Abstract:
A specimen analyzer, comprising: a liquid suction assembly; a measurement section for measuring a specimen; and a connection section for connecting the liquid suction assembly and the measurement section, wherein the liquid suction assembly comprises: a suction nozzle, disposed inside a liquid container storing liquid used for measurement of the specimen, for sucking the liquid in the liquid container; a fluid volume sensor for detecting whether a predetermined volume of the liquid remains in the liquid container; and a notice section for notifying that the liquid in the liquid container is smaller than the predetermined volume, is disclosed. A liquid suction assembly is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a specimen analyzer and a liquid suction assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Generally, a specimen analyzer, such as a blood analyzer and an immune analyzer, is provided with a nozzle section that dispenses or sucks a specimen or a reagent. In order to prevent contamination of the reagent, the nozzle section is cleaned each time a dispensing or suction operation is performed. Also, a cleaning solution used for cleaning and a reagent used for specimen analysis are stored in liquid containers. 
         [0003]    There has been a liquid suction device for specimen analysis configured to suck in a cleaning solution to be supplied to a specimen analyzer from a liquid container (see, for example, JP-A-2005-283246). 
         [0004]    JP-A-2005-283246 discloses a nozzle cleaning device provided with a cleaning solution suction section (liquid suction device for specimen analysis) which is configured to suck in a cleaning solution to be supplied to a cleaning bath for cleaning a nozzle section from a cleaning solution tank (liquid container). 
         [0005]    However, in the cleaning solution suction section disclosed in JP-A-2005-283246, there is a problem in that upon identifying a remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank, for example, a user identifies the remaining volume by observing the inside of the cleaning solution tank or identifies a weight by holding the cleaning solution tank in hand, thereby straining the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    A first aspect of the present invention is a specimen analyzer, comprising: a liquid suction assembly; a measurement section for measuring a specimen; and a connection section for connecting the liquid suction assembly and the measurement section, wherein the liquid suction assembly comprises: a suction nozzle, disposed inside a liquid container storing liquid used for measurement of the specimen, for sucking the liquid in the liquid container; a fluid volume sensor for detecting whether a predetermined volume of the liquid remains in the liquid container; and a notice section for notifying that the liquid in the liquid container is smaller than the predetermined volume. 
         [0008]    A second aspect of the present invention is a liquid suction assembly connected to a measurement section for measuring a specimen, comprising: a suction nozzle, disposed inside a liquid container storing liquid used for measurement of the specimen, for sucking the liquid in the liquid container; a fluid volume sensor for detecting whether a predetermined volume of the liquid remains in the liquid container; and a notice section for notifying that the liquid in the liquid container is smaller than a predetermined volume. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram including a controller in a measurement mechanism section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller in the measurement mechanism section shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a controller of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross section of a cuvette processing section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a cleaning solution intake section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the cleaning solution intake section and a cleaning solution tank of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross section showing the cleaning solution intake section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a view used to describe in detail the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is another cross section showing the cleaning solution intake section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is still another cross section showing the cleaning solution intake section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is still another cross section showing the cleaning solution intake section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is still another cross section showing the cleaning solution intake section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a channel diagram of the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart used to describe a state monitor processing operation of the cleaning solution tank at the start-up of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is another flowchart used to describe the state monitor processing operation of the cleaning solution tank at the start-up of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a view showing a reagent management screen of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 18 and 19  are views used to describe in detail the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a view showing a reagent switch screen of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is another view showing the reagent management screen of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is still another view showing the reagent management screen of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is still another view showing the reagent management screen of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is still another flowchart used to describe the state monitor processing operation of the cleaning solution tank during analysis processing by the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 14  are views used to describe in detail the respective sections in the immune analyzer according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Firstly, the overall configuration of an immune analyzer  1  according to one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 14 . This embodiment will describe a case where the present invention is applied to an immune analyzer as one example of a specimen analyzer. 
         [0034]    The immune analyzer  1  according to one embodiment of the invention is a device to check various items, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tumor marker, and thyroid hormone, using a specimen such as blood. According to the immune analyzer  1 , magnetic particles (R 2  reagent) are bound to trapped antibody (R 1  reagent) bound to antigen contained in a specimen, such as blood, which is the subject to be measured. Then, bound antigen, trapped antibody, and magnetic particles are attracted to a magnet (not shown) in a BF (Bound Free) separation section  15  (see  FIG. 1 ) to remove the R 1  reagent containing free trapped antibody. Subsequently, the antigen to which the magnetic particles are bound and labeled antibody (R 3  reagent) are bound, after which bound magnetic particles, antigen, and labeled antibody are attracted to the magnet in the BF separation section  15  to remove the R 3  reagent containing free labeled antibody. Further, after addition of a buffer solution (R 4  reagent) and a luminous substrate (R 5  reagent) that emits light in the reaction process with the labeled antibody, an amount of light emitted by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the luminous substrate is measured. Through the processes described above, the antigen contained in the specimen bound to the labeled antibody is measured quantitatively. 
         [0035]    As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the immune analyzer  1  includes a measurement mechanism section  2 , a sample transfer unit  3  disposed on the front face side of the measurement mechanism section  2 , and a control device  4  formed of a PC (personal computer) electrically connected to the measurement mechanism section  2 . The measurement mechanism section  2  includes a pipette tip supply device  5 , a specimen dispensing arm  6 , reagent placement sections  7  and  8 , reagent dispensing arms  9 ,  10 , and  11 , a primary reaction section  12 , and a secondary reaction section  13 , a cuvette supply section  14 , a BF separation section  15 , a detection section  16 , a cuvette transportation section  17  disposed on the top face of the detection section  16 , a cuvette processing section  18 , and a cuvette disposal section  19 . Further, the measurement mechanism section  2  includes a cleaning solution suction section  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) that sucks in a cleaning solution from a first tank  50  and a second tank  60  of a cleaning solution (see  FIG. 7 ) each storing a cleaning solution used at the respective sections in the measurement mechanism section  2 , cleaning solution intake sections  21  and  22  (see  FIG. 6 ) that take the cleaning solution into cleaning solution channels, respectively, from the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  by suction induced by the cleaning solution suction section  20 , and an air bubble suction section  23  (see  FIG. 2 ) that removes air inside the cleaning solution intake sections  21  and  22 . 
