Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-201175 filed on Sep. 27, 2013, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an analyzer, analyzing method, and tip container used in the analyzing method. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional analyzer which is detachably installed with a rack containing a plurality of pipette tips is known (see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0178795). 
     Before being set in the analyzer, the rack is stored in a state wherein upper and lower covers are mounted. When performing measurements, the user removes the upper cover after the rack is set, and issues an instruction to start the measurement. 
     In the conventional analyzer, if the user fails to remove the upper cover before a measurement starts, a dispensing unit comes into contact with the upper cover when moving to the rack in order to equip the pipette tip, and an error is generated. In such case, a considerable time must be consumed to cancel the error and to make a recovery process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention is an analyzer comprising: a liquid container mounting section in which a liquid container are set; a container mounting section in which at least one tip container accommodating a plurality of pipette tips is set; a cover detecting section that detects a presence of a cover mounted on the tip container; a dispensing section that equips a pipette tip accommodated in the tip container and dispenses a quantity of liquid from the liquid container to a reaction container via the equipped pipette tip; a detecting section that interrogate a property of the liquid; and a controller programmed to prohibit a process of equipping the pipette tip by the dispensing section when the cover on the tip container is detected, and permits the process when no cover is detected. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a method implemented in an analyzer, comprising: at an analyzer installed with a liquid container, a reaction container and a tip container accommodating a plurality of pipette tips, receiving an instruction to start a measurement; detecting a presence or absence of a cover mounted on the tip container in response to the instruction; carrying out, when no cover is detected, an operation comprising: equipping a dispensing section of the analyzer with a pipette tip in the tip container when no cover is detected; dispensing a quantity of liquid from the liquid container to the reaction container via the pipette tip; and interrogating a property of the liquid in the reaction container, and avoiding the operation when a cover is detected. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a tip container installed to and used by the analyzer in the above mentioned method, comprising: a main container body capable of accommodating a plurality of pipette tips; and a cover mounted on the tip container main body; wherein the cover has a detection part to be detected by the analyzer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gene amplification detection apparatus of a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tip container of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the tip container of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view on the 500-500 line of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the tip container of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the stacked tip container covers of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows the inside of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  shows the tip container mounting section of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  shows the main detecting section of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  shows the tip container mounted in the tip container mounting section of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  shows the cover removed from the tip container mounted in the tip container mounting section of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  shows the main detecting section when the tip container is not mounted in the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  shows the main detecting section when the tip container is mounted in the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  shows the cover detecting section when the cover is not mounted on the tip container in the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  shows the cover detecting section when the cover is mounted on the tip container in the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  shows the dispensing section of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  shows the tip container mounting reminder screen of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  shows the cover removal reminder screen of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a flow chart illustrating the measurement process of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  shows the tip container from which tips have been used mounted in the gene amplification detecting apparatus of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  shows the empty tip container mounted in the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  shows the tip container replacement reminder screen of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  shows another tip container replacement reminder screen of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 25  is a flow chart illustrating the measurement process of the gene amplification detecting apparatus of the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     The first embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to the appended drawings. 
     The general structures of the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  and the tip container  1  are described below referring to  FIGS. 1 through 19 . 
     The gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) is used to support a diagnosis of cancer metastasis in surgically excised tissue. The gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  is configured to amplify cancer genes present in the excised tissue using the LAMP (loop mediated isothermal amplification) method, and measure (detect) the turbidity of the liquid produced in conjunction with the amplification of the genes. Details of the LAMP method are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,278. 
     The tip container  1  (see  FIG. 2 ) which accommodates pipette tips (hereinafter referred to as “tips”)  150  (see  FIG. 3 ) is arranged in the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100 . The structure of the tip container  1  is described next below, followed by a description of the structure of the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100 . 
     The tip container  1  includes a tip container body  10  and a cover  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The material of the tip container  1  is not specifically limited and may be, for example, a resin material. In the first embodiment, the tip  150  accommodated in the tip container  1  is formed of a conductive resin material containing carbon, and a filter is installed on the inside to prevent an erroneous influx of liquid. The tip  150  is tapered from the base part  150   c  toward the tip part  150   b . A collar  150   a  is formed on the base part  150   c  of the tip  150 . Note that the material of the tip  150  is not specifically limited to conductive resin material. 
     The tip container body  10  includes a tip support (hereinafter “support”)  12  which supports the tip  150  so as to be removable, and a tip holding part (hereinafter “holder”)  11  which accommodates the tip part  150   b  of the tip  150  supported by the support part  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     The holder  11  is configured by a bottom part  11   a  and side part  11   b.  Specifically, the holder  11  has a substantially rectangular box-like shape with a substantially open top surface. The holder  11  is configured to be disposed below the support  12 . Holes  11   c  are provided at the respective top ends of the four corners of the holder  11 . 
