Patent Publication Number: US-2020300879-A1

Title: Specimen measurement device, specimen measurement method, and nozzle

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-055634, filed on Mar. 22, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a specimen measurement device, a specimen measurement method, and a nozzle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a specimen measurement device is known (for example, see JP 2007-085930). 
     JP 2007-085930 discloses an analysis device (specimen measurement device)  900  including a sample dispensing probe (nozzle)  901  to dispense a sample (specimen) into a container, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . In the analysis device  900  of JP 2007-085930, the sample dispensing probe  901  is cleaned with an aqueous solution containing reactive oxygen species each time a sample is dispensed so as to be used in common for different samples. In the sample dispensing probe  901 , a hydrophobic treatment film  903  is formed on the surface of a metal probe  902  in order to suppress oxidation by the aqueous solution containing reactive oxygen species during cleaning. 
     Conventionally, as described in JP 2513478 Y2, there is known a technique of discharging a sample in a state where a distal end of a nozzle is pressed against a bottom surface of a container in order to accurately dispense a small amount of the sample. 
     However, when discharging a sample in the state where a distal end of the sample dispensing probe is pressed against the bottom surface of the container as in JP 2513478 Y2 using a common sample dispensing probe for different samples as in JP 2007-085930, the sample dispensing probe and the bottom surface of the container come into contact with each other, and thus, there is a case where the hydrophobic treatment film of the sample dispensing probe is peeled off. When the hydrophobic treatment film of the sample dispensing probe is peeled off, peeled pieces of the hydrophobic treatment film are mixed into the sample, and thus, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to measure the sample with high accuracy. When the common sample dispensing probe is used for different samples, it is necessary to clean the sample dispensing probe each time a sample is dispensed, and thus, there is a disadvantage that the sample dispensing probe is easily oxidized when the hydrophobic treatment film is not formed. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to measure the sample (specimen) with high accuracy while preventing the oxidation of the sample dispensing probe (nozzle). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle ( 21 ) having an area ( 21   a ) on a distal end side being covered by a hydrophobic coating ( 22 ); a measurement unit ( 10 ) that measures a specimen dispensed into a container ( 131 ) by the nozzle ( 21 ); and a drive unit ( 40 ) that moves the nozzle ( 21 ) so as to abut on a bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ), the nozzle ( 21 ) having a distal end surface ( 21   b ) on a discharge port side being exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). 
     In the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ) that is likely to come into contact with the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) with the above-described configuration. Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ) even when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) comes into contact with the nozzle ( 21 ). As a result, it is possible to prevent peeled pieces of the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) from being mixed into a specimen so that measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy. When the nozzle ( 21 ) is cleaned with an oxidizing cleaning liquid, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining in the nozzle ( 21 ) after cleaning since the most portion other than the distal end surface ( 21   b ) in the area ( 21   a ) on the distal side of the nozzle ( 21 ) can be covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). In other words, the portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) repels the cleaning liquid so that the cleaning liquid does not remain. The portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) that is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is the distal end on the discharge port side, and thus, is disposed on the lower side of the nozzle ( 21 ). For this reason, a droplet attached to the portion exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) merges with the cleaning liquid that falls downward as being repelled by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) in the upper portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) and drop downward by inertia. The droplet does not remain on the surface of the nozzle ( 21 ). As a result, it is possible to prevent the portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) from being oxidized. Accordingly, the measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy while preventing the oxidation of the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A to 11 , in the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect, an outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ) of the nozzle ( 21 ), which is near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ), is preferably exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). With such a configuration, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ), which is near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ). Thus, when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) abutting on the nozzle ( 21 ) has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ) even if a side surface of the nozzle ( 21 ) near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) comes into contact with the curved surface of the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B , in the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect, the nozzle ( 21 ) preferably has an inclined surface ( 21   c ) at the distal end on the discharge port side, and the inclined surface ( 21   c ) is preferably connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). With such a configuration, a gap can be provided between the nozzle ( 21 ) and the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) by the inclined surface ( 21   c ) provided in the nozzle ( 21 ) when discharging the specimen while bringing the nozzle ( 21 ) into contact with the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). Thus, the specimen can be transferred from the nozzle ( 21 ) to the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). When the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) abutting on the nozzle ( 21 ) has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the inclined surface ( 21   c ) at the distal end on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ) even if the inclined surface ( 21   c ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) comes into contact with the curved surface of the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , in this case, the outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ), which is near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the inclined surface ( 21   c ), of the nozzle ( 21 ) is preferably exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). With such a configuration, when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) abutting on the nozzle ( 21 ) has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ) and the inclined surface ( 21   c ), which are near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ), even if the side surface or the inclined surface ( 21   c ) near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) comes into contact with the curved surface of the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect, the nozzle ( 21 ) preferably dispenses the specimen into the container ( 131 ) by spotting. With such a configuration, the specimen can be transferred to the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) using the surface tension without remaining in the nozzle ( 21 ), and thus, it is possible to accurately dispense a small amount of the specimen. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in this case, preferably, a spotting unit ( 180 ) that holds the container ( 131 ) in which the specimen is dispensed to be movable in the up-down direction and spots the specimen by the nozzle ( 21 ) is further provided. With such a configuration, when the nozzle ( 21 ) and the container ( 131 ) come into contact with each other by spotting, an excessive force can be released by the spotting unit ( 180 ), and thus, it is possible to prevent the excessive force from being applied to the nozzle ( 21 ) and the container ( 131 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect, the nozzle ( 21 ) preferably has a function of detecting a liquid level of the specimen. With such a configuration, the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) detecting the liquid level is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ), and thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the liquid level detection sensitivity, which is different from the case where the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) is covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect, the nozzle ( 21 ) is preferably formed using metal, and the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) preferably includes a silicon-based material or a fluorine-based material. With such a configuration, the mechanical strength of the nozzle ( 21 ) can be increased, and the silicon-based material or the fluorine-based material can enhance the water repellency of the area ( 21   a ) on the distal end side of the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , preferably, the specimen measurement device ( 100 ) according to the first aspect further includes a cleaner ( 171 ) that cleans the nozzle ( 21 ) each time the specimen is suctioned. As described above, even when the cleaner ( 171 ) is provided and the nozzle ( 21 ) is cleaned with the cleaning liquid, it is possible to prevent the nozzle ( 21 ) from being oxidized. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a specimen measurement method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a step of dispensing a specimen into a container ( 131 ) using a nozzle ( 21 ) having an area ( 21   a ) on a distal end side being covered by a hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) and a distal end surface ( 21   b ) on a discharge port side being exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ); and a step of measuring the specimen dispensed into the container ( 131 ) by the nozzle ( 21 ), and the dispensing step includes a step of dispensing the specimen by causing the nozzle ( 21 ) having the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side being exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) to abut on a bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). 
     In the specimen measurement method according to the second aspect, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ) that is likely to come into contact with the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) with the above-described configuration. Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ) even when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) comes into contact with the nozzle ( 21 ). As a result, it is possible to prevent peeled pieces of the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) from being mixed into a specimen so that measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy. When the nozzle ( 21 ) is cleaned with an oxidizing cleaning liquid, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining in the nozzle ( 21 ) after cleaning since the most portion other than the distal end surface ( 21   b ) in the area ( 21   a ) on the distal side of the nozzle ( 21 ) is covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). In other words, the portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) repels the cleaning liquid so that the cleaning liquid does not remain. The portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) that is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is the distal end on the discharge port side, and thus, is disposed on the lower side of the nozzle ( 21 ). For this reason, a droplet attached to the portion exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) merges with the cleaning liquid that falls downward as being repelled by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) in the upper portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) and drop downward by inertia. The droplet does not remain on the surface of the nozzle ( 21 ). As a result, it is possible to prevent the portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) from being oxidized. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the specimen measurement method capable of performing the measurement of the specimen with high accuracy while preventing the oxidation of the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in the specimen measurement method according to the second aspect, the dispensing step preferably includes a step of dispensing the specimen into the container ( 131 ) by spotting. With such a configuration, the specimen can be transferred to the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) using the surface tension without remaining in the nozzle ( 21 ), and thus, it is possible to accurately dispense a small amount of the specimen. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in this case, the dispensing step preferably includes a step of holding the container ( 131 ) in which the specimen is dispensed to be movable in an up-down direction and dispensing the specimen while bringing the nozzle ( 21 ) into contact with the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). With such a configuration, when the nozzle ( 21 ) and the container ( 131 ) come into contact with each other by spotting, an excessive force can be released by the spotting unit ( 180 ), and thus, it is possible to prevent the excessive force from being applied to the nozzle ( 21 ) and the container ( 131 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the specimen measurement method according to the second aspect, the nozzle ( 21 ) is preferably formed using metal, and the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) preferably includes a silicon-based material or a fluorine-based material. With such a configuration, the mechanical strength of the nozzle ( 21 ) can be increased, and the silicon-based material or the fluorine-based material can enhance the water repellency of the area ( 21   a ) on the distal end side of the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , preferably, the specimen measurement method according to the second aspect further includes a step of detecting a liquid level of the specimen using the nozzle ( 21 ). With such a configuration, the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) detecting the liquid level is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ), and thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the liquid level detection sensitivity, which is different from the case where the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) is covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , preferably, the specimen measurement method according to the second aspect further includes a step of cleaning the nozzle ( 21 ) each time the specimen is suctioned. As described above, even when the nozzle ( 21 ) is cleaned with the cleaning liquid, it is possible to prevent the nozzle ( 21 ) from being oxidized. 
