JPH079434B2 - Automatic sample measuring device, test tube presence / absence detecting method in automatic sample measuring device, and sample presence / absence detecting method in automatic sample measuring device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to an automatic sample measuring device used for chemical analysis, and more particularly to an automatic sample measuring device for measuring the concentration of a sample in which all reaction processes have been completed in a semi-automatic analysis system, The present invention also relates to a test tube presence / absence detection method and an automatic sample presence / absence detection method in this automatic sample measuring device.

[Prior Art] In recent years, the automation of analysis in medical research and clinical examination has been remarkably developed. Especially, in the field of biochemical examination, from the point that the analysis method is relatively simple and easy to unify, all analysis from auto sampler to data processing is performed. Automatic analyzers, which fully automate the process and allow simultaneous analysis of a large number of items for a large number of samples, are widely used. However, in the field of immunology, which measures antigen-antibody reactions, there are still few fully automatic devices due to the complexity and diversity of analysis, and an automatic processing device is used for each analysis step to transfer samples between steps. A large number of so-called semi-automatic analysis systems that are performed manually are used. For example, processing of each step such as sample dilution dilution, antigen-antibody reaction, labeled substance distribution and immobilization reaction, B / F separation washing, enzyme reaction by enzyme substrate distribution, measurement of enzyme reaction result, etc. There is used a unit automatic processing device for carrying out the above, and a system of a system in which a test tube rack in which several tens of test tubes are arranged in a matrix is sequentially applied to the processing device to perform an analysis process.

The sample for which all reaction treatments have been completed by such a semi-automatic analysis system is measured by a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer.

However, in general, the reaction solution in the chemical analysis has been conventionally measured by using a general-purpose colorimeter or a spectrophotometer by sucking a sample into a flow cell by a sipper. In such a method, not only is it necessary to manually immerse the sipper nozzle into the test tube for each sample, but also to eliminate the contamination of the flow cell by aspirating different samples one after another into the flow cell. Since it must be washed with the next sample, there is a defect that it is difficult to reduce the sample amount. For this reason, recently, the test tubes are arranged in a photometric rack in units of 5 to 10, and the photometric rack is run in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the photometer to irradiate the test tubes directly with light. The method of taking measurements is adopted.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In a conventional semi-automatic analysis system, a reaction process is performed by a test tube rack in which several tens of test tubes are arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a sample for which the whole reaction process is completed is measured by, for example, a colorimeter. In this case, as described above, it is necessary to replace the test tubes arranged in the test tube rack with the measurement rack, and the sample concentration cannot be measured with the test tube rack as it is. Therefore, it takes a lot of time to replace the test tube from the test tube rack to the measurement rack, and there is a concern that the test tube may be mistaken for replacement.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is capable of measuring the concentration of a sample, which has been subjected to a reaction treatment in a semi-automatic system, in an apparatus in which the test tube rack is left as it is, and arranged in the test tube rack. An automatic sample measuring device that can shorten the waiting time from loading the test tube rack to taking it out and also determine the presence / absence of test tubes on the test tube rack and the presence / absence of samples in the test tubes. The purpose is to be able to provide.

[Means for solving problems]

