Abstract: A reagent dispensing mechanism (15), first and second dispensing-mechanism transfer means (26, 27), and a second reagent vessel (reagent cassette) carrying-in/out mechanism (24), which are constructed by employing an XY-mechanism, are arranged so as to travel above a reagent table (25) to carry in/out a reagent cassette (22). As compared with the case where the reagent cassette carrying-in/out mechanism (24) is installed radially of the reagent table (25), the area of an automatic analyzer in the horizontal direction can be reduced and a reagent vessel (16) can be moved to a predetermined position in a shorter time by combining the rotation of the reagent table (25) with the movement of the XY-mechanism. Further, as compared the case of dispensing reagents from reagent vessels in a matrix pattern by using the reagent dispensing/transferring mechanism, the travel distance of the transferring mechanism can be shortened and so can be the travel time.

Abstract: A sample dispensing apparatus is realized which can detect a dispensing abnormality occurred during the sample dispensing operation regardless of the type and the extent of the abnormality. A pressure sensor is connected to a dispensing flow passage system, including a sample probe and a dispensing syringe, and a plurality of output values of the pressure sensor during the sample dispensing operation are taken in. A multi-item analysis (based on the Mahalanobis distance) is carried out by using, as items, the plurality of taken-in output values of the pressure sensor. Whether the dispensing is normally performed or not is determined by comparing an analysis result with a threshold. A highly reliable determination result is obtained in spite of variations of sensitivity of the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a chemical analysis apparatus comprising a mechanism which can efficiently agitate a substance to be agitated so that a sample and a reagent are agitated and mixed together in a shorter time with a saved consumption power, incorporating a plurality of sound sources or reflecting plates, and a reaction container is located between one of the sound sources and another of the sound sources or one of the reflecting plates, whereby sound waves can be irradiated toward the reaction container in several directions in order to efficiently fluidize a solution in the reaction container.

Abstract: A measurement cell for analyzer for carrying out qualitative and/or quantitative analysis for one or more substances by an optical means, which is planar and has sample-holding portions, the contact angle between said sample-holding portion and water being 30° or less, and the contact angle between the other portion of said plane and water being 100° or more, permits a plurality of measurements with a single cell for the same one sample, repeated use and reduction of the amount of sample than before.

Abstract: A measurement cell for analyzer for carrying out qualitative and/or quantitative analysis for one or more substances by an optical means, which is planar and has sample-holding portions, the contact angle between said sample-holding portion and water being 30° or less, and the contact angle between the other portion of said plane and water being 100° or more, permits a plurality of measurements with a single cell for the same one sample, repeated use and reduction of the amount of sample than before.

Abstract: In order to provide an automatic analyzer capable of ensuring an effective agitation of the reagent and specimen, hence, highly reliable results of analysis, despite small size of the reaction vessel, without carry-over among different specimens, a multiple piezoelectric elements 35 are arranged in a row along the height of liquid level in the reaction vessel 11, and an ultrasonic reflecting material 38 is installed on the bottom of the portion of the heat insulating bath 12 where heat insulating medium 13 is stored. Lateral ultrasonic wave 9b on the lower side is generated by actuation of the piezoelectric element 35 for lateral irradiation located at the bottom. Lateral ultrasonic wave 9b is reflected by the ultrasonic reflecting material 38, and, as lower ultrasonic wave 8, advances along the wall surface of the reaction vessel to collide with the specimen liquid level, thereby causing a part of the liquid level being closer to the piezoelectric element 35 to be raised.