Abstract:
A sample analyzer comprising: a container set section in which a reagent container can be set which contains a reagent to be used in a sample analysis; a cover capable of making the container set section be in an open state and a closed state; a locking mechanism capable of permitting and prohibiting a closing of the cover; and a controller that controls the permission and prohibition of the closing of the cover by the locking mechanism. Also a non-transitory storage medium.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-078997 filed on Mar. 30, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a sample analyzer which analyzes a sample by using a reagent, and a non-transitory storage medium. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There has been known a sample analyzer which suctions a reagent from a reagent container within the sample analyzer, and analyzes a sample by using the reagent. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-216173 discloses an automatic analyzer including a reagent box, a lid which is disposed so as to be openable and closable on the upper surface of the reagent box, and a locking mechanism for maintaining a state in which the lid closes the reagent box. When receiving a measurement start instruction from a user, the automatic analyzer locks the lid to maintain the state in which the lid closes the reagent box and starts the measurement operation. When the user replaces a reagent container, this automatic analyzer receives an instruction to temporarily stop the measurement operation from the user, then temporarily stops the measurement operation, and unlocks the lid of the reagent box. After the replacement of the reagent container by the user, when receiving an instruction to re-start the measurement operation from the user, the automatic analyzer checks whether the lid is correctly closed. When determining that the lid is correctly closed, the automatic analyzer locks the lid again and re-starts the measurement operation. 
         [0006]    However, in the automatic analyzer disclosed in the above-described Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-216173, it is possible to close the lid even when the reagent container has been replaced with a reagent container containing an incorrect type of reagent or a reagent container containing a reagent which is not suitable for analysis. When the lid is correctly closed, the lid is locked and the measurement operation is re-started. In such a case, the user is required to again give an instruction to temporarily stop the measurement to the automatic analyzer in order to unlock the lid and re-start the replacement of the reagent container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, 
         [0009]    a sample analyzer comprising: 
         [0010]    a container set section in which a reagent container can be set which contains a reagent to be used in a sample analysis; 
         [0011]    a cover capable of making the container set section be in an open state and a closed state; 
         [0012]    a locking mechanism capable of permitting and prohibiting a closing of the cover; and 
         [0013]    a controller that controls the permission and prohibition of the closing of the cover by the locking mechanism. 
         [0014]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, 
         [0015]    at least one non-transitory storage medium which stores programs executable collectively by at least one processor to: 
         [0016]    prohibit a closing of a cover of a container set section in which a reagent container can be set which contains a reagent to be used in a sample analysis; 
         [0017]    determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and 
         [0018]    permit the closing of the cover if the predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of a sample analyzer according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the configuration of the sample analyzer according to the embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing the configuration of a measuring unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the configuration of a reagent container holder of the measuring unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front view showing the configuration of the reagent container holder of the measuring unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the reagent container holder according to the embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the reagent container holder according to the embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the reagent container holder according to the embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the configuration of a reagent container according to the embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reagent container according to the embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing the structure of a reagent code table according to the embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the procedures of a sample analysis control process of the information processing unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14A  is a flowchart showing the procedures of a reagent replacement control process of the information processing unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14B  is a flowchart showing the procedures of the reagent replacement control process of the information processing unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14C  is a flowchart showing the procedures of the reagent replacement control process of the information processing unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing the procedures of a reagent replacement control process of an information processing unit according to another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described on the basis of the drawings. 
       [Configuration of Sample Analyzer] 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of a sample analyzer according to this embodiment. The sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment is a multiple blood cell analyzer which classifies blood cells contained in a blood sample into white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and the like and counts the number for each kind of blood cell. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment includes two measuring units, which are a first measuring unit  3  disposed in the direction of the arrow X 2  and a second measuring unit  2  disposed in the direction of the arrow X 1 , a sample transport unit (sampler)  4  which is disposed in front of the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  (in the direction of the arrow Y 1 ) and an information processing unit  5  which is composed of a personal computer (PC) electrically connected to the first measuring unit  3 , the second measuring unit  2  and the sample transport unit  4 . In addition, the sample analyzer  1  is connected to a host computer  6  (see  FIG. 2 ) by the information processing unit  5 . 
       &lt;Configuration of Measuring Units&gt; 
       [0038]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the configuration of the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  are substantially the same kind of the measuring units and are disposed next to each other. In greater detail, in this embodiment, the second measuring unit  2  uses the same measurement principle as that of the first measuring unit  3  and measures a sample relative to the same measurement item. Further, the second measuring unit  2  also measures a measurement item which is not analyzed by the first measuring unit  3 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the second measuring unit  2  and the first measuring unit  3  have sample suction sections  21  and  31  which suction blood which is a sample from a sample container  100 , specimen preparation sections  22  and  32  which prepare a measurement specimen from the blood suctioned by the sample suctions sections  21  and  31 , and detecting sections  23  and  33  which detect blood cells in the blood from the measurement specimen prepared by the specimen preparation sections  22  and  32 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2 , driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a  are provided to drive actuators for the mechanism sections and receive a detection signal from a sensor, respectively. 
         [0039]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the second measuring unit  2  and the first measuring unit  3  include unit covers  24  and  34  which accommodate therein the sample suction sections  21  and  31 , the specimen preparation sections  22  and  32  and the like, sample container transport sections  25  and  35  which take sample containers  100  into the unit covers  24  and  34  and transport the sample containers  100  up to suction positions  600  and  700  at which the sample suction sections  21  and  31  perform a suction operation, and fixing holding sections  26  and  36  which fix and hold sample containers  100  at the suction positions  600  and  700 , respectively. Since the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  are substantially the same kind of the measuring units as described above, the second measuring unit  2  will be described hereinbelow and the description for the first measuring unit  3  will be omitted. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing the configuration of the second measuring unit according to this embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sample suction section  21  has a piercer  21   a  which is a suction tube through which a reagent passes and a quantification section  21   b . The piercer  21   a  is formed so that the tip end thereof can penetrate (puncture) a sealing lid  100   a  to be described later of a sample container  100 . In addition, the piercer  21   a  is configured to be moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) by a piercer driving section (not shown) and to be moved up to a reaction chamber  22   a  to be described later. The quantification section  21   b  is composed of a syringe pump or the like and has a function of suctioning and discharging a predetermined amount of sample from a sample container  100  via the piercer  21   a . Accordingly, a predetermined amount of sample necessary for sample measurement is suctioned from a sample container  100  and can be supplied to the reaction chamber  22   a.    
         [0041]    The detecting section  23  performs RBC detection (detection of red blood cells) and PLT detection (detection of platelets) by a sheath flow DC detection method and performs HGB detection (detection of hemoglobin in blood) by an SLS-hemoglobin method. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the detecting section  23  has an FCM measurement section  23   a  which performs WBC detection (detection of white blood cells) by a flow cytometry method using semiconductor laser. In addition, the detection result obtained by the measuring section  23  is transmitted to the information processing unit  5  as measurement data (measurement result) of the sample. The FCM measurement section  23   a  is configured to irradiate a measurement specimen which is prepared by the specimen preparation section  22  to be described later with light from the semiconductor laser, detect scattered light and fluorescence generated from the components in the measurement specimen and output a scattered light signal and a fluorescence signal obtained. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the specimen preparation section  22  of the second measuring unit  2  has the reaction chamber  22   a  and a reagent supply section  22   b  connected to the reaction chamber  22   a . The reaction chamber  22   a  is configured to mix and react a sample (blood) suctioned by the sample suction section  21  and a reagent supplied from the reagent supply section  22   b  together. A plurality of the reaction chambers  22   a  is provided in accordance with the kind of the measurement. The reaction chambers  22   a  are each supplied with plural kinds of reagents (staining liquid and the like) according to the measurement items, respectively, and measurement specimens according to the various measurement items are prepared through the sample-reagent mixing and reaction process. The prepared measurement specimen is supplied to the FCM measurement section  23   a.    
