JP6741629B2 - Analysis device, analysis method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an analyzer that measures a sample.

The blood test is a test that quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes blood components, and is used for diagnosis in hospitals and regular health examinations. From the viewpoint of improving medical services, there is a need for a small blood analyzer that can be easily used in clinical practice. The same merit can be obtained by downsizing an apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample other than blood.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration example of an analyzer. According to the document, "when a centrifuge is integrally incorporated in an analyzer, the simplification and automation of the measurement work are realized while achieving the miniaturization. In order to solve the problem, "a sample tray 2 for mounting a sample, a centrifuge 7 for centrifuging the sample, and a dispensing mechanism 6 for dispensing a predetermined amount of the sample, in an apparatus for analyzing the sample, A cylindrical separation container 71 into which a sample is dispensed is set in the machine 7, and the dispensing mechanism 6 is movable between the sample tray 2 and the centrifuge 7. A predetermined amount of the mounted sample is dispensed into a separation container 71 of the centrifuge 7, and a part of the sample after centrifugal separation in the separation container 71 is sucked. ] Technology is disclosed (see summary).

JP, 2004-361396, A

As a result of studying downsizing of the analyzer, two major solutions were found. The first is to stack the sample container holder/reaction container holder/reagent container holder so that the dispensing mechanism can access each holder while achieving miniaturization. The second is to simplify the driving mechanism of the dispensing mechanism. Since these two solutions are contradictory, it has been difficult to realize them at the same time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized analyzer while simplifying the driving mechanism of the dispensing nozzle.

In the analyzer according to the present invention, at least two of the sample container holding unit/reaction container holding unit/reagent container holding unit have a portion in which projections in the vertical direction overlap each other, and are arranged at the uppermost position of each holding unit. Any one provided has a hole through which the dispensing nozzle passes.

According to the present invention, at least two of the sample container holding unit/reaction container holding unit/reagent container holding unit can be arranged in an overlapping manner, so that the analyzer can be downsized. Further, since the dispensing nozzle can reach each holding portion via the through hole, it is not necessary to complicate the mechanism for driving the dispensing nozzle.

1 is a configuration diagram of an analyzer 100 according to a first embodiment. 3 is a top view of the sample container holding unit 110. FIG. FIG. 6 is a top view of the reagent container holding unit 120. FIG. 6 is a top view of the reaction container holding unit 130. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for measuring a sample using the analyzer 100. 6 is a modification of the analysis device 100 according to the first embodiment. 6 is a configuration diagram of an analyzer 100 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a modified example of the analysis device 100 according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for measuring a sample using the analyzer 100 of FIG. 8. 6 is a configuration diagram of an analyzer 100 according to a third embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram of the analyzer 100 which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a block diagram of the analyzer 100 which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. 13 is a configuration example of a reaction container holding unit 130 in the fifth embodiment. It is a block diagram of the analyzer 100 which concerns on Embodiment 6. 13 is a configuration example of a reagent container holding unit 120 according to the sixth embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. The analyzer 100 includes a sample container holding unit 110, a reagent container holding unit 120, and a reaction container holding unit 130. The specific configuration of each holding unit will be described later.

The reaction container holding unit 130 is arranged vertically above the sample container holding unit 110. The sample container holding unit 110 and the reaction container holding unit 130 partially overlap each other. That is, the projection of the sample container holding unit 110 in the vertical direction and the projection of the reaction container holding unit 130 in the vertical direction have overlapping portions.

The reagent container holder 120 is arranged vertically above the reaction container holder 130. The reagent container holder 120 and the reaction container holder 130 partially overlap each other. That is, the projection of the reagent container holder 120 in the vertical direction and the projection of the reaction container holder 130 in the vertical direction have portions that overlap each other.

When using a plurality of types of reagents, it is convenient to provide a plurality of reagent container holders 120. In FIG. 1, an example in which two reagent container holding units 120 are provided is shown. In order to distinguish each reagent container holding part 120, reference numerals 120A and 120B are given respectively. The configuration of each reagent container holding unit 120 is the same, and only the type of contained reagent is different. Alternatively, the same reagent can be stored separately in a plurality of reagent container holders 120.

