Patent Description:
A device that can perform a plurality of types of analysis based on different measurement methods, such as a biochemical analysis and an immunological analysis, has been proposed (e.g. PTL <NUM>). This device includes: (<NUM>) a sample supply unit that includes a sample rack on which a plurality of biological samples are placed, (<NUM>) a first measuring unit which can hold a plurality of mutually independent reaction cuvettes so as to be removable independently from each other, and includes a first optical system measuring member, (<NUM>) a sample transport member that can transport biological samples from the sample supply unit to the reaction cuvettes on the first measuring unit, (<NUM>) a second measuring unit that can hold a plurality of mutually independent reaction cuvettes so as to be removable independently from each other, and includes a second optical system measuring member, (<NUM>) a cuvette transfer member that can transfer the reaction cuvettes on the first measuring unit to the second measuring unit, (<NUM>) a reagent supply unit that contains reagent that is used for the measurement in the first measuring unit and the measurement in the second measuring unit, and (<NUM>) a reagent transport member that can transport reaction reagent from the reagent supply unit to the reaction cuvettes on the first measuring unit and/or the second measuring unit independently. After the biological samples are dispensed on the first measuring unit, the reaction cuvettes on the second measuring unit are transferred by the cuvette transfer member from the first measuring unit to the second measuring unit, and are held by the second measuring unit, whereby different measurements can be performed in the first measuring unit and in the second measuring unit, respectively.

An automatic immunological analyzing device that is also proposed includes: a rack on which reaction containers are vertically held; a means that circulates the rack endlessly for intermittently transferring the rack; and a means that dispenses a required amount of a sample to each reaction container at a predetermined position of a rack transfer path through which the rack is transferred (e.g., PTL <NUM>).

An automatic analyzing device that is also proposed includes: a transport line for transporting a rack, on which sample containers containing samples are set, from a rack entry unit to a rack storing unit; and an analyzing unit that is disposed between the rack entry unit and the rack storing unit along the transport line. This automatic analyzing device includes: a circulating line configured to circulate a rack from the rack storing unit side to the rack entry unit side; an entry side rack number reading unit that is disposed on the entry side of the transport line, and reads a rack number of a rack that is transported; a storage unit that stores the sequence of racks read by the entry side rack number reading unit; a storing side rack number reading unit that is disposed on the storage side of the transport line and reads a rack number of a rack that is transported; and a control unit that stores a rack in the rack storing unit if the rack of which rack number is read by the storing side rack number reading unit is in a sequence to be stored, or circulates the rack to the rack entry side via the circulating line if not (e.g. PTL <NUM>).

Generally for analyzing devices which automatically perform some kind of test on a specimen, decreasing the time required for the test is demanded. It is an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of the sampling processing.

A transport mechanism according to the present invention is a transport mechanism that is disposed in a measuring device used for dispensing biological samples from sample containers configured to contain the biological samples to cuvettes, so as to perform a predetermined measurement, and transports a sample rack configured to hold the sample containers, the transport mechanism including: a table on which the sample rack is provided in plurality and sequentially placed; a container sensor unit configured to identify the sample containers held on the sample rack; and a transport device configured to transport the sample rack holding the sample containers identified by the container sensor unit to a dispensing position at which the biological samples are dispensed. The container sensor unit is connected to the transport device, wherein the transport device and the container sensor unit move in tandem as one unit, so that the transport device transports a preceding sample rack while the container sensor unit identifies the sample containers held on a subsequent sample rack.

Since a preceding sample rack is transported while sample containers held on a subsequent sample rack are identified, the presence of each sample container and identification information thereof can be specified (an advance-read operation), and throughput per unit time can be improved. In other words, the efficiency of the sampling processing can be improved.

The transport mechanism may further include a sample rack detecting device configured to determine whether the subsequent sample rack exists, and when the sample rack detecting device determines that the subsequent sample rack exists, the container sensor unit may identify sample containers held on the subsequent sample rack. Then the above mentioned advance-read operation can be performed after determining whether the subsequent sample rack is continuously carried in.

