Patent Description:
Examples of an automatic analyzer that analyzes components of blood, urine, spinal fluid, and the like of a patient include (a) a biochemical automatic analyzer that measures an amount of transmitted light or scattered light obtained by irradiating a reaction liquid of a specimen and a reagent with light, and (b) an immune automatic analyzer in which a reagent added with a label reacts with a specimen and an amount of light emitted from the label is measured. A technique for preventing liquid scattering when a liquid is discharged from a probe to a reaction vessel is disclosed in these automatic analyzers (see PTL <NUM>).

Further, <CIT> discloses an automatic analyzer from which the pre-characterising part of claim <NUM> starts out.

According to PTL <NUM>, a probe discharges a liquid while the probe is immersed in a liquid of several millimeters. A liquid level above a tip end of the probe and a liquid flow around the tip end of the probe are poor, and it is not clear whether the liquid can be stirred efficiently by a discharge operation.

An object of the disclosure is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of efficiently stirring a liquid by a discharge operation.

This object is solved by an automatic analyzer as set forth in the appended claims. In the automatic analyzer according to the disclosure, after a probe starts to discharge a specimen to a vessel, the probe is lifted while discharging the specimen or a reagent and, as a height of a liquid level of a liquid in the vessel is raised, a distance between the liquid level in the vessel and a tip end of the probe is gradually increased, wherein the liquid in the vessel is the total discharge amount of the specimen and the reagent.

According to the disclosure, stirring is efficiently performed by a discharge operation.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, common components or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer <NUM> according to a first embodiment. The automatic analyzer <NUM> mainly includes an analysis unit <NUM> that analyzes a mixed liquid of a liquid specimen and a reagent, a computer <NUM> (a control unit) that controls the analysis unit <NUM>, and an analysis control unit <NUM>.

The analysis control unit <NUM> controls an operation of each mechanism of the analysis unit <NUM>. Details will be described later. The computer <NUM> is connected to the analysis control unit <NUM>, an A/D converter <NUM>, and the like via an interface <NUM>. The computer <NUM> sends a command to the analysis control unit <NUM> or the like and controls an operation of each mechanism. A/D-converted data (a photometric value) acquired from the analysis unit <NUM> is sent to the computer <NUM>. The computer <NUM> executes calculation processing using the acquired data (the photometric value). That is, the computer <NUM> can control each mechanism of the analysis unit <NUM> via the analysis control unit <NUM>, and can perform data calculation processing.

The interface <NUM> is connected to a printer <NUM> for printing, a memory <NUM> that is a recording device, a keyboard <NUM> for inputting an operation command and the like, and a display device <NUM> implemented by a CRT display, a liquid crystal display or the like. The memory <NUM> includes, for example, a hard disk memory or an external memory. The memory <NUM> records information such as an analysis parameter, an analysis item request, a calibration result, and an analysis result.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of the analysis unit <NUM>. The analysis unit <NUM> mainly includes sample racks <NUM>, a reagent disk <NUM>, and a reaction disk (an incubator) <NUM>. The sample rack <NUM> holds a specimen vessel <NUM>. The reagent disk <NUM> holds a reagent vessel <NUM>. The reaction disk <NUM> holds a reaction vessel <NUM> on its circumference. The analysis unit <NUM> further includes a dispensing mechanism <NUM>, a dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM>, a reaction vessel washing unit <NUM>, a light source <NUM>, and a spectroscopic detector <NUM>.

The sample rack <NUM> is movable in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of the specimen vessels <NUM> for holding biological samples (hereinafter referred to as specimens) such as blood are placed on the sample rack <NUM>.

The reagent disk <NUM> can intermittently rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and a plurality of the reagent vessels <NUM> corresponding to analysis items of the automatic analyzer <NUM> are placed on the reagent disk <NUM>. In <FIG>, the reagent disk <NUM> is illustrated in a manner of being partially cut away. The reagent disk <NUM> has a circular shape in a plan view. In the reagent disk <NUM>, two reagent vessels <NUM> are arranged in a radial direction of the reagent disk <NUM> (two reference numerals <NUM> at two ends are illustrated). That is, two circular rows of the reagent vessels <NUM> arranged in a manner of surrounding the center of the reagent disk <NUM> are concentrically disposed in the reagent disk <NUM>. Reagents in the two reagent vessels <NUM> arranged in the radial direction may be reagents of different types.

The reaction disk <NUM> can intermittently rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and a plurality of the reaction vessels <NUM> in which a specimen and a reagent reacts with each other are placed on a circumference of the reaction disk <NUM>.

The dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates a specimen from the specimen vessel <NUM> placed on the sample rack <NUM>, aspirates a reagent from the reagent vessel <NUM> in the reagent disk <NUM>, and discharges and dispenses an aspirated liquid into the reaction vessel <NUM> in the reaction disk <NUM>. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> does not only indicate a tip end portion of a vessel constituting a flow path for aspirating and discharging a liquid, but also indicates a vessel around the entire flow path from a pump (for example, a syringe) for aspirating and discharging a liquid to the tip end portion. <FIG> illustrates a vertical rotation operation unit (a movement unit) of the dispensing mechanism <NUM>. The vertical rotation operation unit is an operation unit that changes a position where a liquid is aspirated and discharged.

