Patent Publication Number: US-2022221478-A1

Title: Reagent management method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/035944, filed Sep. 24, 2020, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-180787, filed Sep. 30, 2019, the disclosures of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference here in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an automatic analysis apparatus capable of obtaining measurement information on various test items by causing a reaction between a sample (specimen) such as blood or urine and various reagents to measure a reaction process thereof, and a method for sharing a reagent between automatic analysis apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, there have been various types of known automatic analysis apparatuses (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as an apparatus) that can obtain measurement information on various test items by causing a reaction between various reagents and biological samples such as blood and urine to measure a reaction process thereof, such as a blood coagulation analysis apparatus and an analysis apparatus using an immunoassay method. For example, a specimen as a biological sample is dispensed from a specimen vessel to a reaction vessel, and a reagent according to a test item is dispensed and mixed with the dispensed specimen to perform various measurements and analyzes (for example, see Patent Document 1). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP 2019-135497 A 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     Such an automatic analysis apparatus uses a serial number displayed on a label attached to a reagent vessel to perform various managements (management of usage state, for example, accuracy management, etc.) on a reagent for each reagent vessel containing the reagent. For example, in management of the number of remaining tests for the reagent, the apparatus can detect a reagent usage status for each reagent vessel using a serial number, and thus in the same automatic analysis apparatus, it is common that a used reagent vessel having the same serial number cannot be reused. This description is applied not only to management of the number of remaining tests but also to management of the remaining amount of reagent. Therefore, a remaining reagent in a reagent vessel used once in one automatic analysis apparatus cannot be continuously used again in the apparatus. 
     On the other hand, in the case of sharing the same reagent vessel between two independent apparatuses, when the reagent vessel in use is transferred from a first apparatus starting to use a reagent to a second apparatus, the second apparatus recognizes the transferred reagent vessel as an unused vessel (since the reagent vessel is a reagent vessel of a serial number used for the first time in the second apparatus) and checks a liquid volume of the reagent. However, naturally, the liquid volume in the reagent vessel is smaller than that in the unused reagent vessel, and thus the reagent vessel is determined to be insufficient in the liquid volume by the second apparatus and cannot be used. Such a situation is significantly inconvenient for a user who uses at least two identical apparatuses properly. A reason is that when one apparatus becomes unusable due to a failure, etc., the reagent installed in the apparatus cannot be transferred to the other apparatus and used. In addition, it is not easy to use even when one reagent is reused in a plurality of apparatuses such as an apparatus for POCT. 
     The invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide an automatic analysis apparatus capable of sharing a reagent between a plurality of independent apparatuses and a method for sharing a reagent between apparatuses. 
     Means for Solving Problem 
     To achieve the object, the invention is an automatic analysis apparatus including a reaction portion for holding a reaction vessel, a specimen being dispensed into the reaction vessel, and a reagent supply portion for supplying a reagent, the automatic analysis apparatus obtaining measurement information related to a predetermined test item by causing a reaction between a specimen and a reagent supplied from the reagent supply portion to measure a reaction process thereof, the automatic analysis apparatus further including a controller for controlling an operation of each unit of the apparatus, a reagent-related information input/output unit for inputting and outputting reagent-related information related to the reagent installed in the reagent supply portion including a reagent in use, a reagent vessel detection unit for detecting that a reagent vessel containing the reagent in use is taken in and/or taken out of the automatic analysis apparatus, and a reagent-related information reading unit for reading the reagent-related information from the reagent vessel and/or the reagent in use detected to be taken in the automatic analysis apparatus by the reagent vessel detection unit, in which the controller compares the reagent-related information read by the reagent-related information reading unit with the reagent-related information input to the reagent-related information input/output unit, and controls an operation of the reagent supply portion based on a comparison result thereof. 
     In addition, the invention is a method for sharing a reagent between automatic analysis apparatuses, each of the automatic analysis apparatuses including a reaction portion for holding a reaction vessel, a specimen being dispensed into the reaction vessel, and a reagent supply portion for supplying a reagent, the automatic analysis apparatus obtaining measurement information related to a predetermined test item by causing a reaction between a specimen and a reagent supplied from the reagent supply portion to measure a reaction process thereof, the method including a reagent-related information output step of outputting, from a first automatic analysis apparatus, reagent-related information related to a reagent in use used in the apparatus at a predetermined timing, a reagent-related information input step of inputting the reagent-related information output from the first automatic analysis apparatus to a second automatic analysis apparatus, a reagent vessel detection step of detecting that a reagent vessel containing the reagent in use is taken in the second automatic analysis apparatus, a reagent-related information reading step of reading the reagent-related information from the reagent and/or reagent vessel in use detected to be taken in the second automatic analysis apparatus by the reagent vessel detection step, and a control step of comparing the reagent-related information read in the reagent-related information reading step with the reagent-related information input in the reagent-related information input step, and controlling an operation of the reagent supply portion of the second automatic analysis apparatus based on a comparison result thereof. 
