Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microparticle sorting apparatus, including: a discharge direction confirming section configured to confirm a discharge direction of a discharged liquid discharged from a discharge outlet of a flow path; opposite electrodes disposed downstream with respect to the discharge outlet; an opposite electrode position controlling section configured to control positions of the opposite electrodes in accordance with the discharge direction confirmed by the discharge direction confirming section; a droplet generating section configured to generate a droplet from the discharge outlet; and a charging section configured to electrically charge the droplet with electric charges.

Abstract: A method of filling a liquid sample includes: supplying the liquid sample to a first well of a biochip; adhering a cover and the substrate of the biochip in a loop-shaped area surrounding the first well and plural second wells on the substrate; moving the liquid sample from the first well to the second wells through a space between the cover and the substrate by rotating the biochip around a rotation axis in a state in which the biochip is arranged such that a distance from any one of the second wells to the rotation axis in a vertical direction with respect to the rotation axis is longer than a distance from the first well to the rotation axis in the vertical direction with respect to the rotation axis; and sealing the first well and the second wells by adhering the cover to the substrate to thereby seal.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which is capable of prevent consumable part which does not adapt to the sample analyzer from being used and maintain measurement precision. The sample analyzer 10 includes barcode reader 60 for obtaining serial number for identifying pipette tip 80 from barcode 83; containing section 21a for containing pipette tips 80 used by a predetermined mechanism section; CPU 34a for obtaining a number of the pipette tips 80 which have been used by the mechanism section; CPU 51a for obtaining a number of the usable pipette tips 80; warning screens 76, 77, 79 for giving a predetermined warning to a user, when the number obtained by CPU 34a is in a predetermined relationship with the number obtained by CPU 51a.

Abstract: Methods for sampling a liquid flow are provided. The method includes supplying a continuous liquid flow from a continuous flow fluid input source to a surface along a first flow path. The method additionally includes sampling the continuous liquid flow by performing an electric field-based technique to split off a sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow, whereby the sample droplet is distinct from the liquid flow and controllable independently of the liquid flow, wherein the electric field-based technique is performed by providing a set of electrodes on the surface and selectively biasing the set of electrodes, whereby the sample droplet is formed on one of the set of electrodes.

Abstract: A fluid sample collection device for a disk-based fluid separation system is disclosed. The disk-based separation system includes a compact microfluidic disk with at least one flow channel pattern formed on a side surface of the disk. At least one orifice is formed on an outflow boundary of the disk and is designed in fluid communication with the flow channel pattern through a communication channel. The fluid sample collection device includes at least one collection tube having an open end serving as a fluid receiving end and corresponding to the orifice of the disk with a distance. When the disk is rotated, at least a portion of fluid sample in a sample processing reservoir formed on the disk is delivered by centripetal force through the communication channel and the orifice, and finally the expelling fluid sample is collected in the collection tube.

Abstract: An improved system for collecting, detecting, and classifying submicron-sized particles in a sample comprising an Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS) of the type wherein the detecting means includes a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and condensation particle counter (CPC), the improvement comprising positioning an aerosol collector or an electrostatic collector between the differential mobility analyzer and the condensation particle counter wherein submicron-sized particles from the environmental sample are collected for further analysis.

Abstract: In a clinical laboratory of a hospital, an enormous amount of effort has been required to maintain the quality of an analyzer, standard solution and control samples. An object of the present invention is to provide a control method for controlling a clinical laboratory with reduced cost, and a control apparatus using the same. In order to control data of an analyzer, standard solution, and a control sample, a support center is connected to each analyzer located in each hospital through a network line. Various kinds of analysis parameters and the result of measurements are exchanged so as to provide each clinical laboratory with a control situation in real time.