The light source <NUM> is disposed in the vicinity of an outer periphery of the reaction disk <NUM>, and emits light to the reaction vessel <NUM>. The spectroscopic detector <NUM> is disposed at an opposite side to the light source <NUM> with the reaction vessel <NUM> interposed between the spectroscopic detector <NUM> and the light source <NUM>, and optically measures light absorbance of light emitted from the light source <NUM> to a specimen, a reagent, or a mixed liquid of a specimen and a reagent in a reaction vessel. At a timing when the reaction vessel <NUM> crosses a predetermined optical path, the light source <NUM> emits light to each of the plurality of reaction vessels <NUM> that are moved accompanying with a rotational movement of the reaction disk <NUM>. Through the light emission, the spectroscopic detector <NUM> detects light transmitted through a specimen, a reagent, or a mixed liquid of a specimen and a reagent stored in each of the reaction vessels <NUM> for each wavelength of a test item. An analog signal such as an intensity of light detected by the spectroscopic detector <NUM> is input to the A/D converter <NUM> (see <FIG>). The A/D converter <NUM> generates standard data or test data based on an input digital signal, and the generated data are sent to the computer <NUM>.

The reaction vessel washing unit <NUM> washes an inner side of each of the plurality of reaction vessels <NUM> for which a measurement performed by the spectroscopic detector <NUM> is completed.

Although not particularly illustrated, the analysis unit <NUM> may include a stirring mechanism that stirs a liquid in a reaction vessel. Examples of the stirring mechanism include a method in which a spatula is immersed in a solution in the reaction vessel <NUM> and the spatula is rotated to physically stir the solution, and a method in which ultrasonic waves are radiated to the solution to generate a swirling flow.

The analysis control unit <NUM> controls operations of a plurality of units constituting the analysis unit <NUM>. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls rotational movements of the reagent disk <NUM> and the reaction disk <NUM> by driving a movement mechanism such as a disk. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls a horizontal movement of the sample rack <NUM> by driving a belt pulley mechanism or a ball screw mechanism. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls a vertical movement and a rotational movement of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> by driving an arm movement mechanism. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls a vertical movement of the reaction vessel washing unit <NUM> by driving a lifting and lowering mechanism. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls an aspirating and discharge operation of various pumps (which will be described later with reference to <FIG>) connected to the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, and controls a liquid feeding and stopping operation of a pump that supplies washing water to the reaction vessel washing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the dispensing mechanism <NUM>. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> includes a dispensing probe <NUM>, a dispensing arm <NUM>, and a vertical rotation operation unit <NUM>. The dispensing probe <NUM> is attached to one end of the dispensing arm <NUM>, and the dispensing arm <NUM> is coupled to the dispensing probe <NUM> and the vertical rotation operation unit <NUM>. The vertical rotation operation unit <NUM> includes a biaxial movement mechanism of a vertical (vertical direction) movement mechanism and a rotation movement mechanism. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> can be vertically moved and rotationally moved by the vertical rotation operation unit <NUM>. As a result, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> can move to a reagent aspirating position where the reagent vessel <NUM> (see <FIG>) is installed in order to aspirate a reagent, can move to a specimen aspirating position where the specimen vessel <NUM> (see <FIG>) is installed in order to aspirate a specimen, and can move to a specimen and reagent discharging position where the reaction vessel <NUM> is installed in order to discharge the aspirated specimen and reagent. A tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> can move to a position of the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) where the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed with washing water or the like. The vertical rotation operation unit <NUM> is controlled by the analysis control unit <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

A dispensing flow path <NUM> is a flow path of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> that passes through an inner side of the dispensing arm <NUM> and an inner side of the vertical rotation operation unit <NUM>. The dispensing probe <NUM> is connected to a metering pump <NUM> via the dispensing flow path <NUM> in the dispensing arm <NUM>. The metering pump <NUM> includes a plunger <NUM> and a drive unit <NUM>, and is connected to a pump <NUM> via a valve <NUM>. The metering pump <NUM> is controlled by the analysis control unit <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

An aspiration operation and a discharge operation of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> are performed by moving up and down the plunger <NUM> fixed to the metering pump <NUM> (a reciprocating motion of the plunger <NUM>). A working fluid (for example, pure water) or the like is filled from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> to the metering pump <NUM> and the pump <NUM> through the dispensing flow path <NUM>. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> includes a liquid level detector <NUM> that detects a liquid level of a specimen, a reagent, and a mixed liquid of a specimen and a reagent. The liquid level detector <NUM> detects a liquid level according to, for example, a change in capacitance caused by the liquid level being brought into contact with the dispensing probe <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a measurement operation of the automatic analyzer <NUM>. A series of analysis operations in the automatic analyzer <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

When the analysis unit <NUM> receives an analysis operation start command from the computer <NUM> via the interface <NUM>, the reaction vessel washing unit <NUM> starts to wash the reaction vessel <NUM>, and a water blank is measured using pure water discharged from the reaction vessel washing unit <NUM>. A water blank measurement value serves as a reference of light absorbance to be measured in the reaction vessel <NUM> thereafter. When the washed reaction vessel <NUM> is moved to a dispensing position in a circumference of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> in a rotation direction by an operation of the reaction disk <NUM> in one cycle (that is, repetition of an intermittent operation of moving the reaction disk <NUM> for a certain distance and temporarily stopping the reaction disk <NUM>), the specimen vessel <NUM> is moved to a specimen dispensing position in the circumference of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> in the rotation direction by a horizontal operation of the sample rack <NUM>. At the same time, the reagent disk <NUM> is rotated so that the reagent vessel <NUM> of a corresponding analysis item is positioned at a reagent aspirating position in the circumference of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> in the rotation direction.

The dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates air from the air to form an air layer at the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>. The air layer is an air layer that is provided to prevent a working fluid (for example, pure water) filled in the dispensing flow path <NUM> from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and a reagent to be aspirated subsequently from the reagent vessel <NUM> from being mixed in the dispensing probe <NUM>. Thereafter, when the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to a reagent dispensing position by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates a reagent from the reagent vessel <NUM> into the dispensing probe <NUM>.

After the reagent is aspirated, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to a position in the air by the vertical movement, and aspirates air to form an air layer at the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>. The air layer is an air layer that is provided to prevent a specimen to be aspirated subsequently from the specimen vessel <NUM> from being mixed with the reagent in the dispensing probe <NUM>. Then, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM> by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, and the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed with washing water. After the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed, when the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the specimen aspirating position by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates a specimen from the specimen vessel <NUM> into the dispensing probe <NUM>.

After the specimen is aspirated, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM> by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, and the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed with washing water. Next, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the dispensing position by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, and simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the reagent into the reaction vessel <NUM> by a predetermined amount. Details of dispensing the specimen and the reagent will be described later.

After the specimen and the reagent are dispensed, in order to stir a mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel <NUM>, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates a predetermined amount of the mixed liquid, and then discharges the mixed liquid into the reaction vessel <NUM> again. Accordingly, the mixed liquid is stirred. An operation of performing the aspiration and discharge operations again after the specimen and the reagent are discharged is hereinafter referred to as pipette stirring. Although not particularly illustrated, a stirring operation of a stirring mechanism other than the pipette stirring may be performed. For example, the stirring mechanism is a stirring mechanism having functions such as performing stirring by rotation of a spatula immersed in a reaction liquid or performing stirring by a swirling flow generated by radiating ultrasonic waves. In a case where stirring can be sufficiently performed simply by an operation of simultaneously discharging the specimen and the reagent by the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, it is not particularly necessary to use the stirring operations described above. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the dispensing mechanism washing unit by the vertical movement and the rotational movement and the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed with washing water to prepare for a subsequent dispensing operation.

After the specimen and the reagent are dispensed or stirred, a measurement to be performed by the spectroscopic detector <NUM> is started. Photometry is performed when the reaction vessel <NUM> crosses a light beam during the reaction disk <NUM> is in rotation. The spectroscopic detector <NUM> performs photometry for the same reaction vessel <NUM> for a plurality of times at a time interval determined for each analysis item.

Depending on an analysis item, there is an item to which a second reagent is added. In this case, the reagent disk <NUM> is rotated so that the reagent vessel <NUM> of a corresponding analysis item is positioned at a reagent aspirating position in the circumference of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> in the rotation direction after a certain period of time is elapsed from when the specimen and a first reagent are discharged. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the reagent aspirating position by the vertical movement and the rotational movement. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates air in the air to form an air layer at the tip end of the probe. The air layer is an air layer that is provided to prevent a working fluid (for example, pure water) filled in the dispensing flow path <NUM> from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the second reagent to be aspirated subsequently from the reagent vessel <NUM> from being mixed in the dispensing probe <NUM>. Thereafter, when the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the reagent dispensing position by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> aspirates the second reagent from the reagent vessel <NUM> into the dispensing probe <NUM>. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM> by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, and the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed with washing water. Next, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is moved to the dispensing position by the rotational movement and the vertical movement, and dispenses the second reagent into the reaction vessel <NUM> by a predetermined amount.

Subsequently, a mixed liquid in the reaction vessel <NUM> is stirred by pipette stirring or a stirring mechanism using a spatula, ultrasonic waves, or the like. When stirring can be sufficiently performed simply by an operation of discharging the second reagent by the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, the stirring operations described above may not be used.

After the second reagent is dispensed or after the stirring is performed, a measurement performed by the spectroscopic detector <NUM> continues to be performed.

After a predetermined time is elapsed, the reaction vessel washing unit <NUM> discharges a reaction liquid in the reaction vessel <NUM> for which the measurement is completed, thereby washing the reaction vessel <NUM> to prepare for a subsequent measurement. During these operations including the washing, another reaction vessel <NUM> performs an analysis operation (dispensing, photometry operation, or the like) in parallel using another specimen and another reagent. The computer <NUM> calculates a concentration and an enzyme activity value based on an obtained measurement value (light absorbance). The calculated concentration and enzyme activity value are stored in the memory <NUM> using the interface <NUM>. In addition, a result is reported to a user using the display device <NUM>. Through the above operations, the analysis operation performed by the automatic analyzer <NUM> is ended.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a movement of the dispensing probe <NUM> and its effect when the automatic analyzer <NUM> simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the first reagent in the first embodiment. <FIG> illustrates an operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> in step S03. Lowercase alphabets in <FIG> indicate a time flow of the operation at the time of discharging in the order of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), and the diagrams schematically illustrate respective situations at the time of discharging at an elapsed time. Similarly, in other drawings to be described below, lowercase alphabets indicate a time flow of the discharge operation.