     A nozzle ( 21 ) according to a third aspect of the present invention is the nozzle ( 21 ) having an area ( 21   a ) on a distal end side being covered by a hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The nozzle ( 21 ) dispenses a specimen while abutting on a bottom surface ( 131   a ) of a container ( 131 ), and has a distal end surface ( 21   b ) on a discharge port side being exposed from the hydrophobic coating. 
     In the nozzle ( 21 ) according to the third aspect, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ) that is likely to come into contact with the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) with the above-described configuration. Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ) even when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) comes into contact with the nozzle ( 21 ). As a result, it is possible to prevent peeled pieces of the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) from being mixed into a specimen so that measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy. When the nozzle ( 21 ) is cleaned with an oxidizing cleaning liquid, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining in the nozzle ( 21 ) after cleaning since the most portion other than the distal end surface ( 21   b ) in the area ( 21   a ) on the distal side of the nozzle ( 21 ) is covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). In other words, the portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) repels the cleaning liquid so that the cleaning liquid does not remain. The portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) that is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is the distal end on the discharge port side, and thus, is disposed on the lower side of the nozzle ( 21 ). For this reason, a droplet attached to the portion exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) merges with the cleaning liquid that falls downward as being repelled by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) in the upper portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) and drop downward by inertia. The droplet does not remain on the surface of the nozzle ( 21 ). As a result, it is possible to prevent the portion of the nozzle ( 21 ) exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) from being oxidized. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the nozzle ( 21 ) capable of performing the measurement of the specimen with high accuracy while preventing the oxidation. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A to 11 , in the nozzle ( 21 ) according to the third aspect, an outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ), which is near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ), is preferably exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). With such a configuration, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ), which is near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ). Thus, when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) abutting on the nozzle ( 21 ) has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ) even if a side surface of the nozzle ( 21 ) near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) comes into contact with the curved surface of the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B , the nozzle ( 21 ) according to the third aspect preferably has an inclined surface ( 21   c ) at the distal end on the discharge port side, and the inclined surface ( 21   c ) is preferably connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). With such a configuration, a gap can be provided between the nozzle ( 21 ) and the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) by the inclined surface ( 21   c ) provided in the nozzle ( 21 ) when discharging the specimen while bringing the nozzle ( 21 ) into contact with the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). Thus, the specimen can be transferred from the nozzle ( 21 ) to the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). When the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) adjacent to the nozzle ( 21 ) has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the inclined surface ( 21   c ) at the distal end on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ) even if the inclined surface ( 21   c ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) comes into contact with the curved surface of the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , in this case, the outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ), which is near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the inclined surface ( 21   c ), is preferably exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). With such a configuration, when the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ) adjacent to the nozzle ( 21 ) has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) is not formed on the outer peripheral surface ( 21   d ) and the inclined surface ( 21   c ), which are near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) and connected to the distal end surface ( 21   b ) on the discharge port side of the nozzle ( 21 ), even if the side surface or the inclined surface ( 21   c ) near the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) comes into contact with the curved surface of the bottom surface ( 131   a ) of the container ( 131 ). Thus, the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle ( 21 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the nozzle ( 21 ) according to the third aspect preferably has a function of detecting a liquid level of the specimen. With such a configuration, the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) detecting the liquid level is exposed from the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ), and thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the liquid level detection sensitivity, which is different from the case where the distal end surface ( 21   b ) of the nozzle ( 21 ) is covered by the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the nozzle ( 21 ) according to the third aspect, the nozzle ( 21 ) is preferably formed using metal, and the hydrophobic coating ( 22 ) preferably includes a silicon-based material or a fluorine-based material. With such a configuration, the mechanical strength of the nozzle ( 21 ) can be increased, and the silicon-based material or the fluorine-based material can enhance the water repellency of the area ( 21   a ) on the distal end side of the nozzle ( 21 ). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view illustrating configuration examples of the specimen measurement device and a blood coagulation measurement device; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the configuration example of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating a moving unit of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view illustrating the moving unit of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating dispensing of a specimen by a dispenser of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating dispensing of a reagent by the dispenser of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a cleaning unit of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 9A  is a view illustrating a distal end of a nozzle of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 9B  is a view illustrating the distal end of the nozzle of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 10A  is a view illustrating a distal end of a nozzle of a dispenser according to a first modification; 
         FIG. 10B  is a view illustrating the distal end of the nozzle of the dispenser according to the first modification; 
         FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a distal end of a nozzle of a dispenser according to a second modification; 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating the distal end of the nozzle of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a spotting process of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a measurement process of the specimen measurement device; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the measurement process illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is a view illustrating the related art. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     Overview of Specimen Measurement Device 
     First, an overview of a specimen measurement device  100  according to one embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The specimen measurement device  100  is a device that measures a measurement sample prepared by adding a predetermined reagent to a sample collected from a subject. 
     The subject is mainly a human, but may be another animal other than a human. The specimen measurement device  100  performs measurement for a clinical test or medical research on a specimen collected from a patient, for example. The specimen is a specimen derived from a living body. Examples of the specimen derived from the living body include a liquid collected from a subject, such as blood (whole blood, serum, or plasma), urine, and other body fluids, a liquid obtained by subjecting a collected body fluid or blood to a predetermined pretreatment. The specimen may be, for example, a part of a tissue or a cell of the subject other than the liquid. The specimen measurement device  100  detects a predetermined target component contained in the specimen. The target component may include, for example, a predetermined component, a cell, or a solid component in blood or a urine specimen. The target component may be a nucleic acid such as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a cell and an intracellular substance, an antigen or an antibody, a protein, a peptide, and the like. The specimen measurement device  100  may be a blood cell counter, a blood coagulation measurement device, an immunoassay device, a urinary solid component measurement device, or a measurement device other than these. 
     As an example, the specimen measurement device  100  is the immunoassay device that detects a test substance in a specimen using an antigen-antibody reaction. The immunoassay device detects, for example, an antigen or an antibody, a protein, a peptide, or the like contained in blood as a target component. The immunoassay device acquires serum or plasma as a specimen and quantitatively or qualitatively measures an antigen or an antibody contained in the specimen. The antigen-antibody reaction includes not only a reaction between an antigen and an antibody but also a reaction using a specific binding substance such as an aptamer. The aptamer is a nucleic acid molecule or peptide synthesized to be specifically bound to a specific substance. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the specimen measurement device  100  includes a measurement unit  10 , a dispenser  20 , and a drive unit  40 . 
     The measurement unit  10  is configured to detect and measure a component contained in a specimen. Specifically, the measurement unit  10  measures a measurement sample in which a reagent has been added to a specimen, and detects the component of the specimen. There is no limitation on a method of detecting the target component by the measurement unit  10 , and it is possible to adopt a method according to the target component, such as a chemical method, an optical method, and an electromagnetic method. For example, the presence or absence of the target component, the number or amount of the target component, the concentration and the abundance ratio of the target component, and the like are analyzed based on a detection result of the measurement unit  10 . 
