Abstract:
Disclosed is a cell analyzer comprising: a measuring device that includes a collecting section configured to collect target cells in a specimen with a filter, and is configured to measure the target cells collected by the collecting section; and a data processing device configured to analyze the target cells based on measurement data obtained by the measuring device, wherein the cell analyzer is operable in a first mode of measuring a clinical specimen collected from a subject and a second mode of measuring a quality control specimen containing particles having size capturable by the filter; and the data processing device is programmed to acquire an amount of particles collected by the collecting section based on measurement data of the quality control specimen obtained in the second mode, and output an alarm when the amount of particles meets a predetermined condition.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-073549 filed on Mar. 29, 2013, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a cell analyzer for collecting target cells in a specimen by a filter and analyzing them. The present invention also relates to a cell collecting apparatus, and a quality control method of the cell analyzer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There has been proposed a cell analyzer for analyzing cells contained in a biological specimen collected from a subject. WO 2006-103920 describes a cell analyzer for measuring, with a flow cytometer, epidermal cells contained in a specimen collected from a uterine cervix of a subject, and determining the progress status of canceration based on the measurement result. 
         [0004]    In such cell analyzer, the analysis is carried out on the individual cell, and thus the number of cells to be analyzed is desirably large in order to increase the analysis precision. US 2011-076755 A describes a cell analyzer enabled to concentrate cells in the specimen for increasing the number of cells to be analyzed while suppressing the amount of specimen. A filter is used in the cell analyzer for discriminating the cells to be measured. 
         [0005]    Since the filter is a consumable supply, it needs to be replaced after being used for a number of times. However, if the attachment of the filter is not adequate or if the filter is damaged, the target cell cannot be appropriately discriminated. In such a case, the abnormality of the filter is to be desirably recognized by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A first aspect of the present invention a cell analyzer comprising: a measuring device that includes a collecting section configured to collect target cells in a specimen with a filter, and is configured to measure the target cells collected by the collecting section; and a data processing device configured to analyze the target cells based on measurement data obtained by the measuring device, wherein the cell analyzer is operable in a first mode of measuring a clinical specimen collected from a subject and a second mode of measuring a quality control specimen containing particles having size capturable by the filter; and the data processing device is programmed to acquire an amount of particles collected by the collecting section based on measurement data of the quality control specimen obtained in the second mode, and output an alarm when the amount of particles meets a predetermined condition. 
         [0007]    A second aspect of the present invention is a cell collecting apparatus comprising: a filter provided with pores; a specimen supplying section configured to supply a specimen to the filter; a collecting section configured to collect particles captured by the filter; a detecting section configured to detect particles collected by the collecting section; and a data processing device programmed to cause the specimen supplying section to supply a quality control specimen containing particles of size capturable by the filter, cause the collecting section to collect the particles of the quality control specimen captured by the filter, cause the detecting section to detect the collected particles, acquire an amount of particles detected by the detecting section, and output an alarm when the amount of particles meets a predetermined condition. 
         [0008]    A third aspect of the present invention is a quality control method of a cell analyzer including a filter, a measuring section and a outputting section, the method comprising: supplying a quality control specimen containing a known amount of particles to the filter, wherein the filter is provided with pores of size capable of capturing the particles; measuring, by the measuring section, an amount of the particles captured by the filter; outputting, by the outputting section, an alarm of urging a replacement of the filter when the amount of particles captured by the filter meets a predetermined condition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a view showing a configuration of an outer appearance of a cell analyzer according to an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing an internal configuration of a measuring device according to the embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a side view showing a configuration of a flow cytometer according to the embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a plan view showing the configuration of the flow cytometer; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a configuration of a discriminating/substituting section according to the embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a motor according to the embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a plan view when a mechanism for driving a piston according to the embodiment is seen from above; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is a view showing a configuration of an accommodating body according to the embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a view showing a state in which the accommodating body according to the embodiment is cut; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of the accommodating body according to the embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  are views showing a configuration of a filter member according to the embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7C  and  FIG. 7D  are views showing a configuration of a stirrer according to the embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8A  is a side view showing a configuration of a piston according to the embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8B  is a perspective view showing a configuration of the piston according to the embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of when the piston, the supporting plate, the filter member, the stirrer, and the accommodating body according to the embodiment are cut along a plane passing through a center axis; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A  to  FIG. 10D  are views showing the procedure of installing the filter member according to the embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a view showing a fluid processing section of a measuring device according to the embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12A  to  FIG. 12I  are views schematically showing the state of liquid in an accommodating unit and a space according to the embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a view showing a configuration of a measuring device according to the embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a view showing a configuration of a data processing device according to the embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing processes of the cell analyzer in a normal measurement mode according to the embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing processes of the cell analyzer in a quality control measurement mode according to the embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17A  is a view showing a result screen according to the embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17B  is a view showing an error list screen according to the embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing processes of the cell analyzer in the quality control measurement mode according to a first variant; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart showing processes of the cell analyzer in the quality control measurement mode according to a second variant; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20A  is a view showing a flowchart showing processes of the cell analyzer in the normal measurement mode according to a third variant; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20B  is a view showing a flowchart showing processes of the cell analyzer in the quality control measurement mode according to the third variant; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 20C  is a view showing a measurement start button according to the third variant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a cell analyzer configured to prepare a measurement specimen including cells in a clinical specimen collected from a subject (patient) and to acquire information associated with canceration of cells based on the prepared measurement specimen. A cell analyzer  1  according to the present embodiment will be hereinafter described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a view showing a configuration of an outer appearance of the cell analyzer  1 . 
         [0040]    The cell analyzer  1  flows a measurement specimen containing cells (hereinafter referred to as “analyzing target cell”) collected from a subject through a flow cell, and irradiates the measurement specimen flowing through the flow cell with a laser light. Forward scattered light, side scattered light, fluorescence occurred from the particles in the measurement specimen are detected and light signals thereof are analyzed, thus determining whether or not the cells contain cancer cells or cells in progress of canceration. In the following embodiment, the analyzing target cell analyzed by the cell analyzer  1  is an epidermal cell of the uterine cervix collected from the subject. The cell analyzer  1  is used for screening the uterine cervical cancer. 
         [0041]    The cell analyzer  1  includes a measuring device  2  configured to perform measurement, and the like of the analyzing target cell, and a data processing device  3  connected to the measuring device  2  and configured to perform analysis, and the like of the measurement data. On a front surface of the measuring device  2  is installed a sample setting section  2   a  for setting a plurality of specimen containers  4  (see  FIG. 2 ), each of which contains a mixed solution (specimen) of a preservative solution having methanol as the main component and a cell collected from the uterine cervix of the subject. A cover  2   b  is arranged on the measuring device  2 , and the user opens the cover  2   b  upward to access the inside of the measuring device  2 . An opening  2   c  through which a sample pipette section  11 , to be described later, is inserted and removed is arranged in the measuring device  2 . The data processing device  3  includes a display section  31  configured to display an analysis result, and the like, and an input section  32  configured to receive an instruction from the user. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing an internal configuration of the measuring device  2 . 
         [0043]    The sample setting section  2   a  sequentially transports a rack  4   a , on which a plurality of specimen containers  4  is set, up to an aspirating position of the specimen by the sample pipette section  11 . The sample pipette section  11  includes a pipette  11   a  extending in a vertical direction, and is configured to aspirate and discharge the specimen by moving the pipette  11   a  in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. 
         [0044]    When the specimen container  4  is positioned at the aspirating position of the sample setting section  2   a , the specimen contained in the specimen container  4  is aspirated by the sample pipette section  11 , and discharged to a specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of a first dispersion section  12 . The first dispersion section  12  disperses aggregating cells contained in the specimen by applying a shear force. A part of the specimen, in which the process (first dispersion process) by the first dispersion section  12  is completed, is aspirated by the sample pipette section  11 , and discharged to a specimen take-in portion  13   a  of a sub-detecting section  13 . The sub-detecting section  13  includes a flow cytometer  40 , and performs the measurement of the specimen (hereinafter referred to as “pre-measurement”) before the process by the discriminating/substituting section  14 , to be described later. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3A  is a view showing a configuration of the flow cytometer  40  of the sub-detecting section  13 . 
         [0046]    The specimen discharged to the specimen take-in portion  13   a  is supplied to a flow cell  43 , and the laser light exit from the semiconductor laser  41  is collected on the specimen flowing through the flow cell  43  by a lens system  42  including a plurality of lenses. The lens system  42  is configured by a collimator lens  42   a , a cylinder lens system including plano-convex cylinder lens  42   b  and biconcave cylinder lens  42   c , and a condenser lens system including condenser lens  42   d  and condenser lens  42   e.    