         [0036]    Also, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , the respective mechanisms (each dispensing arm, the cuvette processing section  18 , the cleaning solution suction section  20 , the cleaning solution intake sections  21  and  22 , the air bubble suction section  23 ) in the measurement mechanism section  2  are controlled by a controller  2   a  provided to the measurement mechanism section  2 . In addition, the controller  2   a  is configured so as to control operations of solenoid valves V 1  through  4  provided on the channels of the cleaning solution. 
         [0037]    As is shown in  FIG. 3 , the controller  2   a  is chiefly formed of a CPU  2   b,  a ROM  2   c,  a RAM  2   d,  and a communication interface  2   e.  The configuration of the controller  2   a  will be described in detail below. 
         [0038]    The CPU  2   b  is capable of running a computer program pre-stored in the ROM  2   c  and a computer program read onto the RAM  2   d.  The ROM  2   c  has stored therein computer programs to be run on the CPU  2   b  and data used to run the computer programs. The RAM  2   d  is used to read out the computer programs pre-stored in the ROM  2   c.  It is also used as a work area for the CPU  2   b  when these computer programs are run. 
         [0039]    The communication interface  2   e  is connected to the control device  4  and performs the function of transmitting optical information of a specimen (data about an amount of light emitted by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the luminous substrate) to the control device  4  and receiving a signal from a controller  4   a  of the control device  4 . Also, the communication interface  2   e  is furnished with the function of transmitting instructions from the CPU  2   b  to drive the respective sections in the sample transfer unit  3  and the measurement mechanism section  2 . 
         [0040]    As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the sample transfer unit  3  is configured to transport a rack  101  on which are mounted plural test tubes  100  each storing a specimen to a position corresponding to a predetermined suction position at which the specimen dispensing arm  6  sucks in the specimen. 
         [0041]    The control device  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) is formed of a personal computer (PC) or the like, and includes the controller  4   a  formed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and so forth, a display section  4   b,  and a keyboard  4   c.  The display section  4   b  is provided to display an analysis result obtained through analysis on the data of a digital signal transmitted from the detection section  16 . 
         [0042]    The configuration of the control device  4  will now be described. As is shown in  FIG. 4 , the control device  4  is formed of a computer  401  chiefly composed of the controller  4   a,  the display section  4   b,  and the keyboard  4   c.  The controller  4   a  is chiefly formed of a CPU  401   a,  a ROM  401   b,  a RAM  401   c,  a hard disk  401   d,  a read device  401   e,  an input/output interface  401   f,  a communication interface  401   g,  and an image output interface  401   h.  The CPU  401   a,  the ROM  401   b,  the RAM  401   c,  the hard disk  401   d,  the read device  401   e,  the input/output interface  401   f,  the communication interface  401   g,  and the image output interface  401   h  are interconnected via a bus  401   i.    
         [0043]    The CPU  401   a  is capable of running a computer program pre-stored in the ROM  401   b  and a computer program loaded in the RAM  401   c.  The computer  401  functions as the control device  4  by running an application program  404   a  described below on the CPU  401   a.    
         [0044]    The ROM  401   b  is formed of a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or the like, and has recorded therein a computer program run on the CPU  401   a  and data used for the computer program. 
         [0045]    The RAM  401   c  is formed of an SRAM or a DRAM. The RAM  401   c  is used to read out the computer programs pre-recorded in the ROM  401   b  and the hard disk  401   d.  It is also used as a work area for the CPU  401   a  when these computer programs are run. 
         [0046]    Various computer programs to be run on the CPU  401   a,  such as the operating system and the application programs, and data used to run these computer programs are pre-installed in the hard disc  401   d.  An application program  404   a  for immunoanalysis of this embodiment is also pre-installed in the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0047]    The read device  401   e  is formed of a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, or the like, and is capable of reading out a computer program or data recorded in a portable recording medium  404 . The application program  404   a  for immunoanalysis is stored in the portable recording medium  404 . The computer  401  is capable of reading out the application program  404   a  from the portable recording medium  404  to install the application program  404   a  in the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0048]    Besides being provided by means of the portable recording medium  404 , the application program  404   a  may be provided via an electric communication line (wired or wireless) from an external device connected to the computer  401  by the electric communication line to enable communications. For example, in a case where the application program  404   a  is stored in the hard disk of a server computer on the Internet, then the computer  401  is allowed to access the server computer and download the application program  404   a  to install this program in the hard disk  401   d.    
         [0049]    In addition, the operating system that provides the graphical user interface environment, for example, Windows (registered trademark) manufactured and sold by Microsoft Corporation, is pre-installed in the hard disk  401   d.  Hereinafter, assume that the application program  404   a  operates on this operating system. 
         [0050]    The input/output interface  401   f  is formed, for example, of a serial interface, such as USB, IEEE1394, and RS-232C, a parallel interface, such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, an analog interface formed of a digital-to-analog converter and an analog-to-digital converter, or the like. The keyboard  4   c  is connected to the input/output interface  401   f,  and the user can input data into the computer  401  with the use of the keyboard  4   c.    
         [0051]    The communication interface  401   g  is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface. The communication interface  401   g  enables the computer  401  to transmit data to and receive data from the measurement mechanism section  2  using a predetermined communication protocol. 
         [0052]    The image output interface  401   h  is connected to the display section  4   b  formed of an LCD or a CRT, and is configured to output a video signal corresponding to the image data provided from the CPU  401   a  to the display section  4   b.  The display section  4   b  displays an image (screen) according to the video signal inputted therein. In addition, it is configured in such a manner that image data according to a signal from the measurement mechanism section  2  transmitted via the communication interface  401   g  is also transmitted from the CPU  401   a  to the image output interface  401   h.    
         [0053]    The application program  404   a  for immunoanalysis pre-installed in the hard disk  401   d  of the controller  4   a  is run to measure an amount of antigen in a measurement sample using an amount of light emission (data of the digital signal) of the measurement sample transmitted from the detection section  16  of the measurement mechanism section  2 . 
