Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a sample dispensing unit that dispenses a sample into a reaction vessel; a reagent dispensing unit that dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessel; a control unit that controls the sample dispensing unit and the reagent dispensing unit; and a measurement unit that measures a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent mixed in the reaction vessel. The reagent includes three types of reagents of: a first reagent that specifically binds to an antigen in the sample; a second reagent that specifically binds to a site different from that to which the first reagent binds with respect to the antigen and has a label to be detected by the measurement unit; and a third reagent that specifically binds to a site different from the binding site of the first reagent and the antigen and contains insoluble carriers.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis technique that prevents liquid contained in a reaction container from locally contacting with liquid added afterward and has less occurrence frequency of equipment malfunction and high performance.

Abstract: Representative features which are representative features for deciding the types or states of objects are extracted, the types or states of the objects are identified on the basis of the representative features to classify the objects, and the object classification results and the representative features are output in association with an image.

Abstract: An electrochemiluminescence method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample and a corresponding analysis system. An analyte in a liquid sample is detected by first providing a receptacle containing a fluid comprising protein coated magnetic microparticles to a stirring unit. Stirring of the fluid is necessary since the density of the microparticles is usually higher than the density of the buffer fluid. Thus the microparticles tend to deposit on the bottom of the receptacle leading to an aggregation of the microparticles because of weak interactions. To obtain representative measurements a homogeneous distribution of the microparticles in the buffer fluid is necessary to ensure a constant concentration of microparticles for each analysis cycle. It is further necessary to provide disaggregation of the microparticles, which is also realized by stirring the fluid. Stirring is conducted with a rotational frequency that is adapted to the amount of fluid to be stirred.

Abstract: An electrochemiluminescence method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample and a corresponding analysis system. An analyte in a liquid sample is detected by first providing a receptacle containing a fluid comprising protein coated magnetic microparticles to a stirring unit. Stirring of the fluid is necessary since the density of the microparticles is usually higher than the density of the buffer fluid. Thus the microparticles tend to deposit on the bottom of the receptacle leading to an aggregation of the microparticles because of weak interactions. To obtain representative measurements a homogeneous distribution of the microparticles in the buffer fluid is necessary to ensure a constant concentration of microparticles for each analysis cycle. It is further necessary to provide disaggregation of the microparticles, which is also realized by stirring the fluid. Stirring is conducted with a rotational frequency that is adapted to the amount of fluid to be stirred.

Abstract: In order to perform quantitative analysis on an object in an image, it is important to accurately identify the object, but when plural objects are in contact with each other, it is potential that a target portion cannot be accurately identified. An image is segmented into a foreground region and a background region, the foreground region being a region in which an object for which quantitative information is to be calculated is shown, and the background region being a region other than the foreground region. With respect to a first object and a second object in contact with each other in the image, a contact point between the first object and the second object is detected based on a region segmentation result output by a segmentation unit.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis device that can easily realize introduction and replacement of additional reagents in operation even in a small-scale configuration. The automatic analysis device includes a reagent dispensing mechanism 107 that dispenses a reagent from a reagent container 113 containing a reagent, and a normal reagent storage portion 130 that stores a reagent container and an additional reagent storage portion 111. The normal reagent storage portion 130 is positioned in a normal movable area 132, which is a portion of a movable area 131 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and the additional reagent storage portion 111 is positioned in an area excluding the normal movable area 132 in the movable area 131 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107.

Abstract: An analyzer that has a simple configuration, that is inexpensive, that can improve safety, and that can inhibit proliferation of microorganisms using ultraviolet light is realized. A first electric power switch, a second electric power switch, and a third electric power switch are connected in series between an ultraviolet LED that irradiates an interior of a shared reagent storage container with ultraviolet light and a power supply that supplies electric power to the ultraviolet LED. The first electric power switch, the second electric power switch, and the third electric power switch are configured with two contact points and a connection section that connects and disconnects the two contact points. The first electric power switch is opened when a reagent storage door is opened, and the second electric power switch is opened in response to an action of extracting an ultraviolet irradiation section from a shared reagent storage container.

Abstract: In order to aspire to higher sensitivity in an automatic analysis device, it is important to prevent the mixing of dust and the like in a reaction part in which a sample and a reagent react. The present invention presents an automatic analysis device that is provided with a configuration for making the pressure inside a specific block in the device such as a reaction part, or inside the device become positive. By making the pressure become positive and forming an air flow that flows out from the inside of the reaction part or the device, it is possible to limit, to a certain amount or less, the amount of dust penetrating into the reaction part.

Abstract: [Task] To provide an automatic analysis apparatus including a photomultiplier tube which controls a sensitivity of the photomultiplier tube without adjusting a high voltage value. [Solution] An automatic analysis apparatus according to the present invention includes a photomultiplier tube which detects light from a reaction vessel; a determination unit which determines an output signal of the photomultiplier tube in a case where the photomultiplier tube is irradiated with first light; and a control unit which irradiates the photomultiplier tube with second light to lower a sensitivity of the photomultiplier tube in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit.

