Abstract:
The present invention is a luminescence measuring device that is provided with: a black box-like housing ( 10 ) having a vessel accommodating portion for a reaction vessel (S), a reaction vessel insertion/withdrawal opening ( 12 ), and a penetrating light path ( 13 ) that connects the vessel accommodating portion to the outside; a light detector ( 20 ) having a light receiving surface ( 21 ), which faces the vessel accommodating portion with the penetrating light path interposed therebetween, and being attached to the housing; a light shielding member ( 30 ) having an insertion/withdrawal opening shutter portion ( 30   a ), which freely opens and closes the reaction vessel insertion/withdrawal opening, and a detection shutter portion ( 30   b ), which freely opens and closes the penetrating light path; and a drive mechanism that synchronizes and drives the insertion/withdrawal opening shutter portion and the detection shutter portion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a luminescence measuring device and an automatic analysis device including the luminescence measuring device. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Examples of a method for quantitatively detecting an intended substance such as an antigen or an antibody contained in a sample, such as a blood serum or a blood plasma taken from a living body, for use as a test sample include a method for measuring an intensity of light emission resulting from an occurrence of a chemiluminescence phenomenon. A luminescence measuring device used for such a measurement is required to highly reliably detect even an extremely small amount of light with high sensitivity. To meet this requirement, a sample vessel and a photodetector are housed in a housing shielded against light during a light-emission measurement, as exemplified below. 
         [0003]    A device disclosed in PTL 1, for example, includes a first light-shielding box that houses a sample vessel and a photodetector and that includes an open-close door, which is opened and closed to place the sample vessel in the first light-shielding box. The device also includes a second light-shielding box that is disposed inside the first light-shielding box and in which a photodetector is housed. The second light-shielding box includes a through hole that is openable and closeable by a movement of a plate member. When a holder of the sample vessel is disposed in the through hole and the through hole is kept open, the bottom of the sample vessel is positioned so as to face the photoelectric surface of the photodetector. When, on the other hand, the through hole is closed by the plate member, stray light to the photodetector is interrupted (see PTL 1 with regard to the above description). 
         [0004]    A device disclosed in PTL 2 includes an open-close stage and a light-shielding box, which is disposed inside the device and houses a photodetector. A top board on a top board of the light-shielding box has a through hole in which a measurement vessel holder is installed. A plate-shaped optical-filter installation holder is inserted into the top board. As a result of sliding the plate-shaped optical-filter installation holder, an optical filter is interposed between the sample vessel and the photodetector or the plate-shaped optical-filter installation holder is used as a shutter of a photodetector (see PTL 2 with regard to the above description). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-268019 
         [0006]    PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-211785 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0007]    A luminescence measuring device having the above-described configuration includes a highly sensitive photodetector, such as a photomultiplier, so as to be capable of detecting a small amount of the sample. Such a highly sensitive photodetector may be broken upon receipt of high-intensity light such as outdoor light. It is thus important to protect the photodetector from outdoor light by keeping the light-shielding box, in which the photodetector light-shielded is housed, shielded from light when the sample vessel is taken in and out of the device. 
         [0008]    In the luminescence measuring device having the above-described configuration, however, opening or closing of the open-close door or the open-close stage, which is opened or closed for taking the sample vessel in or out, is not linked with opening or closing of a mechanism for moving a plate member or an optical-filter installation holder, which is used as a shutter of the photodetector. 
         [0009]    The use of the luminescence measuring device thus involves the following procedure: a light-shielding box in which the photodetector is housed is firstly brought into a light-shielded state; and then the open-close door or the open-close stage is opened to take the sample vessel in or out from the device. This procedure renders the operation procedure complicated and requires a complex control. 
         [0010]    The present invention thus aims to provide a luminescence measuring device capable of reliably preventing a photodetector from being broken by an intrusion of outdoor light while the operation procedure is simplified, and an automatic analysis device including the luminescence measuring device. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0011]    In order to achieve the above-described object, a luminescence measuring device according to the present invention includes a housing, a photodetector, a light-shielding member, and a driving mechanism. The housing has a black box form and includes a vessel housing portion that houses a reaction vessel, a reaction-vessel port through which the reaction vessel is taken in and out of the vessel housing portion, and an optical through path that connects the vessel housing portion to an outside. The photodetector is attached to the housing and has a light receiving surface facing the vessel housing portion across the optical through path. The light-shielding member includes an entrance shutter portion and a detection shutter portion. The entrance shutter portion renders the reaction-vessel port open or closed. The detection shutter portion renders the optical through path open or closed. The driving mechanism drives the entrance shutter portion and the detection shutter portion in synchronization with each other. In the device, the entrance shutter portion renders the reaction-vessel port open in a state where the detection shutter portion is covering the optical through path. 
         [0012]    In addition, an automatic analysis device according to the present invention includes a luminescence measuring device, a vessel transport arm, and an input-output processing portion. The vessel transport arm takes a reaction vessel into or out of the luminescence measuring device. The input-output processing portion controls photodetection performed by the luminescence measuring device and taking in or out of the reaction vessel performed by the vessel transport arm. In the device, the input-output processing portion causes the photodetector to start a measurement in synchronization with the driving mechanism starting driving the entrance shutter portion and the detection shutter portion after the vessel transport arm takes the reaction vessel into the vessel housing portion in a state where the entrance shutter portion renders the reaction-vessel port open. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0013]    The present invention having the above-described configuration can provide a luminescence measuring device capable of reliably preventing a photodetector from being broken by an intrusion of outdoor light while the operation procedure is simplified, and an automatic analysis device including the luminescence measuring device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a luminescence measuring device according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a main portion of the luminescence measuring device according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the main portion of the luminescence measuring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the main portion of the luminescence measuring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of portion C in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the luminescence measuring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a modification example of the luminescence measuring device according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a process (first step) of the luminescence measuring device viewed from the top for illustrating the measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates a process (second step) of the luminescence measuring device viewed from the top for illustrating the measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  illustrates a process (third step) of the luminescence measuring device viewed from the top for illustrating the measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  illustrates a process (fourth step) of the luminescence measuring device viewed from the top for illustrating the measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a graph showing measurement results obtained through the use of a measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart for illustrating a modification example of a measurement procedure according to an embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  illustrates a schematic configuration of an automatic analysis device including a luminescence measuring device according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Hereinbelow, a luminescence measuring device, a light-emission measurement method, and an automatic analysis device according to embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       &lt;&lt;Luminescence Measuring Device&gt;&gt; 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a luminescence measuring device  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the luminescence measuring device  1  according to one embodiment.  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are sectional views of a main portion of the luminescence measuring device  1  according to one embodiment, where  FIG. 3  corresponds to a section taken along line B-B in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 4  corresponds to a section taken along line A-A in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0031]    The luminescence measuring device  1  illustrated in these drawings is a device used for quantifying the sample (antigen or antibody) by, for example, chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA). The luminescence measuring device  1  includes a housing  10 , which houses a reaction vessel S, a photodetector  20 , a light-shielding member  30 , which includes an entrance shutter portion  30   a  and a detection shutter portion  30   b , a guard member  40 , a driving mechanism  50 , which drives the light-shielding member  30 , and an input-output processing portion  60 . 
