Patent Publication Number: US-2020278363-A1

Title: Sample analyzer and sample analysis method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-036661, filed on Feb. 28, 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 sample analyzer and a sample analysis method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Blood analysis such as blood coagulation analysis and immune serum analysis is usually performed using an analyzer. In general, in such an analyzer, a sample contained in a sample container (such as a blood collection tube) is transferred to a container such as a cuvette used for analysis, and a reagent is dispensed into the container to be mixed with the sample. Then, the container is heated and then is conveyed to an analysis unit where the sample is analyzed. 
     The containers used in the above-described analyzer are stored in advance in the analyzer. Thus, the analyzer includes a storage section storing multiple empty containers and a conveyance unit that conveys the containers from the storage section to a dispensing position where the sample contained in the sample container is dispensed. 
     For example, an analyzer described in US 2014-295563 as illustrated in  FIG. 20  includes a supply mechanism unit  500  that supplies a cuvette serving as a container. The supply mechanism unit  500  includes a storage section  501  that stores a plurality of cuvettes, and a take-out unit  502  for taking out the cuvette from the storage section  501 . In the take-out unit  502 , the cuvettes are placed on a swing rail  503  attached to the lowest part inside the storage section  501 , and are conveyed out from the storage section  501  as the swing rail  503  swings. 
     When the number of cuvettes in the storage section  501  becomes zero or small, a user has to replenish the storage section  501  with empty cuvettes. Some users may replenish the storage section  501  with cuvettes by depositing a large number of (several hundreds or thousands) cuvettes into the storage section  501  at once from a bag containing the cuvettes. This results in the cuvettes being damaged while being deposited into the storage section  501 . The cuvette thus damaged might involve a risk of a result of the analysis on the sample stored therein being abnormal. As one method for identifying the cause of the abnormality, a cuvette associated with the analysis result indicating abnormality may be traced. 
     In the description in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-350451, a content of a test on a sample is managed together with information about consumables such as reagent, sample container, and regularly replaced parts. In the description in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-350451, the information about consumables includes a production lot number associated with a sample container. 
     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. 
     A conventional analyzer, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-350451, requires a consumable management technology that improves the traceability of consumables. However, no specific contents of the management for consumables and test contents are mentioned in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-350451. Therefore, the conventional consumable management technology cannot sufficiently satisfy the request described above. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 17 , a sample analyzer ( 1 ) according to a first aspect includes a storage section ( 131 ) configured to store a plurality of containers for containing a sample, and including a discharge port ( 150 ) through which the container is discharged; a production lot information acquisition unit ( 263 ) that acquires production lot information (LI) on a production lot of the containers; an analysis processing unit ( 264 ) that performs analysis processing of the sample contained in the container discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ); a recorder ( 270 ) that records the production lot information (LI), an analysis result (RA) of the sample contained in the container, and time information related to time of analyzing the sample; and a display information generation unit ( 267 ) that generates, based on information recorded in the recorder, display information for displaying at least one analysis result (RA) of at least one sample analyzed during a period of time on a display unit ( 300 ) in a manner that associates the at least one analysis result (RA) with the production lot information (LI). 
     According to the above aspect, the sample analyzer ( 1 ) generates, based on information recorded in the recorder, display information for displaying at least one analysis result (RA) of at least one sample analyzed during a period of time on a display unit ( 300 ) in a manner that associates the at least one analysis result (RA) with the production lot information (LI). Thus, for example, the production lot information of the container associated with an analysis result indicating the occurrence of abnormality can be estimated with a certain level of accuracy. Therefore, the traceability of the containers that can accommodate the sample can be improved. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIGS. 18A and 18B , in the sample analyzer ( 1 ), the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate the display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) on the display unit ( 300 ) in a predetermined display manner. 
     According to the above aspect, the display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) on the display unit ( 300 ) in a predetermined display manner is generated. Therefore, the production lot information (LI) on the containers supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) can be easily recognized at a glance. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIGS. 18A and 18B , in the sample analyzer ( 1 ), the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate first display information for displaying production lot information (LI) on the container already stored in the storage section ( 131 ) on the display unit, ( 300 ) and when production lot information (LI) on a container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired, the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate second display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) on the display unit ( 300 ). 
     According to the above aspect, the display information generation unit ( 267 ) generates the second display information after generating the first display information. Therefore, the time when the production lot information is changed can be recognized with a certain level of accuracy. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIGS. 18A and 18B , in the sample analyzer ( 1 ), the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate display information for displaying production lot information (LI) on a container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) on the display unit ( 300 ), when a predetermined amount of containers already stored in the storage section ( 131 ) are discharged from the storage section ( 131 ) or a predetermined period of time elapses after the production lot information (LI) on the container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired. 
     According to the above aspect, the display information is generated when certain conditions are satisfied as described above after the production lot information (LI) on the container newly supplied to the storage section is acquired. Thus, the time when the production lot information has been changed can be more accurately recognized. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 19 , in the sample analyzer ( 1 ), the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate information for prompting supplying of the container when an amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) decreases to or below a set amount. 
     According to the above aspect, for example, when the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased, the supplying of the container is prompted. Thus, the replenishing of containers can be prompted at an appropriate timing. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 13, and 19 , the sample analyzer ( 1 ) may further include a sensor ( 350 ) that is disposed at a predetermined height from a bottom part ( 131   e ) of the storage section ( 131 ) and is configured to detect the container stored in the storage section ( 131 ), in which the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate information for prompting supplying of the container based on a detection result by the sensor ( 350 ). 
     According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily recognize that the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased, whereby the replenishing of containers can be prompted at a more appropriate timing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 19 , the sample analyzer ( 1 ) may further include a sensor ( 400 ) that is disposed at the discharge port ( 150 ) and is configured to detect discharging of the container stored in the storage section ( 131 ), in which the display information generation unit ( 267 ) may generate information for prompting supplying of the container when a predetermined amount or more of the containers are discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ). 
