JPH1183868A - Sample dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample dispensing device in which clogging of a sample probe can be accurately judged and reduction of processing ability and wastes of samples and reagents are kept minimized when assembled in an automatic analyzing device. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a dispensing pump 8 and a sample probe 1 linked with it, and is structured by providing means for dispensing (1,2,7-13) to suck and discharge a sample in a sample cup 3 with the sample probe 1 by actuating the dispensing pump 8 to suck and discharge, a pressure sensor 15 to detect a pressure in a pipeline including the sample probe 1 and a means for judgment 17 to judge clogging of the sample probe 1 in accordance with an output of the pressure sensor 15. In this case, if a pressure at a designated timing, after sample sucking actuation ends by the means for dispensing and before sample discharge actuation starts, is lower than a designated pressure value, the means for judgement 17 judges that the sample prove 1 is clogged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample dispensing apparatus used for an apparatus for analyzing a sample such as blood or urine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an automatic analyzer for biochemistry or the like, a dispensing pump and a sample dispensing device having a sample probe connected to the dispensing pump are provided, and the sample probe is moved to a sample suction position, a sample discharge position and a probe cleaning. A predetermined amount of the sample is dispensed from the sample container to the reaction container by operating the dispensing pump so as to be movable to the position. Here, in an automatic analyzer, serum or plasma is usually used as a sample, but since solid matter such as fibrin is present in such a sample, the solid matter is connected to a sample probe or a sample probe. May be clogged. Thus, when the sample probe is clogged, a predetermined amount of the sample cannot be dispensed into the reaction vessel,
This will have a serious adverse effect on the analysis results.

In order to solve such a problem,
For example, a pressure sensor is provided in a pipeline including a sample probe, and clogging of the sample probe is detected based on a comparison between an output of the pressure sensor and a predetermined threshold value (actual fairness 2).
And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 45818/1995) and an apparatus that monitors and integrates the output of a pressure sensor at predetermined time intervals and detects clogging of a sample probe based on a comparison between the integrated value and a reference value. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-198726) and a device in which the output of a pressure sensor is secondarily differentiated, and clogging of a sample probe is detected based on a comparison between the second derivative signal and a predetermined threshold value. Gazette)
Has been proposed.

[0004]

By the way, in the sample dispensing apparatus provided with the above-mentioned pressure sensor, if the output of the pressure sensor is monitored during the dispensing operation of the sample, it is determined according to the viscosity of the sample and the degree of clogging of the probe. Thus, for example, pressure waveforms as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D are obtained. In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis indicates time, the vertical axis indicates pressure, the upper part indicates a positive pressure, and the lower part indicates a negative pressure. Also, T
Reference numeral 1 denotes a sample suction operation period, T2 denotes a suctioned sample discharge operation period, and T3 denotes a probe cleaning operation period after sample discharge.

FIG. 1A shows a pressure waveform during a normal sample dispensing operation. In this normal dispensing operation, the pressure becomes negative pressure in the period T1 and becomes positive pressure in the period T2, and returns to the atmospheric pressure level while the dispensing pump is stopped. FIG. 1 (b) shows a pressure waveform during a dispensing operation of a simply highly viscous sample of a body fluid other than serum such as cerebrospinal fluid or serum of a dialysis patient. In this case, the negative pressure in the period T1 becomes larger than that in the normal sample, and the negative pressure remains after the period T1, but returns to the atmospheric pressure after a certain time. Therefore, in this case, the required amount of sample is aspirated into the probe. FIG. 1 (c) shows a pressure waveform during a dispensing operation when fibrin is sucked during suction and the sample probe is slightly closed. In this case, the period T1
Since the negative pressure remains afterward and does not return to the atmospheric pressure level until after the period T2, some samples are dispensed into the reaction vessel, but the reliability of the data is lost. Also,
FIG. 1D shows a pressure waveform during a dispensing operation when fibrin is sucked during suction and the sample probe is completely closed. In this case, even after the period T1, the period T2
Since the pressure does not return to the atmospheric pressure level, no sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel.

