Abstract: An analytical instrument sample vial positioning and sensor device. A radius or cone-shaped body portion extending below a surface contacts a loosely held sample vial having a flexible septum thereon. The shaped body portion is biased downward resulting in the relative movement between the sample vial and shaped body portion tending to center the flexible septum under the shaped body. A longitudinal bore extending through the shaped body permits the insertion of a syringe needle for the removal of a sample to be analyzed. The pre-positioning of the sample vial presents syringe needles from being bent or broken due to inappropriate alignment with respect to the septum. A sensor is incorporated with the shaped body to detect the presence or absence of a sample vial.

Abstract: An assay cartridge suitable for use with automated analytical instruments which include a conveyor such as a carousel. The cartridge is configured with ledges extending cutwardly from sides thereof, preferably at the bottom of the cartridge. The conveyor incudes berths for receiving the cartridges, each berth being formed as a depressed region within a top surface of the conveyor and bounded by a floor at the bottom of the berth and opposed sidewalls and an end wall extending upwardly from the floor. The sidewalls are preferably parallel to each other. An open end of the berth, opposite the end wall serves as a port through which the cartridge is inserted and extracted from the berth. Each of the sidewalls of the berth is provided with a shoulder which extends inwardly towards a center line of the berth, and upon insertion of the cartridge, extends over the ledges of the cartridge to serve as a guide. The guide includes grooves formed between the shoulders and the floor.

Abstract: An automatic immunoassay apparatus utilizes cartridges each having at least two wells, a first well containing solid phase material carrying antigen or antibody, and a second well containing antibody or antigen labelled with labelling compound. The wells may be sealed with a suitable sealing film before use and the sealing film is broken when the cartridge is to be used. The cartridges are transported to a predetermined position on a steppingly movable reaction line and conveyed thereby at a predetermined interval. While the reaction line steps, a sample, labelled antigen or antibody contained in the second well and substrate, if necessary, are added to the first well and stirred at predetermined timings, and reactions between the sample and a reactive solution are measured under control of a control device having a memory storing operator selectable programs for various measuring methods.

Abstract: Magnetic particles used as a solid support are placed in reaction vessels and stepped sequentially past successive magnets for separation.

Abstract: A reagent bottle and cap assembly includes a bottle which may be positioned in current apparatus in such a manner that the removal of fluids is maximized. The cap has a flip-top with a live hinge and live over-center spring for holding the cap in an open position and includes a conical core which is in communication with a wiper blade for breaking the meniscus or fluid seal between the core and the neck to enhance the flow of fluids which have collected on the cap back into the bottle for minimizing evaporation.

Abstract: A test strip evaluating instrument is used for testing of multiple test strips, and has a transport and positioning device which transports the test strips at right angles to their longitudinal direction from a test strip feed area along a transport path to a disposal area. At least one measuring station with an optical measuring unit is arranged on the transport path. Rails, on which the test strips slide, run along the transport path. The test strips are transported in a step-wise manner by at least two rows of cam elements following one another in the transport direction, and these two rows of cam elements move synchronously with one another in a periodically recurring movement path.

Abstract: There is described an analytical isntrument for the analysis of fluids such as biological fluids. The instrument includes a fluid dispensing system having a pipette for dispensing fluid test samples and test reagents to assay cartridges. An optical detection system provides a light beam which intercepts a downward travel path of the pipette prior to its reaching the dispense position. Measurement of the intensity of the light beam in conjunction with the position of the pipette enables a controller to indicate the presence or absence of a pipette tip. In addition, interception of the light beam by the pipette initiates a final approach sequence for the pipette to the dispense position above an assay cartridge by a predetermined increment of travel.

