Patent Description:
To date, a specimen measurement apparatus has been known (see, for example, <CIT>).

<CIT> discloses a specimen processing system <NUM> (specimen measurement apparatus) that includes, as shown in <FIG>, a measurement unit <NUM> for measuring a specimen, a detector <NUM> for detecting presence or absence of a seal <NUM> of a container <NUM> for storing a specimen, and a transport mechanism <NUM> for moving the container <NUM> while being stored in a rack <NUM>. In the specimen processing system <NUM> disclosed in <CIT>, when the detector <NUM> detects presence or absence of the seal <NUM> of the container <NUM>, transporting by the transport mechanism <NUM> is temporarily stopped, and the container <NUM> is moved upward from the rack <NUM>. Thus, the detector <NUM> performs the detection.

However, in the specimen processing system <NUM> disclosed in <CIT>, when the detector <NUM> detects presence or absence of the seal <NUM> of the container <NUM>, transporting by the transport mechanism <NUM> is temporarily stopped, the container <NUM> is moved upward from the rack <NUM>, and the detector <NUM> then performs the detection. Therefore, a period of time during which detection for presence or absence of the seal <NUM> of the container <NUM> is performed is disadvantageously elongated. In a conventional specimen measurement apparatus, an operation rate for the entirety of the apparatus is restricted by the measurement of a specimen by the measurement unit. Therefore, a specimen need not be quickly supplied to the measurement unit. That is, since a sequence time for measuring a specimen by the measurement unit is long, a time in which a state of the container is detected need not be shortened. However, in the specimen processing system disclosed in <CIT>, in a case where the sequence time for measuring a specimen by the measurement unit is shortened, a problem may arise that detection of a state of the container, such as detection for presence or absence of the seal of the container, restricts an operation rate to inhibit a measurement time from being shortened. A specimen measurement apparatus and a method performed in the specimen measurement apparatus is also described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.

A specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to a first aspect of the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect has the above-described configuration. Therefore, when the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is detected, movement of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) need not be temporarily stopped. Accordingly, a period of time during which at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) is detected can be shortened as compared with a case where relative movement of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is temporarily stopped to perform the detection. This can prevent an operation of detecting a state of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) from interfering with shortening of a specimen measurement time.

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) preferably detects at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) or the cap (<NUM>), based on a moving distance or a movement position by the movement mechanism (<NUM>). In this configuration, the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can perform the detection at timing when the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is at a position at which the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can detect the container (<NUM>, <NUM>). Therefore, at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) or the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) can be easily detected without temporarily stopping relative movement of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>).

In this case, the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably includes a motor (30a) and an encoder (30b), and the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) preferably detects at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) or the cap (<NUM>), based on an output from the encoder (30b). In this configuration, a moving distance or a movement position by the movement mechanism (<NUM>) can be easily obtained.

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably moves the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs detection. In this configuration, detection of at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) or the cap (<NUM>) can be performed without temporarily stopping the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

In this case, a reference position at which a relative position of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is known is preferably set in a section in which the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is moved, and the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably moves the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the reference position that is set as a start point. In this configuration, the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs the detection at timing when the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) has been moved over a predetermined distance from the reference position to the position at which the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs the detection, whereby detection of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be assuredly performed while the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is being moved.

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably moves the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs detection. In this configuration, detection of at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) or the cap (<NUM>) can be performed without temporarily stopping the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the container (<NUM>, <NUM>).

In this case, an initial position of the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is preferably set, and the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably moves the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) from the initial position that is set as a start point. In this configuration, the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs the detection at timing when the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has been moved over a predetermined distance from the initial position to the position of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>), whereby the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be assuredly detected also while the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is being moved.

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, preferably, the movement mechanism linearly transports a specimen rack (<NUM>) storing a plurality of containers, and the detector detects at least one of each container stored in the specimen rack or the cap of each container in a state where the movement mechanism is moving the specimen rack relative to the detector. In this configuration, the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can perform the detection while a plurality of the containers (<NUM>, <NUM>) are linearly moved in a state of being stored in the specimen rack (<NUM>). Therefore, detection can be performed while the plurality of the containers (<NUM>, <NUM>) are moved. Thus, the detection time can be effectively shortened as compared with a case where each of the plurality of the containers (<NUM>, <NUM>) is temporarily stopped to perform the detection.

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably includes a rotatable table (<NUM>, <NUM>), and transports the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the rotatable table (<NUM>, <NUM>) by rotating the rotatable table (<NUM>, <NUM>). In this configuration, the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the rotatable table (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be detected without temporarily stopping rotation of the rotatable table (<NUM>, <NUM>).

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, the movement mechanism transports a specimen rack storing a plurality of containers, and the detector detects the cap (<NUM>) of each container stored in the specimen rack in a state where the movement mechanism is moving the specimen rack relative to the detector. In this configuration, detection of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) can be performed without temporarily stopping relative movement of the specimen rack. Furthermore, the unsealing and change of the dispensing method can be performed for each container in the specimen rack based on the detection result of presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>).