Abstract: A method of normalizing surface tension of a sample fluid on a clinical analyzer is disclosed. The method comprises aspirating a portion of a sample fluid into a metering tip, the metering tip having a lower end through which the sample fluid is aspirated and an upper end; sealing the lower end of the metering tip, forming a cuvette for the portion of the sample fluid; pre-treating a micro-tip with a surface tension-normalizing agent, and then dispensing the surface tension-normalizing agent into the sample fluid in the cuvette; mixing the surface tension-normalizing agent and the sample fluid in the cuvette using the micro-tip to create a mixture of the sample fluid and the surface tension-normalizing agent, the mixture having a normalized surface tension; and using the mixture for testing on the clinical analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a concentration of an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, wherein the test strip may be encoded with information that can be read by a test meter into which the test strip is inserted.

Abstract: Method of selectively determining the concentration of beta-glucan in samples, in particular in liquid samples of cereal origin, and a kit for such analysis. The method comprises the steps of contacting of a beta-glucan containing sample and a dye in liquid phase, complexing the beta-glucan with the dye to provide a modified liquid phase, measuring photometrically the absorbance of the modified liquid phase, and determining the concentration of beta-glucan based on the absorbance of the modified liquid phase. According to the invention, the dye comprises a Calcofluor dye such as Calcofluor White or Calcofluor White M2R. It has been found that the same reagent, or reagent of the kind basic kind, gives the same result when the sample is measured using photometry as when the dye is used in a reaction wherein fluorescence is measured.

Abstract: A single closed and compartmentalized vessel is designed to contain all assay reagents necessary to conduct an assay of a liquid sample. The vessel is constructed in parts that are rotatable relative to each other, and processing steps of the assay such as combining, mixing, separating, and measuring are all conducted by either rotating the parts relative to each other or rotating the vessel as a whole, all without opening the receptacle or otherwise exposing the user to any of the liquids or substances within the receptacle.

Abstract: A portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a housing forming a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. An electronic skin is on the housing. The electronic skin comprises a liquid crystal material and is configured to display a color.

Abstract: An apparatus, intended for use in analyzing particles in urine is disclosed, that comprising: a sample distribution section for distributing urine samples to a first aliquot and a second aliquot; a first specimen preparing section for preparing a first specimen for measuring urinary particles, containing at least erythrocytes, by mixing a first stain reagent and the first aliquot; a second specimen preparing section for preparing a second specimen for measuring bacteria by mixing a second stain reagent and the second aliquot; and an optical detecting section comprising a light source for irradiating a light to a specimen being supplied, a scattered light receiving element for detecting scattered light emitted from the specimen, and a fluorescence receiving element for detecting fluorescence emitted from the specimen. A method intended for use in analyzing particles in urine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is compact, mounting great number of reagents, having high processing ability. Reagent disks are arranged at inside and outside of a reaction disk. A reagent probe can inject a reagent into the position which is common position of both reagent disks. One of plural reagent probes approaches to one of reagent disks at one cycle. Plural reagent probes alternatively approach to the reagent disk. Therefore, the first reagents and the second reagents can be placed on both reagent disks. The mounting number of reagents can be increased without enlarging an analyzer. The cycle time can be shortened to make an automatic analyzer to have high processing ability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemiresistor-based sensor for measuring the presence or amount of analyte in an electrolyte solution; said chemiresistor comprising (i) a chemiresistor film wherein the impedance of said nanoparticle film changes in the presence of an analyte; and (ii) two electrically conducting electrodes in electrical contact with said nanoparticle film; wherein said electrically conducting electrodes are adapted to be connected to a device for measuring the impedance of said chemiresistor film under a voltage signal and wherein the impedance of the double layer capacitor formed by the two electrically conducting electrodes in the presence of the electrolyte solution, is larger than the impedance of the chemiresistor film either before or after exposure of the chemiresistor film to the analyte. A method of using said chemiresistor-based sensor to measure the presence or amount of analyte is also provided.