     According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily recognize that the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased, whereby the replenishing of containers can be prompted at a more appropriate timing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 13 , the sample analyzer ( 1 ) may further include a first sensor that is disposed at a predetermined height from a bottom part ( 131   e ) of the storage section ( 131 ) and is configured to detect the container stored in the storage section ( 131 ); a second sensor that is disposed at the discharge port ( 150 ) and is configured to detect discharging of the container stored in the storage section ( 131 ); and a calculation unit ( 266 ) that calculates an amount of the containers discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ) as a used amount based on a detection result by the second sensor, in which the calculation unit ( 266 ) may calculate the amount of the containers discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ) as the used amount after the containers are no longer detected by the first sensor. 
     According to the above aspect, by measuring the used amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ), it is possible to accurately recognize that the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in the sample analyzer ( 1 ), when production lot information (LI) on a container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired after start of calculating the amount of the containers, the calculation unit ( 266 ) may reset the calculated amount of the containers. 
     According to the above aspect, the calculated amount is reset when the production lot information (LI) on the container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired. Therefore, when the production lot information (LI) is newly acquired, the calculation of the amount can be restarted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , the sample analyzer ( 1 ) may further include a reader (R) configured to read a code (C) attached to a container box ( 450 ) containing the containers, in which the production lot information acquisition unit ( 263 ) may acquire the production lot information (LI) included in the code (C) read by the reader (R). 
     According to the above aspect, the production lot information (LI) included in the code (C) is acquired by reading the code (C) attached to the container box ( 450 ) containing the containers. Thus, the production lot information (LI) can be acquired reliably and easily. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , in the sample analyzer ( 1 ), the production lot information (LI) may include at least a production lot number of the container. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 17 , a sample analysis method according to a second aspect includes acquiring production lot information (LI) on a production lot of a container for containing a sample; analyzing the sample using the container discharged through a discharge port ( 150 ) provided to a storage section ( 131 ) configured to store the container; recording the production lot information (LI), an analysis result (RA) of the sample contained in the container, and time information related to time of analyzing the sample; and generating, based on the recorded information, display information for displaying at least one analysis result (RA) of at least one sample analyzed during a predetermined period of time on a display unit ( 300 ) in a manner that associates the at least one analysis result (RA) with the production lot information (LI). 
     According to the above aspect, the sample analysis method generates, based on the recorded information, display information for displaying at least one analysis result (RA) of at least one sample analyzed during a predetermined period of time on a display unit ( 300 ) in a manner that associates the at least one analysis result (RA) with the production lot information (LI). Thus, for example, the production lot information of the container associated with an analysis result indicating the occurrence of abnormality can be estimated. Therefore, the traceability of the containers that can accommodate the sample can be improved. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIGS. 18A and 18B , in the sample analysis method, generating the display information may include generating the display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) on the display unit ( 300 ) in a predetermined display manner. 
     According to the above aspect, the display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) on the display unit ( 300 ) in a predetermined display manner is generated. Therefore, the production lot information (LI) on the containers supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) can be easily recognized at a glance. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIGS. 18A and 18B , in the sample analysis method, generating the display information may include generating first display information for displaying production lot information (LI) on the container already stored in the storage section ( 131 ) on the display unit ( 300 ); and when production lot information (LI) on a container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired, second display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) on the display unit ( 300 ) may be generated. 
     According to the above aspect, the first display information is generated and then the second display information is generated. Therefore, the time when the production lot information is changed can be recognized with a certain level of accuracy. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIGS. 18A and 18B , in the sample analysis method, generating the display information may include generating display information for displaying production lot information (LI) on a container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) on the display unit ( 300 ), when a predetermined amount of containers already stored in the storage section ( 131 ) are discharged from the storage section ( 131 ) or a predetermined period of time elapses after the production lot information (LI) on the container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired. 
     According to the above aspect, the display information is generated when certain conditions are satisfied as described above after the production lot information (LI) on the container newly supplied to the storage section is acquired. Thus, the time when the production lot information has been changed can be more accurately recognized. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 19 , in the sample analysis method, generating the display information may include generating information for prompting supplying of the container when an amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) decreases to or below a set amount. 
     According to the above aspect, for example, when the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased, the supplying of the container is prompted. Thus, the replenishing of containers can be prompted at an appropriate timing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 19 , in the sample analysis method, generating the display information may include generating information for prompting supplying of the container based on a detection result of the container by a sensor ( 350 ) that is disposed at a predetermined height from a bottom part ( 131   e ) of the storage section ( 131 ). 
     According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily recognize that the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased, whereby the replenishing of containers can be prompted at a more appropriate timing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 19 , in the sample analysis method, generating the display information may include generating information for prompting supplying of the container when it is determined that a predetermined amount or more of the containers are discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ), based on a detection result by a sensor ( 400 ) that is disposed at the discharge port ( 150 ). 
     According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily recognize that the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased, whereby the replenishing of containers can be prompted at a more appropriate timing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 13 , the sample analysis method may further include calculating an amount of the containers discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ) as a used amount, based on a detection result by a first sensor that is disposed at the discharge port ( 150 ), in which calculating the amount of the containers may include calculating the amount of the containers discharged through the discharge port ( 150 ) as the used amount after the containers are no longer detected by a second sensor that is disposed at a predetermined height from a bottom part ( 131   e ) of the storage section ( 131 ). 
     According to the above aspect, by measuring the used amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ), it is possible to accurately recognize that the amount of the containers stored in the storage section ( 131 ) has decreased. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in the sample analysis method, calculating the amount of the containers may include resetting the calculated amount of the containers, when production lot information (LI) on a container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired after start of calculating the amount of the containers. 
     According to the above aspect, the calculated amount is reset when the production lot information (LI) on the container newly supplied to the storage section ( 131 ) is acquired. Therefore, when the production lot information (LI) is newly acquired, the calculation of the amount can be restarted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , the sample analysis method may further include reading a code (C) attached to a container box ( 450 ) containing the containers, in which acquiring the production lot information (LI) may include acquiring the production lot information (LI) included in the read code (C). 
     According to the above aspect, the production lot information (LI) included in the code (C) is acquired by reading the code (C) attached to the container box ( 450 ) containing the containers. Thus, the production lot information (LI) can be acquired reliably and easily. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , in the sample analysis method, the production lot information (LI) may include at least a production lot number of the container. 