First, the analysis control unit <NUM> lowers the dispensing mechanism <NUM> to the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> ((a) in <FIG>). It is preferable that a position at which the dispensing probe <NUM> is lowered into the reaction vessel <NUM> is about several millimeters from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>. A reason for this will be described later. In the first embodiment, a distance from the bottom of the reaction vessel to the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is set to about <NUM> to <NUM>. At this time, a specimen <NUM>, a reagent <NUM>, and system water <NUM> (pure water or the like) are held in the dispensing probe <NUM>. Liquids in the dispensing probe <NUM> have a positional relationship with a positional relationship of the specimen <NUM>, the reagent <NUM>, and the system water <NUM> in the order from a tip end side to an upper side of the dispensing probe <NUM> in the vertical direction. A layer of segmented air <NUM> is present between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>, and this is provided to prevent the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> from being mixed in the dispensing probe <NUM>. Similarly, a layer of segmented air <NUM> is present between the reagent <NUM> and the system water <NUM>, and this is provided to prevent the reagent <NUM> and the system water <NUM> from being mixed in the dispensing probe <NUM>. When an operation of simultaneously discharging the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> is started in this state, a liquid is discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> to the reaction vessel <NUM> in the order of the specimen <NUM>, the segmented air <NUM> (the layer between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>), and the reagent <NUM>.

Next, the analysis control unit <NUM> starts the discharge operation. First, the specimen <NUM> is discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>. Then, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start a lifting operation at the same time as the start of the discharge operation or after several milliseconds (for example, before the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the discharged specimen <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM>) ((b) in <FIG>).

Subsequently, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting operation and the discharge operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> until the specimen and the reagent are discharged at a specified amount. In addition, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls a lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that a distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and a liquid level of a reaction liquid <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM> increases with an elapsed time ((c), (d), and (e) in <FIG>).

When discharging of the specimen and the reagent at a specified amount is completed, the analysis control unit <NUM> ends the discharge operation and the lifting operation of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> ((f) in <FIG>).

The analysis control unit <NUM> records data of a correspondence relationship between a total discharge amount of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> (a height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> discharged into the reaction vessel <NUM>) and a drive pulse and a lifting speed that provide a lifting amount of the dispensing probe <NUM>. The data is set based on known data such as a dimension of the reaction vessel <NUM> and a time change (a discharge speed) of a discharge amount. For example, in the first embodiment, the lifting speed and the drive pulse of the dispensing probe <NUM> are applied so that a change rate α of the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> (a slope when a horizontal axis represents an elapsed time and a vertical axis represents the distance Da) is <NUM>/s. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> according to a total discharge amount of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the change rate α is constant or changes freely.

<FIG> is a relationship diagram between the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an elapsed time change in the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. An operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. P1, P2, and P3 in <FIG> indicate points of an elapsed time. Similarly, P* (* is a numeral for calculation) displayed in the drawings to be described later indicates a point of an elapsed time, and description thereof will be omitted. In <FIG>, a discharge operation is started at the point P1, a lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> is started at the point P2, and the discharge operation and the lifting operation are ended at the point P3.

At the point P1 of the elapsed time, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start a discharge operation. First, the specimen <NUM> is discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> into the reaction vessel <NUM>. At the time point P1, the dispensing probe <NUM> is stopped at a height of several millimeters above the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>, and the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> is not yet started. Up to the point P2 when the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> is started, that is, from P1 to P2, a liquid level of a discharged liquid rises, and thus the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level decreases with an elapsed time.

Subsequently, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation at the point P2 of the elapsed time. A discharged liquid (the specimen <NUM> or the reagent <NUM>) is continuously discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>. The liquid discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> at the time point P2 may be either the specimen <NUM> or the reagent <NUM>. That is, the analysis control unit <NUM> may bring the dispensing probe <NUM> into standby (does not start the lifting operation) until all specimens <NUM> are discharged, and then control the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation after starting discharging of the reagent <NUM> from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>. The analysis control unit <NUM> may control the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation at the same time as the start of discharging the specimen <NUM> (at the point P1 of the elapsed time) or may control the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation during discharging the specimen <NUM>.

After the point P2 of the elapsed time, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to perform the discharge operation and the lifting operation until discharging of a liquid at a specified amount is completed (until P3). In addition, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls a lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM> increases with an elapsed time until discharging of a liquid at a specified amount is completed (until P3). That is, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the above-described change rate α of the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> (for example, α = <NUM>/s) is achieved. The analysis control unit <NUM> ends the discharge operation and the lifting operation of the dispensing probe at the point P3 of the elapsed time when the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are discharged at a specified amount.

In this manner, a height position <NUM> (see <FIG>) at which the discharged liquid arrives in the reaction liquid <NUM> also gradually changes by increasing the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> with an elapsed time. As a result, a liquid flow can be given to the entire reaction liquid <NUM>, and an effect of efficiently stirring the discharged specimen <NUM> and reagent <NUM> by the discharge operation is obtained.

In the above description, a position at which the dispensing probe <NUM> is lowered into the reaction vessel <NUM> before the start of discharging is preferably in the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>, that is, about several millimeters from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>. When the discharge operation is started, it is assumed that the segmented air <NUM> between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> disappears when the segmented air is discharged from the tip end of the probe, and one or both of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> scatter onto a wall surface of the reaction vessel <NUM>. When the scattered liquid remains adhering to the wall surface of the reaction vessel <NUM>, reaction of the reaction liquid does not proceed sufficiently, which may adversely affect an analysis result. In recent years, a technique for reducing an amount of a specimen used in a measurement has been advanced due to the trend of reducing burdens on a patient. It is assumed that the number of specimens used in a measurement is as small as about <NUM>µL. Therefore, discharging is started when a position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> at the start of discharging is in the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> (in the first embodiment, the position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is set to <NUM> to <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>), and the segmented air <NUM> between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> is discharged in the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>. Accordingly, even when scattering of the discharged liquid occurs due to the segmented air <NUM> between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>, since the reagent continues to be discharged from a higher position thereafter, the scattered liquid adhering to the reaction vessel <NUM> is buried in the reaction liquid <NUM> as the liquid level rises. In this manner, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to be lowered to the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and controls the start of the discharge operation, so that an influence of scattering can be reduced, and an effect of improving analysis performance is obtained.

