Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable temperature adjustment apparatus which uses a temperature adjustment element and quantitatively evaluates the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment element. The temperature adjustment apparatus is provided with: a temperature adjustment element; one or more temperature detection elements provided near the temperature adjustment element; a calculation unit for calculating the output of the temperature detection element; and a display unit for displaying at least one of a time calculated by the calculation unit as a time at which the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment is predicted to be below a desired level, the number of operations and the time of current conduction or a warning based on the result of calculation.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a nucleic acid analyzer that sets and executes temperature regulation, said temperature regulation matching the characteristics of analyzing items and the configuration of the analyzer, by a simple operation while preventing deterioration in analytical performance caused by partial overheating of a liquid reaction mixture to thereby improve temperature change speed and shorten analysis time. To achieve the above purpose, provided is a method wherein, in the case of performing overshooting: as a first processing, the temperature is continuously elevated until reaching a target overshoot temperature; as a second processing, after reaching the aforesaid temperature, the overshoot target temperature is maintained for a preset period of time; and, as a third processing, the temperature is continuously lowered until reaching a target temperature of the liquid reaction mixture.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer including a function for operating control materials and its operation method are provided. The analyzer is configured to start sampling by giving priority to an entirety of control materials corresponding to all assay items required for measurement. The analyzer is also configured to automatically start sampling of a patient specimen based on a preliminarily set sampling timing after completion of sampling of the entirety of control materials. The analyzer is also configured to stop, when an abnormality is present in a measurement result of at least any one of control materials in the group of control materials, sampling of a patient specimen corresponding to a control material in which the abnormality is found, and notify a tester of the abnormality.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis device capable of reducing a reagent cost. In the present invention, in each mixed reagent preparation cycle, an amount of mixed reagent for N analyses is mixed and prepared, and an amount of mixed reagent for one analysis is dispensed from the amount of mixed reagent for N analyses and used to analyze one sample. Minimum (Nmin) and maximum (Nmax) values for N are determined for a control unit beforehand, and if the analysis of J samples is requested, the control unit sets the value of N at the time of a mixed reagent preparation cycle within a range from Nmin to Nmax so as to minimize the remaining mixed reagent.

Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable temperature adjustment apparatus which uses a temperature adjustment element and quantitatively evaluates the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment element. The temperature adjustment apparatus is provided with: a temperature adjustment element; one or more temperature detection elements provided near the temperature adjustment element; a calculation unit for calculating the output of the temperature detection element; and a display unit for displaying at least one of a time calculated by the calculation unit as a time at which the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment is predicted to be below a desired level, the number of operations and the time of current conduction or a warning based on the result of calculation.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a nucleic acid analyzer that sets and executes temperature regulation, said temperature regulation matching the characteristics of analyzing items and the configuration of the analyzer, by a simple operation while preventing deterioration in analytical performance caused by partial overheating of a liquid reaction mixture to thereby improve temperature change speed and shorten analysis time. To achieve the above purpose, provided is a method wherein, in the case of performing overshooting: as a first processing, the temperature is continuously elevated until reaching a target overshoot temperature; as a second processing, after reaching the aforesaid temperature, the overshoot target temperature is maintained for a preset period of time; and, as a third processing, the temperature is continuously lowered until reaching a target temperature of the liquid reaction mixture.