     According to the present invention, the traceability of a container that can store a sample can be increased. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a sample analyzer according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram of a transverse section illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a cuvette according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearance of a cuvette supply unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram of an upper surface of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an input section of the cuvette supply unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram of a transverse cross section illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a first storage section of the cuvette supply unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the first storage section and a second storage section viewed from a rear side according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where cuvettes are stored in the first storage section and the second storage section according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the first storage section and the second storage section viewed from a left side according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of the second storage section and a conveyance unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a conveyance path according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a block configuration of a controller according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of processing executed by a reader according to the first embodiment for reading a code attached to a container box in which cuvettes are stored; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of an information table including analysis results and production lot information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating an example of display information generation processing according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 18A  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit of a sample analyzer according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 18B  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit of a sample analyzer according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit of a sample analyzer according to a third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration according to related technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. The positional relationship such as up, down, left and right is based on the positional relationship illustrated in the drawings unless otherwise specified. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios. The following embodiment is an example for explaining the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. 
     First Embodiment 
     &lt;Configuration of Sample Analyzer&gt; 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an outer appearance of a sample analyzer  1  according to a first embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the analyzer  1 . 
     The sample analyzer  1  automatically analyzes a sample such as blood. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the analyzer  1  includes a housing  10  having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The housing  10  includes, for example, a front wall  10   a , a side wall  10   b  on the right side when viewed from the front surface (forward surface) side, a side wall  10   c  on the left side as viewed from the front side, a ceiling wall  10   d , and a rear wall  10   e.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sample analyzer  1  includes a sample container loading section  20  through which a sample container A is conveyed into the housing  10 ; a first table  21  on which a plurality of cuvettes B, serving as containers capable of accommodating samples, are held while being annularly arranged; a second table  22  on which a plurality of reagent containers C, containing reagent to be mixed into the sample, are held; a heater  23  that holds and heats the cuvettes B; an analysis unit  24  that holds the cuvette B and analyzes an analysis specimen (mixture of the sample and the reagent) of the cuvette B; and a discharge unit  25  that discharges the cuvette B on which the analysis has been completed; a controller  26 ; and the like. 
     The sample analyzer  1  further has an apparatus configuration for injecting liquid into the cuvette B. The configuration includes a sample dispensing arm  27  that injects the sample in the sample container A, loaded into the sample container loading section  20 , into the cuvette B on the first table  21 ; two reagent dispensing arms  28  and  29  for dispensing the reagent in the reagent container C on the second table  22  into the cuvette B; and the like. 
     The sample analyzer  1  further has an apparatus configuration for conveying the cuvette B. The configuration includes a cuvette supply unit  30  that supplies the cuvette B into the apparatus main body; a first conveyance arm  31  that conveys the cuvette B supplied from the cuvette supply unit  30  to the first table  21 ; a second conveyance arm  32  that conveys the cuvette B on the first table  21  to the first reagent dispensing arm  28  or the heater  23 ; a third conveyance arm  33  that conveys the cuvette B in the heater  23  to the second reagent dispensing arm  29 , the analysis unit  24 , or the discharge unit  25 ; and the like. 
     In plan view, the sample container loading section  20  is disposed on the front side in the housing  10 , and the first table  21  and the second table  22  are disposed around the center in the housing  10 . The heater  23  is arranged on the right side in the housing  10 , and the analysis unit  24  is arranged on the rear surface (back surface) side. The discharge unit  25  is disposed between the heater  23  and the analysis unit  24 . The cuvette supply unit  30  is disposed on the left side in the housing  10  and between the analysis unit  24  and the first table  21 . 
     The sample container loading unit  20  includes a rack loading section  40  into which a rack R containing a plurality of sample containers A is loaded; a sample suction position  41 , accessible by the sample dispensing arm  27 , at which the sample is sucked from the sample container A in the rack R by the sample dispensing arm  27 ; a rack unloading section  42  at which the rack R of the sample containers R from which the samples have been sucked out is unloaded; and a conveyance unit  43  that conveys the rack R from the rack loading section  40  to the sample suction position  41  and to the rack unlading section  42  in this order. The conveyance device  43  transfers the rack R using, for example, a conveyor. 
     The first table  21  has an annular shape and is configured to be rotatable by a driver. The first table  21  includes a plurality of cuvette holders  50  that hold the cuvette B. The cuvette holders  50  are arranged at equal intervals in a circumference direction, over the entire circumference. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the cuvette B includes a body part b 1  that stores liquid, and a flange part b 2  provided near an inlet of the body part b 1 . The flange part b 2  protrudes outward, in a radial direction, from the upper part of the body part b 1 , to have a larger outer diameter than the body part b 1 . The cuvette B has a dimension of, for example, about 30 mm in a longitudinal direction, has an outer diameter D 1  of about 8 mm in the body part b 1 , and has an outer diameter D 2  of about 10 mm in the flange part b 2 . The cuvette holder  50  illustrated in  FIG. 2  has a hole that is larger than the outer diameter D 1  of the body part b 1  of the cuvette B and smaller than the outer diameter D 2  of the flange part b 2 . The cuvette B can be held with the body part b 1  of the cuvette B accommodated in the hole. 
     The second table  22  is disposed on the inner side of the first table  21 . The second table  22  has a disk shape and is configured to be rotatable by a driver. The second table  22  includes a plurality of reagent container holders  60  that hold the reagent containers C. The reagent container holders  60  are arranged to form a plurality of concentric circles, for example. The reagent container holders  60  are arranged at an equal interval along the circumference direction, for example. 
     The heater  23  has a circular heating plate  70 . The heating plate  70  has a plurality of cuvette holders  71  that hold the cuvettes B. For example, the cuvette holders  71  are arranged at an equal interval over the entire circumference of a portion near the outermost circumference of the heating plate  70 . The heating plate  70  has a heat source, and can heat the liquid in the cuvette B held by the cuvette holder  71  to a predetermined temperature. 
     The analysis unit  24  has a rectangular analysis plate  80 . The analysis plate  80  includes a plurality of cuvette holders  81  that hold the cuvettes B. A plurality of rows of the cuvette holders  81  are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the analysis plate  80 , for example. The analysis unit  24  includes an irradiation unit and a light receiving unit. The irradiation unit irradiates the cuvette holder  81  with light. The light receiving unit receives light transmitted through analysis liquid in the cuvette B. Thus, the sample can be analyzed based on a result of the light reception, e.g., a measurement of characteristics of components in the sample is conducted to generate measurement data. 