Abstract: The method for making microfluidic connections includes the steps of providing a system including a base, a movable device in communication with the base, and a sealing component attached to the movable device; delivering a microfluidic device to the base; aligning the sealing component and the microfluidic device, wherein the moveable device is capable of adjustably positioning the sealing component and capable of optical alignment, to bring the sealing component and the microfluidic device into fluid communication; and compressing the sealing component and the microfluidic device into contact thereby forming a microfluidic connection by creating a leak-resistant seal between at the interface of the sealing component and the microfluidic device.

Abstract: An automated immunoassay apparatus is disclosed comprising a single optical reading device (2a, 2b) for reading two microtitre plates (9, 14). A first microtitre plate (9) is loaded into an upper plate holder (8) which is linearly translated at a fixed height. A second microtitre plate (14) is loaded into a lower plate holder (13). The lower plate holder (13) runs along a contoured track which varies the vertical height of the second microtitre plate (14).

Abstract: A microfluidic-based flow assay and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. Specifically, the microfluidic flow assay includes a micropatterned surface that induces clot formation and an array of microfluidic channels though which blood flows. The micropatterned surface contains two clotting stimuli, one for inducing platelet adhesion and another for inducing the coagulation cascade.

Abstract: An automated microscope slide staining system and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments or a pressurizable common chamber for individually and independently processing a plurality of microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually operable heating element.

Abstract: Provided is a microchip which is capable of determining the quantity of the liquid in the chip and dividing the liquid, and has a relatively simple flow passage structure. In the microchip liquid supply system, a portion of the liquid in an upstream passage among the liquid injected into a first flow passage is supplied from a liquid discharge passage by operating a suction pump connected to a liquid supply passage in such a state that an air vent hole is closed. Thereafter, the suction pump is operated with the air vent hole closed, whereby a portion of the liquid in a quantity determination passage among the liquid injected into the first flow passage is supplied from a liquid supply passage.

Abstract: A device and method for extending the useful life of a bulk liquid used in an automated clinical analyzer. Air from the atmosphere surrounding the automated clinical analyzer that displaces the bulk liquid consumed from a container is routed through a gas scrubber in order to remove or at least reduce the quantity of at least one contaminant present in that air. The gas scrubber is positioned between the bulk liquid in the container and the atmosphere surrounding the container. The gas scrubber contains a reagent that is capable of reacting with a contaminant in the atmosphere, whereby a required characteristic(s) of the bulk liquid does (do) not change excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed. For example, if the contaminant is carbon dioxide, and the required characteristic of the bulk liquid is the level of pH of the bulk liquid, the reagent in the gas scrubber prevents the level of pH of the bulk liquid from changing excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed.

Abstract: Laterally oscillating gravimetric sensing device embeddable under micro-fluidic channels and fabricated with micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, which detects biological cells and analytes by measuring the change of mass attached on its surface is composed of four main groups, namely a resonator that can be placed onto the basis of the channel, components of the resonator bio-activation, a micro fluidic channel, and the microfabrication techniques, and its main components are the proof mass (1), comb fingers fixed to proof mass (2), folded spring beams (3), channel floor and mechanical soil (4), stationary electrodes (5), comb fingers attached to the stationary electrodes (6), golden film deposited onto the mass (7), immobilized biologic recognition molecules (8), and micro fluidic channel placed on resonator structure (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis system for the photometric determination of an analyte in a body fluid, having an analysis device and a test carrier. The test carrier has an evaluation zone in which a photometrically detectable change takes place as the result of a reaction of a sample of the body fluid which contacts the test carrier with a reagent contained in the test carrier. The analysis device comprises an optical emitter for emitting light onto the evaluation zone, an optical receiver for receiving light from the evaluation zone and for generating a measurement signal corresponding to the received light, and a measurement and evaluation device with a measuring unit and an evaluating unit. The measurement signal is amplified and digitalized in the measuring unit. In the evaluating unit, the concentration value is determined from the digitalized measurement signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved measurement of absorbance/transmission through fluidic systems are described. Specifically, in one set of embodiments, optical elements are fabricated on one side of a transparent fluidic device opposite a series of fluidic channels. The optical elements may guide incident light passing through the device such that most of the light is dispersed away from specific areas of the device, such as intervening portions between the fluidic channels. By decreasing the amount of light incident upon these intervening portions, the amount of noise in the detection signal can be decreased when using certain optical detection systems.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention described herein is directed to a detection system utilizing at least one radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor comprising: an RFID sensor comprising: a substrate; an antenna; a sensor material selected to be sensitive to one of chemical or biological environment; and a reader, wherein said reader is configured to measure a signal in the form of a complex impedance from said RFID tag wherein said signal comprises a plurality of frequencies and a frequency shift of the maximum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the minimum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the maximum of the real part of the complex impedance, and changes in magnitude of the real part of the complex impedance; and, wherein said complex impedance is related to a nature and a concentration of analyte species derived from multivariate analysis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.