Abstract: Operation methods for control material conventionally differ in each inspection laboratory, and automatic operation according to laboratory operation standards has been difficult. Further, since operation for control material is complex and devices are operated on the basis of judgments by inspectors in accordance with results of measurement for control materials, highly-trained inspectors have been necessary. The present invention comprises multiple settings for automatically operating a control material in an automated analyzer, and executes an optimal setting according to the test laboratory and inspection items, and also executes an operation process for control material. If there is a possibility of a problem in an inspection process, the control material is automatically re-measured so that wasteful inspection can be prevented and the inspection can be automatically continued.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analysis device is provided that is capable of quickly detecting device abnormalities, and the like. This device is provided with a temperature control block (1) for holding a tube (10) that includes a sample, a photometer (6), and a device diagnosis unit. The photometer (6) is provided with an LED (11) for irradiating light toward the temperature control block (1) in a state in which the tube (10) is held and a fluorescence detector (20) for receiving light emitted by the sample in response to the irradiation of light from the LED (11). The device diagnosis unit causes the LED (11) to irradiate light toward the temperature control block (1) in a state in which the tube (10) is not held, causes the fluorescence detector (20) to detect the resulting scattered light, and diagnoses the photometer (6) on the basis of the intensity of the scattered light.

Abstract: A nucleic acid extractor reducing the possibility of cross contamination and a gene analysis apparatus having a nucleic acid amplification function and a detection function are provided. The nucleic acid extractor has a kit for nucleic acid extraction using silica-coated magnetic beads under the presence of a chaotropic agent, and includes a magnet cover 52 accommodating a magnet 42 in the inside and separating the magnet 42 and a reaction container 2, a wall part 53 covering the outside of the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container, and a upper portion 54 covering a space above the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container. Scattering of liquid and aerosol can be prevented and the possibility of cross contamination can be reduced.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analysis device is provided that is capable of quickly detecting device abnormalities, and the like. This device is provided with a temperature control block (1) for holding a tube (10) that includes a sample, a photometer (6), and a device diagnosis unit. The photometer (6) is provided with an LED (11) for irradiating light toward the temperature control block (1) in a state in which the tube (10) is held and a fluorescence detector (20) for receiving light emitted by the sample in response to the irradiation of light from the LED (11). The device diagnosis unit causes the LED (11) to irradiate light toward the temperature control block (1) in a state in which the tube (10) is not held, causes the fluorescence detector (20) to detect the resulting scattered light, and diagnoses the photometer (6) on the basis of the intensity of the scattered light.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis device capable of reducing a reagent cost. In the present invention, in each mixed reagent preparation cycle, an amount of mixed reagent for N analyses is mixed and prepared, and an amount of mixed reagent for one analysis is dispensed from the amount of mixed reagent for N analyses and used to analyze one sample. Minimum (Nmin) and maximum (Nmax) values for N are determined for a control unit beforehand, and if the analysis of J samples is requested, the control unit sets the value of N at the time of a mixed reagent preparation cycle within a range from Nmin to Nmax so as to minimize the remaining mixed reagent.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analysis apparatus capable of selecting an optimal analysis method for every user and improving throughput is provided. In a genetic analyzer for measuring and analyzing amplification reaction of a nucleic acid in real time, an amplification curve is analyzed and a user can select conditions for terminating the amplification reaction upon detection of amplification. Further, a user can select conditions for selecting next processing after termination of the amplification reaction. A user can select, in situ, conditions for terminating the amplification reaction and conditions for selecting next processing upon detection of amplification and after the termination of amplification reaction. Alternatively, conditions for terminating the amplification reaction and conditions for selecting the next processing are registered previously and processing is performed automatically upon detection of amplification and after termination of the amplification reaction.

Abstract: According to a conventional technique, when a calibrated temperature measuring probe is used for correcting the temperature absolute values of individually temperature-controllable thermal control blocks, a temperature difference of a maximum of 0.5° C. remains between the thermal control blocks. According to the present invention, the melting temperature of a temperature calibration sample housed in a reaction vessel corresponding to each of the temperature control blocks is measured as a measured melting temperature. The measured melting temperature corresponding to each of the thermal control blocks and the reference melting temperature of the temperature calibration sample are compared, and the temperature absolute value of each of the thermal control blocks is corrected based on respective difference values.