The analyzer 100 further includes a sample dispensing nozzle 141 and a reagent dispensing nozzle 142. The sample dispensing nozzle 141 dispenses a sample from the sample container holding unit 110 to the reaction container holding unit 130. The reagent dispensing nozzle 142 dispenses a reagent from the reagent container holding unit 120 to the reaction container holding unit 130. Both the sample dispensing nozzle 141 and the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 can be moved only in the vertical direction by the drive mechanism.

The analyzer 100 further includes a photometric unit 150. The photometric unit 150 is configured by arranging a light irradiation unit and a light receiving unit so as to sandwich the reaction container holding unit 130 from above and below. For example, the received light intensity can be used to measure the concentration of the analyte. Since the sample measurement using light is known, details thereof will be omitted here.

The analysis device 100 further includes a control unit 160. The control unit 160 controls the operation of the analysis device 100. The control unit 160 can be configured by using hardware such as a circuit device that implements the function, or can be configured by executing software that implements the function by the arithmetic device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sample container holding unit 110. The sample container holding unit 110 can be configured as, for example, a centrifuge. The sample container holding unit 110 holds one or more sample containers 111. The sample container 111 stores a liquid sample such as blood.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the reagent container holding unit 120. The reagent container holder 120 can be formed in a rotatable disc shape, for example. The reagent container holder 120 holds one or more reagent containers 122. The reagent container 122 contains a reagent that reacts with a sample. The reagent container holder 120 further has one or more through holes 121. The through hole 121 is a hole for passing the dispensing nozzle, as described later. The through hole 121 and the reagent container 122 can be arranged on the same circle (dotted line 123) around the rotation center of the reagent container holder 120.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the reaction container holding unit 130. The reaction container holding unit 130 can be formed in a rotatable disk shape, for example. The reaction container holder 130 holds one or more reaction containers 132. The reaction container 132 is a container for accommodating and reacting a sample and a reagent. The reaction container holder 130 further has one or more through holes 131. The through hole 131 is a hole for allowing the dispensing nozzle to pass therethrough as described later. The through hole 131 and the reaction container 132 can be arranged on the same circle (dotted line 133) around the rotation center of the reaction container holding unit 130.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for measuring a sample using the analyzer 100. Here, it is assumed that the reagent container holder 120A contains the first reagent and the reagent container holder 120B contains the second reagent. Each step of FIG. 5 will be described below.

(FIG. 5: Steps S501 to S502)
The operator sets the sample on the sample container holding unit 110 (S501). The sample is centrifuged by applying a centrifugal force of about 1000 g to the sample for several minutes using a centrifuge (S502). For example, a blood sample is separated into plasma and blood cells.

(FIG. 5: Step S503)
The analyzer 100 rotates the sample container holder 110 to match the position of the sample container holder 110 on the horizontal surface of the sample container 111 with the position of the sample dispensing nozzle 141 on the horizontal surface. The analyzer 100 further rotates the reaction container holder 130 to match the position of the through hole 131 of the reaction container holder 130 on the horizontal plane with the position of the sample dispensing nozzle 141 on the horizontal plane. The alignment may be performed manually by an operator or automatically by the control unit 160. The same applies to the following alignment.

(FIG. 5: Step S504)
The analyzer 100 lowers the sample dispensing nozzle 141 to the sample container 111 and collects the sample. For example, 1 μL is collected. The analyzer 100 pulls up the sample dispensing nozzle 141.

(FIG. 5: Steps S505 to S506)
The analyzer 100 rotates the reagent container holder 120A to align the position of the reagent container holder 120A on the horizontal surface of the reagent container 122 with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal surface (S505). The analyzer 100 lowers the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 to the reagent container 122 and dispenses, for example, 10 μL of the first reagent (S506).