Abstract: A system for a plurality of specimen containers for performing assays, such as chemo- or bioluminescence measurements, includes a support element used for transporting the specimen containers through a measuring instrument, and a holder in which a plurality of specimen containers are received and which, for performing the measurement, can be mounted on the support element. The holder is a disposable component, so that once the measurement has been performed it can be discarded along with the specimen containers. For receiving multiple holders outside the measuring instrument, a stand is provided. Both on the holder and on the stand and support element, special provisions are made for positioning of the specimen containers both in the stand and in the support element in a way that both assures satisfactory measurement and precludes any mistake in the order of the specimen containers during the measurement or during the preparatory steps in the process.

Abstract: There is disclosed micro-processor controlled bio-fluid assay apparatus wherein microtitre plates are on carriers having machine readable labels and wherein the samples of bio-fluid and reagent dispensers also preferably carry machine readable labels whereby the micro-processors which controls movement of the plates through the apparatus can verify correct operation thereof. Movement of the plates is effected by a plate carrier transfer mechanism which has the ability to move the plate carriers in any order and in either direction along each of the x,y and z axes.

Abstract: A cell selecting apparatus which has an extracting and injection section, a tray transport section, a cultivating section, a cell selecting section, and a controller for controlling each section according to the operating conditions which are inputted therein. This arrangement makes it possible to select and isolate the desired cells or microorganisms from mixtures of different types of cells or microorganisms, for example, those which are capable of proliferating over short periods of time and producing antibodies or secretions, from a liquid culture of cells.

Abstract: An analyzing apparatus includes a turntable, and a plurality of reaction containers which are arranged on the turntable. This turntable is intermittently rotated so that the train of reaction containers is alternately in a conveyed state and a stopped state. The outer walls of part of the reaction containers in the train of reaction containers are in contact with a fixedly provided friction flange, while the remaining reaction containers in the train of reaction containers is not in contact with the friction flange. Since the reaction containers located in an area where they make contact with the friction flange are conveyed while they are contacting with the friction flange as the turntable is rotated, the motion of the turntable is transmitted to the reaction containers, and the reaction containers are thereby rotated on their own axes so as to allow the reaction liquid in the containers to be stirred.

Abstract: An automated multi-purpose analytical chemistry processing center and laboratory work station having a movable table for supporting microtiter plates and other fluid receptacles, a movable arm, and a modular mobile pod affixed for reciprocal movement along the arm. The workstation combines into a single programmable system the capabilities for automation of a wide range of bioanalytical procedures including, not only sample pipetting, serial dilution, reagent additions, mixing, reaction timing and similar known manual procedures, but also programmable spectrophotometric measurements and other physical parameters, further processing based on these measurements and automatic data recording. The work station is adapted to transfer, dispense, and aspirate liquid from one location to another automatically in accordance with user programmed instructions.

Abstract: An automatic infinitesimal liquid reactor equipped with a pipetter for dispensing reagents employs two stages which are capable of sliding horizontally. A microplate which has a plurality of recesses in rows is placed in one stage and reagent bottles are placed on the other stage. The pipetter is supported on a horizontal guide rail operating slidably horizontally and along an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the two stages slide. The horizontal guide rail is supported on a vertical guide rail so as to operate slidably in a vertical direction. Thus the pipetter can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the two stages slide. When reagents are sucked from reagent bottles, the second stage is slid so that a reagent bottle is superposed below the pipetter and the pipetter is moved downwardly into the reagent bottle to draw in a reagent.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus for applying a liquid sample onto a long test film, incubating the sample-applied film portion by an incubator, and measuring the degree of color formation at the sample-applied portion comprises a test film conveyor for continuously conveying at least the part of the long test film inside of the incubator so that a speed v [cm/min.] at which the part of the long test film inside of the incubator is conveyed is expressed as v=n.l. The incubator is constituted so that a length L [cm] of the incubator in the direction of conveyance of the long test film satisfies the condition of L.gtoreq.(nt+1).l, where l [cm] denotes the length of a portion of the long test film necessary for a single step of sample application, t [min.] denotes the incubation time, and n [number/min.] denotes the number of repetitions of sample application per unit time.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus useful in an analyzer, comprising a first mechanism for moving a stack of elements around at least one generally circular, horizontal track, a second mechanism for temporarily holding a stack on the track, and a third mechanism for altering the second mechanism between two states, one which holds the stack on the track and the other which releases the stack from the track.