Predetermined identification information may be indicated on an outer face of each of the sample containers, and the container sensor unit may include: a sample container identifying device configured to read the identification information indicated on each of the sample containers; and a type determining device configured to determine a type of each of the sample containers. The transport device may transport a preceding sample rack, while the sample container identifying device reads the identification information indicated on each sample container held on the subsequent sample rack, and the type determining device may determine the type of each of the sample containers held on the subsequent sample rack. Then in a case of processing a plurality of types of sample containers, the type of each container can be determined. The type detecting device may be an infrared sensor, for example, and may determine the type of each sample container based on the shape (e.g., height) of the sample container. In a case where both the identification information and type of each sample container are successfully read, it may be determined that this sample container is held on the sample rack, and may be regarded as a target of sampling in the subsequent processing steps.

The sample rack may hold a plurality of sample containers in a row in a first direction in plan view, and a plurality of sample racks may be placed on a table in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, in plan view. The transport device may transport a preceding sample rack in the first direction, while the container sensor unit identifies the sample containers held on a subsequent sample rack. Thereby the direction of transporting the preceding sample rack matches with the direction of the sample containers lined up in the subsequent sample rack, and the processing of the transport device transporting the preceding sample rack and the processing of identifying the sample containers held on the subsequent sample rack, can be performed in parallel.

An analyzing device according to another aspect of the present invention may include the abovementioned transport mechanism and a computer that controls operation of the transport mechanism. Thereby the efficiency of the sampling processing of the analyzing device can be improved.

The content described in "Solution to Problem" may be combined within a scope of not departing from the problem and technical spirit of the present invention. And the content described in "Solution to Problem" can be provided as a system, including a device or a plurality of devices (e.g. computer(s)), a method executed by a computer, or a program executed by a computer. This program may be executed over a network. A recording medium holding this program may be provided.

The present invention can improve the efficiency of the sampling processing.

An analyzing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram depicting an example of an external view of the analyzing device. The analyzing device <NUM> is an analyzing device that performs a plurality of types of analysis at different measurement accuracy levels, such as biochemical analysis and immunological analysis. The analyzing device <NUM> can performs, for example, latex photometric immunoassay (LPIA) and measurement of blood coagulation time. The analyzing device <NUM> includes a measuring unit housing portion <NUM>, a tank housing portion <NUM>, a monitor <NUM> and a status output unit <NUM>. The measuring unit housing portion <NUM> houses a plurality of measuring units according to the embodiment. The tank housing portion <NUM> houses, for example, tanks to store pure water, cleaning water and waste water respectively, a discarding box to collect cuvettes to be discarded, and a computer to control processing performed by the measuring unit housing portion <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> is connected to the computer, and outputs the progress state, the result, and the like, of the measurement. The monitor <NUM> may be an input/output device on which the user can perform input operation, such as a touch panel. The status output unit <NUM> is connected to a computer or the like, and turns an alarm lamp ON or causes the alarm lamp to blink to notify the user of an abnormality which may occur during the processing executed in the measuring unit housing portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view depicting an example of the configuration inside the measuring unit housing portion <NUM> of the analyzing device <NUM>. The measuring unit housing portion <NUM> includes a table <NUM> on which sample racks are placed, a cuvette supply unit <NUM>, a sample nozzle unit <NUM>, a reagent table <NUM>, a reagent cover open/close unit <NUM>, a reagent nozzle unit <NUM>, a coagulation table <NUM>, an LPIA table <NUM>, a cuvette chuck unit <NUM>, a rail <NUM> and a cuvette discarding port <NUM>. The lower right of <FIG>, in the plan view, indicates that the table <NUM> side is the front, the rail <NUM> side is the back, and the left and right facing the device from the front are the left and right respectively. The sample racks are placed on the table <NUM>, and are transported on the table by a mechanism included in the analyzing device <NUM>.