In the specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect, the movement mechanism comprises holders each configured to hold a container and transports the holders, and the detector detects disposition of at least one container held by at least one of the holders. In this configuration, an operation for measurement can be performed only at a position where the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is present without performing the operation at a position where the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is absent, based on presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) in each holder. Thus, shortening of the measurement time can be effectively promoted.

The specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect preferably includes a controller (<NUM>) programmed to control the movement mechanism (<NUM>). The controller (<NUM>) is preferably programmed to store a detection result from the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). In this configuration, the controller (<NUM>) can control the relative movement for detecting the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and store the detection result.

In this case, an information obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain information is preferably provided, and the information obtaining unit (<NUM>) preferably obtains information about at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) or presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>), based on the detection result, from the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), which is stored in the controller (<NUM>). In this configuration, the controller (<NUM>), which causes the detection result to be stored, need not analyze the detection result. Therefore, increase of processing load for detection can be prevented.

The specimen measurement apparatus (<NUM>) according to the first aspect preferably includes a storage unit (<NUM>) configured to store information; and an information obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to perform association of information. The detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) preferably obtains first information about at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>). The storage unit (<NUM>) preferably stores second information about at least one of time when the first information is obtained, and a position of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at the time. The information obtaining unit (<NUM>) preferably associates, based on the second information, the first information with third information about at least one of identification of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a position of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the movement mechanism (<NUM>). In this configuration, after the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has performed the detection, the information obtaining unit (<NUM>) can perform analysis so as to perform association of information. Therefore, increase of processing load for the detection can be inhibited.

A method according to a second aspect of the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>. a method performed in a specimen measurement apparatus. The method includes: moving a container that can store a specimen relative to a detector; detecting, by the detector, at least one of a container (<NUM>, <NUM>) that can store a specimen or a cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) while moving the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to a detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

The method according to the second aspect is configured as described above. Therefore, when the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is detected, movement of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) need not be temporarily stopped. Accordingly, a period of time during which at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) is detected can be shortened as compared with a case where relative movement of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is temporarily stopped to perform the detection. This can prevent an operation of detecting a state of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) from interfering with shortening of a specimen measurement time.

In the method according to the second aspect, detection for presence or absence of at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the cap (<NUM>) is preferably performed based on a moving distance or a movement position by the movement mechanism (<NUM>). In this configuration, the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can perform the detection at timing when the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) is at a position at which the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can detect the container (<NUM>, <NUM>). Therefore, at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) can be easily detected without temporarily stopping relative movement of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>).

In the method according to the second aspect, the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably moves the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs detection. In this configuration, detection for presence or absence of at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the cap (<NUM>) can be performed without temporarily stopping the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

In the method according to the second aspect, the movement mechanism (<NUM>) preferably moves the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) performs detection. In this configuration, detection for presence or absence of at least one of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the cap (<NUM>) can be performed without temporarily stopping the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the container (<NUM>, <NUM>).

In the method according to the second aspect, a detection result from the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at a predetermined position is preferably stored while the movement mechanism (<NUM>) is moving the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). In this configuration, the controller (<NUM>) can control the relative movement for detecting the container (<NUM>, <NUM>), and store the detection result.

In this case, information about at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) is preferably obtained based on a stored detection result from the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). In this configuration, the controller (<NUM>), which causes the detection result to be stored, need not analyze the detection result of at least one of presence or absence of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and presence or absence of the cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>), and obtain the result as information. Therefore, increase of processing load for detection can be inhibited. A specimen measurement apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>. A method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Firstly, the outline of a specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> measures a specimen that contains a target component.

The specimen includes a specimen which is derived from an organism and collected from a subject. The specimen contains a target component to be measured. The specimen may be a specimen itself, or a measurement sample prepared by adding a predetermined reagent to a specimen. The subject is mainly a human subject. However, the subject may be an animal other than a human subject. For example, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> measures a specimen collected from a patient, for a clinical laboratory test or medical research. The specimen derived from an organism is, for example, liquid such as blood (whole blood, serum, or plasma), urine, or another body fluid collected from the subject, or liquid obtained by subjecting the collected body fluid or blood to predetermined pretreatment. Furthermore, the specimen may be, for example, a part of tissue of the subject or a cell thereof other than liquid. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> detects a predetermined target component which is contained in the specimen. The target component may include, for example, a predetermined component in a blood or urine specimen, a cell, and a particle component. The target component may be nucleic acid such as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a cell and an intracellular substance, an antigen or an antibody, protein, peptide, or the like.

The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes a measurement unit <NUM> for measuring a specimen. The measurement unit <NUM> may be a measurement unit that functions as an independent analyzer such as a blood cell counter, a blood coagulation analyzer, an immunoassay apparatus, or a urine particle analyzer. The measurement unit <NUM> may be configured to perform necessary tasks for measuring a specimen in conjunction with another unit without functioning as an independent analyzer.

The measurement unit <NUM> is configured to measure a component contained in a specimen. Specifically, the measurement unit <NUM> measures a measurement sample in which a reagent in a reagent container is added to a specimen, to measure a component in the specimen. A method, performed by the measurement unit <NUM>, for measuring a target component is not limited to a specific method, and a chemical method, an optical method, an electromagnetic method, or the like can be adopted according to a target component. For example, presence or absence of a target component, the number of the target components or an amount of the target component, a concentration or an abundance of the target component, and the like are analyzed based on the result of the measurement by the measurement unit <NUM>.

