Patent ID: 8865072

Claim:
An analysis apparatus analyzing specimens in a plurality of specimen containers stored in a rack, comprising: a first measurement unit configured to remove a specimen container located at a first take out position from the rack, aspirate a specimen in the specimen container, replace it to the rack and measure the aspirated specimen, wherein the first measurement unit comprises a first specimen container transport portion including a first hand portion that removes the specimen container from the first take out position of the rack and replaces it to the rack after the specimen is aspirated; a second measurement unit of the same type as the first measurement unit configured to remove a specimen container located at a second take out position from the rack, aspirate a specimen in the specimen container, replace it to the rack and measure the aspirated specimen, wherein the second measurement unit comprises a second specimen container transport portion including a second hand portion that removes the specimen container from the second take out position of the rack and replaces it to the rack after the specimen is aspirated; a transporter configured to transport the rack in a first direction from the second take out position toward the first take out position and a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a controller programmed to control the transporter and the first and second measurement units to carry out the steps of: transporting the rack storing at least first and second specimen containers in the first direction and locating the first specimen container at the first take out position; removing the first specimen container from the rack and aspirating a specimen; transporting the rack in the second direction and locating the second specimen container at the second take out position; removing the second specimen contained from the rack and apirating a specimen; transporting the rack in the first direction; and replacing the first specimen container in the rack.