The structure of the automatic sample measuring device of the present invention taken to solve the above-mentioned problems is as follows: (1) A test tube rack in which test tubes are arranged in a matrix form is transferred, and a test on the test tube rack is performed. Rack transfer means for sequentially positioning the tubes at the measurement standby position for each row, and simultaneously raising the row of test tubes at the measurement standby position,
The sample tube elevating means located at the measurement position provided on the upper part of the test tube rack, and the position of each test tube of the one row of test tubes positioned at the measurement position are sequentially moved to and accommodated in the test tube. It is characterized by comprising a photometer for measuring the concentration of a sample, and a photometer transfer means for transferring the photometer. (2) In the automatic sample measuring device according to (1), each of the test tubes at the measurement standby position A push-up rod having an upper end surface formed in a concave surface so as to hold the bottom portion of the test tube is arranged below the lower end portion has a tapered surface corresponding to the position of A pressing member formed so as to hold the upper opening of the test tube, the test tube being raised by the push-up bar, and means for fixing the test tube to the measuring position from above and below with the pressing member. Featuring In the automatic sample measuring device of (3) and (2), a photointerpler is arranged above the holding member holding the opening of the test tube, and the holding member is provided with a detection terminal. When the test tube is held at the measurement position, the pressing member moves upward against the spring pressure, thereby operating the photointerrupter, and having a means for detecting whether or not the test tube exists. (4) Rack transfer means capable of sequentially transferring in one direction a rack mounting table on which test tube racks in which test tubes are arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions can be removably mounted, and the rack transfer means. A frame that is perpendicular to the transfer direction of the test tube, and is pushed up at the lower part of the frame at the same interval as the arrangement interval of the test tubes to push up the test tubes in the test tube rack to the measurement position provided at the upper part. A rod, a moving frame which is urged downward to the frame and is movably attached in the vertical direction, and an upper part of the moving frame which is vertically movably attached to a position facing the push-up rod, Test tube lifting and lowering means for moving the frame with respect to the rack transfer means, and pressing members that are respectively biased downward, and arranged in a row positioned at a measurement position by the lifting of the test tube lifting and lowering means. (5) (1) or (2) is provided with a photometer transfer means for sequentially transferring a photometer for measuring the concentration of the sample contained in the test tube to the position of each of the test tubes. ) Or (3) or (4), the test tube rack is a test tube rack in which test tubes that have undergone a reaction process in a semi-automatic analysis system are arranged. The configuration of the test tube presence / absence inspection method in the automatic sample measuring device of the present invention is as follows: (6) In the automatic sample measuring device of (1) to (5), a series of tests arranged in series in a holding container such as a test tube rack. When measuring the concentration of the sample in the test tube by sequentially transmitting the light of the photometer to the tube, set the measurement position of the light intensity of the photometer when there is no test tube on the orbit that scans the photometer, and perform the series of tests described above. Before or after measuring the tube, measure the light intensity of the photometer without the test tube, and use this as the reference value, and the ratio or difference between the transmitted light intensity and the reference value when measuring each test tube. Is characterized in that the presence or absence of the test tube is determined depending on whether or not it is within a preset numerical range. Further, the configuration of the sample presence / absence detection method in the automatic sample measuring device of the present invention is (7) ) (1) ~ (5) automatic inspection In the measuring device, the light of the photometer is sequentially transmitted through a series of cylindrical test tubes arranged in series, and when measuring the concentration of the sample in the test tube, the center of the test tube is on the optical axis of the photometer. While measuring the concentration of the sample at a position where the intensity of light transmitted through the sample is maximized, the center of the test tube is from the measurement position, that is, on the optical axis of the photometer, in the scanning direction of the photometer, At least measure the transmitted light intensity at a position displaced by 0.5 / 100 or more of the inner diameter of the test tube, depending on whether the ratio or difference between this value and the transmitted light intensity at the measurement position is within a preset value, It is characterized by determining whether or not a sample exists in the test tube to be measured.

[Action]

The automatic sample measuring device of the present invention having the above-described configuration starts the operation by mounting the test tube rack for the reaction to be measured at the rack mounting position of the device and pressing the start key on the operation panel. It works like this.

(I) The test tube rack is fed into the apparatus by horizontal (forward and backward) movement of the rack transfer means, and the first row of test tubes of the test tube rack is stopped at the measurement standby position.

(Ii) Next, the test tube elevating means is operated to raise the test tube push-up rods arranged below the test tubes in the first row, and the bottom of each test tube is supported by the concave surface at the upper end of the push-up rods. While pushing up, the upper opening of each test tube is clamped by spring pressure by the holding member arranged on the upper part of the test tube.

(Iii) While holding the test tube, the push-up rod and the pressing member are integrally lifted to lift the test tube to the measurement position above the rack and stop it. In this state, the test tube detection terminal of the holding member is inserted into the photointerrupter arranged on the upper side, and the presence or absence of the test tube is confirmed. When there is no test tube, the photointerrupter does not operate because the spring compression of the pressing member does not rise so much.

(Iv) The photometer is moved horizontally (left and right) by the photometer transfer means to measure each test tube. In the measurement, the transmitted light intensity of the photometer is measured at a position where there is no test tube, and the absorbance of each sample in each test tube is measured with this value as a reference to calculate the concentration of the sample.