     The dispenser  20  suctions and discharges a liquid for adjustment of the measurement sample. The dispenser  20  is configured to suction and discharge the liquid. The dispenser  20  dispenses the specimen into a container  131 . The dispenser  20  abuts on a bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131  to dispense the specimen. 
     The dispenser  20  includes a tubular nozzle  21  and a hydrophobic coating  22  that covers an area  21   a  on a distal end side of the nozzle  21 . In the nozzle  21 , a distal end surface  21   b  on a discharge port side is exposed from a hydrophobic coating  22 . That is, in the nozzle  21 , at least the distal end surface  21   b  is not covered by the hydrophobic coating  22  in the area  21   a  on the distal end side. In other words, the nozzle  21  is covered by the hydrophobic coating  22  in the area  21   a  on the distal end side except for a part near the discharge port where the contact with the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131  may occur. 
     The nozzle  21  may be formed using, for example, a metal material. The nozzle  21  is formed using, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, or iron. Preferably, the nozzle  21  is formed using stainless steel. The nozzle  21  may be formed using glass, ceramic, or resin. The nozzle  21  is disposed so as to extend in the up-down direction. 
     The area  21   a  on the distal end side of the nozzle  21  that is covered by the hydrophobic coating  22  is a portion that is likely to come into contact with a liquid such as a specimen, a reagent, and a cleaning liquid. For example, the area  21   a  on the distal end side is within a range of several mm to several tens mm from the discharge port of the dispenser  20 . 
     The hydrophobic coating  22  is provided on the outer periphery of the tubular nozzle  21 . The hydrophobic coating  22  has hydrophobicity. That is, the hydrophobic coating  22  has a property of repelling moisture. The hydrophobic coating  22  is formed using, for example, a fluorine-based material, a silicon-based material, or the like. The hydrophobic coating  22  is formed, for example, by performing immersion, coating, spraying, plating, and the like on the nozzle  21 . 
     The drive unit  40  moves the dispenser  20  so as to abut on the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131 . Specifically, when dispensing is performed by the dispenser  20 , the drive unit  40  moves the dispenser  20  in the up-down direction. 
     A specimen measurement method performed by the specimen measurement device  100  includes a step of dispensing a specimen using the dispenser  20  that includes the tubular nozzle  21  and the hydrophobic coating  22  covering the area  21   a  on the distal end side of the nozzle  21 ; and a step of measuring the dispensed specimen. The dispensing step includes a step of dispensing the specimen by bringing the nozzle  21  in which the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side is exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  close to the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131 . 
     Since the hydrophobic coating  22  is not formed on the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side of the dispenser  20  that is likely to come into contact with the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131  in the specimen measurement device  100  of the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to prevent the hydrophobic coating  22  from being peeled off from the nozzle  21  even when the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131  comes into contact with the dispenser  20  As a result, it is possible to prevent peeled pieces of the hydrophobic coating  22  from being mixed into the specimen so that the measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy. When the dispenser  20  is cleaned with an oxidizing cleaning liquid, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining in the dispenser  20  after cleaning since the most portion other than the distal end surface  21   b  in the area  21   a  on the distal side of the dispenser  20  is covered by the hydrophobic coating  22 . In other words, the portion of the nozzle  21  covered by the hydrophobic coating  22  repels the cleaning liquid so that the cleaning liquid does not remain. The portion of the nozzle  21  that is exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  is the distal end on the discharge port side, and thus, is disposed on the lower side of the nozzle  21 . For this reason, a droplet attached to the portion exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  merges with the cleaning liquid that falls downward as being repelled by the hydrophobic coating  22  in the upper portion of the nozzle  21  covered by the hydrophobic coating  22  and drop downward by inertia. Thus, the droplet does not remain on the surface of the nozzle  21 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the portion of the nozzle  21  exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  from being oxidized. Accordingly, the measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy while preventing the oxidation of the nozzle  21 . 
     Specific Configuration Example of Specimen Measurement Device 
     Next, a specific configuration example of the specimen measurement device  100  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 15 . In the example in  FIGS. 2 to 15 , the specimen measurement device  100  is an immunoassay device that detects a test substance in a specimen using an antigen-antibody reaction. In the example in  FIGS. 2 to 15 , the specimen measurement device  100  is connected to a blood coagulation measurement device  200 . The specimen measurement device  100  may be used alone without being connected to the blood coagulation measurement device  200 . 
     Configuration of Blood Coagulation Measurement Device 
     In the configuration example in  FIG. 2 , the blood coagulation measurement device  200  includes a measurement unit  201  and a transport unit  202 . In the configuration example in  FIG. 2 , the specimen measurement device  100  that is the immunoassay device is connected to the blood coagulation measurement device  200 . 
     In the configuration example in  FIG. 2 , the blood coagulation measurement device  200  has a function of suctioning a specimen from a specimen container that stores the specimen and dispensing the specimen into a container  203  in a fixed amount. 
     A specimen rack  204  is installed in the transport unit  202 . In the specimen rack  204 , a plurality of the specimen containers  205  each containing the specimen can be installed. The transport unit  202  transports the specimen rack  204  installed by a user, and positions each of the specimen containers  205  at a predetermined specimen suction position Pa in a plan view. A label (not illustrated) recording identification information in a barcode or the like is attached to the specimen rack  204  and the specimen container  205 . The identification information of the specimen rack  204  and the specimen container  205  is read by a reader installed on a transport path. With the identification information, a specimen in the specimen container  205  and a measurement result of the specimen are managed in association with each other. The specimen container  205  is, for example, a blood collection tube. 
     The measurement unit  201  includes specimen dispensers  211  and  212  configured to suction a specimen in the specimen container  205  and dispense the specimen into the container  203  in a fixed amount. 
     The specimen dispensers  211  and  212  include dispensing arms that hold specimen dispensing pipettes  213  in a rotatable manner. The pipette  213  is connected to a pump and can suction and discharge the specimen in a fixed amount. The specimen dispensers  211  and  212  can move the pipettes  213 , respectively, to suction a predetermined amount of the specimen from the specimen container  205  at the specimen suction position Pa. The specimen dispensers  211  and  212  can move the pipettes  213 , respectively, to discharge the suctioned specimen into the container  203  disposed at a predetermined specimen discharge position Pb. The container  203  is, for example, a cuvette. 
     The measurement unit  201  performs optical measurement on a measurement sample prepared by adding a predetermined reagent to the specimen suctioned by the specimen dispenser  211  or  212 . The blood coagulation measurement device  200  may be configured to perform measurement on the container  203  in which a fixed amount of the specimen has been dispensed in advance without including the transport unit  202  and the specimen dispensers  211  and  212 . 
     The measurement unit  201  includes a mechanism for transferring the container  203  which contains a specimen and a reagent and in which a measurement sample is prepared to the respective units. In the configuration example in  FIG. 2 , the measurement unit  201  includes a container table  220 . The container table  220  has a ring shape in a plan view, and can rotate in the circumferential direction. The container table  220  includes a plurality of holding holes  221  arranged along the circumferential direction. One container  203  can be installed in each of the holding holes  221 . The specimen dispensers  211  and  212  can dispense the suctioned specimen into a new container  203  held on the container table  220  at the specimen discharge position Pb in a plan view. The specimen dispensers  211  and  212  can also suction the specimen from the container  203  that contains the specimen on the container table  220 . 
     The measurement unit  201  includes a transfer unit  230  that positions the new container  203  at the specimen discharge position Pb. The transfer unit  230  can move an installation base provided with a holding hole for installation of the container  203  along a rail. For example, two holding holes are provided. The specimen dispenser  212  can dispense the suctioned specimen into the new container  203  held by the transfer unit  230 . 
     A large number of new containers  203  are stored in a container storage unit  240 , and are taken out of the container storage unit  240  one by one by a container supply unit  241 . The container  203  taken out by the container supply unit  241  is gripped by a gripping mechanism  242  and taken out. The gripping mechanism  242  can install the taken-out container  203  in the holding hole  221  of the container table  220  or the holding hole of the transfer unit  230 . 