     The support  12  includes tip insertion holes (hereinafter “insertion hole”)  13 , gripper  14 , fixing part  15 , and reinforcing rib  16 . The tip  150  is able to be inserted in the insertion hole  13 . Thirty-six insertion holes  13  are arranged in a 6×6 matrix. Each insertion hole  13  is cylindrical in shape extending downward from the top surface of the support  12 . The insertion hole  13  has a stepped portion  13   a  near the opening. The stepped portion  13   a  is configured to fit the collar  150   a  of the tip  150 . The reinforcing ribs  13   b  are formed between mutually adjacent insertion holes  13 . 
     The grippers  14  are formed individually at the center of each of the four sides of the support  12 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The respective grippers  14  are configured so as to protrude to the outside from the side surface  21  of the cover  20  when the cover  20  is mounted on the tip container body  10 . 
     The fixing part  15  is provided in pairs on each of the four sides of the support  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fixing part  15  is configured so as to protrude in a lateral direction from the bottom end position of the side surface of the support  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the reinforcing rib  16  is provided individually at the four corners of the support  12 . Specifically, the reinforcing ribs  16  are configured so as to protrude to the outside from the bottom end position of the corners formed by the meeting of two adjacent sides of the support  12 . The reinforcing ribs  16  connect the two fixing parts  15  on the two adjacent sides. A projecting part (not shown in the drawings) also is formed on the bottom end of the respective four reinforcing ribs  16 . The support  12  is detachably mounted on the holder  11  when the projecting part engages the hole  11   c  of the holder  11 . 
     The cover  20  is configured to be removably fitted to the top part of the tip container body  10 . Hence, the top part of the tip container body  10  is easily covered by the cover  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cover  20  is configured to cover the base part  150   c  of the tip  150  inserted into the insertion hole  13  of the support  12 . The cover  20  integratedly includes the side surface  21 , top surface  22 , detection part  23 , and convexity  24 . 
     The side surface  21  extends downward from the edge  22   a  of the top surface  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the top surface  22  is substantially square in shape in planar view. 
     The detection part  23  is provided on all four corners  20   a  of the cover  20 . The detection part  23  extends laterally to the outside from the side surface  21 . The bottom end (side in the Z2 direction) of the detection part  23  is a flat surface, extending approximately parallel (XY plane) to the top surface  22 . The detection part  23  is provided at a position lower than the top surface  22  of the cover  20 . Specifically, the detection part  23  is provided near the bottom end of the side surface  21 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The detection part  23  protrudes to the outside more than the fixing part  15  and the reinforcing rib  16  of the tip container body  10 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . A cover detector  34  detects the presence or absence of the detection part  23  at a position corresponding to the cover detector  34  (described later) for all detection parts  23  provided on the cover  20 . Hence, the presence or absence of the cover  20  on the tip container body  10  can be detected. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the detection part  23  has a reinforcing rib  23   a . The reinforcing rib  23   a  extends approximately perpendicular to the detection part  23 . The reinforcing rib  23   a  is provided at a lower position than the top surface  22  of the cover  20 . Specifically, the reinforcing rib  23   a  is provided near the bottom end of the side surface  21 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The reinforcing rib  23   a  extends on a straight line from the opposite corner of the substantially square shaped top surface  22 . The reinforcing rib  23   a  passes through the vicinity of the center of the detection part  23 . 
     Four convexities  24  are provided on the top surface  22  so as to protrude upward. The four convexities  24  are disposed near the respective corners  20   a  of the cover  20 . In planar view, the four convexities  24  are disposed near the inner surface  21   a  of the side surface  21 . When a plurality of covers  20  are stacked as shown in  FIG. 6 , the plurality of convexities  24  of one cover  10  mutual engage the side surface (inner surface  21   a ; refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the other cover  20 . 
     The structure of the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  is described below. 
     The gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  includes a tip container mounting section  30  in which are mounted tip containers  1 , a liquid container mounting section  40 , and reaction detecting section  50 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  also includes a dispensing section  60 , tip disposal section  70 , touch panel  80 , a CPU  90  (see  FIG. 8 ) which controls the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100 . 
     Three tip container mounting sections  30  are provided on a set rack  31 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The tip container mounting section  30  is provided with an open part  32 , body detecting section  33 , cover detecting section  34 , and fixing mechanism  35 . The tip container body of the tip container  1  can be mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 . Note that the respective placement positions of the three tip container mounting sections  30  are sequential from the back side (X2 direction side) in the order “back,” “middle,” “front.” 