         [0054]    As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the pipette tip supply device  5  is furnished with the function of mounting pipette tips (not shown) one by one onto an emergency specimen and tip transportation rack  200 . 
         [0055]    The specimen dispensing arm  6  is furnished with the function of dispensing the specimens inside the test tubes  100  transported to the predetermined suction position by the sample transfer unit  3  into cuvettes  300  in the primary reaction section  12  described below. 
         [0056]    The reagent placement section  7  is provided to place thereon a reagent container in which to store the R 1  reagent containing the trapped antibody and a reagent container in which to store the R 3  reagent containing the labeled antibody. 
         [0057]    The reagent placement section  8  is provided to place thereon a reagent container in which to store the R 2  reagent containing the magnetic particles. 
         [0058]    The reagent dispensing arm  9  is furnished with the function of sucking in the R 1  reagent placed on the reagent placement section  7  and dispensing the sucked R 1  reagent into the cuvettes  300  in the primary reaction section  12  in which the specimen has been dispensed. 
         [0059]    The reagent dispensing arm  10  is furnished with the function of dispensing the R 2  reagent placed on the reagent placement section  8  into the cuvettes  300  in the primary reaction section  12  in which the specimen and the R 1  reagent have been dispensed. 
         [0060]    The reagent dispensing arm  11  is furnished with the function of sucking in the R 3  reagent placed on the reagent placement section  7  and dispensing the sucked R 3  reagent into the cuvettes  300  in the secondary reaction section  13  in which the specimen, the R 1  reagent, and the R 2 , reagent have been dispensed. 
         [0061]    The primary reaction section  12  is provided to rotationally move the cuvettes  300  in a rotation table section  12   a  by a predetermined angle every predetermined period ( 18  seconds in this embodiment) and to stir the specimen, the R 1  reagent, and the R 2  reagent inside the cuvettes  300 . In short, the primary reaction section  12  is provided to let a reaction between the R 2  reagent having the magnetic particles and the antigen in the specimen to take place inside the cuvettes  300 . 
         [0062]    In addition, the rotation table section  12   a  is configured to rotationally move the cuvettes  300  by a predetermined angle every  18  seconds. Accordingly, the respective devices (the specimen dispensing arm  6 , the reagent dispensing arms  9  and  10 , and so forth) of the immune analyzer  1  are controlled to operate with respect to the cuvettes  300  moved to the predetermined position at timing at which the cuvettes  300  are moved to the predetermined position by the rotation table section  12   a.    
         [0063]    The secondary reaction section  13  is configured in the same manner as the primary reaction section  12 . It is provided to rotationally move the cuvettes  300  in a rotation table section  13   a  by a predetermined angle every predetermined period ( 18  seconds in this embodiment) and also to stir the specimen, the R 1  reagent, the R 2  reagent, the R 3  reagent, the R 4  reagent, and the R 5  reagent inside the cuvettes  300 . In short, the secondary reaction section  13  is provided to let a reaction between the R 3  reagent having the labeled antibody and the antigen in the specimen to take place and also to let a reaction between the R 5  reagent having the luminescent substrate and the labeled antibody in the R 3  reagent to take place inside the cuvettes  300 . It is configured in such a manner that the R 4  reagent and the R 5  reagent are dispensed into the cuvettes  300  in the secondary reaction section  13  storing the specimen, the R 1  reagent, the R 2  reagent, and the R 3  reagent, respectively, by an R 4  reagent dispensing arm (not shown) and an R 5  reagent dispensing arm (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the secondary reaction section  13 . 
         [0064]    The cuvette supply section  14  is configured so that it is capable of supplying plural cuvettes  300  successively to the rotation table section  12   a  of the primary reaction section  12 . 
         [0065]    The BF separation section  15  is furnished with the function of separating the free R 1  reagent (unwanted component) and the magnetic particles from the sample insides the cuvettes  300  transported from the primary reaction section  12  and the function of separating the free R 3  reagent (unwanted component) and the magnetic particles from the sample inside the cuvettes  300  transported from the secondary reaction section  13 . 
         [0066]    The detection section  16  is provided to measure an amount of the antigen contained in the specimen by obtaining light emitted in the reaction process between the labeled antibody bound to the antigen in the specimen to which predetermined processing has been applied and the luminous substrate using a photo multiplier tube. The detection section  16  includes a placement section (not shown) to place thereon the cuvettes  300  storing the specimen, the R 1  reagent, the R 2  reagent, the R 3  reagent, the R 4  reagent, and the R 5  reagent. The detection section  16  is configured in such a manner that light from the outside will not go incident on the cuvettes  300  placed in the placement section provided inside during the measurement. 
         [0067]    The cuvette transportation section  17  is provided on the top face of the detection section  16 . It is configured to transport the cuvettes  300  from the detection section  16  to a predetermined position in the cuvette processing section  18  after the measurement and also to transport the cuvettes  300  from the predetermined position in the cuvette processing section  18  to a predetermined position in the cuvette disposal section  19 . 
         [0068]    The cuvette processing section  18  is configured to suck in liquid from the cuvettes  300  transported to the predetermined position by the cuvette transportation section  17  and storing the specimen, the R 1  reagent, the R 2  reagent, the R 3  reagent, the R 4  reagent, and the R 5  reagent. 
         [0069]    Also, as is shown in  FIG. 5 , the cuvette processing section  18  includes a nozzle  181  that sucks in the liquid inside the cuvettes  300 , a nozzle drive section  182  that moves the nozzle  181  in the vertical direction, a holding section  183  that holds the cuvettes  300  when the liquid inside the cuvettes  300  is sucked in, a cleaning section  184  into which a cleaning solution is injected, an injection section  185  that injects the cleaning solution into the cleaning section  184 , and a discharging section  186  that discharges an excessive cleaning solution from the cleaning section  184 . 
         [0070]    The nozzle  181  is configured to suck in the cleaning solution injected into the cleaning section  184  after it sucks in the liquid inside the cuvettes  300  in order to clean the channel of the sucked liquid. It is thus possible to suppress foreign matter from remaining in the channel of the liquid. 
