Patent ID: 8323566

Claim:
A liquid sample analysis device in which a liquid sample is added to a test piece, the liquid sample is developed in the test piece by capillarity, and a reaction state of a reagent retained on the test piece and the liquid sample is optically detected to analyze a component in the liquid sample, the liquid sample analysis device comprising: the test piece comprising a substrate having a sample adding portion on one side of the test piece and a developing layer that extends to another side of the substrate; a holder part holding the test piece; an optical system that optically detects the reaction state of the liquid sample and the reagent; a support member integrally supporting the holder part and the optical system; a rotating device that rotates the support member; a control unit that controls the rotating device to allow the test piece to be supported in a horizontal position when the liquid sample is added to the sample adding portion, and changes the orientation of the test piece such that the sample adding portion of the test piece is supported in a vertical position for detection of the reaction state of the liquid sample and reagent by the optical system after a lapse of a predetermined time since the addition of the liquid sample; and a sensor that detects the orientation of the test piece with respect to the direction of gravitational force; wherein the support member is rotated to change orientations of the test piece and the optical system with respect to a direction of gravitational force.