     The open part  32  is substantially square in shape and corresponds to the tip container mounting body  10  in planar view. The tip container body  10  of the tip container  1  is accommodated in the open part  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The open part  32  is configured so that the gripper  14  of the tip container body  10  and the side surface  21  of the cover  20  are exposed above the set rack  31  when the tip container  1  is accommodated. 
     The body detecting section  33  includes a lever  331 , rotating shaft  332 , and light sensor  333 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . One body detecting section  33  is provided in each of the three individual open parts  32 . The body detecting section  33  is configured to detect the presence or absence of the tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , that is, to detect whether a tip container body  10  is accommodated in the open part  32 . 
     A single lever  331  is provided on the side part inside the open part  32 . The lever  331  is configured to protrude toward the inside of the open part  32  from the inner side surface of the open part  32 . The lever  331  is configured to pivot on the rotating shaft  332 , and rotates when the end  331   a  comes into contact with the tip container body  10  when the tip container body  10  is accommodated in the open part  32 . In this situation the other end  331   b  of the lever  331  does not block the light from the light sensor  333 . Therefore, the CPU  90  detects that the tip container body  10  is accommodated in the open part  32 . The body detecting section  33  and CPU  90  thereby detect whether a tip container body  10  is mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 . 
     The cover detecting section  34  includes a lever  341 , rotating shaft  342 , and light sensor  343 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . One cover detecting section  34  is provided in each of the three individual open parts  32 . The cover detecting section  34  is configured to detect the presence or absence of the cover  20  on the top part of the tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , that is, to detect the whether the cover  20  is installed on the tip container body  10 . Note that in the first embodiment the tip container body  1  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30  is used when the cover  20  is not installed on the top part. 
     A single lever  341  is provided at the corner of the open part  32 . The lever  341  is configured to pivot on a rotating shaft  342 . The lever  341  is configured to rotate when in the contact part  341   a  comes into contact with the detecting part  23  of the cover  20  when the cover  20  is mounted on the tip container body  10  accommodated in the open part  32 . In this situation the shield part  341   b  of the lever  341  does not block the light from the light sensor  343 . Therefore, the CPU  90  detects the presence of the cover  20  on the tip container body  10  accommodated in the open part  341 . The cover detecting section  34  and the CPU  90  therefore detect whether the cover  20  is installed on the tip container body  10 . When the cover  20  is removed from the tip container body  10 , the lever  341  is rotated by the weight of the perpendicular part  341   c  provided on the opposite side from the contact part  341   a  via the rotating shaft  342 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the fixing mechanism  35  includes a lever  351 , and plate  352 . The lever  351  is configured to move the plate  352  in the direction (X direction) in which the three open parts  32  are arranged. The plate  352  is configured to be slidable above the fixing part  15  of the tip container body  10  accommodated in the open part  32 , between the fixing part  15  and the gripper  14  (see  FIG. 4 ). Hence, the tip container body  10  accommodated in the open part  32  of the tip container mounting section  30  is prevented from rising up. 
     Each type of liquid container containing a predetermined liquid is mounted in the liquid container mounting section  40 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Specifically, the liquid container set holes  41   a  through  41   c  are provided in the liquid container mounting section  40  to hold liquid containers. A primer reagent container  42   b , which contains cytokeratin (CK19) used as a primer, is disposed in the second liquid container set hole  41   b  from the innermost side (X2 direction side) of the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100 . An enzyme reagent container  42   a  which contains cytokeratin enzyme reagent is disposed in the liquid container set hole  41   a  on the innermost side Sample containers  42   c  which contain solubilized extract as samples prepared through processing of excised tissue through homogenization, filtration, and dilution and the like, are disposed in the other  16  liquid container set holes  41   c . A shutter member  43  which operates to open and close and is open when enzyme is dispensed from the enzyme reagent container  42   a , is disposed near the liquid container set hole  41   a  which accommodates the enzyme reagent container  42   a . The liquid container set holes  41   a  through  41   c  are spaced at predetermined distance from one another. 
     A plurality (eight in the first embodiment) of reaction detecting blocks  50   a  are provided in the reaction detecting section  50 . The reaction detecting block  50   a  of the reaction detecting section  50  are configured by a reaction unit  51 , turbidity detector (not shown in the drawings), and a cover mechanism  52 . Each reaction unit  51  is provided with two detection cell set holes  51   a  for placement of detection cells  51   b . The cover mechanism  52  is configured to be openable and closable so as to cover the detection cell  51   b  placed in the reaction unit  51 . 