         [0032]    Characteristically, the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  are driven in synchronization with each other. Hereinbelow, these components are described in detail. 
       &lt;Housing  10 &gt; 
       [0033]    The housing  10  is formed as a black box that houses a reaction vessel S. This housing  10  includes a vessel housing portion  11 , a reaction-vessel port  12 , an optical through path  13 , a grooved portion  14 , and a driving shaft hole  15 , which are formed by, for example, boring holes in a cylinder and respectively have the following configurations. 
       [Vessel Housing Portion  11 ] 
       [0034]    The vessel housing portion  11  is a space for housing the reaction vessel S holding a sample. The vessel housing portion  11  is positioned a predetermined distance away from the central axis φ of the cylinder constituting the housing  10 . The vessel housing portion  11  is bored from one base surface (upper base surface) of the cylinder so as to be parallel to the central axis φ. The reaction vessel S is a transparent vessel shaped like a cuvette. Thus, the reaction vessel S is housed in the vessel housing portion  11  so as to be parallel to the central axis φ of the cylinder. 
       [Reaction-Vessel Port  12 ] 
       [0035]    The reaction-vessel port  12  is an opening of the vessel housing portion  11  of the housing  10  formed in the upper base surface of the cylinder. The reaction vessel S is taken out of and into the vessel housing portion  11  through the reaction-vessel port  12 . 
       [Optical Through Path  13 ] 
       [0036]    The optical through path  13  is a portion connecting the vessel housing portion  11  and the outside of the housing  10  to each other. The optical through path  13  is bored between the vessel housing portion  11  and the side circumferential surface of the cylinder constituting the housing  10 . The optical through path  13  having this configuration is positioned at such a level as to face an area of the reaction vessel S extending from the bottom portion to the side surface in the state where the reaction vessel S is housed in the vessel housing portion  11 . The opening of the optical through path  13  facing the vessel housing portion  11  has such a shape as to cover a storage portion of a sample T in the reaction vessel S housed in the vessel housing portion  11 . The optical through path  13  has a shape that does not bend from the side circumferential surface of the housing  10  to the vessel housing portion  11 . The opening width of the optical through path  13  coaxially increases from the vessel housing portion  11  toward a light receiving surface  21  of the photodetector  20 , described below. The shape of the optical through path  13  is further described in detail in the subsequent description of the configuration of the detection shutter portion  30   b.    
       [Grooved Portion  14 ] 
       [0037]    The grooved portion  14  is formed over the entire circumference of the side circumferential wall of the housing  10 . The grooved portion  14  has such a shape as to have an annularly continuous cross section when taken parallel to the upper base surface of the cylinder constituting the housing  10 . The grooved portion  14  is formed so as to divide the optical through path  13 . The grooved portion  14  having such a configuration is formed concentrically with the cylinder constituting the housing  10 . The detection shutter portion  30   b , described below, is inserted into the grooved portion  14 . The grooved portion  14  has a depth that is larger than or equal to the height of the detection shutter portion  30   b.    
       [Driving Shaft Hole  15 ] 
       [0038]    The driving shaft hole  15  is a through hole formed along the central axis φ of the cylinder constituting the housing  10 . A driving shaft  50 φ, which drives the light-shielding member  30  and is described below, is inserted into the driving shaft hole  15 . The driving shaft hole  15  is fully independent from the vessel housing portion  11  and the optical through path  13 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , besides these components, the housing  10  may include a light-source holding portion  16 , which houses a light source L, and an optical path  17 , which is formed at a portion between the light-source holding portion  16  and the vessel housing portion  11 . The light-source holding portion  16  and the optical path  17  are disposed fully independent from the optical through path  13 , the grooved portion  14 , and the driving shaft hole  15 . An example of the light source L housed in the light-source holding portion  16  is a light emitting diode (LED) used for detecting the photodetector  20 . 
       &lt;Photodetector  20 &gt; 
       [0040]    The photodetector  20  is attached to the side circumferential wall of the housing  10  so as to correspond to the position at which the optical through path  13  is formed. The photodetector  20  includes a light receiving surface  21 . The photodetector  20  is attached to the side circumferential wall of the housing  10  such that the light receiving surface  21  faces the vessel housing portion  11  across the optical through path  13 . In the state where the photodetector  20  is attached to the side circumferential wall, the central axis of the optical through path  13  passing through the center in the opening width direction is aligned with the central axis of the photodetector  20  passing through the center of the light receiving surface  21 . In addition, the photodetector  20  is kept shielded from light from the outside. 
         [0041]    A device capable of detecting feeble light such as a photomultiplier is preferably usable as the photodetector  20 . Examples of the photodetector  20 , however, are not limited to these and may include a photodiode. 
         [0042]    The photodetector  20  is connected to the input-output processing portion  60 . The input-output processing portion  60  causes the photodetector  20  to start and finish photodetection measurement. A signal detected by the photodetector  20  is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter, not illustrated, and the digitized signal is input to the input-output processing portion  60  as measurement data. 
       &lt;Light-Shielding Member  30 &gt; 
       [0043]    The light-shielding member  30  has a shape of a cylindrical tube having a closed bottom. The bottom is used as the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the side circumferential wall is used as the detection shutter portion  30   b  and the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  are integrally formed. The entrance shutter portion  30   a  has an entrance opening  31 , described below. The detection shutter portion  30   b  has a detection opening  32 , described below. When the light-shielding member  30  from which the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  are integrally formed is moved, the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  are driven in synchronization with each other. Here, integrally forming the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is not limited to forming the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  into a single member and includes the state where the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  are integrally formed with another member interposed therebetween. 
