JPH06105259B2 - Sample container transfer device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of transferring a container in an automatic analyzer for performing biochemical analysis or immunological analysis and the device thereof, and particularly to a sample requiring retesting. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sample container transfer method and apparatus capable of automatically transferring samples to an automatic analysis line.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, various types of automatic analyzers have been proposed, but a sample container containing a sample once analyzed in an automatic analysis line is generally a cleaning line (a batch line is a waste line). Under the present circumstances, it is transferred to the same), washed in the same line and reused.

However, in general, this type of automatic analyzer includes many items that require re-inspection depending on the measurement result. Cases in which it is determined that such a re-inspection is necessary are as follows: first, when a failure occurs in the hardware portion, secondly, when the analysis data deviates from the normal value,
Thirdly, there is a problem in analog waveform analysis.

In such a case, conventionally, for a sample determined to require re-inspection, the inspector re-inspects the sample container one by one in the automatic analysis line or re-inspects it manually. Is the current situation.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, if the samples requiring retesting were processed by hand one by one, it would not only waste a lot of time, but also search for the sample container containing the sample and set it again on the automatic analyzer. There was a problem that the information of the test sample had to be input again, which was very complicated.

[Means and Actions for Solving Problems]

The present invention was devised in view of the current situation, and its purpose is to automatically sort and distribute sample containers that need re-inspection to the automatic analysis line. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer which can greatly improve the reliability of the measurement accuracy for this kind of automatic analysis, and which is convenient to handle and has a simple structure by automatically transferring.

In order to achieve the above object, in a sample container transfer device according to the present invention, a container holding device in which a plurality of rows of stockers for storing a required number of containers in a row are formed, and a container holding device separated from the container holding device. And a stocker device having the same number of stockers as the container holding device and having the same configuration as the container holding device and at least one row of stockers arranged adjacent to the stocker row, and the container holding device. Container transporting device for transporting the containers sent out from the stocker train to the corresponding designated stocker train of the stocker device, and the capacity of the container transporting device disposed in the middle part of the container to be transferred. The automatic analyzer for sucking and analyzing the sample of No. 1 and the re-inspection container sent from the container sending side of the stocker device are conveyed to the container transfer device. A re-inspection line having an inspection stocker, and a control device for driving and controlling these in cooperation with each other, and the control device, when it is determined that re-inspection is necessary based on the sample analysis result by the automatic analyzer. A re-inspection instruction signal to the stocker device, and based on this re-inspection instruction signal, the stocker device activates the stocker row in which the re-inspection target containers of the stocker device are stocked and all stockers are stocked. The container is transferred to the container delivery side of the stocker row, and the re-inspection line is the container not re-inspected among the containers transferred to the container delivery side of the stocker row first to the preliminary stocker. The container to be re-inspected among the containers transferred to the container delivery side of the above stocker row should be transferred to the re-inspection stocker. When the re-inspection non-target containers are stocked in the above stocker by the dynamic control, the re-inspection non-target containers that are stocked in the other stocker rows are opened by sending the re-inspection target containers first. It is characterized in that it is configured to drive and control so as to send it to the stocker train.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the case where it is applied to an automatic analyzer shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic analyzer A to which the present invention is applied has a plurality of sample containers 1 in each of which a sample to be measured (hereinafter referred to as a sample) is stored, and the sample containers 1 have a predetermined size. Sample container holding devices 10 arranged in a plurality of rows in order, and sample container pressing device 30 for sending the sample containers 1 to the first sample container transfer path 20 one by one.
And a sample container transfer device 50 for transferring the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer path 20 to the sample suction position a set on the second sample container transfer path 40,
A first distribution control device 60 for selecting and distributing the sample container 1 to a predetermined sample suction position a, and sucking a required amount of sample from the sample container 1 transferred to each sample suction position a. A sampling pipette device 70 for dispensing to the corresponding reaction container 5 arranged in the loop-shaped automatic analysis line L, which will be described later, and a required amount corresponding to the measurement item in the corresponding reaction container 5 arranged in the automatic analysis line L. Regent pipette device 80 that aspirates and dispenses the required amount of reagent from each reagent container 6, and the reaction between the sample and the reagent is optically measured at a predetermined wavelength after the elapse of a predetermined time, which is provided in the automatic analysis line L. The optical measuring device 7, the second distribution control device 90 for transferring the sample container 1 after the dispensing of the sample to the corresponding stocker line of the stocker device 100, and the transfer to the stocker line. It comprises a third distribution control device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which selects the sample container 1 requiring re-inspection from the sample containers 1 thus selected and transfers it to the re-inspection line B. . It should be noted that reference symbol S _{E in} FIG. 1 indicates a line on which the sample container 1 for emergency inspection is set, and reference symbol S _S indicates a stocker row for storing the sample container 1 for emergency inspection for which sample dispensing has been completed. Show each.