     The turbidity detecting unit includes an LED light which emits blue (wavelength: 465 nm) light as a light source, and a photodiode as a light receiver. Two turbidity detecting units are arranged in each reaction detection block  50   a.  The reaction detection block  50   a  of the reaction detecting section  50  is configured to detect the presence or absence of the detection cell  51   b  by the light receiver detecting the intensity of the light from the light source which irradiates the detection cell  51   b , and detect and monitoring in real time the turbidity of the liquid in the detection cell  51   b.    
     The dispensing section  60  is movable in the X direction and the Y direction by a belt driven by the drive unit  65  (see  FIG. 8 ). The dispensing section  60  includes two syringe units  61  (see  FIG. 17 ). The two syringe units  61  are movable in the Z direction (vertical direction) by a syringe elevator unit (not shown in the drawing). The dispensing section  60  is configured to removably install the tip  150  held in the tip container body  10 . The dispensing section  60  aspirates and dispenses the liquid in the liquid containers (enzyme reagent container  42   a , primer reagent container  42   b , and sample containers  42   c ) through the installed tip  150 . 
     Specifically, the syringe unit  61  includes a nozzle  61   a  which is removably mounted on the tip  150 , a pump unit  61   b  for aspirating and discharging, motor  61   c  for driving the pump unit  61   b , capacitance sensor  61   d , and pressure sensor  61   e , as shown in  FIG. 17 . The syringe unit  61  aspirates and discharges by the changing the movement of a piston that rotates the motor  61   c  in the pump unit  61   b . The capacitance sensor  61   d  detects the capacitance of the liquid and the tip  150  which is formed of conductive resin. The pressure sensor  61   e  detects the pressure during aspiration and discharge by the pump unit  61   b.  The capacitance sensor  61   d  and the pressure sensor  61   e  detect whether aspiration and discharge are reliably performed. In the first embodiment, the sequence of the installation of the tip  150  held in the tip container body  10  by the dispensing section  60  is predetermined. When the tip  150  is installed by the dispensing section  60 , the dispensing section  60  starts the installation of the tip  150  from the next position when it was last used because the position of the installed tip is stored in the memory unit  91 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the tip disposal section  70  has two tip disposal apertures  70   a  for discarding the used tips  150 . 
     The touch panel  80  is provided on the front side (X1 direction side) of the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100 . The touch panel  80  is configured to display predetermined information (for example, messages for the user). The touch panel  80  also receives information by user input (for example, instructions to start a measurement). Specifically, the user input operation is received by the touch panel  80  and the CPU  90 . 
     The CPU  90  is configured to read the measurement process program from the memory section  91 , such as a HDD, RAM or the like, and control the storage of the obtained information in memory section  91 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The CPU  91  (see  FIG. 8 ) also is configured to control the operation of the dispensing section  60  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33  and the cover detecting section  34  (hereinafter referred to simply as “detection results”). 
     Specifically, the CPU  90  first determines whether a tip container body  10  is mounted in all three tip container mounting sections  30  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33 . When a tip container body  10  is not mounted in all three tip container mounting sections  30 , the CPU  90  identifies the position of the tip container mounting section  30  which does not have a mounted tip container body  10  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33 . The CPU  90  then displays on the touch panel  80  the position information (for example, “front”) identifying the tip container mounting section  30  which does not have a mounted tip container body  10 , and a message prompting the user to mount a tip container  1  in the identified tip container mounting section  30 . 
     The CPU  90  then determines whether a cover  20  is mounted on any tip container body  10  in the three installed tip container mounting sections  30  based on the detection results of the cover detecting section  34 . The CPU  90  prohibits the operation of installing a tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when at least one tip container body  10  has a mounted cover  20  among the three tip containers  1 . The CPU  90  permits the operation of installing a tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when it is determined that all tip container body  10  are without a mounted cover  20 . 
     When a tip container body  10  has an installed cover  20  among the three tip containers  1 , the CPU  90  identifies the position of the tip container body  10  which has the installed cover  20  based on the detection results of the cover detecting section  34 . The CPU  90  then displays on the touch panel  80  a message including the position information identifying the tip container  1  which has the installed cover  20 , and information prompting the removal of the cover  20 . 
     The CPU  90  is configured to control the operation of the dispensing section  60  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33  and the cover detecting section  34  when the touch panel  80  receives an instruction to start the measurement from the user. 