The cuvette supply unit <NUM> supplies a predetermined-shaped cuvette for use by the analyzing device <NUM>. The sample nozzle unit <NUM>, which includes a nozzle connected with a pump, moves in a predetermined movable range based on the control by the computer, and collects a sample from each sample container and discharges the sample to a cuvette on the LPIA table <NUM>. Specifically, the sample nozzle unit <NUM> rotates in a circular-shaped arc in plan view, with a predetermined rotating shaft at the center. In the plan view, a dispensing position is set at an intersection between the circular arc track on which the sample nozzle unit <NUM> moves, and a circular track on which the cuvettes, disposed in a circle on the LPIA table <NUM>, rotationally move. Further, in the plan view, a nozzle cleaning tank may be disposed on the track on which the sample nozzle unit <NUM> moves.

The reagent table <NUM> is a disk type holding unit, on which a plurality of reagent containers containing reagent are held, and rotates based on the control by the computer. Reagent in each reagent container that is held is collected by the reagent nozzle unit <NUM> at a predetermined collecting position. The reagent cover open/close unit <NUM> is a unit that moves in a predetermined movable range, and opens/closes the cover of the reagent container based on the control by the computer. The reagent nozzle unit <NUM>, which includes a nozzle connected with a pump, moves in a predetermined movable range based on the control by the computer, and collects reagent from each reagent container and discharges the reagent to each cuvette. In the plan view, a reagent nozzle cleaning rank may be disposed on the path where the reagent nozzle unit <NUM> linearly moves.

The coagulation table <NUM> is a holding unit having a plurality of holes which lineup to hold a plurality of cuvettes to measure a degree of coagulation of content of each cuvette. A light source and a light receiving unit are disposed on each side of the cuvettes to be held, and the degree of coagulation is measured based on the absorbance or transmittance of the content. In the plan view, an attaching/detaching position is set at a position where the track on which the cuvette chuck unit <NUM> crosses.

The LPIA table <NUM>, which is a disk type holding unit, holds a plurality of cuvettes arranged in a circle in the plan view, in order to measure the antigen level in a sample by LPIA, and rotates based on the control by the computer. Each cuvette to be held is attached or detached by the cuvette chuck unit <NUM> at a predetermined attaching/detaching position, and reagent is dispensed to each cuvette at a predetermined dispensing position.

The cuvette chuck unit <NUM> moves in a predetermined movable range, and holds and moves the cuvettes based on the control by the computer. The rail <NUM> is a linear rail, and the reagent nozzle unit <NUM> and the cuvette chuck unit <NUM> move on the rail <NUM> respectively. The cuvette discarding port <NUM> is an opening linked to the discarding box stored in the tank housing portion <NUM>, and is used for discarding cuvettes into the cuvette discarding port <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view depicting an example of the sample rack. <FIG> is a front view depicting an example of the sample rack. The sample rack <NUM> has a plurality of holders <NUM> arranged in a row, and a number of holders is <NUM> in the example in <FIG> and <FIG>. In each holder <NUM>, a sample container <NUM> to contain a biological sample, such as a blood sample, is held. In the example in <FIG>, <NUM> sample containers <NUM> are held on the holders <NUM> respectively. As illustrated in <FIG>, the sample containers <NUM> may include a plurality of types of containers having different heights. The sample containers <NUM> include, for example, a sample cup that contains a sample, a blood collection tube that contains blood, and an additional cup for diluting or mixing samples. The sample rack <NUM> is transported on the table <NUM> based on the control by the computer, and a desired container <NUM> is disposed at a predetermined collecting position on the table <NUM>. Each collecting position exists on the track where the sample nozzle unit <NUM> moves in a circular arc shape in the plan view, and the sample is dispensed to each cuvette, which is held in a holding hole on the LPIA table <NUM>, by the sample nozzle unit <NUM>. Identification information, such as a barcode and a two-dimensional code (identification information of the sample), may be attached as a label or directly printed on the outer surface of each sample container <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, identification information <NUM>, to specify a sample rack <NUM>, is attached to one end of the side face of the sample rack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view depicting an example of the table <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view depicting an example of the table <NUM>. The table <NUM> includes slits <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the front/back direction, a transport device <NUM> that transports the sample rack in the left/right direction, a container identifying device <NUM>, a container type determining device <NUM>, a rack detecting device <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>), a rail <NUM>, a carry-in device <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>), and a carry-out device <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>). The table <NUM>, including the transport device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, is an example of the transport mechanism according to the present invention.