(V) The measurement is performed by measuring the absorbance at the position where the center of the test tube is located on the optical axis of the photometer and the output of the detector is maximized, and the measurement position is displaced by a predetermined distance in the moving direction of the photometer. The measurement is also performed at different positions, and the presence or absence of the sample is also determined by using the measured value as information.

(Vi) Return the photometer to the origin when one row of measurement is completed,
By lowering the test tube elevating means, the test tube is first lowered while being held by the push-up rod and the holding member, and the lowering of the holding member stops halfway, and the test tube is separated from the holding member and the original test is performed. It is housed in a tube rack. Continue to operate the rack transfer means and measure the test tubes in the next row.

Since the automatic sample measuring device according to the present invention is designed to perform the measurement by the means and procedures as described above, it is possible to perform the measurement in the order in which the test tubes are arranged without replacing the test tubes, and to raise the test tubes in units of one row. Since the measurement is performed by scanning the squeeze photometer, the measurement can be performed in a short time, and the presence / absence of the test tube and the presence / absence of the sample can be determined together.

〔Example〕

 Examples will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the automatic sample measuring device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the same, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the same appearance.

1 is a rack mounting table, 2 is a test tube rack to be mounted on and removed from the rack mounting table, 3 is a test tube arranged in a matrix in the test tube rack 2, and all reaction processes have already been performed by a semi-automatic analysis system. Test tube rack 2 in which reaction test tubes 3 accommodating the sample (sample solution) that has completed
Can be installed. The number of test tubes 3 arranged in the test tube rack 2 of this embodiment is 10 horizontal and 5 vertical.
It is 50.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a rack transfer means for sequentially moving the rack mounting base 1 on which the test tube rack 2 is mounted in one direction by rotating the feed screw 10 by the motor 5 via the pulleys 6, 7, 8 and the timing belt 9. The rack mounting base 1 is transferred, and the test tubes 3 arranged on the test tube rack 2 are sequentially positioned at the measurement standby position 11 row by row.

The motor 5 has a photo interrupter for detecting the stop position.
12 is provided, and one rotation of the motor 5 corresponds to one pitch of the test tube row of the test tube rack 2. Therefore, by stopping the motor 5 by the photointerrupter 12, the test tube 3 The line can be stopped exactly at the measurement standby position 11.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a terminal provided on the rack mounting base 1, which engages with the photo interrupter 14 when the mounting is not working and the rack mounting base 1 is pulled out to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. The rack mount 1 is located at the stop position.

Reference numeral 15 is a test tube elevating means, which is a frame 16 perpendicular to the transfer direction of the rack transfer means 4 and the test tube 3 at the bottom of the frame 16.
There are 10 push-up rods 17 that push the test tubes 3 in the test tube rack 2 at the measurement standby position 11 to the measurement position provided at the top, which are planted at the same interval as the arrangement interval of 16 is the pulley 18 by the motor 18, 20,
A pair of feed screws 22 are rotated via a timing belt 21 to move up and down.

In addition, the upper end surface of the push-up rod 17 is formed into a concave surface so as to fit the bottom spherical surface of the test tube 1 when the test tube 3 is pushed up.

A moving frame 23 is provided above the frame 16 in parallel with the upper and lower sides of the frame 16, and is provided vertically by two ball bearings 24 for each pair.
A holding member 25 is arranged on the moving frame 24 so as to correspond to the position of the test tube 3 at the measurement standby position. Presser member 25
Has its lower end formed into a tapered surface suitable for holding the upper opening of the test tube 3 and is pushed downward by a spring 26. A photo interrupter 28 is provided at a position facing a terminal 27 provided on the pressing member 25.