The sample container 1 is made of a material such as synthetic resin and is formed in a substantially box shape, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is covered with a metal film.
Of course, the entire sample container 1 may be made of metal or a magnet adsorbent. On the outer surface of the sample container 1, a storage medium (not shown) such as a bar code in which information such as an inspection reception number, a patient name, and an inspection item is optically input is attached.

The sample container holding device 10 is, as shown in FIG. 1, a stocker for holding 10 sample containers 1 in a straight line.
A required number of 11 are arranged in parallel, of which, in the illustrated embodiment, the stocker 11a at the right end is configured to stock the emergency inspection container 1a, and at the bottom of each of these stockers 11 and 11a. The slits 12 are respectively provided along the longitudinal direction of the.

Although not shown, the first sample container transfer path 20 is composed of an endless belt, a pulley for suspending the endless belt, and a motor for transferring the endless belt to the right in FIG. 1 at a constant speed. The upper surface of the endless belt is set to be substantially flush with the bottom surface height of the stocker 11.

The sample container pressing device 30 is a so-called XY bar device, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is provided with two rails 31 and 31 arranged in parallel with each other and the rails 31 and 31 arranged orthogonally to each other. A crossbar 32, a moving body 33 slidably fitted along the longitudinal direction of the crossbar 32, and a pressing body 34 projecting from the moving body 33. Both ends of the bar 32 are movable bodies 35, slidably fitted on the rails 31, 31.
35 is fixed to the cross bar 32 in the Y direction (second
The movement amount control in the vertical direction of the drawing) and the movement amount control of the moving body 33 in the X direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 2) are driven and controlled by a known timing belt device, which is not shown,
Although not shown, the moving body 33 is drive-controlled so as to be rotatable so that the pressing body 34 can be retracted from the slit 12.

That is, the sample container pressing device 30, the pressing body 34 to select and project any slit 12 designated by the control device among the slits 12 opened on the bottom surface of each stocker 11 of the sample container holding device 10, The sample container 1 in the stocker 11 in which the slit 12 is opened is pressed and controlled by one container, and the sample container 1 at the tip is pushed out to the first sample container transfer path 20.

The second sample container transfer path 40 is arranged in parallel with the first sample container transfer path 20, and, like the first sample container transfer path 20, although not shown, an endless belt and the endless belt are provided. It comprises a suspension pulley and a motor for moving the endless belt to the right in FIG. 1 at the same speed as the endless belt of the first sample container transfer path 20, and the upper surface of the endless belt is The first sample container transfer path 20 is set so as to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the endless belt, and a stocker device 100 described later is provided at the tip end of the second sample container transfer path 40 in the endless belt moving direction. It is arranged.

The sample container transfer device 50 forms the sample container 1 transferred through the first sample container transfer path 20 between the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 40. The sample is transferred to the container standby position b or the sample suction position a on the second sample container transfer path 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sample container transfer device 50 transfers the sample container 1 transferred through the first sample container transfer path 20 by pressing it toward the sample container standby position b. Actuator 51 and sample container 1
Is positioned at a predetermined sample container standby position b.

The piston tip of the actuator 51 is composed of a magnet, and is configured to adsorb the sample container 1 when it comes into contact with the outer surface of the sample container 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the positioning device 52 has a block-shaped main body 53, a slit 55 formed in the upper surface 54 of the main body 53, and a rotatably supported shaft in the slit 55. The upper end of the stopper 56 is configured to project from the upper surface 54, and a spring 57 for pulling the stopper 56 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 in a normal state.
The upper surface 54 is connected to the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 20.
The sample container transfer path 40 is configured to be flush with the upper surface of each endless belt. The stopper 56 is normally pulled by the spring 57 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 and abuts against the stopper 58, which is the end of the slit 55 on the side of the first sample container transfer path, and stands upright in the normal state. Has been set to the state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first distribution control device 60 includes a motor 61 disposed between the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 40, and a motor 61 of the motor 61. And a distribution plate 62 connected to the drive shaft.
Is rotated in the directions of the first and second sample container transfer paths 20 and 40, and is instructed by the control device.
Is configured to regulate the upstream transfer of the.

