Abstract: The dispensing mechanisms dips a dispensing nozzle in a dispensing target contained in a container 11, 21, and 31, aspirates the dispensing target, and discharges the dispensing target to a reaction container 41. One item of determination-purpose reference data is selected from multiple items of the determination-purpose reference data which is stored in a storage unit 93 and used in determining whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal, based on the detection result from a pressure sensor 54 when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a reference dispensing target configured to contain a known ingredient; and whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal is determined, based on the detection result from the pressure sensor 54 and the selected determination-purpose reference data when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a dispensing target used in analysis.

Abstract: A pressure signal process unit acquires data under a predetermined condition and a statistic distance between the acquired data and determination-purpose reference data stored in a storage unit is calculated. It is determined whether or not dispensing is abnormal and whether the determination-purpose reference data is suitable for an abnormality detection function to be properly fulfilled. If the determination-purpose reference data is not suitable for an abnormality detection function to be properly fulfilled, temporary determination-purpose reference data is prepared so as to be compared with the previously acquired data under a predetermined condition. If a difference therebetween is greater than a predetermined threshold value, a possibility that an automatic analyzer may have an abnormal component or that a failure may occur in the automatic analyzer is determined, and the result is transmitted to cause a display device to display an alarm.

Abstract: A plunger is moved downwardly in predetermined distance while the tip of the sample probe is immersed in a sample to suck the sample into the probe. A pressure sensor detects the pressure fluctuation during the suction operation, an AD converter converting the signals into digital signals to send the signals for a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit extracts feature variables data of a suction waveform to calculate the Statistical distance from normal group data. The Statistical distance an a threshold value are compared with each other, it is judged that there is an abnormality in the suction operation when the Statistical distance is more than or equal to the threshold value. When the Statistical distance is smaller than the threshold value, an operation is proceeded to a discharge operation.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a first reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a regent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container stored in the first reagent container storage section; a second reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a reagent container transfer mechanism for transferring a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section; and a controller configured to control the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a first reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a regent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container stored in the first reagent container storage section; a second reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a reagent container transfer mechanism for transferring a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section; and a controller configured to control the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.

Abstract: In a clinical laboratory, the degree of contamination of an automatic analyzer may constantly change due, for instance, to the operation of the automatic analyzer and newly added examinations, and there is a risk of failure to adequately maintain the performance of the automatic analyzer by performing calibration at conventional intervals. Meanwhile, the result of quality control varies depending on the performance of an unsealed reagent. Hence, performing calibration at predetermined intervals may fail to flexibly calibrate the reagent when the performance of the reagent is changed by reagent replenishment or by contamination. Provided is a quality control method for issuing a warning to indicate an optimum calibration method and calibration intervals in accordance with the contents of a quality control screen and with the pattern of variation in the result of calibration.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer which performs a suction operation a plurality of times on a same sample has a sample dispensing unit 9, a liquid level sensor which detects the liquid level of the sample in a sample vessel 8, an arithmetic unit 5 which computes a liquid level height h1 at the end of a first suction operation of the two consecutive suction operations from a liquid level height h0 and a sample suction volume V1 detected at the start of the first suction operation, a storage unit 7 which stores the liquid level height h1 computed by the arithmetic unit 5, and a determination unit 18 which compares a liquid level height h2 detected at the start of a second suction operation following the first suction operation with the liquid level height h1 at the end of the first suction operation.

Abstract: The dispensing mechanisms dips a dispensing nozzle in a dispensing target contained in a container 11, 21, and 31, aspirates the dispensing target, and discharges the dispensing target to a reaction container 41. One item of determination-purpose reference data is selected from multiple items of the determination-purpose reference data which is stored in a storage unit 93 and used in determining whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal, based on the detection result from a pressure sensor 54 when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a reference dispensing target configured to contain a known ingredient; and whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal is determined, based on the detection result from the pressure sensor 54 and the selected determination-purpose reference data when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a dispensing target used in analysis.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer that accurately detects dispensation abnormality in dispensation conditions with small suction quantities has a statistical distance calculation unit that calculates characteristic variables regarding a sucking operation in the first dispensation and calculates a statistical distance D from reference data to the characteristic variables extracted from a memory. A comparison unit compares the statistical distance D with a preset threshold value stored in memory and if the statistical distance D is less than the preset threshold value, the first discharging operation is performed. A controller judges whether a single-handed judgment based on a dispensation quantity condition of the second or subsequent dispensation is possible or not. If the single-handed judgment is impossible, reference data is selected based on a judgment quantity regarding the first dispensation.

Abstract: A function for checking whether components of an automatic analyzer properly operate is made available. A pressure sensor is installed in a sample path. A pressure waveform obtained during a washing water discharge operation 10 is used to check the opening/closing of a solenoid valve and the other operations of a dispensing mechanism. This function can also be exercised when a pressure sensor for a conventional sample suction check process is used. Even when the solenoid valve fails to open or close, an alarm is issued to indicate such a failure. This makes it possible to prevent a sample from thinning, thereby providing enhanced data reliability.