When the frame 16 is descending, the moving frame 23 is restricted in a state where it comes into contact with the stopper 29 and the bearing 30 and is pressed by the spring 31, and stops when the pressing member 25 is separated from the test tube 3. There is. When the frame 16 rises in this state, the push-up bar 17 rises to hold the bottom of the test tube 3 and bring the opening of the test tube 3 into contact with the tapered surface of the holding member 25, and further compresses the spring 26 to push it up. The test tube 3 is sandwiched between the rod 17 and the pressing member 25. In this state, the stopper 32 comes into contact with the lower end surface 23 'of the moving frame 23, and the frame 16 is further raised, whereby the frame 16 and the moving frame 23 are integrally raised, and as shown in FIG. The tube 3 is stopped at the measuring position 33 above the test tube rack 2. At this time, it is possible to detect the presence of the test tube 3 by inserting the terminal 27 provided on the upper portion of the pressing member 25 into the photointerrupter 28. When the test tube 3 is missing, the spring 26 of the pressing member 25 remains stretched, so that the photo interrupter 28 does not operate. When the frame 16 is lowered, the test tube 3 is lowered into the test tube rack 2 while being held between the push-up bar 17 and the pressing member 25 in the reverse order of the above-described procedure, and the moving frame 23 is lowered during the process. When stopped, the test tube 3 leaves the holding member 25 and is stored in the original position of the test tube rack 2. The photo interrupters 34a, 34b are provided to determine the vertical stop position of the test tube elevating means 15, and operate by engaging with the detection terminals 35 provided on the frame 16.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a photometer scanning means, which transports the photometer 41 in the horizontal direction by rotating the feed screw 40 via the gears 38 and 39 by the motor 37. The photo interrupter 42 is provided to determine the origin position of the photometer 41. The photometer 41 reduces the effect of scratches and dirt on the test tube 3 during photometry.
A two-wavelength photometer is used. Sunahachi, light source 43
The light from is irradiated to the sample of the test tube 3 by the condenser lenses 44 and 45, the light transmitted through the condenser lens 46 is split by the half mirror 47, and one of the lights is an interference filter.
After passing through 48 to the detector 49 for measurement, one light is an interference filter
The reference detector 51 is reached via 50. The test tubes 3 arranged at the measurement positions 32 are provided with a cover 54 for blocking external light, and the cover 54 has an entrance window corresponding to the position of each test tube 3.
52 and an exit window 53 are provided.

In FIG. 1, the leftmost window 55 is an air-only window without a test tube to be measured. When the photometer 41 is scanned for measurement, the photometer 41 first stops at the position of the window 55, where the light intensity of the photometer 41 without the test tube is measured, and the measurement of each test tube 3 is performed on the basis of this. To do. Measurement of each test tube 3
Data is taken in at intervals of 0.1 mm between the front and rear widths of 2 mm of the position considered as the center of the sample, and the position where the output of the measuring detector 49 is maximized is determined as the actual center position of the test tube 3 and the value of the sample It is designed to take measurements.

Next, a measuring method of this automatic sample measuring device will be described.

For example, in a semi-automatic analysis system, a sample which has been arranged in a matrix on the test tube rack 2 and which has undergone all the reaction treatment in the test tube 3 is placed in the test tube rack 2 and the test tube rack 2 together with the apparatus rack. When it is mounted on the mounting base 1 and the start key of the operation panel 56 is pressed, the operation starts. That is, (i) the test tube rack 2 is fed into the apparatus by horizontal (forward and backward) movement of the rack transfer means 4, and the first row of test tubes 3 of the test tube rack 2 is stopped at the measurement standby position 11.

(Ii) Next, the test tube elevating means 15 is operated to raise the test tube push-up rods 17 arranged below the test tubes 3 in the first row, and the bottoms of the test tubes 3 are pushed up. It is pushed up while being supported by the concave surface of the upper end of the test tube 3, and the upper opening of each test tube 3 is clamped by the spring pressure by the pressing member 25 arranged on the upper part of the test tube 3.

(Iii) With the test tube 3 clamped, the push-up bar 17 and the pressing member 25 are integrally lifted to lift the test tube 3 to the measurement position above the test tube rack 2 and stop it. In this state, the terminal 27 for detecting the test tube of the holding member 25 is inserted into the photointerrupter 28 arranged on the upper side, and it is confirmed whether the test tube 3 is present or not. If the test tube 3 is not provided, the photo-interrupter 28 does not operate because the pressing member 25 does not rise by the amount of spring compression.