The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes a detector <NUM> for detecting at least one of disposition and a structure of a container <NUM> which can store a specimen. The detector <NUM> detects, for example, presence or absence of the container <NUM>. Furthermore, the detector <NUM> detects disposition of the container <NUM>. Moreover, the detector <NUM> detects, for example, presence or absence of a cap of the container <NUM>. The detector <NUM> may be, for example, a sensor for detecting reflection of applied light, a sensor for detecting transmission of applied light, or a camera for taking an image of the container <NUM>. The detector <NUM> may be a line camera. The detector <NUM> may be a magnetic sensor, a contact sensor, a sensor for detecting eddy current, or an ultrasonic sensor.

The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes a movement mechanism <NUM> for moving the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> is implemented by, for example, a conveyor or a rotatable table, and may perform relative movement of the container <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> may include a linear motor and move the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> may move the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM> which is stationary, or may move the detector <NUM> relative to the container <NUM> which is stationary. The movement mechanism <NUM> may move both the container <NUM> and the detector <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> may move the container <NUM> while being stored in a rack.

In the present embodiment, the detector <NUM> detects the container <NUM> which is being moved relative thereto by the movement mechanism <NUM>. That is, the detector <NUM> detects the container <NUM> without temporarily stopping movement of the container <NUM> relative thereto.

In the present embodiment, since the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> has the above-described configuration, movement of the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM> need not be temporarily stopped when detection of the container <NUM> is performed. Therefore, a period of time during which at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> is detected can be shortened as compared with a case where at least one of the disposition and the structure thereof is detected by temporarily stopping the relative movement of the container <NUM>. This can inhibit an operation for detecting the state of the container <NUM> from interfering with shortening of a specimen measurement time.

Next, a specimen measurement method according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the specimen measurement method according to the present embodiment, at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> which can store a specimen is detected while the specimen is being moved relative to the detector <NUM>, and at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> is specified based on a result of detection by the detector <NUM>, to measure the specimen.

In the specimen measurement method according to the present embodiment, when detection of the container <NUM> is performed, movement of the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM> need not be temporarily stopped due to the above-described configuration. Therefore, a period of time during which at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> is detected can be shortened as compared with a case where at least one of the disposition and the structure thereof is detected by temporarily stopping the relative movement of the container <NUM>. This can inhibit an operation for detecting the state of the container <NUM> from interfering with shortening of a specimen measurement time.

An example of the configuration of the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be more specifically described with reference to <FIG> shows an automatic measurement apparatus for blood coagulation analysis as an example of the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM>.

For example, in <FIG>, in the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM>, a light transmitter applies light to a measurement sample prepared by adding a reagent to a specimen, and a light receiver detects transmitted light or scattered light obtained from the light applied to the measurement sample. The specimen is plasma or serum separated from blood. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> analyzes the specimen by using a coagulation method, a synthetic substrate method, immunonephelometry, or an agglutination method. An analyzer <NUM> analyzes the specimen based on the detected light.

In the coagulation method, light is applied to a measurement sample, and a coagulation time in which fibrinogen in the specimen is converted into fibrin is measured based on an electrical signal of the transmitted light or scattered light obtained from the sample. Examples of the measurement item in the coagulation method include PT (prothrombin time), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), and Fbg (amount of fibrinogen).

In the synthetic substrate method, light is applied to a measurement sample, and a degree of coloring due to action of a chromogenic synthetic substrate on an enzyme in the measurement sample is measured based on an electrical signal of the transmitted light obtained from the sample. Examples of the measurement item in the synthetic substrate method include ATIII (antithrombin III), α2-PI (α2-plasmin inhibitor), and PLG (plasminogen).

In immunonephelometry, a reagent that causes antigen-antibody reaction in a coagulation- fibrinolysis factor or the like in a specimen is added to the specimen, and a substance contained in the reagent agglutinates as a result of the antigen-antibody reaction. In immunonephelometry, light is applied to a measurement sample, and an agglutination speed of the substance contained in the reagent in the measurement sample is measured based on an electrical signal of transmitted light or scattered light obtained from the sample. Examples of the measurement item in immunonephelometry include D-dimer and FDP (fibrin degradation product).

In the agglutination method, light is applied to a measurement sample, and change of an absorbance during agglutination reaction of platelets or the like in the measurement sample is measured based on an electrical signal of transmitted light obtained from the sample. Examples of the measurement item in the agglutination method include vWF:RCo (von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor) and platelet aggregability.

Furthermore, for example, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> may be an automatic measurement apparatus for immunoassay. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> uses antigen-antibody reaction between a target component in blood and a component in a reagent to detect the target component. As the target component, for example, an antigen or an antibody, protein, peptide, or the like that is contained in blood is detected. Serum or plasma is obtained as the specimen, and the immunoassay apparatus quantitatively or qualitatively measures, for example, an antigen or antibody contained in the specimen. The antigen-antibody reaction includes, in addition to a reaction between an antigen and an antibody, reaction using a specifically binding substance such as an aptamer. The aptamer is a nucleic acid molecule or peptide that is obtained by synthesis so as to specifically bind to a specific substance.