         [0044]    The light-shielding member  30  is disposed such that the detection shutter portion  30   b  formed from the side circumferential wall is fitted into the grooved portion  14  of the housing  10 . In this state, the bottom portion of the cylindrical tube forming the light-shielding member  30  is superposed on the bottom of the housing  10  and the center  30 φ of the light-shielding member  30  is aligned with the central axis φ of the housing  10 . The light-shielding member  30  and the housing  10  are fitted to each other with a gap of a certain degree left therebetween while a light intrusion is prevented using a labyrinth structure. Thus, the light-shielding member  30  is rotated relative to the housing  10  while outdoor light is prevented from leaking into the vessel housing portion  11  and the optical through path  13 . The closed bottom of the cylindrical tube forming the light-shielding member  30  is used as the entrance shutter portion  30   a . The side circumferential wall of the cylindrical tube is used as the detection shutter portion  30   b.    
         [0045]    The entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  of the light-shielding member  30  thus described have the following configurations. 
         [0000]    [Entrance Shutter Portion  30   a]   
         [0046]    The entrance shutter portion  30   a  has an entrance opening  31  that renders the reaction-vessel port  12  open. The entrance shutter portion  30   a  is used to open or close the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . The entrance shutter portion  30   a  is formed of the bottom portion of the cylindrical tube forming the light-shielding member  30 . When rotated, the light-shielding member  30  is caused to slide over the bottom of the housing  10 . 
         [0047]    When the light-shielding member  30  is rotated to a predetermined position, the entrance opening  31  formed in the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is aligned with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  to render the reaction-vessel port  12  open. The entrance opening  31  is positioned a predetermined distance away from the center  30 φ of the light-shielding member  30 . Preferably, the entrance opening  31  has a shape as minimum as possible within a range that does not prevent the reaction vessel S from being taken in or out of the reaction-vessel port  12 . It suffices, however, that the entrance opening  31  has a shape that facilitates taking the reaction vessel S in or out. 
         [0000]    [Detection Shutter Portion  30   b]   
         [0048]    The detection shutter portion  30   b  has detection openings  32  that allow the optical through path  13  of the housing  10  to connect thereto. The detection shutter portion  30   b  is used to open or close the optical through path  13  of the housing  10 . The detection shutter portion  30   b  is formed from the side circumferential wall of the cylindrical tube forming the light-shielding member  30 . When rotated, the light-shielding member  30  is caused to slide over both side walls of the grooved portion  14  of the housing  10 . 
         [0049]    Each detection opening  32  of the detection shutter portion  30   b  is aligned with the optical through path  13  of the housing  10  when the light-shielding member  30  is rotated to a predetermined position. As illustrated in the enlarged section of  FIG. 5  (corresponding to portion C in  FIG. 3 ), the detection opening  32  constitutes part of the optical through path  13 , so that the optical through path  13  connects the light receiving surface  21  of the photodetector  20  and the vessel housing portion  11  to each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , however, the detection openings  32  are formed at positions that are not aligned with the optical through path  13  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  divides and covers the optical through path  13  in the state where the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is aligned with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . Specifically, the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  renders the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  open only in the state where the detection shutter portion  30   b  covers the optical through path  13 . 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , here, the detection opening  32  constitutes part of the optical through path  13  in the state where the detection opening  32  allows the optical through path  13  to connect the light receiving surface  21  of the photodetector  20  and the vessel housing portion  11  to each other. Also in this state, the central axis of the optical through path  13  passing through the center in the opening width direction is aligned with the central axis  21 φ of the photodetector  20  passing through the center of the light receiving surface  21 , as described above. The opening shape of each point of the optical through path  13  is determined such that a straight line  13   a , connecting a liquid surface Ts of the sample T to the highest portion of the light receiving surface  21 , is symmetric about the central axis  21 φ with a straight line  13   b , connecting a bottom surface Tb of the sample T to the lowest portion of the light receiving surface  21 . 
         [0051]    In the state where a predetermined amount of the sample T is hold in the reaction vessel S and the reaction vessel S is housed in the vessel housing portion  11 , a line segment connecting any point of the sample T within the range of the liquid surface Ts to the bottom surface Tb to any point of the outer periphery of the light receiving surface  21  of the detector  20  falls within the optical through path  13 . Thus, light emitted from the entire amount of the sample T held in the reaction vessel S is incident on the light receiving surface  21  without being interrupted. 
         [0052]    When the light-shielding member  30  in the above-described state is rotated, the position of the entrance opening  31  is shifted from the position of the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . In addition, in the state where the optical through path  13  is aligned with the detection opening  32 , the entrance shutter portion  30   a  of the light-shielding member  30  covers the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . 
         [0053]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the detection shutter portion  30   b  of the light-shielding member  30  may have multiple detection openings  32  having the above-described configuration. The multiple detection openings  32  are positioned at a predetermined level of the central axis φ and arranged in the direction in which the detection shutter portion  30   b  is driven (rotation direction) so as to be independent from one another. An optical filter  33  is disposed at at least one of the multiple detection openings  32 . Here, the detection shutter portion  30   b  has, for example, two detection openings  32 , and the optical filter  33  is disposed at one of the two detection openings  32 . 
         [0054]    Here, an example used as the optical filter  33  disposed at the detection opening  32  is a ND filter. Usable examples are filters that equally absorb light of the entire wavelength range and transmit a predetermined proportion (for example, 1%) of the entire amount of light therethrough. 
         [0055]    The detection shutter portion  30   b  may also include a zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  for obtaining, for example, a reference value. The zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  of the detection shutter portion  30   b  is formed from the side circumferential wall of the light-shielding member  30 . The zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  is formed of a portion of the side circumferential wall of the light-shielding member  30  located so as to face the optical through path  13  of the housing in the state where the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is covered with the entrance shutter portion  30   a . The zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  having this configuration is disposed at a position independent from the detection openings  32 . 
         [0056]    Here, in the state where the portion determined as the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  is aligned with the optical through path  13  of the housing  10 , the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is covered with the entrance shutter portion  30   a  of the light-shielding member  30 . 
         [0057]    In the illustrated example, the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b , at which the optical filter  33  is disposed, and the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c , which is formed of one detection opening  32 , are arranged in this order in the direction in which the detection shutter portion  30   b  is rotated. 
         [0058]    As a further detailed example, the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  is disposed at a portion of the detection shutter portion  30   b  90° with respect to the direction toward the position of the entrance opening  31  from the center of the bottom surface of the light-shielding member  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The one-percent optical filter portion  33   b  is disposed at a portion of the detection shutter portion  30   b  135° with respect to the direction. The hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c  is disposed at a portion of the detection shutter portion  30   b  180° with respect to the direction. 
         [0059]    The number of the detection openings  32  formed in the detection shutter portion  30   b  or the form of the optical filters  33  is not limited to those described above. Within the range that satisfies the above-described positional conditions, more detection openings may be formed as needed. Depending on the purpose of use of the luminescence measuring device  1 , for example, a band-pass filter may be used as the optical filter  33  instead of a ND filter. 