     According to the automatic analysis apparatus and the method for sharing a reagent between automatic analysis apparatuses having the above configurations, the second automatic analysis apparatus can acquire the reagent-related information related to the reagent started to be used in the first automatic analysis apparatus in two steps from the first automatic analysis apparatus side and from reading by the apparatus on the second automatic analysis apparatus side, compares the reagent-related information acquired in each of the steps, and controls the operation of the reagent supply portion on the second automatic analysis apparatus side based on the comparison result thereof (for example, the operation of the reagent supply portion is controlled so that continuous use of the reagent is allowed when the reagent-related information read by the reagent-related information reading unit matches the reagent-related information input to the reagent-related information input/output unit). Thus, it is possible to share the reagent between the first automatic analysis apparatus and the second automatic analysis apparatus without any problem (the reagent used in the first automatic analysis apparatus can be continuously used in the second automatic analysis apparatus without any problem). For this reason, even when there is no function of allowing reagent information to be exchanged among a plurality of apparatuses by centralized management as in a large-scale testing center, the reagent can be shaped between the two independent apparatuses. As a result, when at least two of the same apparatuses are used properly, it is unnecessary to set the reagents of the same test item in the respective apparatuses, and the waste of the reagents due to limitation of an onboard time can be reduced. In addition, usability of a POCT apparatus, which is likely to share one reagent bottle among a plurality of apparatuses, is improved. This is particularly useful in a reagent serial management method in which usage states of reagent vessels are managed for each reagent vessel by using serial numbers for distinguishing reagents in the same lot. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analysis apparatus capable of sharing a reagent between a plurality of independent apparatuses and a method for sharing a reagent between apparatuses. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic overall external view of an automatic analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the automatic analysis apparatus of FIG.  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a feature portion of the automatic analysis apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an operation for sharing a reagent on a side of a first automatic analysis apparatus where a reagent vessel in use is taken out; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an operation for sharing a reagent on a side of a second automatic analysis apparatus where a reagent vessel in use is taken in. 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic overall external view of an automatic analysis apparatus of the present embodiment, and  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the automatic analysis apparatus of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the automatic analysis apparatus  1  of the present embodiment includes a reaction portion  40  for holding a reaction vessel  54  into which a specimen is dispensed, and a reagent supply portion  70  for supplying a reagent to the reaction vessel  54 , and obtains measurement information on a predetermined test item by causing a reaction between a specimen and a reagent supplied from the reagent supply portion  70  to the reaction vessel  54  to measure a reaction process. 
     Specifically, an outer frame of the automatic analysis apparatus  1  of the present embodiment is formed by a housing  100 , and the automatic analysis apparatus  1  is configured by forming a specimen processing space in an upper part of the housing  100 . 
     As clearly illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the automatic analysis apparatus  1  includes a control unit  10 , a measurement unit  30 , and a touch screen  190 . 
     The control unit  10  controls the overall operation of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 . The control unit  10  includes, for example, a personal computer (PC). The control unit  10  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  12 , a Random Access Memory (RAM)  14 , a Read Only Memory (ROM)  16 , a storage  18 , and a communication interface (I/F)  20  connected to each other via a bus line  22 . The CPU  12  performs various signal processing, etc. The RAM  14  functions as a main storage device of the CPU  12 . As the RAM  14 , for example, a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Static RAM (SRAM), etc. can be used. The ROM  16  records various boot programs, etc. For the storage  18 , for example, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid State Drive (SSD), etc. can be used. Various types of information such as programs and parameters used by the CPU  12  are recorded in the storage  18 . Further, data acquired by the measurement unit  30  is recorded in the storage  18 . The RAM  14  and the storage  18  are not limited thereto, and can be replaced with various storage devices. The control unit  10  communicates with an external device, for example, the measurement unit  30  and the touch screen  190  via the communication I/F  20 . 
     The touch screen  190  includes a display device  192  and a touch panel  194 . The display device  192  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, etc. The display device  192  displays various screens under the control of the control unit  10 . This screen may include various screens such as an operation screen of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 , a screen showing a measurement result, and a screen showing an analysis result. The touch panel  194  is provided on the display device  192 . The touch panel  194  acquires an input from a user and transmits the obtained input information to the control unit  10 . 