Abstract: There is described a stopper detector for use in combination with a stopper remover, so that containers of liquid can be automatically unstoppered in an analyzer if they are in fact stoppered. The stopper detector includes a mechanism for discriminating between a container having a stopper, and an unstoppered container, including one with a cup inserted into the top of the container. It also includes means for generating a signal in response to the discriminating means that is indicative of whether or not a stopper is present, such signal being effective, if present, to activate a following stopper remover.

Abstract: The slide analysis system includes a slide holding module spaced from an incubator module. A slide transfer device or pick and place mechanism withdraws slides from the slide holding module and inserts them into the incubator module. A metering device deposits serum onto a slide that is held in a spotting position by the slide transfer device. The metering device is movable to a sampling position in the slide holding module to aspirate serum from a serum source on the slide cartridge in the slide holding module and is also movable to a spotting position to spot serum on the slide held by the slide transfer device. The slide transfer device has rotational as well as transverse movement and includes jaws for gripping onto the sides of slides to withdraw a single slide from a cartridge, transport it to the incubator, insert the slide in the incubator and thereafter remove it from the incubator.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemically analyzing a sample on a test piece that includes a reagent layer, comprises a test piece table for positioning a test piece thereon, and an applying station wherein a sample may be applied to the reagent layer. The test table moves to a position below a row of holes with the reagents aligned to the holes and a sample is applied to each reagent layer from a nozzle, the samples passing through the respective holes. Covers are moved over the holes after the samples are applied and the test pieces are moved to a measuring station for measuring the reaction between the sample and reagent layer. Photometric techniques are used in evaluating the reaction. Opening and closing of the covers is controlled by motion of the sample dispensing nozzle as it moves from one opening to the next.

Abstract: An automated, on-line solvent elimination interface system is described for use in characterizing the Composition Distribution (CD) of unknown materials emerging from a fractionating unit or a process stream. Fractionated samples to be analyzed, such as a polymer, in highly diluted form in one or more solvents, are provided by a fractionation unit such as a gel permeation chromatograph (GPC), a high pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC), or a field flow fractionator (FFF). A number of discharges of each particular fraction are supplied to individual collection units within the interface system under controlled conditions of flow rate, temperature and pressure (vacuum) such that the solvents are flash-evaporated at the collection unit. A sufficient solid residue is built up on the collection unit for analysis by, for example, a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyzer.

Abstract: An analyzer and sample trays are disclosed which permit more random sampling of patient samples than is conventional. The trays are open at the sides, and preferably include flags for sensing, and structure on the bottom wall for releasibly engaging a conveyor. The analyzer provides a separate linear track for each of the trays, in which the trays are mounted, and another conveyor for reciprocating each of the trays within its respective track and to a position that intersects a path taken by a moving aspirating and dispensing station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for spectrophotometrically determining the concentration of a number of hemoglobin derivatives comprising at least deoxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin or parameters derived from the concentration of individual hemoglobin derivatives, in particular the oxygen saturation fraction, in whole blood, in which light is transmitted to the blood under test, the modification on the light transmitted to the blood which the blood causes is determined at a number of individual wavelengths, and the concentrations (or the derived parameters) are determined on the basis of the light modification at the individual wavelengths and on the basis of predetermined coefficients representing the light absorption characteristics of each of the hemoglobin derivatives at each of the individual wavelengths, any error on the determination values due to turbidity being substantially compensated for by utilizing predetermined coefficients representing an absorption characteristic of turbidity at each of the wavelengths.