The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> measures light generated from the sample, that is, chemiluminescence based on a test substance contained in the specimen. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> generates measurement data based on the light measured by the measurement unit.

In the description herein, the chemiluminescence is light generated by using energy caused by a chemical reaction. The chemiluminescence is, for example, light that is emitted when molecules excited into an excited state by chemical reaction are returned from the excited state to a ground state. The chemiluminescence measured by the measurement unit is based on, for example, chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA), and is light generated by a reaction between an enzyme and a substrate.

In the chemiluminescent enzyme immuno-measurement method, for example, the <NUM>-STEP method is used in which (<NUM>) a test substance in the specimen is carried by a solid support in a reaction container, (<NUM>) primary BF separation for separating the solid phase that carries the test substance, and a liquid phase from each other is then performed, (<NUM>) the solid phase that carries the test substance in the reaction container is bound to a labelling substance, (<NUM>) secondary BF separation is performed, and (<NUM>) a chemiluminescent substrate is added into the reaction container to cause enzymatic reaction. The chemiluminescent enzyme immuno-measurement method includes a known <NUM>-STEP method, a D-<NUM>-STEP method (Delayed <NUM>-STEP method), and the like as well as the <NUM>-STEP method. Examples of the measurement item in the <NUM>-STEP method include HBsAg. Examples of the measurement item in the <NUM>-STEP method include HBsAb. Examples of the measurement item in the D-<NUM>-STEP method include FT3, FT4, and TSH.

The chemiluminescence measured by the measurement unit may be, for example, light based on chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CLIA), electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA method), luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay (LOCI method), bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay (BLEIA method), or the like.

For example, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> may be an automatic measurement apparatus for measuring and analyzing a blood cell. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> causes a measurement sample prepared by mixing a blood specimen and a reagent to flow in a flow path, detects a component of a blood cell that flows in the flow path, and performs counting. The measurement section in a unit for blood cell analysis performs the measurement by, for example, a flow cytometry method. That is, the measurement section includes a flow path portion that allows a sample to flow therethrough, a light transmitter that applies measurement light to the sample flowing in the flow path portion, and a light receiver that detects the light applied to the sample.

The measurement section causes a particle such as a cell to flow in the flow of sheath liquid which is formed in the flow path portion, causes the light transmitter to apply laser light to the flowing particle, and causes the light receiver to detect scattered light and fluorescence. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> analyzes individual particles based on the light measured by the measurement section. For example, a scattergram is generated by using, as parameters, an intensity of the scattered light and an intensity of the fluorescence in combination, and the sample is analyzed based on the distribution in the scattergram, and the like. Examples of the measurement item in the flow cytometry method include NEUT (neutrophil), LYMPH (lymphocyte), MONO (monocyte), EO (eosinophil), and BASO (basophil).

Furthermore, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> performs, for example, measurement according to the sheath flow DC detection method. That is, the measurement section includes a flow path portion having an aperture through which a sample flows, and a detector that detects electrical change between paired electrodes (not shown) that are arranged so as to oppose each other across the aperture. The measurement section causes a particle such as a cell to flow in the flow of sheath liquid that passes through the aperture, and causes a direct current to flow between the electrodes. The measurement section detects individual particles based on pulsed current change in the case of each particle passing through the aperture. Examples of the measurement item in the sheath flow DC detection method include the number of WBCs (white blood cells), the number of RBCs (red blood cells), HGB (amount of hemoglobin), HCT (hematocrit value), MCV (mean corpuscular volume), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), and PLT (the number of platelets).

In the example of the configuration shown in <FIG>, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes the measurement unit <NUM>, a transport unit <NUM>, and the analyzer <NUM>. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes detectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as the detector <NUM>. The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes a movement mechanism <NUM> and rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM> as the movement mechanism <NUM>.

In the example of the configuration shown in <FIG>, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> has a function of suctioning a specimen from the container <NUM> that contains the specimen and quantitatively dispensing the specimen into a container <NUM>.

In the transport unit <NUM>, a specimen rack <NUM> is disposed. In the specimen rack <NUM>, a plurality of the containers <NUM> each of which contains a specimen can be disposed. The transport unit <NUM> transports the specimen rack <NUM> which has been set by a user, and locates each container <NUM> at a predetermined specimen suctioning position <NUM> or <NUM>. To each of the specimen rack <NUM> and the container <NUM>, a label (not shown) in which identification information is recorded in a barcode or the like is adhered. The identification information of the specimen rack <NUM> and the container <NUM> is read by a reader <NUM> disposed in a transport route, and is transmitted to the analyzer <NUM>. The specimen in the container <NUM> and the measurement result of the specimen are managed so as to be associated with each other according to the identification information.

The transport unit <NUM> has the movement mechanism <NUM> for moving the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM>. The detector <NUM> performs detection of the container <NUM> which is being moved relative thereto by the movement mechanism <NUM>.