         [0043]    In this embodiment, the reagent supply section  22   b  is provided in the unit cover  24  and has a reagent container holder  660  which holds a plurality of reagent containers  200  (see  FIG. 9 ) or  300  (see  FIG. 10 ) each containing a predetermined amount of reagent. In such a reagent container holder  660 , a piercer  64  is provided to suction the reagent in the reagent container  200  (or  300 ). In addition, the reagent supply section  22   b  has a bubble sensor  22   p , a quantification section  22   c  including a syringe pump and a diaphragm pump and electromagnetic valves  22   d  and  22   e  which open and close the flow passage when a suctioned reagent is transferred to the quantification section  22   c  and the reaction chamber  22   a . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bubble sensor  22   p  is provided in the flow passage between the piercer  64  and the reaction chamber  22   a  to detect bubbles which are included in the liquid suctioned from the piercer  64 . Further, in addition to the reagent containers  200  (or  300 ) which are held in the reagent container holder  660 , the reagent supply section  22   b  has a quantification section  22   f  for transferring reagents (hemolytic agent and the like) from a large capacity reagent container  110 , disposed outside the measuring unit, and electromagnetic valves  22   g  and  22   h . The reagent containers  200  and  300  will be described later in detail. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an openable and closable front cover  24   a  is provided on the front side of the unit cover  24 . The reagent container holder  660  is disposed in an upper front portion of the second measuring unit  2  and is exposed to the outside by opening the front cover  24   a . Accordingly, a user can easily replace the reagent containers  200  and  300 . In addition, an openable and closable front cover  34   a  is also provided on the front side of the unit cover  34  of the first measuring unit  3 . Similarly, the reagent container holder  660  is disposed in an upper front portion of the first measuring unit  3  and is exposed to the outside by opening the front cover  34   a.    
         [0045]    In addition, the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  are provided with buzzers  39  and  29  emitting an alarm sound, respectively. The buzzers  39  and  29  are connected to the driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a , respectively, and emit an alarm sound by a control signal of the information processing unit  5 . 
         [0046]    Next, the configuration of the reagent container holder  660  will be described in detail.  FIGS. 4 and 5  are a perspective view and a front view showing the configuration of the reagent container holder of the second measuring unit according to this embodiment, respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the reagent container holder  660  has five holder sections  660   a ,  660   b ,  660   c ,  660   d  and  660   e  and is configured to hold total five (five kinds) reagent containers  200  (or  300 ). The reagent containers  200  (or  300 ) which are held in the reagent container holder  660  contain different kinds of reagents (staining liquid) for measuring a plurality of measurement items by the FCM measuring section  23   a , respectively. As the reagent container, the reagent container  200  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a large size (about 100 mL) and the reagent container  300  (see  FIG. 10 ) having a small size (about 20 mL) are used in accordance with the kinds of the reagents and the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  are configured to hold any of the reagent containers  200  and  300 . That is, the five holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  have similar configurations. In the three holder sections  660   a  to  660   c , the reagent containers  200  having a large size are set, and in the two holder sections  660   d  and  660   e , the reagent containers  300  having a small size (not shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) are set. In greater detail, the reagent containers  200  each containing a staining liquid for sub-class classification of white blood cells are installed in the holder sections  660   a  to  660   c . The reagent container  300  containing a staining liquid for detection of reticulocytes is installed in the holder section  660   d  and the reagent container  300  containing a staining liquid for detection of platelets is installed in the holder section  660   e . Each of the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  has a chassis  661 , a reagent container installation section  62 , a cover  663  for opening and closing the reagent container installation section  62 , the above-described piercer  64 , and a piercer lifting mechanism  665 . A pressing button switch  667  is attached to the front surface of each cover  663 . 
         [0047]    In the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e , radio frequency identification (RFID) readers  61   a  to  61   e  and antennas  62   a  to  62   e  which are connected to the RFID readers  61   a  to  61   e , respectively, in association therewith are provided. In each of the reagent containers  200  and  300 , an RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) is attached which stores various information related to the reagent. The RFID tags  260  ( 360 ) are passive tags not needing a battery and are driven by radio waves sent from the antennas  62   a  to  62   e . The RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) stores information such as a reagent code indicating the kind of the reagent, an expiration date of the reagent, the maximum number of uses of the reagent, a serial number individually assigned to each reagent, a lot number and an expiry date after opening. When reading reagent information from the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ), the RFID readers  61   a  to  61   e  send radio waves from the antennas  62   a  to  62   e . When the radio waves are sent from the antennas  62   a  to  62   e , they are partially reflected by the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ). The reagent information stored in the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) is put on the reflected wave. The antennas  62   a  to  62   e  receive the reflected wave from the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) and the RFID readers  61   a  to  61   e  obtain the reagent information included in this reflected wave. 
         [0048]    The reagent container installation section  62  is provided in the lower portion of the chassis  661  (see  FIG. 5 ) and has an inner space which is provided for installing a reagent container  200  ( 300 ). 
         [0049]      FIGS. 6 to 8  are vertical cross-sectional views schematically showing the internal configuration of the reagent container holder according to this embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows a state in which a reagent container is attached or removed in the reagent container holder.  FIG. 7  shows a state in which a reagent container is set in the reagent container holder.  FIG. 8  shows a state in which the cover of the reagent container holder is lowered. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the reagent container installation section  62  has a support section  624  which supports a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) and a rotation mechanism  625  which rotatably supports the support section  624 . The support section  624  is formed to have a shape corresponding to the shape of a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) and is brought into contact with the front and lower surfaces of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ). The rotation mechanism  625  is configured to rotate the support section  624  around a bearing  625   a  provided near the bent portion of the support section  624 . 
         [0050]    Further, in the chassis  661 , an engaging section  626  is provided which engages with the rotating support section  624  through the contact with the support section  624 . The engaging section  626  is provided with a magnet and adheres to the front portion of the support section  624  using a magnetic force. Accordingly, the support section  624  is configured to move between a placement position P 1  (see  FIG. 6 ) on which the lower surface of a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) is made horizontal and a setting position Q 1  (see  FIG. 7 ) at which the front and rear end surfaces of a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) are made vertical. An opening section  212  ( 312 ) to be described later of a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) is made horizontal and is positioned immediately below the piercer  64  in a state in which the reagent container is disposed at this setting position Q 1  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0051]    Each of the antennas  62   a  to  62   e  is attached to the side portion of each reagent container installation section  62 . When a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) is positioned at the setting position Q 1 , the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) is disposed next to the antennas  62   a  to  62   e  in the reagent container installation section  62  in which the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) is installed. Accordingly, the reflected wave from the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) installed in the reagent container installation section  62  is received by the nearest of the antennas  62   a  to  62   e  (that is, the one disposed next to the tag). The reflected wave sent from the RFID tag  260  ( 360 ) is very weak and is not received by the other antennas other than the nearest antenna. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cover  663  is disposed on the front side of each of the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  (chassis  661 ) (in the direction of the arrow Y 1 ) and is attached to the piercer lifting mechanism  665 . The cover  663  is configured to be moved between a lifting position P 2  (see  FIG. 7 ) related to opening of the reagent container installation section  62  and a lowered position Q 2  (see  FIG. 8 ) related to covering (closing) of the reagent container installation section  62  by the piercer lifting mechanism  665 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a window section  631  composed of an opening is provided at a predetermined position in the cover  663 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in a state in which the cover  663  is positioned at the lowered position Q 2  related to covering (closing) of the reagent container installation section  62 , a user can visually confirm a label  250  ( 350 , see  FIG. 10 ) adhered to the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) via this window section  631 . A mark for identifying the kind of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) (kind of the reagent) is printed at a position which can be visually confirmed via the window section  631  on the label  250  ( 350 ). In addition, a label  632 , on which a mark is printed for identifying the kind of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) (kind of the reagent) set in the reagent container installation section  62 , is adhered to the cover  663 . That is, in the five holder sections  660   a  to  660   e , reagent containers  200  ( 300 ) each containing a fixed kind of reagent are set, and thus in accordance with this, the labels  632  for identifying the kinds of the reagents to be set are adhered to the covers  663  of the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e , respectively. Accordingly, in a state in which the reagent containers  200  ( 300 ) are set in the reagent container installation section  62  (in a state in which the cover  663  is lowered to the lowered position Q 2 ), it is possible to confirm whether the correct reagents are set in the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  from the labels  632  which are adhered to the covers  663  and the labels  250  ( 350 ) which are visually confirmed via the window sections  631 . 
         [0053]    In addition, each of the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  is provided with a cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  which detects the opening and closing of the corresponding cover  663 . The cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  is a photo-interrupter which has a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section opposed to each other and detects the opening and closing of the cover by detecting a detection piece  665   a  provided in the piercer lifting mechanism  665 . In greater detail, when the cover is at the lowered position Q 2 , the detection piece  665   a  is disposed between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a , and when the light-receiving section detects that the detection piece  665   a  shields the light from the light-emitting section, the closure of the cover  663  is detected. When the light-receiving section detects the light from the light-emitting section without the shielding by the detection piece  665   a , the opening of the cover  663  is detected. 