When the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> that are different liquids are simultaneously discharged, the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment gradually changes an arrival position of a height of the discharged liquid in the reaction liquid <NUM> by increasing the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> with an elapsed time. As a result, a large liquid flow is given to the entire reaction liquid, and the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are efficiently stirred at the time of discharging. When stirring is efficiently performed at the time of discharging, a time required for a subsequent additional stirring operation (pipette stirring or the like) is shortened, and processing capacity is improved. When stirring is sufficiently performed at the time of discharging, an additional stirring mechanism (stirring using ultrasonic waves or the like) is not necessary, which leads to space saving of a device.

In the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the dispensing probe <NUM> is lowered to the vicinity of a bottom portion of the reaction vessel <NUM> to start discharging, so that a position to which a scattered liquid adheres due to the segmented air <NUM> between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> can be restricted to the vicinity of the bottom portion of the reaction vessel <NUM>. The lifting operation of the probe is started at the same time as or several milliseconds after the start of discharging, so that the reagent <NUM> is discharged from a high position while the dispensing probe <NUM> is raised, and thus the scattered liquid adhering to the reaction vessel <NUM> is buried in the reaction liquid <NUM> due to the rise of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. As a result, an influence of scattering on measurement data can be reduced, and analysis performance can be improved.

Although not particularly illustrated, the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment may have a configuration of an automatic analyzer and a dispensing flow as will be described below. The dispensing probe <NUM> aspirates the specimen <NUM> from the specimen vessel <NUM> and discharges the specimen <NUM> to the reaction vessel <NUM>. Subsequently, the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed by the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM>, and then the dispensing probe <NUM> aspirates the reagent <NUM> from the reagent vessel <NUM>. Then, after the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is washed by the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM>, the analysis control unit <NUM> lowers the dispensing probe <NUM> to the vicinity of a height of a liquid level (for example, <NUM> above the liquid level) of the specimen <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM>. Thereafter, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation at the same time as the start of the discharge operation of the reagent <NUM> or after several milliseconds. Subsequently, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to perform the lifting operation and the discharge operation until the reagent <NUM> is discharged at a specified amount. In addition, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM> increases with an elapsed time. As a result, an arrival position of a height of a discharged liquid in the reaction liquid <NUM> is gradually changed. A large liquid flow is given to the entire reaction liquid, and the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are efficiently stirred at the time of discharging.

Although not particularly illustrated, the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment may have a configuration of an automatic analyzer and a dispensing flow as will be described below. The automatic analyzer <NUM> includes two dispensing probes <NUM>. That is, the automatic analyzer <NUM> includes a specimen probe that dispenses the specimen <NUM> and a reagent probe that dispenses the reagent <NUM>. The specimen probe aspirates the specimen <NUM> from the specimen vessel <NUM>. The reagent probe aspirates the reagent <NUM> from the reagent vessel <NUM>. After tip ends of the two probes are washed by the dispensing mechanism washing unit <NUM>, the analysis control unit <NUM> lowers the specimen probe and the reagent probe to the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM>, and starts to discharge the specimen <NUM> from the specimen probe and discharge the reagent <NUM> from the reagent probe. The analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation at the same time as the start of discharging or after several milliseconds. Subsequently, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to perform the lifting operation and the discharge operation until the reagent <NUM> is discharged at a specified amount. In addition, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM> increases with an elapsed time. As a result, an arrival position of a height of a discharged liquid in the reaction liquid <NUM> is gradually changed. A large liquid flow is given to the entire reaction liquid, and the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are efficiently stirred at the time of discharging.

Further, although not particularly illustrated, the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment may have a configuration of an automatic analyzer and a dispensing flow as will be described below. The second reagent may be discharged into the reaction vessel <NUM> in step S06. The analysis control unit <NUM> lowers the dispensing probe <NUM> to the vicinity of a height of a liquid level (for example, <NUM> above the liquid level) of a reaction liquid (a mixed liquid of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>) in the reaction vessel <NUM>. Thereafter, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the lifting operation at the same time as the start of the discharge operation of the second reagent or after several milliseconds. Subsequently, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to perform the lifting operation and the discharge operation until the second reagent is discharged at a specified amount. In addition, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM> increases with an elapsed time. As a result, an arrival position of a height of a discharged liquid in the reaction liquid <NUM> is gradually changed. A large liquid flow is given to the entire reaction liquid, and the reaction liquid (the mixed liquid of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>) and the second reagent are efficiently stirred at the time of discharging.

In the first embodiment, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM> increases with an elapsed time until discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed in step S03. A procedure for lifting the dispensing probe <NUM> is not limited thereto.