         [0047]    The light collecting lens  44  collects the forward scattered light generated by the cells in the specimen at a scattered light detector including a photodiode  45 . The photodiode  45  converts the received light signal to an electric signal, and outputs the forward scattered light signal (FSC). The FSC is amplified by a pre-amplifier (not shown) and output to a signal processing section  27  (see  FIG. 13 ) of the measuring device  2 . 
         [0048]    Returning back to  FIG. 2 , the number of analyzing target cells contained in the specimen supplied to the sub-detecting section  13  is acquired based on the FSC acquired by the pre-measurement, and the concentration of the analyzing target cell contained in the specimen supplied to the sub-detecting section  13  is calculated based on the acquired number of analyzing target cells. The amount (volume) of specimen to be supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is determined based on the calculated concentration. The specimen accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12  is aspirated by the volume determined as above by the sample pipette section  11 , and the aspirated specimen is discharged to an accommodating unit  210  (see  FIG. 6A ) of the discriminating/substituting section  14 . A predetermined number of analyzing target cells are accommodated in the accommodating unit  210 . 
         [0049]    The discriminating/substituting section  14  substitutes the preservative solution having methanol contained in the specimen as the main component with diluted solution. In other words, the discriminating/substituting section  14  executes the process of diluting the concentration of methanol contained in the specimen using the diluted solution so that the cell staining process in the post-step can be suitably carried out. Tris-HCl (tris buffer) is used for the diluted solution. The discriminating/substituting section  14  discriminates the analyzing target cell (epidermal cell of uterine cervix) contained in the specimen, and the other cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria and foreign substances. The concentrated solution in which the analyzing target cell is concentrated so as to include number of cells necessary for detecting the cancer cell is thereby obtained. The detailed configuration of the discriminating/substituting section  14  will be described later. 
         [0050]    The specimen container  5  set in a holder  18   b  of a reaction section  18  is gripped by a scissor-shaped grip portion  15   a  of a container transfer section  15 , and positioned at a specimen hand-over portion  11   b . Subsequently, the concentrated solution accommodated in the accommodating unit  210  of the discriminating/substituting section  14  is aspirated by the sample pipette section  11 , and discharged to the specimen container  5  positioned at the specimen hand-over portion  11   b . The container transfer section  15  transfers the specimen container  5  to a second dispersion section  16 . 
         [0051]    The second dispersion section  16  applies an ultrasonic vibration to the specimen concentrated in the discriminating/substituting section  14 . The aggregating cells remaining after the first dispersion process are dispersed to a single cell. The specimen container  5 , in which the process (second dispersion process) by the second dispersion section  16  is completed, is set in a liquid removing section  17  by the container transfer section  15 . The liquid removing section  17  removes (drains) the liquid attached to the outer surface of the specimen container  5 . The specimen container  5 , in which the process by the liquid removing section  17  is completed, is set in the holder  18   b  of the reaction section  18  by the container transfer section  15 . 
         [0052]    The reaction section  18  warms the specimen container  5  set in the holder  18   b  to a predetermined temperature (about 37 degrees), and advances the reaction between the specimen in the specimen container  5  and the reagent added by a first reagent adding section  19  and a second reagent adding section  20 . The reaction section  18  includes a circular rotation table  18   a  configured to be rotatable, where a plurality of holders  18   b  are arranged on an outer circumferential portion of the rotation table  18   a  so that the specimen container  5  can be set therein. 
         [0053]    The first reagent adding section  19  and the second reagent adding section  20  respectively includes a supplying portion  19   a ,  20   a  movable to the positions P1, P2 above the specimen container  5  set in the rotation table  18   a . The first reagent adding section  19  and the second reagent adding section  20  respectively adds a predetermined amount of reagent from the supplying portion  19   a ,  20   a  into the specimen container  5  when the specimen container  5  is transported to the positions P1, P2 by the rotation table  18   a.    
         [0054]    The reagent added by the first reagent adding section  19  is RNase for performing the RNA removing process on the cell, and the reagent added by the second reagent adding section  20  is a stain solution for performing the DNA staining process on the cell. According to the RNA removing process, the RNA in the cell is decomposed, so that only the DNA of the cell nucleus can be measured. The DNA staining process is carried out by propidium iodide (PI), which is the fluorescence stain solution containing pigment. The staining is selectively performed on the nucleus in the cell by the DNA staining process. The fluorescence from the nucleus can be detected. 
         [0055]    A specimen aspirating section  21  includes a pipette  21   a  movable to a position P3 above the specimen container  5  set in the rotation table  18   a , and aspirates the specimen (measurement specimen) added with the reagent in the specimen container  5  when the specimen container  5  is transported to the position P3 by the rotation table  18   a . The specimen aspirating section  21  supplies a measurement specimen aspirated by the pipette  21   a  to a main detecting section  22  through a flow path (not shown). The main detecting section  22  includes a flow cytometer  50 , and performs the measurement (hereinafter referred to as “actual measurement”) of the measurement specimen prepared in the above manner. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3B  is a view showing a configuration of the flow cytometer  50  of the main detecting section  22 . 
         [0057]    The semiconductor laser  51 , the lens system  52 , the flow cell  53 , the light collecting lens  54 , and the photodiode  55  are similar to the configuration shown in  FIG. 3A . In other words, the measurement specimen aspirated by the pipette  21   a  of the specimen aspirating section  21  is supplied to the flow cell  53 , and the laser light exit from the semiconductor laser  51  is collected at the measurement specimen flowing through the flow cell  53 . The photodiode  55  converts the received light signal to an electric signal, and outputs the forward scattered light signal (FSC). 
         [0058]    The light collecting lens  56  collects the side scattered light and the fluorescence generated by the analyzing target cell and the nucleus in such cell, and introduces the same to a dichroic mirror  57 . The dichroic mirror  57  reflects the side scattered light toward a photomultiplier  58 , and transmits the fluorescence toward a photomultiplier  59 . The side scattered light is collected at the photomultiplier  58 , and the fluorescence is collected at the photomultiplier  59 . The photomultipliers  58 ,  59  convert the received light signal to an electric signal, and respectively output the side scattered light signal (SSC) and the fluorescence signal (FL). The FSC, the SSC, and the FL are amplified by a pre-amplifier (not shown), and output to a signal processing section  24  (see  FIG. 13 ) of the measuring device  2 . 
         [0059]    Returning back to  FIG. 2 , the number of analyzing target cells contained in the measurement specimen supplied to the main detecting section  22  is detected similar to the case of the pre-measurement based on the FSC acquired by the actual measurement. The determination on the canceration of the analyzing target cells is carried out in the data processing device  3  based on the FSC, the SSC, and the FL acquired by the actual measurement. A container washing section  23  discharges washing liquid into the specimen container  5  set in the rotation table  18   a  to wash the interior of the specimen container  5  of after the measurement specimen is supplied to the main detecting section  22  by the specimen aspirating section  21 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a configuration of the discriminating/substituting section  14 . In  FIG. 4 , the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the positive direction of the Z-axis and the negative direction of the Z-axis are upward direction and downward direction, respectively. 
         [0061]    A base  100  is a plate-shaped member parallel to the XY plane. An accommodating body  200 , supporting members  110 ,  130 ,  170 , and a rail  150  are installed on the base  100 . In addition, various mechanisms, and the like are installed on the base  100 , but the illustration of such mechanisms, and the like is omitted in  FIG. 4  for the sake of convenience. 
         [0062]    The supporting member  110  is a plate-shaped member parallel to the XZ plane, where a hole  111  (see  FIG. 9 ) that passes through in the Y-axis direction is formed in the supporting member  110 . The upper plate  120  is installed on the upper surfaces of the accommodating body  200  and the supporting member  110 . The upper plate  120  is positioned in the measuring device  2  such that the user can access the upper plate  120  when the cover  2   b  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the measuring device  2  is opened upward. 
         [0063]    The upper plate  120  is formed with holes  120   a ,  120   b  passing in the up and down direction. The pipette  11   a  of the sample pipette section  11  performs aspiration and discharging of specimen with respect to the accommodating unit  210  of the accommodating body  200 , to be described later, through the hole  120   a . The user opens the cover  2   b  provided on the measuring device  2  to install and take out the filter member F with respect to the accommodating unit  220  of the accommodating body  200 , to be described later, through the hole  120   b  along the broken arrow (vertical direction). 
         [0064]    The upper plate  120  is a member having translucency, where sensors  121 ,  122  including the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are installed on the upper plate  120 . When the filter member F is correctly installed, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the sensor  121  is shielded by the filter member F, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the sensor  122  is passed through a cutout F6 (see  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B) of the filter member F. When the filter member F is installed with the surfaces F1, F2 (see  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B) of the filter member F reversed, the light emitted from the light emitting portions of the sensors  121 ,  122  is shielded by the filter member F. Whether or not the filter member F is correctly set thus can be detected. 