         [0054]    This detection piece  665   a  is formed using a protruding portion of a support plate  665   b  supporting the piercer  64  and the support plate  665   b  continuously extends backward from the upper portion of the detection piece  665   a . Further, the support plate  665   b  is bent downward at the rear portion of the detection piece  665   a  and the lower side from the bent portion is formed as a locking section  666  having a vertical plate shape. The locking section  666  is provided with a first locking hole  666   a  near the lower end thereof and a second locking hole  666   b  near the upper end thereof. 
         [0055]    A solenoid support section  661   a  protrudes backward near the position at which the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  of the chassis  661  is attached. Such a solenoid support section  661   a  is bent by 90 degrees at the tip end and supports a solenoid  668 . The solenoid  668  has a rod-shaped plunger  668   a  and can move the plunger  668   a  by being driven. The plunger  668   a  is biased backward by a spring (not shown) built in the solenoid  668 . When a current is not supplied to the solenoid  668 , the plunger  668   a  is positioned at a locking release position accommodated in the main body of the solenoid  668 . When a current is supplied to the solenoid  668 , the plunger  668   a  moves forward due to an electromagnetic force. The moving end position at the front side of the plunger  668   a  is referred to as a locking position. That is, the solenoid  668  can displace the plunger  668   a  between the locking position and the locking release position. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the piercer  64  is disposed above the innermost portion (end in the direction of the arrow Y 2 ) of the reagent container installation section  62  and is configured to be moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) by the piercer lifting mechanism  665  holding the piercer  64 . The piercer  64  is sharply formed so that the tip end thereof can penetrate (puncture) a sealing material  213  ( 313 ) (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) for sealing the opening section  212  ( 312 ) of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ). In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper end of the piercer  64  is connected to the flow passage (omitted in  FIGS. 6 to 11 ) extending to the reaction chamber  22   a  and the quantification section  22   c.    
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the piercer lifting mechanism  665  is configured to hold the piercer  64  and the cover  663 . In addition, the piercer lifting mechanism  665  engages to be moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) to groove sections  611  and  612  provided in the chassis  661 . Accordingly, the piercer lifting mechanism  665  is configured to integrally move the piercer  64  in the vertical direction (Z direction) in conjunction with the opening and closing (lifting and lowering) of the cover  663 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in a state in which the cover  663  is disposed at the lifting position P 2 , the piercer  64  is disposed at a lifting position P 3  above the reagent container installation section  62 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 8 , in a state in which the cover  663  is disposed at the lowered position Q 2 , the piercer  64  is disposed at a lowered position Q 3  near the inner bottom portion immediately below the opening section  212  ( 312 ) of the reagent container  200  ( 300 ). 
         [0058]    When the cover  663  is opened and the piercer  64  is at the lifting position P 3 , the first locking hole  666   a  of the locking section  666  is opposed to the solenoid  668 . At this time, when the solenoid  668  is driven and the plunger  668   a  protrudes up to the locking position, the plunger  668   a  passes through the first locking hole  666   a  and the locking section  666  is fixed by the solenoid  668 . Accordingly, the locking section is locked in a position where the cover  663  is opened (hereinafter, referred to as the “open position”). At this time, the cover  663  cannot be closed. 
         [0059]    Meanwhile, when a current is not supplied to the solenoid, the plunger  668   a  is positioned at the locking release position and the plunger  668   a  is separated from the first locking hole  666   a . Accordingly, the locking section  666  is not locked by the solenoid  668  and can move downward, and thus it can close the cover  663 . 
         [0060]    When the cover  663  is closed and the piercer  64  is at the lowered position Q 3 , the second locking hole  666   b  of the locking section  666  is opposed to the solenoid  668 . At this time, when the solenoid is driven and the plunger  668   a  protrudes up to the locking position, the plunger  668   a  passes through the second locking hole  666   b  and the locking section  666  is fixed by the solenoid  668 . Accordingly, the locking section is locked in a position where the cover  663  is closed (hereinafter, referred to as the “closed position”). At this time, the cover  663  cannot be opened. 
         [0061]    The solenoid  668  can be operated by operating the pressing button switch  667 . When a certain cover  663  in the closed position is locked and a user opens this cover  663 , the current supply to the solenoid  668  is stopped when the user presses the pressing button switch  667  provided in the cover  663 . Accordingly, the plunger  668   a  is moved to the locking release position and the locking of the cover  663  is released. In this state, the user can open the cover  663 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the quantification section  22   c  is configured to suction a predetermined amount of reagent in a reagent container  200  ( 300 ) to the inside of the quantification section  22   c  via the piercer  64  by opening the electromagnetic valve  22   d  and closing the electromagnetic valve  22   e  in a state in which the piercer  64  is disposed at the lowered position Q 3  in the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) (see  FIG. 8 ). Accordingly, the reagent is quantified in a predetermined amount necessary for the preparation of a measurement specimen. In addition, the quantification section  22   c  is configured to transfer the reagent quantified in the quantification section  22   c  to the reaction chamber  22   a  by closing the electromagnetic valve  22   d  and opening the electromagnetic valve  22   e.    
         [0063]    In addition, the quantification section  22   f  and the electromagnetic valves  22   g  and  22   h  which are connected to the large capacity reagent container  110  exteriorly disposed are configured in the same manner. By controlling the operations of these sections, various reagents are transferred to the inside of the reaction chamber  22   a . In addition, in the second measuring unit  2 , a waste liquid chamber  27  is provided for discarding a specimen on which the measurement has been performed (on which the preparation has been performed), and is configured to discard a specimen on which the measurement has been performed (on which the preparation has been performed) by opening and closing of an electromagnetic valve  27   a.    
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sample container transport section  25  is configured to be linearly moved in the vertical direction (in the direction of the arrows Z 1  and Z 2 ) and has a hand section  25   a  capable of gripping a sample container  100 , a sample container transfer section  25   b  horizontally moving a sample container  100  in the direction of the arrows Y 1  and Y 2  and a barcode reading section  25   c.    
         [0065]    The hand section  25   a  is disposed above a transport passage for a rack  101  which is transported by the sample transport unit  4 . In addition, the hand section  25   a  is configured to move downward (in the direction of the arrow Z 2 ) and then grip a sample container  100  accommodated in the rack  101  when the sample transport unit  4  transports the sample container  100  to a predetermined intake position  43   b.    
         [0066]    In addition, the hand section  25   a  can stir the blood in the gripped sample container  100 . In addition, after stirring, the hand section sets the sample container  100  in a sample setting section  25   d  which is moved to a sample setting position  610  by the sample container transfer section  25   b . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second intake position  43   b  and the sample setting position  610  are disposed to overlap each other in a planar view. 
         [0067]    The sample container transfer section  25   b  has the sample setting section  25   d  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and can move the sample setting section  25   d  to a predetermined position according to the operation of the measurement process. In greater detail, the sample setting section  25   d  can be disposed at the suction position  600  and the sample setting position  610  shown in  FIG. 2  by the sample container transfer section  25   b . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the sample container transfer section  25   b  is configured to be moved to a predetermined position which is outside the unit cover  24  so that a user can manually set a sample container  100  when an emergency sample is measured or the sample transport unit  4  is not used. 
         [0068]    The barcode reading section  25   c  is configured to read a barcode (not shown) adhered to each sample container  100 . The barcode (not shown) of each sample container  100  is adhered uniquely to each sample and is used in the management of the analysis results of the samples. 
         [0069]    The fixing holding section  26  is configured to fix and hold a sample container  100  transferred to the suction position  600 . In greater detail, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fixing holding section  26  has a pair of chucks  26   a  and is configured to grip a sample container  100  by moving the pair of chucks  26   a  to be close to each other. 