     In the configuration example in  FIG. 2 , the blood coagulation measurement device  200  has a function of adding a reagent to a specimen in the container  203  to prepare a measurement sample. The measurement sample is a mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent. 
     The measurement unit  201  includes a reagent table  250  containing a reagent container  251  used for measurement and reagent dispensers  261  and  262  configured to suction and discharge the reagent from the reagent container  251  installed on the reagent table  250 . 
     The reagent table  250  is disposed inside the container table  220 , and has a circular shape in a plan view. The plurality of reagent containers  251  can be installed on the reagent table  250  along the circumferential direction. The reagent table  250  is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can position arbitrary reagent containers  251  at reagent suction positions Pc and Pd in a predetermined plan view by the rotation. 
     The reagent dispensers  261  and  262  include reagent dispensing pipettes (not illustrated). The pipette is connected to a pump (not illustrated) and can suction and discharge the reagent in a fixed amount. The reagent dispensers  261  and  262  can suction each predetermined amount of reagents from the reagent containers  251  positioned at the predetermined reagent suction positions Pc and Pd on the reagent table  250 , respectively. The reagent dispensers  261  and  262  can move the pipettes to the reagent discharge positions Pe and Pf, respectively, in a plan view to discharge each predetermined amount of reagents into the containers  203  at the reagent discharge positions. 
     The measurement unit  201  includes a heating table  270  configured to hold and heat the container  203  into which a specimen has been dispensed. The heating table  270  includes a plurality of holding holes  271  configured to hold the plurality of containers  203  containing specimens, respectively, and a gripping mechanism  272  configured to hold and transfer the containers  203 . The heating table  270  has a built-in heater configured to heat the containers  203  respectively held in the plurality of holding holes  271 . 
     The heating table  270  has a circular shape in a plan view, and has the plurality of holding holes  271  arranged in the circumferential direction. The heating table  270  is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can transfer the containers  203  installed in the plurality of holding holes  271  in the circumferential direction by the rotation while being heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater. The gripping mechanism  272  can grip and transfer the container  203 , install the container  203  in the holding hole  271  or take out the container  203  from the holding hole  271 . 
     The gripping mechanism  272  can transfer the container  203  installed in the transfer unit  230  to the holding hole  271  of the heating table  270 . The gripping mechanism  272  can take out the containers  203  heated in the holding holes  271  of the heating table  270  and transfer the containers  203  to the reagent discharge positions Pe and Pf, respectively. The gripping mechanism  272  returns the container  203  into which a reagent has been dispensed by the reagent dispenser  261  or  262  to the holding hole  271  of the heating table  270 . 
     The blood coagulation measurement device  200  may be configured to perform measurement on the container  203  in which a prepared measurement sample has been stored in advance without including the reagent table  250 , the reagent dispenser  261 , and the heating table  270 . 
     The measurement unit  201  includes a detection unit  280  configured to perform optical measurement on a measurement sample in the container  203 . The detection unit  280  includes a container installation unit  281  configured to install the container  203  containing a specimen, and a light receiving unit provided so as to correspond to the container installation unit  281 . 
     In the configuration example in  FIG. 2 , the detection unit  280  includes a plurality of the container installation units  281 . The detection unit  280  extends linearly along one side of the blood coagulation measurement device  200  in a plan view, and the plurality of container installation units  281  are arranged linearly in two rows at a predetermined interval. 
     The measurement unit  201  includes a gripping mechanism  290  configured to transfer the container  203  to the detection unit  280 . 
     The gripping mechanism  290  includes a moving mechanism in each of the X, Y, and Z directions, which are orthogonal three axis directions, and can hold and transfer the container  203 . The gripping mechanism  290  can take out the container  203  from the holding hole  271  of the heating table  270  and transfers the container  203  to the reagent discharge position Pe, and install the container  203  after dispensing of the reagent in the container installation unit  281  of the detection unit  280 . The gripping mechanism  290  can take out the measured container  203  from the container installation unit  281  and transfer the container  203  to a disposal port  282 . 
     Optical measurement is performed on a measurement sample in the container  203  installed in the container installation unit  281  of the detection unit  280 . A light irradiation unit irradiates the container  203  installed in the container installation unit  281  of the detection unit  280  with measurement light. The light receiving unit receives transmitted light or scattered light of the light emitted to the container  203 , and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light. The specimen is measured based on the output electric signal. 
     The blood coagulation measurement device  200  can pass a specimen to the specimen measurement device  100 . Specifically, the blood coagulation measurement device  200  transports a specimen container  129  to the specimen measurement device  100  via the container table  220  and the heating table  270 . The specimen container  129  is, for example, a cuvette. 
     Configuration of Specimen Measurement Device 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the specimen measurement device  100 , which is the immunoassay device, is connected to the blood coagulation measurement device  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the specimen measurement device  100  includes the measurement unit  10 , a control unit  11 , a dispensing unit  20   a,  a moving unit  30 , the drive unit  40 , a housing  110 , the specimen transport unit  120 , the container supply unit  130 , the container transport unit  140 , a heating unit  150 , a reagent container holding unit  161 , a reagent cooling unit  162 , a reagent dispenser  163 , a cleaning unit  170 , a spotting unit  180 , and a BF separation unit  190 . 
     The housing  110  has a box-like shape that can accommodate the respective units of the specimen measurement device  100  therein. The housing  110  may be configured to accommodate the respective units of the specimen measurement device  100  on a single layer or may have a hierarchical structure in which a plurality of layers are provided in the up-down direction so that each of the units of the specimen measurement device  100  are disposed to be allocated to each of the layers. 
     The specimen transport unit  120  is configured to transport a specimen collected from a subject to a position where the specimen is to be suctioned. The specimen transport unit  120  includes a delivery table  121 , a delivery catcher  123 , a delivery port  124 , a transport unit  125 , and a specimen supply unit  126 . The specimen transport unit  120  receives a specimen from the blood coagulation measurement device  200 , and transports the received specimen to the specimen supply unit  126 . The specimen transport unit  120  transfers the specimen container  129  from which the specimen has been suctioned to the disposal port  128  and discards the specimen container  129 . 
     The delivery table  121  has a ring shape in a plan view and can rotate in the circumferential direction. The delivery table  121  is provided with a plurality of holding holes  122  arranged in the circumferential direction. One specimen container  129  can be installed in each of the holding holes  122 . The delivery catcher  123  conveys the specimen container  129  placed on the delivery port  124  to the holding hole  122  of the delivery table  121 . The delivery catcher  123  is rotatable about a rotation axis in the vertical direction and is movable up and down in the vertical direction. The specimen container  129  transported from the blood coagulation measurement device  200  can be placed on the delivery port  124 . 
     The transport unit  125  transports the specimen container  129  held in the holding hole  122  of the delivery table  121  to a holding hole  127  of the specimen supply unit  126 . The transport unit  125  is disposed on an X2 direction side in the specimen measurement device  100 , and transports the specimen container  129  containing a specimen. The transport unit  125  transports the specimen container  129  held in the holding hole  127  of the specimen supply unit  126  to the disposal port  128 . The transport unit  125  transports the container  131  to be used for a reaction to the measurement unit  10 . The transport unit  125  transports the container  131  from the measurement unit  10  to the disposal port  128 . The transport unit  125  is rotatable about a rotation axis in the vertical direction and is movable up and down in the vertical direction. The transport unit  125  includes, for example, a catcher that holds the specimen container  129 . The container  131  is, for example, a cuvette. 
     The specimen supply unit  126  has a circular shape in a plan view and can rotate in the circumferential direction. The specimen supply unit  126  is provided with a plurality of (three) holding holes  127  arranged along the circumferential direction. One specimen container  129  can be installed in each of the holding holes  127 . The three holding holes  127  have depths different from each other. That is, the three holding holes  127  respectively correspond to containers having different heights. 