       &lt;Guard Member  40 &gt; 
       [0060]    As illustrated in the top view of  FIG. 6 , the guard member  40  is a light-shielding plate superposed on the entrance shutter portion  30   a  formed of the light-shielding member  30 . The guard member  40  has such a shape as to cover a wide range of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  while leaving the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  open. The guard member  40  is fixed to the housing  10  without interfering with a rotation of the light-shielding member  30 . Thus, in the state where the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is covered with the entrance shutter portion  30   a , the guard member  40  covers the entrance opening  31  displaced from the reaction-vessel port  12 . 
       &lt;Driving Mechanism  50 &gt; 
       [0061]    The driving mechanism  50  rotates the light-shielding member  30  and is thus used to drive the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  in synchronization with each other. The driving mechanism  50  includes a motor  51  and a driving shaft  50 φ fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor  51 , which have the following configurations. 
       [Motor  51 ] 
       [0062]    The motor  51  is, for example, a stepping motor driven by pulses and the rotation speed of the motor  51  is accurately controllable. 
       [Driving Shaft  50 φ ] 
       [0063]    The driving shaft  50 φ is fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor  51  in an erect state and extends through the driving shaft hole  15  of the housing  10 . The driving shaft  50 φ is rotatable inside the driving shaft hole  15 . The end of the driving shaft  50 φ opposite to the end at which the motor  51  is disposed is caused to pass through the driving shaft hole  15  and fixed to the center  30 φ of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  of the light-shielding member  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the driving shaft  50 φ is supported by bearing portions  15   a  disposed in the driving shaft hole  15 . Examples used as the bearing portions  15   a  are ball bearings. More preferably, shielding ball bearings are used to prevent light from leaking from the bearing portions  15   a . Thus, the light-shielding member  30  fixed to the driving shaft  50 φ is rotated by being driven by the motor  51  while highly accurately controlling the speed of rotation with respect to the housing  10 . 
       &lt;Input-Output Processing Portion  60 &gt; 
       [0064]    The input-output processing portion  60  controls the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20 , controls rotations of the light-shielding member  30  performed by the driving mechanism  50 , and processes measurement data obtained from the photodetector  20 . The controlling on other components and processing on measurement data performed by the input-output processing portion  60  are described in detail in the following light-emission measurement method. 
       &lt;Other Components&gt; 
       [0065]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , besides the above-described components, the luminescence measuring device  1  includes components as needed, such as leg portions  71 , which support the housing  10 , and support members  73 , which support the driving mechanism  50 . 
       &lt;Operation of Luminescence Measuring Device&gt; 
       [0066]    The luminescence measuring device  1  having the above-described configuration operates in the following manner. 
         [0067]    Firstly, the light-shielding member  30  is rotated by being driven by the motor  51  to align the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . In this state, the entrance opening  31  and the reaction-vessel port  12  are exposed through the guard member  40  to render the vessel housing portion  11  open. Thus, the reaction vessel S is allowed to be taken into and out from the vessel housing portion  11  of the housing  10 . In this state, the detection shutter portion  30   b  integrated with the entrance shutter portion  30   a  divides and covers the optical through path  13 . 
         [0068]    Subsequently, the light-shielding member  30  is rotated by being driven by the motor  51  to align one detection opening  32  of the detection shutter portion  30   b  with the optical through path  13  of the housing  10 . In this state, the optical through path  13  is rendered open, so that the light receiving surface  21  of the photodetector  20  faces the vessel housing portion  11  across the optical through path  13 . Thus, light emitted from the inside of the reaction vessel S housed in the vessel housing portion  11  is rendered detectable by the photodetector  20 . 
         [0069]    In this state, the entrance shutter portion  30   a  integrally formed with the detection shutter portion  30   b  is driven in synchronization with the detection shutter portion  30   b  and the entrance shutter portion  30   a  reliably shields the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . In addition, the entrance opening  31  formed in the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is covered with the guard member  40 , so that outdoor light is reliably prevented from leaking into the housing  10  through the entrance opening  31 . 
       &lt;Effect of Luminescence Measuring Device  1  According to Embodiment&gt; 
       [0070]    In the luminescence measuring device  1  having the above-described configuration, the entrance shutter portion  30   a  that shields the reaction-vessel port  12  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  that shields the photodetector  20  from light are integrally formed from the light-shielding member  30  to drive the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  in synchronization with each other. Thus, the reaction vessel S is taken into and out of the housing  10  through a single operation while the photodetector  20  is reliably shielded from light without individually operating these portions. This configuration is thus capable of reliably preventing the photodetector  20  from being broken by an intrusion of outdoor light while simplifying the operation procedure. 
       &lt;&lt;Modification Example of Luminescence Measuring Device&gt;&gt; 
       [0071]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a modification example of the luminescence measuring device according to the embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a luminescence measuring device  1 ′ has a housing  10 ′, which houses a reaction vessel S and has an angular prism shape. 
         [0072]    This housing  10 ′ is formed as a black box and includes a vessel housing portion  11 , a reaction-vessel port  12 , an optical through path  13 , and a grooved portion  14 ′, which are formed by boring holes in the angular prism. These components are the same as those in the luminescence measuring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . However, the grooved portion  14 ′ has a flat surface since it is formed along the side circumferential wall of the housing  10 ′ having a prism shape. 
         [0073]    The entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b ′ are integrally formed from the light-shielding member  30 ′, so that the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b ′ are driven in synchronization with each other. These components are the same as those in the luminescence measuring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The entrance shutter portion  30   a  has an entrance opening  31  and the detection shutter portion  30   b ′ has two detection openings  32 , and an optical filter  33  is disposed at one of the two detection openings  32 . However, the detection shutter portion  30   b ′ has a flat board shape so as to be slidable while being fitted into the grooved portion  14 ′. 
         [0074]    A driving mechanism that drives the light-shielding member  30 ′ having the above-described configuration causes the light-shielding member  30 ′ to slide along the grooved portion  14 ′ of the housing  10 ′. Although not illustrated, the luminescence measuring device  1 ′ includes an input-output processing portion, which controls the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20 , controls rotations of the light-shielding member  30 ′ performed by the driving mechanism, and processes measurement data obtained by the photodetector  20 . 
         [0075]    The luminescence measuring device  1 ′ having the above-described configuration is also capable of reliably preventing the photodetector  20  from being broken by an intrusion of outdoor light while the operation procedure is simplified since the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b ′, which shields the photodetector  20  from light, are integrally formed from the light-shielding member  30 ′ so as to be driven in synchronization with each other. 