         [0070]    Next, the reagent containers  200  and  300  will be described in detail which are used in the second measuring unit  2  and the first measuring unit  3  according to this embodiment and are set in the reagent container holders  660 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views each showing the configuration of a reagent container according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the reagent containers  200  having a large size (capacity about 100 mL) and the reagent containers  300  having a small size (capacity about 20 mL) are used in accordance with the kind of reagent to be contained. That is, the reagent containers  200  having a large size contain a staining liquid for sub-class classification of white blood cells and the reagent containers  300  having a small size contain a staining liquid for detection of reticulocyte and a staining liquid for detection of platelets. The reagent containers  200  and  300  have the opening sections  212  and  312 , into which the piercer  64  is inserted, at the upper portion of the front end (end in the insertion direction when being inserted into the reagent container installation section  62 ), and the front portions in which the opening sections  212  and  312  are provided, respectively, have the same shape. In addition, the rear portion (opposite portion to the front side at which the opening section  212  is provided) of the reagent container  200  having a large size have a large width. The reagent container  300  having a small size is formed to have a uniform width over the entire length. In this manner, since the front portions of the reagent containers  200  and  300  have a common shape, the reagent containers can be set in the reagent container installation sections  62  of the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  having the same shape, respectively. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the RFID tags  260  and  360  are respectively attached to the corresponding portions in the side surfaces of the front portions of both of the reagent container  200  having a large size and the reagent container  300  having a small size. The front portions of the reagent containers  200  and  300  have the same shape. Accordingly, in a state in which the reagent containers  200  and  300  are installed in the reagent container installation section  62 , the RFID tags  260  and  360  provided in any of the reagent containers  200  and  300  are disposed at positions next to the corresponding antennas  62   a  to  62   e , respectively. 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the opening section  212  ( 312 ) is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding upward from the front portions of the reagent containers  200  and  300 . The protruding opening sections  212  ( 312 ) is provided with a sealing material  213  ( 313 ) made of aluminum foil to seal the reagent container  200  ( 300 ). As described above, when the cover  663  is closed and the piercer  64  is lowered in conjunction with the closure in a state in which the reagent containers  200  and  300  are installed in the reagent container installation section  62 , the sealing materials  213  and  313  are punctured by the tip end of the piercer  64  and the piercer  64  is inserted into the opening sections  212  and  312 . 
         [0073]    In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the label  250  ( 350 ), on which the name of the reagent contained, the lot number of the reagent, the expiration date and the like are printed, is adhered to each reagent container  200  ( 300 ). This label  250  ( 350 ) is adhered over the rear side surface and at least one of the lateral side surfaces of each reagent container  200  ( 300 ). In addition, the label  250  ( 350 ) is partially (portion corresponding to the rear side surface of each reagent container  200  ( 300 )) or entirely colored with a color indicating the kind of the reagent contained and thus the kind of the reagent can be identified with the color displayed in the label  250  ( 350 ). It can be confirmed whether the reagent container  200  ( 300 ) is set in the correct one of holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  depending on whether the color of this label  250  ( 350 ) matches the color of the label  632  (see  FIG. 5 ) adhered to the cover  663  of the reagent container holder  660 . 
       &lt;Configuration of Sample Transport Unit&gt; 
       [0074]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sample transport unit  4  has a pre-analysis rack holding section  41  which can hold a plurality of racks  101  accommodating sample containers  100  each containing a sample before analysis, a post-analysis rack holding section  42  which can hold a plurality of racks  101  accommodating sample containers  100  each containing a sample after analysis, a rack transport section  43  which horizontally and linearly moves racks  101  in the direction of the arrows X 1  and X 2 , a barcode reading section  44 , a presence detection sensor  45  which detects the presence or absence of a sample container  100  and a rack output section  46  which moves racks  101  in the post-analysis rack holding section  42 . 
         [0075]    The pre-analysis rack holding section  41  has a rack input section  411  and is configured to push the racks  101  held in the pre-analysis rack holding section  41  onto the rack transport section  43  one by one due to the movement of the rack input section  411  in the direction of the arrow Y 2 . 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rack transport section  43  is configured so that due to the transport of a rack  101 , predetermined sample containers  100  held in the rack are arranged at an intake position  43   a  at which the first measuring unit  3  takes a sample and the intake position  43   b  at which the second measuring unit  2  takes a sample. In addition, the rack transport section  43  is configured to transport sample containers  100  to a sample detection position  43   c  at which the presence detection sensor  45  confirms the presence or absence of a sample container  100  and a reading position  43   d  at which the barcode reading section  44  reads the barcode (not shown) (see  FIG. 4 ) of a sample container  100 . 
         [0077]    The rack output section  46  is disposed to be opposed to the post-analysis rack holding section  42  with the rack transport section  43  interposed therebetween and is configured to horizontally move in the direction of the arrow Y 1 . In addition, the rack output section  46  is configured to push a rack  101  disposed at a position between the rack output section  46  and the post-analysis rack holding section  42  of the rack transport section  43  to the post-analysis rack holding section  42  due to the horizontal movement in the direction of the arrow Y 1 . 
       &lt;Configuration of Information Processing Unit&gt; 
       [0078]    Next, the configuration of the information processing unit  5  will be described. The information processing unit  5  is composed of a computer.  FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing unit  5 . The information processing unit  5  is realized by a computer  5   a . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the computer  5   a  includes a main body  51 , an image display section  52  and an input section  53 . The main body  51  includes a CPU  51   a , a ROM  51   b , a RAM  51   c , a hard disk  51   d , a readout device  51   e , an I/O interface  51   f , a communication interface  51   g  and an image output interface  51   h . The CPU  51   a , the ROM  51   b , the RAM  51   c , the hard disk  51   d , the readout device  51   e , the I/O interface  51   f , the communication interface  51   g  and the image output interface  51   h  are connected to each other by a bus  51   j.    
         [0079]    The readout device  51   e  reads out from a portable recording medium  54  a computer program  54   a  for prompting the computer to function as the information processing unit  5  and can install the computer program  54   a  on the hard disk  51   d.    
         [0080]    In the hard disk  51   d , a reagent code table RCT is stored in which information specifying the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  and reagent codes indicating the kinds of the reagents which can be installed in the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  are stored in association with each other.  FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing the structure of the reagent code table. As described above, for each of the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e , the kind of the reagent which can be installed is decided. That is, in the holder section  660   a , a reagent container is installed containing a staining liquid for first sub-class classification of white blood cells, in the holder section  660   b , a reagent container is installed containing a staining liquid for second sub-class classification of white blood cells, in the holder section  660   c , a reagent container is installed containing a staining liquid for third sub-class classification of white blood cells, in the holder section  660   d , a reagent container is installed containing a staining liquid for detection of reticulocyte, and in the holder section  660   e , a reagent container is installed containing a staining liquid for detection of platelets. In the reagent code table RCT, a reagent code “S001” of the staining liquid for first sub-class classification of white blood cells is stored in association with a reagent installation position number “1” indicating the holder section  660   a , a reagent code “S002” of the staining liquid for second sub-class classification of white blood cells is stored in association with a reagent installation position number “2” indicating the holder section  660   b , a reagent code “S003” of the staining liquid for third sub-class classification of white blood cells is stored in association with a reagent installation position number “3” indicating the holder section  660   c , a reagent code “S004” of the staining liquid for detection of reticulocyte is stored in association with a reagent installation position number “4” indicating the holder section  660   d , and a reagent code “S005” of the staining liquid for detection of platelets is stored in association with a reagent installation position number “5” indicating the holder section  660   e.    
         [0081]    In addition, in the hard disk  51   d , an area of a reagent management table RMT is provided. The reagent management table RMT is a table for managing the reagents which are installed in the reagent container holder  660  and stores information such as an installation position (holder section) of the reagent, a reagent code, an expiration date of the reagent, the maximum number of uses of the reagent, a serial number, a lot number, an expiry date after opening, and opening date and the number of uses. 
         [0082]    Further, in the hard disk  51   d , notification messages MS are stored. The notification messages MS are text information which is output when the reagent replacement is needed or a user replaces the reagent. In greater detail, in the hard disk  51   d , various notification messages MS are stored such as “There is no reagent. Please open the cover and replace the reagent container.”, “A cover not corresponding to the replacement target has been opened. Please close the cover.”, “Please set an appropriate reagent container.”, “The appropriate reagent container has been set. Please close the cover.” and “The reagent replacement has been completed.” 
         [0083]    Each of the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  are connected to the I/O interface  51   f  via a cable. The I/O interface  51   f  is connected to the driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a  of the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  so as to communicate therewith and can output a control signal to the driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a . Such driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a  receiving the control signal decode this control signal and drive the actuators for the mechanism sections in accordance with the control signal. In addition, the bubble sensor  22   p , the five cover opening/closing sensors  63   a  and the RFID readers  61   a  to  61   e  are connected to the driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a , and signals which are output from the bubble sensor  22   p , the five cover opening/closing sensors  63   a  and the RFID readers  61   a  to  61   e  are transmitted to the information processing unit  5  via the driver substrates  3   a  and  2   a.    
       [Operation of Sample Analyzer] 
       [0084]    Hereinafter, the operation of the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment will be described. 
       &lt;Sample Analysis Operation&gt; 
       [0085]    First, the sample analysis operation of the sample analyzer  1  will be described. The sample analysis is performed when the CPU  51   a  of the information processing unit  5  executes a sample analysis control process and thus controls the first measuring unit  3 , the second measuring unit  2  and the sample transport unit  4 .  FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the procedures of the sample analysis control process of the information processing unit  5 . 