Abstract: A cassette for preparing a sample is disclosed herein. The cassette includes a housing, which encloses the structures and the processes used to prepare the sample.

Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.

Abstract: A method is provided for disposing of a liquid within an automated analytical system for processing a fluid biological sample, wherein a contamination prevention shield including channels for pipets or pipet tips is reversibly docked to a container for liquid waste in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. A tip rack assembly is provided for processing a fluid sample, the assembly including a rack for pipet tips and the contamination prevention shield. An analytical system is provided using the tip rack assembly, wherein cross-contamination is avoided.

Abstract: Various medical systems and methods are described, including a medical monitoring system. The medical monitoring system can have a fluid system configured to receive bodily fluid and optically analyze said fluid to determine analyte concentration. The fluid system can have a removable portion. The removable portion can have an opening with a port. The system can also have a container configured to contain anticoagulant. The container can have a portion configured to mate with the port of the removable portion. The container can be further configured to not fit into a conventional luer fitting. An anti-coagulant insertion apparatus is also described. The apparatus can have a syringe, a dock with a port, and an adapter configured to connect the syringe to the port. The dock can also have a tab configured to move with the port.

Abstract: A device for reprocessing used plastic containers including a system for analyzing the degree of contamination of the plastic, a system for determining decontamination process parameters as a function of the degree of contamination thus detected, and a system for controlled decontamination of the plastic according to the decontamination process parameters thus determined. The system for determining decontamination process parameters provides determined decontamination process parameters to corresponding decontamination control elements that are automatically adjusted depending on the degree of contamination.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: A biological test member, and method of making the same, is disclosed with the member including a substrate. The test member has usefulness, for example, in testing a person's blood glucose level. A first layer and a second layer of conductive metal are printed or otherwise applied on the substrate in an electrode pattern. The metal or metals are cured or sintered at a low, non-damaging temperature, such as by applying one or more pulses of a high-energy broad spectrum light. A layer of reagent may be provided on said second metal layer.

Abstract: It is a microfluidic device including a flowchannel in which liquid flows. The flowchannel includes a main channel and a pair of branch channels provided across the main channel from each other to be each connected to the main channel. The main channel includes a first zone, a second zone, and a coupling zone that connects the first zone and the second zone. The second zone is smaller than the first zone in a distance between a bottom surface and a ceiling surface. The coupling zone is configured such that the distance between the bottom surface and the ceiling surface thereof gradually decreases towards the second zone from the first zone. A connection zone provided in the main channel and connected to each of the pair of branch channels overlaps with the coupling zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a device and method for accurately extracting individual organic acid and/or Total Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA), ammonium (NH4+) and buffering inorganic carbon compound or hydrogen carbonate (HCO3?) concentrations trends from an active Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process. The substantially real-time individual and/or total VFA, NH4+ and HCO3? information allows the AD operator to effectively operate the system at optimal efficiency and ensure that VFA and NH4+ concentrations do not reach toxic levels that can potentially cause the AD process to fail. The general health of an AD digester and process may be determined by using a ratio of total organic acids to total inorganic carbon as determined by the method.