(Iv) The photometer 41 is horizontally (left and right) by the photometer scanning means 36.
Then, each test tube 3 is measured. For the measurement, the transmitted light intensity of the photometer 41 is measured at a position where the test tube 3 is not present, and the absorbance of the sample liquid in each test tube 3 is measured with this value as a reference to calculate the concentration of the sample.

(V) The measurement is performed by measuring the absorbance at a position where the center of the test tube 3 is located on the optical axis of the photometer 41 and the output of the measurement detector 49 is maximum, and the moving direction of the photometer 41 is measured from this measurement position. On the other hand, the measurement is performed even at a position deviated by a predetermined distance, and the presence or absence of the sample is also determined by using the measured value as information.

(Vi) When the measurement of one row is completed, the photometer 41 is returned to the origin, and the test tube elevating means 15 is lowered, so that the test tube 3 is lowered while being held by the push-up bar 17 and the holding member 25, and on the way. Then, the lowering of the holding member 25 is stopped, and the test tube 3 is separated from the holding member 25 and is housed in the original test tube rack 2. Subsequently, the rack transfer means 4 is operated to measure the test tubes in the next row.

The control and calculation of this device is performed by the control calculation unit 57, and the measurement data is displayed on the display device 58 of the scanning panel 56 and is also output to the blinter 59. The time required for measurement is about 1 minute including the time for mounting and removing the rack when measuring 50 test tubes per rack.

As described above, the automatic sample measuring device according to the present embodiment is designed so that the presence / absence of the sample in the test tube can be simultaneously cut.
The principle will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 60 represents a sample in the test tube 3, and 61 represents air in the test tube 3. That is, when light passes through the test tube 3 filled with the sample 60 and the center of the test tube 3 is exactly on the optical axis,
As shown in FIG. 5A, the light passes through the center of the test tube 3 and is incident on the center of the measuring detector without deviation. At a position where the test tube 3 is displaced from the optical axis in the horizontal direction, the light is bent in the horizontal direction due to the refraction effect of the test tube 3 and the sample 60, as shown in FIG. 4 (b). However, when the sample 60 is not present in the test tube 3, as shown in FIG. The presence / absence determination of the sample according to the present embodiment utilizes this principle, and when the light is bent by the test tube, it is possible to detect by designing an optical system so that a part of the light goes out of the detector. , In the case of this example, from the center of the test tube at a specific wavelength
The criterion for judgment is whether or not the ratio of the signal intensity at the position displaced by 1 mm and the signal intensity at the regular measurement position is within a certain value.

In this embodiment, the presence or absence of the test tube is determined by a mechanical method using a photointerrupter, but an optical method may be used as another method. That is, comparing the transmitted light intensity when there is no test tube 3 in the window 55 and the transmitted light intensity when there is the test tube 3 regardless of the presence or absence of the sample at a specific wavelength for measurement, The intensity of transmitted light at a certain time is attenuated by at least the amount of surface reflection on the entrance / exit surface of the test tube 3. Its amount is a few percent. Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the test tube on the basis of an appropriate value determined in accordance with this ratio. In this embodiment, this method can also be implemented.

As described above, in the automatic sample measuring device of this embodiment, the test tube rack in which a large number of test tubes are arranged in a matrix can be directly mounted on the device to quickly measure the concentration of the sample in the test tube.