     The discharge unit  25  includes a discharge hole  82  through which the cuvettes B are discharged. The discharge hole  82  is provided in a lower part of the housing  10  and communicates with a cuvette collection section in which the cuvettes are collected. 
     In plan view, the sample dispensing arm  27  is disposed between the sample suction position  41  of the sample container loading section  20  and the first table  21  in the housing  10 . The sample dispensing arm  27  includes a driver  90  that drives the sample dispensing arm  27  and a nozzle  91  that sucks and ejects the sample. 
     For example, the driver  90  includes a rotation driver that rotates the sample dispensing arm  27 , in a planer direction, between the sample suction position  41  and the first table  21 ; and a vertical driver that moves the sample dispensing arm  27  upward and downward. The nozzle  91  is provided at the tip of the sample dispensing arm  27 , and can suck or eject the sample by means of a pump or the like. With this configuration, the sample dispensing arm  27  can access the sample container A at the sample suction position  41 , suck the sample, move to be above the first table  21 , and eject the sample into the cuvette B on the first table  21 . 
     The reagent dispensing arms  28  and  29  each have elongated arms  100  in plan view, with a nozzle  101  provided in a lower part thereof. The arm  100  of the first reagent dispensing arm  28  extends from the second table  22  to the vicinity of the heater  23 . The arm  100  of the second reagent dispensing arm  29  extends from the second table  22  to the vicinity of the analysis unit  24 . The arms  100  are fixed to the ceiling of the housing  10 , for example. 
     The nozzle  101  is configured to be able to be moved, by a driver, with respect to the arm  100  in the longitudinal direction thereof and in the vertical direction. The nozzle  101  of the first reagent dispensing arm  28  is movable along the arm  100  from a position above the second table  22  to a position above and in the vicinity of the heating table  70  of the heater  23 . The nozzle  101  of the second reagent dispensing arm  29  is movable along the arm  100  from a position above the second table  22  to a position above and in the vicinity of the analysis plate  80  of the analysis unit  24 . The nozzle  101  can suck or eject the reagent by means of a pump or the like (not illustrated). Furthermore, the nozzle  101  includes a heat source, and can heat the sucked reagent to a predetermined temperature. With this configuration, the nozzle  101  of the first reagent dispensing arm  28  can access the reagent container C of the second table  22 , suck the reagent, move to above and the vicinity of the heating table  70 , and eject the reagent into the cuvette B held by the second arm  32  in the vicinity of the heating table  70 . Furthermore, the nozzle  101  of the second reagent dispensing arm  29  can access the reagent container C of the second table  22 , suck the reagent, move to a portion above and in the vicinity of the analysis plate  80 , and eject the reagent into the cuvette B held by the third arm  33  in the vicinity of the analysis plate  80 . 
     The cuvette supply unit  30  stores an empty cuvette B input from the outside, and sequentially supplies the cuvettes B to a cuvette unloading section  182  described later. Details of the configuration of the cuvette supply unit  30  will be described later. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first arm  31  is disposed between a later-described conveyance path  181  of the cuvette supply unit  30  and the first table  21  in plan view. The first arm  31  includes a driver  110  that drives the first arm  31  and a cuvette holder  111  that holds the cuvette B. The driver  110  includes a rotation driver that rotates the first arm  31 , in the planer direction, between the cuvette unloading section  182  of the cuvette supply unit  30  and the first table  21 ; and a vertical driver that moves the first arm  31  upward and downward. The cuvette holder  111  is provided at the tip of the first arm  31 , has a U-shape for example, and can hold the cuvette B by hooking the flange part b 2  of the cuvette B from below. With this configuration, the first arm  31  can hold the cuvette B in the cuvette unloading section  182  of the cuvette supply unit  30 , move the cuvette B onto the first table  21 , and place the cuvette B on the cuvette holder  50  on the first table  21 . 
     For example, the second arm  32  is disposed on the heating plate  70  of the heater  23 . The second arm  32  includes a driver  115  that drives the second arm  32  and a cuvette holder  116  that holds the cuvette B. For example, the driver  115  includes a rotation driver that rotates the second arm  32 , in the planer direction, between the first table  21  and the heating table  70 ; a vertical driver that moves the second arm  32  upward and downward; and an expansion/contraction driver that makes the second arm  32  expand/contract in the horizontal direction. The cuvette holder  116  is provided at the tip of the second arm  32 , has a U-shape for example, and can hold the cuvette B by hooking the flange part b 2  of the cuvette B from below. With this configuration, the second arm  32  can hold the cuvette B held by the cuvette holder  50  on the first table  21 , and move the cuvette B to be below the nozzle  101  of the first reagent dispenser  28  or to the cuvette holder  71  on the heating table  70 . 
     The third arm  33  is disposed on the rear surface side of the analysis unit  24  in the housing  10  in plan view. The third arm  33  includes a driver  120  that drives the third arm  33  and a cuvette holder  121  that holds the cuvette B. The driver  120  includes a drive mechanism that moves the third arm  33  in a left-right direction, a front-back direction, and the vertical direction. The cuvette holder  121  is provided at the tip of the third arm  33 , has a U-shape for example, and can hold the cuvette B by hooking the flange part b 2  of the cuvette B from below. With this configuration, the third arm  33  can hold the cuvette B held by the cuvette holder  71  on the heating table  70 , and move the cuvette B to be below the nozzle  101  of the second reagent dispenser  29  or to the cuvette holder  81  of the analysis unit  24 . The third arm  33  can convey the cuvette B that has been analyzed to the discharge unit  25 . 
     &lt;Configuration of Cuvette Supply Unit&gt; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the cuvette supply unit  30 . For example, the cuvette supply unit  30  includes an input section  130  through which an empty cuvette B is input; a first storage section  131  (storage section) that stores the cuvette B input through the input section  130 ; a second storage section  132  that stores the cuvette B discharged from the first storage section  131 ; and a conveyance unit  133  that conveys the cuvette B in the second storage section  132 . 
