Abstract: In a probe microscope 120 for causing a sample 112 and a tip portion 118a of a probe 118 on the sample side to approach each other, detecting an interaction between the sample 112 and the sample-side probe tip portion 118a, and obtaining surface information of the sample 112 from the interaction, the probe 118 being a flexible needle-like probe; the probe microscope 120 comprises vibrating means 122 capable of rotating the probe 118 while flexing the sample-side tip portion 118a thereof so as to draw a circle having a size corresponding to an increase and decrease in the interaction between the sample surface 112 and the tip portion 118a, and detecting means 124 for detecting the increase and decrease in the size of the circle drawn by the sample-side probe tip portion 118a due to the interaction and obtaining, from the increase and decrease in the size of the circle, information about the distance between the sample 112 and the sample-side probe tip portion 118a.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically performing a sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay. The apparatus includes a rack for holding test tubes. In the test tubes are beads which provide surfaces for the immuochemical reactions. The rack can be moved in lengthwise and transverse directions. Nozzles for supplying and withdrawing liquids from the test tubes are included. The bead in one tube can be transferred to a second tube. The absorbance of a final liquid is measured spectrophotometrically, and the results are recorded by a printer.