     The control unit  10  may be connected to other devices such as a printer, a handy code reader, and a host computer via the communication I/F  20 . 
     The measurement unit  30  includes a control circuit  42 , a data processing circuit  44 , a constant temperature bath  52 , the reaction vessel  54 , a light source  62 , a scattered light detector  64 , a transmitted light detector  66 , a specimen vessel  72 , a reagent vessel  74 , a specimen probe  76 , and a reagent probe  78 . In this case, the reaction vessel  54 , the scattered light detector  64 , and the transmitted light detector  66  are provided in the constant temperature bath  52 . 
     The control circuit  42  controls an operation of each part of the measurement unit  30  based on a command from the control unit  10 . Although not illustrated, the control circuit  42  is connected to the data processing circuit  44 , the constant temperature bath  52 , the light source  62 , the scattered light detector  64 , the transmitted light detector  66 , the specimen probe  76 , the reagent probe  78 , etc., and controls an operation of each part. 
     The data processing circuit  44  is connected to the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66 , and acquires a detection result from the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66 . The data processing circuit  44  performs various processes on the acquired detection result and outputs a processing result. The processes performed by the data processing circuit  44  may include, for example, an A/D conversion process for converting a format of data output from the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66  into a format that can be processed by the control unit  10 . 
     The control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may include, for example, a CPU, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), etc. Each of the control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may be configured by one integrated circuit, etc., or may be configured by combining a plurality of integrated circuits, etc. Further, the control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may include one integrated circuit, etc. The operation of the control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may be performed according to, for example, a program recorded in a storage device or a recording area in the circuit. 
     The specimen vessel  72  contains, for example, a specimen obtained from blood collected from a patient. The reagent vessel  74  contains various reagents used for measurement. Any number of specimen vessels  72  and reagent vessels  74  may be provided. Since there is usually a plurality of types of reagents used for analysis, there is generally a plurality of reagent vessels  74 . The specimen probe  76  dispenses the specimen contained in the specimen vessel  72  into the reaction vessel  54  under the control of the control circuit  42 . The reagent probe  78  dispenses the reagent contained in the reagent vessel  74  into the reaction vessel  54  under the control of the control circuit  42 . Any number of specimen probes  76  and reagent probes  78  may be used. 
     The constant temperature bath  52  maintains the temperature of the reaction vessel  54  at a predetermined temperature under the control of the control circuit  42 . In the reaction vessel  54 , a mixed solution obtained by mixing the specimen dispensed by the specimen probe  76  and the reagent dispensed by the reagent probe  78  reacts. Note that any number of reaction vessels  54  may be used. 
     The light source  62  emits light having a predetermined wavelength under the control of the control circuit  42 . The light source  62  may be configured to emit light having a different wavelength depending on the measurement condition. Therefore, the light source  62  may have a plurality of light source elements. The light emitted from the light source  62  is guided by, for example, an optical fiber, and is applied to the reaction vessel  54 . The light applied to the reaction vessel  54  is partially scattered and partially transmitted depending on the reaction process state of the mixed solution in the reaction vessel  54 . The scattered light detector  64  detects the light scattered in the reaction vessel  54 , and detects, for example, the amount of the scattered light. The transmitted light detector  66  detects the light transmitted through the reaction vessel  54 , and detects, for example, the amount of transmitted light. The data processing circuit  44  processes information on the amount of scattered light detected by the scattered light detector  64 , and processes information on the amount of transmitted light detected by the transmitted light detector  66 . Any one of the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66  may operate depending on the measurement condition. Therefore, the data processing circuit  44  may process any one of the information on the amount of scattered light detected by the scattered light detector  64  or the information on the amount of transmitted light detected by the transmitted light detector  66  according to the measurement condition. The data processing circuit  44  transmits processed data to the control unit  10 . Note that even though the measurement unit  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes two light detectors, the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66 , the measurement unit  30  may include any one of the light detectors. 
     The control unit  10  performs various calculations based on the data acquired from the measurement unit  30 . These calculations include calculation of the reaction amount of the mixed solution, quantitative calculation of the substance amount or an activity value of a substance to be measured in a subject based on the reaction amount, etc. The data processing circuit  44  may perform some or all of these calculations. 
     Note that here, even though the case where a PC that controls the operation of the measurement unit  30  and a PC that performs data calculation and quantitative calculation are the same control unit  10  is illustrated, the PCs may be separate bodies. In other words, the PC that performs the data calculation and the quantitative calculation may exist as each. 
