Abstract: A sampling needle (21) is inserted into a sample container (12) by a needle-driving mechanism (23) to collect a sample liquid from the sample container. A depth information acquirer (52) acquires insertion depth information, i.e., a piece of information concerning an insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container. A needle-rinsing length setter (54) sets a needle-rinsing length which is an insertion length of the sampling needle into a rinse storage tank (30) having an open top, based on the insertion depth information. A controller (51) controls the needle-driving mechanism so that a portion of the sampling needle extending from the tip of the sampling needle over the needle-rinsing length is inserted into the rinse storage tank. The needle-rinsing length setter is configured to set a shorter needle-rinsing length for a smaller insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container, to shorten the needle-cleaning time.

Abstract: A sampling needle (2) having a suction port at a tip, a movement mechanism (4) that moves the needle (2) at least in a vertical direction while holding the needle (2) in a state where the suction port faces vertically downward, a suction mechanism (6) for sucking liquid through the needle (2), a controller (10) configured to control operation of the movement mechanism (4) and the suction mechanism (6) are included.