Abstract:
An analyzer includes a measuring section for measuring samples; a transporting section for transporting a sample rack which holds sample container containing the sample to the measuring section; a motion controller for controlling the measuring section and the transporting section; an error detector for detecting an error of the analyzer; a display section; a display controller for displaying on the display section information representing handling of the sample rack present on the transporting section when the error detector detects the error; and a restart command receiver for receiving an instruction for measurement restart when the error occurs in the analyzer, wherein the motion controller controls the measuring section and the transporting section so as to selectively suction a sample required to be suctioned when the restart command receiver receives the instruction for measurement restart is disclosed. A measurement restarting method is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an analyzer in which a user can restart measurement when an error occurring in the analyzer is detected and a measurement restarting method when the error occurs. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Analyzers for analyzing a sample collected from a living body, such as a blood-clotting analyzer and an immunological analyzer, have been used. Hospitals and medical laboratories such as inspection centers require the efficiency of inspections to rapidly return analysis results to patients from the analyzers. Accordingly, for these analyzers, transporting devices for automatically and sequentially transporting the sample to the analyzers are used. 
         [0003]    In addition, an analyzer in which a user of the analyzer can easily recognize an error by using a light source, a speaker and a display when the error is generated in such an analyzer, for example, US Patent No. 2005036913 is proposed. 
         [0004]    When the error is generated in the analyzer including a transporting device, the user of the analyzer is required to reset a sample rack in a predetermined position in the transporting device and restart an analysis in order to restart the stopped analysis. 
         [0005]    However, in the technique of US Patent No. 2005036913, it is described that the user of the analyzer recognizes generation of the error of the analyzer including the transporting device and the content of the error, but a specific method for recovering the error, which can be performed by the user, is not described. Accordingly, for example, when an error requiring resetting of the sample rack in a predetermined position in the transporting device is generated, the user has to perform the recovering of the error by reading an instruction manual and thus the operation is complicated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
         [0007]    A first aspect of the present invention is an analyzer comprising: a measuring section for measuring samples; a transporting section for transporting a sample rack which holds sample container containing the sample to the measuring section; a motion controller for controlling the measuring section and the transporting section; an error detector for detecting an error of the analyzer; a display section; a display controller for displaying on the display section information representing handling of the sample rack present on the transporting section when the error detector detects the error; and a restart command receiver for receiving an instruction for measurement restart when the error occurs in the analyzer, wherein the motion controller controls the measuring section and the transporting section so as to selectively suction a sample required to be suctioned when the restart command receiver receives the instruction for measurement restart. 
         [0008]    A second aspect of the present invention is a measurement restarting method comprising: transporting a sample rack to a measuring section by a transporting section for transporting the sample rack which holds sample container containing sample to the measuring section; subjecting a sample to measurement by the measuring section for performing the measurement of the sample; detecting an error of the analyzer; displaying information representing handling of the sample rack present on the transporting section when the error of the analyzer is detected; and selectively suctioning a sample required to be suctioned when an instruction for measurement restart is received after detection of the error. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an example of an overall configuration diagram of an analyzer according to a first embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a hardware configuration diagram of a control device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a hardware configuration diagram of a measurement control section illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a sample rack holding test tubes; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a hardware configuration diagram of a transporting section; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an example of a flowchart illustrating a main process which is performed by the measurement control section (first embodiment); 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an example of a flowchart illustrating a main process which is performed by the control device (first embodiment); 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an example of a flowchart illustrating an error processing which is performed by the analyzer (first embodiment); 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen where a user registers measurement information; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an example of a sample rack information management table which is managed by the measurement control section; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an example of data inquiring about measurement information from the control device to the measurement control section; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12A  is an example of measurement information transmitted to the measurement control section from the control device; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12B  is an example of measurement information transmitted to the measurement control section from the control device; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13A  is an example of data transmitted to the control device from the measurement control section upon suction completion of a sample; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13B  is an example of information representing whether there are orders of measuring items; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14A  is an example of a database managing the measurement information stored in a hard disk  313 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14B  is an example of measuring item suction information among the measurement information stored in the hard disk  313 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14C  is an example of measuring item suction information among the measurement information stored in the hard disk  313 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is an example of data transmitted to the control device from the measurement control section when an error is generated in the analyzer; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is an example of data transmitted to the control device from the measurement control section when a sample rack other than the sample racks stored in the sample rack information management table is reset after the error is generated in the analyzer; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is an example of the transporting section when one sample rack is present on a transporting line; 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is an example of a help screen which is displayed when one sample rack is present on the transporting line (first embodiment); 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is an example of the transporting section when two sample racks are present on the transporting line; 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is an example of a help screen which is displayed when two sample racks are present on the transporting line (first embodiment); 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is an example of a flowchart illustrating a main process which is performed by the control device (second embodiment); 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is an example of a flowchart illustrating a main process which is performed by the control device (second embodiment); 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  is example of a flowchart illustrating an error processing which is performed by the analyzer (second embodiment); 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  is an example of data transmitted to the control device from the measurement control section when an error is generated in the analyzer (second embodiment); 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  is an example of a help screen which is displayed when an error is generated in the transporting section (second embodiment); and 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  is an example of the sample racks in the transporting section when the error is generated in the transporting section (second embodiment). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0040]    Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
         [0041]    [Overall Configuration of Device] 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a plan explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an immunological analyzer (sample analyzer) according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0043]    The immunological analyzer  1  is a device for inspecting various measuring items such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tumor marker, and thyroid hormone by using a sample (specimen) such as blood. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the immunological analyzer  1  is configured by a measuring unit (measuring section)  2  including a plurality of mechanisms (components) and a control device  300  as a data processing unit which is electrically connected to the measuring unit  2 . 
         [0044]    With the immunological analyzer  1 , capture antibodies (reagent R 1 ) are bound to antigens included in the sample such as blood as a measuring target to form complexes of antigen-capture antibody. Next, magnetic particles (reagent R 2 ) are bound to the complexes of antigen-capture antibody to form complexes of antigen-capture body-magnetic particle. Then, the complexes of antigen-capture body-magnetic particle are drawn to a magnet of a first BF (Bound Free) separating section  109   a  to remove the unreacted (Free) capture antibodies. In addition, labeled antibodies (reagent R 3 ) are bound to the complexes of antigen-capture body-magnetic particle to form complexes of labeled antibody-antigen-capture body-magnetic particle. After that, the complexes of labeled antibody-antigen-capture body-magnetic particle are drawn to a magnet of a second BF separating section  109   b  to remove the unreacted (Free) labeled antibodies. Further, luminescent substrates (reagent R 5 ) emitting light in the course of the reaction with the labeled antibodies are added and then an amount of luminescence generated by the reaction of the labeled antibodies with the luminescent substrates is measured. Through such a course, the antigens included in the sample bound to the labeled antibodies are quantitatively measured. 
         [0045]    [Configuration of Measuring Unit] 
         [0046]    The measuring unit  2  has a measurement control section  100 , a transporting section  200 , a bar-code reader  111 , an urgent sample transporting section  101 , a tip transporting section  102 , a pipette tip supply device  103 , a tip removing section  104 , a suction section  105 , reagent mounting sections  106   a  and  106   b,  a first reaction section  107   a,  a second reaction section  107   b,  reagent dispensing arms  108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c,  the first BF separating section  109   a,  the second BF separating section  109   b,  and a detecting section  110 . 
         [0047]    The mechanisms of the measuring unit  2  can properly employ known configurations. However, hereinafter, the configurations thereof will be simply described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0048]    The measurement control section  100  has a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, controls the transporting section  200 , the urgent sample transporting section  101 , the detecting section  110  and the suction section  105 , and transmits a detection result received from the detecting section  110  to the control device  300  through a communication interface  351 . 
         [0049]    The transporting section  200  has a right tank section  220  for setting a sample rack  250  holding a plurality of test tubes  252 , a transporting line  230  for transporting the sample rack  250  fed from the right tack section  220  to a position where it is sent to a left tank section  240 , and the left tack section  240  for storing the sample rack  250  sent from the transporting line  230 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the sample rack  250  holding the plurality of test tubes  252  containing samples. A sample rack bar-code  251  for identifying the sample rack  250  is adhered to the sample rack  250  and is read by the bar-code reader  111 . As the sample rack bar-code  251 , a bar-code such as CODE 128, CO39, NW-7 or the like can be used. 
