Patent Abstract:
An agitating device is described, a representative one of which includes: an agitating device for agitating a sample within a sample container, comprising: a base; a container holder for holding a sample container, which is provided so as to be movable relative to the base; and an agitation drive unit, which is provided on the base, for providing an agitation drive force to the container holder so as to cause the container holder to perform a agitating operation.

Full Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2005-330498 filed Nov. 15, 2005, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an agitating device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sample analyzers include, for example, blood analyzers. Such sample analyzers aspirate a sample such as blood or the like collected in a sample container (collection tube), mix the aspirated sample with reagent, measure the mixed sample and analyse the measured sample to obtain analysis results. 
     The sample analyser comprises an agitating device that is used mix the sample in the sample container before the sample is aspirated by the sample analyzer. 
     For example, the sample agitating and aspirating device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 63-187158. This sample agitating and aspirating device grips a sample container held in a rack by means of hand, and repeats a reciprocating rotation movement of the hand gripping the sample container by a rotation drive cylinder. Thus, the sample within the sample container is vigorously agitated. 
     The hand is provided so as to be movable relative to the support member that is base of the sample agitating and aspirating device, and the hand removes the sample container from the rack and agitates the sample container. 
     The rotation drive cylinder that provides the rotational drive to agitate the hand is provided integratedly with the hand, and configured so as to move together with the hand within the device. 
     Therefore, a large drive force is required to move the hand via the rotation drive cylinder used for agitation. A large drive source is needed to obtain such a large drive force, thus enlarging the size of the apparatus. 
     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 first aspect of the agitating device of the present invention is an agitating device for agitating a sample within a sample container, comprising: a base; a container holder for holding a sample container, which is provided so as to be movable relative to the base; and an agitation drive unit, which is provided on the base, for providing an agitation drive force to the container holder so as to cause the container holder to perform a agitating operation. 
     A second aspect of the agitating device of the present invention is an agitating device for agitating a sample within a sample container, comprising: an agitation drive unit for generating an agitation drive force; and a container holder for holding a sample container, which is provided so as to be movable and capable of contacting and releasing from the agitation drive unit; wherein the agitation drive unit provides an agitation drive force to the container holder when the container holder contacts the agitation drive unit. 
     A third aspect of the agitating device of the present invention is an agitating device for agitating a sample within a sample container, comprising: a container rack receiver for receiving a first container rack at a first position and a second container rack at a second position, the first and second container racks holding at least one sample container; a container holder for obtaining and holding a sample container held in the container rack received by the container rack receiver; and an agitation drive unit for generating an agitation drive force to agitate the container holder in a space between the first position and the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sample analyzer; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a manual placement-type sample analyzer (sample analyzer main body); 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a sample analyzer; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the manual placement-type sample analyzer; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlargement of the sample container acceptor moving unit of the manual placement-type sample analyzer; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the sample container positioner; 
         FIG. 7  is a function block diagram of the sample analyzer; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the sample container supplier; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the movable base; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the moving unit of the sample container supplier; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the container holder in the closed condition; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the container holder in the open condition; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the container holder agitation operation; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view showing the regulating state in which the container holder is fixed non-rotatably to the apparatus base, and the state in which the regulation is released via contact with the contact member; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view showing the container holder agitation operation; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter. 
       FIG. 1  shows a blood analyzer as an example of a sample analyzer  1 . The sample analyzer  1  measures a blood sample contained in a sample container (collection tube)  2 , and the measurement result is analyzed by a computer  7  (omitted from  FIG. 1 ). 
     The sample analyzer  1  is provided with a sample analyzer main body apparatus (blood analyzer main body apparatus)  3  with the function of measuring the sample blood, and a sample container supplier (sampler)  4  that automatically supplies a plurality of sample containers to the sample analyzer main body  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sample analyzer main body  3  is originally configured as a manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a  that measures a manually placed sample container  2 . 
     The sample analyzer  1  has a sample container supplier  4  subsequently joined to a manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and the two devices  3   a  and  4  are integrated so as to be separable, thus configuring a sample analyzer with a detachable sampler attachment. As a result, the sample analyzer  1  not only allows manual placement of sample containers  2 , but also automatically supplies sample containers  2 . 