         [0086]    In the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment, in a state in which the sample analyzer  1  is powered off and thus the sample analyzer is not started up, the solenoid  668  is not supplied with a current and the locking of the respective covers  663  is released. Accordingly, in a state in which the sample analyzer is in the power-off state, a user can freely open and close the cover  663  and replace the reagent. 
         [0087]    When power is applied to the sample analyzer  1  and thus the sample analyzer  1  is started up, the CPU  51   a  starts the supply of a current to the respective solenoids  668  and locks the respective covers  663  in the closed position (Step S 101 ). In that state, the CPU  51   a  performs an initialization operation including control of the first measuring unit  3 , the second measuring unit  2  and the sample transport unit  4  and a check of the operations of the mechanisms (Step S 102 ). Accordingly, a user is prohibited from opening the cover  663  during the initialization operation, and occurrence of abnormality in the operation of the sample analyzer  1  due to the removal of a reagent container or the replacement by an inappropriate reagent container during the operation of the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2  is prevented. 
         [0088]    In addition, in this initialization operation, the CPU  51   a  drives the RFID readers  61   a  to  61   e , reads reagent information from the RFID tags  360  and  260  of the reagent containers  300  and  200  which are installed in the respective reagent container holders  660  of the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2 , compares reagent codes included in the reagent information with reagent codes stored in the reagent code table, and determines whether the appropriate reagent is installed. In addition, in this process, it is also determined whether the remaining reagent runs out, whether the expiration date of the reagent has expired and whether the expiry date after opening which is decided by an opening date of the reagent has expired, and on the basis of the determination, it is determined whether the reagent installed is appropriate. In this process, when the reagent is not appropriate, the CPU  51   a  executes the same process as a reagent replacement control process to be described later. However, since the sample measurement is not performed during the initialization operation, a measurement stop process of Step S 202  is not executed. 
         [0089]    When the initialization operation is completed, the sample analyzer  1  enters a standby state to start the sample measurement. Here, the CPU  51   a  stops the supply of a current to the respective solenoids  668  and releases the locking of the covers  663  (Step S 103 ). Accordingly, in the standby state, the cover  663  can be opened and closed and a user can perform reagent replacement. 
         [0090]    When starting the sample analysis using the sample analyzer  1 , a user operates the information processing unit  5  to give a sample analysis start instruction to the sample analyzer  1 . The CPU  51   a  awaits the reception of such a sample analysis start instruction (NO in Step S 104 ), and when receiving the sample analysis start instruction (YES in Step S 104 ), re-starts the supply of a current to the respective solenoids  668  and locks the respective covers  663  in the closed position (Step S 105 ). Accordingly, a user is prohibited from opening the cover  663  during the sample measurement, and occurrence of abnormality in the operation of the sample analyzer  1  due to the removal of a reagent container or the replacement by an inappropriate reagent container during the operation of the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2  is prevented. 
         [0091]    The CPU  51   a  prompts the sample transport unit  4  to transport the rack  101  (Step S 106 ), prompts the barcode reading section  25   c  to read the barcode adhered to a first sample container  100  (on the furthest downstream side in the transport direction in the rack  101 ), and obtains sample information (sample ID, measurement order, patient information and the like) of the sample (Step S 107 ). From this sample information, the CPU  51   a  decides the measuring unit for performing the measurement of the sample from between the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  (Step S 108 ), takes the sample container  100  into the decided measuring unit and suctions the sample from the sample container  100  to the sample suction section  21  or  31  (Step S 109 ). The sample container  100  in which the suctioning of the sample has been completed is discharged from the measuring unit and is returned to the original position in the rack  101 . 
         [0092]    After the suctioning of the sample, the CPU  51   a  mixes the sample and a reagent according to the measurement item of the sample and prepares a measurement specimen in the specimen preparation section  22  (Step S 110 ). In this manner, when the measurement specimen is prepared by using the reagent once, the CPU  51   a  updates the number uses of the reagent to the value increased by one in the reagent management table RMT. Further, the CPU  51   a  prompts the specimen preparation section  22  to supply the measurement specimen to the detecting section  23  and prompts the detecting section  23  to measure the sample (Step S 111 ). The CPU  51   a  obtains the measurement data of the sample, analyzes this measurement data and obtains the analysis result of the sample (Step S 112 ). Next, the CPU  51   a  determines whether all the sample containers  100  held in the rack  101  have been supplied to the measuring unit (Step S 113 ). When there is a sample container  100  which is not yet supplied to the measuring unit (NO in Step S 113 ), the CPU returns the process to Step S 106 , transports the rack  101  and prompts the barcode reading section  25   c  to read the barcode adhered to the subsequent sample container  100  to obtain sample information of the sample. After that, the processes after Step S 108  are executed to analyze the sample. 
         [0093]    In Step S 113 , when all the sample containers  100  are supplied to the measuring unit (YES in Step S 113 ), the CPU  51   a  prompts the sample transport unit  4  to transport the rack  101  up to the post-analysis rack holding section  42  (Step S 114 ) and determines whether there is a subsequent rack  101  accommodating sample containers  100  on which the measurement has not yet been performed (Step S 115 ). When there is a subsequent rack  101  (YES in Step S 115 ), the CPU  51   a  returns the process to Step S 106  and executes the processes after Step S 106  on the samples which are held in the subsequent rack  101 . Accordingly, a plurality of the racks  101  is continuously transported and the samples which are held in these racks  101  are sequentially analyzed. When there is no subsequent rack  101  accommodating sample containers  100  on which the measurement has not yet been performed (NO in Step S 115 ), the CPU  51   a  returns the process to Step S 103  and releases the locking of the respective covers  663 . 
         [0094]    In addition, here, the automatic sample analysis operation in which the rack  101  is transported by the sample transport unit  4  has been described, but in the sample analyzer  1 , a manual sample analysis operation may also be executed in which a user sets the sample containers  100  one by one without using the sample transport unit  4  and takes the set sample containers  100  into the measuring unit to analyzes the samples. 
       &lt;Reagent Replacement Operation&gt; 
       [0095]    When the reagent is consumed as a result of the above-described sample analysis or when the expiration date of the reagent has been expired, it is necessary to replace the reagent. In the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment, the CPU  51   a  of the information processing unit  5  executes a reagent replacement control process to control the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2 , and thus a reagent replacement operation is performed.  FIGS. 14A to 14C  are flowcharts showing the procedures of the reagent replacement control process of the information processing unit  5  according to this embodiment. First, the CPU  51   a  determines whether the reagent replacement is needed (Step S 201 ). In this process, when the reagent is consumed due to the analysis and the number of uses the reagent matches the maximum number of uses in the reagent management table RMT, that is, when the remaining reagent runs out, the reagent replacement is determined to be needed. In addition, also in the case in which the bubble sensor  22   p  detects bubbles in the reagent which is supplied to the reaction chamber  22   a  from the reagent container  200  or  300 , it is determined that the remaining reagent runs out and the reagent replacement is needed. Further, also in the case in which the expiration date of the reagent has expired or the case in which the expiry date after opening which is decided by an opening date of the reagent has expired, the reagent replacement is determined to be needed. 
         [0096]    When the reagent replacement is not needed in Step S 201  (NO in Step S 201 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 201  until the reagent replacement is needed. On the other hand, when the reagent replacement is determined to be needed (YES in Step S 201 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a measurement stop process of the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2  (Step S 202 ). When the automatic sample analysis operation is executed, this measurement stop process is a process of controlling the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2  so that the measurement of a sample on which the measurement has not yet been performed does not start and a sample during the measurement at that time is measured until the end. When the manual sample analysis operation is executed, this measurement stop process is a process of controlling the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2  so that a sample during the measurement at that time is measured until the end and a new sample is not received. 
         [0097]    When the measurement stop process ends, the CPU  51   a  stops the supply of a current to the solenoid  668  corresponding to the reagent replacement target holder section and releases the locking of the cover  663  of the holder section corresponding to the reagent replacement target (Step S 203 ). Accordingly, the cover  663  can be opened and closed. 
         [0098]    Next, the CPU  51   a  reads out a notification message MS from the hard disk  51   d  and displays the notification message “There is no reagent. Please open the cover and replace the reagent container.” on the image display section  52  (Step S 204 ). In addition, in Step S 204 , the CPU  51   a  emits an alarm sound from the buzzer  29  or  39  in accordance with the above-described notification message. 