         [0051]    A test tube bar-code  253  for identifying a sample is adhered to a test tube  252  and is read by the bar-code reader  111 . As the test tube bar-code  253 , a bar-code such as CODE 128, CO39, NW-7 or the like can be used. 
         [0052]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , the bar-code reader  111  is configured so as to read the sample rack bar-code  251  of the sample rack  250  fed to the transporting line  230  from the right tank section  220  of the transporting section  200  and the test tube bar-code  253  of the test tube  252  held in the sample rack  250 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is a diagram schematically illustrating the transporting section  200  and the bar-code reader  111 . The transporting section mainly has the right tank section  220 , the transporting line  230  and the left tank section  240 . 
         [0054]    The right tank section  220  has a sample rack setting section  221 , a sample rack presence/absence sensor  226  and a sample rack feeding mechanism section  222 . 
         [0055]    For recovering errors of the measuring and analyzing devices, a user sets the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  in the sample rack setting section  221  such that the sample rack bar-code  251  is opposed to the bar-code reader  111 . 
         [0056]    The sample rack presence/absence sensor  226  is provided to detect that the sample rack is set in the sample rack setting section  221 . 
         [0057]    The sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  has feeding levers  223   a  and  223   b,  a motor  224  and a sensor  225 . The feeding levers  223   a  and  223   b  are driven by the motor  224  to feed the sample rack  250  on the sample rack setting section  221  to the transporting line  230 . Further, the sensor  225  is provided to detect that the feeding levers  223   a  and  223   b  return to the origin positions thereof. 
         [0058]    Next, the transporting line  230  has a sample rack arrival sensor  231 , a sample rack transverse sending mechanism  232 , a suction position  236  and a measurement information inquiry position  237  and can accommodate two sample racks  250 . 
         [0059]    The sample rack arrival sensor  231  is provided to detect that the sample rack  250  in the sample rack setting section  221  is normally fed to the transporting line  230  by the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222 . 
         [0060]    The sample rack transverse sending mechanism  232  has transverse sending levers  233   a  and  233   b,  a motor  234 , sensors  235   a  and  235   b.  The transverse sending levers  233   a  and  233   b  are connected to each other and are synchronized by the motor  234  so as to be driven. When the levers  233   a  and  233   b  are driven, they are caught on a bottom section of the sample rack  250  and then the sample rack  250  is transversely sent by one pitch (by a distance corresponding to one test tube) in a direction of the left tank section  220 . The sensors  235   a  and  235   b  are provided to detect that the transverse sending levers  233  normally move and that the sample rack  250  does not move when the motor  234  stops. 
         [0061]    The sample rack transverse sending mechanism  232  repeatedly performs the transverse movement of the sample rack  250  until the sample rack  250  reaches the position where the sample rack on the transporting line  230  is sent. 
         [0062]    The suction position  236  represents that the sample is suctioned from the test tube  252  arriving at this position. When the test tube  252  requiring a suction operation for measurement arrives at the suction position  236 , the measurement control section  100  controls the suction section  105  to suction the sample from the test tube  252  at the suction position  236 . 
         [0063]    From the measurement control section  100 , an inquiry is made to the control device  300  about measurement information of the test tube  252  arriving at the measurement information inquiry position  237 . 
         [0064]    Next, after the sample rack  250  fed to the transporting line  230  is transversely sent once, the bar-code reader  111  reads the sample rack bar-code  251  and the test tube bar-codes  253  of all of the test tubes  252  held in the sample rack  250 . 
         [0065]    The left tank section  240  has a sample rack sending mechanism section  241  and a sample rack discharging section  242 . 
         [0066]    The sample rack sending mechanism section  241  has a sending lever  245 , a motor  243  and a sensor  244 . When the sample rack  250  arrives at a left end of the transporting line  230 , the sending lever  245  is driven by the motor  243  to send the sample rack  250  to the sample rack discharging section  242 . The sensor  244  is provided to detect that the sending lever  245  normally returns to the origin position thereof. 
         [0067]    The sample rack discharging section  242  stores the sample rack  250  sent by the sample rack sending mechanism section  241  and the user removes the sample rack  250  in which the sample has been suctioned from the sample rack discharging section  242 . 
         [0068]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , the urgent sample transporting section  101  is configured so as to transport the test tube  252  containing an urgent sample requiring to be inspected by entering into the sample transported by the transporting section  200  to a suction position for the urgent sample. 
         [0069]    The pipette tip supply device  103  has a function of supplying a put pipette tip to a tip mounting section  102   a  of the tip transporting section  102  one by one. 
         [0070]    The tip removing section  104  is provided to remove the pipette tip mounted on the suction section  105  to be described later. 
         [0071]    The suction section  105  has a function of dispensing the sample in the test tube  252  transported to the suction position by the transporting section  200  into a cuvette (not shown) held in a holding section  112   a  of a rotation table section  112  of the first reaction section  107   a  to be described later. The suction section  105  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  105   a  around a shaft  105   b  in a front-and-back direction and to operate the arm section  105   a  in an up-and-down direction. Further, a nozzle section for suctioning and ejecting the sample is provided at a tip end of the arm section  105   a.  A tip end of the nozzle section is mounted with the pipette tip transported by the tip transporting section  102 . 
         [0072]    On the reagent mounting section  106   a,  a reagent container containing the reagent R 1  including the capture antibodies and a reagent container containing the reagent R 3  including the labeled antibodies are mounted. 
         [0073]    On the reagent mounting section  106   b,  reagent container containing the reagent R 2  including the magnetic particles is mounted. 
         [0074]    The first reaction section  107   a  is provided to rotate and move by a predetermined angle at predetermined intervals (in this embodiment, 18 seconds) the cuvette held in the holding section  112   a  of the rotation table section  112  and to stir the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the liquid in the cuvette. That is, the first reaction section  107   a  is provided to react the reagent R 2  having the magnetic particles with the antigens in the sample in the cuvette. The first reaction section  107   a  is configured by the rotation table section  112  for transporting the cuvette containing the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the sample in a rotation direction and a container transporting section  114  for stirring the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the sample in the cuvette and transporting the cuvette containing the stirred reagents R 1  and R 2  and sample to the first BF separating section  109   a  to be described later. 
         [0075]    The container transporting section  114  is rotatably mounted at the center of the rotation table section  112 . The container transporting section  114  has a function of grasping the cuvette held in the holding section  112   a  of the rotation table section  112  and stirring the specimen in the cuvette. In addition, the container transporting section  114  also has a function of transporting the cuvette containing the specimen obtained by stirring and incubating the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the sample to the first BF separating section  109   a.    
         [0076]    The second reaction section  107   b  has the same configuration as the first reaction section  107   a  and is provided to rotate and move by a predetermined angle at predetermined intervals (in this embodiment, 18 seconds) the cuvette held in a holding section  107   c  of a rotation table section  113  and to stir the reagents R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 5  and the sample in the cuvette. That is, the second reaction section  107   b  is provided to react the reagent R 3  having the labeled antibodies with the antigens in the sample and to react the reagent R 5  having the luminescent substrates with the labeled antibodies of the reagent R 3  in the cuvette. The second reaction section  107   b  is configured by the rotation table section  113  for transporting the cuvette containing the reagents R 1 , R 2 , R 4  and R 5  and the sample in a rotation direction and a container transporting section  117  for stirring the reagents R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 5  and the sample in the cuvette and transporting the cuvette containing the stirred sample and the like to the second BF separating section  109   b  to be described later. The container transporting section  117  has a function of transporting the cuvette processed by the second BF separating section  109   b  to the holding section  107   c  of the rotation table section  113  again. 