(FIG. 5: Steps S507 to S508)
The analyzer 100 rotates the reaction container holding unit 130 to align the position of the reaction container 132 on the horizontal plane with the position of the sample dispensing nozzle 141 on the horizontal plane (S507). The analyzer 100 dispenses, for example, 0.1 μL of the sample from the sample dispensing nozzle 141 into the reaction container 132 (S508).

(FIG. 5: Step S509)
The analyzer 100 rotates the reaction container holder 130 to match the position of the reaction container 132 on the horizontal plane with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal plane. The analyzer 100 further rotates the reagent container holders 120A and 120B to match the position of the through hole 121 of each reagent container holder 120 on the horizontal plane with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal plane.

(FIG. 5: Step S510)
The analyzer 100 lowers the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 to the reaction container 132 and dispenses the first reagent into the reaction container 132. As a result, the sample previously dispensed into the reaction container 132 and the first reagent are mixed.

(FIG. 5: Step S511)
The analyzer 100 repeats steps S505 to S510 until the dispensing of the first reagent is completed. For example, S505 to S510 are repeated for the number of items to be measured. When the dispensing of the first reagent is completed, the process proceeds to step S512.

(FIG. 5: Step S512)
The analysis apparatus 100 rotates the reaction container holding unit 130 so that all the reaction containers 132 pass through the photometric unit 150. The analyzer 100 measures the sample in the reaction container 132 with the photometric unit 150. The optical measurement performed by the photometric unit 150 may be absorbance measurement, fluorescence measurement, scattering measurement, or the like.

(FIG. 5: Step S513)
The analyzer 100 rotates the reagent container holder 120A to match the position of the through hole 121 of the reagent container holder 120A on the horizontal plane with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal plane. The analyzer 100 further rotates the reagent container holder 120B to match the position of the reagent container holder 120B on the horizontal surface of the reagent container 122 with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal surface.

(FIG. 5: Step S514)
The analyzer 100 lowers the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 to the reagent container 122 and dispenses, for example, 3 μL of the second reagent.

(FIG. 5: Step S515)
The analyzer 100 rotates the reaction container holder 130 to match the position of the reaction container 132 on the horizontal plane with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal plane. The analyzer 100 further rotates the reagent container holders 120A and 120B to match the position of the through hole 121 of each reagent container holder 120 on the horizontal plane with the position of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 on the horizontal plane.

(FIG. 5: Step S516)
The analyzer 100 lowers the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 to the reaction container 132, and dispenses the second reagent into the reaction container 132. As a result, the sample previously dispensed into the reaction container 132 and the second reagent are mixed.

(FIG. 5: Step S517)
The analyzer 100 repeats steps S513 to S516 until the dispensing of the second reagent is completed. For example, S513 to S516 are repeated for the number of items to be measured. When the dispensing of the second reagent is completed, the process proceeds to step S518.

(FIG. 5: Steps S518 to S519)
The analysis apparatus 100 performs optical measurement similarly to step S512 (S518). The analyzer 100 determines the concentration of the measurement target substance contained in the sample based on the result of the optical measurement (S519).

FIG. 6 is a modified example of the analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment. Although a plurality of reagent container holders 120 (two in FIG. 1) are provided in FIG. 1, the same effect can be obtained even when there is one reagent container holder 120. The measurement procedure in the case of using the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that in FIG. 5 except that the number of the reagent container holder 120 is one.

<Embodiment 1: Summary>
Since the analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment has a portion where the vertical projection of the sample container holding unit 110 and the vertical projection of the reaction container holding unit 130 overlap each other, the device size can be reduced. Further, since the reaction container holding unit 130 has the through hole 131, the sample dispensing nozzle 141 can access both the sample container 111 and the reaction container 132 in the portion where the projections overlap. Further, since it is sufficient to drive the sample dispensing nozzle 141 only in the vertical direction, it is possible to simplify the drive mechanism and reduce the size.