     The container supply unit  130  stores a plurality of the containers  131 . The container supply unit  130  can supply the containers  131  to the container transport unit  140  one by one at a predetermined container supply position Pg in a plan view. The container supply unit  130  is movable in the front-rear direction (X direction). That is, when the container supply unit  130  is located on the near side (X1 direction side), the container  131  is supplied by a user. The container  131  is supplied to the specimen measurement device  100  in a state where the container supply unit  130  has been moved to the X2 direction side. The containers  131  may be supplied one by one, or the plurality of containers  131  may be supplied collectively by a rack or the like. The movement of the container supply unit  130  in the front-rear direction may be manually performed by the user, or may be automatically performed by a drive unit or the like. 
     The container transport unit  140  transfers the container  131 . Specifically, the container transport unit  140  transports the container  131  along a movement direction of the dispensing unit  20   a.  The container transport unit  140  acquires the container  131  from the container supply position Pg, and transfers the container  131  to each processing position of the heating unit  150 , the reagent dispenser  163 , the spotting unit  180 , and the BF separation unit  190 . The container transport unit  140  includes a catcher  141 , a support member  142 , a support member  143 , and a support member  144 . 
     The catcher  141  grips the container  131 . The catcher  141  can swing the container  131  in the state of gripping the container  131 . The support member  142  supports the catcher  141  to be movable in the up-down direction (Z direction). The support member  143  supports the support member  142  to be movable in the left-right direction (Y direction). The support member  144  supports the support member  143  to be movable in the front-rear direction (X direction). The support member  144  is provided with a guide  145  extending in the X direction. That is, the guide  145  is disposed so as to extend in a direction in which dispensers  20   b  and  20   c  are arranged. Accordingly, the container transport unit  140  can transport the container  131  in the direction in which the dispensers  20   b  and  20   c  are arranged. The catcher  141  can move in the horizontal direction (XY direction) and can move in the up-down direction (Z direction). 
     The heating unit  150  includes a heater and a temperature sensor, holds the container  131 , and heats a sample contained in the container  131  to cause a reaction. The heating unit  150  heats the container  131  into which a liquid has been dispensed. The heating unit  150  is provided with a plurality of holding holes  151 . One container  131  can be installed in each of the holding holes  151 . A specimen and a reagent contained in the container  131  react by the heating of the heating unit  150 . One or a plurality of heating units  150  are provided inside the housing  110 . The heating unit  150  may be fixedly installed in the housing  110 , or may be provided to be movable inside the housing  110 . When the heating unit  150  is configured to be movable, the heating unit  150  can also function as a part of the container transport unit. 
     The reagent container holding unit  161  can hold a plurality of reagent containers  160   a.  The reagent container holding unit  161  is provided in a reagent storage  160  having a cylindrical shape. The reagent storage  160  is disposed on the X1 direction side in the specimen measurement device  100 . The reagent container  160   a  in which a reagent dispensed by the dispensing unit  20   a  is stored is installed in the reagent storage  160 . The reagent storage  160  includes a reagent table  160   b  for a user to install a reagent. The reagent container holding unit  161  is provided on the near side (X1 direction side). The reagent container holding unit  161  has a circular shape in a plan view. The plurality of reagent containers  160   a  can be installed in the reagent container holding unit  161  along the circumferential direction. The reagent container holding unit  161  is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can position an arbitrary reagent container  160   a  at a predetermined reagent suction position Ph or Pi in a plan view by the rotation. The reagent container holding unit  161  is provided with a cooling mechanism, and the reagent in the reagent container installed in the reagent container holding unit  161  is kept at a constant temperature suitable for storage. The reagent container holding unit  161  holds, for example, an R1 reagent, an R2 reagent, and an R3 reagent. Above the reagent container holding unit  161  at the reagent suction position Ph, a reagent supply unit  161   a  that supplies the R1 reagent and the R2 reagent is provided. The reagent supply unit  161   a  is provided with a lid that can be open and closed. The lid of the reagent supply unit  161   a  is open at the time of suctioning the reagent, and is closed at the other time. Above the reagent container holding unit  161  at the reagent suction position Pi, a reagent supply part  161   b  that supplies the R3 reagent is provided. The reagent supply unit  161   b  is provided with a lid that can be open and closed. The lid of the reagent supply unit  161   b  is open at the time of suctioning the reagent, and is closed at the other time. The reagent container holding unit  161  is disposed below the moving unit  30 . 
     The reagent table  160   b  has a circular shape in a plan view. The plurality of reagent containers  160   a  can be installed on the reagent table  160   b  along the circumferential direction. The reagent table  160   b  is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can position an arbitrary reagent container  160   a  at the reagent suction position Ph or Pi by the rotation. 
     The reagent cooling unit  162  cools an R4 reagent and an R5 reagent. The reagent cooling unit  162  keeps the R4 reagent and the R5 reagent at a constant temperature suitable for storage. The reagent dispenser  163  dispenses the R4 reagent and the R5 reagent into the container  131 . The reagent dispenser  163  includes an R4 reagent dispenser  163   a  and an R5 reagent dispenser  163   b.  The R4 reagent dispenser  163   a  dispenses the R4 reagent into the container  131  to which the R4 reagent is supplied from the reagent cooling unit  162  and which has been transferred by the container transport unit  140 . The R5 reagent dispenser  163   b  dispenses the R5 reagent into the container  131  to which the R5 reagent is supplied from the reagent cooling unit  162  and which has been transferred by the container transport unit  140 . The R4 reagent dispenser  163   a  and the R5 reagent dispenser  163   b  are cleaned using a cleaning liquid each time the dispensing operation is performed. 
     The cleaning unit  170  cleans the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  using the cleaning liquid. Specifically, the cleaning unit  170  includes a cleaner  171 , a high-pressure unit  172 , a cleaning liquid container  173  (see  FIG. 8 ), a back-flow check valve  174  (see  FIG. 8 ), a high-pressure cleaning syringe  175  (see  FIG. 8 ) and a solenoid valve  176  (see  FIG. 8 ). The cleaner  171  cleans the nozzles of the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  that have suctioned liquids with the cleaning liquid each time the liquid is suctioned. Accordingly, the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  can be cleaned, and thus, can suction different liquids without replacing the nozzles. The cleaner  171  sequentially cleans the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  in an initial operation and an end operation of the specimen measurement device  100 . As the cleaning liquid, for example, an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution, water, or the like is used. 
     The cleaner  171  discharges the cleaning liquid from inside the nozzle, and cleans the nozzle with the cleaning liquid from outside the nozzle. After dispensing the liquid suctioned by the nozzle into the container  131 , the cleaning liquid is discharged from the nozzle that has suctioned the liquid. Accordingly, the inside of the nozzle can be effectively cleaned with the cleaning liquid. 
     The cleaner  171  is provided commonly to the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c.  The cleaner  171  is disposed below the moving unit  30 . The dispenser  20   c  dispenses the R2 reagent and the R3 reagent above the cleaner  171 . 
     The spotting unit  180  can hold the container  131  to be movable in the up-down direction (Z direction). In the spotting unit  180 , a specimen is dispensed into the container  131  by spotting. In the spotting unit  180 , the R1 reagent is dispensed. The spotting unit  180  has an elastic member  181  (see  FIG. 13 ) that is deformed in the up-down direction. The elastic member  181  includes, for example, a leaf spring, a coil spring, and the like. Details of the spotting operation will be described later. 
     The BF separation unit  190  has a function of executing a BF separation process of separating a liquid phase and a solid phase from the container  131 . The BF separation unit  190  performs BF separation on the container  131  into which a liquid has been dispensed. The BF separation unit  190  includes one or more processing ports in which the containers  131  can be respectively installed. The processing port includes a magnetic force source  192  (see  FIG. 14 ) configured to collect magnetic particles contained in the R2 reagent, and a cleaner  191  (see  FIG. 14 ) configured to suction a liquid phase and supply a cleaning liquid. The BF separation unit  190  suctions the liquid phase in the container  131  and supplies the cleaning liquid by the cleaner  191  in a state where the magnetic particles on which an immune complex, which will be described later, has been formed are magnetized. The cleaner  191  includes a liquid phase suction passage and a cleaning liquid discharge passage, and is connected to a fluid circuit (not illustrated). Accordingly, an unnecessary component contained in the liquid phase can be separated and removed from a conjugate of the immune complex and the magnetic particles. 