Abstract: A reagent container for use in a sample and reagent transfer system is of sector shaped configuration and has a generally vertical curved outer wall, generally vertical side walls that are disposed and angled to one another, a generally horizontal top wall with two ports through which two probes may concurrently be inserted, a generally horizontal bottom wall that has a well portion below and aligned with one port in the top wall, and a dry well channel that is open at its bottom and aligned with the other port in the top wall.

Abstract: A machine for transferring liquids to and from the wells of assay trays in a controlled, automated manner and a solid phase assay tray for use with the machine. The machine includes a horizontally translatable table (15) that holds the tray (46), a plurality of liquid dispensing manifolds (54) for dispensing liquids into the tray wells (50) and an aspirating manifold (65) for aspirating liquid from the well. The dispensing and aspirating manifolds are mounted on a vertically translatable head (16) above the table. Each dispensing manifold is equipped with a row of dispensing tubes (56) and is connected via a pump (58) to a liquid container (62). The aspirating manifold is equipped with a row of aspirating tubes (66) and is connected via a pump (69) to a waste liquid receptacle (73). A microprocessor (85) controls the movements of the table and manifolds and operates the pumps.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer has a compensation coefficient calculating section and a light-path-length-based compensating section. The calculating section obtains the ratio of the absorbancies measured of reaction cells filled with a sample of the known absorbancy to the absorbancy measured of each cell, thereby calculating compensation coefficients for the respective cells. The compensating section multiplies the absorbancies measured of the cells refilled with samples of different unknown absorbancies by the compensation coefficients calculated by the calculating section, thereby compensating the absorbancies for the light path lengths of the cells. The compensated absorbancies, i.e., the absorbancies of the samples, are used in analyzing the samples.

Abstract: Two turntables are arranged in a concentric array with a plurality of reaction tubes arranged on each respective turntable, in which one turntable is rotated while, on the other hand, the other turntable is stopped. It is possible to measure the intensity of a light beam passed through the reaction liquid within the reaction tube on the turntable being rotated. The pouring of a sample, pouring of a reagent and washing/drying are achieved with respect to the reaction tubes on the turntable being stopped. The pouring of the sample and reagent and washing of the tubes are achieved parallel with the extraction of the measured data, thus assuring a shorter analytical handling time.

Abstract: An autonomous continuous analysis method and apparatus using Dip and Read type analytical implements. A series of operations of taking out analytical implements, dipping them in the sample solution, optical measurement, calculation, and disposal of the used sample solution are performed automatically.The dip stage, in particular, is automated by use of an analytical-implement automatic supply device and an analytical implement automatic handling device which, holding an analytical implement, dips it in the sample solution, and sets it ona reaction turntable. A number of analytical implements are put in a storage section comprising a bottom section provided with an analytical implement groove and at least one inside surface which is parallel with the groove, are taken out one by one by the relative movement of the groove and in normal and reverse direction and by stopping in a specified position after confirming by a detector that an implement has been caught in the groove.

Abstract: A method for determining the reticulocyte population in a blood sample includes the steps of determining the average cell size of the blood sample, partitioning the sample by centrifugation through a medium of known density so as to provide a fraction enriched with neocytes, determining the average cell size of the fraction, comparing the average cell size of the sample to the average cell size of the fraction and utilizing this comparison to provide a determination of the population of reticulocytes in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adding liquid to, aspirating liquid from, a rack of reaction tubes wherein a rack and carriage-dependent probes are made to move relative each other in the horizontal and vertical planes. The method calls for performing the first half of a wash sequence on tube located at x row, y column, then completing the sequence on tube at (x-1) row, y column, and returning to the tube at x row, (y+1) column to initiate the first half of the sequence. This "backtracking" of probes permits an incubation-soak period without cumulatively extending the total rack processing time.