     Moreover, the two devices  3   a  and  4  may be integrated after initial assembly of the devices during the manufacturing process. 
     Sample Analyzer Main Body  3  (Manual Placement-type Sample Analyzer  3   a ) 
       FIGS. 2 and 4  show the manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a  (sample analyzer main body  3 ). The manual-placement-type sample analyzer  3   a  is mainly configured by an internal mechanism  301  having a measuring unit for measuring samples and the like, and a casing  302  that houses the internal mechanism unit  301 . 
     The casing  302  is provided with a casing body  302 . a  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) that has an open front (one surface), and a front casing  302   b  mounted on the casing body  302   a  so as to obstruct the front opening of the casing body  302   a . When the sample container supplier  4  is installed on the sample analyzer main body  3   a , the front casing  302   b  is removed (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
     An opening  304  is formed in the bottom right area of the front casing  302   b , such that a sample container acceptor  310 , in which a sample container  2  is manually set, can move forward from inside the casing  302  to the front of the casing  302  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     The internal mechanism  301  is provided with a sample container acceptor  310  and a mover  320  that moves the sample container acceptor  310 . 
     The sample container acceptor  310  is provided with a mounting base  312  that has a holding orifice  311  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) for holding a tube-like sample container collection tube in an upright and approximately vertical state. The holding orifice  311  is open at the top, and the hole extends vertically (perpendicular direction). Therefore, setting and replacing a sample container  2  on the sample container acceptor  310  is accomplished by setting and removing the sample container  2  in a vertical direction (perpendicular direction). 
     Moreover, the holding orifice  311  has a relatively large diameter to allow the insertion of sample containers of various tube diameters. 
     The mover  320  is configured so as to move the mounting base  312  in front-to-back directions. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the mover  320  is provided with a slider  321  that is movable in forward and backward directions and on the leading end of which is mounted the mounting base  312 , a guide  322  that guides the forward and backward movement of the slider  321 , and a motor  323  that functions as the drive unit that drives the slider  321 . 
     When the motor  323  rotates, the rotational movement is transmitted to the guide  322  side via a belt  324 . This rotational movement is converted to a linear movement by a rotation-to-linear movement conversion mechanism not shown in the drawing that is built into the guide  322 , such that the slider  321  is moved in forward and backward directions. 
     Moreover, since the slider  321  is provided so as to move horizontally, a sample container  2  set in an approximately vertical state on the sample receiver  320  can be moved horizontally while maintaining the vertical condition of the sample container. 
     When the slider  321  is moved forward, the sample container acceptor  310  projects forward from the opening  304 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , such that a sample container  2  can be set in the holding orifice  311 . Furthermore, the position of the sample container acceptor  310  shown in  FIG. 2  is referred to as the manual sample container receiving position. When the slider  321  is moved backward, the sample container acceptor  310  is housed within the apparatus, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     A cover  324  used to close the opening  304  is rotatably provided on the end of the slider  321  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). A spring not shown in the drawing exerts a force so as to incline the cover  324  to the outer side at a predetermined angle. When the slider  321  is retracted, the cover  324  is moved from the state shown in  FIG. 2  in an upward direction to close the opening  304 , and when the slider  321  advances, the cover  324  is moved forward and downward to the state shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A measurement start button  305  is provided on the front of the casing  302 . When the start button  305  is pressed after the sample container  2  has been inserted in the holding orifice  311  of the mounting base  312 , the slider  321  is retracted, and the sample container  2  (sample receiver  310 ) is positioned at the aspirating position (the position shown in  FIG. 4 ) within the apparatus  3 . Thus, in the manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a , the sample container acceptor  310  moves between the manual sample container receiving position and the aspirating position. 
     An aspirator  330  is provided within the apparatus  3  to aspirate the sample within the sample container  2  that is disposed at the aspirating position. The aspirator  330  is provided with an aspiration tube  331  that is moved downward (vertically downward direction) and pierces the stopper  2   a  that seals the sample container  2 , then aspirates the sample within the sample container. The aspirator  330  is further provided with a horizontal drive mechanism for moving the aspiration tube  331  horizontally within the apparatus  3 , and a vertical drive mechanism for moving the aspiration tube  331  vertically. 