         [0077]    The reagent dispensing arm  108   a  has a function of suctioning the reagent R 1  in the reagent container mounted on the reagent mounting section  106   a  and dispensing the suctioned reagent R 1  into the cuvette of the first reaction section  107   a.  The reagent dispensing arm  108   a  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  113   a  around a shaft  113   b  and move it in an up-and down direction. Further, a nozzle for suctioning and ejecting the reagent R 1  in the reagent container is attached to a tip end of the arm section  113   a.    
         [0078]    The reagent dispensing arm  108   b  has a function of dispensing the reagent R 2  in the reagent container mounted on the reagent mounting section  106   b  into the cuvette into which the sample and the reagent R 1  of the first reaction section  107   a  are dispensed. The reagent dispensing arm  108   b  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  114   a  around a shaft  114   b  and move it in an up-and-down direction. Further, a nozzle for suctioning and ejecting the reagent R 2  in the reagent container is attached to a tip end of the arm section  114   a.    
         [0079]    The reagent dispensing arm  108   c  has a function of suctioning the reagent R 3  in the reagent container mounted on the reagent mounting section  106   a  and dispensing the suctioned reagent R 3  into the cuvette into which the reagents R 1  and R 2  and the sample of the second reaction section  107   b  are dispensed. The reagent dispensing arm  108   c  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  115   a  around a shaft  115   b  and move it in an up-and-down direction. Further, a nozzle for suctioning and ejecting the reagent R 3  in the reagent container is attached to a tip end of the arm section  115   a.    
         [0080]    The first BF separating section  109   a  is provided to separate the unreacted reagent R 1  (unnecessary components) and the magnetic particles from the specimen in the cuvette transported by the container transporting section  114  of the first reaction section  107   a.    
         [0081]    The cuvette of the first BF separating section  109   a  from which the unreacted reagent R 1  and the like are separated is transported to the holding section  107   c  of the rotation table  113  of the second reaction section  107   b  by a transporting mechanism  116 . The transporting mechanism  116  is configured so as to rotate an arm section  116   a  having a cuvette grasping section (not shown) at a tip end thereof around a shaft  116   b  and move it in an up-and-down direction. 
         [0082]    The second BF separating section  109   b  has the same configuration as the first BF separating section  109   a  and is provided to separate the unreacted reagent R 3  (unnecessary components) and the magnetic particles from the specimen in the cuvette transported by the container transporting section  117  of the second reaction section  107   b.    
         [0083]    Respectively, a reagent R 4  supply section  118  and a reagent R 5  supply section  119  are provided to supply the reagent R 4  and the reagent R 5  to the cuvette held in the holding section  107   c  of the rotation table section  113  of the second reaction section  107   b.    
         [0084]    The detecting section  110  is provided to acquire the light generated in the course of the reaction of the luminescent substrates with the labeled antibodies bound to the antigens of the sample subjected to a predetermined process by a photomultiplier tube to thereby measure an amount of the antigens included in the sample. The detecting section  110  has a transporting mechanism section  110   a  for transporting the cuvette held in the holding section  107   c  of the rotation table section  113  of the second reaction section  107   b  to the detecting section  110 . 
         [0085]    The used cuvette, in which the specimen subjected to the measurement is suctioned, is discarded into a dust box (not shown) disposed under the immunological analyzer  1  through a waste hole  120 . 
         [0086]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the measuring unit  2 , the measurement control section  100  controls the mechanisms. In addition, the measuring control section receives measurement information from the control device  300 , transmits a measurement result to the control device  300  and notifies the control device  300  of an error through the communication interface  351  using Ethernet (registered trade name). 
         [0087]    [Control Device] 
         [0088]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of the control device  300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the control device  300  is a computer mainly configured by a main body section  301 , a display  302  and an input device  303 . 
         [0089]    The main body section  301  is mainly configured by a CPU  310 , a ROM  311 , a RAM  312 , a hard disk  313 , an input/output interface  314 , a reading device  315 , a communication interface  316  and an image output interface  317 . The CPU  310 , ROM  311 , RAM  312 , hard disk  313 , input/output interface  314 , reading device  315 , communication interface  316  and image output interface  317  are connected to each other by a bus  318  such that data communication can be mutually performed. 
         [0090]    The CPU  310  can execute computer programs stored in the ROM  311  and the hard disk  313  and a computer program loaded to the RAM  312 . By executing an application program on the CUP  310 , the functional blocks to be described later are realized and the computer functions as the control device  300 . 
         [0091]    The ROM  311  includes a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM and an EEPROM and a computer program to be executed on the CPU  310  and data to be used for the computer program are recorded therein. 
         [0092]    The RAM  312  includes a SRAM and a DRAM. The RAM  312  is used to read computer programs recorded in the ROM  311  and the hard disk  313 . Moreover, the RAM  312  is used as a work area of the CPU  310  when the computer programs are executed. 
         [0093]    On the hard disk  313 , various computer programs for being executed on the CPU  310 , such as an operating system and an application program, and data to be used for the computer programs are installed. 
         [0094]    The reading device  315  includes a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, and a DVD-ROM drive to read a computer program or data recorded in a portable recording medium  319 . 
         [0095]    The input/output interface  314  includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394 and RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, and an analog interface including a D/A converter and an A/D converter. The input/output interface  314  is connected to the input device  303  including a keyboard, a mouse and a handy bar-code reader. An operator can input data to the main body  301  by using the input device  303 . 
         [0096]    The communication interface  316  is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trade name) interface. Through the communication interface  316 , the control device  300  can send and receive data to and from the measurement control section  100  connected via the network  350  by using a predetermined protocol. 
         [0097]    The image output interface  317  is connected to the display  302  including LCD and CRT to output a picture signal corresponding to image data given from the CPU  310  to the display  302 . 
         [0098]    The display  302  displays an image (screen) in accordance with the input picture signal. 
         [0099]    Hereinafter, using  FIGS. 6 to 20 , a sample measuring process according to the first embodiment will be described. 
         [0100]    [Overall Process] 
         [0101]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are flowcharts illustrating the processes when the measurement is normally performed in the immunological analyzer  1 . 
         [0102]    In Step S 200  illustrate in  FIG. 7 , when the user presses a measurement start button (reference numeral  611  of  FIG. 9  to be described later) shown on the display  302  of the control device  300  (Yes in Step S 200 ), determining whether the measurement information is input by the user is performed (Step S 201 ). When the measurement information is input by the user (Yes in. Step S 201 ), the measurement control section  100  is notified of measurement start (Step S 202 ). When the user presses the measurement start button  611  but the measurement information is not input (No in Step S 201 ), the process returns to Step S 200 . 
         [0103]    Moving to  FIG. 6 , when the notification for measurement start is received, the measurement control section  100  determines whether the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  (Step S 302 ). When it is determined that the sample rack  250  is to be fed (Yes in Step S 302 ), determining whether the sample rack  250  is present in the sample rack setting section  221  is performed on the basis of the output of the sensor  226  (Step S 304 ). When the sample rack  250  is present in the sample rack setting section  221  (Yes in Step S 304 ), the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  by the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  (Step S 305 ). 
         [0104]    In Step S 305 , when the sample rack arrival sensor  231  cannot detect that the sample rack  250  is fed even after the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  is driven and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs a process upon generation of an error to be described later. 
         [0105]    Further, when returning of the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  to the origin position thereof cannot be detected on the basis of the output of the sensor  225  even after the feeding of the sample rack  250  to the transporting line  230  is completed by the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs the process upon generation of the error to be described later. 
         [0106]    When the sample rack  250  is not present in the sample rack setting section  221  (No in Step S 304 ), the process proceeds to Step S 322 . 
         [0107]    When it is determined that the sample rack  250  is not to be fed, that is, when a new sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  and it is determined that the new sample rack interferes with the sample rack  250  already present on the transporting line (No in Step S 302 ), the measurement control section  100  does not perform the feeding of the sample rack  250  and the process proceeds to Step S 303 . 
         [0108]    Next, the sample rack  250  on the transporting line  230  is transversely sent once (Step S 303 ). In this Step S 303 , when it is detected on the basis of the output of the sensors  235   a  and  235   b  that the transverse sending levers  233  are not normally operated, or that the sample rack  250  is moved upon stopping of the motor  234 , the measurement control section  100  performs the process upon generation of the error to be described later. 