     The measurement unit  10  includes a photodetector  10   a  such as a photomultiplier tube (see  FIG. 14 ). The measurement unit  10  acquires light, generated in the course of a reaction between a labeled antibody, which is bound to an antigen of a specimen that has been subjected to various processes, and a luminescent substrate by the photodetector  10   a,  thereby measuring the amount of antigen contained in the specimen. The measurement unit  10  measures the specimen heated by the heating unit  150 . The measurement unit  10  measures the specimen on which the BF separation process has been performed by the BF separation unit  190 . 
     The control unit  11  includes a processor such as a CPU and a storage unit such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk. The processor functions as a control unit of the specimen measurement device  100  by executing a control program stored in the storage unit. The control unit  11  controls the operations of the respective units of the specimen measurement device  100  described above. The control unit  11  analyzes a result detected by the measurement unit  10 . 
     The dispensing unit  20   a  includes the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c.  The dispenser  20   b  is configured to suction and discharge a specimen. The dispenser  20   c  is configured to suction and discharge a reagent. The dispenser  20   c  is configured to suction and discharge a plurality of types of reagents. Specifically, the dispenser  20   c  is configured to suction and discharge the R1, R2, and R3 reagents. 
     The dispensing unit  20   a  holds the dispenser  20   b  on a first side (X2 direction side) in the X direction, and holds the dispenser  20   c  on a second side (X1 direction side) opposite to the first side in the X direction. The dispenser  20   b  suctions the specimen from the specimen container  129  that stores the specimen transported by the transport unit  125 . The dispenser  20   c  suctions the reagent from the reagent container  160   a  installed in the reagent storage  160 . 
     The dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  are disposed in the horizontal direction along the movement direction. Specifically, the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  are disposed along the X direction. The dispenser  20   b  is disposed on the rear side (X2 direction side) with respect to the dispenser  20   c.  The dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  can move in a linear movable range  23 . The movable range  23  includes a dispensable area of the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c,  and an area for a retreat to a position that does not interfere with the container transport unit  140 . 
     The nozzles of the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  that have performed suction dispense the suctioned liquids into the container  131 . The dispenser  20   c  dispenses the reagent contained in the reagent container  160   a.    
     In the movable range  23  of the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c,  the reagent supply units  161   a  and  161   b,  the spotting unit  180 , the cleaner  171 , and the specimen supply unit  126  are linearly disposed in this order in a plan view as a suction position or a discharge position of the dispenser  20   b.  That is, the specimen supply unit  126 , the cleaner  171 , and the reagent supply units  161   a  and  161   b  are linearly disposed in the order of the specimen supply unit  126 , the cleaner  171 , and the reagent supply units  161   a  and  161   b  in a plan view. The specimen supply unit  126 , the cleaner  171 , the spotting unit  180 , and the reagent supply units  161   a  and  161   b  are linearly disposed in the order of the specimen supply unit  126 , the cleaner  171 , the spotting unit  180 , and the reagent supply units  161   a  and  161   b  in a plan view. 
     The dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  are connected to a quantitative syringe  24 , and suction and discharge a predetermined amount of a specimen or a reagent. The dispenser  20   b  is connected to a liquid level sensor  20   d  (see  FIG. 4 ). The dispenser  20   c  is connected to a liquid level sensor  20   e  (see  FIG. 4 ). The liquid level sensor  20   d  is connected to the control unit  11 , and detects a liquid level of a reagent based on a change in capacitance due to the contact between the a liquid level of a specimen and the dispenser  20   b  and outputs a detection result to the control unit  11  when suctioning the specimen from the specimen container  129 . The liquid level sensor  20   e  is connected to the control unit  11 , and detects a liquid level of a reagent based on a change in capacitance due to the contact between the a liquid level of a sample and the dispenser  20   c  and outputs a detection result to the control unit  11  when suctioning the sample from the sample container  160   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the moving unit  30  moves the dispensing unit  20   a  in the direction in which the dispensers  20   b  and  20   c  are arranged. That is, the moving unit  30  moves the dispensing unit  20   a  in the X direction of the horizontal direction. Specifically, the moving unit  30  is configured to integrally move the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  in one axial direction (X direction) of the horizontal direction. 
     The moving unit  30  includes a support unit  31 , a rail  32 , a moving unit  33 , a motor  34 , and a belt mechanism  35 . The support unit  31  movably supports the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c.  The support unit  31  is provided commonly to the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c.  The dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  may be separately supported. The dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  may be independently moved in one axis direction. 
     The support unit  31  is formed in a plate shape extending along the XZ plane. The support unit  31  is formed in an elongated shape extending along the X direction. Both the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  are disposed on one plate-like side surface (Y1 side surface) of the support unit  31 . The support unit  31  is provided with the rail  32  extending in the X direction. The moving unit  33  is engaged with the rail  32 . The moving unit  33  is supported by the rail  32  to be movable in the X direction. That is, the moving unit  33  moves along the support unit  31 . The dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  are attached to the common moving unit  33 . The moving unit  33  is, for example, a slider that moves along the guide of the support unit  31 . 
     The motor  34  is configured to drive the belt mechanism  35 . The motor  34  is provided with an encoder, and a signal is transmitted from the encoder to the control unit  11 . The motor  34  is controlled and driven by the control unit  11  based on the signal of the encoder. The belt mechanism  35  includes a belt and a pulley, and is connected to the dispensing unit  20   a  including the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c.  The movement of the belt of the belt mechanism  35  moves the connected dispensing unit  20   a  in the X direction. 
     The drive unit  40  moves the dispenser  20   b  and the dispenser  20   c  in the up-down direction independently of each other. The drive unit  40  includes a motor  41 , a belt mechanism  42 , a motor  43 , and a belt mechanism  44 . When dispensing is performed by the dispenser  20 , the drive unit  40  moves the dispenser  20  close to the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131  such that the dispenser  20  abuts on the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131 . 
     The motor  41  and the belt mechanism  42  move the dispenser  20   c  in the up-down direction. The motor  41  and the belt mechanism  42  are moved in one axial direction (X direction) together with the dispenser  20   c.  The motor  41  is configured to drive the belt mechanism  42 . The motor  41  is provided with an encoder, and a signal is transmitted from the encoder to the control unit  11 . The motor  41  is controlled and driven by the control unit  11  based on the signal of the encoder. The belt mechanism  42  includes a belt and a pulley, and is connected to the dispenser  20   c.  The movement of the belt of the belt mechanism  42  moves the connected dispenser  20   c  in the up-down direction (Z direction). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the motor  43  and the belt mechanism  44  move the dispenser  20   b  in the up-down direction. The motor  43  and the belt mechanism  44  are moved in one axial direction (X direction) together with the dispenser  20   b . The motor  43  is configured to drive the belt mechanism  44 . The motor  43  is provided with an encoder, and a signal is transmitted from the encoder to the control unit  11 . The motor  43  is controlled and driven by the control unit  11  based on the signal of the encoder. The belt mechanism  44  includes a belt and a pulley, and is connected to the dispenser  20   b.  The movement of the belt of the belt mechanism  44  moves the connected dispenser  20   b  in the up-down direction (Z direction). 
     The control unit  11  controls the dispensing unit  20   a  and the moving unit  30  such that the dispensing is performed on another container  131  while one container is measured by the measurement unit  10 . Accordingly, the processing of another specimen can be performed in parallel with the measurement of one specimen by the measurement unit  10 , and thus, the process of measuring the specimen can be performed efficiently. The control unit  11  controls the dispensing unit  20   a  and the moving unit  30  such that dispensing is performed on another container  131  while the container  131  to which a liquid has been dispensed is heated by the heating unit  150 . Accordingly, the processing of another specimen can be performed in parallel with the heating of one specimen by the heating unit  150 , and thus, the process of measuring the specimen can be performed efficiently. 
     The control unit  11  controls the dispensing unit  20   a  and the moving unit  30  such that dispensing is performed on another container  131  while the BF separation unit  190  performs the BF separation process on the container  131  into which a liquid has been dispensed. Accordingly, the processing of another specimen can be performed in parallel with the BF separation process of one specimen by the BF separation unit  190 , and thus, the process of measuring the specimen can be performed efficiently. 