         [0065]    The supporting member  130  supports the motor  141 . The supporting member  151  is installed to be slidably movable in the Y-axis direction on the rail  150 . A flange part  152  and a piston  160  are installed on the supporting member  151 , and tubes T1 to T4 are connected to the piston  160 . Sensors  171 ,  172  including the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are installed on the supporting member  170 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the motor  141 . The rotation axis of the motor  141  is parallel to the Y-axis, and coincides with the center axis A, to be described later. A magnet  142  is installed on the distal end on the negative direction side of the Y-axis of the motor  141 . When the motor  141  is driven and the magnet  142  is rotated within the XZ plane, the stirrer R, to be described later, is rotated through the wall of the accommodating body  200 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 5B  is a plan view of when the mechanism for driving the piston  160  is seen from above. In  FIG. 5B , the illustration of the piston  160  is omitted for the sake of convenience. The supporting member  151  is fixed to a belt  181 . The belt  181  is supported by pulleys  182 ,  183 . The pulley  182  is connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor installed on the lower surface side of the base  100 . When the stepping motor is driven, the supporting member  151  is slidably moved in the Y-axis direction on the rail  150 , and the piston  160  is driven in the Y-axis direction. The sensors  171 ,  172  are installed at positions where a light shielding portion  152   a  of a flange part  152  installed on the supporting member  151  can be detected. It can be detected that the piston  160  is positioned on the leftmost side and positioned on the rightmost side by the detection signals of the sensors  171 ,  172 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 6A  is a view showing a configuration of the accommodating body  200 .  FIG. 6B  is a view showing a state in which the accommodating body  200  is cut along a plane including a wall portion  222  in  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 6C  is a side view when the accommodating body  200  shown in  FIG. 6B  is seen in the positive direction of the Y-axis. 
         [0069]    With reference to  FIG. 6A , the accommodating units  210 ,  220  are formed in the accommodating body  200 . An insertion port  211  positioned at the upper part of the accommodating unit  210  is connected to a hole  120   a  of the upper plate  120 , and an insertion port  221  positioned at the upper part of the accommodating unit  220  is connected to a hole  120   b  of the upper plate  120 . The accommodating unit  220  includes the wall portion  222  parallel to the XZ plane, where the wall portion  222  is formed with a recess  230  to which the stirrer R, to be described later, is accommodated. A bottom surface  223  of the accommodating unit  220  has a curved surface, and a hole H21 is formed at the lowermost position of the bottom surface  223 . The negative direction side of the Y-axis of the accommodating unit  220  is opened. 
         [0070]    With reference to  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the recess  230  includes an opening  231  that opens the recess  230  toward the negative direction of the Y-axis, an inner side surface  232  that is circular when seen in the Y-axis direction, a retaining portion  233  formed on the lower side of the inner side surface  232 , and a wall portion  234  parallel to the XZ plane. The recess  230  is spaced apart from the accommodating unit  210  in plan view, that is, in a direction (horizontal direction) within the XY plane. The center axis A shown with a dotted line in  FIG. 6B  is an axis that passes through the circular center of when the inner side surface  232  is seen in the Y-axis direction and that is parallel to the Y-axis direction. The retaining portion  233  is formed in the inner side surface  232  so as to be recessed in a direction of separating from the center axis A. A hole H22 is formed at the lowermost position of the retaining portion  233 . A hole H23 is formed in the wall portion  234  at a position where the center axis A intersects with the wall portion  234 . 
         [0071]    The accommodating unit  210  has a shape in which the interior gradually narrows in the depth direction (downward direction). Holes H11 to H13 are formed at the upper part of the inner side surface of the accommodating unit  210 , and holes H14, H15 are formed at the deepest part of the accommodating unit  210 . The hole H14 is connected to the hole H22 of the retaining portion  233  through a flow path  241 , and the hole H15 is connected to the hole H16 formed in an outer surface of the accommodating body  200  through a flow path  242 . The arrangement of the accommodating unit  210 , the recess  230 , and the flow path  241  is adjusted such that the hole H14 becomes lower than the hole H22. The hole H16 is connected to a valve V25 (see  FIG. 11 ), and the diameter of the flow path  242  is sufficiently small. Thus, the specimen accommodated in the accommodating unit  210  does not flow toward the lower side than the hole H15. 
         [0072]    Pins  212  to  214  are installed in the accommodating unit  210 . The pins  212  to  214  are connected to a resistance type liquid level sensor unit  293  (see  FIG. 13 ). The liquid level sensor unit  293  detects whether or not the liquid level in the accommodating unit  210  is higher than the height position of the pin  212  based on a current-flowing state of the pins  212 ,  214 , and detects whether or not the liquid level in the accommodating unit  210  is higher than the height position of the upper part of the pin  213  based on the current-flowing state of the pins  213 ,  214 . 
         [0073]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views showing a configuration of the filter member F.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  also show the coordinate axis of when the filter member F is appropriately set with respect to the accommodating unit  220 . 
         [0074]    The filter member F includes surfaces F1, F2 parallel to the XZ plane, a hole F3 that passes through the filter member F in the Y-axis direction, a filter F4, a thin-film like rubber F51 installed on the surface F1, and a thin-film like rubber F52 installed on the surface F2. The surfaces F1, F2 are positioned on the positive direction side of the Y-axis and the negative direction side of the Y-axis, respectively. The hole F3 has a tubular inner side surface F31. The filter F4 is installed such that the filtering surface is parallel to the XZ plane with respect to the inner side surface F31 of the hole F3. The filter F4 is provided with a plurality of pores each having a diameter that allows cells smaller than the analyzing target cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, and foreign substances to pass through, but does not allow the analyzing target cells (epidermal cells of the uterine cervix) to pass through. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the hole of the filter F4 is set to 10 μm. Furthermore, the distance between the filter F4 and the surface F1 is smaller than the distance between the filter F4 and the surface F2 in the Y-axis direction. The rubber F51 is installed at the periphery of the opening on the surface F1 side of the hole F3, and a surface F11, which is a part of the surface F1, is exposed between the opening on the surface F1 side of the hole F3 and the rubber F51. The rubber F52 is installed at the periphery of the opening on the surface F2 side of the hole F3. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 7C and 7D  are views showing a configuration of the stirrer R.  FIGS. 7C and 7D  also show the coordinate axis of when the stirrer R is accommodated in the recess  230 . 
         [0076]    The stirrer R includes a body portion R1 having a tubular shape, surfaces R2, R3 parallel to the XZ plane, and a magnet R4. The surfaces R2, R3 are positioned on the negative direction side of the Y-axis and the positive direction side of the Y-axis, respectively. A tubular projection R21 that projects out in the negative direction side of the Y-axis with respect to the surface R2 is formed on the surface R2, and the diameter of the projection R21 is smaller than the diameter of the outer circumference of the surface R2. A flange part R21a is further formed on the projection R21. A groove R31 that intersects at the center of the surface R3 is formed in the surface R3. The magnet R4 is installed to pass the center of the stirrer R and pass through the stirrer R within the XZ plane. Thus, the stirrer R rotates around the Y-axis as the center when the magnet  142  shown in  FIG. 5A  is rotated by the motor  141 . 
         [0077]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, showing the configuration of the piston  160 . 
         [0078]    The piston  160  includes a distal end  161  having a circular column shape in the positive direction side of the Y-axis. On the positive direction side of the Y-axis of the distal end  161  is formed a recess  162 , an opening  163  that opens the recess  162  in the positive direction side of the Y-axis, and a surface  164 . Holes H31 to H34 are formed on the surface on the negative direction side of the Y-axis of the recess  162 , and the holes H31 to H34 are connected to the tubes T1 to T4 through a flow path arranged inside the piston  160 . An L-shaped pipe  165  is connected to the hole H31, and the distal end of the pipe  165  is positioned at the upper part (positive direction side of the Z-axis) in the recess  162 . The surface  164  is parallel to the XZ plane, and is formed at the periphery of the opening  163 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of when the piston  160 , the supporting member  110 , the filter member F, the stirrer R, and the accommodating body  200  are cut along the YZ plane passing through the center axis A. In  FIG. 9 , each section is illustrated in a state spaced apart in the Y-axis direction for the sake of convenience. Furthermore, d11 to d16 indicate the length in the Z-axis direction, and the values of which become large in such order. Moreover, d21 to d26 indicate the length in the Y-axis direction, and the values of which become large in such order. 
         [0080]    In the piston  160 , the diameter of the recess  162  is d12, and the diameter of the outer circumference of the surface  164  is d15. In the supporting member  110 , the diameter of the hole  111  is d16. In the filter member F, the diameter of the hole F3 is d12, the diameter of the outer circumference of the surface F11 is d14, the interval of the surface F1 and the filter F4 is d22, the interval of the surface F2 and the filter F4 is d23, and the interval of the surfaces F1, F2 is d24. In the stirrer R, the diameter of the body portion R1 is d13, the diameter of the projection R21 is d11, the width of the body portion R1 is d25, and the width of the projection R21 including the flange part R21a is d21. In the accommodating body  200 , the diameter of the inner side surface  232  is d14, and the width of the recess  230  is d26. 