         [0109]    Next, the measurement control section  100  checks whether the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  has been acquired by the bar-code reader  111  (Step S 306 ). When the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  has not yet been acquired (No in Step S 306 ), the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  is acquired by the bar-code reader  111  (Step S 307 ) and the acquired information of the sample rack bar-code  251  is stored (Step S 308 ). 
         [0110]    When the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  has been acquired (Yes in Step S 306 ) or when the process proceeds to Step S 309  after Step S 308  and there is the test tube bar-code  253  of the test tube  252  held in the sample rack  250 , which has not yet been acquired (No in Step S 309 ), the test tube bar-code  253  which has not yet been acquired is acquired by the bar-code reader  111  (Step S 310 ) and the acquired information is stored (Step S 311 ). 
         [0111]      FIG. 10  is a diagram schematically illustrating a sample rack information management table  700  which is stored in the measurement control section  100  in the above-described Step S 308 . 
         [0112]    The sample rack information management table  700  has first sample rack information  701  and second sample rack information  702 . The first sample rack information  701  represents the information of the sample rack  250  initially fed to the transporting line  230  among the sample racks  250  present on the transporting line  230 . The second sample rack information  702  represents the information of the sample rack  250  finally fed to the transporting line  230  among the sample racks  250  present on the transporting line  230 . 
         [0113]    Each of the first sample rack information  701  and the second sample rack information  702  has a serial number  703  and a sample rack ID  704 . The serial number  703  is a serial number which is applied to the sample rack  250  by the measurement control section  100  every time the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  after the measurement control section  100  is turned on. Unique numbers are applied until the measuring unit  2  is shutdown. The sample rack ID  704  represents the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  acquired by the bar-code reader  111 . 
         [0114]    For example, the sample rack information management table  700  illustrated in  FIG. 10  represents that the number of the sample racks  250  present on the transporting line  230  is currently two, that the serial number  703  of the sample rack  250  firstly fed to the transporting line  230  is 0001 and that the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  of the firstly fed sample rack, acquired by the bar-code reader  111 , is A1234. Further, the sample rack information management table represents that the serial number  703  of the sample rack  250  secondly fed to the transporting line  230  is 0002 and that the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  of the secondly fed sample rack, acquired by the bar-code reader  111 , is A0300. 
         [0115]    Returning to  FIG. 6 , when the test tube  252  is present at the measurement information inquiry position  237  (Yes in Step S 312 ), an inquiry is made to the control device  300  about the measurement information of the test tube  252  present at the measurement information inquiry position  237  (Step S 313 ). When the test tube  252  is not present at the measurement information inquiry position  237  (No in Step S 312 ), the process proceeds to Step S 315 . 
         [0116]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , when measurement information inquiry data  710  illustrated in  FIG. 11  is received (Yes in Step S 220 ), the control device  300  retrieves the measurement information from the measurement information stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk  313  illustrated in  FIG. 2  by using the information of the sample rack bar-code  251 , the information of the test tube bar-code  253  and the test tube position in the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  as keys (Step S 221 ). 
         [0117]      FIG. 11  is a diagram schematically illustrating the measurement information inquiry data  710  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100 . 
         [0118]    The measurement information inquiry data  710  has inquiry rack ID specifying information  711 , a serial number  712 , a sample rack ID  713 , a test tube position  714  and a sample number  715 . 
         [0119]    The inquiry rack ID specifying information  711  is information specifying which one of the serial number  712  and the sample rack ID  713  is used as a key for the sample rack when the control device  300  retrieves the measurement information about the inquired sample from the measurement information stored in the hard disk  313 . When 0 is set, the serial number  712  is used as a key, and when 1 is set, the sample rack ID  713  is used as a key to retrieve the measurement information. The serial number  712  is information representing a serial number applied to the sample rack  250  by the measurement control section  100  when the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230 . The sample rack ID  713  represents the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  acquired by the bar-code reader  111 . The test tube position  714  is information representing the test tube position of the test tube  252  in the sample rack  250 . The sample number  715  represents information of the test tube bar-code  253  acquired by the bar-code reader  111 . 
         [0120]    For example, the measurement information inquiry data  710  illustrated in  FIG. 11  represents that the sample rack ID  713  is A1234, that the sample number  715  is 12345 and that the measurement information inquiry data  710  is data of the sample held in a second position of the sample rack  250 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 9  is an example of a measurement information registering screen where the user inputs the measurement information. 
         [0122]    A measurement information registering screen  600  is displayed on the display  302  of the control device  300  and mainly has a sample rack ID input box  601 , a page switching button  602 , a measurement information input sheet  603 , a registration button  610  and a measurement start button  611 . 
         [0123]    The sample rack ID input box  601  is a box to which the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  is input and the information is input by a handy bar-code reader, a keyboard or the like. 
         [0124]    When the measurement information of the plurality of sample racks  250  is input, the page switching button  602  is pressed to display the measurement information input sheet  603  for inputting the measurement information of the next sample rack  250 . 
         [0125]    The measurement information input sheet  603  has a registration state display box  604 , a test tube position  605 , a sample number input box  606  and a measuring item selecting box  607 . The registration state display box  604  is information representing whether the input measurement information has been registered and represents that orders for the checked samples have been registered. The sample number input box is a box to which the information of the test tube bar code  253  is input and the information is input by a handy bar-code reader, a keyboard or the like. The measuring item selecting box  607  is a box in which a measuring item to be subjected to the measurement can be selected and the measuring item to be subjected to the measurement is selected by a mouse. 
         [0126]    By the registration button  610 , the measurement information displayed on the measurement information input sheet  603  is registered and the measurement information is stored in the hard disk  313 . 
         [0127]    The measurement start button  611  notifies the measuring unit  2  of a measurement start instruction on the basis of the measurement information input to the measurement information input sheet  603  so as to start the measurement. 
         [0128]    For example, the measurement information registering screen  600  illustrated in  FIG. 9  shows that the measurement information in which regarding the sample, of which the sample rack bar-code  251  is A1234 and the information of the test tube bar-code  253  at a first test tube mounting position of the sample rack  250  is 12345, HBsAg of an item  607   a  is measured, and regarding the sample, of which the information of the test tube bar-code  253  at a second test tube mounting position is ABCDE, HBsAb of an item  607   b  is measured is stored in the hard disk  313  of the control device  300 . 
         [0129]      FIG. 14A  is a diagram schematically illustrating a measurement information management database  740  for managing the measurement information stored in the hard disk  313 . 
         [0130]    The measurement information management database  740  mainly has a database key  741 , a serial number  742 , a sample rack ID  743 , a sample number  744 , a test tube position  745  and measuring item suction information  746 . 
         [0131]    The database key  741  represents the information for extracting the information of the retrieving target from the measurement information management database  740 . The serial number  742  is information representing the serial number which is applied to the sample rack  250  put on the transporting line  230  by the measurement control section  100 . The sample rack ID  743  is information representing the value input to the sample rack number input box  601  of the measurement information registering screen  600  illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The sample number  744  is information representing the value input to the sample number input box  606  of the measurement information registering screen  600  and corresponds to the test tube position  605  of the measurement information input sheet  603 . The test tube position  745  is information representing the position of the test tube  252  corresponding to the measurement in the sample rack  250 . The measuring item suction information  746  is information representing whether there are the orders of the measuring items and includes the information illustrated in  FIGS. 14B and 14C . 
         [0132]    The measuring item suction information illustrated in  FIG. 14B  includes a measuring item  751  and suction information  752 . The measuring item  751  is information representing the measuring items which can be subjected to the measurement by the analyzer and corresponds to the measuring item selecting box  607  of the measurement information input sheet  603 . The suction information  752  is information representing whether the measuring items are registered as the items to be subjected to the measurement or have been already suctioned for the measurement. 0 represents that the order for the measurement has been registered and the sample has not yet been suctioned. 1 represents that the order for the measurement has been registered and the suctioning has been completed. −1 represents that there is no order. For example, measuring item suction information  750  illustrated in  FIG. 14B  represents that the order of the measuring item HBsAg has been registered and the suctioning of the sample has been completed, that the order of the measuring item HBsAb has not been registered, and that the order of the measuring item HCV has been registered and the suctioning of the sample has not yet been performed. 