     The holding orifice  311  of the sample container acceptor  310  is formed relatively large so as to allow the insertion of sample containers of various diameters as previously mentioned. Therefore, there is a possibility that the sample container  2  accommodated in the holding orifice  311  may be somewhat inclined and eccentrically positioned and leaning within the holding orifice  311 . There is concern that the inclination, eccentricity and leaning of the sample container may hinder the aspiration tube  331  as it advances within the sample container  2 . 
     In the present embodiment, a positioning part  340  is provided to position the sample container  2  so as to prevent the sample container from leaning at the aspirating position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the positioning part  340  is configured by a stationary positioner  341  provided at a fixed position within the apparatus  3 , and a movable positioner  342  provided on the sample container acceptor  310  side, so as to fix the position of a sample container by holding the sample container  2  between both positioners  341  and  342 . 
     The movable positioner  342  is provided at the top of the mounting base  312 , and abuts the front side of a sample container  2  inserted in the holding orifice  311 . When the sample container acceptor  310  is retracted to the aspirating position, the back side of the sample container  2  abuts the stationary positioner  341 , and the sample container  2  is gripped from the front and back by the stationary positioner  341  and the movable positioner  342 . Thus, the sample container  2  is held stable and stationary, and ensures reliable aspiration of the sample. 
     The sample (the blood sample) aspirated by the aspirator  330  is mixed with reagent and transported to the measuring unit. For this measuring process, the internal mechanism  301  of the apparatus  3  is provided with a measurement sample preparing unit configured by a reagent containers containing reagent, reagent supply pump, reagent supply path, and mixing chamber for mixing the sample and reagent, and further provided with a controller  301   a  for controlling the mechanism  301 , and a measuring unit for performing measurements related to red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the sample prepared by the measurement sample preparing unit (refer to  FIG. 7 ). 
     Furthermore, the controller is connected to a computer  7  that performs analysis processing of the measurement results, operations of the apparatus and the like, sends measurement result data to the computer, and receives operation instructions from the computer  7 . 
     When the sample container supplier  4  is installed in the apparatus  3 , the controller  301   a  controls the sample container supplier  4 . 
     Sample Container Supplier (Agitating Apparatus)  4   
     When a rack  5  holding a plurality of sample containers  2  is set, the sample container supplier  4  shows in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  8  automatically removes one sample container  2  from the rack  5 , agitates the sample container  2 , and supplies the agitated sample container  2  to the sample analyzer  3 . 
     The sample container supplier  4 , which functions as an agitating apparatus, is provided with an internal mechanism  401  for agitating and supplying a sample container, and a casing  402  as an apparatus base within which the internal mechanism  401  is installed.  FIG. 8  shows the bottom surface  402   a  and rear surface  402   b  of the casing  402  that remain when the casing  402  has been removed.  FIG. 8  also shows the sample container sample container acceptor  310  and moving part  320  of the sample analyzer main body  3  to facilitate understanding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the sample container supplier  4  is installed in the manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a  (sample analyzer main body  3 ), the front casing  302   b  of the apparatus  3  is removed and the sample container supplier  4  is inserted in the front (one side) of the apparatus  3 . Furthermore, a mounting plate  6  spans bottom surfaces of both the apparatuses  3  and  4  and is affixed to each by screw or the like, such that both apparatuses  3  and  4  are rigidly coupled. 
     When the apparatuses  3  and  4  are combined, connective wiring and tubing are required between the apparatuses  3  and  4 . For example, the apparatuses  3  and  4  are connected by a power cable for supplying electric power to the electric motor provided in the sample container supplier  4 , control signal line allowing the same electric motor to be controlled by the controller  301   a  of the apparatus  3 , air tube for supplying air to the air cylinder provided in the apparatus  4 , sensor signal lines for transmitting signals from sensors provided in the apparatus  4  to the controller  301   a  of the apparatus  3  and the like. 