Abstract: A test kit is provided for measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate automatically in the original blood collection tube which is of a size and is so modified to be used for the resulting testing that no further blood transfer is required. The blood collection tube is evacuated to the desired level to obtain the desired quantity of blood to be collected and contains the proper quantity of anticoagulant. The test kit of the invention includes one or more tube-like slots for maintaining the blood collection tubes stable and in a vertical orientation for the testing procedure. Each slot includes a tube sleeve vertically adjustable in each slot. Each sleeve includes an appropriate Westergren scale which is moved with the sleeve to accommodate the positioning of the initial top level of the red blood cells in the sample.

Abstract: A chemical reaction apparatus is disclosed which comprises endless travelling belt(s) disposed to support in place a multiplicity of juxtaposed reaction containers having the axes thereof falling in a plane inclined from the horizontal plane and adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the axes of the reaction containers; endless retaining belts disposed adjacent and not contiguously to the aforementioned travelling belts and provided with a multiplicity of teeth projecting up as at fixed regularly spaced intervals slightly greater than the diameters of the reaction containers so as to enable the reaction containers accommodated in the intervening spaces between the teeth to be held in fixed positions in an arrayed pattern; a base adapted to support in place the bottoms of the aforementioned reaction containers rotated about the axes thereof in an inclined state by the aforementioned travelling belts and the aforementioned retaining belts; and a drive mechanism for intermitte

Abstract: Automated apparatus for carrying out biological, biochemical or physicochemical determinations, which consists essentially of an automatic machine for the preparation of solutions intended for these determinations, and of a measuring apparatus, these being connected to a single computer. This apparatus is intended in particular for the determination of antibiotics by turbidimetry.

Abstract: An analysis system has a first region in which sample materials are stored at an appropriate storage temperature and an analysis region which is maintained at a controlled and stabilized temperature higher than the temperature of the first region. Transfer mechanism for transferring a quantity of sample material from the first region for loading into an analysis cuvette in the analysis region includes a liquid handling probe that is mounted on a probe transport carriage, and a drive for moving the transport carriage between the first and second regions. The transport carriage includes a storage chamber connected to the liquid handling probe, thermal energy supplying means in heat exchange relation with the storage chamber, and thermal sensor means carried by the transport carriage. Means responsive to the thermal sensor supplies thermal energy to the transport carriage to maintain the storage chamber at substantially the same temperature as the analysis region.

Abstract: A turntable holding a train of reaction containers thereon is continuously turned by one revolution plus an angle for a share of one container and then stopped. This makes one cycle. On the route of transfer of the reaction container, there are provided a light irradiation position and a light collection position.The reaction container into which a sample and a marker reagent have been introduced is transferred such that it does not stop at the irradiation position and the light collection position. The reaction container to which a monochromatic light for excitation has been irradiated at the irradiation position is transferred toward the light collection position. Fluorescence coming from the light collection position is lead to a photodetector, and the concentration of the target substance in the sample is determined from the detected fluorescence after arithmetic processing.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzing apparatus including a cuvette assembly having a plurality of rows of reaction tubes arranged in respective sample magazines, each sample magazine being conveyed sequentially in a direction perpendicular to the transverse row of reaction tubes, and then in a direction parallel thereto so as to complete a reaction channel, during which the samples to be analyzed in the magazine are treated and analyzed a predetermined number of times by passing through a photometer. Adjacent the reaction channel is provided a preparation channel for cleaning and drying of reaction tubes and/or for adding of samples and reagents to the cleaned and dried tubes. Sample magazines are selectively transferrable from the reaction chamber to the preparation chamber upon completion of testing of the samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing samples for the purpose of analysis, in which at least one reaction agent and an initial sample are successively injected into a cartridge (90) provided with an orifice (92) in its lower portion, in such a manner as to cause the injected matter to pass through a column (91) of powdery agent contained within the cartridge, and in which the product of the last passage of injected matter through the column is retained for analysis. According to the invention, the reaction agents and the initial sample are successively injected into each cartridge after the top of the cartridge has been sealed in such a manner that the injection of the reaction agent or the sample causes the pressure at the top of the cartridge to rise, thereby accelerating the passage of the reaction agent or the sample through the column.