         [0133]    Accordingly, the measurement information management database  740  illustrated in  FIG. 14A  represents that the database key  741  at an area  3674  has the serial number  742  of 0001 and the sample rack ID  743  of A1234, that the measuring items of HbsAg and HCV in the sample which is set at a first test tube position in the sample rack  250  and has the sample number  744  of 12345 are registered as orders, that the suctioning of the sample regarding the measuring item HBsAg has been completed and that the suctioning of the sample regarding the measuring item HCV has not yet been completed. 
         [0134]    Further, the measurement information management database represents that the database key  741  at an area  3675  has the serial number  742  of 0001 and the sample rack ID number  743  of A1234, that the measuring item HbsAb in the sample which is set at a second test tube position in the sample rack  250  and has the sample number  744  of ABCDE is registered as an order and that the suctioning of the sample regarding the measuring item HbsAb has not yet been completed. 
         [0135]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , when there is the appropriate measurement information after the retrieval of the measurement information (Yes in Step S 222 ), the database key  741  and the measuring item suction information  746  are added to the measurement information inquiry data  710  (Step S 223 ) and the measurement control section  100  is notified of the order information illustrated in  FIG. 12B  (Step S 225 ). When there is not the appropriate measurement information after the retrieval of the measurement information (No in Step S 222 ), information without an order is added to the measurement information inquiry data  710  and the measurement control section  100  is notified (Step S 225 ). 
         [0136]      FIG. 12A  is a diagram schematically illustrating measurement information  720  transmitted to the measurement control section from the control device  300 . The measurement information  720  includes a database key  721 , a serial number  722 , a sample rack ID  723 , a sample number  724 , a test tube position  725  and measuring item suction information  726 . The database key  721  is information representing a key for extracting the information of the retrieving target from the measurement information management database  740 . The serial number  722  is information representing the serial number which is applied to the sample rack  250  put on the transporting line  230  by the measurement control section  100 . The sample rack ID  723  represents the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  acquired by the bar-code reader  111 . The sample number  724  represents the information of the test tube bar-code  253  acquired by the bar-code reader  111 . The test tube position  725  is information representing the position of the test tube  252  corresponding to the measurement information in the sample rack  250 . The measuring item suction information  726  is information representing whether there are the orders of the measuring items and includes the information illustrated in  FIG. 12B . 
         [0137]    Measuring item suction information  727  illustrated in  FIG. 12B  includes a measuring item  728  and suction information  729 . The measuring item  728  is information representing the measuring items which can be subjected to the measurement by the analyzer and the suction information  729  is information representing whether the measuring items are registered as the items to be subjected to the measurement or have been already suctioned for the measurement. 0 represents that the order for the measurement has been registered and the sample has not yet been suctioned. 1 represents that the order for the measurement has been registered and the suctioning has been completed. −1 represents that there is no order. For example, the measuring item suction information  727  illustrated in  FIG. 12B  represents that the order of the measuring item HBsAg has been registered and the suctioning of the sample has been completed, that the order of the measuring item HBsAb has not been registered, and that the order of the measuring item HCV has been registered and the suctioning of the sample has not yet been performed. 
         [0138]    Returning to  FIG. 6 , when the measurement information is received, the measurement control section  100  stores the content of the measurement information (Step S 314 ). 
         [0139]    Next, when it is determined that the sample is present at the suction position  236  (Yes in Step S 315 ) and that regarding the sample, there is an item to be subjected to the measurement in the order information  727  illustrated in  FIG. 12B  (Yes in Step S 316 ), the measurement control section  100  starts the suctioning of the sample regarding the item (Step S 317 ) and notifies the control device of that the sample suctioning is completed at a timing at which the suctioning of the sample is completed (Step S 318 ). When the sample is not present at the suction position  236  (No in Step S 315 ) or there is no measurement information about the sample at the suction position  236  (No in Step S 316 ), the process proceeds to Step S 319 . 
         [0140]      FIG. 13A  is a diagram schematically illustrating a suction completion notification  730  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100  when the suctioning of the sample is completed. The suction completion notification  730  includes a database key  731  and measuring item suction information  732 . The database key  731  represents the information for extracting the information of the retrieving target from the measurement information management database  740 . The measuring item suction information  732  is information representing whether there are the orders of the measuring items and includes the information illustrated in  FIG. 13B . 
         [0141]    Measuring item suction information  735  illustrated in  FIG. 13B  includes a measurement item  736  and suction information  737 . The measurement item  736  is information representing the measuring items which can be subjected to the measurement by the analyzer. The suction information  737  is information representing whether the measuring items are registered as the items to be subjected to the measurement or have been already suctioned for the measurement. 0 represents that the order for the measurement has been registered and the sample has not yet been suctioned. 1 represents that the order for the measurement has been registered and the suctioning has been completed. −1 represents that there is no order. 
         [0142]    For example, the measuring item suction information  735  illustrated in  FIG. 13B  represents that the order of the measuring item HBsAg has been registered and the suctioning of the sample has been completed, that the order of the measuring item HBsAb has not been registered, and that the order of the measuring item HCV has been registered and the suctioning of the sample has not been completed. 
         [0143]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , when the suction completion notification  730  of the sample illustrated in  FIG. 13A  is received from the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 230 ), the control device  300  searches the measurement information management database  740  on the basis of the database key  731  and updates the appropriate measuring item suction information  746  of the database key  741  by the received measuring item suction information  732  (Step S 231 ). 
         [0144]    Returning to  FIG. 6 , when it is determined that the sample rack  250  to be sent to the sample rack discharging section  242  is present on the transporting line  230  (Yes in Step S 319 ), the measurement control section  100  performs the sending of the sample rack (Step S 320 ). When the sensor  244  cannot detect that the sending lever  245  normally returns to the origin position thereof even after the sample rack  250  is sent by the sending lever  245  and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs an error processing to be described later. 
         [0145]    Next, the measurement control section  100  updates the sample rack information management table  700  illustrated in  FIG. 10  (Step S 321 ). That is, when the sample rack is sent to the sample rack discharging section  242 , the content stored in the data area of the second sample rack information  702  is copied to a first information storing area and the content of the second sample rack information  702  is erased. Then, when a new sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230 , the information acquired in Step S 308  is stored in the data area of the second sample rack information. When the sensor  244  cannot detect that the sending lever  245  normally returns to the origin position thereof even after the sample rack  250  is sent by the sending lever  245  and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs the error processing to be described later. 
         [0146]    In the measurement control section  100 , when it is determined that the sample rack  250  to be sent to the sample rack discharging section  242  is not present on the transporting line  230  (No in Step S 319 ), the process proceeds to Step S 322 . 
         [0147]    Next, when it is determined that the overall measurement has been completed in the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 322 ), the state of the measurement control section  100  is set to a standby state and the control device  300  is notified of the state (Step S 323 ). When the overall measurement has not been completed in the measurement control section  100 , the process returns to Step S 302 . 
         [0148]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , when the notification for analysis completion is received (Yes in Step S 250 ), the control device  300  sets the measurement state to the standby state (Step S 251 ). 
         [0149]    When the user performs shutdown (Yes in Step S 210 ), the measurement control section  100  is notified of a shutdown command from the control device  300  (Step S 211 ). When the shutdown is not performed (No in Step S 210 ), the process returns to Step S 200 . 
         [0150]    Returning to  FIG. 6 , when the notification for shutdown is received from the control device  300  (Yes in Step S 324 ), the measurement control section  100  performs the shutdown (Step S 325 ), and after the completion of the shutdown, the measurement control section notifies the control device  300  of that the shutdown has been completed and turns the power off. When the notification for shutdown is not received (No in Step S 324 ), the process returns to Step S 324 . 
         [0151]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , when the notification for shutdown completion is received from the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 260 ), the control device  300  turns the power of the control device  300  off. When the notification for shutdown completion is not received from the measurement control section  100  (No in Step S 260 ), the process returns to Step S 220 . 