As described above, in the sample, FIG.
As shown in (b), the suction and discharge operations are normally performed simply because the viscosity is high. Conversely, when clogging occurs immediately before the end of the period T1, the negative pressure in the period T1 is reduced. Although the size itself does not increase, dispensing failure may occur.

For this reason, the peak value of the negative pressure during the period T1,
When the clogging of the probe is determined based on the pressure level at a certain timing during the period T1 or the integral value of the negative pressure signal during the period T1, a sample having only a high viscosity as shown in FIG. Also, when dispensing normally, it may be determined that the probe is clogged. In such a case,
In the automatic analyzer, the reliability of the analysis result for the analysis item of the dispensed sample is lost, so that a retest is usually performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the analysis items of the normally dispensed sample are also subjected to the retest, thereby reducing the processing capacity of the analyzer and wastefully using the sample and the reagent. Problems will arise.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and it is possible to accurately determine whether a sample probe is clogged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample dispensing device capable of minimizing waste of reagents and reagents.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a dispensing pump including a dispensing pump and a sample probe connected to the dispensing pump. In a sample dispensing apparatus including a dispensing unit that sucks and discharges a sample, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of a pipeline including the sample probe, based on an output of the pressure sensor,
After the end of the sample suction operation by the dispensing means, the pressure at a predetermined timing before the start of the sample discharge operation,
A determination unit configured to determine that the sample probe is clogged when the pressure is lower than a predetermined pressure value.

Further, the present invention has a dispensing pump having a dispensing pump and a sample probe connected to the dispensing pump, and a dispensing means for sucking and discharging a sample in a sample container by the sample probe by operating the dispensing pump by suction and discharge. In the sample dispensing device provided, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of a pipe line including the sample probe, and a predetermined amount of extra sample is previously suctioned from the sample container by the dispensing means, and then the extra sample sucked is removed. Based on the output of the pressure sensor when discharging to the sample container, when the pressure at a predetermined timing after the end of the discharging operation of the extra sample by the dispensing means is lower than a predetermined pressure value, Determining means for determining that the sample probe is clogged.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention focuses on the following points. According to the sample dispensing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means is provided after the sample aspirating operation by the dispensing means is completed. When the pressure at a predetermined timing before the start of the sample discharging operation is lower than a predetermined pressure value,
Since it is determined that the sample probe is clogged, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, not only when the sample is normally dispensed but also in the case as shown in FIG. 1B, it is not determined that the probe is clogged. Only in such a case, it is determined that the probe is clogged.

That is, the pressure waveform shown in FIG.
When comparing the pressure waveform shown in FIG.
In this case, since the viscosity of the sample is high, the negative pressure during the period T1 increases, and it takes some time until the negative pressure returns to the original pressure even after the period T1. However, the pressure returns to the original pressure after a lapse of a fixed time from the period T1. In this case, the sample is normally dispensed as described above. Therefore, after the period T1, the predetermined timing t1 before the start of the period T2
If the pressure at is lower than a predetermined pressure value, it is determined that the sample probe is clogged.
In the case of (b), it is not determined that the probe is clogged.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 (c) and (d), when the probe is actually clogged, the negative pressure does not return to the original state even after a certain period of time from the period T1. In these cases, it is determined that the probe is clogged.

According to the sample dispensing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, which focuses on the above points, the output of the pressure sensor at a predetermined timing before the start of the sample discharge operation after the end of the sample suction operation. Since the clogging of the probe is determined based on the pressure, the conventional determination based on the pressure during aspiration of the sample, that is, compared with the case where the clogging of the probe is simply determined based on the magnitude of the pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the viscosity of the sample as in the related art Thus, only the actual probe clogging can be reliably determined. Therefore, when the sample dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated in an automatic analyzer, unnecessary re-testing processing is not required, so that a reduction in processing speed can be effectively prevented, and waste of samples and reagents can be prevented. It can be effectively omitted.