         [0099]    In Step S 204 , in accordance with the above-described notification message, the image display section  52  displays the name of the reagent which should be replaced and information which shows the measuring unit requiring the replacement of the reagent. The information to be displayed which shows the measuring unit requiring the replacement of the reagent may be, for example, letter information such as a name of the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2 , a unit number, “right measuring unit” or “left measuring unit”. Otherwise, image information may be used in which pictures of the first measuring unit  3  and the second measuring unit  2  are displayed and the measuring unit requiring the reagent replacement is displayed with a color different from that of the measuring unit not requiring the reagent replacement. Both of the text information and the image information may be combined. 
         [0100]    By such a notification message, a user knows the kind of the reagent which should be replaced and the measuring unit requiring the reagent replacement in addition to the information that the reagent replacement is needed. The user prepares a new reagent for replacement and opens the front cover  24   a  or  34   a  of the measuring unit requiring the reagent replacement. The user checks the labels  632  adhered to the respective covers  663  of the regent container holder  660 , specifies the holder section corresponding to the reagent replacement target among the holder sections  660   a  to  660   e  and opens the cover  663  of the holder section corresponding to the reagent replacement target. In this manner, when the cover  663  is opened, the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  corresponding to the cover  663  detects the opening of the cover  663  and outputs a detection signal. 
         [0101]    In addition, here, the user may want to replace a reagent other than the reagent which is a replacement target because the amount remaining of the reagent is small or the expiration date is close. In such a case, the user presses the pressing button switch  667  corresponding to the reagent container installation section  62  in which a reagent container to be replaced is installed to give a locking release instruction of the cover  663  corresponding to the reagent container installation section  62  to the sample analyzer  1 . The CPU  51   a  monitors a detection signal of the pressing button switch  667  and determines whether the locking release instruction has been received (Step S 205 ). When the locking release instruction has been received (YES in Step S 205 ), the supply of a current to the solenoid  668  corresponding to the pressed pressing button switch  667  is stopped and the locking of the cover  663  is released (Step S 206 ). Accordingly, the cover  663  not corresponding to the reagent replacement target can be opened and closed. In this manner, when the user opens the cover  663  in which the locking has been released, the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  corresponding to the cover  663  detects the opening of the cover  663  and outputs a detection signal. 
         [0102]    When the locking of the cover is released in Step S 206  or the locking release instruction is not received in Step S 205  (NO in Step S 205 ), the CPU  51   a  determines whether the opening of the cover  663  is detected by the detection signal of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  (Step S 207 ). When the opening of the cover  663  is not detected (NO in Step S 207 ), the CPU  51   a  returns the process to Step S 205  and determines once again whether a locking release instruction has been received. 
         [0103]    On the other hand, when the opening of the cover  663  is detected in Step S 207  (YES in Step S 207 ), the CPU  51   a  determines whether the opened cover  663  is a cover of the holder section corresponding to the reagent replacement target (Step S 208 ). When the opened cover  663  is different from the cover of the holder section corresponding to the reagent replacement target (NO in Step S 208 ), the CPU  51   a  reads a notification message MS from the hard disk  51   d , displays the notification message “A cover not corresponding to the replacement target has been opened. Please close the cover.” on the image display section  52  and prompts the buzzer  39  or  29  to emit an alarm sound (Step S 209 ). Accordingly, the user is notified of the opening of the cover of the holder section not corresponding to the reagent replacement target and is warned. 
         [0104]    When the user closes the opened cover  663 , the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  corresponding to this cover detects the closing of the cover. The CPU  51   a  determines whether the cover  663  has been closed by an output signal of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  (Step S 210 ). When the closing of the cover  663  is not detected (NO in Step S 210 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 210  until the closing of the cover  663  is detected. 
         [0105]    On the other hand, when the closing of the cover  663  is detected in Step S 210  (YES in Step S 210 ), the CPU  51   a  prompts the buzzer  39  or  29  to stop emission of the alarm sound and ends the display of the notification message (Step S 211 ). At this time, the notification message that the display is ending is a notification message which is displayed in Step S 209  and prompts the closing of the cover, and the display of the notification message which is displayed in Step S 204  and prompts the replacement of the reagent is maintained. At this time, the display of this notification message ends when a notification message, which is displayed in Step S 214  to be described later, prompting the installation of an appropriate reagent is displayed. 
         [0106]    Here, in the holder section of which the cover  663  has been opened once, the reagent container may be replaced. For example, a reagent other than the reagent which is a replacement target may be replaced because the amount remaining of the reagent is small or the expiration date is close. In addition, it is also considered that the user opens the cover  663  of another holder section different from the holder section corresponding to the reagent which is a replacement target and replaces a reagent container therein with a new reagent container which is a replacement target. Accordingly, the CPU  51   a  drives the RFID reader of the holder section in which the cover  663  is closed, reads reagent information from the RFID tag  260  of the reagent container  200  or the RFID tag  360  of the reagent container  300 , either of which is installed in the holder section (Step S 212 ) and determines whether the appropriate reagent is installed (Step S 213 ). In this process, the CPU  51   a  reads out a reagent code corresponding to the holder section in which the cover  663  is opened from the reagent code table RCT, and through the determination whether the read reagent code matches the reagent code which is included in the reagent information output from the RFID tag  260  or  360 , it is determined whether the reagent container installed in the holder section is appropriate. 
         [0107]    In Step S 213 , when the replaced reagent is not appropriate (NO in Step S 213 ), the CPU  51   a  reads a notification message MS from the hard disk  51   d , displays the notification message “Please set an appropriate reagent container.” on the image display section  52  and prompts the buzzer  39  or  29  to emit an alarm sound (Step S 214 ). Accordingly, the user is notified of the fact that the inappropriate reagent is installed in the holder section and the installation of an appropriate reagent is prompted. Further, the CPU  51   a  determines once again whether the opening of the cover  663  is detected by a detection signal of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  (Step S 215 ). When the opening of the cover  663  is not detected (NO in Step S 215 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 215  until the opening of the cover  663  is detected. 
         [0108]    On the other hand, when the opening of the cover  663  is detected in Step S 215  (YES in Step S 215 ), the CPU  51   a  returns the process to Step S 210  and determines whether the cover  663  is closed. 
         [0109]    In Step S 213 , when the appropriate reagent is installed in the holder section in which the cover  663  is closed, that is, when the reagent code of the reagent installed in the holder section matches the reagent code associated with the holder section (YES in Step S 213 ), the CPU  51   a  determines whether the reagent has been replaced in the holder section (Step S 216 ). In the reagent management table RMT, information related to the reagents installed is registered and unique serial numbers of the reagents are included. That is, when the serial number read from the RFID tag  260  or  360  matches the serial number of the reagent at the installation position, which is registered in the reagent management table RMT, it can be determined that the reagent installed in the holder section before the opening and closing of the cover  663  is the same as the reagent installed in the holder section after the opening and closing of the cover  663  and the reagent has not been replaced. On the other hand, when the serial number read from the RFID tag  260  or  360  does not match the serial number of the reagent at the installation position, which is registered in the reagent management table RMT, it can be determined that the reagent installed in the holder section before the opening and closing of the cover  663  is different from the reagent installed in the holder section after the opening and closing of the cover  663  and the reagent has been replaced. In the process of Step S 216 , the CPU  51   a  matches the serial number of the reagent read out from the RFID tag  260  or  360  to the serial number of the reagent at the installation position, which is registered in the reagent management table RMT, to determine whether the reagent has been replaced. 
         [0110]    In Step S 216 , when the reagent has been replaced in the holder section (YES in Step S 216 ), the CPU  51   a  stores the reagent information read out from the RFID tag  360  or  260  in association with the installation position indicating the holder section in the reagent management table RMT (Step S 217 ). In this case, the reagent information corresponding to the installation position which has been stored in the reagent management table RMT, that is, the reagent information related to the reagent before the replacement is deleted. The CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 217  and then returns the process to Step S 205 . On the other hand, in Step S 216 , when the reagent has not been replace in the holder section (NO in Step S 216 ), the CPU  51   a  returns the process to Step S 205 . 
         [0111]    In Step S 208 , when the opened cover  663  is a cover of the holder section corresponding to the reagent replacement target (YES in Step S 208 ), the CPU  51   a  ends the display of the notification message prompting the replacement of the reagent, which is displayed in Step S 204  (Step S 218 ). 
         [0112]    In Step S 218 , when the display of the notification message prompting the replacement of the reagent ends, the CPU  51   a  supplies a current to the solenoid  668  corresponding to the opened cover  663  and locks the cover  663  in the open position (Step S 219 ). Accordingly, in the case in which the reagent is not replaced, and in the case in which the appropriate reagent is not installed, the closing of the cover  663  is prevented and the reagent replacement is appropriately and reliably performed. 