         [0152]    [Process upon Generation of Error] 
         [0153]    When an error is generated in the transporting section  200  in the transverse sending of the rack (Step S 303 ), the feeding of the rack (Step S 305 ), the sending of the rack (Step S 320 ) and the like in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the user of the immunological analyzer  1  has to reset the sample rack  250  present on the transporting line  230  in the sample rack setting section  221 . 
         [0154]    The process when an error is generated in the transporting section  200  during the measurement is shown in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0155]    When the error of the transporting section  200  is detected, the measurement control section  100  stops the operation of the transporting section  200  (Step S 400 ) and calculates the number of the sample racks  250  present on the transporting line  230  from the number of the information of the detected racks  250  in the sample rack information management table  700  illustrated in  FIG. 10  (Step S 401 ). Next, the measurement control section  100  notifies the control device  300  of the content of the error with the calculated number of the sample racks (Step S 402 ). 
         [0156]      FIG. 15  is a diagram schematically illustrating an error notification  800  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100 . The error notification  800  includes an error No.  801  and a rack reset number  802 . The error No.  801  is an ID uniquely corresponding to the error generated in the measurement control section  100 . By using the ID as a key, the control device  300  can know the number of errors generated in the measurement control section  100  when a plurality of the errors are generated. The rack reset number  802  is information representing the number of the sample racks  250  on the transporting line  230  to be returned to the sample rack setting section  221  such that the user restarts the measurement. 
         [0157]    For example, the error notification  800  illustrated in  FIG. 15  represents that an error of which the error No.  801  is  377 , that is, an error in the transverse sending of the rack is generated in the measurement control section  100  and the user is required to return one sample rack  250  on the transporting line  230  to the sample rack setting section  221  to restart the measurement. 
         [0158]    When an error notification  850  is received (Yes in Step S 500 ), the control device  300  displays the help screen illustrated in  FIG. 18  (Step S 501 ) and displays the number of the sample racks to be returned in an action message (Step S 502 ). 
         [0159]      FIG. 18  is an example of a dialog displayed on the display  302  when the control device  300  is notified of the error from the measurement control section  100 . 
         [0160]    The help dialog  910  includes an error name  911 , an action message  912 , an alarm reset button  913  and a dialog closing button  914 . The error name is information representing the name of the error detected by the measurement control section  100 . The measurement control section  100  displays the error name corresponding to the information of the error No.  801  of the error notification  800  received from the control device  300 . The action message  912  is information representing the operation procedure to be performed by the user to recover the error displayed in the error name  911 . The alarm reset button  913  is a button for stopping an alarm ringing to notify the user of the error when the error is generated in the measurement control section  100 . The dialog closing button  914  is a button for closing the help dialog  910 . 
         [0161]      FIG. 17  is an example of the state of the sample rack  250  in the transporting section  200  upon display of the help dialog  910  illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0162]    By resetting a sample rack  901  illustrated in  FIG. 17  in front of a sample rack  902  (on the side of the measuring unit  2 ) and restarting the measurement, the user can restart the measurement by using the sample which has not yet been suctioned in the sample rack  901 . 
         [0163]    Next, when the user resets the sample rack  250  present on the transporting line  230  in the sample rack setting section  221  in accordance with the help dialog illustrated in  FIG. 18  and presses the measurement start button  611  to restart the measurement (Yes in Step S 503 ), the measurement control section  100  is notified of an instruction for measurement restart from the control device  300  (Step S 504 ). When the measurement start button  611  is not pressed (No in Step S 503 ), the process returns to Step S 503 . 
         [0164]    When the instruction for measurement restart is received from the control device  300  (Yes in Step S 403 ), the measurement control section  100  determines whether the sample rack  250  is present on the transporting line  230  on the basis of the output of the sensors  244  and  231  (Step S 404 ). When the sample rack  250  does not exist on the transporting line  230  (Yes in Step S 404 ), the process proceeds to Step S 405  and determining whether the sample rack  250  is present in the sample rack setting section  221  is performed (Step S 405 ). When it is determined that the sample rack  250  is present in the sample rack setting section  221  (Yes in Step S 405 ), the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  (Step S 406 ), the sample rack  250  fed to the transporting line  230  is transversely sent by one pitch (Step S 407 ) and the bar-code  251  adhered to the sample rack  250  is read (Step S 408 ). When the sample rack  250  is present on the transporting line  230  (No in Step S 404 ), the control device  300  is notified of the error. 
         [0165]    Further, when the sample rack  250  is not present in the sample rack setting section  221  (No in Step S 405 ), the process returns to Step S 403 . 
         [0166]    Next, when there the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  acquired in Step S 408  equals to the information in the sample rack information management table  700  stored in the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 409 ), the process proceeds to Step S 309  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . When the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  acquired in Step S 408  does not equal to the information in the sample rack information management table  700  (No in Step S 409 ), the content of the sample rack information management table  700  is completely erased (Step S 420 ) and a sample rack information nonavailability notification is transmitted to the control device  300  (Step S 421 ). After that, the measurement control device  100  stores the information of the bar-code acquired by the bar-code reader  111  in the sample rack information management table  700  (Step S 422 ) and the process proceeds to Step S 309  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0167]      FIG. 16  is a diagram schematically illustrating a sample rack information nonavailability notification  850  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100 . The sample rack information nonavailability notification  850  includes an inquiry key  851 , a serial number  852  and a sample rack ID  853 . 
         [0168]    The inquiry key  851  is information representing whether the serial number  852  is used or the sample rack ID  853  is used as a key of the order inquiry to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100 . The serial number  852  is information representing the serial number applied to the sample rack  250  put on the transporting line  230  by the measurement control section  100 . The sample rack ID  853  represents the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  acquired by the bar-code reader  111 . 
         [0169]    For example, the nonavailability notification  850  illustrated in  FIG. 16  represents that the measurement information stored in the measurement information management database  740 , of which the sample rack ID  853  is 0001, is excluded from the retrieving target when the measurement information inquiry data  710  illustrated in  FIG. 11  is received. 
         [0170]    When the sample rack information nonavailability notification  850  is received from the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 240 ), the control device  300  erases the appropriate measurement information from the retrieving target (Step S 241 ) and applies a gray color as a background color to the registration state display box  604  in which the appropriate measurement information is registered (Step S 242 ) As a result, the user can know that the appropriate measurement information about the sample rack is nonavailable. 
         [0171]    When a sample rack  951  and a sample rack  952  are present on the transporting line  230  as illustrated in  FIG. 19  and an error is generated in the process of the transporting section  200  such as the transverse sending of the racks (Step S 303 ) and the feeding of the racks (Step S 305 ), the control device  300  displays the help screen illustrated in  FIG. 20  on the display  302  of the control device  300 . 
         [0172]    The user recognizes an action message  953  and can know that two sample racks  250  on the transporting line  230  are required to be reset in the sample rack setting section  221  to recover the error. 
         [0173]    In this first embodiment, although it has been described that the number of the sample racks  250  which can be accommodated on the transporting line  230  is two, the sample racks  250  which can be accommodated on the transporting line  230  may be three or more. 
         [0174]    In this first embodiment, although it has been described that the control device  300  displays the number of the sample racks  250  returning to the sample rack setting section  221  from the transporting line  230  in the help dialog  910  when the error notification  850  is received from the measurement control section  100 , the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  read by the bar-code reader  111  may be displayed. 
         [0175]    In this first embodiment, although it has been described that the identification information of the sample rack bar-code  251  adhered to the sample rack  250  is acquired by using the bar-code reader  111 , the serial number may be used without the use of the bar-code reader  111  to calculate the number of the sample racks  250  to be reset in the sample rack setting section  221 , which are present on the transporting line  230 . 
         [0176]    In this first embodiment, although it has been described that the information of the sample rack  250  sent from the sample rack information management table  700  is erased at a timing at which the sample rack  250  present on the transporting line  230  is sent to the sample rack discharging section  242 , the information of the sample rack  250  sent from the sample rack information management table  700  may be erased at a timing at which the measurement result is acquired. Accordingly, when the measurement result cannot be obtained due to the error generated in the immunological analyzer  1 , the user can easily know which sample rack  250  is to be returned to the sample rack setting section  221  to restart the measurement. 