         [0081]    The recess  162 , the outer circumference of the surface  164 , the hole  111 , the hole F3, the outer circumference of the surface F11, the body portion R1, the projection R21, and the recess  230  when seen from the Y-axis direction are circular, and the centers of the circles coincide with the center axis A. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 10A to 10D  are views showing a procedure in which the filter member F is installed in the accommodating unit  220 .  FIGS. 10A to 10D  are cross-sectional views similar to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 10A  is a view showing a state in which the filter member F is not installed in the accommodating unit  220 . In this case, the piston  160  is positioned at the leftmost side, and the surface R3 of the stirrer R is pulled toward the right direction by the magnet  142  (see  FIG. 5A ) and grounded to the wall portion  234 . When the filter member F is inserted into the accommodating unit  220  through the hole  120   b  of the upper plate  120  and the insertion port  221  of the accommodating unit  220  from the state of  FIG. 10A , the state shown in  FIG. 10B  is obtained. In this case, the filter member F is supported in the upward direction by the bottom surface  223  of the accommodating unit  220 . 
         [0084]    When the piston  160  is positioned on the rightmost side from the state shown in  FIG. 10B , the surface  164  of the piston  160  is pushed against the rubber F52 of the filter member F, and the rubber F51 of the filter member F is pushed against the wall portion  222  of the accommodating unit  220 , as shown in  FIG. 10C . Thus, the recess  230  and the recess  162  are joined by way of the filter F4. In this case, the opening  231  of the recess  230  is blocked by the filter member F, so that a space S1 closed with respect to the exterior is formed. Furthermore, the opening  163  of the recess  162  is closed by the filter member F, so that a space S2 closed with respect to the exterior is formed. 
         [0085]    The space S1 is specifically formed by the side surface on the recess  230  side of the filter F4, the inner side surface F31, the surface F11, the rubber F51, the inner side surface  232 , the retaining portion  233 , and the wall portion  234 . In this case, the space S1 is structurally connected to the exterior through the holes H22, H23. However, the hole H22 is in a substantially closed state since the specimen is retained at the deepest portion of the accommodating unit  210  positioned at the lower end of the flow path  241  beyond the hole H22 during the process of discrimination/substitution. A valve V24 (see  FIG. 11 ) capable of closing the flow path is installed in the flow path beyond the hole H23, and only the diluted solution is externally flowed into the space S1 in the hole H23, so that the hole H23 is in a substantially closed state. Thus, the space S1 is a space closed with respect to the exterior. 
         [0086]    As described above, the filter F4 has a hole having a diameter that allows cells, and the like having a smaller diameter than the analyzing target cell to pass through and that does not allow the analyzing target cell to pass through. The cells, and the like having a smaller diameter than the analyzing target cell in the space S1 thus pass through the filter F4, but the analyzing target cell in the space S1 remains in the space S1. 
         [0087]    The space S2 is specifically formed by the side surface on the side opposite to the recess  230  of the filter F4, the inner side surface F31, the rubber F52, and the recess  162 . In this case, the space S2 is structurally connected to the exterior through the holes H31 to H34. However, the holes H31 to H34 are in a substantially closed state since a valve capable of closing the flow path is installed in the flow path beyond the holes H31 to H34. Thus, the space S2 is a space closed with respect to the exterior. 
         [0088]    When the magnet  142  (See  FIG. 5A ) is rotated in the state shown in  FIG. 10C , the stirrer R is rotated along the side surface (filtering surface) on the recess  230  side of the filter F4 around the center axis A as the center. In this case, the groove R31 is formed in the plane R3 of the stirrer R, as shown in  FIG. 7D . Thus, the diluted solution can smoothly flow from the hole H23 into the space S1. 
         [0089]    Furthermore, when rotated by the magnet  142 , the stirrer R can separate away from the wall portion  234  and move toward the filter member F, as shown in  FIG. 10D . However, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the width d21 of the projection R21 including the flange part R21a is smaller than the interval d22 of the surface F11 and the filter F4, the diameter d11 of the projection R21 is smaller than the diameter d12 of the hole F3, and the outer circumference of the surface R2 (diameter of the body portion R1) d13 is greater than the diameter d14 of the hole F3. As shown in  FIG. 10D , the projection R21 including the flange part R21a makes contact with the filter F4 when the surface R2 makes contact with the surface F11 thus preventing the filter F4 from being damaged. 
         [0090]      FIG. 11  is a view showing the fluid processing section FL of the measuring device  2 . 
         [0091]    The valves V11 to V15, V21 to V26 are configured to be able to switch a state of opening the flow path and a state of closing the flow path. The valves V16, V17 are configured to be able to connect either one of the flow paths connected to the left side with respect to the one flow path on the right side. The holes H31 to H34 are connected to the valve V15, the valve V17, the valve V11, and the valves V12, V14. The holes H11 to H13 are connected to the valves V21 to V23. The holes H23, H16, H21 are connected to the valves V24, V25, V26. A negative pressure source P11 is connected to the valves V12, V13, V23, V25, V26, and a positive pressure source P12 is connected to the valve V17. A regulator P13 for making the pressure constant is connected to the valves V  13  to V15. 
         [0092]      FIGS. 12A to 12I  are views schematically showing the state of the liquid in the accommodating unit  210  and the spaces S1, S2 in the discriminating/substituting process. 
         [0093]    When the discriminating/substituting process is started, the piston  160  and the filter member F are in the state shown in  FIG. 10C , and the interior of the accommodating unit  210  and the spaces S1, S2 is washed. The state of the liquid then becomes the state shown in  FIG. 12A . 
         [0094]    A preparation control section  28  starts the rotation of the stirrer R with the valves V11 to V15 and V21 to V26 closed, the flow path on the atmosphere open side of the valve V  16  closed, and the flow path on the positive pressure source P12 side of the valve V17 closed. The preparation control section  28  then fills the space S1 with the diluted solution. Specifically, the valve V24 is first opened and the diluted solution is supplied into the space S1 through the hole H23. The diluted solution then moves to the accommodating unit  210  through the flow path  241 . When a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid level has reached the height of the pin  212 , the valve V24 is closed and the supply of the diluted solution is stopped. The liquid level is in the state shown in  FIG. 12B . The valves V13, V15 are then opened, and the negative pressure is applied to the space S2 through the hole H31 by the negative pressure source P11, whereby the diluted solution in the space S1 and the accommodating unit  210  is suctioned toward the space S2 through the filter F4. The valves V13, V15 are closed after the space S2 is filled with the diluted solution. Thus, the space S2 is filled with the diluted solution, as shown in  FIG. 12C . 
         [0095]    The preparation control section  28  then aspirates the specimen from the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12  by a volume determined based on the pre-measurement with the sample pipette section  11 . The preparation control section  28  then inserts the pipette  11   a  into the accommodating unit  210  through the hole  120   b  and the insertion port  211  from the upper side of the upper plate  120 , and discharges the aspirated specimen into the accommodating unit  210 . The liquid level is then in the state shown in  FIG. 12D . 
         [0096]    The preparation control section  28  then applies negative pressure to the space S2, and starts the suction of the liquid (diluted solution and specimen) in the space S1 and the accommodating unit  210 . Specifically, as the valves V13, V15 are opened and the negative pressure is applied to the space S2 by the negative pressure source P11, the liquid in the space S1 and the accommodating unit  210  is suctioned toward the space S2 through the filter F4. Subsequently, when the liquid level in the accommodating unit  210  reaches the height of the pin  213 , as shown in  FIG. 12E , the preparation control section  28  closes the valves V13, V15 and stops the suction by the negative pressure after elapse of a predetermined time. The liquid level is thus in the state shown in  FIG. 12F . 
         [0097]    The preparation control section  28  then applies a counter pressure (positive pressure) to the space S2, and pushes out the cells clogged in the hole of the filter F4 and the cells attached to the surface of the filter F4 on the space S1 side toward the space S1. Specifically, the cells are pushed out into the space S1 by opening the flow path on the positive pressure source P12 side of the valve V17 and applying positive pressure to the space S2 from the positive pressure source P12. After the pushing out by the counter pressure is finished, the flow path on the positive pressure source P12 side of the valve V17 is closed. 
         [0098]    The preparation control section  28  then supplies the diluted solution to the accommodating unit  210 . Specifically, the valve V24 is opened and the diluted solution is supplied into the space S1 through the hole H23. In this case, the diluted solution moves toward the accommodating unit  210  through the flow path  241 . When a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid level has reached the height of the pin  212 , the valve V24 is closed and the supply of the diluted solution is stopped. The liquid level is thereby in the state shown in  FIG. 12D . The processes shown in  FIGS. 12D to 12F  are repeated for a total of three times. Accordingly, the preservative solution having methanol contained in the specimen as the main component is substituted with the diluted solution, and the cells and foreign substances other than the analyzing target cells contained in the specimen are discriminated and transferred toward the space S2. The concentrated solution in which the analyzing target cells are concentrated is generated in the space S1. 