     The input section  130  includes, for example, a square input port  140  and a conveyance path  141  that extends from the input port  140  to the first storage section  131 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the input port  140  opens in the upper surface of the housing  10  when a door  142  provided on the ceiling wall  10   d  of the housing  10  is open. The conveyance path  141  extends in a direction from the front side toward the rear side of the housing  10 . The conveyance path  141  has substantially square vertical cross section orthogonal to its extending direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the conveyance path  141  has a bottom surface  143  that is inclined so as to gradually descend from the input port  140  toward the first storage section  131 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first storage section  131  has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and has a side wall  131   a  on the right side as viewed from the front side, a side wall  131   b  on the left side as viewed from the front side, a ceiling wall  131   c , and a rear wall  131   d , for example. The first storage section  131  has a front side open, and the conveyance path  141  is connected thereto. In addition, the first storage section  131  has a bottom part  131   e  illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram of a transverse section illustrating an internal configuration of the first storage section  131 .  FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section illustrating internal configurations of the first storage section  131  and the second storage section  132  as viewed from the rear side of the housing  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the bottom part  131   e  has a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction in plan view. The bottom part  131   e  includes, for example, a discharge port  150 , a first inclined plate  151 , a second inclined plate  152 , and a diaphragm  153 . 
     The discharge port  150  has a square shape, for example, and has a lower side open toward the second storage section  132 . The discharge port  150  is adjacent to the rear wall  131   d  and is disposed at a position closer to the right side wall  131   a  than the center in the left-right direction is. The discharge port  150  has dimensions satisfying a relationship L&lt;D&lt;3×L, and preferably satisfying L&lt;D&lt;2×L, where L represents the maximum dimension of the cuvette B (the dimension in the longitudinal direction illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) and D represents the maximum dimension of the discharge port (the diagonal dimension). 
       FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section illustrating internal configurations of the first storage section  131  and the second storage section  132  as viewed from the left side of the housing  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 10 , the first inclined plate  151  is provided on the front side of the first storage section  131 , and is smoothly continues from the bottom surface  143  of the conveyance path  141 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the first inclined plate  151  is inclined so as to gradually descend toward the discharge port  150  more on the right side than the center in the left-right direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second inclined plate  152  is provided on the side of the left side wall  131   b  of the first storage section  131 , and is inclined to gradually descend toward the discharge port  150  from the side wall  131   b . For the first inclined plate  151  and the second inclined plate  152 , a resin (for example, polyacetal) having a low frictional force is used, so that the cuvette B can smoothly slide thereon. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the diaphragm  153  has a rectangular shape, for example, and forms a part of the bottom part  131   e . The diaphragm  153  extends in a horizontal direction from the right side wall  131   a  toward the discharge port  150 . The diaphragm  153  has a configuration to be more likely to vibrate than other surrounding parts. For example, the diaphragm  153  is configured to have a thin plate shape for example or is configured by a material having a high elastic modulus. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the diaphragm  153  has, for example, an L-shape, and includes a horizontal part  153   a  extending from the right side wall  131   a  toward the discharge port  150 ; and a vertical part  153   b  extending downward from the tip of the horizontal part  153   a . The vertical part  153   b  faces the discharge port  150  and forms a part of an edge of the discharge port  150 . An upper surface  153   c  of the horizontal part  153   a  serves as an upper surface facing the inside of the first storage section  131 , and an outer side surface  153   d  of the vertical part  153   b  serves as a side surface facing the discharge port  150 . The upper surface  153   c  of the horizontal part  153   a  and the outer side surface  153   d  of the vertical part  153   b  are smoothly connected to each other at the upper edge in the edge of the discharge port  150 . 
       FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram of a state where cuvettes are stored in the first storage section and the second storage section, according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a vibration member  160  that vibrates in the vertical direction is provided on the back surface of the diaphragm  153 . The vibration member  160  is, for example, a vibration actuator that vibrates upon being supplied with power. The vibration of the vibration member  160  can be controlled by the controller  26 . The diaphragm  153  is vibrated by the vibration member  160 , so that the cuvettes B accumulated in the first storage section  131  can be dropped to the second storage section  132  through the discharge port  150 . The remaining cuvettes B are retained due to the natural frictional force between the cuvettes B, to be stored in the first storage section  131 . In this state, the second reservoir  132  stores an approximately fixed amount of cuvettes B not overwhelming the storage capacity of the second storage section  132 . In the present embodiment, the diaphragm  153  and the vibration member  160  constitute a vibrator mechanism  165 , which in turn forms a discharge controller that controls dropping of the cuvette B from the first storage section  131  to the second storage section  132 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the first storage section  131  further includes a storage section sensor  350  that is disposed at a predetermined height from the bottom part  131   e  of the first storage section  131 , and can detect presence or absence of a cuvette stored in the first storage section  131 . The storage section sensor  350  is also arranged at a specific position on the inner wall corresponding to the position of the outer wall of the first storage section  131 . The storage section sensor  350  installed on the outer wall and the storage section sensor  350  installed on the inner wall can transmit and receive sensor information to and from each other. The storage section sensor  350  is, for example, a non-contact optical sensor, and detects the presence or absence of a cuvette by emitting a laser beam intermittently or periodically in a predetermined direction and receiving the reflected light. The reservoir sensor  350  is used to determine whether the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  is equal to or less than a set amount (for example, 200). As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the storage section sensor  350 , not illustrated in these figures, emits the laser beam in a direction indicated by a dotted line DL. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , when the cuvettes are stored below a virtual plane in the left-right direction including the broken line DL, the storage section sensor  350  detects no cuvette. Thus, the controller  26  that has acquired the sensor information from the storage section sensor  350  determines that the amount of the cuvette stored in the first storage section  131  is equal to or less than the set amount. The storage section sensor  350  may be a sensor other than an optical sensor such as a sensor employing other detection techniques, as long as the presence or absence of the cuvettes can be detected. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first storage section  131  further includes a discharge port sensor  400  that is disposed at the discharge port  150  and can detect a discharge status of the cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131 . The discharge port sensor  400  is, for example, a non-contact optical sensor, and detects whether a cuvette has passed through the discharge port  150  (has been discharged) by emitting a laser beam intermittently or periodically in a predetermined direction and receiving the reflected light. The discharge port sensor  400  may be a sensor other than an optical sensor such as a sensor employing other detection techniques, as long as whether the cuvette has passed through the discharge port  150  can be detected. The discharge port sensor  400  outputs sensor information corresponding to the detection result to the controller  26 . The discharge port sensor  400  may be replaced with at least one of a first sensor  260  and a second sensor  261  described later. Specifically, a detection result from at least one of the first sensor  260  and the second sensor  261  may be used instead of the detection result from the discharge port sensor  400  for calculating the amount of cuvettes discharged through the discharge port  150  or the amount of cuvettes used. Furthermore, a detection result from at least one of the first sensor  260  and the second sensor  261  may be used in addition to the detection result from the discharge port sensor  400  for calculating the amount of cuvettes discharged through the discharge port  150  or the amount of cuvettes used. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 8, and 11 , the second storage section  132  is provided immediately below the first storage section  131 . The second storage section  132  has a storage capacity smaller than that of the first storage section  131 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second storage section  132  has a front wall  132   a , a side wall  132   b  on the right side as viewed from the front side, a side wall  132   c  on the left side as viewed from the front side, a rear wall  132   d , and a bottom wall  132   e.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the bottom wall  132   e  has an inclined surface to be in an inverted conical shape (mortar shape) with the lowest point around the center. 
