Abstract: A measuring unit includes a quantifying section for quantifying a sample in volume, a main channel communicating with the quantifying section, an analyzing section provided in the main channel for analyzing the quantified sample, and a pressure introduction port communicating with the main channel for introducing a pressure into the main channel to transport the sample from the quantifying section to the analyzing section, wherein the analyzing section comprises at least one of an electrical characteristic measuring section for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sample and an optical characteristic measuring section for measuring an optical characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: A sample analyzer includes a loading section in which a measuring unit is removably set, the measuring unit being adapted to receive a sample; and a control section which analyzes a signal acquired from the sample received in the measuring unit set in the loading section to provide a result of analysis of the sample; wherein the control section judges whether or not the measuring unit is properly set in the loading section.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring immature platelets is described that includes (a) a sample preparation unit for preparing an assay sample by adding a reagent to a blood specimen; (b) a detection unit having a semiconductor laser light source for irradiating the assay sample with laser light, and a detector for detecting optical information emitted from particles within the assay sample irradiated by laser light; and (c) a controller for differentiating and counting immature platelets based on the detected optical information. A method for measuring immature platelets is also described.

Abstract: A sample analyzer includes a marking unit containing a marker for marking a container containing a sample, and a controller for controlling the marking unit based on sample information. A sample analyzing method includes a) providing a container containing a sample, b) obtaining the sample from the container, c) detecting a signal from the obtained sample, d) analyzing the detected signal, e) determining whether marking the container is needed or not based on sample information; and f) automatically marking the container if marking is needed.

Abstract: A measuring unit includes a quantifying section for quantifying a sample in volume, a main channel communicating with the quantifying section, an analyzing section provided in the main channel for analyzing the quantified sample, and a pressure introduction port communicating with the main channel for introducing a pressure into the main channel to transport the sample from the quantifying section to the analyzing section, wherein the analyzing section comprises at least one of an electrical characteristic measuring section for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sample and an optical characteristic measuring section for measuring an optical characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: A sample analyzer includes a loading section in which a measuring unit is removably set, the measuring unit being adapted to receive a sample; and a control section which analyzes a signal acquired from the sample received in the measuring unit set in the loading section to provide a result of analysis of the sample; wherein the control section judges whether or not the measuring unit is properly set in the loading section.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring immature platelets is described that includes (a) a sample preparation unit for preparing an assay sample by adding a reagent to a blood specimen; (b) a detection unit having a semiconductor laser light source for irradiating the assay sample with laser light, and a detector for detecting optical information emitted from particles within the assay sample irradiated by laser light; and (c) a controller for differentiating and counting immature platelets based on the detected optical information. A method for measuring immature platelets is also described.

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 sample analyzer includes a marking unit containing a marker for marking a container containing a sample, and a controller for controlling the marking unit based on sample information. A sample analyzing method includes a) providing a container containing a sample, b) obtaining the sample from the container, c) detecting a signal from the obtained sample, d) analyzing the detected signal, e) determining whether marking the container is needed or not based on sample information; and f) automatically marking the container if marking is needed.

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 measuring unit includes a quantifying section for quantifying a sample in volume, a main channel communicating with the quantifying section, an analyzing section provided in the main channel for analyzing the quantified sample, and a pressure introduction port communicating with the main channel for introducing a pressure into the main channel to transport the sample from the quantifying section to the analyzing section, wherein the analyzing section comprises at least one of an electrical characteristic measuring section for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sample and an optical characteristic measuring section for measuring an optical characteristic of the sample.