Since the analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment does not need to move the sample dispensing nozzle 141 in the horizontal plane direction, the lateral vibration of the sample dispensing nozzle 141 that may affect the dispensing performance is avoided. Can be suppressed. Since it is not necessary to move the sample dispensing nozzle 141 in the horizontal plane direction, the syringe driving mechanism of the sample dispensing nozzle 141 can be integrated with the sample dispensing nozzle 141. Since the syringe drive mechanism is usually heavy, the sample dispensing nozzle 141 and the syringe drive mechanism are connected by a pipe, and only the sample dispensing nozzle 141 is moved. In the first embodiment, since the amount of movement of the sample dispensing nozzle 141 is small, the sample dispensing nozzle 141 and the syringe drive mechanism can be integrated, and both can be moved integrally. As a result of the integration, not only the entire analyzer 100 can be downsized, but also the piping capacity can be reduced, so that the dispensing accuracy of the sample is improved.

The analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment similarly downsizes the analyzer 100 for the reaction container holder 130 and the reagent container holder 120 and suppresses the lateral vibration of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142. Dispensing accuracy can be improved by integrating the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 and the syringe drive mechanism.

Similarly to the reagent container holders 120A and 120B, the analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment reduces the size of the analyzer 100, suppresses the lateral vibration of the reagent dispensing nozzle 142, and reduces the reagent dispensing nozzle. Dispensing accuracy can be improved by integrating the 142 and the syringe drive mechanism.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the analyzer 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. In the second embodiment, the sample container holding unit 110/reagent container holding unit 120/reaction container holding unit 130 have substantially the same plane size and plane shape. The center of rotation of each holder is coaxially arranged. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. By arranging each holding unit coaxially, the analyzer 100 can be further downsized.

In the second embodiment, the sample container holding unit 110/reagent container holding unit 120/reaction container holding unit 130 are substantially overlapped with each other, so that some ingenuity is required when aligning the dispensing nozzles. For example, in step S503, in order to allow the sample dispensing nozzle 141 to access the sample container 111, it is necessary to align the positions of the sample dispensing nozzle 141/the through hole 131/the through hole 121 on the horizontal plane. In step S507, it is necessary to align the positions of the sample dispensing nozzle 141/reaction vessel 132/through hole 121 on the horizontal plane.

FIG. 8 is a modified example of the analyzer 100 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, a sample/reagent dispensing nozzle 143, which also serves as the sample dispensing nozzle 141 and the reagent dispensing nozzle 142, is provided. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for measuring a sample using the analyzer 100 of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the first reagent and the second reagent are stored on the reagent container holder 120. Each step of FIG. 9 will be described below.

(FIG. 9: Steps S901 to S902)
These steps are the same as steps S501 to S502.

(FIG. 9: Steps S903 to S904)
The analyzer 100 aligns the positions of the through holes 121 of the reagent container holding unit 120/the through holes 131 of the reaction container holding unit 130/the sample container 111/the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 on the horizontal plane (S903). The analyzer 100 lowers the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 to the sample container 111 and collects the sample (S904). For example, 1 μL is collected. The analyzer 100 pulls up the sample dispensing nozzle 141.

(FIG. 9: Steps S905 to S906)
The analyzer 100 aligns the positions of the through hole 121 of the reagent container holder 120/the reaction container 132/the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 on the horizontal plane (S905). The analyzer 100 dispenses, for example, 0.1 μL of the sample from the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 into the reaction container 132 (S906).

(FIG. 9: Step S907)
The analyzer 100 repeats steps S905 to S906 until the dispensing of the sample is completed. For example, S905 to S906 are repeated for the number of items to be measured. When the dispensing of the sample is completed, the process proceeds to step S908.

(FIG. 9: Steps S908 to S909)
The analyzer 100 aligns the position of the reagent container 122 containing the first reagent on the horizontal plane with the position of the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 on the horizontal plane (S908). The analyzer 100 lowers the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 to the reagent container 122 and dispenses, for example, 10 μL of the first reagent (S909).

(FIG. 9: Steps S910 to S911)
The analyzer 100 aligns the position on the horizontal plane of the reaction container 132 into which the sample has been dispensed with the position on the horizontal plane of the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 (S910). The analyzer 100 lowers the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 to the reaction container 132, and dispenses the first reagent into the reaction container 132 (S911).