In the second embodiment, after the analysis control unit <NUM> performs control for a predetermined time so that the distance Da increases with an elapsed time, the analysis control unit <NUM> performs control so that the distance Da decreases with an elapsed time. In this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are also obtained. Since the configuration of the automatic analyzer <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, differences in the dispensing operation will be mainly described below.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a movement of the dispensing probe <NUM> and its effect when the automatic analyzer <NUM> simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the first reagent in the second embodiment. A time change of a position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an elapsed time change in the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. The second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. Lifting control of the dispensing probe <NUM> performed by the analysis control unit <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the discharge operation (P4), and lifts the probe of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da increases with an elapsed time (P5 to P6). After a certain period of time is elapsed, the analysis control unit <NUM> stops the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> at the P6 of the elapsed time (at a time point before discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed). At the time point P6, the discharge operation is continued. The analysis control unit <NUM> ends the discharge operation at a point P7 of the elapsed time when the reagent is discharged at a specified amount. That is, the analysis control unit <NUM> performs control to increase the distance Da from the point P5 of the elapsed time to the point P6 of the elapsed time, and performs control to decrease the distance Da from the point P6 to the point P7 of the elapsed time.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the second embodiment moves the dispensing probe <NUM> so as to increase the distance Da, and then moves the dispensing probe <NUM> so as to decrease the distance Da by fixing a position of the dispensing probe <NUM> in the vertical direction. The second embodiment obtains the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

In step S03, the analysis control unit <NUM> may perform control to immerse the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> into the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> when discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed (when discharging of the reagent <NUM> is completed). In a third embodiment, a specific example will be described. In this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are also obtained. Since the configuration of the automatic analyzer <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, differences in a dispensing operation will be mainly described below.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a movement of the dispensing probe <NUM> and its effect when the automatic analyzer <NUM> simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the first reagent in the third embodiment. A time change of a position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an elapsed time change in the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. The third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. Lifting control of the dispensing probe <NUM> performed by the analysis control unit <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the discharge operation (P8), and controls a probe lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da increases with an elapsed time (P9 to P10). After a certain period of time is elapsed, the analysis control unit <NUM> stops the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> at the point P10 of the elapsed time (at a time point before discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed). At this time, the analysis control unit <NUM> stops the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that a stopping position of the dispensing probe <NUM> is located at a position lower than the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> after the reagent is discharged at a specified amount. Thereafter, the discharge operation is ended at a point P11 of the elapsed time. That is, at the point P11 of the elapsed time when discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed, the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is in a state of being immersed in the reaction liquid <NUM>. It is preferable that an immersing amount of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is about several millimeters (for example, <NUM>) in order to reduce a contamination range of the tip end of the dispensing probe.

The liquid level detector <NUM> may detect the liquid level at the point P11 of the elapsed time. Due to a difference in wettability of the reaction liquid <NUM> (due to an influence of meniscus), it is expected that the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> is slightly different from known data. Therefore, the liquid level may be detected using the liquid level detector <NUM> after the discharge operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> is completed, and it may be confirmed whether the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is accurately immersed in the reaction liquid <NUM> after discharging is completed.

In the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the third embodiment, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> to be immersed in the reaction liquid <NUM> when discharging of the reagent is completed. For example, under a condition that the liquid discharging at the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> at the end of discharging is poor and liquid droplets are formed at the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>, the liquid droplets may not be discharged into the reaction vessel <NUM>, and the reagent may not be accurately dispensed at a specified amount. When the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the liquid level at the end of discharging, the liquid droplets can be immersed in the reaction liquid, and the reagent can be accurately dispensed at a specified amount. As a result, analysis performance is improved.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the third embodiment can accurately determine whether the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> by the liquid level detector <NUM> detecting the liquid level at the end of discharging. When the liquid level detector <NUM> does not detect the liquid level, since dispensing performance deteriorates due to the formation of the liquid droplets at the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM>, the analysis control unit <NUM> may add a data alarm indicating that the liquid level cannot be detected on the display device <NUM> via the interface <NUM>. As a result, a user can know a cause of data failure, and can appropriately deal with the data failure, for example, by requesting a re-inspection. Appropriate measurement data can be obtained by performing a re-inspection, which leads to an improvement in reliability of a measurement result.

In step S03, the analysis control unit <NUM> may perform control to stop the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> above the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> when discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed (when discharging of the reagent <NUM> is completed). In a fourth embodiment, a specific example will be described. In this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Since the configuration of the automatic analyzer <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, differences in a dispensing operation will be mainly described below.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a movement of the dispensing probe <NUM> and its effect when the automatic analyzer <NUM> simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the first reagent in the fourth embodiment. A time change of a position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an elapsed time change in the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. The fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. Lifting control of the dispensing probe <NUM> performed by the analysis control unit <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the discharge operation (P12), and controls the probe lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the distance Da increases with an elapsed time (P13 to P14). After a certain period of time is elapsed, the analysis control unit <NUM> stops the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> at the point P14 of the elapsed time (at a time point before discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed). At this time, the analysis control unit <NUM> stops the lifting operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> so that the stopping position of the dispensing probe <NUM> is located at a position higher than the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> after the reagent is discharged at a specified amount. Thereafter, the discharge operation is ended at a point P15 of the elapsed time. That is, at the point P15 of the elapsed time when discharging of the reagent of a specified amount is completed, the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is located at a position higher than the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>.