Abstract: A nucleic acid extractor reducing the possibility of cross contamination and a gene analysis apparatus having a nucleic acid amplification function and a detection function are provided. The nucleic acid extractor has a kit for nucleic acid extraction using silica-coated magnetic beads under the presence of a chaotropic agent, and includes a magnet cover 52 accommodating a magnet 42 in the inside and separating the magnet 42 and a reaction container 2, a wall part 53 covering the outside of the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container, and a upper portion 54 covering a space above the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container. Scattering of liquid and aerosol can be prevented and the possibility of cross contamination can be reduced.

Abstract: A chilled reagent container comprises a reagent vessel containing part for containing therein a plurality of reagent vessels, a container lid including a container lid hole through which the reagent vessels contained by the reagent vessel containing part are accessible, and a cooling block for cooling the reagent vessels contained by the reagent vessel containing part, wherein the container lid slides to be changeable between an opened situation wherein the reagent is accessible from an outside and a closed situation wherein the reagent is prevented from being accessed from the outside, wherein the chilled reagent container further comprises a reagent container packing including another hole through which the reagent vessels are accessible and arranged between the container lid and the reagent vessel containing part to be pressed against the container lid.

Abstract: According to a conventional technique, when a calibrated temperature measuring probe is used for correcting the temperature absolute values of individually temperature-controllable thermal control blocks, a temperature difference of a maximum of 0.5° C. remains between the thermal control blocks. According to the present invention, the melting temperature of a temperature calibration sample housed in a reaction vessel corresponding to each of the temperature control blocks is measured as a measured melting temperature. The measured melting temperature corresponding to each of the thermal control blocks and the reference melting temperature of the temperature calibration sample are compared, and the temperature absolute value of each of the thermal control blocks is corrected based on respective difference values.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analysis apparatus capable of selecting an optimal analysis method for every user and improving throughput is provided. In a genetic analyzer for measuring and analyzing amplification reaction of a nucleic acid in real time, an amplification curve is analyzed and a user can select conditions for terminating the amplification reaction upon detection of amplification. Further, a user can select conditions for selecting next processing after termination of the amplification reaction. A user can select, in situ, conditions for terminating the amplification reaction and conditions for selecting next processing upon detection of amplification and after the termination of amplification reaction. Alternatively, conditions for terminating the amplification reaction and conditions for selecting the next processing are registered previously and processing is performed automatically upon detection of amplification and after termination of the amplification reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nucleic acid analyzer comprising: reaction containers capable of containing nucleic-acid-containing samples and reagents; an incubation mechanism capable of controlling temperatures of reaction containers set at different levels; an analysis mechanism for analyzing the samples contained in the reaction containers; and a transport mechanism for transporting a reaction container. In accordance with the assay technique to be performed on a nucleic-acid-containing sample, the transport mechanism transports a reaction container to a given incubation mechanism in a given order. The reaction container subjected to the process of sample preparation is transported to the analysis mechanism at a given time and the sample is analyzed.

Abstract: A chilled reagent container comprises a reagent vessel containing part for containing therein a plurality of reagent vessels, a container lid including a container lid hole through which the reagent vessels contained by the reagent vessel containing part are accessible, and a cooling block for cooling the reagent vessels contained by the reagent vessel containing part, wherein the container lid slides to be changeable between an opened situation wherein the reagent is accessible from an outside and a closed situation wherein the reagent is prevented from being accessed from the outside, wherein the chilled reagent container further comprises a reagent container packing including another hole through which the reagent vessels are accessible and arranged between the container lid and the reagent vessel containing part to be pressed against the container lid.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an automatic analyzer using a disc, which treats samples with different pretreatment times or samples with different measurement times requested at random with high throughput. The present invention relates to performing adjustment rotation, rotation returning to origin, and measurement rotation in specimen analysis using a disc having a plurality of sample positions on a circumference. The adjustment rotation is an operation for placing a desired sample position in a particular position for introducing a sample into the disc or discarding the sample. The rotation returning to origin is an operation for placing an origin of the disc in a particular position. The measurement rotation is an operation for rotating the disc at a predetermined speed for measuring a plurality of samples held by the disc.