     The measuring operation performed by the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  of the first embodiment is described below with reference to  FIGS. 7, and 18 through 20 . This process is executed by the CPU  90 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the CPU  90  first determines whether the measurement start button has been pressed in step S 1 . Specifically, the CPU  90  determines whether the user has pressed the measurement start button displayed on the touch panel  80  (see  FIG. 7 ). The CPU  90  repeats the determination until the measurement start button is pressed; when the measurement start button is pressed, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 2 . 
     In step S 2 , the CPU  90  determines whether all three tip containers  1  are mounted based on the detection results of body detecting section  33 . When the three tip containers  1  are mounted in the respective tip container mounting sections  30 , the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 3 . However, when the even one of the three tip containers  1  is not installed, the CPU  90  prohibits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60 , identifies the position of the tip container mounting section  30  which lacks a mounted tip container body  10  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33 , and advances the process to step S 4 . 
     In step S 3 , the CPU  90  determines whether a cover  20  is mounted on any tip container body  10  among the three installed tip containers  1  based on the detection results of the cover detecting section  34 . When at least one tip container body  10  has a mounted cover  20 , the CPU  90  identifies the position of the tip container body  10  with the mounted cover  20  based on the detection results of the cover detecting section  34 , and advances the process to step S 5 . When all tip container bodies are without a cover  20 , the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 7 . Note that details of the tip installation and measurement processes executed in step S 7  are described later. 
     In step S 4 , the CPU  90  displays a message indicating a tip container  1  is missing on the touch panel  80 . Specifically, a reminder screen to mount the tip container (see  FIG. 18 ) is displayed. This reminder screen, for example, shows a message such as “tip container (front) is missing”. Thereafter, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 6 . Thereafter, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 6 . 
     In step S 5 , the CPU  90  prohibits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60 , and displays on the touch panel  80  a message prompting the removal of the cover  20 . Specifically, the cover removal reminder screen (see  FIG. 19 ) is shown based on the detection results of the cover detecting section  34 . The cover removal reminder screen, for example, shows a message such as “Please remove cover  20  from tip container (front)”. Thereafter, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 6 . Thereafter, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 6 . 
     In step S 6 , the CPU  90  determines whether the apparatus has recovered from the error. Specifically, the when the process advances from step S 4  to step S 6 , the CPU  90  determines whether the a tip container  1  is mounted in the tip container mounting section  30  identified as lacking a tip container  1  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33 . When the process advances from step S 5  to step S 6 , the CPU  90  determines whether the cover  20  has been removed from the tip container body  10  identified as having a mounted cover based on the detection results of the cover detecting section  34 . Note that the CPU  90  repeats the determinations until recovery from the error is completed; when the apparatus has recovered from the error, the process returns to step S 2 . 
     The tip installation and measurement processes in step S 7  are summarized below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In step S 7 , the dispensing section  60  first is moved from the initial position to above the (Z1 direction) the tip container mounting section  30 . Thereafter, the two syringes  61  are lowered (Z2 direction) and the tips  150  are respectively installed on the leading end of the nozzle  61   a  (see  FIG. 17 ) of the two syringes  61 . The dispensing section  60  is then moved so that one syringe  61  is above the primer reagent container  42   b , and this syringe  61  aspirates primer reagent. The dispensing section  60  is then moved so that the other syringe  61  is above the primer reagent container  42   b , and this syringe  61  aspirates primer reagent. 
     After aspiration of the primer reagent, the dispensing section  60  is moved above the reaction detecting block  50   a  positioned at the innermost side (side in the X2 direction). At the reaction detecting block  50   a , the syringes  61  are lowered and the primer reagent is respectively discharged into two detection cells  51   b.    
     After the primer reagent has been discharged, the dispensing section  60  is moved above the tip discard section  70 . The tips  150  are then inserted into the two tip disposal holes of the tip discard section  70 . The dispensing section  60  is then moved in the Y1 direction, then raised upward. Thus, the collar  151   b  of the tip  150  is removed from each syringe  61  and discarded. 
     The dispensing section  60  then is again moved above the tip container mounting section  30  by the previously described operation, and tips  150  are installed on the leading ends of the nozzles  61   a  of the two syringes  61 . The dispensing section  60  is then moved so that one syringe  61  is above the enzyme reagent container  42   a , and this syringe  61  aspirates enzyme reagent. The dispensing section  60  is then moved so that the other syringe  61  is above the enzyme reagent container  42   a , and this syringe  61  aspirates enzyme reagent. After aspiration of the enzyme reagent, the dispensing section  60  is moved above the reaction detecting block  50   a  at the innermost side, the syringes  61  are lowered into the reaction detecting block  50   a , and the enzyme reagent is discharged from the tips  150  into two detection cells  51   b . Then the tips  150  of the syringes  61  are discarded via the previously described operation. 