The carry-in device <NUM> is disposed below the slits <NUM>, and allows protruding pieces (not illustrated) to protrude out to/recede from the table <NUM> through the slits <NUM>, and moves the protruding pieces in the protruded state in the front/back direction along the slits <NUM>, so that the sample rack <NUM>, placed on a carry-in lane (arrow D1 in <FIG>) on the table <NUM>, is moved backward on the table <NUM>. In <FIG>, a plurality of regions A1, indicated by rounded rectangles (broken lines), indicate positions where each sample rack <NUM> is placed and stopped in the transport process. In other words, in the plan view, the sample racks <NUM> are placed on the table <NUM> in a plurality of rows in the lateral direction. This means that in the plan view, each sample rack <NUM> holds a plurality of sample containers <NUM> in a row in a first direction, and a plurality of sample racks <NUM> are disposed on the table <NUM> sequentially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The transport device <NUM> has two rack holding units <NUM>, which are disposed at a width where both ends of the sample rack <NUM> in the left/right direction are contained. The transport device <NUM> moves on the rail <NUM>, and transports the sample rack <NUM>, which is carried into the space between the two rack holding units <NUM> by the carry-in device <NUM>, in the left/right direction along a sampling lane (arrow D2 in <FIG>) on the table <NUM>. The carry-out device <NUM> is disposed below the slits <NUM>, and allows protruding pieces (not illustrated) to protrude out to/recede from the table <NUM> through the slits <NUM>, and moves the protruding pieces in the protruded state in the front/back direction along the slits <NUM>, so that the sample rack <NUM>, which is held between the two rack holding units <NUM> of the transport device <NUM>, is moved forward on the table <NUM> along a carry-out lane (arrow D3 in <FIG>) on the table <NUM>. On the table <NUM>, a plurality of sample racks <NUM> are consecutively carried in and sequentially processed. The carry-in lane, the sampling lane, and the carry-out line are collectively referred to as a "transport path".

The rack detecting device <NUM> is a porcelain sensor disposed under the table <NUM>, for example, and exists at a plurality of locations indicated by circles (broken lines) in <FIG>. For example, the sample rack <NUM> includes magnets positioned near both ends of the bottom face in the longitudinal direction, and the computer, which is connected to the rack detecting devices <NUM>, can detect the presence of the sample rack <NUM> placed on the table <NUM>. The container identifying device <NUM> is a laser type barcode reader, which receives the laser light emitted from a laser diode using a light-receiving element to read the data, or is a camera linked with the image recognition software of a computer, for example, and reads the identification information attached to the side face of the sample container <NUM>. The container type determining device <NUM> is an infrared sensor which is disposed at a plurality of locations in the vertical (height) direction. The container type determining device <NUM> detects the height of each sample container <NUM> held on the sample rack <NUM>, and determines the type of sample container <NUM> out of a plurality of types, in accordance with the height.

The container identifying device <NUM> and the container type determining device <NUM> are connected to the transport device <NUM>, and move in tandem as one unit. The transport device <NUM> has two rack holding units <NUM> in the front area in the transporting direction of the sampling lane, and has the container identifying device <NUM> and the container type determining device <NUM> in the rear area in the transporting direction of the sampling lane. Therefore, while transporting the preceding sampling rack <NUM> held between the two rack holding units <NUM>, the container identifying device <NUM> reads the identification information attached to the side face of each sample container <NUM> held on the subsequent sample rack <NUM>, and the container type determining device <NUM> determines the type of the sample container <NUM>. The container identifying device <NUM> and the container type determining device <NUM> are collectively referred to as a "container sensor unit".