     Next, a description will be given of a characteristic functional part of the automatic analysis apparatus for enabling the reagent to be shared between the two automatic analysis apparatuses having the above configuration and a reagent management method with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 5 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , two automatic analysis apparatuses  1 A and  1 B having the configuration of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  described above are schematically illustrated as a block diagram by clearly illustrating only a functional part for sharing a reagent. Here, a description will be given of the case where one reagent vessel  32  is shared between the two automatic analysis apparatuses  1 A and  1 B. 
     As illustrated in the figure, each automatic analysis apparatus  1 A ( 1 B) includes a controller  82 A ( 82 B) that controls an operation of each of units (in  FIG. 3 , these respective units are collectively referred to as a drive unit  85 A ( 85 B)) of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 , a reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A ( 81 B) for inputting and outputting reagent-related information (information held by a side of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 A ( 1 B)) I related to a reagent installed in the reagent supply portion  70  including a reagent in use, a reagent vessel detection unit  83 A ( 83 B) for detecting that the reagent vessel  32  containing the reagent in use is taken in and/or taken out of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 A ( 1 B), and a reagent-related information reading unit  84 A ( 84 B) that reads reagent-related information C (information held by a side of the reagent and/or the reagent vessel  32 ) from the reagent and/or the reagent vessel  32  in use detected to be taken in the automatic analysis apparatus  1 A ( 1 B) by the reagent vessel detection unit  83 A ( 83 B). In this case, for example, the reagent vessel detection unit  83 A ( 83 B) and the reagent-related information reading unit  84 A ( 84 B) are provided at predetermined positions along a rotation direction of a rotary table  34  of the reagent supply portion  70 . In addition, for example, when the reagent-related information C exists as a barcode displayed on or affixed to the reagent vessel  32 , the reagent-related information reading unit  84 A ( 84 B) may be configured as a barcode reader. 
     Here, the reagent-related information I (C) related to the reagent may be identification information for identifying the reagent and/or the reagent vessel  32  (information related to a test item, a serial number, an expiration date, etc.) or usage information related to the use of the reagent (usage status information). In addition, examples of the usage information may include a liquid level height, the number of times of use (number of measurements), the remaining amount, etc. of the reagent. In addition, when the usage information includes information such as the liquid level height of the reagent that requires confirmation of some detection, measurement, etc. on an apparatus side that receives the reagent vessel in use, reading of the reagent-related information C by the reagent-related information reading unit  84 A ( 84 B) includes predetermined detection information related to the reagent, for example, the liquid level height, etc. For example, the apparatus receiving the transferred reagent vessel in use uses a reagent suction probe to detect the liquid level of the reagent, and calculates the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent vessel from the detected liquid level height. Since an origin height of the reagent suction probe with respect to a base surface differs slightly depending on the apparatus, when the liquid level is detected, the remaining pulse amount to the base surface may differ even when the same pulse amount drops, and there is an error in calculation of the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent vessel. Therefore, it is preferable that the apparatus side has a function capable of correcting the amount. 
     Next, a description will be given of, for example, a method of enabling the reagent vessel  32  used in the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A to be transferred to the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B and continuously used in the second automatic analysis apparatus by such a configuration (functional part) with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 5 . Note that the reagent vessel  32  is transferred from the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A to the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B here. However, even when a transfer direction is opposite, that is, when the reagent vessel  32  is transferred from the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B to the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A, a flow of the method (operation) is similar. 
     First, when it is desired to transfer the reagent used in the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A to the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B and use the reagent (step S 1  of  FIG. 4 ), the reagent vessel  32  containing the reagent in use is taken out of the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A (also see  FIG. 3 ). As the reagent vessel  32  is taken out, that is, when the reagent vessel detection unit  83 A detects that the reagent vessel  32  is taken out (step S 2  of  FIG. 4 ), the reagent-related information I related to the reagent in use used in the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A is output from the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A of the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A (reagent-related information output step S 3  of  FIG. 4 ). However, a timing of outputting the reagent-related information I is not limited thereto. For example, when a power supply of the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A is shut down, the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A may automatically output the reagent-related information I to, for example, a storage medium connected to the apparatus  1 A, which prevents an operator from forgetting. Note that when the storage medium is not set in the apparatus  1 A before the power supply is shut down, the operator may be notified of this fact. Alternatively, as the timing of outputting the reagent-related information I, after opening a lid of a reagent cold storage of the reagent supply portion  70  and taking out the reagent vessel  32  from the reagent cold storage, the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A may output the reagent-related information I to, for example, the storage medium connected to the apparatus  1 A using, as a trigger, the fact that information of the reagent vessel  32  cannot be read again on the reagent supply portion  70  side at a position on the rotary table  34  of the reagent vessel  32  taken out. In addition, this message may be output to a monitor of a display input unit  60  to alert the operator. Alternatively, each time an analysis batch is completed or when all tests set for a set specimen is completed, the reagent-related information I of the reagent vessel  32  may be automatically output (written) from the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A to the storage medium, etc. The reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A may automatically output the reagent-related information I according to an operating state of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 A and/or the reagent supply portion  70  in this way, and may output the reagent-related information I based on a manually input signal. For example, the operator may freely output the reagent-related information I to the storage medium, etc. via the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A at any time by manual operation. 