     The dispensing section  60  then is again moved above the tip container mounting section  30  by the previously described operation, and tips  150  are installed on the leading ends of the nozzles  61   a  of the two syringes  61 . The dispensing section  60  is moved above the sample container  42   c , and sample is aspirated from the sample container  42   c  through an operation identical to that of the aspirating operation of the primer reagent and enzyme reagent. The dispensing section  60  then is moved above the reaction detecting block  50   a  at the innermost side, the two syringes are lowered, and sample is discharged into the same two detection cells  51   b . Note that when discharging the sample, the primer and enzyme reagents are mixed with the sample by repeated aspiration and discharge operations. Then the tips  150  of the syringes  61  are discarded via the previously described operation. 
     The cover mechanism  52  is closed after the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample have been discharged into the detection cell  51   b . The target nucleic acid (mRNA) is amplified by LAMP (nucleic acid amplification) reaction by heating the liquid in the detection cell  51   b  from approximately 20° C. to about 65° C. The turbidity caused by the magnesium pyrophosphate produced through amplification is detected (monitored) in real time through the light source and light receiver (not shown in the drawings), and the degree of turbidity is detected. Thereafter, the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample are discharged sequentially into the reaction cell  51   b  of the reaction detecting block  50   a , which is not at the innermost side, according to the number of samples to be measured, an turbidity is detected according to the LAMP reaction. 
     The following effects are obtained in the first embodiment. 
     In the first embodiment, the CPU  90  prohibits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is installed on the top part of the tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , and permits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is absent from the top part of the tip container body  10 . Thus, the generation of an error caused by the dispensing section  60  coming into contact with the cover  20  can be prevented even when the user starts a measurement while having forgotten to remove the cover  20  from the tip container body  10 . As a result, there is no need to perform a process to recover from the error in order to restart the measurement, and there is no loss of time waiting to restart the measurement. Therefore, the measurement can be quickly restarted. A measurement also can be smoothly started without concern of generating an error. 
     In the first embodiment, the CPU  90  permits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is absent from the top part of all the tip container bodies  10  mounted in the three tip container mounting sections  30 , and prohibits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is present on the top part of at least one tip container body  10  mounted in the three tip container mounting sections  30 . A mounting operation also can be smoothly started without concern of generating an error. Error generation also can be reliably prevented when there is concern of generating an error. 
     In the first embodiment, the CPU  90  displays on the touch panel  80  a message prompting the removal of the cover  20  when a cover  20  is present on the top part of the tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 . Therefore, is user is easily notified that a cover  20  is on the tip container body  10 . As a result, the user can quickly remove the cover  20  from the tip container body  10 , and the operation to mount the tip  150  can be quickly restarted. 
     In the first embodiment, when a cover  20  is present on a tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , the CPU  90  displays on the touch panel  80  the position information identifying the tip container body  10  which has the cover  20 . Therefore, is user is easily notified which tip container body  10  has the cover  20 . As a result, the user can quickly identify which tip container body  10  has a mounted cover  10  and remove the cover  20  from the tip container body  10 , and the tip mounting operation can be quickly restarted. 
     In the first embodiment, the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  is prohibited when a cover  20  is installed on the top part of the tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , and the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  is permitted when a cover  20  is absent from the top part of the tip container body  10  mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 . The CPU  90  also prohibits the mounting operation of the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a tip container body  10  is not mounted in a tip container mounting section  30 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent an error generated by the dispensing section  60  performing the tip mounting operation when a tip container body  10  is not mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 . 
     In the first embodiment, the CPU  90  either prohibits or permits the operation to mount the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when the touch panel  80  receives an instruction to start a measurement. Therefore, a measurement can be smoothly started without generating an error. 
     In the first embodiment, a protruding detecting part  23  is provided at all corners  20   a  of a substantially square shaped cover  20 , and the presence or absence of any one among all detecting parts  23  is performed by the cover detecting section  34 . Therefore, when the tip container body  10  is mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , the usability is improved for the user because the user need not be aware of the position of the detecting part  23  and the position of the cover detecting section  34 . Note that the shape of the top surface of the cover  20  is not limited to being substantially square inasmuch as the top surface also may be a polygonal shape such as an approximate equilateral triangle or pentagon or the like. 
     In the first embodiment, the detecting part  23  is provided at a position lower than the tip surface of the cover  20  so as to protrude laterally from the cover  20 . Therefore, the dispensing section  60  is prevented from contacting the detecting part  23  when the tip container body  10  is mounted in the tip container mounting section  30  since the detecting part  23  is not provided on the top side above the top surface  22  of the cover  20 . The generation of an error is even more reliably prevented in this way. 