         [0071]    The cuvette disposal section  19  is provided to dispose the cuvettes  300  after the liquid therein is sucked in at the cuvette processing section  18 . 
         [0072]    In this embodiment, as is shown in  FIG. 6 , the cleaning solution intake section  21  includes an intake nozzle  211  that takes the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  of the cleaning solution into the cleaning solution intake section  21 , a chamber  212  provided on the channel of the cleaning solution taken in by the intake nozzle  211 , a connection tube  213  that connects the cleaning solution channel tube  24  connected to the respective sections in the measurement mechanism section  2  where the cleaning solution is used and the chamber  212 , and an air bubble discharging section  214  to remove air inside the chamber  212 . A lower float sensor SE 1  configured to detect a fluid volume of the cleaning solution is provided in the vicinity of the lower section of the cleaning solution intake section  21 . An upper float sensor SE 2  configured to detect a fluid volume of the cleaning solution reserved in the chamber  212  is provided inside the chamber  212 . Also, as are shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the liquid solution intake section  21  further includes an LED  215  provided on the upper end and a cap section  216  that attaches the cleaning solution intake section  21  to the first tank  50  so as to close the opening (not shown) provided at the top section of the first tank  50 . 
         [0073]    The intake nozzle  211  is formed so that the lowermost end inclines with respect to a horizontal line and it has a length long enough to abut on the bottom section of the first tank  50  while the cleaning solution intake section  21  is provided inside the first tank  50 . This configuration makes it possible to take in the cleaning solution from the intake nozzle  211  even when the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  runs extremely low. 
         [0074]    The chamber  212  and the connection tube  213  are connected to each other at the bottom section of the chamber  212 . It is thus configured in such a manner that the cleaning solution alone can be taken into the connection tube  213  and no air is taken therein in a case where the chamber  212  is filled with the cleaning solution. 
         [0075]    The air bubble discharging section  214  is disposed on the top face of the chamber  212 . Also, a channel of air is formed so that air inside the chamber  212  to be discharged from the air bubble discharging section  214  is discharged into a waste liquid chamber  26  (see  FIG. 14 ) described below via an air bubble channel tube  25 . 
         [0076]    A notice section  215  is configured to emit or blink three colors of light including red, green, and orange according to a signal from the control section  2   a  of the measurement mechanism section  2 . Specifically, the notice section  215  includes a red LED capable of emitting and blinking in red and a green LED capable of emitting and blinking in green which are not shown. In a case where the notice section  215  emits/blinks red light, only the red LED is emitting/blinking, and in a case where the notice section  215  emits/blinks green light, only the green LED is emitting/blinking. In a case where the notice section  215  emits/blinks orange light, both the red LED and the green LED are emitting/blinking. The notice section  215  is provided on the upper end of the cleaning solution intake section  21  and the notice section  215  is disposed outside the first tank  50  while the cleaning solution intake section  21  is attached to the first tank  50  by the cap section  216 . The user thus becomes able to confirm the display by the notice section  215  with ease. 
         [0077]    As are shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8 , the lower float sensor SE 1  includes a cylindrical float section SE 1   a,  an axis section SE 1   b  disposed inside the inner peripheral section of the float section SE 1   a,  a magnet SE 1   c  provided to the float section SE 1   a,  and a lead switch SE 1   d  provided inside the axis section SE 1   b.  The float section SE 1   a  is configured to move in the vertical direction along the axis section SE 1   b  by buoyancy induced by liquid. The magnet SE 1   c  is provided in the shape of a ring on the outside of the inner peripheral section of the float section SE 1   a.  The lead switch SE 1   d  is configured to switch between an ON state and an OFF state as the magnet SE 1   c  moves in the vertical direction on the outside of the lead switch SE 1   d  together with the float section SE 1   a.  To be more concrete, it is configured in such a manner that in a case where the magnet SE 1   c  is present on the upper side from a predetermined position with respect to the lead switch SE 1   d,  the lead switch SE 1   d  switches to an OFF state whereas in a case where magnet SE 1   c  is on the lower side from the predetermined position, it switches to an ON state. More specifically, the lower float sensor SE 1  is configured in such a manner that when a remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  reaches the minimum fluid volume of the cleaning solution (for example,  21 ) (hereinafter, referred to as the first fluid volume) up to which it is possible for the measurement mechanism section  2  to complete all the analyses on plural specimens in the middle of the analysis processing for which the analysis has been already started, the magnet SE 1   c  moves to the predetermined position for the lead switch SE 1   d  to switch from an OFF state to an ON state. The lead switch SE 1   d  and the controller  2   a  are electrically connected to each other to enable the controller  2   a  to monitor the state of the lower float sensor SE 1 . 
         [0078]    The upper float sensor SE 2  is configured in the same manner as the lower float sensor SE 1 . To be more concrete, a float section SE 2   a,  an axis section SE 2   b,  a magnet SE 2   c,  and a lead switch SE 2   d  of the upper float sensor SE 2  correspond, respectively, to the float section SE 1   a,  the axis section SE 1   b,  the magnet SE 1   c,  and the lead switch SE 1   d  of the lower float sensor SE 1 . The upper float sensor SE 2 , however, is different from the lower float sensor SE 1  in the following point. The lead switch SE 2   d  of the upper float sensor SE 2  is configured to switch from an OFF state to an ON state when a remaining volume of the cleaning solution reaches a predetermined fluid volume lower than the remaining volume at which the lead switch SE 1   d  of the lower float sensor SE 1  switches from an OFF state to an ON state. To be more concrete, in a case where a remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  becomes so low that air is taken in together with the cleaning solution by the intake nozzle  211 , a fluid volume of the cleaning solution reserved in the chamber  212  decreases gradually in response to an amount of the cleaning solution supplied to the respective sections in the measurement mechanism section  2 . The upper float sensor SE 2  is configured in such a manner that in a case where a remaining volume in the first tank  50  reaches the minimum volume (hereinafter, referred to as the second liquid volume) up to which air bubbles are not mixed into the liquid taken into the connection tube  213 , the magnet SE 2   c  is moved to the predetermined position and the lead switch SE 2   d  switches from an OFF state to an ON state. The lead switch SE 2   d  and the controller  2   a  are electrically connected to each other to enable the controller  2   a  to also monitor the state of the upper float sensor SE 2 . 