         [0113]    Next, the CPU  51   a  drives the RFID reader of the holder section in which the cover  663  is opened and starts the reading of the reagent information from the RFID tag  260  of the reagent container  200  or the RFID tag  360  of the reagent container  300 , either of which is installed in the holder section (Step S 220 ). In this process, the RFID reader is driven and transmission of the electric wave from the antenna connected to this RFID reader is started. Here, when the reagent container  300  or  200  is replaced in the holder section, the RFID reader reads out reagent information from the RFID tag  360  adhered to a new reagent container  300  or the RFID tag  260  adhered to a new reagent container  200 . 
         [0114]    Meanwhile, the user may not want to replace the reagent, such as when the user has no appropriate reagent. In this case, the user presses the pressing button switch  667  provided in the cover  663  which is locked in the open position and gives a locking release instruction to the sample analyzer  1 . The CPU  51   a  determines whether such a locking release instruction has been received (Step S 221 ). When the locking release instruction has been received (YES in Step S 221 ), the CPU proceeds the process to Step S 225  and release the locking of the cover  663  (Step S 225 ). Accordingly, when there is no need to replace the reagent or the reagent replacement is not performed, the user can close the cover  663  without performing the reagent replacement. 
         [0115]    On the other hand, when the locking release instruction has not been received in Step S 221  (NO in Step S 221 ), the CPU  51   a  determines whether a new reagent container has been installed on the basis of the reagent information read out as described above (Step S 222 ). In this process, the CPU  51   a  matches the serial number of the reagent read out from the RFID tag  260  or  360  to the serial number of the reagent at the installation position, which is registered in the reagent management table RMT. When both of them match, the CPU determines that a new reagent container has not been installed, and when both of them do not match, the CPU determines that a new reagent container has been installed. When the installation of a new reagent container is not detected in Step S 222  (NO in Step S 222 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 222  until the installation of a new reagent container is detected. 
         [0116]    On the other hand, in Step S 222 , when the installation of a new reagent container is detected (YES in Step S 222 ), the CPU  51   a  determines whether the replaced reagent is appropriate (Step S 223 ). Since the process of Step S 223  is the same as the process of Step S 213 , the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0117]    In Step S 223 , when the replaced reagent is not appropriate (NO in Step S 223 ), the CPU  51   a  reads out a notification message MS from the hard disk  51   d , displays the notification message “Please set an appropriate reagent container.” on the image display section  52 , prompts the buzzer  39  or  29  to emit an alarm sound (Step S 224 ) and returns the process to Step S 221 . Accordingly, the user is notified of the fact that the inappropriate reagent is installed in the holder section and the installation of an appropriate reagent is prompted. 
         [0118]    On the other hand, in Step S 223 , when the replaced reagent is appropriate (YES in Step S 223 ), the CPU  51   a  stops the supply of a current to the solenoid  668  corresponding to the cover  663  which is in the open position and release the locking of the cover  663  (Step S 225 ). Accordingly, the cover  663  can be closed after the installation of the appropriate reagent. 
         [0119]    Next, the CPU  51   a  reads out a notification message MS from the hard disk  51   d  and displays the notification message “The appropriate reagent container has been set. Please close the cover.” on the image display section  52  (Step S 226 ). In this case, when another notification message is displayed on the image display section with the emission of the alarm sound, the CPU  51   a  ends the display of the other notification message and stops the emission of the alarm sound. 
         [0120]    Next, the CPU  51   a  determines whether the cover  663  is closed by an output signal of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  (Step S 227 ). When the closing of the cover  663  is not detected (NO in Step S 227 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 227  until the closing of the cover  663  is detected. 
         [0121]    On the other hand, when the closing of the cover  663  is detected in Step S 227  (YES in Step S 227 ), the CPU  51   a  re-starts the supply of a current to the solenoid  668  corresponding to the cover  663  that closing is detected, and locks the cover  663  in the closed position (Step S 228 ). Accordingly, re-replacement by a wrong reagent is prevented. 
         [0122]    Next, the CPU  51   a  ends the display of the notification message prompting the closing of the cover, which is displayed in Step S 226  (Step S 229 ), and registers the reagent information read out from the RFID tag  360  or  260  in the reagent management table RMT (Step S 230 ). In this process, the reagent information corresponding to the installation position which has been stored in the reagent management table RMT, that is, the reagent information related to the reagent before the replacement is deleted and the reagent information read out from the RFID tag  360  or  260  is stored in association with the installation position indicating the holder section. 
         [0123]    Next, the CPU  51   a  stops the driven RFID reader and ends the readout of the reagent information from the RFID tag  260  of the reagent container  200  or the RFID tag  360  of the reagent container  300 , either of which is installed in the holder section provided with the RFID reader (Step S 231 ). 
         [0124]    In addition, the CPU  51   a  executes a reagent replacement sequence (Step S 232 ). The reagent replacement sequence is a control process of the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2  to suction a predetermined amount of reagent from a reagent container replaced and discard the reagent collected as a result in the reaction chamber  22   a  in order to eliminate bubbles which are generated in the flow passage from the piercer  64  to the reaction chamber  22   a  due to the reagent replacement in the first measuring unit  3  or the second measuring unit  2 . 
         [0125]    When the reagent replacement sequence ends, the CPU  51   a  reads out a notification message MS from the hard disk  51   d  and displays the notification message “The reagent replacement has been completed.” on the image display section  52  (Step S 233 ). 
         [0126]    After the display of the notification message that the reagent replacement has been completed on the image display section  52  in Step S 233 , the CPU  51   a  stops the supply of a current to the respective solenoids  668  and releases the locking of the respective covers  663  (Step S 234 ). After elapse of a predetermined time from the display of the notification message in Step S 233 , the CPU  51   a  ends the display of the notification message (Step S 235 ) and ends the reagent replacement control process. 
         [0127]    Due to the above-described configuration, in the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment, the solenoid  668  is provided locking the cover  663  in the open position and releasing the locking, and the CPU  51   a  of the information processing unit  5  controls the locking of the cover  663  in the open position by this solenoid and the release thereof. Accordingly, when the reagent is replaced, it is possible to prevent the closing of the cover  663  at the time when the cover  663  which is in the open position should not be closed. For example, in this embodiment, when the cover  663  is opened when performing the reagent replacement, the cover  663  is locked in this open position, and thus even when the replacement is performed with a reagent container containing an inappropriate reagent, it is possible to easily perform the re-replacement by an appropriate reagent without the closing of the cover  663 . 
         [0128]    In addition, in the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment, the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  can individually detect the opening of the covers  663 . Accordingly, it is possible to reliably detect that the cover  663  is in an open state and it is possible to reliably lock the cover  663  in the open position. 
         [0129]    In addition, the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment has a configuration in which the CPU  51   a  determines whether the reagent replacement is needed and locks the opened cover  663  when the reagent replacement is determined to be needed. Accordingly, it is possible to lock the cover in the open position in order to perform the reagent replacement when the reagent replacement is needed, and thus it is possible to smoothly perform the reagent replacement. 
         [0130]    In addition, when a new reagent container is installed in the reagent container installation section  62 , the reagent code of the reagent is matched to the reagent code of a reagent which should be installed in the reagent container installation section  62  in the reagent code table RCT, and when the installed reagent container is not a reagent container containing a reagent which should be installed in the reagent container installation section  62 , a notification message “Please set an appropriate reagent container.” is output which prompts the installation of another reagent container. Accordingly, a user can easily recognize the installation of the inappropriate reagent container and easily recognize that next work to be performed is installation of an appropriate reagent container. 
         [0131]    In addition, when the notification message prompting the installation of the appropriate reagent is displayed, the cover  663  of the reagent container installation section  62  is locked in the open position and thus it does not occur that the sample measurement operation is executed with the cover  663  closed. In addition, since the cover  663  is locked in the open position until the appropriate reagent is installed, a user can easily perform the re-replacement by an appropriate reagent. 
         [0132]    In addition, in the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment, the cover  663  can be locked in two positions which are the open position and the closed position. Accordingly, when the reagent replacement is not to be performed, the cover  663  can be locked in the close position, and when the reagent replacement is to be performed, the cover  663  can be locked in the open position, and thus a user can smoothly and reliably perform the reagent replacement. 