Therefore, when the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer path 20 reaches a predetermined position, the distribution plate 62 of the first distribution control device 60 transfers the sample container 1 as shown in FIG. The sample container 1 is rotated so as to close the passage, and then the actuator 51 of the sample container transfer device 50 is extended to move the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer passage 20 to the main body as shown in FIG. 4 (A). Push in 53 direction and transfer. At this time, the tip of the actuator 51 formed of a magnetic material is adsorbed on the surface of the sample container 1 coated with a metal. When the extension movement of the actuator 51 further progresses from this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer path 20 resists the urging force of the spring 57 and stops. While pressing and rotating 56 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4, it abuts against the sample container 1 set in the standby state on the main body 53. When the extension movement of the actuator 51 further progresses from this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), each of the colliding sample containers 1 on the main body 53 becomes
The sample container 1 that has been set in the standby state on the main body 53 by being pressed toward the second sample container transfer path is set on the second sample container transfer path 40. At this time, the stopper 56 is pulled in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 by the urging force of the spring 57 and abuts against the stopper 58 to be set upright. Next, when the actuator 51 starts contracting movement, as shown in FIG. 4 (D), the sample container 1 attracted to the tip portion formed of the magnetic material of the actuator 51 is
The actuator 51 is moved in the direction of the main body 53 along with the contraction, and collides with the stopper 56. When the contraction movement of the actuator 51 further progresses from this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (E), the sample container 1 adsorbed to the tip portion formed of the magnetic material of the actuator 51 becomes the stopper 56. Since they are in abutment, the suction state is released and only the actuator 51 returns to the original position.

The sample container transfer device 50 and the first distribution control device 60
When the sample container 1 is transferred to the predetermined sample suction position a by, the sample suction operation is performed by each sampling pipette device 70 arranged in the automatic analysis line L.

The automatic analysis line L includes a required number of reaction vessels 5 arranged in a loop, a driving device (not shown) for intermittently transferring the reaction vessels 5 by 1 pitch for each vessel, a first reagent or a second reagent.
Reagent bottles 6a and 6b containing reagents and the reagent bottles 6a,
A transfer device (not shown) capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions for transferring 6b to a predetermined reagent suction position, and a sampling pipette device 70
And the first and second regent pipette devices 80, 80 '
And an optical measuring device 7 and a cleaning device 8. Of course, the above-mentioned automatic analysis line L is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and various types of automatic analysis lines having a known mechanism such as a reaction container transfer path, each pipette device, and an optical measuring device may be applied. If necessary, a plurality of automatic analysis lines having the same structure may be arranged in parallel.

Although not shown, the sampling pipette device 70 has an arm whose one end is rotatably supported by a shaft, a pipette arranged at the other end of the arm, and a pipette which is connected to and connected to the pipette, although not shown. A sample ring pump that sucks a required amount of sample and discharges it to the reaction container 5, and the arm rotates at a predetermined timing around the axis from the sample suction position a to the sample dispensing position d and further to the cleaning position (not shown). And a drive device that is controlled to move up and down at each position. The sample weighing method is such that the wicking system is filled with water, suction and weighing are performed while the sample and water are separated via air, and then only the sample is discharged.
After this, the inside of the pipette is washed from the inside by passing washing water. The pipette is provided with a suction amount confirmation device (not shown) having a known configuration for confirming the suction amount of the sample or the like, and detects the absolute amount of the sample or the like each time sampling is performed. If the sample volume is insufficient, this is automatically corrected.

Reagent bottles 6a and 6b containing reagents corresponding to measurement items
Is attached to a reagent table (not shown) coaxially arranged inside the reaction vessel array arranged in a loop, and the reagent corresponding to the measurement item is set to the first reagent based on a command from the controller. High-speed transfer to the suction position and the second reagent suction position. First and second reagent bottles set on each table
6a and 6b are set at predetermined positions and stored in the control device.

In this way, each reagent bottle 6a, 6b corresponding to the measurement item
When the reagent reaches a predetermined reagent suction position, the corresponding reagent is dispensed into the corresponding reaction container 5 by the required amount via the regent pipette devices 80, 80 '.