     Furthermore, the controller  301   a  of the apparatus  3  is switchable from a setting for controlling the operation in the manual mode by the apparatus  3 , to a setting to control the operation in both the manual mode and the automatic mode. 
     Rack Holder  410   
     The bottom surface  402   a  of the casing (apparatus base)  402  is provided with the rack holder  410  in which the rack  5  is set. The rack holder  410  is capable of holding two (multiple) racks  5  equally spaced in front and back. More specifically, arranged on the casing bottom surface  402   a  of the rack holder  410  are concavities  411  whose lengths extend laterally and are disposed at equal spacing at front and back. A rack sensor (not shown in the drawing) for detecting the presence of the rack  5  in the rack holder  410  is provided on the casing  402 , such that automatic operation for supplying a sample container cannot be performed when a rack  5  is not disposed in the rack holder  410 . 
     An opening  403  is formed on the front surface, right side surface and top surface of the casing  402 . Furthermore, an openable cover  404  is mounted on the casing  402  to open and close the opening  403 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the cover  404  is open, it is possible to set the rack  5  in the rack holder  410  within the casing  402 . 
     Moreover, although the cover  404  is closed during the sample container automatic supplying operation, the cover  404  is formed of a transparent or semi transparent material to allow visual monitoring of the interior through the cover  404 . 
     Sample Container Supplying Unit  420   
     The sample container supplier  4  is provided with a sample container supplying unit  420  as one mechanism configuring the internal mechanism  401 , and which removes the sample container  2  from the rack  5  in the rack holder  410 , agitates the sample container  2 , and moves the sample container  2  to the sample analyzer main body  3  side. 
     The sample container supplying unit  420  is provided with a movable base  440  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) having a hand-like holder  430  for holding the sample container  2 , and a moving unit  450  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) that moves the movable base  440  within the apparatus casing (apparatus base)  402 . 
     Moving Base  440   
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the moving base  440  is provided with a base body  441 , a forward-and-back moving base  442  that is movable in forward-and-backward directions (Y direction in  FIG. 9 ) relative to the base body  441 , and an elevator base  443  that is movable in vertical directions (Z direction in  FIG. 9 ) relative to the forward-and-back movable base  442 . The elevator base  443  is movable in forward-and-back and vertical directions as viewed from the base body  441 . 
     Furthermore, the holder  430  is mounted on the elevator base  443 . 
     An elevator drive unit (elevator cylinder)  445  that configures the elevator is mounted on the forward-and-back movable base  442 . The elevator base  443  is mounted on the leading end of a rod  445   a  of the elevator cylinder  445 . Thus, the elevator base  443  and holder  430  can be raised and lowered relative to the forward-and-back movable base  442  via the extension and retraction of the elevator cylinder  445 . 
     Moving Unit  450   
     The moving unit  450  moves the holder  430  installed on the moving base  440  within the casing (apparatus base)  402 . More specifically, the moving unit  450  moves the movable base  440  laterally (X direction in  FIG. 10 ), and moves the forward-and-back movable base  442  of the movable base in the forward-and-back directions (Y direction in  FIG. 10 ) relative to the base body  441 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the moving unit  450  is provided with a movement drive unit  451  configured by electric motors M 1  and M 2 , and a transmission mechanism  452  for transmitting the drive force of the movement drive unit to the movable base  440  side. 
     The first motor M 1  of the movement drive unit  451  is disposed on the left side of the interior of the casing  402  of the sample container supplier. 
     A first belt  454  configuring the transmission mechanism  452  is looped between a rotating shaft M 1   a  of the first motor M 1  and a first pulley  453  disposed on the right side of the interior of the casing  402  of the sample container supplier. The first belt  454  extends in a lateral direction at a position at the rear of the interior of the casing  402  of the sample container supplier. 