         [0099]    The preparation control section  28  then opens the space S2 to atmosphere. Specifically, the flow path on the atmosphere open side of the valve V17 and the valve V16 are opened and the interior of the space S2 is made to atmospheric pressure from when the liquid level is in the state shown in  FIG. 12F , so that the liquid in the space S1 moves toward the accommodating unit  210 . Subsequently, when the liquid level in the accommodating unit  210  reaches the height of the pin  213 , the preparation control section  28  closes the flow path on the atmosphere open side of the valve V17 and the valve V16, stops the opening of the space S2 to atmosphere, and stops the rotation of the stirrer R. The concentrated solution of the analyzing target cell generated in the space S1 is thereby moved from the space  51  toward the accommodating unit  210 , so that the liquid level is in the state shown in  FIG. 12G . The concentrated solution of the analyzing target cell is thus retained on the lower side of the accommodating unit  210 . In this case, the concentration of the concentrated solution is the highest at the lower side of the accommodating unit  210 , and becomes lower toward the space S1 from the lower side of the accommodating unit  210 . 
         [0100]    The preparation control section  28  then inserts the pipette  11   a  to the deepest portion of the accommodating unit  210  through the hole  120   b  and the insertion port  211  from the upper side of the upper plate  120 , as shown in  FIG. 12H . The preparation control section  28  aspirates the concentrated solution retained at the deepest portion of the accommodating unit  210  through the pipette  11   a . The liquid level is thus in the state shown in  FIG. 12I . The discriminating/substituting process is thereby terminated, and the subsequent processes are carried out based on the concentrated solution aspirated by the pipette  11   a.    
         [0101]      FIG. 13  is a view showing a configuration of the measuring device  2 . 
         [0102]    The measuring device  2  includes the sub-detecting section  13  and the main detecting section  22  shown in  FIG. 2 , and a preparation device section  29  including each section for automatically performing the preparation with respect to the specimen described above. The measuring device  2  also includes the signal processing section  24 , a measurement control section  25 , an I/O interface  26 , the signal processing section  27 , and the preparation control section  28 . 
         [0103]    The sub-detecting section  13  outputs the forward scattered light signal (FSC) by performing the pre-measurement. The signal processing section  27  processes the FSC output from the sub-detecting section  13 , and outputs to the preparation control section  28 . The preparation control section  28  includes a microprocessor  281  and a storage unit  282 . The microprocessor  281  is connected to the preparation device section  29 , and is connected to the data processing device  3  and the measurement control section  25  by way of the I/O interface  26 . 
         [0104]    The preparation device section  29  includes a sensor unit  291 , a motor unit  292 , the liquid level sensor unit  293 , an air pressure source  294 , a valve drive unit  295 , and the sample pipette section  11  and the specimen aspirating section  21  shown in  FIG. 2 . A mechanism unit  296  includes other mechanisms shown in  FIG. 2 . Each unit of the preparation drive section  29  is controlled by the preparation control section  28 , and the signal output from each unit of the preparation device section  29  is output to the preparation control section  28 . 
         [0105]    The sensor unit  291  includes sensors  121 ,  122 ,  171 ,  172  shown in  FIG. 4 . The motor unit  292  includes a motor  141  shown in  FIG. 5A , and a stepping motor connected to the pulley  182  shown in  FIG. 5B . The liquid level sensor unit  293  is connected to the pins  212  to  214  shown in  FIG. 6C . The air pressure source  294  includes the negative pressure source P11, the positive pressure source P12, and a positive pressure source for flowing liquid (diluted solution, washing solution, etc.) in the fluid processing section FL. The valve drive unit  295  includes a mechanism for electromagnetically driving each valve and the regulator P13 in the fluid processing section FL shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0106]    The main detecting section  22  performs the actual measurement to output the forward scattered light signal (FSC), the side scattered light signal (SSC), and the fluorescence signal (FL). The signal processing section  24  processes the FSC, the SSC, and the FL output from the main detecting section  22 , and then outputs to the measurement control section  25 . The measurement control section  25  includes a microprocessor  251  and a storage unit  252 . The microprocessor  251  is connected to the data processing device  3  and the preparation control section  28  by way of the I/O interface  26 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 14  is a view showing a configuration of the data processing device  3 . 
         [0108]    The data processing device  3  includes a personal computer, and is configured by a main body  30 , the display section  31 , and the input section  32 . The main body  30  includes a CPU  301 , a ROM  302 , a RAM  303 , a hard disk  304 , a readout device  305 , an image output interface  306 , an input/output interface  307 , and a communication interface  308 . The CPU  301  executes the computer program stored in the ROM  302  and the computer program loaded in the ROM  303 . 
         [0109]    The hard disk  304  is stored with an operating system, a computer program to be executed by the CPU  301 , and data used in the execution of the computer program. The hard disk  304  is also stored with a program  304   a  for performing processes (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) to be performed by the data processing device  3 . The readout device  305  is configured by a CD drive, a DVD drive, or the like, and is able to read out the computer programs and data recorded in a recording medium  305   a . If the program  304   a  is recorded in the recording medium  305   a , the program  304   a  read out from the recording medium  305   a  by the readout device  305  is stored in the hard disk  304 . 
         [0110]    The image output interface  306  outputs an image signal corresponding to the image data to the display section  31 , and the display section  31  displays the image based on the image signal output from the image output interface  306 . The user inputs instructions through the input section  32 , and the input/output interface  307  receives signals input through the input section  32 . The communication interface  308  is connected to the measuring device  2 , and the CPU  301  transmits and receives the instruction signal and the data with the measuring device  2  through the communication interface  308 . 
         [0111]    In the cell analyzer  1 , a mode (hereinafter referred to as “normal measurement mode”) of when measuring the clinical measurement specimen including cells collected from the subject, and a mode (hereinafter referred to as “quality control measurement mode”) of when measuring the quality control specimen used for determining the state of the measuring device  2  are prepared. The process in the normal measurement mode and the process in the quality control measurement mode will be described in order below. 
         [0112]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing the process of the cell analyzer  1  in the normal measurement mode. 
         [0113]    In the normal measurement mode, the specimen container  4 , which contains the mixed solution (specimen) of the preservative solution having methanol as the main component and the cells collected from the subject, is set in the sample setting section  2   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) by the user, and the process by the cell analyzer  1  is started. When the process is started, the preparation control section  28  of the measuring device  2  performs the first dispersion process on the aggregating cells in the specimen with the first dispersion section  12  (S 101 ). 
         [0114]    The preparation control section  28  performs the pre-measurement by the sub-detecting section  13  (S 102 ), and acquires the forward scattered light signal (FSC) for every particle contained in the specimen supplied to the sub-detecting section  13 . The preparation control section  28  acquires the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the sub-detecting section  13  based on the width and the peak value of the FSC obtained by the pre-measurement. The preparation control section  28  calculates the concentration of the specimen based on the acquired number of analyzing target cells and the volume of the specimen supplied to the sub-detecting section  13 . 
         [0115]    The preparation control section  28  then determines the volume of the specimen to be supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  based on the calculated concentration and the number of analyzing target cells to be supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 . Specifically, the volume of the specimen to be supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is determined so that more than necessary analyzing target cells are not supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  when the concentration of the specimen is high, and as much analyzing target cells as possible are supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  when the concentration of the specimen is low. The preparation control section  28  aspirates the specimen accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12  by the determined volume, and discharges the aspirated specimen to the accommodating unit  210  of the discriminating/substituting section  14  (S 103 ). 
         [0116]    The preparation control section  28  then calculates the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  from the volume of the specimen supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  and the concentration of the specimen acquired by the pre-measurement. The preparation control section  28  transmits the data (width and peak value of the FSC of each particle) acquired by the pre-measurement, and the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  to the data processing device  3  (S 104 ). The preparation control section  28  then performs the discrimination/substituting process by the discriminating/substituting section  14  (S 105 ), as described above. 
         [0117]    The preparation control section  28  then performs the second dispersion process on the aggregating cells in the specimen with the second dispersion section  16  (S 106 ). The preparation control section  28  then adds the reagent (RNase) to the specimen, performs the RNA removing process of the analyzing target cell in the specimen container  5 , adds the reagent (stain solution) to the specimen, and performs the DNA staining process of the analyzing target cell in the specimen container  5  (S 107 ). 