     Dispensing of Specimen 
     The dispensing of a specimen by the dispensing unit  20   a  will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The dispenser  20   b  of the dispensing unit  20   a  is configured to be moved to a first position P 11 , and then, moved from the first position P 11  to a specimen suction position P 12  when suctioning a specimen. Specifically, the dispenser  20   b  is horizontally moved by the moving unit  30  to the first position P 11  located above the specimen suction position P 12 . Then, the dispenser  20   b  is moved by the drive unit  40  from the first position P 11  to the specimen suction position P 12 . Then, the specimen is suctioned from the specimen container  129  by the dispenser  20   b.    
     The dispenser  20   b  of the dispensing unit  20   a  is configured to be moved to a second position P 21  and then, moved from the second position P 21  to a specimen discharge position P 22  when discharging the suctioned specimen. Specifically, the dispenser  20   b  is horizontally moved by the moving unit  30  to the second position P 21  located above the specimen discharge position P 22 . Then, the dispenser  20   b  is moved by the drive unit  40  from the second position P 21  to the specimen discharge position P 22 . Then, the specimen is discharged into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   b.  Accordingly, the specimen is dispensed. 
     Dispensing of Reagent 
     The dispensing of a reagent by the dispensing unit  20   a  will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     The dispenser  20   c  of the dispensing unit  20   a  is configured to be moved from a third position P 31 , and then, moved from the third position P 31  to a reagent suction position P 32  when suctioning a reagent. Specifically, the dispenser  20   c  is horizontally moved by the moving unit  30  to the third position P 31  located above the reagent suction position P 32 . Then, the dispenser  20   c  is moved by the drive unit  40  from the third position P 31  to the reagent suction position P 32 . Then, the reagent is suctioned from the reagent container  160   a  by the dispenser  20   c.    
     The dispenser  20   c  of the dispensing unit  20   a  is configured to be moved to a fourth position P 41 , and then, moved from the fourth position P 41  to a reagent discharge position P 42  when discharging the suctioned reagent. Specifically, the dispenser  20   c  is horizontally moved by the moving unit  30  to the fourth position P 41  located above the reagent discharge position P 42 . Then, the dispenser  20   c  is moved by the drive unit  40  from the fourth position P 41  to the reagent discharge position P 42 . Then, the reagent is discharged into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  Accordingly, the reagent is dispensed. 
     High-Pressure Cleaning 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the inside of a nozzle is cleaned by the cleaning unit  170  with a high-pressure cleaning liquid. Specifically, the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid container  173  is sent to the nozzle via the quantitative syringe  24  by being applied with the pressure by the high-pressure cleaning syringe  175  of the high-pressure unit  172 . As a result, the cleaning liquid flowing in the nozzle is in a turbulent state, and the inside of the nozzle can be effectively cleaned. The Reynolds number of the cleaning liquid flowing in the nozzle is, for example, 4000 or more. 
     Distal End Shape of Nozzle 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the dispenser  20   b  is formed so as to have an inclined distal end portion.  FIG. 9A  is a view of the distal end portion of the dispenser  20   b  as viewed from the Y direction, and  FIG. 9B  is a view of the distal end portion of the dispenser  20   b  as viewed from the X direction. The nozzle  21  has an inclined surface  21   c  at the distal end on the discharge port side. Accordingly, when discharging a specimen by pressing the dispenser  20   b  against a container into which the specimen is to be discharged, a gap can be provided between the inclined distal end portion and the pressed portion, and thus, it is possible to prevent the distal end portion from being closed. As a result, the specimen can be reliably discharged. In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the dispenser  20   b  is provided with inclined surfaces  21   c  at two opposing sites in the distal end portion. The distal end portion of the dispenser  20   b  may have one inclined surface  21   c,  or may have three or more inclined surfaces  21   c.    
     The dispenser  20   b  dispenses a small amount of a specimen. That is, the specimen is used by the upstream blood coagulation measurement device  200 , and thus, the amount of the specimen is reduced in the downstream specimen measurement device  100 . Therefore, measurement is performed by dispensing the small amount of the specimen in the specimen measurement device  100 . The dispenser  20   b  dispenses, for example, the specimen of about 2 μL to 30 μL. 
     In the present embodiment, the nozzle  21  is covered by the hydrophobic coating  22  in the area  21   a  on the distal end side. In the nozzle  21 , a distal end surface  21   b  on a discharge port side is exposed from a hydrophobic coating  22 . Accordingly, the hydrophobic coating  22  is not formed on the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side of the dispenser  20   b  that is likely to come into contact with the container  131 , and thus, the hydrophobic coating  22  can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle  21  even if the container  131  and the dispenser  20  come into contact with each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent peeled pieces of the hydrophobic coating  22  from being mixed into the specimen so that the measurement of the specimen can be performed with high accuracy. 
     The outer peripheral surface  21   d  of the nozzle  21 , which is near the distal end surface  21   b  and connected to the distal end surface  21   b,  is exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  in addition to the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side. Accordingly, the hydrophobic coating  22  is not formed on the outer peripheral surface  21   d,  which is near the distal end surface  21   b  and connected to the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side of the dispenser  20   b.  Thus, when the container  131  adjacent to the dispenser  20   b  has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating  22  can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle  21  even if the side surface near the distal end surface  21   b  of the dispenser  20   b  comes into contact with the curved surface of the container  131 . 
     In the nozzle  21 , the inclined surface  21   c  connected to the distal end surface  21   b  is also exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  in addition to the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side. Accordingly, when the container  131  adjacent to the dispenser  20   b  has a curved surface, the hydrophobic coating  22  can be prevented from being peeled off from the nozzle  21  even if the inclined surface  21   c  near the distal end surface  21   b  of the dispenser  20   b  comes into contact with the curved surface of the container  131  since the hydrophobic coating  22  is not formed on the inclined surface  21   c  at the distal end of the dispenser  20   b  on the discharge port side. 
     In other words, in the dispenser  20   b  of the example illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the outer peripheral surface  21   d  of the nozzle  21  near the distal end surface  21   b  connected to the inclined surface  21   c  is exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  in addition to the distal end surface  21   b  and the inclined surface  21   c  on the discharge port side. 
     The nozzle  21  has the function of detecting the liquid level of the specimen. Accordingly, the distal end surface  21   b  of the nozzle  21  detecting the liquid level is exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22 , and thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the liquid level detection sensitivity, which is different from the case where the distal end surface  21   b  of the nozzle  21  is covered by the hydrophobic coating  22 . 
     In the dispenser  20   b,  the nozzle  21  may be exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  from the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side to the inclined surface  21   c  connected to the distal end surface  21   b,  as illustrated in the example in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
     In the dispenser  20   b,  the nozzle  21  is not necessarily provided with the inclined surface as in the example illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In this case, the outer peripheral surface  21   d  of the nozzle  21 , which is near the distal end surface  21   b  and connected to the distal end surface  21   b,  may be exposed from the hydrophobic coating  22  in addition to the distal end surface  21   b  on the discharge port side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the outer surface of the dispenser  20   c  is subjected to a water-repellent treatment. Accordingly, a reagent can be prevented from adhering to the outer surface of the dispenser  20   c,  and thus, the reagent can be prevented from dripping from the outer surface. It is possible to prevent mixing of different types of reagents. A base material of the dispenser  20   c  includes a metal material. For example, the base material of the dispenser  20   c  includes stainless steel. The dispenser  20   c  has, for example, the outer surface coated with Teflon (registered trademark). The dispenser  20   c  may be subjected to a water-repellent treatment other than Teflon. The dispenser  20   c  that dispenses a reagent is not necessarily subjected to the water-repellent treatment. 
     Spotting Process 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a specimen is transferred to the container  131  by spotting. Since the specimen is transferred by spotting, a small amount of the specimen can be dispensed into the container  131 . That is, the dispenser  20   b  dispenses the specimen to the container  131  by spotting. First, bottoming is performed to cause the dispenser  20   b  to abut on the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131 . At this time, the spotting unit  180  moves downward, and a pressing force of the container  131  by the dispenser  20   b  is absorbed. Then, the specimen is discharged from the dispenser  20   b.  At this time, the specimen abuts on the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131 , and thus, the specimen is adsorbed on the bottom surface  131   a  of the container  131  due to the surface tension of the specimen. Thereafter, the dispenser  20   b  is raised, and the discharge is completed. By performing the spotting process, a small amount of the specimen can be stably discharged. The dispenser  20   c  may dispense a reagent by spotting. 