         [0079]    A detailed description of the cleaning solution intake section  22  is omitted because it is of the same configuration as the cleaning solution intake section  21  described above. As are shown in  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 8 , the respective sections  211  through  216 , the lower float sensor SE 1  and the upper float sensor SE 2  of the cleaning solution intake section  21  correspond, respectively, to the respective sections  221  through  226 , the lower float sensor SE 3  and the upper float sensor SE 4  of the cleaning solution intake section  22 . 
         [0080]    In this embodiment, the controller  2   a  is configured to determine a fluid volume of the cleaning solution remaining in the first tank  50  according to four statuses defined by combinations of two states, an ON state and an OFF state, of the respective lower float sensor SE 1  and upper float sensor SE 2  of the cleaning solution intake section  21 . To be more concrete, as are shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , when the cleaning solution intake section  21  is inserted inside the first tank  50 , the float section SE 1   a  of the lower float sensor SE 1  is moved to the uppermost position up to which it can be moved by buoyancy of the cleaning solution, and the lower float sensor SE 1  switches to an OFF state. Also, because the chamber  212  is not filled with the cleaning solution yet, the float section SE 2   a  of the upper float sensor SE 2  is moved to the lowermost position up to which it can be moved, and the upper float sensor SE 2  switches to an ON state. In a case as described above where the lower float sensor SE 1  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the first fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which it is possible to complete the analyses on the specimens in the middle of analysis, is in an OFF state and the upper float sensor SE 2  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the second fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which air bubbles are not mixed into the liquid, is in an ON state, the controller  2   a  is configured to determine that the first tank  50  is in a state where the cleaning solution intake section  21  is being set (state  1 ). 
         [0081]    The controller  2   a  is configured to discharge air inside the chamber  212  into the waste liquid chamber  26  (see  FIG. 14 ) from the air bubble discharging section  214  by controlling an air bubble removing operation so that the air bubble suction section  23  is driven while the cleaning solution intake section  21  is being set (state  1 ). In association with this operation, as is shown in  FIG. 11 , the cleaning solution is taken into the intake nozzle  211  and the cleaning solution is reserved in the chamber  212 . In this instance, because the float section SE 2   a  of the upper float sensor SE 2  is moved to the uppermost position up to which it can be moved, the state of the upper float sensor SE 2  switches from an ON state to an OFF state. In a case as described above where the lower float sensor SE 1  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the first fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which it is possible to complete analyses on the specimens in the middle of analysis, is in an OFF state and the upper float sensor SE 2  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the second fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which air bubbles are not mixed into the liquid, is in an OFF state, the controller  2   a  is configured to determine the state of the first tank  50  as a state (state  2 ) where the remaining volume of the cleaning solution is high. 
         [0082]    In a case where the controller  2   a  determines the state as the state (state  2 ) where the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  is high, the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  decreases as the controller  2   a  controls a suction operation so that the cleaning solution suction section  20  is driven. As is shown in  FIG. 12 , in a case where the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  reaches the first fluid volume described above, the float section SE 1   a  of the lower float sensor SE 1  is moved to the predetermined position, and the lower float sensor SE 1  switches from an OFF state to an ON state. Because the chamber  212  is still filled with the cleaning solution, the upper float sensor SE 2  is maintained in an OFF state. In a case as described above where the lower float sensor SE 1  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the first fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which it is possible to complete the analyses on the specimens in the middle of analysis, is in an ON state and the upper float sensor SE 2  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the second fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which air bubbles are not mixed into the liquid, is in an OFF state, the controller  2   a  is configured to determine the state of the first tank  50  as a state (state  3 ) where the remaining volume of the cleaning solution is low. 
         [0083]    When the liquid level of the cleaning solution comes closer to the vicinity of the bottom section of the first tank  50  as the controller  2   a  continues to control the suction operation so that the cleaning solution suction section  20  is driven, air is taken into the chamber  212  from the intake nozzle  211 . In association with this, a fluid volume of the cleaning solution in the chamber  212  starts to decrease, and as is shown in  FIG. 13 , when the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  reaches the second fluid volume described above, the float section SE 2   a  of the upper float sensor SE 2  is moved to the predetermined position, and the upper float sensor SE 2  switches from an OFF state to an ON state. In this instance, because a small volume of the cleaning solution remains in the chamber  212 , it is a state where no air is taken into the connection tube  213  connected to the bottom section of the chamber  212 . In a case as described above where the lower float sensor SE 1  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the first fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which it is possible to complete the analyses on the specimens in the middle of analysis, is in an ON state and the upper float sensor SE 2  configured to detect whether the fluid volume has reached the second fluid volume, which is the minimum volume up to which air bubbles are not mixed into the liquid, is in an ON state, the controller  2   a  is configured to determine the state of the first tank  50  as a state (state  4 ) where there is no remaining volume of the cleaning solution. 
         [0084]    The controller  2   a  is also configured to determine a remaining volume of the cleaning solution as to the state of the second tank  60  according to the four states of the cleaning solution intake section  22  described above. 
         [0085]    In addition, the controller  2   a  is configured to perform a cleaning solution intake operation and an air bubble removing operation for the respective first tank  50  and second tank  60  according to the combinations of the four states of the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  described above. This will be described more concretely along operation flows of  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 24  described below. 
         [0086]    In this embodiment, the cleaning solution is used at plural sections in the measurement mechanism section  2 . However, a description will be given herein to a case where the cleaning solution stored in two tanks, the first tank  50  and the second tank  60 , is used in the cuvette processing section  18  described above. 