The movement mechanism <NUM> linearly transports the containers <NUM>, and transports the containers <NUM> in a state where the containers <NUM> are stored in the specimen rack <NUM> that can store a plurality of the containers <NUM>. Thus, the detector <NUM> can perform the detection while the plurality of the containers <NUM> are being linearly moved in a state where the plurality of the containers <NUM> are stored in the specimen rack <NUM>. Therefore, the plurality of the containers <NUM> can be detected while being moved. As a result, a detection time can be effectively shortened as compared with a case where detection is performed by temporarily stopping each of the plurality of the containers <NUM>.

The movement mechanism <NUM> moves the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM> which is stationary when the detector <NUM> performs the detection. Thus, at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> can be detected without temporarily stopping the container <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> continuously performs sensing also at a time other than the time of detection for the container <NUM>. Thus, control for frequently switching the sensing of the detector <NUM> between on and off, need not be performed. Accordingly, a load for controlling the detection for the container <NUM> can be inhibited from increasing.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes specimen dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> for suctioning a specimen in the container <NUM> and quantitatively dispensing the specimen into the container <NUM>.

The specimen dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> are each configured as a dispensing arm that holds a specimen dispensing pipette <NUM> such that the pipette <NUM> is pivotable. Each pipette <NUM> is connected to a not-illustrated pump, and can quantitatively suction and discharge the specimen. The specimen dispenser <NUM> can move the pipette <NUM> and suction a predetermined amount of specimen from the container <NUM> at the specimen suctioning position <NUM>. The specimen dispenser <NUM> can move the pipette <NUM> and suction a predetermined amount of specimen from the container <NUM> at the specimen suctioning position <NUM>. Each of the specimen dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> can move the pipette <NUM> and discharge the suctioned specimen into the container <NUM> disposed at a predetermined specimen dispensing position. Each of the specimen dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> changes a suctioning method according to whether or not the container <NUM> from which the specimen is suctioned has a cap <NUM> attached thereto, and suctions the specimen. When the container <NUM> has the cap <NUM> attached thereto, each of the specimen dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> inserts the pipette <NUM> into the cap <NUM> so as to press the container <NUM> from thereabove. When the container <NUM> does not have the cap <NUM> attached thereto, each of the specimen dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> moves the pipette <NUM> downward toward the container <NUM> without pressing the container <NUM>. When the container <NUM> has the cap <NUM> attached thereto, the specimen may be suctioned after the cap <NUM> is opened.

The measurement unit <NUM> optically measures a measurement sample prepared by adding a predetermined reagent to the specimen suctioned by the specimen dispenser <NUM>.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes a mechanism for transferring, to each section, the container <NUM> in which a specimen and a reagent are stored to prepare a measurement sample. In the example of the configuration shown in <FIG>, the measurement unit <NUM> includes the rotatable table <NUM> for transporting the container <NUM>. The rotatable table <NUM> has a ring-like shape in a planar view, and can rotate in the circumferential direction. The rotatable table <NUM> has a plurality of holding holes <NUM> arranged along the circumferential direction. One container <NUM> can be disposed in each holding hole <NUM>. The specimen dispenser <NUM> can dispense the suctioned specimen into a new container <NUM> held by the rotatable table <NUM> at a specimen dispensing position <NUM>. The specimen dispenser <NUM> can also suction a specimen from the container <NUM>, in the rotatable table <NUM>, for storing a specimen.

That is, the movement mechanism <NUM> includes the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM>, and transports the containers <NUM> disposed in the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM>, by rotating the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, the containers <NUM> disposed in the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM> can be detected without temporarily stopping the rotation of the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM>.

A lot of new containers <NUM> are stored in a container storage unit (not shown), and are taken out from the container storage unit one by one. The container <NUM> taken out from the container storage unit can be disposed in the holding hole <NUM> of the rotatable table <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> can detect presence or absence of the container <NUM> disposed in the rotatable table <NUM>. The detector <NUM> is used for confirming that the container <NUM> has been placed in the rotatable table <NUM>. The detector <NUM> is used also for confirming that the container <NUM> has been taken out from the rotatable table <NUM>. The detector <NUM> is used also for confirming that the container <NUM> is not disposed in the rotatable table <NUM> in an initial operation.

In the example of the configuration shown in <FIG>, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> has a function of adding a reagent to a specimen in the container <NUM> to prepare a measurement sample. The measurement sample is a mixture of the specimen and the reagent.

The measurement unit <NUM> has a holding mechanism <NUM> capable of transporting the container <NUM>. The holding mechanism <NUM> can hold and transfer the container <NUM>, and locate the container <NUM> in the holding hole <NUM> or take out the container <NUM> from the holding hole <NUM>. The holding mechanism <NUM> can transfer the held container <NUM> into a disposal outlet <NUM>.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes a reagent table <NUM> for storing a reagent container <NUM> used for measurement, and reagent dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> each of which suctions and discharges a reagent from the reagent container disposed in the reagent table <NUM>.

The reagent table <NUM> is disposed on the inner side of the rotatable table <NUM>, and has a circular shape in a planar view. A plurality of the reagent containers <NUM> can be disposed in the reagent table <NUM> along the circumferential direction. The reagent table <NUM> is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can allow any of the reagent containers <NUM> to be located at a predetermined reagent suctioning position by the rotation.