Abstract: A sample handling method may include drawing an encapsulating liquid from an encapsulating-liquid input; discharging the drawn encapsulating liquid (a) onto a free surface of a carrier liquid in a carrier-liquid conduit comprising a stabilisation feature and (b) proximate to the stabilisation feature, the encapsulating liquid being immiscible with the carrier liquid, so that the discharged encapsulating liquid does not mix with the carrier liquid, floats on top of the carrier liquid, and is immobilised by the stabilisation feature; drawing a sample liquid from a sample-liquid input; and discharging the drawn sample liquid, the sample liquid being immiscible with the encapsulating liquid and with the carrier liquid, so that the sample liquid does not mix with the encapsulating liquid or with the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for regulating flow in an exemplary fluidic device comprising a fluidic stream carrying a transport medium, sample and one or more reagents for analysis and synthesis of reaction products. The flow rate of the fluidic stream is maintained constant by adjusting the flow rate of transport medium to compensate for the introduction of sample and reagents. An embodiment controls the flow rate of transport medium using a pump, a back pressure regulator, and a variable-sized orifice. Single and multiple channel embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods can dispense single or multiple fluid particles (such as a gas or other fluid bubble) or an encapsulated particle (e.g., a bead or biological cell) into a microchannel.

Abstract: A sample analyzer is provided. The sample analyzer includes a reagent container holder, a measurement unit, and an information processing unit configured to perform operations including controlling the measurement unit to start the successive measurement of the plurality of samples, determining whether to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container while performing the successive measurement by using the reagent contained in the first reagent container, controlling the measurement unit to suspend a start of aspiration of a next sample, to measure a quality control measurement sample prepared from the reagent contained in the second reagent container, when determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container, and controlling the measurement unit to start the aspiration of the next sample when an analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzer (1) including a photometry mechanism (6) for photometrically analyzing a reagent pad of an analytical tool to which a sample is applied, and a table (4) including a placing portion (41) at which the analytical tool is to be placed. The light emitting surface (68) or the light incident surface (68) of the light from the light emitting elements (66) of the photometry mechanism (6) is cleaned, with a cleaning tool (22) placed at the table (4). The present invention further provides a cleaning tool (22) for cleaning the photometry mechanism (6) of the analyzer (1).

Abstract: An automated assay fluid dispensing system includes a database that associates assay protocols with assay procedures, the procedures including a first assay procedure specifying dissimilar first and second channel procedures for driving first and second channels of a fluid-dispenser cassette. The system includes a controller with a procedure selector to select or to assist a human to select an assay procedure from the database to be executed in an assay run. The controller also includes a cassette driver to drive the cassette to dispense fluids automatically to multiple sites during the assay run so that fluids in the first and second channels are dispensed in accordance with the dissimilar first and second channel procedures. The system includes a cassette interface to engage the cassette so that the controller can drive it to implement the assay run.

Abstract: A test apparatus in which detectors and objects to be detected are rotated at the same speed, and a control method thereof are provided. The test apparatus includes a rotation driving unit that includes a rotary shaft; a microfluidic device that is loaded on the rotary shaft and includes at least one object to be detected; a rotating member that is mounted on the rotary shaft and includes at least one detector to detect the objects of the microfluidic device; and a controller configured to operate the rotation driving unit such that the microfluidic device and the rotating member are rotated at the same speed on the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A method to avert an unlawfully intoxicated driver from operating a vehicle is provided. The method utilizes a passive ethanol vapor sensor to measure ethanol vapor concentration in air from a vehicle cabin and imposes a safety response when the passive ethanol vapor sensor detects that a sample of vehicle cabin air indicates that a vehicle occupant exceeds the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a motor vehicle driver. The ethanol vapor sensor may have a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode. Ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin may be passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. An active breathalyzer may be used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A droplet actuator comprising a substrate comprising an electrode coupled to a voltage source, wherein the droplet actuator is configured such that when voltage is applied to the electrode, an electrostatic energy gradient is established at a surface of the substrate which causes a droplet to be transported in a direction established by the energy gradient. Related methods and other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Smear preparing apparatuses for preparing a smear of a specimen on a glass slide are described that include a memory for storing smearing conditions in connection with pertinent information required for establishing the smearing condition; and a controller for retrieving one of the stored smearing conditions corresponding to the pertinent information of the specimen from the memory and for determining it as the smearing condition of the specimen. Methods of preparing sample smears on a glass slide are also described that include receiving condition identification data; storing smear preparing conditions correlated with the condition identification data; retrieving the smear preparing conditions correlated with the condition identification data; and applying the sample smear to the glass slide based on the smear preparing conditions.