     The second storage section  132  has an upper surface provided with an opening to be exposed to the bottom part  131   e  of the first storage section  131 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a left side part of the upper surface of the second storage section  132  as viewed from the rear surface is exposed to the second inclined plate  152  of the bottom part  131   e , and a gap  170  enabling the second storage section  132  to be accessed from the outside is formed immediately below the second inclined plate  152 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the left side wall  10   c  of the housing  10  corresponding to the gap  170  on the left side of the second storage section  132  is provided with a door  171  that can be opened and closed. When the door  171  is opened, the second storage section  132  can be accessed from the outside of the housing  10 . 
     The conveyance unit  133  illustrated in  FIG. 4  takes out the cuvettes B in the second storage section  132  and sequentially conveys the cuvettes B to the cuvette unloading section  182 . 
     The conveyance unit  133  includes, for example, a take-out mechanism  180  that takes out the cuvettes B in the second storage section  132 , a conveyance path  181  on which the cuvettes B taken out by the take-out mechanism  180  are conveyed, and a cuvette unloading section  182  that accommodates the cuvettes B conveyed on the conveyance path  181 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the cuvette unloading section  182  has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The cuvette conveyance unit  182  includes, for example, a rotating section  250  that is rotated by a driver. The rotating section  250  has a cylindrical shape and includes a plurality of (for example, three) receiving holes  251  on an outer circumference surface. The receiving holes  251  each have a substantially cylindrical shape to be capable of receiving the cuvette B from the outer circumference surface of the rotating section  250 . The cuvette B dropped onto the conveyance path  181  is received to be held in the receiving hole  251  when the rotating section  250  rotates and the receiving hole  251  is aligned with a slit  231  of a rail  230 . When the receiving hole  251  is not aligned with the slit  231  of the rail  230 , the cuvette B stays on the rail  230 . Under a normal condition, the amount of cuvettes B dropping onto the conveyance path  181  is set to be larger than the amount of cuvettes B held by the cuvette unloading section  182 , so that a plurality of cuvettes B line up to the upper portion to the rail  230  of the conveyance path  181  (waiting in queue). A predetermined number (for example, 10) of cuvettes B can stay on the conveyance path  181 . The predetermined number depends on the length of the path. 
     The cuvette supply unit  30  includes sensors capable of detecting a conveyance status of the cuvette B by the conveyance unit  133 . Specifically, the conveyance path  181  includes the first sensor  260  that is provided at the uppermost part of the rail  230  and can detect the presence or absence of the cuvette B and whether the cuvettes B have passed and the second sensor  261  that is provided at the lowermost part of the rail  230  and can detect the presence or absence of the cuvette B. The first sensor  260  and the second sensor  261  are, for example, non-contact optical sensors each having a light irradiation unit and a light receiving unit, and each detects the presence or absence of the cuvette B and the like in accordance with whether the light receiving unit has received light emitted from the light emitting unit. The detection results from the first sensor  260  and the second sensor  261  are output to the controller  26 . 
     The controller  26  is, for example, a computer in which a CPU can executes a program stored in a memory of the computer to control driving of various drivers (for the sample injection arm  27 , the reagent dispenser  28 ,  29 , the first arm  31 , the second arm  32 , the third arm  33 , the sample container loading section  20 , the first table  21 , the second table  22 , the heater  23 , the analysis unit  24 , the cuvette supply unit  30 , and the like) for implementing the sample analysis processing. In particular, in the analysis processing, the controller  26  can control the operation of the vibrator mechanism  165  based on the detection result related to the conveyance status of the cuvette B obtained by the sensors  260  and  261 . 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a block configuration of the controller  26  according to the first embodiment. As in an example illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the controller  26  includes an information processing unit  262  that executes information processing for generating display information to be displayed on a display unit  300  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and a recorder  270  that records information related to the information processing. 
     The information processing unit  262  includes functions including a production lot information acquisition unit  263 , an analysis processing unit  264 , a sensor information acquisition unit  265 , a calculation unit  266 , and a display information generation unit  267 . Each of these function is executed with the CPU executing a program stored in the memory of the controller  26  (computer). 
     The production lot information acquisition unit  263  acquires production lot information (for example, a production lot number) on a production lot of a cuvette. 
       FIG. 14  is an explanatory diagram of an example of processing of reading a code attached to a container box containing the cuvettes, executed by a reader according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a reader R of the sample analyzer  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  reads a code C attached to the container box  450  containing the cuvette. The reader R outputs barcode information to the controller  26 . The code may include a one dimensional code (barcode), and may also include a two dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark)) or any other codes. Then, the production lot information acquisition unit  263  acquires production lot information LI included in the code C read by the reader R. The production lot information LI may further include the number of cuvettes contained in the container box  450 , that is, the number of cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131 , together with the production lot number. 
     According to this configuration, the production lot information LI included in the code C is acquired by reading the code C attached to the container box  450  containing the cuvette. Thus, the production lot information LI can be acquired reliably and easily. 