Abstract: A plunger 66 is moved downwardly in predetermined distance while the tip of the sample probe 15 is immersed in a sample to suck the sample into the probe. A pressure sensor 26 detects the pressure fluctuation during the suction operation, an AD converter converting the signals into digital signals to send the signals for a signal processing unit 76. The signal processing unit 76 extracts feature variables data of a suction waveform to calculate the Statistical distance D from normal group data. The Statistical distance D an a threshold value th are compared with each other, it is judged that there is an abnormality in the suction operation when the Statistical distance D is more than or equal to the threshold value th. When the Statistical distance D is smaller than the threshold value th, an operation is proceeded to a discharge operation.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer which performs a suction operation a plurality of times on a same sample has a sample dispensing unit 9, a liquid level sensor which detects the liquid level of the sample in a sample vessel 8, an arithmetic unit 5 which computes a liquid level height h1 at the end of a first suction operation of the two consecutive suction operations from a liquid level height h0 and a sample suction volume V1 detected at the start of the first suction operation, a storage unit 7 which stores the liquid level height h1 computed by the arithmetic unit 5, and a determination unit 18 which compares a liquid level height h2 detected at the start of a second suction operation following the first suction operation with the liquid level height h1 at the end of the first suction operation.

Abstract: In a clinical laboratory, the degree of contamination of an automatic analyzer may constantly change due, for instance, to the operation of the automatic analyzer and newly added examinations, and there is a risk of failure to adequately maintain the performance of the automatic analyzer by performing calibration at conventional intervals. Meanwhile, the result of quality control varies depending on the performance of an unsealed reagent. Hence, performing calibration at predetermined intervals may fail to flexibly calibrate the reagent when the performance of the reagent is changed by reagent replenishment or by contamination. Provided is a quality control method for issuing a warning to indicate an optimum calibration method and calibration intervals in accordance with the contents of a quality control screen and with the pattern of variation in the result of calibration.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a first reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a regent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container stored in the first reagent container storage section; a second reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a reagent container transfer mechanism for transferring a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section; and a controller configured to control the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer performs for plural kinds of reagents dispensed at different timings. The automatic analyzer includes a plurality of reaction cells, a reaction cell moving unit for moving the plurality of reaction cells at a certain cycle; a sample dispensing unit for dispensing a sample into a reaction cell and a reagent dispensing unit for dispensing reagents to be added during a sample-reagent reaction process at different timings.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer is disclosed that includes a supplementary reagent storage section and reagent bottle transfer mechanism besides an analysis reagent storage section, and that, by managing information on reagents stored in these two reagent storage sections, is capable of automating reagent management such as reagent replacing work, thereby reducing the burden on an operator, minimizing the interruption of an analysis due to reagent registration and reagent replacement, mounting many reagents thereon, and achieving a high throughput.

Abstract: A function for checking whether components of an automatic analyzer properly operate is made available. A pressure sensor is installed in a sample path. A pressure waveform obtained during a washing water discharge operation 10 is used to check the opening/closing of a solenoid valve and the other operations of a dispensing mechanism. This function can also be exercised when a pressure sensor for a conventional sample suction check process is used. Even when the solenoid valve fails to open or close, an alarm is issued to indicate such a failure. This makes it possible to prevent a sample from thinning, thereby providing enhanced data reliability.

Abstract: A reagent cassette used in an automatic analyzer for a clinical examination room, which provides an analysis environment enabling an operator to select reagent bottles with proper capacities depending on the number of tests to be performed in each different type of facility and to properly set reagents with ease. In the automatic analyzer comprising a sample pipetting section, a reagent pipetting section, a reaction cuvette, etc., one component in a sample is analyzed by using the reagent cassette in which one or a plurality of reagent bottles containing two or more types of reagents are combined together. The reagent cassette is provided with a reagent identifier including information regarding the presence or absence of a reagent opening of the reagent bottle for each of a plurality of positions of the openings.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer capable of replenishing a reagent even during an analysis and minimizing a suspension of the analysis. The automatic analyzer includes a plurality of reaction cells and a unit for holding reagents used in analyses. A plurality of reagents are dispensed to a sample in each reaction cell with a time difference to develop a reaction, and a liquid after the reaction is measured. After temporarily stopping the operation of dispensing the sample for a preset time during the analysis, the sample dispensing operation is restarted. Then, the sample dispensing operation is temporarily stopped again for the preset time at the timing in the dispensing of the reagent corresponding to the timing at which the sample dispensing operation was temporarily stopped. In the automatic analyzer, therefore, an analysis suspension due to registration and replacement of reagents during the analysis can be minimized, a larger number of reagents can be loaded, and a throughput per unit time can be increased.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer is disclosed that dispenses a sample and a reagent into each of a plurality of reaction vessels to allow them to react with each other, and that measures the liquid formed as a result of the reaction. This automatic analyzer includes a first reagent storage case for storing the reagent to be used for the reaction, a second reagent storage case for storing the reagent for supplemental purpose, and a reagent conveying unit for conveying the reagent from the second reagent storage case to the first reagent storage case.