Although not shown, the Regent pipette device 80, 80 ′ has an arm whose one end is pivotally supported by a shaft, a pipette arranged at the other end of the arm, and A pump which is connected to and is connected to the pump for sucking a required amount of reagent and discharging it to the reaction container 5, and rotation of the arm from each reagent suction position to the reagent dispensing position and further to the washing position around the axis at a predetermined timing. And a drive device that controls the raising and lowering of the arm depending on the position. This reagent is measured by filling the wicking system with water, aspirating and measuring the reagent and water in a separated state via air, discharging only the reagent, and then passing the washing water from the inside through a pipette. Wash the inside of the. This pipette is equipped with a suction amount confirmation device (not shown) of a known configuration for confirming the suction amount of the reagent, etc., and the absolute amount of the reagent etc. is detected each time the reagent is sucked. Is detected and the reagent amount is automatically corrected. Further, the pipette is configured so that only washing air does not exist and only air exists, and at the time of reagent dispensing, the air is discharged together and the sample (a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent; the same applies hereinafter) is stirred. It may be configured to do so.

The optical measuring device 7 that forms the detection unit or the observation point has the same configuration and operation as a known optical measuring device, and although not shown, the light source and the measuring light emitted from this light source correspond to the measurement items. A filter device for converting the wavelength, a light receiving element for receiving the amount of light after the wavelength-converted measuring light passes through the reaction vessel 5, and a light amount received by the light receiving element for voltage conversion to process the analysis value. It is composed of a data processing unit and a display unit. The optical measuring device 7 is arranged so that the reaction container 5 crosses the optical path, and the sample in the reaction container 5 that crosses the optical path is measured for absorbance when it crosses the light flux and is printed out as necessary. . Of course, a diffraction grating method may be used as the optical measurement method.

The cleaning device 8 has a configuration similar to that of a known cleaning device,
After suctioning the sample, the washing water is supplied / discarded, this is performed a plurality of times, and then the reaction container 5 is reused.

The sample container 1 for which the sample aspirating operation is completed by the sample aspirating device a is rotated by the control device that detects the same timing so that the distribution plate 62 of the first distribution control device 60 opens the second sample container transfer path 40. Since it is dynamically controlled, it is sequentially transferred toward the second distribution control device 90.

As described above, the second distribution control device 90 is arranged at the end portion of the second sample container transfer path 40, and its configuration is similar to that of the first distribution control device 60. 91
And a distribution plate 92 connected to the drive shaft of the sample container 1. The distribution plate 92 rotates in the direction of the second sample container transfer path 40 to regulate the transfer of the sample container 1 in the upstream direction. Is configured to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stocker device 100 has the same number of stockers 11 as the sample container holding device 10, and stockers 101 that linearly hold 10 sample containers 1 for which the sample suction operation has been completed, and the stocker 101. 1 row and spare stocker 105 has the constitution similar to that of 101, together with the stocker S _S sample containers 1 is stored for emergency inspection are arranged in parallel, each of these stockers 101, 105 and S
Slits 102 are opened on the bottom surface of _S along the longitudinal direction thereof.

Each transfer of the sample container 1 distributed by the second distribution control device 90 to the corresponding stocker 101 is performed by a known actuator mechanism (not shown).

A transfer device of a sample container 1 to a reinspection line according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sample container pressing device 130 and a third container pressing device.
The distribution control device 110, the re-inspection line B, the actuator 150, and the re-inspection stocker 151.

The transfer of the sample container 1 stored in each of the stockers 101, 105 and S _S to the third distribution control device 110 is performed by the sample container pressing device 130 having the same configuration as the sample container pressing device 30, Since the detailed configuration of the sample container pressing device 130 is the same as that of the sample container pressing device 30, the description thereof is omitted here.

Although not shown, the third distribution control device 110 includes an endless belt, a pulley that suspends the endless belt, and a motor that moves the endless belt in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 at a constant speed. The upper surface of the endless belt is set to be substantially flush with the bottom surface height of the stocker 101 and the like.

The third dispensing control device 110 configured as described above uses the sample container 1 which is determined by the control device to require re-inspection.
Is selected and transferred to the re-inspection line B after the analysis of all the sample containers 1 set in the sample container holding device 10 is completed.

Although not shown, the re-inspection line B is composed of an endless belt, a pulley for suspending the endless belt, and a motor for moving the endless belt to the left in FIG. 1 at a constant speed, The upper surface of the endless belt is a third distribution control device.
It is set so that it is flush with the endless belt height of 110. The sample container 1 distributed by the third distribution control device 110 has an actuator 150 at its end.
It is transferred to the re-inspection stocker 151 by. The actuator 150 is configured so that the sample containers 1 stocked in the retest stocker 151 can also be sent to the first sample container transfer path 20.

