Abstract: An analyzer comprising: a first specimen holder configured to hold a plurality of first specimen containers; a conveying assembly for conveying the first specimen containers held in the first specimen holder; a second specimen holder arranged at a position higher than an upper end of the first specimen containers held in the first specimen holder; a holder moving assembly for moving the second specimen holder so as to pass the upper side of at least one of the first specimen containers held in the first specimen holder; a container transferring assembly for transferring at least one of the first specimen containers from the first specimen holder to the second specimen holder; and a controller for controlling the holder moving assembly and the container transferring assembly, is disclosed.

Abstract: An analyzer comprising: a first measurement unit for measuring samples; a second measurement unit for measuring samples; a transportation device for transporting samples to the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit; prior sample measurement instructor for instructing to measure a predetermined sample prior to the other samples; and a transportation controller for controlling the transportation device to reserve the transportation of the other samples to the second measurement unit and to perform the other transportation operation, when the prior sample measurement instructor has instructed to measure the predetermined sample by the second measurement unit prior to the other samples, is disclosed. A sample transportation method and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disk device includes a disk tray movable between a closed position and an open position; and an upper case positioned above the disk loading region of the disk tray when the disk tray is at the closed position. The disk tray includes a base, a disk loading region which receives the disk, and an upward facing projection formed on a closed position side of the disk loading region. The upper case includes an upper ceiling portion, a downward facing projection that projects downward from the upper ceiling portion, and an inclined surface formed between the upper ceiling portion and the downward facing projection so as to be inclined downward in a direction toward the closed position. The upward facing projection is positioned on the closed position side relative to the downward facing projection when the disk tray is at the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which is automated even when measuring a small amount sample and is capable of improving a measurement precision. The sample analyzer S comprises a sample preparation section for preparing a measurement sample; a detector D3 for detecting an analyte contained in the measurement sample; and a controller 100 being configured to 1) control the sample preparation section so as to prepare a first measurement sample of a first dilution ratio, when measuring an ordinary amount sample; and 2) control the sample preparation section so as to prepare a second measurement sample of a second dilution ratio higher than the first dilution ratio, when measuring a small amount sample.

Abstract: A sample analyzing method comprising: aspirating a sample from a sample container; preparing a plurality of measurement samples from the aspirated sample; sequentially measuring the plurality of prepared measurement samples; obtaining a plurality of measurement data for the respective measurement samples; and obtaining an analysis result of a predetermined item of the sample based on the plurality of measurement data, is disclosed. A sample analyzer and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: To present a specimen analyzer capable of executing positively operations of washing of a suction tube which returns to its original profile immediately even subjected to external force. The suction tube is made of superelastic alloy, and a washing unit for washing the suction tube is provided. And the specimen analyzer is provided with a sample preparation unit for preparing a sample by a specimen which is discharged from the suction tube, a movement mechanism for moving said suction tube, and an analysis unit for analyzing a sample preparedby said sample preparation unit.

Abstract: A tray drive mechanism has a simple structure, and yet both an optical disc clamping operation and a tray opening and closing operation can be driven by one feed motor. The tray drive mechanism comprises: a feed gear and a tray drive gear that are rotated by a feed motor; a rack member to mesh with the feed gear so as to be driven in direction to inner circumference of the optical disc; a plate trigger driven by the rack member so as to slide; and a cam slider to slide in linkage with the plate trigger. When the cam slider is slided in linkage with plate trigger so as to be driven in direction by the tray drive gear meshing with a rack, a boss of the cam slider pushes a slope portion of each of cam grooves and provided in a tray, so that the tray slides to cause a rack of the tray to mesh with the tray drive gear. Thus, the tray is opened and closed by the feed motor.