         [0118]    The measurement control section  25  of the measuring device  2  performs the actual measurement by the main detecting section  22  (S 108 ), and acquires the forward scattered light signal (FSC), the side scattered light signal (SSC), and the fluorescence signal (FL) for every particle contained in the measurement specimen supplied to the main detecting section  22 . The measurement control section  25  acquires the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the main detecting section  22  based on the width and the peak value of the FSC obtained by the actual measurement. The measurement control section  25  transmits the data (width and peak value of the FSC, SSC, FL of each particle) acquired by the actual measurement, and the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the main detecting section  22  to the data processing device  3  (S 109 ). 
         [0119]    When the measurement is started, the CPU  301  of the data processing device  3  waits the process until receiving the data, and the like of the pre-measurement transmitted from the measuring device  2  in S 104  (S 201 ), and proceeds the process to S 202  when receiving the data (S 201 : YES). The CPU  301  waits the process until receiving the data, and the like of the actual measurement transmitted from the measuring device  2  in S 109  (S 202 ), and proceeds the process to S 203  when receiving the data (S 202 : YES). The CPU  301  stores the received data of the pre-measurement, the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 , the data of the actual measurement, and the number of analyzing target cells supplied to the main detecting section  22  in the hard disk  304 . 
         [0120]    The CPU  301  then performs the analyzing process based on the FSC, the SSC, and the FL obtained by the actual measurement (S 203 ). Specifically, the characteristic parameters such as the forward scattered light intensity, the fluorescence intensity, and the like are acquired, and the frequency distribution data for analyzing cells and nuclei are created based on such characteristic parameters. The CPU  301  performs the discriminating process of the particles in the measurement specimen based on the frequency distribution data, and determines whether or not the analyzing target cell is abnormal, specifically, whether or not a cancerous cell (atypical cell). Subsequently, the CPU  301  displays the analysis result on the display section  31 . The process of the cell analyzer  1  in the normal measurement mode is thereby terminated. 
         [0121]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing the process of the cell analyzer  1  in the quality control measurement mode. In the process of the measuring device  2  in this case, S 111 , S 112  are added in place of S 104 , S 109  in the process of the measuring device  2  of the normal measurement mode shown in  FIG. 15 . Furthermore, in the process of the data processing device  3  in this case, S 211  to S 214  are added in place of S 203  in the process of the data processing device  3  of the normal measurement mode shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0122]    In the quality control measurement mode, the two specimen containers  4  containing the mixed solution (specimen) of the preservative solution having methanol as the main component and the quality control specimen are set in the sample setting section  2   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) by the user, and the process by the cell analyzer  1  is started. The specimens in the two specimen containers  4  used in the quality control measurement mode are taken into the measuring device  2  in order and processed. The quality control specimen contains particles (hereinafter referred to as “quality control particle”) having a particle diameter of the same extent as the analyzing target cell, where the diameter of the quality control particle is set to a value greater than the diameter (10 μm) of the hole of at least the filter F4, and is 15 μm in the present embodiment. 
         [0123]    When the process is started, the entire amount of specimen in the specimen container  4  is aspirated, and discharged to the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12 . The preparation control section  28  of the measuring device  2  performs the first dispersion process on the quality control particle in the specimen with the first dispersion section  12  (S 101 ), similar to the normal measurement mode. A part of the specimen completed with the first dispersion process and accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  is discharged to the specimen take-in portion  13   a  of the sub-detecting section  13 . Thus, the specimen having the volume v1 remains in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a.    
         [0124]    The preparation control section  28  then performs the pre-measurement by the sub-detecting section  13  (S 102 ). The preparation control section  28  acquires the number of quality control particles supplied to the sub-detecting section  13  based on the width and the peak value of the FSC obtained by the pre-measurement. The preparation control section  28  calculates a concentration c1 of the relevant specimen based on the acquired number of quality control particles and the volume of the specimen supplied to the sub-detecting section  13 . The preparation control section  28  aspirates all the specimens having the volume v1 accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12 , and discharges the aspirated specimens to the accommodating unit  210  of the discriminating/substituting section  14  (S 103 ). 
         [0125]    The preparation control section  28  calculates the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  by performing the computation of v1×c1 based on the volume v1 of the specimen supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  and the concentration c1 of the specimen acquired by the pre-measurement. The preparation control section  28  then transmits the data of each particle, including width and peak value of the FSC, acquired by the pre-measurement and the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  to the data processing device  3  (S 111 ). As described above, the preparation control section  28  performs the discriminating/substituting process by the discriminating/substituting section  14  (S 105 ). The preparation control section  28  then performs the processes of S 106 , S 107 , similar to the normal measurement mode. 
         [0126]    Similar to the normal measurement mode, the measurement control section  25  of the measuring device  2  then performs the actual measurement by the main detecting section  22  (S 108 ), and acquires the forward scattered light signal (FSC), the side scattered light signal (SSC), and the fluorescence signal (FL) for every particle contained in the measurement specimen supplied to the main detecting section  22 . The measurement control section  25  acquires a number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  based on the width and the peak value of the FSC obtained by the actual measurement. The measurement control section  25  transmits the data of each particle, including widths and peak values of FSC, SSC and FL, acquired by the actual measurement, and the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  to the data processing device  3  (S 112 ). 
         [0127]    When the measurement is started, the CPU  301  of the data processing device  3  performs the processes of S 201 , S 202 , similar to the normal measurement mode. The CPU  301  stores the received data of the pre-measurement, the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 , the data of the actual measurement, and the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  in the hard disk  304 . 
         [0128]    The CPU  301  displays a result screen D1 on the display section  31  based on the data, and the like received in S 201 , S 202  (S 211 ). The result screen D1 will be described later with reference to  FIG. 17A . The CPU  301  then calculates a collection rate by performing the computation of n3/n2 (S 212 ), and determines whether the calculated collection rate is smaller than a predetermined threshold value R (S 213 ). The threshold value R is set to the same extent as the collection rate of when abnormality is not found in the state of the filter member F. If the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R (S 213 : YES), the CPU  301  outputs an alarm through the display section  31  to notify the user that the collection rate is low (S 214 ). The process of the cell analyzer  1  in the quality control measurement mode is thereby terminated. 
         [0129]      FIG. 17A  is a view showing the result screen D1 showing the measurement result in the quality control measurement mode. The result screen D1 includes 30 numerical display regions D11 including rows i11 to i20 and columns j1 to j3. 
         [0130]    The values in the display region D11 of the rows i11 to i15 indicate the width of the forward scattered light signal (FSC) in the pre-measurement, the variation coefficient of the width, the peak value, the variation coefficient of the peak value, and the number of quality control particles. The values in the display region D11 of the rows i16 to i19 indicate the width of the forward scattered light signal (FSC) in the actual measurement, the variation coefficient of the width, the peak value, and the variation coefficient of the peak value. The value in the display region D11 of the row i20 indicates the collection rate acquired in S 211  of  FIG. 16 . The values in the display region D11 of the columns j1, j2 indicate the result with respect to the two specimen containers  4  used in the quality control measurement mode, that is, the results for the first time and the second time. The value in the display region D11 of the column j3 indicates the average of the two results shown in the columns j1, j2. 
         [0131]    In the result screen D1 shown in  FIG. 17A , determination is made that the measurement result of the second time (column j2) and the average (column j3) of the width (row i11) of the FSC in the pre-measurement are abnormal, and thus the corresponding display region D11 is displayed in red (broken line for the sake of convenience in  FIG. 17A ). Furthermore, determination is made that the result of the second time (column j2) and the average (column j3) of the collection rate (row i20) are abnormal, and thus the corresponding display region D11 is displayed in red (broken line for the sake of convenience in  FIG. 17A ). In other words, whether each of the values in the display region D11 of the columns j1 to j3 of the row i20 is smaller than the threshold value R is determined (S 213  of  FIG. 16 ), and as a result, the values of the columns j2, j3 of the row i20 are smaller than the threshold value R (S 213 : YES), and thus the display region D11 of the columns j2, j3 of the row i20 is displayed in red as the output of the alarm of S 214 . 
         [0132]    If the measurement result in the quality control measurement mode includes values determined as abnormal, the corresponding display region D11 is shown in red in the result screen D1 as shown in  FIG. 17A  and an error list screen D2 shown in  FIG. 17B  is displayed on the display section  31 . 
         [0133]      FIG. 17B  is a view showing the error list screen D2. The error list screen D2 includes a list D21 and a display region D22. 
         [0134]    In the list D21 is displayed items determined to be abnormal in the measurement result in the quality control measurement mode. In the list D21 of  FIG. 17B  is displayed “quality control abnormality 1” indicating that abnormality is found in the forward scattered light signal (FSC), and “quality control abnormality 2” indicating that abnormality is found in the collection rate as shown in  FIG. 17A , where the second item (quality control abnormality 2) is selected. The user can select the item by pushing the item in the list D21. 
