Abstract: A sample handling system comprising: a transportation line including a combination of plural partitive line units; and a plurality of handling units, wherein each of the plural partitive line units and each of the plurality of handling units form a pair, and each handling unit is installed removably from its corresponding partitive line unit. Each handling unit transmits inoperative information to the transportation line when it becomes inoperative. The transportation line transmits this inoperative information to the central controller. The central controller monitors handling units at which the sample rack can stop over. The sample rack avoids stopover at the inoperative handling unit, but is allowed to advance to the subsequent handling unit passing through the partitive line unit which makes a pair with the inoperative handling unit.

Abstract: When processing a specimen by a plurality of specimen processing devices arranged along a transportation line, a specimen tag on which a coded group code representing a combination including at least one processing item is adhered on the specimen container. A plurality of such specimen containers are mounted on a specimen support bearing a specific carrier tag. Prior to transporting the specimen support, the specimen tags and the carrier tag are read, and based on the read result, an information management and controlling unit and the respective specimen processing devices manage a corresponding relationship between the carrier tag and the group codes. At the respective specimen processing devices the specimen support is identified and the processing corresponding to the group code is performed for the respective concerned specimen.