Incidentally, reference numeral 120 in FIG. 1 is a device for reading information of a storage medium attached to the outer surface of the sample container 1, and the information reading device 120 is used for the second sample container transfer path 40.
Each sample suction position a which is formed along the second are respectively disposed in the region facing the outlet of each stocker 101, 105 and S _S of the inlet and near the stocker apparatus 100 of the distribution control device 90, these distribution Sample container 1 passing through the installation position
The recognition information is input to the control device, and the analysis information in the sample container 1 and the information for determining the transfer path are provided to the control device.

Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer A will be described.

When a start switch (not shown) is turned on, the sample container 1 set in the stocker 11n at the right end of FIG.
The container is pushed out to the first sample container transfer path 20 via the sample container pressing device 30. The pushing operation of the sample container 1 to the first sample container transfer path 20 is performed until all the sample containers 1 set in the stocker 11n are pushed to the first sample container transfer path 20, and when this is completed. , The sample container 1 of the stocker 11n _{−1 on} the left side of the stocker 11n is sequentially performed in the same procedure as the transfer of the stocker 11n, and is continuously performed until all the sample containers 1 in the stocker 11 are transferred. .
Further, the sample container 1 set on the emergency inspection line S _E is also pushed out to the first sample container transfer path 20 in the same manner.

The sample containers 1 sequentially sent to the first sample container transfer path 20 in this way are sequentially transferred to the right in FIG. 1, and the sample suction position on the right side in FIG. transferred to a.

In this way, when the sample container 1 is transferred to the sample suction position a and set, the next sample container 1
Are transferred to the standby state b and set until the sample suction work of the first sample container 1 is completed.

The distribution and transfer of the sample container 1 to the standby position b and the sample suction position a as described above are performed by the sample container transfer device 50 and the first distribution control device 60 in the above procedure.

As described above, the sample container 1 is placed at the sample suction position a.
When set, the corresponding sampling pipette device
70 sucks a required amount of sample from the inside of the container and dispenses the sample into the corresponding reaction container 5. At this time, each reading device 120 reads the aspirated sample information from the storage medium of the sample container 1, inputs the information to the control device, and determines to which reaction container 5 the aspirated sample was dispensed. To enter.

In the reaction container 5 into which the sample has been dispensed, the first reagent and the second reagent corresponding to the measurement item are dispensed in the automatic analysis line L, and after a predetermined reaction time has elapsed, optical measurement is performed at a predetermined wavelength. The reaction vessel 5 having completed these operations is washed by the washing device 8.

On the other hand, the sample container 1 for which the sample suction has been completed at the sample suction position a is transferred toward the second distribution control device 90 by the second sample container transfer path 40, and near the entrance of the second distribution control device 90. The information of the sample container 1 is read by the reading device 120 and input to the control device.
This confirms to which stocker 11, S _E of the sample container holding device 10 the sample container 1 has been set, and confirms this to the corresponding stocker 1 of the stocker device 100.
This is for storing in 01, S _S. Therefore, the second distribution control device 90 controls the rotation of the distribution plate 92 by the control device so as to reliably transfer the sample container 1 to the corresponding stock car 101, S _S based on the above information. .

Further, the sample container 1 which is determined by the control device that the re-inspection is necessary is selected by the third distribution control device 110 and transferred to the re-inspection line B.

That is, when retesting is performed, the sample container pressing device 13
When the 0 and third distribution control devices 110 are operated, among the sample containers 1 stored in the stocker 101n _-1 on the right side of FIG. The container that has been transferred to 101n (preliminary stocker 105) and is subject to reinspection is transferred to the reinspection stocker 151.

In this case, the stocker device 100 includes each stocker 101.
The sample container 1 housed in n _-1 is configured to reciprocate in the vertical direction in FIG.
The distribution control device 110 of the above discriminates the sample container 1 stored in the specific stocker 101n _-1 sent by the re-inspection command signal from the non-re-inspection target container and the re-inspection target container to determine the preliminary stocker. 105 or above re-inspection stocker 1
Therefore, the re-inspection non-target container is sent to the right in FIG. 1 and then transferred to the preliminary stocker 105 arranged at the right end of the stocker device 100, and The container to be re-inspected is sent to the left in FIG. 1 and placed on the re-inspection line B.