Abstract: To provide an automated analyzer capable of shortening analysis time. The automated analyzer includes a vessel which contains a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent; and a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer before the second operation, in which the control unit performs the first operation and the third operation in parallel. Alternatively, the automated analyzer includes a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer after the first operation, in which the control unit performs the second operation and the third operation in parallel.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to constantly keep a state in a flow cell steady by filling a detection flow channel with a liquid. The configuration of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problem is as follows. Specifically, the present invention is an automatic analysis apparatus provided with a detection unit including a flow cell that accommodates a liquid serving as an analysis subject; a suction nozzle that is positioned upstream of the flow cell and that sucks the liquid to be introduced into the flow cell; a pump that is positioned downstream of the flow cell and that supplies the liquid to the flow cell; flow channels that connect the flow cell, the suction nozzle, and the pump; a power source; and a power-cutting instructing unit that gives an instruction to cut the power supply at least to the pump.

Abstract: The automatic analysis device includes an evaporative concentration unit configured to perform a concentration process of evaporating an extract solution obtained by extracting a component to be analyzed in a sample to concentrate the component to be analyzed; an analysis unit configured to analyze the component to be analyzed of the sample; and a control unit configured to control operations of the analysis unit and the evaporative concentration unit. The control unit determines whether to perform an evaporative concentration process on a component to be analyzed in the sample, and controls the evaporative concentration unit to concentrate a component to be analyzed in a sample which is determined to be subjected to an evaporative concentration process. The sample to be subjected to the evaporative concentration process is stored, and the control unit selects whether to perform the evaporative concentration on each sample or not based on stored content.

Abstract: Provided is a blood collection apparatus with which blood can be stably collected from a finger tip of any subject while ensuring safety and ease. This blood collection apparatus is provided with: a puncture site holding mechanism for holding a puncture site; a compression mechanism for performing an operation of compressing and releasing the puncture site when blood is collected from the puncture site; a container holding mechanism for holding a container for collecting blood flowing from a puncture wound at the puncture site; and a driving mechanism for varying the relative distance between the puncture site and the container by vertically moving the puncture site holding mechanism, the container holding mechanism, or the container held by the container holding mechanism when blood flowing from the puncture wound is collected.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer securely sterilizes and then discards waste liquid without interrupting operation, and includes: a measuring unit configured to perform measurement on a specimen; a first and second waste liquid tanks accommodating waste liquids discharged via first and second flow paths from the measuring unit; an electromagnetic valve disposed between the first and second flow paths, and switches the flow paths so as to discharge the waste liquid to the first or second waste liquid tanks; a first feed unit feeding a sterilizing agent into the first waste liquid tank; and a control unit controls at least the electromagnetic valve and the first feed unit. The control unit drives the first feed unit to feed the sterilizing agent into the first waste liquid tank when the waste liquid reaches a first prescribed amount, and drives the electromagnetic valve to switch to the second flow path.

Abstract: The automated analyzer comprises: an analysis operation unit for analyzing a reaction liquid, control unit for controlling the operation of the analysis operation unit, a storage unit for storing analysis results from the analysis operation unit and information about a consumable used by the analysis operation unit, and a display unit for displaying the analysis results and inspection information.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus, an automatic analysis system, and an image processing method capable of determining a state of a container or a state of a collection target based on an image acquired by a single camera. The image processing apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an upper image that is an image obtained by capturing an image of a container accommodating a collection target including a sample, a reagent, and a reaction solution from above; a region calculation unit configured to calculate an edge region of the container or an upper surface region of the collection target from the upper image; and a state determination unit configured to determine a state of the container or a state of the collection target based on the edge region or the upper surface region.

Abstract: A state of a sample surface is accurately determined without lowering analysis efficiency. There is provided an apparatus for determining a state of a sample to be analyzed contained in a container, in which the apparatus acquires an image of the sample, analyzes a position and a size of an object to be detected with respect to a detection range set in the image by using the image of the sample, and determines the state of the sample based on a result of the analysis.

Abstract: In a case where plural measurement items that require different incubation times are simultaneously measured in an automatic analyzer, deterioration of the turnaround time of the measurement is minimized. The automatic analyzer receives a request of a sample, obtains a ratio of a short measurement item among examination items of the received analysis request, and a determines an empty cycle based on the ratio of the short measurement item and the number of schedules. When an empty cycle is necessary, the empty cycle is scheduled in a schedule of a sample that is requested to be measured first, for example, an empty cycle in a short measurement for making an incubator empty. As a result, this position can be used for a measurement of a short measurement item such that the wait time of the start of the measurement can be short.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis system that reduces a personnel burden and increases an operating rate using an autonomous mobile robot while suppressing an initial cost. The automatic analysis system includes: a plurality of devices that are disposed in an automatic analysis area 101 and includes analyzing units 103 and 104 included in an automatic analyzer; and a robot 102 that moves in the automatic analysis area, in which an operation screen of the analyzing unit has a first screen mode for an operator and a second screen mode for the robot and is switchable between the first screen mode and the second screen mode, and the robot obtains state information of the analyzing unit from the operation screen in the second screen mode.