In this embodiment, transport of the preceding sample rack <NUM> or sampling from each sample container <NUM> held by the preceding sample rack <NUM>, and identification of each sample container <NUM> held by the subsequent sample rack <NUM>, are performed in parallel, whereby the sampling of the subsequent sample rack <NUM> is quickly started, and the dispensing operation to each vacant holder <NUM> can be avoided. For example, the transport device <NUM> transports the preceding sample rack <NUM> in the above mentioned first direction, while the container sensor unit identifies the sample containers held on the subsequent sample rack. In other words, the direction of transporting the preceding sample rack is the same as the direction of the sample containers lined up on the subsequent sample rack, and the transport device <NUM> can perform the processing of transporting the preceding sample rack <NUM> and the processing of identifying the sample containers <NUM> held on the subsequent sample rack <NUM> in parallel. Further, by integrating the transport device <NUM> and the container sensor unit (container identifying device <NUM> and the container type determining device <NUM>), space saving can be implemented.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the computer that controls sampling. The computer <NUM> housed in the tank housing portion <NUM> in <FIG> controls the operation in which the sample rack <NUM> on the table <NUM> is transported, while the sample rack <NUM> and the sample containers <NUM> are identified, and a sample is dispensed from the sample containers <NUM> to cuvettes. As illustrated in <FIG>, the computer <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a storage device <NUM>, and is connected to an analyzing device <NUM> via an input/output interface.

The processor <NUM> is an arithmetic unit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), and performs processing according to this embodiment by executing a program. The example in <FIG> indicates functional blocks in the processor <NUM>. In other words, the processor <NUM> functions as a device control unit <NUM>, a data acquisition unit <NUM>, and an identification processing unit <NUM>. The device control unit <NUM> controls the analyzing device <NUM> so that the specified analysis is performed on a sample based on the operation by the user, and transports the sample rack <NUM> on the table <NUM>, for example. The data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires data from units, such as the sensors of the container identifying device <NUM>, the container type determining device <NUM> and the rack detecting device <NUM> of the analyzing device <NUM> via a predetermined input/output interface. The identification processing unit <NUM> identifies the sample rack <NUM> and the sample containers <NUM> placed on the table <NUM> based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit <NUM>. In accordance with the identified sample rack <NUM> and sample containers <NUM>, the device control unit <NUM> controls the analyzing device <NUM>, and dispenses the sample contained in each sample container <NUM> to a cuvette.

The storage device <NUM> is a main storage device, such as a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM), or an auxiliary storage device, such as a hard disk (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), an embedded multi-media card (eMMC), and a flash memory. The main storage device secures a work area for the processor <NUM>, and temporarily stores data outputted by the sensors. The auxiliary storage device stores a program according to this embodiment, data outputted by the sensors, and other data. It is assumed that the identification information indicated on each sample container <NUM> and order information that links the sample contained in the sample container <NUM> and measurement to be performed for this sample are stored in the storage device <NUM> in advance by operation by the user, or by data transmission/reception via a network or the like.

<FIG> is a processing flow chart depicting an example of the rack transport processing. The identification processing unit <NUM> of the analyzing device <NUM> determines whether a sample rack <NUM> exists on the table <NUM> based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit <NUM> (<FIG>: S1). In this step, if the user places the sample rack <NUM> at a predetermined place on the table <NUM>, the data acquisition unit <NUM> detects the presence of the sample rack <NUM> based on the output of the rack detecting device <NUM>. In a case where it is determined that the sample rack <NUM> does not exist (S1: NO), the analyzing device <NUM> ends the rack transport processing. The determination in S1 may be repeated until the end of processing is instructed to the computer <NUM> by user operation.