         [0135]    The content to be handled by the user in relation to the selected item of the list D21 is displayed in the display region D22. In the display region D22 of  FIG. 17B  is displayed the content to be handled by the user when abnormality is found in the collection rate since the “quality control abnormality 2” is selected in the list D21. In other words, the possibility the problems have arose in the filter F4 is displayed as an output of alarm of S 214  in the display region D22 of this case, and the necessity of replacing the filter member F is displayed. Thus, if abnormality is found in the measurement result in the quality control measurement mode, the user carries out the necessary actions e.g., replacement of the filter member F and again performs the measurement in the quality control measurement mode. 
         [0136]    According to the present embodiment, the diameter of the quality control particle is set to a value greater than the diameter of the hole of the filter F4, and thus the quality control particles do not move from the space S1 to the space S2 shown in  FIG. 10C  even if the process by the discriminating/substituting section  14  is carried out if abnormality is not found in the state of the filter member F, similar to the analyzing target cell. Since the quality control particles get lost by attaching to the container, the flow path, and the like before being supplied to the main detecting section  22  after being supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 , the value of the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  is normally smaller by a certain proportion than the value of the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 . However, if abnormality of the filter member F is found, e.g., the filter member F is not correctly set or the filter F4 is damaged, the quality control particles move from the space S1 to the space S2. Thus, the collection rate calculated by the computation of n3/n2 becomes small compared to when there is no abnormality of the filter member F. 
         [0137]    Therefore, if the threshold value R is set to be the same extent as the collection rate of when abnormality is not found in the state of the filter member F, whether abnormality is found in the state of the filter member F can be determined by determining whether the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R in the quality control measurement mode. If the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R, the alarm is output as shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B . Thus, the user can recognize that abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F. 
         [0138]    According to the present embodiment, the pre-measurement is carried out in the sub-detecting section  13  before the specimen is supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 , and the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is acquired based on the measurement data of the specimen by the pre-measurement. Thus, even if the number of quality control particles contained in the specimen container  4  is unknown, the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  can be acquired. Therefore, whether abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F4 can be determined based on the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  and the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22 . Furthermore, since the numbers n2, n3 of quality control particles are respectively obtained by the measurement data from the sub-detecting section  13  and the main detecting section  22 , the state of the filter member F4 can be rapidly determined compared to when both numbers n2, n3 of quality control particles are obtained by the measurement data from the main detecting section  22 , for example. 
         [0139]    According to the present embodiment, the filter F4 is arranged in the filter member F, and the filter member F is set in the accommodating unit  220  through the hole  120   b  shown in  FIG. 4  and the insertion port  221  shown in  FIG. 6A . Thus, if abnormality is found in the filter member F, the user can rapidly and easily replace the filter member F. 
         [0140]    &lt;First Variant&gt; 
         [0141]    In the embodiment described above, the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is calculated by performing the computation of v1×c1 based on the volume v1 of the specimen supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  and the concentration c1 of the specimen acquired by the pre-measurement. In the present variant, the pre-measurement is not carried out in the quality control measurement mode. The number n4 of precision particles contained in the specimen container  4  used in the quality control measurement mode is stored in advance in the hard disk  304  of the data processing device  3 . If the number n4 is stored in the recording medium such as the barcode attached to the specimen container  4 , the n4 may be read from the recording medium of the specimen container  4  using the reading device such as the barcode reader. 
         [0142]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing the process of the cell analyzer  1  in the quality control measurement mode of the present variant. In the process of the measuring device  2  in this case, S 102  and S 111  are omitted from the process of the measuring device  2  shown in  FIG. 16 . In the process of the data processing device  3 , S 201  is omitted from the process of the data processing device  3  shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0143]    When the process is started, the entire amount of specimen in the specimen container  4  is aspirated, and discharged to the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12 . The preparation control section  28  of the measuring device  2  performs the first dispersion process on the quality control particle in the specimen with the first dispersion section  12  (S 101 ), similar to the embodiment described above. The preparation control section  28  then aspirates all the specimens accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a , and discharges the aspirated specimens to the accommodating unit  210  of the discriminating/substituting section  14  (S 103 ). All the quality control particles contained in the specimen container  4  used in the quality control measurement mode are thus discharged to the accommodating unit  210  of the discriminating/substituting section  14 , and the number of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  becomes n4. 
         [0144]    The preparation control section  28  then performs the processes of S 105  to S 107 , similar to the embodiment described above, and the measurement control section  25  performs the processes of S 108 , S 112 , similar to the embodiment described above. 
         [0145]    When the measurement is started, the CPU  301  of the data processing device  3  performs the process of S 202 , similar to the embodiment described above. The CPU  301  stores the data of the actual measurement and the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  in the hard disk  304 . The CPU  301  then displays the result screen D1 on the display section  31  based on the data, and the like received in S 202  (S 211 ). In this case, the number n4 of quality control particles stored in advance in the hard disk  304  is displayed in the display region D11 of the row i15 of the result screen D1. 
         [0146]    The CPU  301  performs the computation of n3/n4 based on the number n4 of quality control particles stored in advance in the hard disk  304  and the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  received in S 202  to calculate the collection rate (S 212 ). The CPU  301  then performs the processes of S 213 , S 214 , similar to the embodiment described above. 
         [0147]    According to the present variant, the number n4 of quality control particles contained in the specimen container  4  is stored in advance in the hard disk  304 , and thus the pre-measurement does not need to be carried out. The calculation of the collection rate and the output of the alarm are thus rapidly carried out, and hence the user can rapidly recognize if abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F. 
         [0148]    &lt;Second Variant&gt; 
         [0149]    In the embodiment described above, the pre-measurement is carried out in the sub-detecting section  13 , but in the present variant, the sub-detecting section  13  is omitted from the measuring device  2  and the pre-measurement is carried out in the main detecting section  22  in the normal measurement mode and the quality control measurement mode. Hereinafter, only the process in the quality control measurement mode will be described. 
         [0150]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart showing the process of the cell analyzer  1  in the quality control measurement mode of the present variant. In the process of the measuring device  2  in this case, S 121  is added in place of S 102  from the process of the measuring device  2  shown in  FIG. 16 . The process of the data processing device  3  is similar to the process of the data processing device  3  shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0151]    When the process is started, the entire amount of specimen in the specimen container  4  is aspirated, and discharged to the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12 . The preparation control section  28  of the measuring device  2  performs the first dispersion process on the quality control particle in the specimen with the first dispersion section  12 , similar to the normal measurement mode (S 101 ). A part of the specimen completed with the first dispersion process and accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  is supplied to the main detecting section  22 , and the pre-measurement is carried out in the main detecting section  22  (S 121 ). The specimen accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  is aspirated by the pipette  11   a  and discharged to the specimen container  5 , and thereafter, transferred to the main detecting section  22  by the grip portion  15   a  of the container transfer section  15 , the holder  18   b  of the rotation table  18   a , and the pipette  21   a  of the specimen aspirating section  21 . 
         [0152]    The main detecting section  22  can acquire the forward scattered light signal (FSC), similar to the sub-detecting section  13  of the embodiment described above. The preparation control section  28  calculates the concentration c1 of the specimen based on the number of quality control particles acquired in the pre-measurement by the main detecting section  22  and the volume of the specimen supplied to the main detecting section  22 . Similar to the embodiment described above, the preparation control section  28  aspirates all the specimens of volume v1 accommodated in the specimen accommodating portion  12   a  of the first dispersion section  12 , and discharges the aspirated specimens to the accommodating unit  210  of the discriminating/substituting section  14  (S 103 ). 
         [0153]    The preparation control section  28  then transmits the data (width and peak value of the FSC of each particle) acquired by the pre-measurement and the number n2 (=v1×c1) of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  to the data processing device  3  (S 111 ). The preparation control section  28  performs the processes of S 105  to S 107 , similar to the embodiment described above, and the measurement control section  25  performs the processes of S 108 , S 112 , similar to the embodiment described above. The processes in the data processing device  3  are also carried out similar to the embodiment described above. 
         [0154]    According to the present variant, the pre-measurement is carried out in the main detecting section  22 , and hence the configuration of the measuring device  2  can be simplified. In this case as well, the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is acquired in the pre-measurement by the main detecting section  22 , and thus whether or not abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F can be determined based on the collection rate calculated by the computation n3/n2, similar to the embodiment described above. 
         [0155]    According to the present variant, the pre-measurement is carried out in the main detecting section  22  before the specimen is supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14 , and the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is acquired based on the measurement data of the specimen by the pre-measurement. Thus, similar to the embodiment described above, even if the number of quality control particles contained in the specimen container  4  is unknown, the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  can be acquired. 
         [0156]    &lt;Third Variant&gt; 
         [0157]    In the present variant, a flag indicating whether the process of the cell analyzer  1  is possible is stored in the hard disc  304  of the embodiment described above. Such flag is rewritten based on the measurement result obtained in the quality control measurement mode, and the process of the cell analyzer  1  is prohibited or permitted by the value of the flag. 