Abstract: A process for performing sample analyses wherein reagents are filled portionwise into closed containers that comprise cells and carry codes identifying the reagent contained therein. Cells required for different analyses are placed in a rack together with a sample container containing the sample. A code identifying the sample is applied to the rack. The codes on the cells and the code on the rack are read with the same reading unit.

Abstract: An automatic analysis apparatus of small size which meets the needs of regional hospitals or medium- or small-sized hospitals, and which is easy to handle and simple in construction. The apparatus employs reaction vessels of the disposable type so as to substantially completely prevent a problem of cross contamination while enabling a low running cost.

Abstract: A process for the purpose of the thermostatic control of a sample fluid to be analyzed, as well as reagents and optionally the solvents necessary for performing analyses in an automatically functioning analyzer, wherein the sample container containing the sample fluid as well as the cells containing the reagents are placed in a rack made from good thermally conducting material. The rack is fixed in the analyzer at the individual processing stations between two side walls. At least one of the side walls is heated, so that the rack is thermostatically controlled and, consequently, so is the sample fluid and the reagents.

Abstract: A procedure for photometric measurement of liquids in a reaction vessel in an automatic analyser, with a radiation flow having its course perpendicular to a row of the reaction vessel, so as to provide a reliable and positively operating measuring method for the photometric measurement of the liquids. The procedure is characterized in that the radiation flow and the reaction vessel are in movement relative to each other during the measurement. The invention affords the advantage of improved accuracy of measurement and improved reliability since it becomes possible, by measuring a moving object and at the same time calculating the mean of the radiant flux over accepted portions of the signal, to eliminate the error of measurement introduced by a dirt particle or by a scratch. The invention also concerns a row of reaction vessels employed in the procedure, wherein each reaction vessel is contiguous to the next and separated by a wall.

Abstract: A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and then to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle.

Abstract: The beam from a xenon flashed lamp driven by a pulse drive system is guided through 12 illumination beam guiding optical fibers, to illuminate a reaction liquid contained in 12 reaction cuvettes (with every 4 reaction cuvettes being located at each of 3 different measuring stations). The beam transmitted through the reaction liquid is so led as to be incident on 12 transmitted beam guiding optical fibers. The beam emission ends of the transmitted beam guiding optical fibers are inserted into a support member at positions thereof which fall on a circle. The rotor is rotated in conjunction with a shaft. A pair of reflecting mirrors are secured to the rotor and shaft, respectively. The beams emitted from the transmitted beam guiding optical fibers are independently and consecutively led along the same optical path, to a pair of slit members disposed on the side of the rotor opposite the support member, while the rotor completes one rotation.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer performs calibration by comparing a measured value obtained by measuring a reaction solution, obtained by reacting a sample with a reagent, with a calibration curve corresponding to the analysis item. In the apparatus, a desired number of analysis items and calibration intervals corresponding to the analysis items are set by an input device, and stored in the memory. A control device has a counting device, and checks if the calibration interval stored in the memory has elapsed for each analysis item so as to supply calibration alarm data and/or calibration indication data in accordance with the checking result and upon interlocking with the counting device. A display displays at least one of the above data.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzing apparatus including a cuvette assembly having a plurality of rows of reaction tubes arranged in respective sample magazines, each sample magazine being conveyed sequentially in a direction perpendicular to the transverse row of reaction tubes, and then in a direction parallel thereto so as to complete a reaction channel, during which the samples to be analyzed in the magazine are treated and analyzed a predetermined number of times by passing through a photometer. Adjacent the reaction channel is provided a preparation channel for cleaning and drying of reaction tubes and/or for adding of samples and reagants to the cleaned and dried tubes. Sample magazines are selectively transferrable from the reaction chamber to the preparation chamber upon completion of testing of the samples.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer which comprises a reaction line system including a plurality of reaction lines each consisting of a plurality of reaction tubes arranged in a row, means for distributing samples to the reaction tubes, and means for carrying out chemical analysis of samples contained in the reaction tubes. The reaction line system is provided with a driving mechanism for driving the individual reaction lines intermittently and independently of one another, and is constructed to sure that the feed rate of the individual reaction lines can be freely changed. The automatic chemical analyzer can thus be reduced in size and nevertheless can quickly and reliably make analysis of a number of samples for a number of items.