The reagent dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> each include a reagent dispensing pipette (not shown). The pipette is connected to a not-illustrated pump, and can quantitatively suction and discharge the reagent. The reagent dispenser <NUM> can suction a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container <NUM> positioned at the predetermined reagent suctioning position on the reagent table <NUM>. The reagent dispenser <NUM> can move the pipette to a reagent dispensing position and discharge the predetermined amount of reagent into the container <NUM> disposed at the reagent dispensing position.

The reagent dispenser <NUM> can suction a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container <NUM> disposed at the predetermined reagent suctioning position on the reagent table <NUM>. The reagent dispenser <NUM> can move the pipette to a reagent dispensing position and discharge the predetermined amount of reagent into the container <NUM> at the reagent dispensing position.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes the rotatable table <NUM> for holding and heating the container <NUM> into which the specimen has been dispensed. The rotatable table <NUM> includes a plurality of holding holes <NUM> for holding a plurality of the containers <NUM>, respectively, each of which contains the specimen, and a holding mechanism <NUM> for holding and transferring the container <NUM>. The rotatable table <NUM> has a heater (not shown) incorporated therein for heating the containers <NUM> held in the plurality of the holding holes <NUM>, respectively.

The rotatable table <NUM> has a circular shape in a planar view, and has the plurality of holding holes <NUM> arranged along the circumferential direction. The rotatable table <NUM> is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can transfer the containers <NUM> disposed in the plurality of the holding holes <NUM> in the circumferential direction by rotation while heating the containers <NUM> to a predetermined temperature by the heater. The holding mechanism <NUM> can hold and transfer the container <NUM>, and locate the container <NUM> in the holding hole <NUM> or take out the container <NUM> from the holding hole <NUM>.

The specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> may be configured to perform measurement for the container <NUM> in which a prepared measurement sample has been stored in advance, without having the reagent table <NUM>, the reagent dispenser <NUM>, and the rotatable table <NUM>.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes a detection unit <NUM> for optically measuring a measurement sample in the container <NUM>. The detection unit <NUM> includes container setting portions <NUM> in which the containers <NUM> each containing a specimen are set, and light receivers that are disposed so as to correspond to the container setting portions <NUM>.

In the example of the configuration shown in <FIG>, the detection unit <NUM> includes a plurality of the container setting portions <NUM>. In the detection unit <NUM>, the plurality of container setting portions <NUM> are linearly aligned at predetermined intervals in two rows.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes a holding mechanism <NUM> for transferring the container <NUM> to the detection unit <NUM>.

The holding mechanism <NUM> includes a movement mechanism (not shown) for movement in each of X, Y, and Z directions that are three orthogonal axial directions, and can hold and transfer the container <NUM>. The holding mechanism <NUM> can take out the container <NUM> from the holding hole <NUM> of the rotatable table <NUM>, transfer the container <NUM> to the reagent dispensing position, and set the container <NUM> into which the reagent has been dispensed, in the container setting portion <NUM> of the detection unit <NUM>. The holding mechanism <NUM> can take out the container <NUM> having been measured from the container setting portion <NUM>, and transfer the container <NUM> into a disposal outlet <NUM>.

The measurement sample in the container <NUM> which is set in the container setting portion <NUM> of the detection unit <NUM> is optically measured. A light applying unit applies light for measurement to the container <NUM> which is set in the container setting portion <NUM> of the detection unit <NUM>. The light receiver receives transmitted light or scattered light obtained from the light applied to the container <NUM>, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to an amount of received light. The electrical signal is transmitted to the analyzer <NUM>. The analyzer <NUM> analyzes the specimen based on the electrical signal outputted from the light receiver.

As shown in <FIG>, the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM> includes a control device <NUM> for controlling an operation of the measurement unit <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls an operation of each unit of the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (central processing unit), and controls each section in the measurement unit <NUM> and the transport unit <NUM> according to a program stored in a storage unit. The storage unit includes a storage medium such as a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and a hard disk, and stores programs and data necessary for an operation of the control device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> includes an information obtaining unit <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The information obtaining unit <NUM> may be configured by, for example, software controlled by the program. The memory <NUM> includes a storage medium such as a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and a hard disk. The control device <NUM> controls a controller <NUM> for controlling the movement mechanism <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes, for example, a hardware configuration such as a FPGA (field-programmable gate array) <NUM>. The FPGA <NUM> has a storage unit <NUM> for storing information.

The movement mechanism <NUM> includes a motor 30a and an encoder 30b. The controller <NUM> operates to drive the motor 30a while an amount of drive or a drive position by the encoder 30b is detected. The detector <NUM> detects the container <NUM> or <NUM> which is being moved relative thereto, based on an amount of drive or a drive position, for the motor 30a, which is obtained by the encoder 30b. Thus, a moving distance or a movement position by the movement mechanism <NUM> can be easily obtained.