         [0087]    As is shown in  FIG. 14 , the first tank  50  of the cleaning solution is connected to the cuvette processing section  18  by the cleaning solution channel tube  24  via the solenoid valve V 1  and it is also connected to the waste liquid chamber  26  by the air bubble channel tube  25  via the solenoid valve V 2 . Likewise, the second tank  60  is connected to the cuvette processing section  18  by the cleaning solution channel tube  24  via the solenoid valve V 3  and it is also connected to the waste liquid chamber  26  by the air bubble channel tube  25  via the solenoid valve V 4 . These four solenoid valves V 1  through  4  are configured to be switched by the controller  2   a  so as to open or close their respective channels. It is thus possible to create a state where the cleaning solution is allowed to reach the cuvette processing section  18  from the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  or a state where the cleaning solution is not allowed to reach the cuvette processing section  18 . It is also possible to create a state where air inside the chambers  212  and  222  is allowed to reach the waste liquid chamber  26  or a state where air is not allowed to reach the waste liquid chamber  26 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  are flowcharts detailing a state monitor processing operation of the cleaning solution tanks at the start-up of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 17  through  FIG. 23  are views used to describe the state monitor processing operation of the cleaning solution tanks at the start-up of the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. The state monitor processing operation of the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  of the cleaning solution at the start-up of the immune analyzer  1  according to this embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 15  through  FIG. 23 . In the description of the operation below, the controller  2   a  determines the states of the respective tanks according to the four states set forth in  FIG. 9 . Also, in the description of the operation below, a description will be given to a case where the subject to be used is the first tank  50  of the cleaning solution. In a case where the subject to be used is the second tank  60 , operations are the same as in the description below except that the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  are replaced with each other. 
         [0089]    Initially, when the user starts the immune analyzer  1 , whether a remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  is high is determined in Step S 1 . To be more concrete, whether the state of the first tank  50  is the state  2  set forth in  FIG. 9  is determined by the controller  2   a  according to the state of the lower float sensor SE 1  and the state of the upper float sensor SE 2 . In a case where the remaining volume is high, whether a remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the second tank  60  is high is determined in Step S 2  in the same manner as with the first tank  50 . 
         [0090]    In a case where the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the second tank  60  is also high, a display control signal is transmitted to the control device  4  by the controller  2   a  in Step S 3  so that a predetermined display is shown on a reagent management screen SC 1  (see  FIG. 17 ) that is displayed on the display section  4   b  of the control device  4 . To be more concrete, as is shown in  FIG. 17 , a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that a first tank mark SC 1   a  for the cleaning solution to be used in the cuvette processing section  18  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and a second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green. 
         [0091]    Herein, the reagent management screen SC 1  shown in  FIG. 17  is displayed on the display section  4   b  of the control device  4  to enable the user to easily recognize the states of the reagents and the cleaning solution used at the respective sections in the measurement mechanism section  2 . For example, regarding the two tanks of the cleaning solution used in the cuvette processing section  18 , the first tank  50  and the second tank  60 , the state of each tank is displayed so that the user can recognize the states by display statuses of the first tank mark SC 1   a  and the second tank mark SC 1   b,  respectively. In addition, the lot numbers of the respective tanks are displayed on the first tank mark SC 1   a  and the second tank mark SC 1   b.    
         [0092]    The states of the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  are also displayed in the notice sections  215  and  225  of the cleaning solution intake sections  21  and  22  provided to the respective tanks by display statuses corresponding to the first tank mark SC 1   a  and the second tank mark SC 1   b  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . As is set forth in  FIG. 18 , a concrete correspondence is as follows. That is, in a case where the first tank  50  is in use, the first tank mark SC 1   a  on the reagent management screen SC 1  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” when the remaining volume is high whereas the notice section  215  is displayed to blink in orange. In a case where the remaining volume is low, the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” whereas the notice section  215  is displayed to blink in orange. The notice section  215  is displayed in corresponding display statuses in other states, too. The relation between the second tank mark SC 1   b  and the notice section  225  in the cleaning solution intake section  22  is the same as described above. 
         [0093]    In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the blinking of the notice sections  215  and  225  indicates that the corresponding tanks are “in use” (the subject to be used) and the emitting thereof indicates that the corresponding tanks are “on standby” (not the subject to be used). Also, in a case where the notice sections  215  and  225  emit red light, it indicates that there is no remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the tank and the user needs to replace with new tank. Accordingly, when the user replaces the tanks, the user is able to recognize easily which tank needs to be replaced even when plural tanks are present. In a case where the notice sections  215  and  225  emit green light, it indicates that the cleaning solution is remained in the corresponding tanks with a volume capable of being sucked and the corresponding tanks can be used. 
         [0094]    As will be described below, as to which one of the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  is to be used, switching is made automatically by the controller  2   a  in response to the states of the respective tanks. Alternatively, the user is able to switch the tanks manually. A reagent switch screen SC 2  shown in  FIG. 20  is displayed on the display section  4   b  as the user depresses a reagent switch button SC 1   c  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . It is possible to switch the tank to be used from the tank currently used to the other tank as the user depresses a switch button SC 2   a  on the reagent switch screen SC 2 . Hence, the tank from which the cleaning solution is to be taken in can be switched manually by the user. The lot number, the opened date, the remaining volume, and whether in use or not are displayed on the reagent switch screen SC 2  for each tank. 