Further, when the clogging of the probe is determined simply based on the pressure signal based on the viscosity of the sample as in the prior art, the relationship between the actual viscosity and the pressure depends on the sensitivity of the pressure sensor and the variation in the tip diameter of the probe. Since the threshold value for judging whether the probe is normal or abnormal is considerably severe due to considerable variation, and it is difficult to stably and accurately determine whether the probe is clogged, in the sample dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, Since the reference is used to determine whether or not a negative residual pressure remains after sample aspiration, it is less susceptible to variations in the sensitivity of the pressure sensor and variations in the tip diameter of the probe. Becomes possible.

Further, in the sample dispensing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, the dispensing means aspirates a predetermined amount of extra sample from the sample container in advance and discharges the aspirated extra sample to the sample container. The determination means is configured to determine that the sample probe is clogged when the pressure at a predetermined timing after the end of the ejection of the extra sample by the dispensing means is lower than the predetermined pressure value. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the probe is clogged.

That is, in such a dispensing apparatus, when the output of the pressure sensor is monitored during the dispensing operation of the sample,
Depending on the viscosity of the sample and the degree of clogging of the probe,
For example, pressure waveforms as shown in FIGS. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 2 are the same as in FIG. 1, and the horizontal axis indicates time, the vertical axis indicates pressure, the upper part indicates positive pressure, and the lower part indicates negative pressure. Further, T5 indicates a sample suction operation period, T6 indicates an extra sample discharge operation period, T7 indicates a predetermined amount of sample discharge operation period to the reaction vessel, and T8 indicates a probe cleaning operation period.

FIG. 2 (a) shows a pressure waveform during a normal sample dispensing operation. In this normal dispensing operation, as in the case of FIG. 1A, the pressure becomes negative during the period T5, and becomes positive during the periods T5 and T6, respectively.
It returns to atmospheric pressure while the dispense pump is stopped. FIG. 2 (b) shows a pressure waveform during a dispensing operation of a sample having only high viscosity, such as a body fluid other than serum such as cerebrospinal fluid or serum of a dialysis patient. In this case, similarly to FIG. 1B, the negative pressure during the period T5 is larger than that of the normal sample,
Although the negative pressure remains after the period T5, it returns to the atmospheric pressure after a certain time. Therefore, in this case, the required amount of sample is aspirated into the probe. FIG. 2C shows a pressure waveform in a dispensing operation of a sample containing fine fibrin. In this case, the negative pressure remains after the period T5, but returns to the atmospheric pressure after the period T6. Therefore, in this case, the sample is normally dispensed since the obstruction has already been removed by the time of dispensing the predetermined amount of the sample in the period T7. FIG. 2D shows a pressure waveform during a dispensing operation when fibrin is sucked during suction and the sample probe is slightly closed. In this case, the negative pressure remains even after the ejection of the extra sample in the period T6,
Since the pressure does not return to the atmospheric pressure level until the end of the sample discharge in the period T7, some samples are dispensed into the reaction container in the period T7, but the reliability of the data is lost. FIG. 2E shows a pressure waveform during a dispensing operation when fibrin is sucked during suction and the sample probe is completely closed. In this case, since the pressure does not return to the atmospheric pressure level after the period T6 and also after the period T7, no sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel.

