Abstract: An automatic analyzer for analyzing a specimen includes an estimating unit that estimates, based on history information of an analysis period corresponding to a period required for upcoming analysis, a usage quantity of the reagent for the upcoming analysis by calculating a product of a usage quantity of a reagent specified in an analysis item in the history information and a specimen count in the analysis period. The analyzer also includes an upcoming-remaining-quantity calculating unit that calculates a post-upcoming-analysis reagent remaining quantity by subtracting the usage quantity of an estimated reagent from the current reagent remaining quantity.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for an automatic chemical analyzer including a reaction turntable having a plurality of reaction vessels arranged along a periphery thereof, a sample turntable having a plurality of sample vessels arranged along the periphery thereof, a reagent turntable having a plurality of reagent bottles in which different kinds of reagents are contained, a sample delivery mechanism for delivering a given amount of a sample into a reaction vessel, and a reagent delivery mechanism for delivering a given amount of a reagent into the sample to form a test liquid in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer including a reaction turntable having a plurality of reaction vessels arranged along a periphery thereof, a sample turntable having a plurality of sample vessels arranged along the periphery thereof, a reagent turntable having a plurality of reagent bottles in which different kinds of reagents are contained, a sample delivery mechanism for delivering a given amount of a sample into a reaction vessel, and a reagent delivery mechanism for delivering a given amount of a reagent into the sample to form a test liquid in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus for analyzing biochemical samples such as blood and urine in which a disposable type reaction line and a reusable type reaction line are provided, so that items suitable for being analyzed by using the disposable reaction line, such as items to be analyzed by utilizing immunization agglutination reaction, can be analyzed in the disposable type reaction line, and items suitable for being analyzed by the reusable reaction line, such as items to be analyzed by colorimetric method, can be analyzed in the reusable type reaction line, simultaneously. Furthermore, these two types of analyzing lines are driven by only one driving device, the apparatus does not become complex in construction, large in size and expensive in cost although two reaction lines are provided.

Abstract: An automatic cuvette loading apparatus for use in an automatic chemical analyzer includes a first slider for moving magazines stocked in a container into a cuvette loading position and for pushing the cuvettes contained in the magazine in a direction perpendicular to a discharging direction, a second slider for pushing a cuvette array situated in the cuvette loading position in the cuvette discharging direction so as to supply the cuvettes to the reaction line one by one, and a third slider for supporting cuvettes in the magazine when the cuvettes are fed in the direction perpendicular to the discharging direction and then the third slider is arranged to be removed from the cuvettes when the cuvettes are loaded into a reaction line of the chemical analyzer. Thus, the cuvettes in the magazine can be loaded without being strongly affected by a frictional force between side walls of the cuvettes and the inner wall of the magazine.

Abstract: An automatic sample delivery apparatus for delivering selectively emergency samples and standard samples by interrupting the delivery of successive routine samples, including a main-turntable on which a plurality of emergency and standard sample vessel holding recesses are formed equidistantly along a first circle, a plurality of sub-turntables arranged rotatably on the main-turntable, each having a plurality of routine sample vessel holding recesses formed equidistantly along a second circle, a main-motor for rotating the main-turntable such that any one of the sub-turntables is indexed into a sample delivery position and any one of the emergency and standard sample holding recesses is indexed into a sample sucking position, and a sub-motor for rotating a sub-turntable indexed into the sample delivery position such that routine samples set on the relevant sub-turntable are indexed into the sample sucking position.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer including a cuvette wheel having a number of cuvette holding recesses formed along a periphery thereof, a driving unit for rotating the cuvette wheel in a stepwise manner, an automatic cuvette loader for supplying cuvettes into cuvette holding recesses of the cuvette wheel, a sample delivery device for supplying samples into cuvettes held on the cuvette wheel, a reagent delivery device for supplying reagents into cuvettes held on the cuvette wheel, a colorimeter for measuring an optical density of test liquids contained in cuvettes, a washing device for washing cuvettes, and an automatic cuvette unloader for removing cuvettes out of the cuvette wheel.

Abstract: A U-shaped reaction tube used as a reaction tube for a sample analysis in an automatic chemical analyzer and its manufacturing method are disclosed. The U-shaped reaction tube having a cup portion having a large radius, a U-shaped tube portion having a small radius and a tapered end portion having a small radius is formed in one body with elastic material such as a thermoplastic resin by an injection molding. Two pairs of flanges are arranged on an outer surface of the cup portion and a circular flange is arranged on an outer surface of the U-shaped tube, so that the U-shaped reaction tube can be easily secured to a holding plate without a cement in a detachable manner.

Abstract: A method for washing a U-shaped reaction tube having a thick cup portion and a thin non-cup portion is disclosed. At a first washing position, a washing liquid is supplied into the cup portion of reaction tube like a shower and is simultaneously sucked via the non-cup portion of reaction tube. Then, the washing liquid is supplied again into the reaction tube to fill the tube therewith at a second washing position. Finally, at a third washing position, the washing liquid contained in the reaction tube is drained at such a relatively slow rate that the liquid level of the washing liquid descends slowly. Any drop of the washing liquid is not remained on the inner wall of test tube, and thus it is possible to effect a highly accurate analysis without being affected by contamination between sample solutions.

Abstract: A carrier conveying mechanism for electrophoretic apparatus also serving as a support in the step of sample application comprising two wide rollers arranged on the front and rear sides respective, and a wide and thick conveying belt which is passed around said rollers and has a single or plural number of longitudinally extending grooves formed on the surface thereof, said carrier conveying mechanism being adapted in such a manner that a carrier mounted on said conveying belt is conveyed by travelling said belt with rotation of said rollers, and is made stationary by stopping the rotation of said rollers for applying a sample onto the carrier at the position located over the groove formed on the surface of said belt.