     Moreover, the second motor M 2  of the movement drive unit  452  is disposed to the front of the first motor M 1  and at the left side of the interior of the casing  402  of the sample container supplier. A second belt  456  configuring the transmission mechanism  452  is looped between a rotating shaft M 2   a  of the second motor M 2  and a second pulley  455  disposed on the right side of the interior of the casing  402  of the sample container supplier. The second belt  456  also extends in a lateral direction at a position on the front side of the first belt  454  and positioned at the rear of the interior of the casing  402  of the sample container supplier. Furthermore, the second belt  456  is also looped around a third pulley  457  provided on the base body  441  of the moving base  440 , and has a part  456   a  that extends in the front-to-back direction so as to form an T-shape overall. 
     The base body  441  of the movable base  440  is mounted via a mounting stay  441   a  on a part extending at the front side of the first belt  454 , such that when the first belt  454  is moved laterally via the rotation of the first motor M 1 , the base body  441  is pulled and the entire movable base  440  is moved laterally. 
     Furthermore, when the movable base  440  is moved laterally, the second motor M 2  also rotates to move the front-to-back movable base  442  forward and back. 
     The front-to-back movable base  442  of the movable base  440  is mounted via a mounting stay  442   a  on the right side of the front-to-back extension  456   a  of the second belt  456 , such that the front-to-back movable base  442  is moved in front-to-back directions relative to the base body  441  when the second motor M 2  is rotated while the rotation of the first motor M 1  is stopped. 
     According to this configuration, the holder  430  provided on the movable base  440  is movable in lateral directions (X direction) front-to-back directions (Y direction), and vertical directions (Z direction) within the apparatus casing  402 . That is, the holder  430  can be moved in three-dimensional directions (XYZ directions) via the holder moving mechanisms included in the moving unit  450  and elevator drive unit  445 . 
     Holder  430   
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the holder  430  provided on the movable base  440  (elevator base  443 ) is configured by a pair of finger-like grabbers  431  and  432  that can open and close and has an overall hand-like configuration. 
     The grabbers  431  and  432  are provided so as to be rotatable on a shaft  433  provided on the elevator base  443 . The holder  430  is capable of performing an agitation operation, which is described later, by means of the grabbers  431  and  432  provided so as to be integratedly rotatable on the shaft  433 . 
     The grabbers  431  and  432  are provided with bases  431   a  and  432   a  that have holes through which the shaft  433  is inserted, and grabber bodies  431   c  and  432   c  that have grippers  431   b  and  432   b  extending from the bases  431   a  and  432   a  and grip the sample containers  2  by the ends thereof. 
     The grabber (fixed side grabber)  431  among the two grabbers is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the shaft  433 . Furthermore, the other grabber (movable side grabber)  432  is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the shaft  433 . 
     A spring  434  is provided between the grabbers  431  and  432 , and this spring exerts a force so as to force the movable grabber  432  to make contact with the fixed grabber  431 . That is, the grabbers  431  and  432  of the holder  430  are normally closed. 
     A shaft  435  also is inserted through the grabber bodies  431   c  and  432   c  of the grabbers  431  and  432  so as to guide the movement (opening and closing movement) of the movable grabber  432 . 
     Holder Grip Drive Unit  447   
     A holder grip drive unit (holder operating cylinder)  447  configured by an air cylinder is provided on the elevator base  443  of the movable base  440  to open the holder  430 , that is to move the movable grabber  432  relative to the fixed grabber  431 . A press plate  448  is mounted on the leading end of a rod  447   a  of the holder opening/closing cylinder  447  to move the movable grabber  432 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the rod  447   a  of the holder operating cylinder  447  is extended, the movable side grabber  432  is positioned on the fixed grabber  432  side by the spring  434 , such that the holder  430  is closed. When the rod  447   a  is contracted and the holder  430  is closed, the press plate  448  is separated from the movable grabber  432 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the rod  447   a  of the holder operating cylinder  447  is extended, the press plate  448  presses the base  432   a  side of the movable grabber  432 , the movable grabber  432  is moved along the shafts  433  and  435 , and the holder opens. Thus, a condition  9  is obtained in which the sample container  2  is gripped. 