In FIGS. 2A to 2E, for example, if the clogging of the probe is determined based on the pressure at an appropriate timing t3 between the period T5 and the period T6, FIG. And (b) are determined to be normal, and FIG.
(C) to (e) indicate that the probe is clogged. However, as described above, in the case of FIG.
Even if the negative pressure remains after the period T5, the negative pressure returns after the extra sample is discharged in the period T6,
At 7, a predetermined amount of sample will be dispensed.
In the sample dispensing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the pressure at the predetermined timing t2 after discharging the extra sample in the period T6 is lower than the predetermined pressure value,
Since it is determined that the sample probe is clogged, FIG.
Is determined to be normal, and the clogging of the probe can be more accurately determined. Therefore, when incorporated in an automatic analyzer, a reduction in processing speed can be more effectively prevented, and waste of samples and reagents can be more effectively reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the sample dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. Sample probe 1
The sample driving position S1 where the sample container, here the sample cup 3, is located by the probe driving means 2,
Sample discharge position S2 where reaction vessel 4 is located, washing tank 5
Can be moved to a washing position S3 where the cleaning cup 6 is located and a detergent suction position S4 where the detergent cup 6 is located.
And it is provided to be able to move up and down in S4. The sample probe 1 is connected to a dispensing pump 8 made of, for example, a syringe via a pipe 7, and the dispensing pump 8 is connected to a pump driving unit 9.
To drive the suction and discharge. The dispensing pump 8 further comprises a line 1
0, through a solenoid valve 11 and a washing water pump 12 to be connected to a washing water tank 13 containing washing water. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned sample probe 1, probe driving means 2, pipe 7, pipetting pump 8, pump driving means 9, pipe 1
0, solenoid valve 11, washing water pump 12, washing water tank 13
Constitute the dispensing means.

In this embodiment, a pressure sensor 15 is provided in the pipeline 10. The output of the pressure sensor 15 is
Is supplied to a detection circuit 17 as a discriminating means for detecting clogging of the sample probe 1. Detection circuit 1
7, an A / D converter 18 for converting an output from the amplifier circuit 16 into a digital signal, a storage device 19 for storing a predetermined threshold value and the like, an output of the A / D converter 18 and stored in the storage device 19. A CPU 20 and the like for performing a comparison operation with a predetermined threshold value and the like are provided, and a determination result of probe clogging based on the comparison operation is supplied to the control circuit 21. The control circuit 21 includes an input unit 22 for inputting a threshold value or the like.
(For example, a keyboard) and the detection circuit 17
It is configured to control the operation of each unit based on the input information from.

Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened, the flow path from the washing water tank 13 to almost the tip of the sample probe 1 via the dispensing pump 8 is filled with the washing water.
Is a state in which a predetermined amount of the sample is sucked from the sample cup 3 through the air space into the sample probe 1 with the closed, and the sucked sample is discharged into the reaction vessel 4 and then the sample probe 1 is washed. It is.

More specifically, first, with the solenoid valve 11 closed, the probe driving means 2 moves the sample probe 1 to the sample suction position S1 and lowers it, and moves the tip of the sample probe 1 into the sample in the sample cup 3. Inject a predetermined amount. Next, the dispensing pump 8 is suction-operated by the pump driving means 9 to suck a predetermined amount of sample into the sample probe 1. Next, after the sample probe 1 is raised by the probe driving means 2, the sample ejection position S2
In this state, the dispensing pump 8 is discharged by the pump driving means 9 to discharge a predetermined amount of the sample sucked into the sample probe 1 into the reaction container 4. Thereafter, the sample probe 1 is positioned at the washing position S3 by the probe driving means 2 and lowered, and in this state, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened and the washing water pump 12 is driven, and the washing water in the washing water tank 13 is sampled. The sample probe 1 is discharged from the probe 1 into the cleaning tank 5, thereby cleaning the sample probe 1.

By repeating the above operation, a sample is sequentially dispensed from the sample cup 3 to the reaction vessel 4, but the sample probe 1 which cannot be completely removed by the above-mentioned washing is removed.
In order to remove dirt from the sample probe 1, the sample probe 1 is positioned at the detergent suction position S4 and lowered, so that the tip of the sample probe 1 penetrates into the detergent in the detergent cup 6, and in that state, the electromagnetic valve 11
Is closed to cause the dispensing pump 8 to perform a suction operation to suck the detergent, and then raise the sample probe 1 and then to the cleaning position S3 to discharge the dispensing pump 8;
As a result, a detergent cleaning operation of discharging the sucked detergent into the cleaning tank 5 may be performed.