         [0177]    In addition, the information of the sample rack  250  from the sample rack information management table  700  may be erased at a timing at which the suctioning of the samples required to be subjected to the measurement in all of the test tubes  252  held in the sample rack  250  is completed. Accordingly, when the error is generated in the immunological analyzer  1 , the user can return only the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  in which the sample has not yet been suctioned to the sample rack setting section  221  and has no need to return the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  not required to suction the sample therein for the measurement to the sample rack setting section  221 . 
         [0178]    In this first embodiment, although it has been described that the error is detected in the transporting section  200 , the information of the sample rack  250  to be reset in the sample rack setting section  221  may be provided by performing the error processing illustrated in  FIG. 8  even when the error is detected in the measuring sections such as the suction section  105 , urgent sample transporting section  101 , reagent mounting section  106  and the reaction sections  107 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0179]    Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described in detail. Since the configurations of the measuring unit  2  and the control device  300  in the immunological analyzer  1  are the same in the first embodiment of the invention, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0180]    [Overall Process] 
         [0181]    Using  FIGS. 21 to 26 , the sample measuring process performed by the immunological analyzer  1  according to the second embodiment will be described. 
         [0182]      FIGS. 21 to 22  are flowcharts illustrating the processes when the measurement is normally performed in the immunological analyzer  1 . 
         [0183]    In Step S 700  illustrated in  FIG. 22 , when the measurement start button  611  displayed on the display  302  of the control device  300  is pressed by a user (Yes in Step S 700 ), determining whether measurement information is input by the user is performed (Step S 701 ). When the measurement information is input by the user (Yes in Step S 701 ), the measurement control section  100  is notified of measurement start (Step S 702 ). When the measurement start button  611  is pressed by the user but the measurement information is not input (No in Step S 701 ), the process returns to Step S 700 . 
         [0184]    Moving to  FIG. 21 , when the notification for measurement start is received (Yes in Step S 601 ), the measurement control section  100  determines whether the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  (Step S 602 ). When the notification for measurement start is not received (No in Step S 601 ), the process returns to Step S 601 . In Step S 602 , when it is determined the sample rack  250  is to be fed (Yes in Step S 602 ), determining whether the sample rack  250  is present in the sample rack setting section  221  is performed on the basis of the output of the sensor  226  (Step S 604 ). When the sample rack  250  is present in the sample rack setting section  221  (Yes in Step S 604 ), the sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  by the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  (Step S 605 ). 
         [0185]    In this Step S 605 , when the sample rack arrival sensor  231  cannot detect that the sample rack  250  is fed even after the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  is driven and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section performs the process upon generation of the error to be described later. 
         [0186]    Further, when returning of the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  to the origin position thereof cannot be detected on the basis of the output of the sensor  225  even after the feeding of the sample rack  250  to the transporting line  230  is completed by the sample rack feeding mechanism section  222  and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs the process upon generation of the error to be described later. 
         [0187]    When the sample rack  250  is not present in the sample rack setting section  221  (No in Step S 604 ), the process proceeds to Step S 621 . 
         [0188]    When it is determined that the sample rack  250  is not to be fed, that is, when a new sample rack  250  is fed to the transporting line  230  and it is determined that the new sample rack interferes with the sample rack  250  already present on the transporting line (No in Step S 602 ), the measurement control section  100  does not perform the feeding of the sample rack  250  and the process proceeds to Step S 603 . 
         [0189]    Next, the sample rack  250  on the transporting line  230  is transversely sent once (Step S 603 ). In this Step S 603 , when it is detected on the basis of the output of the sensors  235   a  and  235   b  that the transverse sending levers  233  are not normally operated, or that the sample rack  250  is moved upon stopping of the motor  234 , the measurement control section  100  performs the process upon generation of the error to be described later. 
         [0190]    Next, the measurement control section  100  checks whether the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  has been acquired by the bar-code reader  111  (Step S 606 ). When the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  has not yet been acquired (No in Step S 606 ), the sample rack ID of the sample rack bar-code  251  is acquired by the bar-code reader  111  (Step S 607 ) and the acquired rack ID of the sample rack bar-code  251  is stored (Step S 608 ). 
         [0191]    When the information of the sample rack bar-code  251  has been acquired (Yes in Step S 606 ) or when the process proceeds to Step S 609  after Step S 608  and there is the test tube bar-code  253  of the test tube  252  held in the sample rack  250 , which has not yet been acquired (No in Step S 609 ), the sample ID of the test tube bar-code  253  which has not yet been acquired is acquired by the bar-code reader  111  (Step S 610 ) and the acquired information is stored (Step S 611 ). 
         [0192]    Next, when the test tube  252  is present at the measurement information inquiry position  237  (Yes in Step S 612 ), an inquiry is made to the control device  300  about the measurement information of the test tube  252  present at the measurement information inquiry position  237  by using the rack ID of the sample rack bar-code  251  and the test tube position in the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  as keys (Step S 613 ). When the test tube  252  is not present at the measurement information inquiry position  237  (No in Step S 612 ), the process proceeds to Step S 615 . 
         [0193]    Returning to  FIG. 22 , when the measurement information inquiry data  710  illustrated in  FIG. 11  is received (Yes in Step S 720 ), the control device  300  retrieves the measurement information from the measurement information stored in the predetermined area of the hard disk  313  illustrated in  FIG. 2  by using the rack ID of the sample rack bar-code  251  and the test tube position in the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  as keys (Step S 721 ). 
         [0194]      FIG. 11  is the diagram schematically illustrating the measurement information inquiry data  710  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100 . Since the measurement information inquiry data  710  has been described in detail in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0195]      FIG. 9  is the example of the measurement information registering screen where the user inputs the measurement information. Since the measurement information registering screen has been described in detail in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0196]      FIG. 14A  is the diagram schematically illustrating the measurement information management database  740  for managing the measurement information stored in the hard disk  313 . Since the measurement information management database  740  has been described in detail in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0197]    Returning to  FIG. 22 , when there is the appropriate measurement information after the retrieval of the measurement information (Yes in Step  722 ), the database key  741  and the measuring item suction information  746  are added to the measurement information inquiry data  710  (Step S 723 ) and the measurement control section  100  is notified of the order information illustrated in  FIG. 11  (Step S 725 ). When there is not the appropriate measurement information after the retrieval of the measurement information (No in Step S 722 ), information without an order is added to the measurement information inquiry data  710  and the measurement control section  100  is notified (Step S 725 ). 
         [0198]      FIG. 12A  is the diagram schematically illustrating the measurement information  720  transmitted to the measurement control section from the control device  300 . Since the measurement information  720  has been described in detail in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0199]    Returning to  FIG. 21 , when the measurement information is received, the measurement control section  100  stores the content of the measurement information (Step S 614 ). 
         [0200]    Next, when it is determined that the sample is present at the suction position  236  (Yes in Step S 615 ) and that regarding the sample, there is an item to be subjected to the measurement in the order information  727  illustrated in  FIG. 12B  (Yes in Step S 616 ), the measurement control section  100  starts the suctioning of the sample regarding the item (Step S 617 ) and notifies the control device of that the sample suctioning is completed at a timing at which the suctioning of the sample is completed (Step S 618 ). When the sample is not present at the suction position  236  (No in Step S 615 ) or there is no measurement information about the sample at the suction position  236  (No in Step S 616 ), the process proceeds to Step S 619 . 
         [0201]      FIG. 13A  is the diagram schematically illustrating the suction completion notification  730  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100  when the suctioning of the sample is completed. Since the suction completion notification  730  has been described in detail in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0202]    Returning to  FIG. 22 , when the suction completion notification  730  of the sample illustrated in  FIG. 13A  is received from the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 730 ), the control device  300  searches the measurement information management database  740  on the basis of the database key  731  and updates the appropriate measuring item suction information  746  of the database key  741  by the received measuring item suction information  732  (Step S 731 ). 