Abstract: Programmable automatic means for the depositing in a precise position on an analytical support of a precise, minute liquid quantity. It comprises a main support provided with displacement means, a piston syringe mounted on the main support, a distributor of a plurality of hollow sampling needles, a cutting device, a sample solution distributor with several recesses, an analytical support holder, an analytical support gripping means and extraction means, a distributor for new analytical supports, a receiver for analytical supports following the sample deposition and a used needle extractor.This automatic means can be used in a system associated with a thermoionization mass spectrometry analysis apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus for automatically effecting chemical analysis on a sample of blood, urea or the like dependent on measurement items by measuring the light absorption degree of a reaction liquid through a reaction vessel, comprising a reaction liquid photometric unit, a photometric unit independent of the reaction light photometric unit and operative to measure beforehand the light absorption degree of the reaction vessel per se or the reaction vessel containing a reagent or dilute liquid, and means for correcting the light absorption degree of the reaction liquid measured at the reaction liquid photometric unit on the basis of the light absorption degree of the reaction vessel per se or the light absorption degree of the reaction vessel containing the reagent or dilute liquid measured at the independent photometric unit.

Abstract: A discrete-type analytical system comprising a cuvette tray which is adapted for bidirectional rotation, so as to ensure accurate repositioning of individual reaction cuvettes at one or more treatment stations.

Abstract: An optical continuous measuring apparatus for a reaction-liquid comprises: a microplate provided with a plurality of microcups arranged on a straight line at intervals of a certain distance; a rotary disc provided over the microplate so as to be rotatable, which disc is provided with suction nozzles in its outer periphery, which nozzles are sequentially inserted into the microcups upon rotation of the disc, and also provided with transparent measuring cells communicating therewith inward in radial direction of the disc; suction means for sucking the reaction-liquid received in the microcups from the microcups into the measuring cells through the suction nozzles when the suction nozzles of the rotary disc are inserted into the microcups; an optical measuring means for measuring the reaction-liquid received in the measuring cells; a supplying means for supplying a rinsing liquid to the measuring cells; and a discharging means for discharging the reaction-liquid and the rinsing liquid from the measuring cells.

Abstract: In a method of analyzing chemical substances in sample liquids, reagent blank absorbances with respect to a light amount transmitted through air or water are measured previously at a plurality of photometering positions and are stored in a memory. Then sample absorbances are measured at respective photometering positions and the reagent blank absorbances are substrated from the sample absorbances at the respective photometering positions, so that a required absorbance variation of the sample liquid with respect to time is calculated from the sample absorbances thus corrected. Therefore, even if a calibration curve linearity is not perfectly identical with each other at the respective photometering positions, it is possible to obtain accurate analyzing results.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus for automatically effecting chemical analysis on a sample of blood, urea or the like dependent on measurement items by measuring the light absorption degree of a reaction liquid through a reaction vessel, comprising a reaction liquid photometric unit, a photometric unit independent of the reaction light photometric unit and operative to measure beforehand the light absorption degree of the reaction vessel per se or the reaction vessel containing a reagent or dilute liquid, and means for correcting the light absorption degree of the reaction liquid measured at the reaction liquid photometric unit on the basis of the light absorption degree of the reaction vessel per se or the light absorption degree of the reaction vessel containing the reagent or dilute liquid measured at the independent photometric unit.