Abstract: A holder (10) housing defines a plurality of individual wells (14) sized to retain a substrates such as a bio-chip (20) or microscope slide in a vertical orientation, and to retain a volume of liquid (22) sufficient to immerse the bio-chip. The wells are spaced-apart with an approximately 9 mm pitch and the holder has a form factor approximating an SBS Standard 96-well microplate. The holder configuration is such that it can be manipulated with standard robotic equipment (30), and can be fabricated using injection molding processes.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis apparatus which can obtain stable analysis results by stabilizing a constant-temperature bath and the temperature of a reaction liquid inside reaction containers. For this purpose, the automatic analysis apparatus (1) comprises: a storage tank (10) for storing a temperature controlling liquid (L1) dispensed into reaction containers (5) using dispensing apparatuses (6) and (7); and a dispensation control section for performing a control for dispensing the temperature controlling liquid (L1) using the dispensing apparatuses into an empty reaction container when there is such an empty reaction container, in which neither a specimen nor a reagent is dispensed, on a reaction table (4), where the temperature controlling liquid is cooled down substantially equal to the dispensed reagent by laying a pipe, which is provided between a cooler and a reagent table (2) for passing the coolant, through the temperature controlling liquid in the storage tank.

Abstract: A sensor instrument system for detecting and identifying analytes in fluids of a region contains a local sensor instrument and remote central station. The instrument includes a core technology employing a single sensor having two electrodes operated by an electrical frequency sweeping to generate two sets of patterned electrical information from a single measurement, a data transmission module and a GPS receiver module. The central station connects to a network means connected to a plurality of local receiving sites equipped with including the respective transceivers, so that the local analyte electrical information and geographic position information transmitted by the instrument can be wirelessly and remotely received and processed by the central station.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes sample vessels containing samples to be measured and reaction vessels in which to mix a sample and a reagent. A sample dispenser 5 dispenses a sample from any of the sample vessels to any of the reaction vessels. A reagent dispenser dispenses a reagent from a reagent vessel to a reaction vessel, and a stirrer stirs the sample-reagent mix contained in the reaction vessel. A photometric measurement unit is provided for obtaining multiple measurement data points during the progress of reaction of a mixed solution. At least one approximation formula is performed and an approximation curve from the measurement data points is generated. A shape descriptor is calculated from the approximation curve and abnormalities based on the shape descriptor are determined. This not only allows abnormalities to be detected accurately from each measurement result, but also allows the causes of the abnormalities to be identified.

Abstract: A sample analyzer prepares a measurement sample from a blood sample or a body fluid sample which differs from the blood sample; measures the prepared measurement sample; obtains characteristic information representing characteristics of the components in the measurement sample; sets either a blood measurement mode for measuring the blood sample, or a body fluid measurement mode for measuring the body fluid sample as an operating mode; and measures the measurement sample prepared from the blood sample by executing operations in the blood measurement mode when the blood measurement mode has been set, and measuring the measurement sample prepared from the body fluid sample by executing operations in the body fluid measurement mode that differs from the operations in the blood measurement mode when the body fluid measurement mode has been set, is disclosed. A computer program product is also disclosed.