     Summary of Immunoassay 
     In the configuration examples illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 13 , the immunoassay is performed using the R1 reagent to the R5 reagent as described above. An example in which a test substance  81  is a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) will be described as an example of the immunoassay with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
     First, a specimen containing the test substance  81  and the R1 reagent are dispensed into the container  131 . The specimen is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   b.  The R1 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  The R1 reagent contains a capture substance  84  and reacts with and is bound to the test substance  81 . The capture substance  84  includes a binding substance configured to bind the capture substance  84  to a solid phase carrier  82  included in the R2 reagent. 
     For the binding between the binding substance and a solid phase carrier, for example, combinations of biotin and avidins, hapten and an anti-hapten antibody, nickel and histidine tag, glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase and the like can be used. “Avidins” means to include avidin and streptavidin. 
     For example, the capture substance  84  is an antibody modified with biotin (biotin antibody). That is, the capture substance  84  is modified with biotin as the binding substance. After dispensing the specimen and the R1 reagent, a sample in the container  131  is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating unit  150 , so that the capture substance  84  and the test substance  81  are bound. 
     Next, the R2 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  The R2 reagent contains the solid phase carrier  82 . The solid phase carrier  82  is bound to the binding substance of the capture substance  84 . The solid phase carrier  82  is, for example, magnetic particles (StAvi-bound magnetic particles) on which streptavidin that is bound to biotin is immobilized. Streptavidin of the StAvi-bound magnetic particles reacts with and is bound to biotin as the binding substance. After dispensing the R2 reagent, the heating unit  150  heats the sample in the container  131  to a predetermined temperature. As a result, the test substance  81  and the capture substance  84  are bound to the solid phase carrier  82 . 
     The test substance  81  and the capture substance  84  formed on the solid phase carrier  82  and an unreacted capture substance  84  are separated by a primary BF separation process performed by the BF separation unit  190 . When the container  131  is set in the processing port of the BF separation unit  190 , the BF separation unit  190  executes the respective steps of suctioning the liquid phase using the cleaner  191  in a magnetized state by a magnetic force source  192 , discharging the cleaning liquid, and stirring in a non-magnetizing state one or a plurality of times. An unnecessary component, such as the unreacted capture substance  84 , is removed from the container  131  by the primary BF separation process. In the first BF separation process, the processing proceeds to the next step in a state where the liquid phase in the container  131  is finally suctioned. 
     Next, the R3 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  The R3 reagent contains a labeling substance  83 , and reacts with and is bound to the test substance  81 . After dispensing the R3 reagent, the sample in the container  131  is heated to a predetermined temperature in the heating unit  150 . As a result, an immune complex  85  containing the test substance  81 , the labeling substance  83 , and the capture substance  84  is formed on the solid phase carrier  82 . In the example in  FIG. 14 , the labeling substance  83  is an ALP (alkaline phosphatase) labeled antibody. 
     The immune complex  85  formed on the solid phase carrier  82  and the unreacted labeling substance  83  are separated by a secondary BF separation process. The BF separation unit  190  executes the respective steps of suctioning the liquid phase in the magnetized state by the magnetic force source  192 , discharging the cleaning liquid, and stirring in the non-magnetized state one or a plurality of times. An unnecessary component, such as the unreacted labeling substance  83 , is removed from the container  131  by the secondary BF separation process. In the secondary BF separation process, the processing proceeds to the next step in a state where the liquid phase in the container  131  is finally suctioned. 
     Thereafter, the R4 reagent and the R5 reagent are dispensed into the container  131  by the R4 reagent dispenser  163   a  and the R5 reagent dispenser  163   b,  respectively. The R4 reagent contains a buffer solution. The immune complex  85  bound to the solid phase carrier  82  is dispersed in the buffer solution. The R5 reagent contains a chemiluminescent substrate. The buffer solution contained in the R4 reagent has a composition that promotes the reaction between a label (enzyme) of the labeling substance  83  contained in the immune complex  85  and a substrate. After dispensing the R4 and R5 reagents, the heating unit  150  heats the sample in the container  131  to a predetermined temperature. The substrate reacts with the label to generate light, and the intensity of the generated light is measured by the photodetector  10   a  of the measurement unit  10 . A content of the test substance  81  in the specimen or the like is measured based on a detection signal of the measurement unit  10 . 
     Description of Measurement Processing Operation 
     Next, a measurement processing operation of the specimen measurement device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 14  will be described using  FIG. 15 . The processing of each step illustrated in  FIG. 15  is controlled by the control unit  11  of the specimen measurement device  100 . 
     In Step S 1 , a specimen is dispensed into the container  131 . Specifically, the specimen is suctioned from a test tube of the specimen supply unit  126  of the specimen transport unit  120  by the dispenser  20   b.  Then, the specimen suctioned by the dispenser  20   b  is dispensed into the container  131 . After dispensing, the dispenser  20   b  is cleaned by the cleaner  171  using a cleaning liquid. The dispenser  20   b  is cleaned by the cleaner  171  each time the dispensing operation is performed. 
     In Step S 2 , the R1 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  Specifically, the R1 reagent is suctioned from the reagent container  160   a  held in the reagent storage  160  by the dispenser  20   c.  Then, the R1 reagent suctioned by the dispenser  20   c  is dispensed into the container  131 . After dispensing, the dispenser  20   c  is cleaned by the cleaner  171  using a cleaning liquid. The dispenser  20   c  is cleaned by the cleaner  171  each time the dispensing operation is performed. 
     In Step S 3 , the R2 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  After dispensing the R2 reagent, the container  131  is transferred to the heating unit  150  by the container transport unit  140 . The container  131  is heated by the heating unit  150  for a predetermined time. 
     In Step S 4 , the primary BF separation process is performed by the BF separation unit  190 . Specifically, the container  131  is transferred to the BF separation unit  190  by the container transport unit  140 . The BF separation unit  190  performs the primary BF separation process (see  FIG. 14 ) on a sample in the container  131  to remove a liquid component. 
     In Step S 5 , the container  131  is transferred to the R3 reagent discharge position by the container transport unit  140 . Then, the R3 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the dispenser  20   c.  After dispensing the R3 reagent, the container  131  is transferred to the heating unit  150  by the container transport unit  140 . The container  131  is heated by the heating unit  150  for a predetermined time. 
     In Step S 6 , the BF separation unit  190  performs the secondary BF separation process. Specifically, the container  131  is transferred to the BF separation unit  190  by the container transport unit  140 . The BF separation unit  190  performs the secondary BF separation process (see  FIG. 14 ) on the sample in the container  131  to remove a liquid component. 
     In Step S 7 , the R4 reagent is dispensed into the container  131 . Specifically, the container  131  is transferred to the R4 reagent discharge position by the container transport unit  140 . The R4 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the R4 reagent dispenser  163   a.    
     In Step S 8 , the R5 reagent is dispensed into the container  131 . Specifically, the container  131  is transferred to the R5 reagent discharge position by the container transport unit  140 . The R5 reagent is dispensed into the container  131  by the R5 reagent dispenser  163   b.  After dispensing the R5 reagent, the container  131  is transferred to the heating unit  150  by the container transport unit  140 . The container  131  is heated by the heating unit  150  for a predetermined time. 
     In Step S 9 , the process of detecting the immune complex  85  is performed. Specifically, the container  131  is transferred to the measurement unit  10  by the container transport unit  140 . The measurement unit  10  measures the intensity of light generated by the reaction between the substrate and the label. A detection result of the measurement unit  10  is output to the control unit  11 . 
     After the detection is completed, in Step S 10 , the transport unit  125  takes out the container  131  that has been subjected to the measurement processing from the measurement unit  10  and discards the container  131  in the disposal port  128 . 
     As described above, the measurement processing operation by the specimen measurement device  100  is performed. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein need to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. A scope of the present disclosure is defined by a scope of the claims, rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications within a scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.