〔The invention's effect〕

The present invention is capable of measuring the concentration of a sample, which has been subjected to a reaction process in a semi-automatic system, in the device in the rack of the test tube rack and arranged in the rack, and shortening the sample measurement time. It is possible to provide an automatic sample measuring device that shortens the waiting time from loading the test tube rack to taking it out and can also determine the presence or absence of the test tube on the rack and the information of the sample in the test tube during the measurement. It has a great industrial effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the automatic sample measuring device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the same, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same appearance, and FIG. It is a figure. 1 ... rack mount, 2 ... test tube rack, 3 ... test tube, 4 ... rack transfer means, 15 ... test tube lifting means, 16
…… Frame, 17 …… Push bar, 23 …… Movement frame,
25 ... Pressing member, 36 ... Photometer scanning means, 41 ... Photometer, 49 ... Measuring detector.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiaki Sugaba 3517 Higashiishikawa, Katsuta City, Ibaraki Prefecture Corona Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shunzo Kasai 3517 Higashiishikawa, Katsuta City, Ibaraki Corona Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Kenji Kamegata 3517 Higashiishikawa, Katsuta City, Ibaraki Corona Electric Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-56-155854 (JP, A) JP-A-61-286758 (JP, A)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A rack transfer means for transferring a test tube rack in which test tubes are arranged in a matrix form in a matrix, and for sequentially arranging the test tubes on the test tube rack row by row at a measurement standby position, and at the measurement standby position. A row of test tubes is raised at the same time, and sample tube elevating and lowering means is provided at the measurement position provided at the upper part of the test tube rack, and the positions of the test tubes of the row of test tubes positioned at the measurement position are sequentially arranged. An automatic sample measuring device comprising: a photometer for moving and measuring the concentration of a sample contained in the test tube; and a photometer transfer means for transferring the photometer. 2. A push-up rod having an upper end surface formed in a concave shape so as to hold the bottom portion of the test tube is arranged below the measurement standby position corresponding to the position of each test tube, and the upper part is arranged above. A pressing member formed to hold the upper opening of the test tube by a spring pressure having a tapered surface is arranged, and the test tube is lifted by the push-up bar, and the pressing member is moved up and down. The automatic sample measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising means for fixing the test tube to the measurement position. 3. A photointerrupter is arranged above the holding member for holding the opening of the test tube, a detection terminal is provided on the holding member, and the holding member holds the test tube at the measurement position. 3. The automatic sample according to claim 2, further comprising means for activating the photointerrupter to detect whether or not a test tube is present by shifting the pressing member upward against the spring pressure. measuring device. 4. A rack transfer means capable of sequentially transferring a rack mounting table on which test tube racks in which test tubes are arranged in a matrix form vertically and horizontally can be sequentially transferred in one direction, and transfer of the rack transfer means. A frame that is perpendicular to the direction, a push-up bar that is planted in the lower part of the frame at the same interval as the arrangement interval of the test tubes and pushes up the test tubes in the test tube rack to the measurement position provided in the upper part, and in the frame. A moving frame that is urged downward and is movably attached in the vertical direction, and a movable frame that is movably attached in the vertical direction at a position opposite to the push-up rod of the moving frame, and is urged downward respectively. A test tube elevating means for moving the frame with respect to the rack transfer means, and the test tube elevating means is positioned at a measurement position by raising the test tube elevating means. An automatic sample measuring device, comprising: photometer transfer means for sequentially transferring a photometer for measuring the concentration of a sample contained in each test tube to the position of each test tube arranged in a row. . 5. The test tube rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the test tube rack is a test tube rack in which test tubes for which reaction processing has been completed are arranged in a semi-automatic analysis system.
Alternatively, the automatic sample measuring device according to item 3 or item 4. 6. When measuring the concentration of the sample in the test tube by sequentially transmitting the light of the photometer through a series of test tubes arranged in series in a holding container such as a test tube rack, the test is conducted on the orbit scanning the photometer. The measurement position of the light intensity of the photometer without the tube is provided, and the light intensity of the photometer without the test tube is measured before or after the series of test tube measurements, and this is used as a reference value. Claims: The presence or absence of a test tube is determined by whether or not the ratio or difference between the transmitted light intensity and the reference value during measurement of each test tube is within a preset numerical range. A method for detecting the presence or absence of a test tube in the automatic sample measuring device according to any one of items 1 to 5. 7. A series of cylindrical test tubes are made to sequentially pass the light of a photometer to measure the concentration of a sample in the test tube, and the center of the test tube is the optical axis of the photometer. The concentration of the sample is measured at a position where the intensity of the light transmitted through the sample is maximized, and the center of the test tube is located at the measurement position, that is, on the optical axis of the photometer, in the scanning direction of the photometer. , At least measuring the transmitted light intensity at a position displaced by 0.5 / 100 or more of the inner diameter of the test tube, depending on whether the ratio or difference between this value and the transmitted light intensity at the measurement position is within a preset value The method for detecting the presence or absence of a sample in an automatic sample measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which determines whether or not a sample exists in a test tube to be measured.