     In this condition, the sample container  2  is positioned between the grippers  431   b  and  432   b , and when the rod  447   a  of the holder operating cylinder  447  is contracted as shown in  FIG. 11 , the press plate  448  separates from the movable grabber  432 , and the movable grabber  432  is moved back by the spring  434 . Thus, the holder  430  closes, and the sample container  2  can be gripped by the holder  430 . 
     When the press plate  448  presses the movable grabber  432  and the holder  430  is open, the rotation of the grabbers  431  and  432  around the shaft  433  is regulated by contact friction between the press plate  448  and the movable grabber  432  (an operating regulating condition). When the press plate  448  presses the movable grabber  432  and the holder  430  is open, the rotation of the movable grabber  432  is regulated by pinching between a diameter expansion part  433   a  mounted on the end of the movable grabber  432  and the press plate  448 . According to this pinching, the whole of the holder  430  is regulated. 
     When the holder  430  is closed, however, the press plate  448  and the diameter expansion part  433   a  separate from the movable grabber  442 , and the rotation regulation of the grabbers  431  and  432  by the press plate  448  is released (an operating free condition). 
     Thus, the press plate  448  and the diameter expansion part  433   a  function as the regulating part by regulating the rotation when the holder  430  is open and by releasing the regulating rotation when the holder  430  is closed. 
     Mixing Drive Unit  460   
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , a mixing drive unit  460  is provided as an internal mechanism  401  of the apparatus  4  to generate a mixing drive force to mix a sample within the sample container  2  before the sample container  2  is supplied to the sample analyzer main body  3 . 
     The mixing drive unit  460  is configured by an electric motor, and the mixing drive unit  460  is fixedly provided at a position on one side (left side) of the rack holder  410  on the rear surface of the casing  402 . 
     The sides (left side) of the rack holder  410  provided with the mixing drive unit  460  is near the retracted position (movement start position) of the movable base  440  (holder  430 ). 
     A contact member  461  is mounted on the rotating shaft  460   a  of the motor  460  to contact the holder  430  (fixed grabber  431 ) and transmit the agitation drive force to the holder  430 . 
     As indicated by the solid line in  FIG. 14 , the holder  430  normally (when set at the retracted position) hangs downward from the shaft  433  via its own weight. 
     The holder  430  is attracted by a permanent magnet  449  provided on the elevator base  443  (movable base  440 ) via metal shard (magnetic body) provided on the fixed grabber  431  of the holder  430  such that the holder  430  does not rotate around the shaft  433  at the hanging position. 
     When the movable base  440  returns to the retracted position via the moving unit  450 , the contact member  461  of the agitation drive unit  460  contacts the holder  430  as it hangs. When the contact member  461  comes into contact with the holder  430  through the movement of the movable base  440 , the holder  430  rotates slightly on the shaft  433  as indicated by the dashed line in  FIG. 14 , such that the metal shard  436  and magnet  449  are released from the magnetic attraction condition. 
     Thus, the metal shard  436  and the magnet  449  regulate the rotation of the holder  430  about the shaft  433  and function as a regulating part for locking the holder  430  to the movable base  440  side; when the holder is at the retracted position, this regulation is released, and the holder  430  separates from the movable base  440  so as to freely rotate about the shaft  433 . 
     In the present embodiment, when the holder  430  is at the position other than the retracted position (the position above the rack holder  410  or the sample container acceptor  310 ), the rotation (the mixing operation) of the holder  430  is regulated by the regulation part comprising the metal shard  436  and the magnet  449 . When the holder  430  is open, the rotation (the mixing operation) of the holder  430  is regulated by the regulation part comprising the press plate  448  and the diameter expansion part  433   a.    
     When the holder  430  removes the container from the rack  5  of the rack holder  410 , returns the container  2  to the rack  5  of the rack holder, sets the container  2  to the sample container acceptor  310  and remove the container from the sample container acceptor  310 , it is prevented that the holder  430  freely moves along the pathway of the mixing operation. 
     The regulation or releasing is operated with the moving of the holder  430  and the opening/closing of the holder  430 . The apparatus is simple so as not to need the specific driving part to regulate or release the regulation. 