Specifically, while the controller <NUM> causes the movement mechanism <NUM> to move the container <NUM> or <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM>, the controller <NUM> causes the storage unit <NUM> to store a detection result from the detector <NUM> at a predetermined relative position. Thus, the controller <NUM> can control relative movement for detecting the container <NUM> or <NUM>, and can operate to store the detection result.

The information obtaining unit <NUM> can obtain information. The information obtaining unit <NUM> obtains at least one of information about the disposition of the container <NUM> or <NUM> and information about the structure of the container <NUM> or <NUM>, based on the detection result, from the detector <NUM>, which is stored by the controller <NUM>. Thus, the controller <NUM>, which causes the detection result to be stored, need not analyze the detection result of at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> or <NUM> to obtain the detection result as information. Therefore, increase of processing load for detection can be inhibited.

The information obtaining unit <NUM> can perform association of information. The detector <NUM> obtains first information about at least one of presence or absence of the container <NUM> or <NUM> and presence or absence of the cap <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores second information about at least one of a time when the first information is obtained, and a position of the container <NUM> or <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM> at the time. The information obtaining unit <NUM> associates, based on the second information, the first information with third information about at least one of identification of the container <NUM> or <NUM> and the position of the container <NUM> or <NUM> on the movement mechanism <NUM>. Thus, after the detector <NUM> has performed the detection, the information obtaining unit <NUM> can perform analysis by associating the information. Therefore, increase of processing load for detection can be inhibited.

The FPGA <NUM> determines whether or not the container <NUM> or <NUM> is on the movement mechanism <NUM>, and whether the cap <NUM> is present or absent, at a high speed, without stopping relative movement of the container <NUM> or <NUM>. Specifically, the FPGA <NUM> determines whether the container <NUM> or <NUM> is present or absent during the relative movement, and transmits the result being latched, to a higher-order section. The FPGA <NUM> obtains relationship between the container position and presence or absence of the container <NUM> or <NUM>, from a pulse value of the motor 30a or from the encoder 30b, to latch the result.

The FPGA <NUM> operates at, for example, an operation clock of <NUM>. The container position is set to the monitoring start location position + the first position location + the container interval × n, and the FPGA <NUM> operates. The presence or absence of the container is determined only when the detector <NUM> has passed through the container position. The FPGA <NUM> changes the end flag from <NUM> to <NUM> when all the detections have been ended.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the detector <NUM> (<NUM>) detects presence or absence of the cap <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The detector <NUM> includes a light emitter 20a and a light receiver 20b. The detector <NUM> applies visible light or infrared light from the light emitter 20a toward the light receiver 20b. The light emitter 20a and the light receiver 20b are arranged at different height positions in the up-down direction. That is, the light emitter 20a applies light toward the light receiver 20b in the diagonal direction. In the detector <NUM>, when the container <NUM> does not have the cap <NUM> attached thereto, light from the light emitter 20a reaches the light receiver 20b as shown in <FIG>. The detector <NUM> detects that the cap <NUM> is absent when the light receiver 20b detects the light. In the detector <NUM>, when the container <NUM> has the cap <NUM> attached thereto, the light from the light emitter 20a is blocked by the cap <NUM> and the light does not reach the light receiver 20b, as shown in <FIG>. The detector <NUM> detects that the cap <NUM> is present when the light receiver 20b does not detect the light. The positions of the light emitter 20a and the light receiver 20b in the detector <NUM> may be adjusted according to the sizes and kinds of the container <NUM> and the cap <NUM> to be used.

As shown in <FIG>, the detector <NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM>) detects the disposition of the container <NUM> by detecting the presence of the container <NUM>. The detectors <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed near the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The detectors <NUM> and <NUM> are reflection-type sensors. The detectors <NUM> and <NUM> detect reflected light when the container <NUM> is present. The detectors <NUM> and <NUM> do not detect reflected light when the container <NUM> is absent. The detectors <NUM> and <NUM> may use analog-type sensors.

As shown in <FIG>, the detector <NUM> performs detection of the container <NUM> or <NUM> which is being moved relative thereto, based on a moving distance or a movement position by the movement mechanism <NUM>. Thus, the detector <NUM> can perform the detection at timing when the container <NUM> or <NUM> is at a relative position at which the detector <NUM> can detect the container <NUM> or <NUM>. Therefore, at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> or <NUM> can be easily detected without temporarily stopping relative movement of the container <NUM> or <NUM>.

Specifically, a reference position at which the relative position of the container <NUM> or <NUM> relative to the detector <NUM> is known is set in a section where the container <NUM> or <NUM> is moved by the movement mechanism <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> moves the container <NUM> or <NUM> from the reference position that is set as the start point. Thus, the detector <NUM> performs the detection at timing when the container <NUM> or <NUM> has been moved over a predetermined distance d1 from the reference position to the position at which the detector <NUM> performs the detection, whereby the detector <NUM> can assuredly detect the container <NUM> or <NUM> also while the container <NUM> or <NUM> is being moved. After the container <NUM> or <NUM> has been moved over the distance d1, the detector <NUM> performs the detection each time relative movement of the container <NUM> or <NUM> over an interval d2 for disposing the containers <NUM> or <NUM> is performed. The detection is performed while the position at which the container <NUM> or <NUM> is disposed relative to the detector <NUM>, is moved over a monitor width d3.