     The container box  450  has, for example, three bags each including 1000 cuvettes. Thus, one container box includes 3000 cuvettes. Therefore, the production lot information LI includes unique production lot information allocated to each set of 3000 cuvettes. A container bag may be used instead of the container box  450 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 13 , the analysis processing unit  264  performs analysis processing of the sample stored in the cuvette discharged from the discharge port  150  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 10 . For example, the analysis processing unit  264  analyzes an analysis specimen (mixture of the sample and reagent) stored in the cuvette, e.g., the analysis processing unit  264  performs analysis processing of measurement data generated from the analysis unit  24 . 
     The sensor information acquisition unit  265  acquires sensor information that is the detection results from the storage section sensor  350  illustrated in  FIG. 4  and the discharge port sensor  400  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , as well as the first sensor  260  and the second sensor  261  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     The calculation unit  266  calculates the amount of cuvettes discharged from the discharge port  150  as the used amount based on the detection results from the discharge port sensor  400  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . For example, the calculation unit  266  can accurately calculate the amount of cuvettes used in the analysis processing by measuring the number of cuvettes passing through the discharge port  150 . 
     The display information generation unit  267  generates display information with which an analysis result of one or a plurality of samples analyzed during a predetermined period of time is displayed on the display unit  300  in a manner that associates the result with the production lot information, based on the production lot information LI, the analysis result, and time information indicating time when the analysis processing is executed. The display information generation unit  267  outputs the generated display information to the display unit  300 . 
     The “predetermined period of time” may be several hours, one day (24 hours), or a plurality of days, or may be in units of weeks, months, or years. The “time information” indicates the time when the analysis processing is executed, and includes, for example, the analysis start time or the analysis end time, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The time information may be a specific time point during the analysis processing. 
     The recorder  270  records at least the production lot information LI, an analysis result RA of the sample stored in the cuvette, and cuvette amount information CI in association with each other. The time information indicating the time at which the sample is analyzed may be included in the analysis result RA, or may be recorded separately from the analysis result RA. The cuvette amount information CI is information on the cuvette amount, and may indicate the number of cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131 , for example. Furthermore, the cuvette amount information CI may be the used amount of cuvettes (for example, the number of cuvettes used), based on the sensor information output from the discharge port sensor  400  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and on the sensor information output from the first sensor  260  and the second sensor  261  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of an information table including analysis results and production lot information according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , for example, the recorder  270  records the sample number, the production lot number, the analysis time, and the analysis result in association with each other. The recorder  270  may further record rack information such as a rack number and a rack position for each sample number. 
     &lt;Display Information Generation Processing&gt; 
     An example of display information generation processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the display information generation processing according to the first embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the production lot information acquisition unit  263  illustrated in  FIG. 13  acquires the production lot information LI on a plurality of cuvettes that can store samples (step S 1 ). The analysis processing unit  264  analyzes the sample stored in the cuvette discharged from the discharge port  150  provided to the first storage section  131  capable of storing the cuvettes (step S 3 ). The recorder  270  records the production lot information LI, the analysis result RA of the sample stored in the cuvette, and the time information indicating the time when the sample is analyzed in association with each other (step S 5 ). The display information generation unit  267  generates display information with which an analysis result RA of samples analyzed during a predetermined period of time (a day, for example) is displayed on the display unit  300  in a manner that associates the analysis result with the production lot information, based on the production lot information LI, the analysis result RA, and the time information (step S 7 ). 
       FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an analysis result screen G 1  of the display unit  300  of the sample analyzer  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , for example, the display information generation unit  267  displays the display information for displaying the analysis results RA dated Jan. 13, 2019 on the display unit  300  in a manner in which the results are listed while being associated with the production lot numbers. The analysis result screen G 1  may further include rack information such as a rack number and a rack position for each sample number. 
     The analysis result of a sample number “20_27” is “Error” (abnormality occurred). Whether an abnormality has occurred in a certain analysis result is determined as follows. Specifically, a first reference value for an analysis value and a second reference value lower than the first reference value are set for each analysis processing, and it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the analysis processing when a certain analysis value exceeds the first reference value or falls below the second reference value, for example. Then, the user operating the sample analyzer  1  can recognize that the production lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the analysis result in which an abnormality has occurred is “U1000-011”. 
     As described above, the cuvette replenishing is performed when the number of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  becomes small. For example, when the remaining number of stored cuvettes decreases to about 100, 1000 new cuvettes are supplied to the first storage section  131 . When new cuvettes are thus supplied before the cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  are fully consumed, cuvettes with different production lot numbers may coexist in the first storage section  131 . Therefore, although the production lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the analysis result of which indicates that an abnormality has occurred is displayed as “U1000-011” on the analysis result screen G 1  illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the production lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the analysis result of which indicates that an abnormality has occurred may not be “U1000-011” and may be “A1000-001”. Thus, the production lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the analysis result of which indicates that an abnormality has occurred may not be perfectly traceable. Still, the user can determine (anticipate) that the production lot number of such a cuvette is likely to be any one of “U1000-011” and “A1000-001” associated with a plurality of analysis results within a predetermined period of time. 
     According to the first embodiment described above, the display information is generated with which an analysis result of samples analyzed during a predetermined period of time is displayed on the display unit  300  in a manner that associates the analysis result RA with the production lot information LI, based on the production lot information LI, the analysis result RA, and the time information. Thus, the production lot information of the cuvette associated with an analysis result indicating the occurrence of abnormality can be estimated. Therefore, the traceability of the cuvette that can accommodate the sample can be improved. 
     The analysis result screen G 1  is a screen displaying a list of analysis results for Jan. 13, 2019, that is, a single day, but is not limited thereto. For example, the analysis result screen G 1  may be a screen displaying a list of analysis results for several hours or a plurality of days, or may be a screen displaying a list of analysis results in units of weeks, months, or years. 