       &lt;&lt;Light-Emission Measurement Method&gt;&gt; 
       [0076]    Subsequently, as an example of a light-emission measurement method involving the use of the luminescence measuring device according to the invention, a light-emission measurement method involving the use of the luminescence measuring device  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  is exemplarily described. In the light-emission measurement method described here, the input-output processing portion  60  of the luminescence measuring device  1  described above drives the photodetector  20  and the driving mechanism  50  and performs data processing of measurement data obtained by the photodetector  20 . 
       &lt;Procedure of Light-Emission Measurement&gt; 
       [0077]    Referring first to the flowchart of  FIG. 8  and the processes of the luminescence measuring device  1  viewed from the top illustrated in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 , the procedure of the light-emission measurement performed by the luminescence measuring device  1  is described. 
       [Step S1] 
       [0078]    Firstly in step S1, immediately after the start of measurement, the reaction vessel S is transported into the vessel housing portion  11 . At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the light-shielding member  30  is rotated to align the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . Thus, as also illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the reaction-vessel port  12  is exposed through the guard member  40  and the entrance opening  31  to render the vessel housing portion  11  open while the detection shutter portion  30   b  is covering the optical through path  13 . Then, the reaction vessel S is transported into the vessel housing portion  11  from the reaction-vessel port  12 . The reaction vessel S is transported into the vessel housing portion  11  by, for example, a robot arm. 
       [Step S2] 
       [0079]    Subsequently, in step S2, the photodetector  20  starts a light-emission measurement. The light-emission measurement is continuously performed by the photodetector  20  almost until driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b , described below, is finished regardless of whether the optical through path  13  is covered or uncovered. Here, for example, measurement data is continuously acquired at predetermined intervals (for example, intervals of 0.1 seconds). The predetermined intervals at which measurement data is acquired are determined in accordance with the entire measurement time length and the rotation speed of the detection shutter portion  30   b . For example, the predetermined intervals are determined to values at which stable measurement data is acquired predetermined times within a time period, described below, in which the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped. 
       [Step S3] 
       [0080]    In step S3, concurrently with or subsequently to the start of the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  in step S2, driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is started. Driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is started in synchronization with the start of a light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  and in response to one signal for starting the light-emission measurement. Here, step S3 suffices if it is performed in synchronization with step S2 and in response to one signal. Thus, as long as determined in advance, step S3 may be performed before or after the start of the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  in step S2. 
         [0081]    Here, the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  are driven in the state where the photodetector  20  is continuously performing the light-emission measurement started in step S2. Such driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is performed in the following manner by a rotation of the light-shielding member  30  including an integrated unit of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b.    
       (Driving of Shutter Portion) 
       [0082]    Specifically, the light-shielding member  30  including an integrated unit of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is driven so that the light-shielding member  30  is rotated in an uniform direction (for example, clockwise) from the state where the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is aligned with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . At this time, the rotation speed is controlled to be a predetermined speed. 
         [0083]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the light-shielding member  30  is rotated 90° clockwise and the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped for a predetermined time length in the state where the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  disposed in the detection shutter portion  30   b  is aligned with the optical through path  13  of the housing  10 . The time length for which the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped is determined to be, for example, a time length that enables acquirement of stable measurement data or a time length that enables acquirement of a sufficiently large quantity of measurement data in total. For example, to acquire measurement data for one second when the photodetector  20  detects light emission from the reaction vessel S through the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped for at least one second or, when needed, for a time length obtained by adding to one second a time length required for stabilizing the measurement data. Thus, for example, 10 points of measurement data acquired at intervals of 0.1 seconds (that is, equivalent to one second) are acquired as the measurement data through the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a.    
         [0084]    Thereafter, the filters are switched from one to another by rotating again the light-shielding member  30  (for example, clockwise) in the uniform direction at the predetermined speed. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the light-shielding member  30  is rotated clockwise 45° further and the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped for a predetermined time period in the state where the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b  disposed at one detection opening  32  of the detection shutter portion  30   b  is aligned with the optical through path  13  of the housing  10 . The time length for which the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped is the same as that in the case where the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  is used. 
         [0085]    Then, the filters are switched from one to another by rotating again the light-shielding member  30  (for example, clockwise) in the uniform direction at the predetermined speed. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the light-shielding member  30  is rotated clockwise 45° further and the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped for a predetermined time period in the state where the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c  disposed at another detection opening  32  of the detection shutter portion  30   b  is aligned with the optical through path  13  of the housing  10 . The time length for which the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is temporarily stopped is the same as that in the case where the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a  is used. 
         [0086]    Thereafter, the light-shielding member  30  is rotated again in the uniform direction (for example, clockwise) so that the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is aligned with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 . 
         [0087]    The above-described driving of the light-shielding member  30  is performed while the rotation speed is accurately regulated by a stepping motor. In parallel with the driving of the above-described light-shielding member  30  including an integrated unit of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b , the light-emission measurement started by the photodetector  20  in step S2 is performed. 
       [Step S4] 
       [0088]    Subsequently, in step S4, whether a predetermined time length has passed from the start of measurement in step S2 is determined. Here, a time length long enough to finish measurements at all the filter portions, the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b , and the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c  from the start of measurements performed by the photodetector  20  is determined and whether this determined time length has passed is determined. 
         [0089]    An example determined as the measurement time length is nine seconds, which is the total of the time length of the measurements at the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b , and the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c  performed while the light-shielding member  30  is being stopped for one second and the time length required before and after switching of the filters from one to another. Whether nine seconds have passed from the start of the measurement in step S2 is determined. Only when it is determined that nine seconds have passed (Yes), the procedure proceeds to the subsequent step of step S5. 
       [Step S5] 
       [0090]    In step S5, since it is determined that the predetermined time has passed, the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  is finished. 
       [Step S6] 
       [0091]    In step S6, when, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is aligned with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  as a result of the above-described rotation of the light-shielding member  30 , driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b , integrally formed from the light-shielding member  30 , is stopped. 
         [0092]    Driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is stopped in the state where the light-shielding member  30  is rotated 360° on the basis of the driving speed and the stop time of the light-shielding member  30  accurately regulated by the stepping motor. Thus, if determined in advance, step S6 may be performed concurrently with step S5 or may be before or after the completion of the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  in step S5. 
       [Step S7] 
       [0093]    Subsequently in step S7, after driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is stopped in step S6, the reaction vessel S in the vessel housing portion  11  is taken out through the reaction-vessel port  12 , which is exposed through the guard member  40  and the entrance opening  31 . The reaction vessel S in the vessel housing portion  11  is taken out by, for example, a vessel transport arm. 