Abstract: A liquid sample is aspirated using an aspirating tube provided with a flow path extending lengthwise in the interior of the tube, and an aspiration orifice for aspirating the liquid sample formed near the tip of the tube. The aspiration of the liquid sample to the aspirating tube is monitored during aspiration. Liquid sample is aspirated by the aspirating tube, and the collected material in the aspirating tube in the region at the tip side from the region containing the liquid sample to be used for measurement is delivered to a detecting part provided externally to the aspirating tube, and whether or not liquid sample is contained in the collected material is detected in the detecting part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a blood sample comprising the steps of: communicating the inside of a sealed container with atmosphere by piercing a cap for sealing the sealed container; supplying a diluted solution from the base end side of the aspiration pipe to fill the aspiration pipe with the diluted solution; aspirating the blood sample in the sealed container; discharging the aspirated blood sample into a measurement sample preparing container; and measuring a measurement sample prepared in the measurement sample preparing container.

Abstract: A sample analyzer capable of operating in a first measuring mode for measuring a sample and a second measuring mode for measuring a sample, comprising: a sample provider for providing a sample; a common reagent provider for providing a common reagent used in the first measuring mode and the second measuring mode; a special reagent provider for providing a special reagent used in the second measuring mode; a mode selector for selecting one of the first measuring mode and the second measuring mode; a measuring section for measuring the sample; and wherein in the first measuring mode, the sample provider and the common reagent provider operate so as to make a first mode sample comprising the sample and the common reagent, and the measuring section operates so as to measure the first mode sample, and in the second measuring mode, the sample provider, the common reagent provider and the special reagent provider operate so as to make a second mode sample comprising the sample, the common reagent and the special rea

Abstract: A disk device includes a disk tray movable between a closed position and an open position; and an upper case positioned above the disk loading region of the disk tray when the disk tray is at the closed position. The disk tray includes a base, a disk loading region which receives the disk, and an upward facing projection formed on a closed position side of the disk loading region. The upper case includes an upper ceiling portion, a downward facing projection that projects downward from the upper ceiling portion, and an inclined surface formed between the upper ceiling portion and the downward facing projection so as to be inclined downward in a direction toward the closed position. The upward facing projection is positioned on the closed position side relative to the downward facing projection when the disk tray is at the closed position.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: A tray drive mechanism has a simple structure, and yet both an optical disc clamping operation and a tray opening and closing operation can be driven by one feed motor.

Abstract: An automatic sample analyzer includes: a pipette, a pipette driving device which moves the pipette to a sample vessel present in a predetermined position to cause the pipette to suck up a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to an open vessel provided in another predetermined position to cause the pipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel, and an analyzing section for analyzing the discharged sample, the pipette driving device comprising a vertically movable main arm and an elongated guide arm cantilevered by the main arm and extending horizontally, the guide arm having a smaller flexural rigidity than the main arm, wherein the main arm vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be sucked up from the sample vessel, and the guide arm guides the pipette to the open vessel and then vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be discharged into the open vessel.

Abstract: Analyzers are described that contain a detector for detecting a signal from an analyte; a heater for heating a fluid; a fluid supplier for supplying the fluid heated by the heater to the detector; and a controller for controlling the detector, the heater, and the fluid supplier. Methods for analyzing analytes are also described.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic sample analyzer includes: a pipette, a pipette driving device which moves the pipette to a sample vessel present in a predetermined position to cause the pipette to suck up a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to an open vessel provided in another predetermined position to cause the pipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel, and an analyzing section for analyzing the discharged sample, the pipette driving device comprising a vertically movable main arm and an elongated guide arm cantilevered by the main arm and extending horizontally, the guide arm having a smaller flexural rigidity than the main arm, wherein the main arm vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be sucked up from the sample vessel, and the guide arm guides the pipette to the open vessel and then vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be discharged into the open vessel.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: In a driving mechanism of a kneading blade of a bread production device driven by a motor through the reduction gear, a reduction ratio of the reduction gear is adapted to be more than 10:1. By this, the motor which drives the kneading blade is miniaturized.