(FIG. 5: Steps S912 to S913)
The analyzer 100 repeats steps S908 to S911 until the dispensing of the first reagent is completed (S912). The analysis apparatus 100 performs optical measurement similarly to step S512 (S913).

(FIG. 9: Steps S914 to S918)
The analyzer 100 aligns the position on the horizontal surface of the reagent container 122 containing the second reagent with the position on the horizontal surface of the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 (S914). The analyzer 100 lowers the sample reagent dispensing nozzle 143 to the reagent container 122 and dispenses, for example, 3 μL of the second reagent (S915). The analyzer 100 dispenses the second reagent into the reaction container 132 as in steps S910 to S912 (S916 to S918).

(FIG. 9: Steps S919 to S920)
These steps are the same as steps S518 to S519.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an analyzer 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. In the third embodiment, the arrangement order of the sample container holding unit 110/reagent container holding unit 120/reaction container holding unit 130 in the vertical direction is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, the reagent container holding unit 120 is arranged above the sample container holding unit 110, and the reaction container holding unit 130 is arranged above the reagent container holding unit 120. Unlike the first embodiment, the reagent container holder 120 does not necessarily have to have the through hole 121 unless the dispensing nozzle needs to access the container arranged below the reagent container holder 120.

In the third exemplary embodiment, the arrangement order of the holding units is different from that of the first exemplary embodiment, and thus the alignment procedure is different from that of the first exemplary embodiment. For example, in step S505, it is necessary to align the positions of the reagent container 122/reagent dispensing nozzle 142/through hole 131. The same applies to step S513. On the other hand, in step S509, it is not necessary to align the positions of the through holes 121. The same applies to step S515.

In the case of the configuration of FIG. 6, the reaction container holding unit 130 may be located at any position in steps S505 and S506. Therefore, steps S507 and S508 can be performed in parallel with S505 and S506. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 10, since the position of the reaction container holding unit 130 is defined in steps S505 and S506, steps S507 and S508 need to be performed after steps S505 and S506. Therefore, when the configuration of FIG. 6 and the configuration of FIG. 10 are compared, the configuration of FIG. 6 operates faster than the configuration of FIG.

<Embodiment 4>
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the analyzer 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. Unlike the first embodiment, the reagent container holding part 120 is arranged on the side of the reaction container holding part 130. In the fourth embodiment, the through hole 121 is not essential. The reagent dispensing nozzle 142 can move both vertically and horizontally. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, since the reagent container holding unit 120 is arranged on the side of the reaction container holding unit 130, the alignment procedure is different from that of the first embodiment. For example, in step S509, instead of aligning the through hole 121 and the reagent dispensing nozzle 142, it is necessary to drive the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 in the horizontal direction to align it with the reagent container 122. The same applies to step S515.

<Embodiment 5>
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the analyzer 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. In the fifth embodiment, the reaction container holding unit 130 is configured so that the reaction container 132 can be moved along one direction on the horizontal plane (left-right direction in FIG. 12). The reaction container holding part 130 has a shape extending in the same direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 12). The configuration of the reaction container holding unit 130 will be described later.

The vertical projection of the sample container holding unit 110 and the vertical projection of the reagent container holding unit 120 have overlapping portions. The projection of the reaction container holding unit 130 in the vertical direction has a portion overlapping with the projection of the sample container holding unit 110 in the vertical direction, and also has a portion overlapping with the projection of the reagent container holding unit 120 in the vertical direction. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a configuration example of the reaction container holding unit 130 in the fifth embodiment. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. The reaction container 132 is arranged on a pedestal that can be driven in the horizontal direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 13). The through hole 131 is arranged on the side close to the sample container 111.