         [0095]    In Step S 4 , the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange according to the correlation set forth in  FIG. 18  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 5 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0096]    Also, in a case where it is found in Step S 2  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not high, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low is determined in Step S 6 . In a case where the remaining volume is low, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 7  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 8  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 9 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0097]    In a case where it is found in Step S 6  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not low, whether there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60  is determined in Step S 10 . In a case where there is no remaining volume, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 11  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in red on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 12  and the LED  225  emits red light in Step S 13 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0098]    In a case where it is found in Step S 10  that not all the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is used, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 14  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . The case in Step S 10  where not all the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is used referred to herein is a case where the controller  2   a  determines that the second tank  60  is in a state where the cleaning solution intake section  22  is being set (see  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 ). Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 15  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 16 . Thereafter, in Step S 17 , the air bubble suction section  23  and the solenoid valves V 1  through  4  are controlled by the controller  2   a  so that air inside the chamber  222  of the cleaning solution intake section  22  on the second tank  60  side is removed. After the chamber  222  is filled with the cleaning solution by this air bubble removing operation, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 18  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0099]    In a case where it is found in Step S 1  that the remaining volume in the first tank  50  is not high, whether the remaining volume in the first tank  50  is low is determined in Step S 19 . In a case where the remaining volume is low, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high is determined in Step S 20 . In a case where the remaining volume is high, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 21  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 22  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 23 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0100]    In a case where it is found in Step S 20  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not high, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low is determined in Step S 24 . In a case where the remaining volume is low, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 25  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . In this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 21 , a message informing that the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section runs low is displayed in a display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 26  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 27 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0101]    In a case where it is found in Step S 24  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not low, whether there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60  is determined in Step S 28 . In a case where there is no remaining volume, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 29  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in red on the reagent management screen SC 1 . As is described above, in this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that a message informing that the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section runs low is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1  (see  FIG. 21 ). Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 30  and the LED  225  emits red light in Step S 31 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0102]    In a case where it is found in Step S 28  that not all the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is used, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 32  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 33  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 34 . Thereafter, in Step S 35 , the air bubble suction section  23  and the solenoid valves V 1  through  4  are controlled by the controller  2   a  in such a manner that air inside the chamber  222  of the cleaning solution intake section  22  on the second tank  60  is removed. When the chamber  222  is filled with the cleaning solution by the air bubble removing operation, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 36  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0103]    In a case where it is found in Step S 19  that the remaining volume in the first tank  50  is not low, whether there is no remaining volume in the first tank  50  is determined in Step S 37  shown in  FIG. 16 . In a case where there is no remaining volume, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high is determined in Step S 38 . In a case where the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high, the subject to be used is switched to the second tank  60  from the first tank  50  by the controller  2   a  in Step S 39 . In other words, the intake operation of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  by the cleaning solution intake section  21  is stopped and the intake operation of the cleaning solution in the second tank  60  by the cleaning solution intake section  22  is started. Subsequently, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 40  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” on the reagent management screen SC 1 . In this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 22 , a message informing that the tank of the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section was switched is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits red light in Step S 41  and the LED  225  is displayed to blink in-orange in Step S 42 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0104]    In a case where it is found in Step S 38  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not high, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low is determined in Step S 43 . In a case where the remaining volume is low, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 44  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . In this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 23 , a message informing that the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section has run out is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits red light in Step S 45  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 46 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0105]    In a case where it is found in Step S 43  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not low, whether there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60  is determined in Step S 47 . In a case where there is no remaining volume, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 48  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in red on the reagent management screen SC 1 . As with the description above, in this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that a message informing that the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section has run out is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1  (see  FIG. 23 ). Subsequently, the LED  215  emits red light in Step S 49  and the LED  225  emits red light in Step S 50 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0106]    In a case where it is found in Step S 47  that not all the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is used, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 51  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits red light in Step S 52  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 53 . Thereafter, the air bubble removing operation on the second tank  60  side is performed in Step S 54 . The subject to be used is then switched from the first tank  50  to the second tank  60  in Step S 55 . Subsequently, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 56  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” on the reagent management screen SC 1 . In this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 22 , a message informing that the tank of the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section was switched is displayed in the display section SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Also, the LED  225  of the cleaning solution intake section  22  on the second tank  60  side is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 57  and the operation is ended. 
         [0107]    In a case where it is found in Step S 37  that there is no remaining volume in the first tank  50 , whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high is determined in Step S 58 . In a case where the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 59  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits green light in Step S 60  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 61 . The air bubble removing operation on the first tank  50  side is then performed in Step S 62 . Subsequently, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 63  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC. Also, the LED  215  of the cleaning solution intake section  21  on the first tank  50  side is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 64  and the operation is ended. 
         [0108]    In a case where it is found in Step S 58  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not high, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low is determined in Step S 65 . In a case where the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 66  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits green light in Step S 67  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 68 . Thereafter, the air bubble removing operation on the first tank  50  side is performed in Step S 69 , and a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 70  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Also, the LED  215  of the cleaning solution intake section  21  on the first tank  50  side is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 71  and the operation is ended. 
         [0109]    In a case where it is found in Step S 65  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not low, whether there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60  is determined in Step S 72 . In a case where there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60 , a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 73  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in red on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits green light in Step S 74  and the LED  225  emits red light in Step S 75 . Thereafter, the air bubble removing operation on the first tank  50  side is performed in Step S 76 , and a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 77  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in red on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Also, the LED  215  of the cleaning solution intake section  21  on the first tank  50  side is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 78  and the operation is ended. 
         [0110]    In a case where it is found in Step S 72  that not all the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is used, a display control signal is transmitted by the control potion  2   a  in Step S 79  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, the LED  215  emits green light in Step S 80  and the LED  225  emits green light in Step S 81 . Thereafter, the air bubble removing operation is performed for both the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  in Step S 82 , and a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 83  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Also, the LED  215  of the cleaning solution intake section  21  on the first tank  50  side is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 84  and the operation is ended. 
         [0111]      FIG. 24  is still another flowchart used to describe the state monitor processing operation of the cleaning solution tanks during the analysis processing by the immune analyzer according to one embodiment of the invention. The state monitor processing operation of the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  of the cleaning solution during the measurement by the immune analyzer  1  of this embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 21  through  FIG. 24 . Hereinafter, the operation will be described in a case where the first tank  50  of the cleaning solution is the subject to be used. In a case where the second tank  60  is the subject to be used, operations are the same as in the description below except that the first tank  50  and the second tank  60  are replaced with each other. Hereinafter, the operation will be described for the two tanks, the first tank  50  and the second tank  60 . However, in actual operations, the operation detailed in  FIG. 24  is performed continuously as new tanks are successively supplied by the user. 
         [0112]    Initially, whether the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the first tank  50  is low is determined in Step S 101  and this determination is repeated until the remaining volume becomes low. In a case where the remaining volume is low, whether the remaining volume of the cleaning solution in the second tank  60  is high is determined in Step S 102 . In a case where the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 103  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1  (see  FIG. 17 ). Subsequently, whether there is no remaining volume in the first tank  50  is determined in Step S 104  and this determination is repeated until there is no remaining volume in the first tank  50 . 