On the other hand, the output of the pressure sensor 15 is amplified by the amplifying circuit 16 and supplied to the detecting circuit 17, where, under the control of the control circuit 21, after the end of the sample suction operation and before the start of the sample discharging operation. Of the output of the amplifier circuit 16 corresponding to the output of the pressure sensor 15 at the predetermined timing
The CPU 20 compares the D conversion value (pressure data) with predetermined negative pressure value data stored in the storage device 19 in advance,
As a result, when the pressure data is lower than the predetermined negative pressure value data, it is determined that the sample probe 1 is clogged, and the determination result is output to the control circuit 21. When the detection circuit 17 detects that the probe is clogged, the control circuit 21 attaches a code for identifying that an error has occurred in the sample information of the sample, and makes the sample subject to the retest.

Here, the predetermined timing for sampling the output of the pressure sensor 15 varies depending on the suction speed of the sample, the suction amount, the tip diameter of the sample probe 1 and the viscosity of the target sample. In the state where the sample has the highest viscosity and the largest suction amount, the timing is returned to the atmospheric pressure with a margin, for example, timing t1 in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (d).

In this way, as described above, FIG.
It is determined that the probe is not clogged not only when the pressure waveform as shown in FIG. 1A is obtained but also when the pressure waveform as shown in FIG. 1B is obtained, and FIG. 1C and FIG. Since it is determined that the probe is clogged only when a pressure waveform as shown in (1) is obtained, only the actual probe clogging can be reliably determined. Therefore, when incorporated in an automatic analyzer, it is not necessary to perform an extra retest process, so that a reduction in processing speed can be effectively prevented, and
Waste of samples and reagents can be effectively reduced.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, in order to more reliably detect the clogging of the probe, in addition to the predetermined dispensed amount from the sample cup 3 at the time of aspirating the sample, a predetermined amount of extra sample is added in advance. Is aspirated, and after a certain period of time, an extra sample is discharged into the sample cup 3, and then a predetermined amount of the sample is dispensed into the reaction container 4. In the detection circuit 17, the control circuit 21
Under the above control, the timing after the extra sample is discharged into the sample cup 3, for example, the pressure data at the timing t2 in FIGS. 2A to 2E and the predetermined negative pressure stored in the storage device 19 in advance. CPU 20
As a result, when the pressure data is lower than the predetermined negative pressure value data, it is determined that the sample probe 1 is clogged, and the determination result is output to the control circuit 21.

By doing so, as described above, FIG.
When the pressure waveforms as shown in (a) to (c) are obtained, it is determined that the probe is not clogged, and only when the pressure waveforms as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E are obtained, it is determined that the probe is clogged. Therefore, probe clogging can be more accurately determined. Therefore, when incorporated in an automatic analyzer, a reduction in processing speed can be more effectively prevented, and waste of samples and reagents can be more effectively reduced.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, in the second embodiment, an extra sample ejection period T
In addition to checking the pressure data at a predetermined timing t2 between the sample suction operation period T5 and the period T7, and a period T7 between the sample suction operation period T5 and the period T6. At a predetermined timing t4 between the time and the cleaning operation period T8 of the probe, the pressure data is checked, and the clogging of the probe is determined based on the logical sum or logical product of the check results. here,
The check of each pressure data at the timings t2, t3, and t4 checks whether or not the negative pressure has returned, similarly to the above-described embodiment. The threshold value may be the same at each timing, It can be different.

As described above, if the pressure data is checked at a plurality of timings, for example, at the timing t
If it is detected that the negative pressure does not return only in the sample No. 3, it can be simply determined that the sample has high viscosity.
In this case, since it is considered that the dispensing has been performed almost normally, the analysis can be continued normally, and the fact that the sample is highly viscous can be attached to the sample information as a code. Alternatively, a sample with this code can also be set as a retest target.