In a case where it is determined that the sample rack <NUM> exists (S1: YES), on the other hand, the identification processing unit <NUM> identifies at least one of: the identification information attached to the sample rack <NUM>, the identification attached to each sample container <NUM> held on the sample rack <NUM>; and the type of each sample container <NUM> (<FIG>: S2). In this step, the device control unit <NUM> controls the carry-in device <NUM> and transports the sample rack <NUM> to a predetermined read position. Then the device control unit <NUM> moves the transport device <NUM> and reads the identification information attached to the sample rack <NUM> and the identification information attached to each sample container <NUM> held on the sample rack <NUM>, using the container identifying device <NUM>. The identification information on a plurality of sample containers <NUM> held on the sample rack <NUM> is sequentially read in the moving direction of the transport device <NUM>, from the sample container <NUM> on the rear side (right end) of the transport path toward the sample container <NUM> on the front side (left end) of the transport path. Identification information to identify the sample rack <NUM> is indicated by a barcode, for example, on the left end of the sample rack <NUM> on the back side and this identification information is read after the identification information of each sample container <NUM> is read. The acquired identification information for each sample rack <NUM> is sent to the computer <NUM> connected to the container identifying device <NUM> and the container type determining device <NUM>. The sequence of sending the data at this time may be by the last-in-first-out (LIFO) method, that is, identification information on the sample rack <NUM> is sent first, then is sent sequentially from the identification information on the sample container <NUM> on the front side (left end) of the transport path to the identification information on the sample container <NUM> on the rear side (right end) of the transport path.

At the same time, the identification processing unit <NUM> determines the type of each sample container <NUM> using the container type determining device <NUM>. The container type determining device <NUM> determines the type of each sample container <NUM> held on the sample rack <NUM> based on the height of the sample container <NUM>. The container identifying device <NUM> and the container type determining device <NUM> are connected to the transport device <NUM> at a distance equivalent to a number of holders <NUM> of the sample rack <NUM>, for example, so that the container identifying device <NUM> reads identification information of a certain sample container <NUM>, while the container type determining device <NUM> determines a type of a sample container <NUM> that is distant from the above sample container <NUM> by a predetermined number of holders <NUM>.

In a case where the identification information on a sample container <NUM> held in a certain holder <NUM> is successfully read, and/or in a case where the container type of the sample container <NUM> is specified, it may be determined that a sample container exists in this holder <NUM>, and this holder <NUM> may become a target of the sampling processing in the later mentioned processing steps. For example, on a sample cup or the like containing a sample, such identification information as a barcode is attached and read by the container identifying device <NUM>. On the other hand, an additional cup or the like for mixing the sample, on which identification information is not attached, is carried onto the table <NUM> in an empty state, and a sample or the like is dispensed into this cup by the sample nozzle unit <NUM> in the sampling processing. Therefore in a case where the order information, which is inputted to the computer <NUM> separately, indicates that a sample container to be carried in is a sample container without an additional cup, the identification processing unit <NUM> determines that a sample container exists if the identification information on the sample container <NUM> is successfully read and the container type is specified as a sample container based on the information acquired from the container sensor unit (container identifying device <NUM> and container type determining device <NUM>). In a case where the order information indicates that a sample container to be carried in is an additional cup, the identification processing unit <NUM> determines that a sample container exists if the container type is specified as the additional cup based on the information acquired from the container sensor unit.

The device control unit <NUM> operates the carry-in device <NUM> and the transport device <NUM>, and carries the sample rack <NUM> into the sampling lane (<FIG>: S3). In this step, the sample rack <NUM> is carried into a place between the two rack holding units <NUM> of the transport device <NUM>.

The identification processing unit <NUM> also determines whether a subsequent sample rack <NUM> exists on the table <NUM> based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit <NUM> (<FIG>: S4). In this step, in a case where the user places another sample rack <NUM> on the table <NUM>, the data acquisition unit <NUM> detects the presence of the sample rack <NUM> based on the output from the rack detecting device <NUM>.

In a case where a subsequent sample rack <NUM> exists (S4: YES), the device control unit <NUM> operates the transport device <NUM> and transports the preceding sample rack <NUM>, while the identification processing unit <NUM> identifies the identification information attached on the subsequent sample rack <NUM>, the identification information attached on each sample container <NUM> held on the sample rack <NUM>, and the type of each sample container <NUM> based on the information acquired from the container sensor unit (<FIG>: S5). This step is essentially the same as the processing in S2 mentioned above, but the transport device <NUM> holds the sample rack <NUM> and operates in this state in S5, whereas in S2, the transport device <NUM> operates without holding the sample rack <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view depicting an example of the disposition of the sample rack <NUM> in S5.