         [0158]      FIG. 20A  is a flowchart showing the process of the cell analyzer  1  in the normal measurement mode of the present variant. In the process of the measuring device  2  in this case, S 131  is added to the pre-stage of S 101  from the process of the measuring device  2  shown in  FIG. 15 , and in the process of the data processing device  3 , S 221  to S 223  are added to the pre-stage of S 201  from the process of the data processing device  3  shown in  FIG. 15 . The value of the flag is zero at the start. 
         [0159]    When the process is started, the CPU  301  of the data processing device  3  determines whether or not the value of the flag stored in the hard disk  304  is zero (S 221 ). If the value of the flag is zero (S 221 : YES), the CPU  301  determines whether or not the user made the measurement start instruction through the input section  32  (S 222 ). As shown in  FIG. 20C , the user pushes a measurement start button  311  displayed in the display section  31  to input the measurement start instruction. If the measurement start instruction is made (S 222 : YES), the CPU  301  transmits the measurement start instruction to the measuring device  2  (S 223 ). 
         [0160]    When the process is started, the preparation control section  28  of the measuring device  2  determines whether or not the measurement start instruction is received from the data processing device  3  (S 131 ). If the measurement start instruction is received (S 131 : YES), the preparation control section  28  performs the processes after S 101 . 
         [0161]      FIG. 20B  is a flowchart showing the process of the cell analyzer  1  in the quality control measurement mode of the present variant. The process of the measuring device  2  in this case is similar to the process of the measuring device  2  shown in  FIG. 16 , and in the process of the data processing device  3 , S 231 , S 232  are added to the post-stage of when determined as YES in S 213 , and S 233 , S 234  are added to the post-stage of when determined as NO in S 213  from the process of the data processing device  3  shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0162]    The CPU  301  of the data processing device  3  disables (state in which the user cannot push) the measurement start button  311  shown in  FIG. 20C  (S 231 ) when the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R (S 213 : YES), that is, when abnormality is found in the state of the filter member F, and sets the value of the flag to one (S 232 ). When the collection rate is greater than or equal to the threshold value R (S 213 : NO), that is, when abnormality is not found in the state of the filter member F, the measurement start button  311  shown in  FIG. 20C  is enabled (state in which the user can push) (S 233 ), and the value of the flag is set to zero (S 234 ). 
         [0163]    According to the present variant, the process of the cell analyzer  1  is prohibited immediately after the startup of the cell analyzer  1 , or when abnormality is found in the state of the filter member F in the quality control measurement mode. The process of the cell analyzer  1  is permitted when the measurement in the quality control measurement mode is carried out and abnormality is not found in the state of the filter member F. Thus, the user can be prevented from making a wrong inappropriate judgment with reference to the analysis result acquired using the filter F4 in a bad state in the normal measurement mode. 
         [0164]    In the third variant described above, when the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R, the setting of the data processing device  3  may be changed so that the analyzing process (S 203 ) is not carried out in the normal measurement mode instead of disabling the measurement start button  311 . In this case, when the collection rate is greater than or equal to the threshold value R, the setting of the data processing device  3  is changed so that the analyzing process is carried out in the normal measurement mode. Thus, similar to the third variant described above, the user can be prevented from making the wrong inappropriate judgment with reference to the analysis result acquired using the filter F4 in a bad state in the normal measurement mode. 
         [0165]    In the third variant, when the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R, the setting of the data processing device  3  may be changed so that a mask is applied on the analysis result in the normal measurement mode thereafter instead of disabling the measurement start button  311 . In this case, when the collection rate is greater than or equal to the threshold value R, the setting of the data processing device  3  is changed so that the mask is not applied on the analysis result in the normal measurement mode thereafter. Thus, similar to the third variant described above, the user can be prevented from making the wrong inappropriate judgment with reference to the analysis result acquired using the filter F4 in a bad state in the normal measurement mode. 
         [0166]    The embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various changes can be made other than the above on the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0167]    For example, in the embodiment described above, the epidermal cells of the uterine cervix are the analyzing target, but other epidermal cells such as buccal cells, bladder, pharynx, and the like, and furthermore, the epidermal cells of organs may be the analyzing target. Furthermore, urine and blood may be the analyzing target. In other words, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus for discriminating the analyzing target cell from the biological specimen with the filter. 
         [0168]    In the embodiment described above, the analyzing target cell is retained in the space S1 by the filter F4, and the cells and foreign substances other than the analyzing target cell contained in the specimen are transferred toward the space S2. The concentrated solution of the analyzing target cell remaining in the space S1 is used in the process of post-stage. However, this is not the sole case, and the filter F4 may be set so that the diameter of the hole becomes greater than the analyzing target cell when the analyzing target cell is a cell (e.g., red blood cells) having a small diameter, so that the foreign substances greater than the analyzing target cell are shielded by the filter F4 and only the analyzing target cell can be passed. In this case, if abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F, the foreign substances greater than the analyzing target cell pass through the filter F4, and the specimen supplied to the main detecting section  22  contains foreign substances greater than the analyzing target cell. Therefore, if the foreign substance greater than the analyzing target cell is detected in great amount based on the result of the actual measurement by the main detecting section  22  in the quality control measurement mode, determination can be made that abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F. 
         [0169]    Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the alarm is output through the display section  31  as shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  in S 214 , but this is not the sole case, and an alarm sound may be output from a speaker installed in the data processing device  3 . The configuration in which the data processing device  3  outputs the alarm is not the sole case, and the measuring device  2  may output the alarm using the display section, the speaker, and the like. 
         [0170]    In the embodiment described above, the number of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is acquired by the pre-measurement by the sub-detecting section  13 , and the number of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  is acquired by the actual measurement by the main detecting section  22 . Whether or not abnormality has occurred in the state of the filter member F is determined based on the acquired numbers of quality control particles. However, this is not the sole case, and the turbidity of the quality control specimen may be acquired as a value reflecting the amount of quality control particles in the pre-measurement and the actual measurement, and the state of the filter member F may be determine based on the turbidity of the quality control specimen supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  and the turbidity of the quality control specimen supplied to the main detecting section  22 . 
         [0171]    In the embodiment and the second variant described above, a ratio (collection rate) of the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  and the number n2 of quality control particles supplied to the discriminating/substituting section  14  is calculated, and the alarm is output when the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the difference between n3 and n2 may be calculated, and the alarm may be output when the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value. 
         [0172]    In the first variant, the ratio (collection rate) of the number n3 of quality control particles supplied to the main detecting section  22  and the number n4 of quality control particles contained in the specimen container  4  used in the quality control measurement mode is calculated, and the alarm is output when the collection rate is smaller than the threshold value R, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the difference between n3 and n4 may be calculated, and the alarm may be output when the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value. 
         [0173]    In the embodiment described above, the flow cytometer  40  of the sub-detecting section  13  is configured to receive only the forward scattered light signal (FSC), but may be configured to further receive the side scattered light signal (SSC) and the fluorescence signal (FL), similar to the flow cytometer  50  of the main detecting section  22 . In this case, the number of analyzing target cells is acquired based on the forward scattered light (FSC) in the sub-detecting section  13 , but the number of analyzing target cells may be acquired based on the side scattered light signal (SSC) and the fluorescence signal (FL). The number of analyzing target cells is acquired based on the forward scattered light (FSC) in the main detecting section  22 , but the number of analyzing target cells may be acquired based on the side scattered light signal (SSC) and the fluorescence signal (FL). 
         [0174]    In the embodiment described above, the sub-detecting section  13  and the main detecting section  22  are configured by a flow cytometer, but the detecting sections may be configured by an electrical resistance type detecting section. 
         [0175]    In the embodiment described above, the discriminating/substituting section  14  is installed in the measuring device  2 , but this is not the sole case, and may be installed in the cell collecting apparatus different from the measuring device  2 . The cell collecting apparatus in this case includes the discriminating/substituting section  14 , the specimen supplying section configured to supply the specimen to the discriminating/substituting section  14  similar to the sample pipette section  11 , the measuring section configured to optically measure the quality control specimen, and the information processing section configured to process the measurement data obtained by the measuring section. In the quality control measurement mode, the cell collecting apparatus performs the process on the quality control specimen with the discriminating/substituting section  14  and measures the quality control specimen after the processing by the discriminating/substituting section  14  with the measuring section. The information processing section determines the state of the filter member F, similar to the above embodiment, based on the measurement data obtained by the measuring section, and outputs an alarm based on the determination result. The cell collecting apparatus performs the process on the biological specimen with the discriminating/substituting section  14  in the normal measurement mode. The biological specimen after the processing by the discriminating/substituting section  14  is appropriately transferred to the measuring device  2 , and the measurement of the biological specimen is carried out by the main detecting section  22  of the measuring device  2 . 
         [0176]    In addition, various changes can be appropriately made on the embodiment of the present invention within a scope of the technical concept described in the Claims.