     When the holder  430  attains the retracted position and is in a rotatable (agitation operation) state and the motor  460  of the agitation drive unit  460  rotates in one direction, the contact member  461  raises the holder  430  in a lifting operation, as shown in  FIG. 15 . As a result, the holder  430  is rotated upward and reaches the upper position. Furthermore, when the motor  460  rotates in the opposite direction and the contact member returns to the original position in a restoring operation, the holder  430  rotates downward under its own weight and returns to the lower position. 
     The agitation operation is accomplished by repeated forward and reverse rotation of the motor  460 , and the repeated raising and lowering of the holder  430  holding the sample container  2 . In the agitation operation the raising and lowering of the holder  430  is repeated approximately ten times. Since the agitation operation is performed when the sample container  2  is at the retracted position of the movable base  440  without the rack  5 , space is conserved. 
     During the agitation operation, the contact member  461  and the holder  430  alone need be in contact, such that a connective system is not required between the members  461  and  430 . Therefore, the agitation drive force can be received when the holder  430  is simply moved near the agitation drive unit  460 , and the agitation drive force can not be received when the holder  430  is moved away from the agitation drive unit  460 . 
     Receiver Unit  470  of the Sample Container Acceptor  310   
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a receiving unit  470  is provided on the casing  402  of the sample container supplier to receive the arriving sample container acceptor  310  of the sample analyzer main body  3 . The receiving unit  470  is provided on the other side (right side) of the rack holder  410  in the lateral direction. 
     The receiving unit  470  has an opening  471  formed on the bottom right part of the rear surface  402   b  of the casing  402 , and a concavity  472  that accommodates the sample container acceptor  310  that has moved forward and passed through the opening  471  from the sample analyzer main body  3 . 
     The sample container acceptor  310  can advance into the casing  402  of the sample container supplier even when a wall (casing rear surface  402   b ) separates the sample analyzer main body  3  and the sample supplier  4  via the provision of the opening  471 . 
     Furthermore, the position of the concavity  472  is the position at which the sample container  2  is supplied by the sample supplier  420  (sample container supplying position), and the sample container acceptor  310  can accept the sample container  2  by advancing the sample container acceptor  310  into the concavity  472 . 
     Sample Container  2  Manual Placement Mode (Manual Mode) in the Sample Analyzer  1   
     The sequence of the manual mode for setting a sample container  2  manually in the sample analyzer  1  having the previously described configuration is described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a sample container  2  containing a sample manually agitated beforehand is inserted in the holding orifice  11  of the sample acceptor  310  when the sample container acceptor  310  is moved forward from the sample analyzer main body  3  and received by the receiver  470  of the sample container supplier  4 . When the manual measurement start button  480  provided on the casing bottom surface  402   a  of the sample container supplier  4  is pressed, the controller  301   a  retracts the slider  321 . Then, a manually set sample container  2  (sample acceptor  310 ) is positioned at the aspirating position (position in  FIG. 4 ) within the sample analyzer main body  3 . 
     The sample of the sample container  2  at the aspirating position is aspirated by the aspirator  330 , and measured by the measuring unit. Then the measurement results are analyzed by a computer not shown in the drawing. 
     The manual mode operation, and measurement and analysis processes after placement are basically identical to the sequence in the manually placement mode of the manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a.    
     In the sample analyzer  1  with the installed sample container supplier  4 , the forward extension of the sample container acceptor  310  is greater than the manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a  without an installed sample container supplier  4 , such that the sample container acceptor  310  can be reliably advanced into the interior of the sample container supplier  4 . That is, the sample container supplying position of the sample analyzer  1  is positioned farther forward than the manual sample container setting position in the manual placement-type sample analyzer  3   a.    
     Moreover, the forward extension of the sample container acceptor  310  can be switched by the setting of the controller  301   a.    
     Sample Container  2  Automatic Supplying Operation (Automatic Mode) in Sample Analyzer  1   
     In the execution of the automatic mode, the rack  5  holding the sample container  2  is set in the rack holder  410 , and the cover  404  is closed on the sample container supplier  4 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The rack  5  holds the sample container  2  in an approximately upright vertical state. 