When all the sample containers 1 in the specific stocker 101n _-1 are transferred in this manner, the preliminary stocker 105 arranged at the right end of the stocker device 100 is closed and the stocker 101n _{-1 of the} transport source is empty. Therefore, the stocker 101n _-1 of the transfer source functions as a spare stocker, and functions to store the retest non-target container among the sample containers 1 stored in the stocker 101n _-1 other than the transfer source. Then, the above procedure is repeated thereafter. As described above, the sample containers 1 in each stocker 101 are sorted into those requiring re-inspection and those not requiring re-inspection. The stocker device is used to identify each sample container 1.
Readers 1 near the exits of 100 stockers
Made by 20. Of course, the emergency inspection container is also discriminated and transferred in the same manner.

The sample container 1 transferred to the reinspection line B is transferred to the reinspection stocker 151 as described above.

It should be noted that the related operation control of each of the above-mentioned devices and the arithmetic processing of the measurement data are performed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 6 shows a sample container 1 transferred according to the present invention.
Rather than transferring them one by one, a plurality of (11 in the illustrated embodiment) sample containers 1 are transferred to the sample cassette 22.
Set the sample cassette 220 to the first
Sample container transfer path 20 and second sample container transfer path
40 and an example in the case of being configured to transfer to the re-inspection line B, the purpose is to further simplify the structure of the transfer and distribution device of the sample container 1.

That is, the sample cassette 220 is the cassette tray 200
Multiple lines are held in parallel. Cassette tray 200
Is formed in a rectangular box shape, the front wall of which is cut out to form an opening 201, and the rear wall has holes 230, 23 through which a feeding arm (not shown) of a feeding device appears.
0 is open. Reference numeral 202 in the figure denotes a stand into which the lower end of the sample cassette 220 is fitted.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the sample cassette 220 is transferred one by one to the first sample container transfer path 20 by the sending arm of the sending device, and correspondingly, the second sample container transfer path 40 and the like. The respective devices are applied with appropriate design changes.

〔The invention's effect〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, by arranging the container holding unit and the container storage unit of the stocker device in the same arrangement, it becomes easy to find the container to be re-inspected, and as a result, the control can be simplified. Also, since a stocker is arranged in the stocker device, the non-re-inspection target containers are transferred to the spare stocker or an empty stocker, and only the re-inspection target containers are transferred to the re-inspection line fully automatically without human intervention. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent human mistakes by mistake, and to bring about many excellent effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the overall structure of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the schematic structure of a sample container pressing device, and FIG. 3 is a sample container transfer device. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first distribution control device, FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (E) are cross-sectional views showing the transfer state of the sample container, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first distribution control device. ,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a case where the sample container transferred according to the present invention is set in a sample cassette. [Explanation of code] A: Automatic analysis device, B: Re-inspection line L: Automatic analysis line a: Sample suction position 1: Sample container 110: Third distribution control device 130: Sample container pressing apparatus

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A container holding device in which a plurality of rows of stockers for storing a required number of containers in a row are formed, and a container holding device which is arranged apart from the container holding device and has the same structure as the container holding device. A stocker device having the same number of stockers as the container holding device and at least one row of stockers arranged adjacent to the stocker line, and a container delivered from the stocker line of the container holding device is designated in advance by the stocker device. A container transfer device for transporting to a corresponding stocker row, an automatic analyzer for aspirating and analyzing a sample of a given volume from the container transferred in the middle of the container transfer device, and the stocker device A re-inspection line having a re-inspection stocker for conveying the re-inspection container sent from the container delivery side to the container transfer device,
And a control device for driving and controlling them in cooperation with each other, wherein the control device sends a re-inspection instruction signal to the stocker device when the re-inspection is determined to be necessary based on the sample analysis result of the automatic analyzer. Based on this re-inspection instruction signal, the stocker device activates the stocker row in which the containers to be re-inspected in the stocker device are stocked, and all stocked containers are stocked on the container delivery side of the stocker row. And re-inspection line,
Among the containers transferred to the container delivery side of the stocker row, the re-inspection non-target containers are first transported to the preliminary stocker and the containers transferred to the container delivery side of the stocker row. Drive control is performed to transfer the re-inspection target container to the re-inspection stocker, and if non-re-inspection target containers are stocked in the above-mentioned preliminary stocker, re-inspection A sample container transfer device, which is configured to drive and control the target container so that the target container for re-inspection is first transferred to an open stocker row.