         [0113]    In a case where there is no remaining volume, the subject to be used is switched from the first tank  50  to the second tank  60  by the controller  2   a  in Step S 105 . Also, in this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 21 , a message informing that the tank of the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section was switched is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 106  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Also, the LED  215  emits red light in Step S 107  and the LED  225  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 108 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0114]    In a case where it is found in Step S 102  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not high, whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low is determined in Step S 109 . In a case where the remaining volume is low, the analysis is suspended in Step S 110 . To be more concrete, the respective sections of the measurement mechanism section  2  are controlled by the controller  2   a  in such a manner that the analysis processing operation is continued for the specimens in the middle of the analysis processing alone without starting analyses on new specimens. 
         [0115]    Meanwhile, in a case where it is found in Step S 109  that the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is not low, whether there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60  is determined in Step S 116 . In a case where there is no remaining volume, the step proceeds to Step S 110 . 
         [0116]    Subsequently, on the reagent management screen SC 1 , the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” in Step S 111 . Also, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow in a case where the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low while it is displayed in red in a case where there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60 . In Step S 112 , whether there is no remaining volume in the first tank  50  is determined, and in a case where there is no remaining volume, all the analysis processing operations in the measurement mechanism section  2  are stopped in Step S 113 . Subsequently, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in S 114  so that, on the reagent management screen SC 1 , the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in yellow in a case where the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is low while the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in red in a case where there is no remaining volume in the second tank  60 . In this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 23 , a message informing that the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section has run out is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . The LED  215  then emits red light in Step S 115 . 
         [0117]    In a case where it is found in Step S 112  that not all the remaining volume in the first tank  50  is used, whether an instruction to resume the measurement from the user is accepted is determined in Step S 117 . The instruction to resume the measurement is issued as the user depresses a measurement start button SC 1   e  on the reagent management screen SC 1  shown in  FIG. 21 . The user is requested to replace the second tank  60  with a new tank by an error display in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1  shown in  FIG. 20 . When the instruction to resume the measurement is issued by the user after the tank replacing work, the operation is shifted to the one in Step S 102  so as to determine again whether the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is high. In a case where there is no instruction to resume the measurement, the flow proceeds to Step S 112 . 
         [0118]    In a case where it is found in Step S 116  that not all the remaining volume in the second tank  60  is used, the air bubble removing operation of the second tank  60  is performed in Step S 118 . A display control signal is then transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 119  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in yellow with an indication of “in use” and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, whether there is no remaining volume in the first tank  50  is determined in Step S 120  and this determination is repeated until there is no remaining volume. In a case where there is no remaining volume, the subject to be used is switched from the first tank  50  to the second tank  60  in Step S 121 . Also, in this instance, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  so that, as is shown in  FIG. 22 , a message informing that the tank of the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section was switched is displayed in the display region SC 1   d  on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Subsequently, a display control signal is transmitted by the controller  2   a  in Step S 122  so that the first tank mark SC 1   a  is displayed in red and the second tank mark SC 1   b  is displayed in green with an indication of “in use” on the reagent management screen SC 1 . Also, the LED  215  emits red light in Step S 123  and the LED  225  is displayed to blink in orange in Step S 124 . Thereafter, the operation is ended. 
         [0119]    As described above, in this embodiment, by providing in the cleaning solution intake section  21 , the lower float sensor SE 1  and the upper float sensor SE 2  configured to detect a fluid volume of the cleaning solution of the first tank  50  and the notice section  215  notifying that the first tank  50  needs to be replaced in response to detection results of the lower float sensor SE 1  and the upper float sensor SE 2 , the user is able to recognize easily that the first tank  50  needs to be replaced by means of the notice section  215  provided in the cleaning solution intake section  21 . Furthermore, by providing the notice section  215  in the cleaning solution intake section  21  which is set in the first tank  50 , the user is able to identify easily which tank needs to be replaced even when plural tanks containing the same cleaning solution are present by looking for the cleaning solution intake section  21  in which the notice section notifying the need of replacement is provided. Accordingly, the replacing work of the first tank  50  can be easily performed even when plural tanks are provided. 
         [0120]    Furthermore, in this embodiment, by configuring the notice section  215  such that it can emit or blink and notifies to identify whether the first tank  50  is in use or on standby by the emitting and blinking, the user is able to identify two display statuses of the emitting and blinking of the notice section  215  to thereby visually recognize whether the first tank  50  is in use or not with ease. 
         [0121]    Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display section  4   b  is provided and the control section  2   a  is configured to control the display section  4   b  in addition to the notice section  215  so as to notify that the first tank  50  needs to be replaced in response to the detection results of the lower float sensor SE 1  and the upper float sensor SE 2 , so that the user is able to identify that the first tank  50  needs to be replaced by the display section  4   b  in addition to the notice section  215 . 
         [0122]    It should be appreciated that the embodiment disclosed herein is a mere example in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the invention is limited not by the description of the embodiment above but solely by the scope of claims appended herein, and definitions equivalents to the scope of claims and all the changes within the scope are included in the invention. 
         [0123]    For example, the immune analyzer  1  was described as an example of the specimen analyzer in the embodiment above. The invention, however, is not limited to this example and the invention is also applicable to other specimen analyzers as long as it is a specimen analyzer using a reagent or a cleaning solution. 
         [0124]    Also, the cleaning solution intake section that takes in the cleaning solution for the cuvette processing section was described as an example of the intake section in the embodiment above. The invention, however, is not limited to this example, and the invention is also applicable to an intake section that takes in a cleaning solution or a reagent used at other sections in the measurement mechanism section. 
         [0125]    The float sensor was described as an example of the fluid volume sensor in the embodiment above. The invention, however, is not limited to this example, and other sensors are also available as long as it is a sensor capable of detecting a volume of the liquid. 
         [0126]    The embodiment above described a case where the controller  2   a  of the measurement mechanism section  2  performs the state monitor processing operation for each tank. The invention, however, is not limited to this case, and it may be configured in such a manner that the controller  4   a  of the control device  4  performs the state monitor processing operation for each tank. 
         [0127]    The above embodiment describes a case where the notice section  215  is constituted by LEDs. The invention, however, is not limited to this case, and the notice section may have configurations in which notification is performed by voice or other light-emitting elements if the use is able to recognize the notice from the notice section.