     In the first embodiment, four convexities  24  are provided near the inner surface of the side surface  21  of the cover  20 , and the four convexities of one cover  20  mutually engage the side surface  21  of another cover  20  when a plurality of covers  20  are stacked. Therefore, a plurality of covers  20  can be stacked in a stable state when several covers  20  are stacked and stored. 
     In the first embodiment, the tip container body  10  includes a support  12  which supports the tip  150  while retaining it&#39;s detachability and has an insertion hole  13  for inserting a tip  150 , and a holder  11  positioned below the support  12  to accommodate the end part  150   b  of the tip  150  inserted into the insertion hole  13  of the support  12 ; and the cover  20  is configured to cover the base  150   c  of the tip  150  which is inserted in the insertion hole  13  of the support  12 . Contamination of the pipette tip by dust or the like is therefore more reliably prevented. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The structure of the gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  of the second embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 8, and 21 and 22 . 
     In the second embodiment, the gene amplification detecting apparatus  200  is configured to be capable of detecting the number of tips  150  in addition to the presence and absence of the tip container  1  and the cover  20 . In the following description, parts having the same reference numbers as the first embodiment are identical to the first embodiment and further description is omitted. 
     In the second embodiment, the CPU  90  (see  FIG. 8 ) is configured to be capable of detecting the number of tips  150  accommodated in the tip container body  10 . Specifically, the CPU  90  calculates the number of tips  150  remaining at the current time by calculating the difference between the number of used tips  150  and the number of tips  150  previously loaded in the tip container body  10 . This calculation is executed by assuming the tip container body  10  is a new part when mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 . Note that the information on the used tips  150  is stored in the memory section  91  each time an operation is performed by the dispensing section  60  of mount the tip  150 . 
     The measuring process performed by the gene amplification detecting apparatus  200  of the second embodiment is described below with reference to  FIGS. 18, 19, and 21 through 25 . This process is executed by the CPU  90 . Note that the processes of steps identified by the same reference numbers as in the first embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment and further description is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , after the measurement start button is pressed, the CPU  90  determines whether a tip container mounting section  30  loaded with tip container  1  is present based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33  in step S 101 . When at least one tip container mounting section  30  has a mounted tip container  1 , the CPU  90  identifies the position of the tip container mounting section  30  with the mounted tip container  1  based on the detection results of the body detecting section  33 , and advances the process to step S 102 . When not even one tip container mounting section  30  has a mounted tip container  1 , the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 4 . In this case, a message such as “There are no tip containers” (see  FIG. 18 ) is displayed on the reminder screen to mount a tip container in step S 4 . 
     In step S 102 , the CPU  90  determines whether covers  20  are installed on every mounted tip container  1 . When a cover  20  is installed on every mounted tip container  1 , the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 5 . The cover removal reminder screen, for example, shows a message such as “Please remove cover  20  from tip container (front)” in step S 5 . However, when a cover  20  is installed on every mounted tip container  1 , that is, when at least one tip container  1  does not have an installed cover  20  among the mounted tip containers  1 , the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 103 . 
     In step S 103 , the CPU  90  calculates the number of tips  150  remaining at the current time by calculating the difference between the number of used tips  150  and the number of tips  150  previously loaded in the tip container body  10 , and determining whether the calculated number of tips  150  is equal to or greater than number needed for the dispensing operation. When the number of tips  150  is equal to or greater than the number required, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 7 . However, when the number of tips  150  is less than the estimated number required, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 104 . 
     In step S 104 , the CPU  90  prohibits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60 , and displays a message on the touch panel  80  prompting the mounting of a new tip container  1 . In the second embodiment, a tip container replacement screen is displayed which includes a message to ensure that the estimated number of needed tips  150  are available. As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the tip container replacement screen shows a message “Please install a new tip container (mid) prompting the replacement of the depleted tip container body  10  which does not have the needed number of tips  150  or has none with a new tip container body  10 . In this case, a message suggesting the removal of the cover  20  also may be displayed when a tip container body  10  with an installed cover  20  is mounted in the tip container mounting section  30 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . When a plurality of tip containers  1  have remaining tips  150 , the position (front, mid, back) of the tip container mounting section  30  with the newly replaced tip container  1  is determined to minimize the number of wasted tips  150  in step S 104 . Thereafter, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 6 . Thereafter, the CPU  90  advances the process to step S 6 . 
     When the process advances to step S 7 , the tip mounting and measurements are performed identically to the first embodiment, then the CPU  90  ends the measurement process. 
     Other structures of the second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. 
     The following effects are obtained in the second embodiment. 