         [0094]    Thus, the light-emission measurement performed by the luminescence measuring device  1  is finished. Here, all the steps of the light-emission measurement are performed within approximately 15 seconds, including, for example, nine seconds of the above-described measurement time performed by the photodetector and the time required for taking the reaction vessel S into the vessel housing portion  11  in step S1 and for taking the reaction vessel S out of the vessel housing portion  11  in step S7. 
       &lt;Data Processing&gt; 
       [0095]    Subsequently, the data processing of the measurement data acquired through the above-described procedure is described.  FIG. 13  is a graph of output data, which is an example of the measurement results acquired through the above-described procedure. The measurement data acquired at predetermined intervals is expressed in the amount of light acquired through light emission. This graph chronologically shows 90 points of measurement data No. 1 to No. 90, which are acquired at 0.1-second intervals within nine seconds from the start of the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  in step S2 up to the completion of the light-emission measurement in step S5. 
         [0096]    Specifically, a range (a) of measurement data acquired in the light-emission measurement at the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , a range (b) of measurement data acquired in the light-emission measurement at the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b , and a range (c) of measurement data acquired in the light-emission measurement at the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c  are chronologically shown in order corresponding to the rotation direction of the light-shielding member  30 . This graph also shows, between the measurement data range (a), the measurement data range (b), and the measurement data range (c), measurement data acquired while the light-shielding member  30  is being rotated for switching the filters from one to another and measurement data acquired while the rotation of the light-shielding member  30  is stopped for stabilizing measurement values. 
         [0097]    Here, in the above-described measurement procedure, driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is accurately regulated by the stepping motor and the start of the light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20  is synchronized with the start of driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b . Thus, the input-output processing portion  60  extracts, as light-emission measurement values, measurement data that falls within the measurement data range (a), the measurement data range (b), and the measurement data range (c) from among the points of measurement data No. 1 to No. 90 in the graph on the basis of the above-described driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b.    
         [0098]    Then, the integrals of the extracted measurement data (light-emission measurement values) that falls within the respective ranges are calculated as final data. Thus, the final data obtained by totalizing the measurement data for, for example, 0.1 seconds×10 times=1 second is acquired as a measurement value of light emission from the reaction vessel detected by the photodetector  20  through the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b , and the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c.    
       &lt;Effect of Light-Emission Measurement Method of Embodiment&gt; 
       [0099]    In the above-described light-emission measurement method, the start of driving of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  and the detection shutter portion  30   b  is synchronized with the start of the continuous light-emission measurement performed by the photodetector  20 . Thus, the measurement data ranges (a) to (c), acquired while the zero-percent optical filter portion  33   a , the one-percent optical filter portion  33   b , and the hundred-percent optical filter portion  33   c  are each aligned with the optical through path  13 , are accurately extracted by, for example, a time control from among the measurement data acquired as continuous data. Thus, the measurement data acquired using multiple filter portions are capable of being acquired through one continuous light-emission measurement. 
         [0100]    Such an effect of the light-emission measurement method is also an effect of the luminescence measuring device  1  including the input-output processing portion  60  that controls an operation of the above-described light-emission measurement method. 
       &lt;&lt;Modification Example of Light-Emission Measurement Method&gt;&gt; 
       [0101]    Referring now to the flowchart in  FIG. 14 , a modification example of the measurement procedure is described as a modification example of a light-emission measurement method involving the use of the luminescence measuring device  1  having the above-described configuration. 
         [0102]    The measurement procedure in the flowchart of  FIG. 14  differs from the measurement procedure described above with reference to  FIG. 8  in that it additionally includes step S0 immediately after the start of a measurement and step S8 immediately before the completion of the measurement. The additionally included steps S0 and S8 are performed in the following manner. 
       [Step S0] 
       [0103]    Firstly, in step S0 added immediately after the start of a measurement, the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is rendered open. Step S0 is prepared for the case where the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is closed with the entrance shutter portion  30   a  before a measurement is started. Thus, in this step, the light-shielding member  30  is rotated immediately after the start of the measurement to align the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
       [Step S8] 
       [0104]    In step S8 added immediately before the completion of the measurement, the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is covered with the entrance shutter portion  30   a . Here, the light-shielding member  30  is rotated after step S7 in which the reaction vessel S is taken out of the vessel housing portion  11  while the entrance opening  31  of the entrance shutter portion  30   a  is aligned with the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Thus, the measurement is finished in the state where the reaction-vessel port  12  of the housing  10  is covered with the entrance shutter portion  30   a.    
       Effect of Modification Example 
       [0105]    The above-described procedure of the modification example is capable of preventing contamination of the inside of the vessel housing portion  11  by covering the reaction-vessel port  12  while the light-emission measurement is not performed. 
         [0106]    The luminescence measuring device  1 ′ having the configuration described with reference to  FIG. 7  including the modification example also performs the light-emission measurement method described above in the same manner and is capable of acquiring the same effects. 
       &lt;&lt;Automatic Analysis Device&gt;&gt; 
       [0107]    The configuration of an automatic analysis device  2  according to the present invention is described now with reference to  FIG. 15 . The automatic analysis device  2  illustrated in  FIG. 15  includes the above-described luminescence measuring device  1 . Here, a case where an immune analysis using CLEIA is continuously performed on multiple samples is described as an example. 
         [0108]    CLEIA includes, as main steps, a reaction step, in which a sample (antigen or antibody) is caused to react with a reagent in a reaction vessel, a separation step (BF separation), in which a reacted (bound) substance and an unreacted (free) substance in the reaction vessel are separated from each other, and a light measurement step in which an amount of light emission caused in an immune complex produced from a reaction between the reagent and the sample is measured. 
         [0109]    The automatic analysis device  2  that performs such an immune analysis includes an automatic measuring portion  3 , including the luminescence measuring device  1 , and a controlling device  4 , which controls the entirety of the automatic measuring portion  3  and analyses measurement data output from the automatic measuring portion  3 . Hereinbelow, the configuration of the automatic measuring portion  3  including the luminescence measuring device  1  is described first and then the controlling device  4  is described. 
       &lt;Automatic Measuring Portion  3 &gt; 
       [0110]    The automatic measuring portion  3  mainly includes the luminescence measuring device  1 , a reaction vessel supply unit  103 , a sample stand unit  104 , a reaction vessel transport unit  105 , a sample pipetting unit  106 , a reagent cooling unit  107 , a first reagent pipetting unit  108 , a second reagent pipetting unit  109 , an immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 , a first BF separation unit  111 , a second BF separation unit  112 , a substrate liquid cooling portion  114 , and a vessel transport arm  115 . 