The controller <NUM> causes the FPGA <NUM> to latch and store a detection signal from the detector <NUM> each time the position at which the container <NUM> or <NUM> is disposed reaches the detection position.

As shown in <FIG>, the movement mechanism <NUM> may move the detector <NUM> relative to the container <NUM> or <NUM> which is stationary, when the detector <NUM> performs the detection. Thus, at least one of the disposition and the structure of the container <NUM> or <NUM> can be detected without temporarily stopping the detector <NUM> relative to the container <NUM> or <NUM>.

In this case, an initial position of the detector <NUM> is set, and the movement mechanism <NUM> moves the detector <NUM> from the initial position that is set as the start point. Thus, the detector <NUM> performs the detection at timing when the detector <NUM> has been moved over a predetermined distance from the initial position to the position of the container <NUM> or <NUM>, whereby detection for the container <NUM> or <NUM> can be assuredly performed while the detector <NUM> is being moved.

As shown in <FIG>, the movement mechanism <NUM> may move both the detector <NUM> and the container <NUM> or <NUM> when the detector <NUM> performs the detection.

A cap detection process by the controller <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Based on a transport start instruction from the control device <NUM> in step S1, the controller <NUM> causes the movement mechanism <NUM> to start transporting the container <NUM> in step S2.

In step S3, the controller <NUM> determines whether or not the position of transport by the movement mechanism <NUM> is the detection position, based a signal from the encoder 30b. When the position of the transport is not the detection position, the controller <NUM> repeats the determination of step S3 until the position of the transport reaches the detection position. When the position of the transport is the detection position, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the controller <NUM> operates to store the detection result from the detector <NUM>.

In step S5, the controller <NUM> determines whether or not there are still detection positions remaining. When there are still detection positions remaining, the process is returned to step S3. When there is no detection position remaining, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the controller <NUM> operates to end the detection. The controller <NUM> operates to stop transporting the container <NUM>.

When the detection by the detector <NUM> has been ended, the control device <NUM> obtains the detection result stored by the controller <NUM> at any timing in step S7. When all the detection results have been obtained from the controller <NUM>, the control device <NUM> operates to reset the detection result in step S8. Thus, the subsequent detection can be performed.

A container detection process by the controller <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The container detection process is performed in order to detect that the container <NUM> is not disposed in the rotatable tables <NUM> and <NUM>, in the initial operation of the specimen measurement apparatus <NUM>. Based on an instruction from the control device <NUM> for starting rotation of the rotatable table in step S11, the controller <NUM> causes the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM> to start rotating in step S12. The controller <NUM> causes the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM> to perform, for example, one rotation for a few seconds.

In step S13, the controller <NUM> determines whether or not the position of the rotation of the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM> is the detection position, based on a signal from the encoder 30b. When the position of the rotation is not the detection position, the controller <NUM> repeats the determination of step S13 until the position of the rotation reaches the detection position. When the position of the rotation is the detection position, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the controller <NUM> operates to store the detection result from the detector <NUM>.

In step S15, the controller <NUM> determines whether or not there are still detection positions remaining. That is, the controller <NUM> determines whether or not the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM> has performed one rotation. When there are still detection positions remaining, the process is returned to step S13. When there is no detection position remaining, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the controller <NUM> operates to stop the rotation of the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM>, and ends the detection.

When the detection by the detector <NUM> has been ended, the control device <NUM> obtains the detection result stored by the controller <NUM> at any timing in step S17. When the container <NUM> is in the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM>, the control device <NUM> operates to discard the container <NUM> disposed in the rotatable table <NUM> or <NUM> in Step S18. When all the detection results have been obtained from the controller <NUM>, the control device <NUM> operates to reset the detection result in step S19. Thus, the subsequent detection can be performed.

Claim 1:
A specimen measurement apparatus comprising:
a measurement unit (<NUM>) configured to measure a specimen;
a detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to detect at least one of a container (<NUM>, <NUM>) that can store the specimen or a cap (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>);
a movement mechanism (<NUM>) including a motor (30a) and an encoder (30b) and configured to linearly move at least one of a specimen rack (<NUM>) that holds a plurality of the containers (<NUM>) and the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and a controller (<NUM>) programmed to control the movement mechanism (<NUM>), wherein
the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to detect the containers (<NUM>) or the caps (<NUM>) in a state where the movement mechanism (<NUM>) is moving the specimen rack (<NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that:
the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to continuously perform sensing while the movement mechanism (<NUM>) moves the specimen rack (<NUM>) relative to the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), without temporarily stopping a relative movement between the specimen rack (<NUM>) and the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
the controller (<NUM>) is programmed to determine whether a position of transport by the movement mechanism (<NUM>) is a detection position based on a signal from the encoder (30b) and store a detection result from the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when the position of the transport is the detection position, and
the specimen measurement apparatus further comprises an information obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain information on at least one of presence or absence of the containers (<NUM>), or presence or absence of the caps (<NUM>) of the containers (<NUM>), based on the detection result from the detector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) stored in the controller (<NUM>).