Patent ID: 7625524

Claim:
An automatic analyzer for use with at least one reagent bottle having at least one opening for extracting a reagent contained therein, said opening being closed by a puncturable seal member for sealing a reagent from outside atmosphere, said analyzer comprising: a reagent extracting and dispensing mechanism having a reagent probe with a nozzle for extracting and dispensing a reagent in said reagent bottle through said opening of said reagent bottle; a reaction cell in which a sample to be analyzed is mixed with said reagent extracted and dispensed from said reagent bottle; measuring means for measuring a reaction between said sample and said reagent extracted and dispensed from said reagent bottle; a piercing tool to be attached to said nozzle for piercing the puncturable seal member, said piercing tool being removable from said nozzle, said piercing tool having a hollow interior into which said nozzle is inserted from one end of said piercing tool, an opposite end of said piercing tool being a pointed needle having no opening therein, and a container for holding said piercing tool before said piercing tool is attached to said nozzle, and for holding said piercing tool after said piercing tool is removed from said nozzle, a mechanism for taking said piercing tool out of said container and fitting said piercing tool to said nozzle before the start of piercing the puncturable seal of said at least one reagent bottle, and for returning said piercing tool to said container after the end of the piercing of the puncturable seal, wherein said piercing tool comprises a lever locking said piercing tool to said nozzle when said nozzle is inserted therein to prevent said piercing tool from slipping off from said nozzle, and wherein said container has means for unlocking said lever from said nozzle to remove said piercing tool from said nozzle.