         [0111]    The reaction vessel supply unit  103  houses multiple reaction vessels S and provides the multiple reaction vessels S one by one to a transfer position in the reaction vessel supply unit  103 . Each of the reaction vessels S provided to the transfer position is transported to the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  by the reaction vessel transport unit  105 . A sample and a predetermined reagent are fed to each of the reaction vessels S transported to the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 . 
         [0112]    The reaction vessel transport unit  105  includes an arm, which rises and lowers vertically and freely rotates around a vertical line that passes through its base end portion, and a holding portion, disposed at a far end portion of the arm. The reaction vessel transport unit  105  holds each reaction vessel S fed to a feed position of the reaction vessel supply unit  103  using the holding portion and rotates the arm to transport the reaction vessel S to a predetermined position of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  at a predetermined timing. 
         [0113]    The sample stand unit  104  includes a turntable having a shape of a substantially cylindrical tubular vessel having one end in the axial direction open. The sample stand unit  104  houses multiple sample vessels  104   a . Each sample vessel  104   a  holds a sample, such as blood or urine, taken from a subject. The multiple sample vessels  104   a  are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the sample stand unit  104 . The sample stand unit  104  is supported by a driving mechanism, not illustrated, so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The sample stand unit  104  is rotated by the driving mechanism, not illustrated, in the circumferential direction at each predetermined angle range at a predetermined speed. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the sample vessels  104   a  are arranged in the circumferential direction of the sample stand unit  104  in two rows, which are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the radial direction of the sample stand unit  104 . Examples usable as a sample may include a sample diluted by a predetermined dilution. 
         [0114]    The sample pipetting unit  106  includes an arm and a probe. The arm rises and lowers vertically and freely rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end portion. The probe is disposed at a far end portion of the arm. The sample pipetting unit  106  sucks, through the probe, the sample inside each sample vessel  104   a  shifted to a predetermined position of the sample stand unit  104  and rotates the arm to pipette the sample into a reaction vessel S positioned at a predetermined position of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  at a predetermined timing. 
         [0115]    Similarly to the sample stand unit  104 , the reagent cooling unit  107  also includes a turntable having a shape of a substantially cylindrical tubular vessel having one end in the axial direction open. The reagent cooling unit  107  is supported by a driving mechanism, not illustrated, so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The reagent cooling unit  107  is rotated by the driving mechanism, not illustrated, forward or backward in the circumferential direction by each predetermined angle range at a predetermined speed. 
         [0116]    The reagent cooling unit  107  houses first reagent vessels  107   a  and second reagent vessels  107   b . The first reagent vessels  107   a  and the second reagent vessels  107   b  are arranged on the reagent cooling unit  107  in the circumferential direction at predetermined intervals. Each first reagent vessel  107   a  holds a first reagent, an example of which is a magnetic reagent containing magnetic particles that react with an intended antigen in the sample. Each second reagent vessel  107   b  holds a second reagent, an example of which is a labeling reagent (enzyme antibody) that reacts with a reacted product in which the magnetic reagent is bound with the antigen in the sample. The inside of the reagent cooling unit  107  is kept at a predetermined temperature by a cooling system, not illustrated. Thus, the first reagent (magnetic reagent) held in each first reagent vessel  107   a  and the second reagent (labeling reagent) held in each second reagent vessel  107   b  are cooled at the predetermined temperature. 
         [0117]    The first reagent pipetting unit  108  includes an arm and a probe. The arm rises and lowers vertically and freely rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end portion. The probe is disposed at a far end portion of the arm. The first reagent pipetting unit  108  sucks, through the probe, the first reagent (magnetic reagent) inside each first reagent vessel  107   a  shifted to a predetermined position of the reagent cooling unit  107  and rotates the arm to pipette the first reagent into the reaction vessel S positioned at a predetermined position of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  at a predetermined timing. 
         [0118]    The second reagent pipetting unit  109  has a similar configuration as that of the first reagent pipetting unit  108 . The second reagent pipetting unit  109  sucks, through the probe, the second reagent (labeling reagent) inside each second reagent vessel  107   b  shifted to a predetermined position of the reagent cooling unit  107  and rotates the arm to pipette the second reagent into the reaction vessel S positioned at a predetermined position of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  at a predetermined timing. 
         [0119]    In the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 , each of the reaction vessels S arranged in the circumferential direction allows the sample and a predetermined reagent corresponding to an intended analysis category to cause an immunoreaction and an immune complex resulting from this immunoreaction and a chemiluminescent substrate to cause an enzyme reaction. Similarly to the sample stand unit  104 , the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  includes a turntable having a shape of a substantially cylindrical tubular vessel having one end in the axial direction open. The immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  is supported by a driving mechanism, not illustrated, so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  is rotated by the driving mechanism, not illustrated, in the circumferential direction by each predetermined angle range at a predetermined speed. Here, the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  rotates counterclockwise. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the reaction vessels S are arranged in the circumferential direction of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  in a single row at a predetermined interval in the radial direction of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 . Alternatively, a row of reaction vessels S for the first reagent, described below, and a row of reaction vessels S for the second reagent, described below, may be disposed at a predetermined distance away from each other in the radial direction. 
         [0120]    When the first reagent pipetting unit  108  pipettes a magnetic reagent into each reaction vessel S holding the sample, the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  stirs a liquid mixture containing the magnetic reagent and the sample using a stirring system, not illustrated, and allows the magnetic reagent and the antigen in the sample to cause immunoreactions for a predetermined time period (primary immunoreaction). Subsequently, the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  moves the reaction vessel S to a first magnetic collection mechanism (magnet  113 ) to magnetically collect a reacted product, in which the antigen and the magnetic reagent are bound, using a magnetic force. In this state, the inside of the reaction vessel S is cleaned and an unreacted substance that has not reacted with the magnetic reagent is removed (primary BF separation). 
         [0121]    The first magnetic collection mechanism is fixed at a position corresponding to the first BF separation unit  111 , disposed near the outer circumferential portion of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 . The turntable of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  includes two layers, that is, a fixed lower layer and a rotatable upper layer. The magnet  113  is disposed as the first magnetic collection mechanism on the lower layer of the turntable. The reaction vessels S are disposed on the upper layer of the turntable. The magnet  113  magnetically collects the reacted product inside the reaction vessel S. 
         [0122]    The first BF separation unit  111  includes an arm  125 , a nozzle  121  attached to the arm  125 , and a cleaning bath  124 . The arm  125  rises and lowers vertically and freely rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end portion. The arm  125  moves the nozzle  121  between the reaction vessel S positioned at a primary BF separation position of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  and the cleaning bath  124  positioned at a nozzle cleaning position near the first BF separation unit  111 . The nozzle  121  discharges a cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel S holding the sample and the magnetic reagent at the primary BF separation position and sucks the cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel S to clean the reaction vessel S and remove an unreacted substance that did not react with the magnetic reagent (BF cleaning). 