     On the analysis result screen G 1 , the analysis result indicating the occurrence of abnormality may be displayed in a display manner different from that for other analysis results. For example, the analysis result of the sample number “20_27” may be displayed in a color different from that used for the other analysis results, or may be highlighted, that is, may be displayed with letters having thickness different from those of the other analysis results or in the other manner. With this configuration, an analysis result indicating an occurrence of abnormality can be easily recognized on the analysis result screen G 1 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     An example of display information generation processing according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 18A and 18B .  FIGS. 18A and 18B  are each an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of cuvette management screens of the display unit  300  of the sample analyzer  1 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , the cuvette management screens G 3  and G 5  include, for example, an image corresponding to the internal configuration of the sample analyzer  1  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to enable real-time recognition of the management status of a cuvette.  FIG. 18A  illustrates an example of a cuvette management screen including the production lot number of cuvettes stored in advance in the first storage section  131  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 10  and the like.  FIG. 18B  is an example of a cuvette management screen including the production lot number of the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18A , when the production lot information acquisition unit  263  acquires the production lot information LI of cuvettes supplied to the first storage section  131 , the display information generation unit  267  illustrated in  FIG. 13  generates display information for displaying the production lot information LI on the display unit  300  in a predetermined display manner. Then, the display unit  300  displays the cuvette management screen G 3  including a production lot number CN1 “A1000-001”. 
     With this configuration, the production lot information LI on the cuvettes supplied to the first storage section  131  can be easily recognized at a glance. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18A , the display information generation unit  267  generates first display information for displaying, on the display unit  300 , the production lot information LI on the cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  (illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 10  and the like) in advance. Then, the display unit  300  displays the cuvette management screen G 3  including the production lot number CN1 “A1000-001”, for example. Thereafter, when the production lot information acquisition unit  263  acquires the production lot information LI on cuvettes supplied to the first storage section  131  (information corresponding to the production lot number CN3 “U1000-011”), the display information generation unit  267  generates second display information for displaying the production lot information LI on the display unit  300 , for example. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 18B , the display unit  300  displays the cuvette management screen G 5  including the production lot number CN3 “U1000-011”. 
     With this configuration, the display information generation unit  267  generates the second display information after generating the first display information. Therefore, the time when the production lot information is changed can be recognized with a certain level of accuracy. 
     The display information generation unit  267  generates the display information for displaying the production lot number LI on the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131  on the display unit  300 , when a predetermined amount of cuvettes stored in advance is discharged from the first storage section  131  or when a predetermined period of time elapses after the production lot information acquisition unit  263  has acquired the production lot information LI on the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 10  and the like. 
     As described above, the cuvette replenishing is performed when the number of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  becomes small. For example, when the remaining number of stored cuvettes decreases to about 100, 1000 new cuvettes are supplied to the first storage section  131 . Thus, when the remaining 100 cuvettes are discharged after the production lot information acquisition unit  263  has acquired the production lot information LI on the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131 , 1000 cuvettes newly supplied are stored in the first storage section  131 . Therefore, in such a case, display information for displaying the production lot information LI of the newly supplied cuvette on the display unit  300  is generated. Furthermore, after the production lot information acquisition unit  263  has acquired the production lot information LI on the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131 , the time required for discharging the remaining 100 may be predicted (or set), and the display information for displaying the production lot information LI on the cuvettes newly supplied on the display unit  300  may be generated when such time elapses. The fact that the cuvettes staying in advance and the cuvettes newly supplied coexist will be ignored. 
     With this configuration, after the production lot information LI of the newly supplied cuvette was acquired, the display information is generated when certain conditions are satisfied as described above. Thus, the time when the production lot information has been changed can be more accurately recognized. 
     According to the second embodiment described above, when the production lot information acquisition unit  263  acquires the production lot information LI on cuvettes, the display information generation unit  267  generates display information for displaying the production lot information LI on the display unit  300  in a predetermined display manner. Thus, the display unit  300  displays the cuvette management screen including the production lot information, whereby the production lot information LI on the cuvettes supplied to the first storage section  131  can be easily recognized at a glance. 
     The calculation unit  266  may calculate the amount of cuvettes discharged from the discharge port  150  as the used amount based on the detection results from the discharge port sensor  400 . The display information generation unit  267  may generate display information for displaying a cuvette management screen including the used amount, for example. The calculation unit  266  may calculate, as the used amount, the amount of containers discharged from the discharge port  150  after the storage section sensor  350  has stopped detecting the containers (for example, when the number of cuvettes in the first storage section  131  falls below the predetermined amount). 
     With this configuration, by measuring the used amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131 , it is possible to accurately recognize that the amount of containers stored in the first storage section  131  has decreased. 
     The calculation unit  266  resets the used amount when the production lot information LI on the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131  is acquired after the calculation of the used amount has started. Then, for example, the used amount is calculated again from 0. 
     With this configuration, the used amount calculated is reset when the production lot information LI on the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage section  131  is acquired. Thus, the calculation of the used amount can be resumed when the production lot information LI is newly acquired. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 19  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a cuvette management screen G 7  on the display unit  300  of the sample analyzer  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the cuvette management screen G 7  includes information RI for prompting cuvette replenishing (supplying). The information RI may be text information such as “replenishing required”, image information for prompting the replenishing, or a combination of the text information and the image information. 
     The display information generation unit  267  illustrated in  FIG. 13  generates information for prompting the supplying of the cuvettes, when the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 10  and the like decreases to or below a set amount ( 200 , for example). With this configuration, supplying of the cuvettes is prompted when the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  becomes small. Thus, it is possible to prompt the user to perform cuvette replenishment at an appropriate timing. 
     The display information generation unit  267  generates information for prompting supplying of cuvettes based on a result of detecting the presence or absence of the cuvette obtained by the storage section sensor  350  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . With this configuration, it is possible to easily recognize that the amount of containers stored in the first storage section  131  has decreased, whereby the supplying of cuvettes can be prompted at a more appropriate timing. 
     When a predetermined amount of ( 800 , for example) or more cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  is discharged from the discharge port  150 , the display information generation unit  267  generates information for prompting the supplying of the containers. With this configuration, it is possible to easily recognize that the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage section  131  has decreased, whereby the supplying of containers can be prompted at a more appropriate timing. 
     According to the third embodiment described above, the cuvette management screen G 7  including the information RI for prompting cuvette replenishing (supplying) is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to perform cuvette replenishing. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be changed/improved (for example, combining the embodiments, omitting a part of the configuration of each embodiment) without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present disclosure includes equivalents thereof.