     Then, when the automatic measurement start button  490  is pressed, the sample container  2  is automatically supplied and the sample measured. Whether or not the cover  404  is closed is detected by a cover sensor not shown in the drawing; when the cover  404  is not closed, the automatic measurement can not start. 
     The automatic supply of the sample container  2  is controlled as follows by the controller  301   a . First, at the start of the automatic mode, the movable base  440  that has the holder  430  is at the movement start position (retracted position) shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , and the operation starts from this position. The movable base  440  with the holder  430  is moved from the movement start position to the position of the sample container  2  to remove one of the two sample containers  2  in the rack  5  set in the rack holder  410 . 
     When the holder  430  is positioned above the sample container  2  to be removed, the holder  430  is opened and the holder  430  is lowered in this open state. After lowering, the holder  430  is closed and raised while gripping the sample container  2 , then returns to the movement start position (mixing position). 
     The space between the front and rear concavities  441  of the rack holder  410  is set to allow passage of the sample container  2  held by the holder  430 . Therefore, when the holder  430  is moved laterally above the rack holder  410  holding the sample container  2 , the sample container  2  held by the holder  430  can pass through the space between the sample containers  2  (front and rear space) in the rack  5  set in the front and back concavities  441 . 
     As a result, the holder  430  holding the sample container  2  can be lifted above the rack holder  410  without raising the held sample container  2  to as position higher than the sample container  2  in the rack  5 . That is, without raising the holder  430  very much, the holder  430  can be moved above the rack holder  410  while avoiding contact between the held sample container  2  and the sample container  2  in the rack  5 . 
     Thus, the raising height is very slight when moving the holder  430  (movable base  440 ), such that the operation can be performed quickly and the apparatus can be made more compactly (particularly in the height direction of the apparatus). 
     Moreover, a sample container sensor  500  is provided to detect whether or not the holder  430  holds a sample container  2  when the holder  430  (movable base  440 ) holding the sample container  2  returns to the movement start position. If the holder  430  holds a sample container  2 , the mixing operation proceeds. When the holder  430  does not hold a sample container  2 , the same operation as described above is performed to remove a sample container  2  from the other position of the rack  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , during the mixing operation, the mixing drive unit  460  is rotated to vertically rotate the contact holder  430  to mix the sample within the sample container  2 . 
     When the mixing operation ends, the holder  430  returns to the condition of hanging in a perpendicular direction as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The mixing position need not to be identical with the retracted position, the mixing position may be near the retracted position. 
     Then, the holder  430  (movable base  440 ) holding the sample container  2  holds the sample container  2  in a near vertical state, crosses above the rack holder  410 , and moves to a position above the sample container acceptor  310  (receiver  470 ) astride the rack holder  410 . 
     Then, the holder  430  is lowered, and the sample container  2  is inserted in the sample container receiver  310 . Thus, the sample container  2  is set in the sample container receiver  310  in a near vertical upright state. Thereafter, the holder  430  opens, separates from the sample container  2 , and is lifted. 
     Then, the slider  321  is retracted and the information recording area (barcode)  2   b  adhered to the sample container  2  is read by a reading unit (barcode reader) not shown in the drawing, and the sample container  2  (sample acceptor  310 ) is positioned at the aspirating position (position shown in  FIG. 4 ) within the sample analyzer main body  3 . 
     The sample of the sample container  2  at the aspirating position is aspirated by the aspirator  330 , and measured by the measuring unit. Then the measurement results are analyzed by a computer not shown in the drawing. 
     When the sample has been aspirated from the sample container  2 , the slider  321  advances and the sample container acceptor  310  is again positioned at the receiver  470 . 
     The holder  430  is again lowered to collect the aspirated sample container  2 , and the sample container  2  in the sample container acceptor  310  is gripped and lifted. Then, the holder  430  moves to the position of the rack  5 , and the sample container  2  is returned to the rack  5 . 
     The holder  430  (movable base  440 ) returns to the movement start position after the aspirated sample container  5  has been returned to the rack  5 . 
     Thereafter, the same automatic supplying measurement and analysis are performed for the other sample container in the rack  5 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and may be variously modified.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1