         [0123]    When each reaction vessel S is transported to the primary BF separation position, the first BF separation unit  111  performs primary BF separation. In the primary BF separation and the BF cleaning, a reacted product, in which an intended antigen in the sample and the magnetic reagent are bound, is magnetically collected in the reaction vessel S. When the primary BF separation is finished, the arm  125  moves the nozzle  121  to the nozzle cleaning position at which the cleaning bath  124  is disposed. 
         [0124]    After the primary BF separation, when the second reagent pipetting unit  109  pipettes a labeling reagent into the reaction vessel S in which a reacted product remains, the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  stirs a liquid mixture containing the magnetic reagent and the sample using a stirring system, not illustrated, and allows the reacted product and the labeling reagent to cause an immunoreaction (secondary immunoreaction) for a predetermined time period. Subsequently, the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  moves the reaction vessel S to a second magnetic collection mechanism, not illustrated, to magnetically collect an immune complex, in which the reacted product and the labeling reagent are bound, using a magnetic force. In this state, the inside of the reaction vessel S is cleaned and the unreacted substance that has not reacted with the labeling reagent is removed (secondary BF separation). 
         [0125]    The second magnetic collection mechanism includes a magnet similar to the magnet  113  of the first magnetic collection mechanism. The second magnetic collection mechanism is fixed in a position corresponding to the second BF separation unit  112 , disposed near the outer circumferential portion of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the magnet included in the second magnetically collecting mechanism is disposed below the nozzle  121  positioned at the secondary BF separation position. 
         [0126]    The second BF separation unit  112  has a similar configuration as that of the first BF separation unit  111 . The second BF separation unit  112  is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the first BF separation unit  111  in the circumferential direction. The arm  125  rises and lowers vertically and freely rotates around a vertical line that passes through its base end portion. The arm  125  moves the nozzle  121  between the reaction vessel S positioned at a secondary BF separation position of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  and the cleaning bath  124 , positioned at a nozzle cleaning position near the second BF separation unit  112 . The nozzle  121  discharges a cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel S holding the labeling reagent at the secondary BF separation position and sucks the cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel S to clean the reaction vessel S and remove a remnant unreacted substance that did not react with the labeling reagent (BF cleaning). 
         [0127]    The second BF separation unit  112  performs secondary BF separation when each reaction vessel S is transported to the secondary BF separation position. During the secondary BF separation and the BF cleaning, an immune complex in which the labeling reagent and the reacted product, consisting of an intended antigen in the sample and the magnetic reagent, are bound is magnetically collected in the reaction vessel S. When the secondary BF separation is finished, the arm  125  moves the nozzle  121  to the nozzle cleaning position at which the cleaning bath  124  is disposed. 
         [0128]    A substrate solution pipetting unit  126  is also attached to the arm  125  of the second BF separation unit  112 . The substrate solution pipetting unit  126  is disposed at a position further from the rotation shaft of the arm  125  than is the position of the nozzle  121 . The substrate solution pipetting unit  126  is connected to the substrate liquid cooling portion  114 , which holds and cools a substrate solution, with a tube, not illustrated, interposed therebetween. The substrate solution pipetting unit  126  pipettes, into each reaction vessel S that has been subjected to the secondary BF separation, a substrate solution containing a chemiluminescent substrate that specifically reacts with a labeling reagent (enzyme antibody) in an immune complex in which the labeling reagent is bounded with a magnetic reagent and an antigen. Each reaction vessel S holding the substrate solution is transported to a predetermined position by a rotation of the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110 . The reaction vessel S that has been transported to the predetermined position is shifted to the light illumination measurement unit  1  by the vessel transport arm  115 . 
         [0129]    The luminescence measuring device  1  has been described thus far with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6 , so that the detailed description is omitted here. The luminescence measuring device  1  is disposed adjacent to the immuno-enzyme reaction unit  110  and into which the reaction vessel S is transported using the vessel transport arm  115  at a timing of step S1 or step S7, described above with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 14 . 
       &lt;Controlling Device  4 &gt; 
       [0130]    The controlling device  4  controls the operation of each unit of the automatic measuring portion  3  including the luminescence measuring device  1  and also performs data processing on measurement data output from the photodetector of the luminescence measuring device  1 . The controlling device  4  includes components such as an input-output processing portion, an input portion, an analysis portion, a storage portion, an output portion, and a communication interface. Besides the photodetector and the driving mechanism of the luminescence measuring device  1  described above, each unit of the automatic measuring portion  3  is connected to the controlling device  4 . 
         [0131]    In this automatic analysis device  2 , the input-output processing portion  60  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the above-described luminescence measuring device  1  is included in the controlling device  4 . The input-output processing portion of the controlling device  4  controls driving of the photodetector  20  and the driving mechanism  50  in the above-described light-emission measurement method. The analysis portion of the controlling device  4  performs data processing in the above-described light-emission measurement method. 
         [0132]    Particularly in the photodetector  20  and the driving mechanism  50  of the luminescence measuring device  1  in the controlling device  4 , a step for determining whether light-emission measurements for all the predetermined samples are finished is performed, for example, after the reaction vessel is taken out of the luminescence measuring device  1  in step S7 in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 14 . Driving of the photodetector  20  and the driving mechanism  50  is then controlled so that the processing returns to step S1 to repeatedly perform the light-emission measurement until it is determined that all the measurements are finished. 
       &lt;Effect of Automatic Analysis Device  2 &gt; 
       [0133]    The above-described automatic analysis device  2  is capable of continuously performing a light-emission measurement using the luminescence measuring device  1 . The automatic analysis device  2  is thus capable of reliably preventing the photodetector  20  from being broken due to an intrusion of outdoor light during a continuous light-emission measurement while the operation procedure is simplified. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1 ,  1 ′ luminescence measuring device 
               2  automatic analysis device 
               10 ,  10 ′ housing 
               11  vessel housing portion 
               12  reaction-vessel port 
               13  optical through path 
               14 ,  14 ′ grooved portion 
               20  photodetector 
               21  light receiving surface 
               30 ,  30 ′ light-shielding member 
               30   a  entrance shutter portion 
               30   b ,  30   b ′ detection shutter portion 
               31  entrance opening 
               32  detection opening 
               33  optical filter 
               40  guard member 
               50  driving mechanism 
               60  input-output processing portion 
               115  vessel transport arm 
             S reaction vessel