         [0133]    In addition, the sample analyzer  1  according to this embodiment has a configuration in which when the pressing button switch  667  is pressed and a locking release instruction is received when the cover  663  is locked in the open position, the locking of the cover  663  is released. Accordingly, even if the cover  663  is opened when the reagent replacement is not needed or the reagent replacement cannot be performed because there is no appropriate reagent, a user can easily close the cover  663 . 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0134]    In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the reagent replacement operation is executed when the sample analyzer determines that the replacement of the reagent is needed, but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which the reagent replacement operation is executed when the sample analyzer receives a reagent replacement instruction from a user. 
         [0135]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing the procedures of a reagent replacement control process for this case. As shown in  FIG. 15 , when the sample analyzer receives a reagent replacement instruction from a user, the CPU  51   a  determines whether the opening of any of the covers  663  is detected by a detection signal of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  (Step S 401 ). When the opening of any of the covers  663  is not detected (NO in Step S 401 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 401  until the opening of any of the covers  663  is detected. 
         [0136]    On the other hand, when the opening of any of the covers  663  is detected in Step S 401  (YES in Step S 401 ), the CPU  51   a  drives the RFID reader of the holder section in which the cover  663  has been opened, reads out reagent information from the RFID tag  260  of the reagent container  200  or the RFID tag  360  of the reagent container  300 , either of which is installed in the holder section (Step S 402 ), and determines whether a new reagent container has been installed (Step S 403 ). The readout of reagent information by the RFID reader is continuously executed until the reagent replacement control process shown in  FIG. 15  ends. When it is determined that a new reagent container has been installed in Step S 403  (YES in Step S 403 ), the CPU  51   a  determines whether the appropriate reagent is installed in the holder section on the basis of the reagent information continuously read out (Step S 404 ). When the reagent is appropriate (YES in Step S 404 ), the CPU  51   a  stores the reagent information read out from the RFID tag  360  or  260  in association with an installation position indicating the holder section in the reagent management table RMT (Step S 405 ). 
         [0137]    Next, the CPU  51   a  determines whether the opened cover  663  has been closed by a detection signal of the cover opening/closing sensor  63   a  (Step S 406 ). When the cover has been closed (YES in Step S 406 ), the CPU ends the process, and when the cover has not been closed (NO in Step S 406 ), CPU returns the process to Step S 403 . 
         [0138]    When determining that a new reagent container has not been installed in Step S 403  (NO in Step S 403 ), the CPU  51   a  proceeds the process to Step S 406 . In addition, when determining that the reagent is not appropriate in Step S 404  (NO in Step S 404 ), the CPU  51   a  supplies a current to the solenoid  668  corresponding to the opened cover  663  and locks the cover  663  in the open position (Step S 407 ). 
         [0139]    Next, the CPU  51   a  determines whether an appropriate reagent has been installed in the holder section on the basis of the reagent information continuously read out (Step S 408 ). When an appropriate reagent has been installed, the CPU releases the locking of the cover  663  in the open position (Step S 409 ) and the process proceeds to Step S 405 . On the other hand, when an appropriate reagent has not been installed (NO in Step S 408 ), the CPU  51   a  repeats the process of Step S 408  until the appropriate reagent is installed. 
         [0140]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which it is determined whether the appropriate reagent has been installed in Steps S 213  and S 223 , but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which these steps are omitted and determination whether the appropriate reagent container has been installed is not executed. 
         [0141]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the cover  663  is locked by inserting the plunger  668   a  of the solenoid  668  into the first locking hole  666   a  and the second locking hole  666   b , but the invention is not limited thereto. A structure may be employed in which the cover  663  can be locked in the open position and in the closed position, and for example, in order to lock the cover  663 , in place of the solenoid, an actuator such as a motor or an air cylinder may engage the locking pin with the locking hole. 
         [0142]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the single solenoid  668  locks the cover  663  in the open position and in the closed position, but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which an actuator such as the single solenoid locks the cover  663  in the open position and another actuator locks the cover  663  in the closed position. 
         [0143]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the cover  663  can be locked in the two positions, that is, in the open position and the closed position, but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which the cover  663  can be locked only in the open position and the locking in the closed position is not performed. 
         [0144]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the cover  663  and the piercer  64  are connected to each other by the piercer lifting mechanism  665  and the cover  663  and the piercer  64  are integrally lifted and lowered due to the user&#39;s operation, but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which a driving source such as a motor for lifting and lowering the piercer  64  is provided, and when the cover  663  is moved in the vertical direction, the information processing unit  5  controls the driving source to lift and lower the piercer  64  in conjunction with the lifting and lowering of the cover  663 . A configuration may also be provided in which the piercer  64  is lifted and lowered independently from the cover  663 . 
         [0145]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the notification is performed by emitting an alarm sound in addition to the notification message in Steps S 204 , S 209 , S 214  and S 224 , but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may also be provided in which only a notification message is output without the emission of an alarm sound. A configuration may also be provided in which only an alarm sound is output without the output of a notification message. 
         [0146]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which each of the first and second measuring units takes a sample container  100  into the unit and a sample is suctioned from the sample container  100  in the unit, but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which the first measuring unit directly suctions a sample from a sample container  100  on the sample transport unit. A configuration may also be provided in which the second measuring unit directly suctions a sample from a sample container  100  on the sample transport unit. 
         [0147]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the opening of the cover  663  is detected when the cover rises even slightly, and the closing of the cover  663  is detected when the cover is completely closed, but the invention is not limited thereto. The opening of the cover  663  may be detected when the cover  663  is completely opened, and the closing of the cover  663  may be detected when the cover  663  lowers even slightly from the complete opening state. In addition, the opening of the cover  663  may be detected when the cover  663  rises up to a predetermined height, and the closing of the cover  663  may be detected when the cover  663  lowers up to the predetermined height. 
         [0148]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the five covers  663  are individually provided in the five reagent container installation sections  62 , respectively. However, a cover common to the plurality of the reagent container installation sections  62  may be provided and this cover may be locked in the open position and in the closed position. 
         [0149]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the cover  663  can be locked in the open position and in the closed position. However, a configuration may be provided in which the front covers  24   a  and  34   a  can be locked in the open position and in the closed position without provision of the cover  663 . 
         [0150]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the sample analyzer includes the two measuring units which are the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit, but the invention is not limited thereto. The sample analyzer may include three or more measuring units and may include a single measuring unit. 
         [0151]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the information processing unit which is provided independently of the first measuring unit, the second measuring unit and the sample transport unit controls the first measuring unit, the second measuring unit and the sample transport unit, but the invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may be provided in which a control substrate equipped with a CPU, a memory and the like is provided in each of the first measuring unit, the second measuring unit and the sample transport unit, the respective control substrates are connected to the information processing unit so as to communicate therewith and the control substrates control the first measuring unit, the second measuring unit and the sample transport unit, respectively in accordance with a command transmitted from the information processing unit. 
         [0152]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the sample analyzer includes the information processing unit which is provided independently of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit, but the invention is not limited thereto. The sample analyzer may be an integrated sample analyzer equipped with the measuring units and the information processing unit in a single casing. 
         [0153]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the example is shown in which the invention is applied to a multiple blood cell analyzer, but the invention is not limited thereto. The invention may be applied to a sample analyzer other than the multiple blood cell analyzer, such as a blood coagulation measurement device, an immunological analyzer, an in-urine physical component analyzer, an urine qualitative analyzer or a biochemical analyzer, which analyzes a sample by using a plural kinds of reagents. In this case, a reagent container which is installed in the reagent container installation section is not limited to a reagent container containing a staining liquid for blood cell analysis. In the case of a blood coagulation measurement device, a reagent container containing a reagent for blood coagulation measurement may be installed in the reagent container installation section. In the case of an in-urine physical component analyzer, a reagent container containing a reagent for in-urine physical component analysis may be installed in the reagent container installation section. In the case of a urine qualitative analyzer, a reagent container containing a reagent for urine qualitative analysis may be installed in the reagent container installation section. In the case of a biochemical analyzer, a reagent container containing a reagent for biochemical analysis may be installed in the reagent container installation section. In the case of an immunological analyzer, a reagent container containing a reagent for immunological analysis may be installed in the reagent container installation section. In addition, a configuration may also be provided in which a reagent container containing a reagent other than a staining liquid for blood cell analysis, for example, a hemolytic agent is installed in the reagent container installation section in the multiple blood cell analyzer. 
         [0154]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the single computer  5   a  executes all the processes of the computer program  54   a , but the invention is not limited thereto. The same process as the above-described computer program  54   a  may be dispersed to a plurality of devices (computers) and executed. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0155]    The sample analyzer of the invention is useful as a sample analyzer which analyzes a sample by using a reagent.