522 , and this rod  522   c  is inserted in the hole of the disk  527 . When the motor rotates, the disk  527  rotates and the hole provided in the disk  527  then rotates eccentrically. Since the rod  522   c  connected to the hole also rotates eccentrically, the reaction container gripped in the catcher  522  is oscillated. 
         [0062]    A rotating shaft  127  also may be connected to the output shaft of the motor  126  without providing the power transmitting mechanism  130  which includes the transmission belt  130   a  and pulleys  130   b  and  130   c . The connecting part  122   c  of the catcher  122  also may be connected to the output shaft of the motor  126  while configuring the output shaft of the motor  126  in the same shape as the rotating shaft  127 . 
         [0063]    Although the above embodiment have been described in terms of a structure in which the catcher  122  is supported by the rubber support  124 , the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The rubber elastic body is unnecessary insofar as the catcher  122  is supported and the catcher  122  can be displaced (oscillated) in a predetermined range; for example, the catcher  122  may be supported by a universal joint. 
         [0064]    The catcher  122  also may be oscillated by a method other than the rotation of the rotating shaft. For example, the catcher may be oscillated by connecting the catcher to a solenoid which reciprocates linearly to transmit the power of the solenoid to the catcher. 
         [0000]    An eccentric cam also may be mounted on the rotating shaft, and the eccentric cam connected to the catcher. In this case the eccentric cam rotates eccentrically via the rotation of the rotating shaft to oscillate the catcher. 
         [0065]    Although the reaction container supplier  7  is configured to automatically supply the reaction container, the reaction container also may be manually loaded in the reaction container supplier to supply the reaction container to the catcher  122 . 
         [0066]    Although the sample analyzer  1  is a blood coagulation measuring apparatus in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the agitating apparatus of the above embodiments is also applicable to other sample analyzers, such as biochemical analyzers, immunoanalyzers and the like. 
         [0067]    The agitating apparatus and analyzer of the present invention may also be used as an agitating apparatus for agitating liquid in a container and a sample analyzer provided with same.