In the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> to be higher than the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> at the end of discharging. For example, in step S04 in <FIG>, when pipette stirring (stirring by aspirating and discharging the reaction liquid <NUM> again after discharging) is performed, a state in the dispensing probe <NUM> before the start of the pipette stirring is a state in which the dispensing probe <NUM> is filled with a liquid (system water or the like). In order to prevent the reaction liquid <NUM> to be aspirated again in the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid (such as the system water <NUM>) in the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from being mixed by the pipette stirring, it is necessary to aspirate air before aspirating the reaction liquid <NUM> again. That is, it is necessary to form a layer of segmented air between the reaction liquid <NUM> and the system water <NUM>. When the specimen and the reagent discharge operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> is completed in a state in which the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the reaction liquid <NUM>, it is necessary to add a lifting operation of pulling out the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the reaction liquid <NUM> in order to form the layer of segmented air. On the other hand, as in the fourth embodiment, when the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is stopped above the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> at the end of discharging, the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is in the air, so that air can be aspirated without the necessary to add the lifting operation. As a result, an operation time from the start of discharging by the dispensing probe <NUM> to the end of stirring (pipette stirring) is reduced, and the effect of improving processing capacity of the automatic analyzer <NUM> is obtained.

In step S03, the analysis control unit <NUM> may perform control such that the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the discharged specimen <NUM> or the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> for a certain period of time after the start or the end of discharging of the specimen <NUM>. In a fifth embodiment, a specific example will be described. In this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Since the configuration of the automatic analyzer <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, differences in a dispensing operation will be mainly described below.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a movement of the dispensing probe <NUM> and its effect when the automatic analyzer <NUM> simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the first reagent in the fifth embodiment. A time change of a position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an elapsed time change in the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. The fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. Lifting control of the dispensing probe <NUM> performed by the analysis control unit <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> to start the discharge operation (P16). The analysis control unit <NUM> may perform control such that the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the discharged specimen <NUM> or the reaction liquid <NUM> (a mixed liquid of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>) for a certain period of time after discharging of the specimen <NUM> is completed. That is, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls a lowering amount of the dispensing probe <NUM> to the reaction vessel <NUM> before the start of the discharge so as to immerse the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> in the discharged specimen <NUM> and the reaction liquid <NUM> (the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>) for a certain period of time after discharging of the specimen <NUM> is completed, and after the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed, the analysis control unit <NUM> performs control to lift the dispensing probe <NUM> while discharging the reagent <NUM>. Alternatively, the analysis control unit <NUM> may perform control such that the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is in standby at a discharge start position until the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the discharged specimen <NUM> or the reaction liquid <NUM> (the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>) for a certain period of time after discharging of the specimen <NUM> is completed, and thereafter perform control to lift the dispensing probe <NUM> while discharging the reagent <NUM>.

It is preferable that the immersing amount of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is about several millimeters in order to reduce a contamination range of a nozzle tip end. For example, it is preferable that the analysis control unit <NUM> controls the dispensing probe <NUM> such that the immersing amount of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is about <NUM> or less.

In the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment, the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is immersed in the specimen <NUM> or the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> (the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>) in the vessel for a certain period of time after the start or after the end of discharging the specimen <NUM>. Accordingly, for example, when the tip end of the probe is immersed in a liquid when all specimens are discharged, the segmented air <NUM> that is present between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> and is subsequently discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is discharged into the specimen <NUM> or into the reaction liquid <NUM> of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM>. In this case, since the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is in the liquid, it is possible to prevent an influence of liquid scattering caused by the segmented air <NUM>. That is, analysis performance can be improved.

In step S03, the analysis control unit <NUM> may perform control to start to discharge the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> after lowering the tip end of the probe to the vicinity of a height of a liquid level when the dispensing probe <NUM> discharges all the specimens <NUM> into the reaction vessel <NUM>. In a sixth embodiment, a specific example will be described. In this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are also obtained. Since the configuration of the automatic analyzer <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, differences in a dispensing operation will be mainly described below.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a movement of the dispensing probe <NUM> and its effect when the automatic analyzer <NUM> simultaneously dispenses the specimen and the first reagent in the sixth embodiment. A time change of a position of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> from the bottom of the reaction vessel <NUM> and the height of the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an elapsed time change in the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM>. The sixth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Lifting control of the dispensing probe <NUM> performed by the analysis control unit <NUM> is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The analysis control unit <NUM> lowers the dispensing probe <NUM> into the reaction vessel <NUM> ((a) in <FIG>). At this time, the analysis control unit <NUM> lowers the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> to the vicinity of a height of a liquid level (for example, to the same height as the liquid level or within <NUM> above the liquid level) when the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> discharges all of the specimens <NUM> at a specified amount. The analysis control unit <NUM> starts the discharge operation of the dispensing probe <NUM> (a point P20 of the elapsed time). At a point P21 of the elapsed time, a height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is the same as or several millimeters higher than a height of a liquid level of the discharged specimen <NUM>.

In the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment, the dispensing probe <NUM> is lowered to the vicinity of the height of the liquid level when all of the specimens <NUM> of a specified amount are discharged into the reaction vessel <NUM>, and then discharging of the specimen <NUM> is started. As a result, for example, when the height of the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is the same as the height of the specimen <NUM> or at a position several millimeters above the specimen <NUM> when all specimens are discharged, the segmented air <NUM> that is present between the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> and is subsequently discharged from the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> is discharged in the air. Since the segmented air <NUM> is discharged in the air, it is possible to prevent air bubbles derived from the segmented air <NUM> from being mixed into the liquid. When air bubbles are mixed into the reaction liquid and adhere to an optical path region of the light source <NUM> in the reaction vessel <NUM>, measurement data may be affected. According to the sixth embodiment, analysis performance is improved by preventing the mixing of the air bubbles.