When it is detected that the negative pressure does not return at the timings t3 and t2 and the negative pressure returns at the timing t4, the sample probe 1 is closed, but the operation of discharging the sample to the reaction vessel 4 is performed. Thereafter, it can be determined that the state has returned to normal. Therefore, in this case, the clogging is attached to the sample information as a code and is subjected to the retest. Further, in this case, it can be determined that the clog has been removed, so that the subsequent operation can be continued, and when dispensing a reagent or the like later, the dispensing of the reagent or the like into the reaction container 4 is performed. By setting to stop, waste of reagents and the like can be omitted.

Further, when it is detected that the negative pressure has not returned at the sequential timings t3, t2 and t4, it can be determined that the sample probe 1 is firmly closed. In this case, the sample information is accompanied by a code that is clogged, the subsequent dispensing operation is stopped, and the user is prompted to remove the sample probe 1 and display a message urging special cleaning such as ultrasonic cleaning. Can be.

As described above, if the pressure data is checked at a plurality of different timings, the degree of the closed state can be distinguished, so that processing according to the closed state can be performed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible. For example, in the first embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, pressure data can be checked at a plurality of different timings to determine whether the probe is clogged. In addition, pressure data is not limited to instantaneous values,
It may be an integral value for a certain period. By doing so, the influence of noise and the like can be reduced.

[0036]

According to the sample dispensing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, clogging of the probe is determined based on the pressure at a predetermined timing before the start of the sample discharge operation after the end of the sample suction operation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably determine only the actual probe clogging as compared with the case where the clogging of the probe is simply determined based on the magnitude of the pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the viscosity of the sample.
Therefore, when incorporated in an automatic analyzer, unnecessary retest processing is not required, so that a reduction in processing speed can be effectively prevented, and waste of samples and reagents can be effectively reduced.

Further, according to the sample dispensing apparatus of the present invention, after a predetermined amount of extra sample is sucked from the sample container in advance, the extra sample sucked is discharged to the sample container. When the pressure at a predetermined timing after the end of the ejection of the sample is lower than the predetermined pressure value, it is determined that the sample probe is clogged. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the probe is clogged. Therefore, when incorporated in an automatic analyzer, a reduction in processing speed can be more effectively prevented, and waste of samples and reagents can be more effectively reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an aspect of a pressure waveform obtained in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an aspect of a pressure waveform obtained in a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example of a sample dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample probe 2 Probe drive means 3 Sample cup 4 Reaction vessel 5 Cleaning tank 6 Detergent cup 7,10 Pipeline 8 Dispensing pump 9 Pump drive means 11 Solenoid valve 12 Wash water pump 13 Wash water tank 15 Pressure sensor 16 Amplifier circuit 17 Detection circuit 18 A / D converter 19 storage device 20 CPU 21 control circuit 22 input means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sample dispenser having a dispensing pump and a sample probe connected to the dispensing pump, and dispensing means for sucking and discharging the sample in the sample container by operating the dispensing pump by suction and discharge. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of a pipe line including the sample probe; and a predetermined timing before the start of the sample discharge operation after the end of the sample suction operation by the dispensing means based on the output of the pressure sensor. Determining means for determining that the sample probe is clogged when the pressure is lower than a predetermined pressure value. 2. A sample dispenser comprising a dispensing pump and a sample probe connected to the dispensing pump, and dispensing means for sucking and discharging the sample in the sample container by operating the dispensing pump by suction and discharge. In the injection device, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of a pipe line including the sample probe, and a predetermined amount of extra sample is suctioned in advance from the sample container by the dispensing unit, and the aspirated extra sample is stored in the sample container. When the pressure at a predetermined timing after the operation of discharging the extra sample by the dispensing means is lower than a predetermined pressure value based on an output of the pressure sensor at the time of discharging, the sample probe is clogged. A sample dispensing device, comprising: a discriminating unit for discriminating between a sample and a sample.