In the fifth embodiment, since the reaction container holding unit 130 is configured to linearly drive the reaction container 132, the alignment procedure is different from that of the first embodiment. For example, in step S503, the reaction container 132 is moved rightward in FIG. 13 so that the sample dispensing nozzle 141 can pass through the through hole 131.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of the analyzer 100 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. In the sixth embodiment, in addition to the configuration described in the fifth embodiment, the reagent container holding unit 120 can move the reagent container 122 along one direction on the horizontal plane (vertical direction in FIG. 14A). Is configured. The reagent container holder 120 has a shape that extends in the same direction (vertical direction in FIG. 14A). The direction in which the reaction container 132 moves and the direction in which the reagent container 122 moves are different from each other (for example, they are orthogonal to each other). The configuration of the reagent container holding unit 120 will be described later.

The vertical projection of the sample container holding unit 110 and the vertical projection of the reaction container holding unit 130 have overlapping portions. The vertical projection of the reaction container holding unit 130 and the vertical projection of the reagent container holding unit 120 have portions that overlap each other. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration example of the reagent container holding unit 120 according to the sixth embodiment. (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view. The reagent container 122 is arranged on a pedestal that can be driven in the horizontal direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 15). The through hole 121 is provided near the position where the through hole 121 intersects with the reaction container holding unit 130. Further, as shown in (C), the reagent container holding unit 120 may be configured to be movable in two-dimensional directions such as front, rear, left and right. In this case, the reagent containers 122 can be arranged in a two-dimensional array.

In the sixth embodiment, the reagent container holding unit 120 is configured to linearly drive the reagent container 122, and therefore the alignment procedure is different from that of the fifth embodiment. For example, in step S509, the reagent container 122 is moved to the right in FIG. 15 so that the reagent dispensing nozzle 142 can pass through the through hole 121. The same applies to step S515.

<Regarding Modifications of the Present Invention>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add/delete/replace other configurations with respect to a part of the configurations of the respective embodiments.

In the above-described embodiments, it is described that each holding portion is provided with a through hole that allows the dispensing nozzle to pass through, but a similar structure may be used as long as it has a function equivalent to that of the through hole. For example, it may be a notch. The sample container holding unit 110 does not necessarily have to have a centrifugal separation function, and may simply be capable of holding one or more sample containers 111.

100: analyzer 110: sample container holder 111: sample container 120: reagent container holder 121: through hole 122: reagent container 130: reaction container holder 131: through hole 132: reaction container 141: sample dispensing nozzle 142: Reagent dispensing nozzle 143: Sample reagent dispensing nozzle 150: Photometric unit 160: Control unit

Claims (10)