     When the reagent-related information I is output from the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 A of the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A in this way, the reagent-related information I is input to the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 B of the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B via the above-described storage medium (for example, USB memory, SD card, etc.) or by remote communication (for example, mail delivery via an external server, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.). In addition, the reagent vessel  32  taken out of the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A is then set in the reagent supply portion  70  of the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B. Therefore, on the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B side, when the input of the reagent-related information I is confirmed by the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 B (reagent-related information input step S 10  of  FIG. 5 ), the reagent vessel detection unit  83 B detects that the reagent vessel  32  is taken in (reagent vessel detection step S 11 ). 
     When the reagent-related information I is input to the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 B and the reagent vessel detection unit  83 B detects that the reagent vessel  32  is taken in, the reagent-related information reading unit  84 B of the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B reads, from the reagent vessel  32  (and/or reagent) taken in, the reagent-related information C held by the reagent vessel  32  (and/or reagent) (reagent-related information reading step S 12 ). Then, thereafter, the controller  82 B compares the reagent-related information C read by the reagent-related information reading unit  84 B with the reagent-related information I input to the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 B (step S 13 ), and controls an operation of the reagent supply portion  70  based on a comparison result thereof (control steps S 14 , S 15 , and S 16 ). In particular, in this example, when the reagent-related information C matches the reagent-related information I in the comparison result, the controller  82 B controls the operation of the reagent supply portion to determine that the reagent vessel  32  detected by the reagent vessel detection unit  83 B is the reagent vessel  32  used in the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 B and allow continuous use of the reagent vessel  32  (step S 16 ). When the reagent-related information C does not match the reagent-related information I in the comparison result, the controller  82 B does not allow continuous use of the reagent vessel  32  (step S 15 ). Note that in the case where information about the expiration date is included in the reagent-related information I and C, when the expiration date of the reagent vessel  32  read on the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B side previously passes, the operator may be promoted to take out the reagent. Alternatively, it is preferable not to allow use of the reagent vessel  32  even when the reagent-related information C matches the reagent-related information I in the comparison result. Alternatively, the operator may be able to select one of these. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B can acquire the reagent-related information I and C related to the reagent started to be used in the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A in two steps from the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A side and from reading by the apparatus on the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B side, compares the reagent-related information I and C acquired in each of the steps, and controls the operation of the reagent supply portion  70  based on the comparison result thereof (the operation of the reagent supply portion  70  is controlled so that continuous use of the reagent is allowed when the reagent-related information C read by the reagent-related information reading unit  84 B matches the reagent-related information I input to the reagent-related information input/output unit  81 B). Thus, it is possible to share the reagent between the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A and the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B without any problem (the reagent used in the first automatic analysis apparatus  1 A can be continuously used in the second automatic analysis apparatus  1 B without any problem, or vice versa). For this reason, even when there is no function of allowing reagent information to be exchanged among a plurality of apparatuses by centralized management as in a large-scale testing center, the reagent can be shaped between the two independent apparatuses  1 A and  1 B. As a result, when at least two of the same apparatuses  1 A and  1 B are used properly, it is unnecessary to set the reagents of the same test item in the respective apparatuses  1 A and  1 B, and the waste of the reagents due to limitation of an onboard time can be reduced. In addition, usability of a POCT apparatus, which is likely to share one reagent bottle among a plurality of apparatuses, is improved. This is particularly useful in a reagent serial management method in which usage states of reagent vessels are managed for each reagent vessel by using serial numbers for distinguishing reagents in the same lot. 
     Note that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the invention, a configuration form of identification-related information, a configuration form of the automatic analysis apparatus, etc. can be arbitrarily set. In addition, some or all of the above-described embodiments may be combined, or a part of a configuration may be omitted from one of the above-described embodiments.