Specifically, <FIG> indicates the disposition when the container type determining device <NUM> determines the type of the sample container <NUM> at the left end of the subsequent sample rack <NUM>.

In a case where a subsequent sample rack <NUM> does not exist in S4 (S4: NO), on the other hand, the device control unit <NUM> operates the transport device <NUM> and transports <NUM> the preceding sample rack <NUM> (<FIG>: S6). In this step, the preceding sample rack <NUM> is transported on the sample lane.

The device control unit <NUM> dispenses a sample from each sample container <NUM> held on the preceding sample rack <NUM> to the cuvette (<FIG>: S7). In the example of <FIG>, the sample nozzle unit <NUM> extracts the sample from the third sample container from the front on the preceding sample rack <NUM>. The order information, such as which of the plurality of holders <NUM> is holding each sample container <NUM>, which sample is contained in each sample container <NUM> (and what kind of test is performed on the sample), is identified and stored in the storage device <NUM> in advance, hence sampling can be performed smoothly, while skipping vacant holders <NUM>. Therefore, the efficiency of the sampling processing can be improved, particularly in a case where some holders <NUM> of the sample rack <NUM> are vacant.

Then the device control unit <NUM> operates the carry-out device <NUM> and carries out the preceding sample rack <NUM> (<FIG>: S8). Further, the device control unit <NUM> determines whether the information on the subsequent sample rack <NUM> has already been identified (<FIG>: S9). In the case where the information on the subsequent sample rack <NUM> has been read and stored in the storage device <NUM> in S5, it is determined that the information has already been identified in this step.

In the case where it is determined that the information has already been identified (S9: YES), processing returns to S3, and the subsequent sample rack <NUM> is carried onto the sampling lane. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the information on the subsequent sample rack <NUM> has not yet been identified (S9: NO), processing returns to S1, and it is determined whether a new sample rack <NUM> is placed. As described above, the analyzing device <NUM> consecutively executes the processing of carrying the sample rack <NUM>, to be placed on the table <NUM>, onto the sampling lane, and performing sampling.

According to this embodiment, in the case where a plurality of sample racks <NUM> are consecutively carried into the measuring device <NUM>, the processing of transporting the preceding sample rack <NUM> on the sampling lane and the processing of identifying the subsequent sample rack <NUM> and sample containers <NUM> held on this sample rack <NUM> are performed in parallel in S5 in <FIG>. In other words, it can be confirmed in advance before sampling whether the sampling containers <NUM> are carried in accordance with the order information, such as: which holders of a plurality of holders <NUM> are holding sample containers <NUM>; and which measurement is performed on a sample linked to the identification information on the sample containers <NUM>. Therefore in the processing in S7, sampling can be performed smoothly from the positions where the sample containers <NUM> are held, out of the plurality of holders <NUM>. In other words, the efficiency of the sampling processing can be improved, particularly in the case where some holders <NUM> of the sample rack <NUM> are vacant.

Claim 1:
A transport mechanism that is disposed in a measuring device used for dispensing biological samples from sample containers configured to contain the biological samples to cuvettes, so as to perform a predetermined measurement, and transports a sample rack configured to hold the sample containers, the transport mechanism comprising:
a table (<NUM>) on which the sample rack (<NUM>) is provided in plurality and sequentially placed;
a container sensor unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to identify the sample containers (<NUM>) held on the sample rack (<NUM>); and
a transport device (<NUM>) configured to transport the sample rack (<NUM>) holding the sample containers (<NUM>) identified by the container sensor unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) by moving the sample rack (<NUM>) to a dispensing position at which the biological samples are dispensed, wherein
the container sensor unit is connected to the transport device (<NUM>), wherein the transport device (<NUM>) and the container sensor unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) move in tandem as one unit, and
the transport device (<NUM>) transports a preceding sample rack (<NUM>) while the container sensor unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) identifies the sample containers (<NUM>) held on a subsequent sample rack (<NUM>).