A first holding part having a sample container for containing a liquid sample,
A second holding part having a reagent container for containing a reagent;
A third holding unit having a reaction container that accommodates and reacts the sample and the reagent;
A dispensing mechanism having a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the sample and the reagent,
Equipped with
At least one of the first, second, and third holding portions is a projection of the first holding portion in the vertical direction, a projection of the second holding portion in the vertical direction, and a projection of the third holding portion in the vertical direction. The two are arranged at a position having an overlapping portion,
Any one of the first, second, and third holding portions arranged at the uppermost portion in the vertical direction has a hole for penetrating the dispensing nozzle ,
The third holding portion is arranged vertically above the first holding portion,
The second holding portion is arranged vertically above the third holding portion,
The projection of the first holding unit and the projection of the third holding unit have portions that overlap each other,
The projection of the third holding unit and the projection of the second holding unit have overlapping portions,
The third holding part has a hole for penetrating the dispensing nozzle,
The said 2nd holding|maintenance part has a hole which penetrates the said dispensing nozzle, The analyzer characterized by the above-mentioned . A first holding part having a sample container for containing a liquid sample,
A second holding part having a reagent container for containing a reagent;
A third holding unit having a reaction container that accommodates and reacts the sample and the reagent;
A dispensing mechanism having a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the sample and the reagent,
Equipped with
The first, second, and third holding portions are at least one of a vertical projection of the first holding portion, a vertical projection of the second holding portion, and a vertical projection of the third holding portion. The two are arranged at a position having an overlapping portion,
Any one of the first, second, and third holding portions arranged at the uppermost portion in the vertical direction has a hole for penetrating the dispensing nozzle,
The second holding portion is arranged vertically above the first holding portion,
The third holding portion is arranged vertically above the second holding portion,
The projection of the first holding unit and the projection of the third holding unit have portions that overlap each other,
The projection of the third holding unit and the projection of the second holding unit have portions that overlap each other,
The said 3rd holding|maintenance part has a hole which penetrates the said dispensing nozzle. The analyzer characterized by the above-mentioned. A first holding part having a sample container for containing a liquid sample,
A second holding part having a reagent container for containing a reagent;
A third holding unit having a reaction container that accommodates and reacts the sample and the reagent;
A dispensing mechanism having a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the sample and the reagent,
Equipped with
The first, second, and third holding portions are at least one of a vertical projection of the first holding portion, a vertical projection of the second holding portion, and a vertical projection of the third holding portion. The two are arranged at a position having an overlapping portion,
Any one of the first, second, and third holding portions arranged at the uppermost portion in the vertical direction has a hole for penetrating the dispensing nozzle,
The second holding portion and the third holding portion are arranged vertically above the first holding portion,
The projection of the first holding unit and the projection of the third holding unit have portions that overlap each other,
The third holding part has a hole for penetrating the dispensing nozzle,
The dispensing mechanism has a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample, and a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent,
The sample dispensing mechanism is configured to be able to move the dispensing nozzle only in the vertical direction,
The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent dispensing mechanism is configured to move the dispensing nozzle in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The dispensing mechanism has a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample, and a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent,
The reagent dispensing mechanism and the specimen dispensing system, the analysis apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to be able to move the dispensing nozzle only in the vertical direction. The second holding unit is configured so that the second holding unit can be moved so that the horizontal position of the hole of the second holding unit matches the horizontal position of the reaction container. Cage,
The third holding unit is configured so that the third holding unit can be moved so that the horizontal position of the hole of the third holding unit matches the horizontal position of the sample container. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein The first holding portion and the second holding portion are configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis,
The third holding unit is configured so that the position of the reaction container can be moved along a horizontal straight line,
The dispensing mechanism has a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample, and a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent,
The reagent dispensing mechanism and the specimen dispensing system, the analysis apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to be able to move the dispensing nozzle only in the vertical direction. The first holding portion is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis,
The second holding unit is configured to be able to move the position of the reagent container along a first horizontal direction,
The third holding unit is configured to be able to move the position of the reaction container along a second direction different from the first horizontal direction,
The dispensing mechanism has a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample, and a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent,
The reagent dispensing mechanism and the specimen dispensing system, the analysis apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to be able to move the dispensing nozzle only in the vertical direction. An analysis method for analyzing a liquid sample using an analyzer, comprising:
The analyzer is
First, second, and third holding parts each having a container for containing a liquid;
A dispensing mechanism having a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the liquid,
Equipped with
The first, second, and third holding portions are at least one of a vertical projection of the first holding portion, a vertical projection of the second holding portion, and a vertical projection of the third holding portion. The two are arranged at a position having an overlapping portion,
At least one of the first, second, and third holding portions has a hole through which the dispensing nozzle passes,
The analysis method is
Causing the dispensing nozzle to reach the one of the first, second, and third holding portions arranged below the hole by penetrating the dispensing nozzle into the hole An analysis method comprising: The first holding unit has a sample container that stores the sample,
At least one of the second holding portion and the third holding portion is arranged above the first holding portion in the vertical direction,
The analysis method is
Aligning the horizontal position of the hole with the horizontal position of the dispensing nozzle;
Dispensing the sample contained in the sample container at the aligned position by the dispensing nozzle,
The analysis method according to claim 8 , further comprising: The second holding unit has a reagent container that contains a reagent that reacts with the sample,
The third holding unit has a reaction container that accommodates and reacts the sample and the reagent, the analysis method,
Aligning the horizontal position of the hole with the horizontal position of the dispensing nozzle;
Aspirating the reagent contained in the reagent container at the aligned position by the dispensing nozzle,
Discharging the reagent to the reaction container at the aligned position by the dispensing nozzle,
The analysis method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

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