     In the second embodiment, the CPU  90  prohibits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is installed on the top part of every mounted the tip container body  10 , and permits the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is absent from the top part of at least one mounted tip container body  10 . Accordingly, error generation is reliably prevented when the tip mounting operation is started and the user has forgotten to remove the cover  20  from all the tip container bodies  10 . The tip mounting operation also can be smoothly started even when the tip mounting operation is started when the user has forgotten to remove the cover  20  from only some of the tip container bodies  10 . 
     In the second embodiment described above, the CPU  90  is configured to prohibit the operation of mounting the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a cover  20  is absent from the top part of at least one mounted tip container body  10  but the number of tips  150  accommodated in the tip container body  10  that lacks the cover  20  is less than the number needed, and permit the operation to mount the tip  150  by the dispensing section  60  when the number of tips  150  accommodated in the tip container body  10  that lacks the cover  20  is equal to or greater than the number needed. Therefore, interruption of the mounting operation due to an insufficient number of tips  150  is prevented during the operation to mount the tip  150 . Further, when there is a sufficient number of tips  150 , the tip mounting operation is smoothly started. 
     Note that other effects of the second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. 
     Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are examples in all aspects and not to be considered limiting in any way. The scope of the present invention is expressed by the scope of the claims and not by the description of the embodiment, and includes all meanings and equivalences and modifications pertaining thereunto. 
     For example, although the sample analyzer of the present invention is described by way of example applied to a gene amplification detecting apparatus  100  and  200  in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these examples. The sample analyzer of the present invention also is applicable to sample analyzers other than the gene amplification detecting apparatuses  100  and  200 . 
     Although the CPU  90  is configured to prohibit or permit the mounting operation of the pipette  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a measurement start input operation is received from the touch panel  80  in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the CPU  90  also may prohibit or permit the mounting operation of the pipette  150  by the dispensing section  60  when a record of measurement items is received from the touch panel  80 . According to this configuration, measurement can be smoothly started without generating an error by prohibiting or permitting the mounting operation of the pipette  150  by the dispensing section  60  by the timing of the recording of measurement items by the user. 
     Although the first and second embodiments are described by way of examples providing three tip container mounting sections, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the present invention, one two, or four or more tip container mounting sections may be provided. 
     Although the first and second embodiments are described by way of examples providing four cover detection parts, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the present invention, one two, or four or more cover detection parts may be provided. 
     Although the first and second embodiments describe examples in which the detection parts protrude laterally form the cover, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In the present invention, the detection parts also may protrude from the top surface of the cover. 
     Although the first and second embodiments describe example in which the top surface of the cover is substantially square in planar view, the present invention is not limited to this shape. In the present invention, the top surface of the cover also may be a polygonal shape with point symmetry relative to the center point (for example, rectangular) in planar view rather than square. In this case, it is preferable that the protruding detection part is provided at least at a mutually opposed pair of corners among the corners of the cover, and the cover detecting section detects the presence or absence of any one of the plurality of detection parts provided on the cover. In this way the usability is improved for the user because the user need not be aware of the position of the detecting part and the corresponding detecting section compared to when the detection part is provided on only one corner when the tip container is mounted in the tip container mounting section. 
     Although the first embodiment describes an example in which the measurement process is executed when tip container bodies are mounted in all tip container mounting sections, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In the present invention, the measurement process also may be executed when a tip container body is mounted in at least one tip container mounting section. 
     In the first and second embodiments, the provided cover detecting section and body detecting section are mechanical types which have a rotation mechanism, however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In the present invention, the cover detecting section and the body detecting section may be a non-mechanical type such as, for example, an electrical type. 
     The second embodiment is described by way of example in which the number of tips accommodated in the tip container body is determined indirectly by calculating the difference between the number of tips previously mounted in the tip container body mounting in the tip container mounting section and the number of tips already used, however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In the present invention, the number of tips also may be obtained directly using a light source device such as a laser or an imaging device such as a camera. For example, when the tip container body is configured by a translucent material and the tip is configured by a non-translucent material, the number of tips can be obtained by calculating the number of shadows based on information obtained by irradiating light from below or above on the tip container body. 
     Although the first and second embodiments are described using a flow-driven flow for performing processes sequentially along the processing flow of the controller to facilitate understanding, the processes of the controller also may be performed by an event-driven process which executes processes in event units. In this case, complete processes may be event-driven or a combination of event-driven and flow-driven. 
     Although the cover  20  is configured to be removably mounted on the top part of the tip container body  10  in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the cover  20  may be provided to open and close the top part of the tip container body  10 .

Technology Category: b