In step S03, the analysis control unit <NUM> may change a lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> in accordance with liquid property information of a discharged solution. The term "liquid property" used herein refers to viscosity, polarity, contact angle, and the like. Due to differences in viscosity, polarity, contact angle, and the like of a discharged liquid, intermolecular forces of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are also different. In this case, a liquid arrival height of the discharge liquid and a liquid flow state of the discharged liquid relative to the reaction liquid <NUM> that is a mixed liquid of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> at the time of discharging are different depending on the liquid property. In a seventh embodiment, the liquid property of the solution and the change rate a of the distance Da that is suitable to obtain a large stirring effect at the time of discharging are recorded in association with each other as data in the memory <NUM> in advance. Alternatively, a user may input viscosity information, contact angle information, and the like of a reagent serving as an analysis item to the analysis control unit <NUM> via the keyboard <NUM> at the time of requesting the analysis item before the start of a measurement. Other configurations are the same as those according to the first embodiment.

Before the dispensing probe <NUM> starts discharging, the analysis control unit <NUM> reads the change rate a corresponding to the liquid property of the solution from the memory <NUM>. Then, the analysis control unit <NUM> controls an appropriate lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> which will obtain a large stirring effect at the time of discharging. Regarding viscosity information, the computer <NUM> can acquire a pressure waveform at the time of aspirating the specimen <NUM> and at the time of aspirating the reagent <NUM>, analyze viscosity of the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> based on the pressure waveform, and input an analysis result to the analysis control unit <NUM>.

In the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to efficiently stir the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> that are different liquids when the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are simultaneously discharged by changing the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> according to the liquid property of the solution.

Hereinafter, the effect of improving stirring efficiency at the time of simultaneously discharging a specimen and a reagent in the present embodiment will be described using experimental results. The following experimental results are used to describe the effect of the present embodiment, and a technical scope of the invention is not limited by the following experimental results.

An experiment was performed using the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment. The following two conditions were used. According to the condition of the first embodiment, after lifting of the dispensing probe <NUM> was started, the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> was controlled such that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> increased with an elapsed time. According to a condition in a comparative example, after lifting of the dispensing probe <NUM> was started, the lifting speed of the dispensing probe <NUM> was controlled such that the distance Da between the tip end of the dispensing probe <NUM> and the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> was constant regardless of an elapsed time, and a state in which the tip end of the dispensing probe was immersed by <NUM> from the liquid level of the reaction liquid <NUM> was maintained. After the specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> are simultaneously discharged, stirring such as pipette stirring or stirring using ultrasonic waves is not performed.

An aqueous solution to which a dye was added was used as the specimen <NUM>, and a colorless and transparent solution having viscosity was used as the reagent <NUM>. The specimen <NUM> and the reagent <NUM> were simultaneously discharged, and light absorbance (specific light absorbance of the dye used as the specimen) after a predetermined elapsed time was measured. A deviation rate (%) from light absorbance at the time of complete mixing was calculated based on the measured light absorbance and light absorbance in a state where the specimen and the dye were completely mixed. A lower deviation rate (%) indicates that a state of stirring performed by discharging only is close to a completely mixed state. That is, it can be said that stirring can be more efficiently performed by a discharge operation as the deviation rate (%) decreases.

Further, the light absorbance was measured every certain period of time immediately after discharging, and a light absorbance fluctuation rate (%) for <NUM> minutes was calculated. The light absorbance fluctuation rate (%) for <NUM> minutes indicates a ratio of a range of light absorbance data acquired for a plurality of times in <NUM> minutes (maximum light absorbance value - minimum light absorbance value) to light absorbance <NUM> minutes after discharging. In a state in which stirring is not efficiently performed at the time of discharging, the light absorbance fluctuates due to a diffusion phenomenon of the specimen (a dye liquid) even after the end of discharging, and thus the light absorbance fluctuation rate (%) increases. That is, it can be said stirring can be more efficiently performed as the light absorbance fluctuation rate (%) for <NUM> minutes decreases.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a deviation rate (%) for each of the first embodiment and the comparative example. A measurement is performed for a plurality of times under a condition of each of the first embodiment and the comparative example, and the deviation rate (%) is plotted. As can be seen from <FIG>, according to the first embodiment, the deviation rate (%) from complete mixing is low, and fluctuation among multiple measurements is small.

Claim 1:
An automatic analyzer comprising:
a probe (<NUM>);
a moving mechanism configured to move the probe; and
a control unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to control the moving mechanism,
the probe (<NUM>) is configured to aspirate the specimen (<NUM>) and the reagent (<NUM>) and discharge them into the vessel (<NUM>), wherein the probe is configured to aspirate the specimen in a state in which the reagent is present inside the probe, and
characterized in that
the control unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to control the moving mechanism so that, after the probe (<NUM>) starts to discharge the specimen (<NUM>) to the vessel (<NUM>), the probe is lifted while discharging the specimen or the reagent (<NUM>) and, as a height of a liquid level of a liquid in the vessel is raised, a distance (Da) between the liquid level in the vessel and a tip end of the probe is gradually increased, wherein the liquid in the vessel is the total discharge amount of the specimen and the reagent.