         [0203]    Returning to  FIG. 21 , when it is determined that the sample rack  250  to be sent to the sample rack discharging section  242  is present on the transporting line  230  (Yes in Step S 619 ), the measurement control section  100  performs the sending of the sample rack (Step S 620 ). When the sensor  244  cannot detect that the sending lever  245  normally returns to the origin position thereof even after the sample rack  250  is sent by the sending lever  245  and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs an error processing to be described later. 
         [0204]    When the sensor  244  cannot detect that the sending lever  245  normally returns to the origin position thereof even after the sample rack  250  is sent by the sending lever  245  and a predetermined period of time passes, the measurement control section  100  performs the error processing to be described later. 
         [0205]    In the measurement control section  100 , when it is determined that the sample rack  250  to be sent to the sample rack discharging section  242  is not present on the transporting line  230  (No in Step S 619 ), the process proceeds to Step S 622 . 
         [0206]    Next, when it is determined that the overall measurement has been completed in the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 621 ), the state of the measurement control section  100  is set to a standby state and the control device  300  is notified of the state (Step S 622 ). When the overall measurement has not been completed in the measurement control section  100 , the process returns to Step S 602 . 
         [0207]    Returning to  FIG. 22 , when the notification for analysis completion is received (Yes in Step S 750 ), the control device  300  sets the measurement state to the standby state (Step  751 ). 
         [0208]    When the user performs shutdown (Yes in Step S 710 ), the measurement control section  100  is notified of a shutdown command from the control device  300  (Step S 711 ). When the shutdown is not performed (No in Step S 710 ), the process returns to Step S 700 . 
         [0209]    Returning to  FIG. 21 , when the notification for shutdown is received from the control device  300  (Yes in Step S 623 ), the measurement control section  100  performs the shutdown (Step S 624 ), and after the completion of the shutdown, the measurement control section notifies the control device  300  of that the shutdown has been completed and turns the power off. When the notification for shutdown is not received (No in Step S 623 ), the process returns to Step S 623 . 
         [0210]    Returning to  FIG. 22 , when the notification for shutdown completion is received from the measurement control section  100  (Yes in Step S 760 ), the control device  300  turns the power of the control device  300  off. When the notification for shutdown completion is not received from the measurement control section  100  (No in Step S 760 ), the process returns to Step S 720 . 
         [0211]    [Process upon Generation of Error] 
         [0212]    The flowchart of  FIG. 23  illustrates processes for the case where an error is generated in the transporting section  200  in the transverse sending of the rack (Step S 603 ), the feeding of the rack (Step S 605 ), the sending of the rack (Step S 620 ) and the like in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0213]    When the error of the transporting section  200  is detected, the measurement control section  100  stops the operation of the transporting section  200  (Step S 800 ) and notifies the control device  300  of the content of the error (Step S 801 ). 
         [0214]      FIG. 24  is a diagram schematically illustrating an error notification  900  transmitted to the control device  300  from the measurement control section  100 . The error notification  900  includes an error No.  901 . The error No.  901  is an ID uniquely corresponding to the error generated in the measurement control section  100 . By using the ID as a key, the control device  300  can know the number of errors generated in the measurement control section  100  when a plurality of the errors are generated. 
         [0215]    For example, the error notification  900  illustrated in  FIG. 24  represents that an error of which the error No.  901  is 377, that is, an error in the transverse sending of the rack is generated in the measurement control section  100 . 
         [0216]    Returning to  FIG. 23 , when the error notification  850  is received (Yes in Step S 900 ), the control device  300  displays the help screen illustrated in  FIG. 25  and displays on the help screen the action message representing that all of the racks are to be returned to predetermined positions (Step S 901 ). 
         [0217]      FIG. 25  is an example of the help screen displayed on the display  302  by the control device  300  when the error notification is received from the measurement control section  100 . 
         [0218]    A help screen  960  includes an error name  961 , an action message  962 , an alarm reset button  963  and a screen closing button  964 . The error name  961  is information representing the name of the error detected by the measurement control section  100 . The measurement control section  100  displays the error name corresponding to the information of the error No.  801  of the error notification  800  received from the control device  300 . The action message  962  is information representing the operation procedure to be performed by the user to recover the error displayed in the error name  961 . The alarm reset button  963  is a button for stopping an alarm ringing to notify the user of the error when the error is generated in the measurement control section  100 . The screen closing button  964  is a button for closing the help screen  960 . 
         [0219]      FIG. 26  is an example of the state of the sample racks  250  in the transporting section  200  when the help screen  960  illustrated in  FIG. 25  is displayed. 
         [0220]    The user resets sample racks  951  to  956  illustrated in  FIG. 26 , which are present on the transporting line  230  and in the sample rack setting section  221  and the sample rack discharging section  242 , in the sample rack setting section  221  and restarts the measurement to restart the stopped measurement. At this time, the sample racks  250  to be set in the sample rack setting section  221  may be set in a random sequence. For example, the sample racks  951  to  954  may be se t  after a sample rack  906  is set. 
         [0221]    Returning to  FIG. 23 , when the user resets the sample racks  250 , which are present on the transporting line  230  and in the sample rack discharging section  242 , in the sample rack setting section  221  in accordance to the help screen illustrated in  FIG. 25  and presses the measurement start button  611  to restart the measurement (Yes in Step S 902 ), the measurement control section  100  is notified of an instruction for measurement restart from the control device  300  (Step S 903 ). When the measurement start button  611  is not pressed (No in Step S 902 ), the process returns to Step S 902 . 
         [0222]    When the instruction for measurement restart is received from the control device  300  (Yes in Step S 403 ), the measurement control section  100  allows the process to proceed to Step S 602  illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0223]    On the basis of the measurement information  720  which is received from the control device  300  and stored (Steps S 614  to S 616 ), the measurement control section  100  determines whether the sample at the suction position  236  is required to be suctioned. When it is determined that the sample is required to be suctioned, the measurement control section  100  controls the suction section  105  to suction the sample from the test tube  252  at the suction position  236 . When it is determined that the sample is not required to be suctioned, the measurement control section  100  controls the sample rack transverse sending mechanism  232  to transversely send the sample rack  250 . 
         [0224]    In this second embodiment, although it has been described that the inquiry about the measurement information is made by using the rack ID of the sample rack bar-code  251  adhered to the sample rack  250  acquired by the bar-code reader  111  and the test tube position in the sample rack  250  holding the test tube  252  as keys, the inquiry about the measurement information may be made by using the sample ID of the test tube bar-code  253  acquired by the bar-code reader  111  as a key. 
         [0225]    In this second embodiment, although it has been described that the user may reset the sample racks  951  to  956  illustrated in  FIG. 26 , which are present on the transporting line  230  and in the sample rack setting section  221  and the sample rack discharging section  242 , in the sample rack setting section  221  in a random sequence when the error is generated in the transporting section  200 , the sample racks may be reset in the sample rack setting section  221  in a sequence in which the sample racks is fed to the transporting line  230 . For example, in  FIG. 26 , the sample racks  250  are set in the sample rack setting section  221  in a sequence of  951  to  956 . 
         [0226]    In this second embodiment, although it has been described that the CPU  310  of the control device  300  which controls the display  302  displaying the help screen is different from the measurement control section  100  which controls the suction section  105  and the transporting section  200 , the display  302  for displaying the help screen may be included in the measuring unit  2  such that the measurement control section  100  controls the display. 
         [0227]    In this second embodiment, although it has been described that one of −1 (without order), 0 (the order for the measurement is registered and the suction of the sample is not performed) and 1 (the order for the measurement is registered and the suction of the sample is completed) is set as the value which is set in the suction information  752  of the measuring item suction information  750 , the information representing results in which the analysis of the sample is normally completed and in which the analysis is completed but the error is shown may be set. Accordingly, the user can easily subject the sample having the result in which the error is shown to remeasurement. 
         [0228]    In this second embodiment, although it has been described that the error is detected in the transporting section  200 , the information of the sample rack  250  to be reset in the sample rack setting section  221  maybe provided by performing the error processing illustrated in  FIG. 23  even when the error is detected in the measuring sections such as the suctioning section  105 , urgent sample transporting section  101 , reagent mounting section  106  and the reaction sections  107 .