JP4110082B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological components such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that includes a dispensing probe that dispenses a reagent into a reaction container.

  In an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample test item by mixing a biological sample such as blood or urine with a reagent in a reaction container and measuring the reaction solution, the sample and reagent from each of the sample container and reagent container are collected. In general, a necessary amount is collected using a reagent dispensing device (dispensing probe), etc., and supplied to a reaction vessel for reaction.

  In such an automatic analyzer, even if the liquid level is erroneously detected due to external noise or the presence of bubbles on the liquid level during sample liquid level detection, a series of dispensing operations are continued without affecting the subsequent analysis procedure. A possible liquid level detection method is described in Patent Document 1. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the liquid level detection function incorporated in the sample dispensing probe is used to detect a separation signal that breaks the bubbles even if the liquid level detection is erroneously detected due to bubbles on the sample liquid level. The probe is lowered again and sucked.

JP-A-11-271328

  Since the sample has a viscosity higher than that of the reagent and is serum-separated by centrifugation or the like, bubbles on the liquid surface become a problem. The technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique for accurately recognizing the liquid level even when there is such a bubble on the surface of the sample. On the other hand, with regard to the reagent, since the amount of reagent consumed per day in the conventional apparatus was not so large, the reagent container that is expected to be deficient within the day is replaced before the start of analysis, or is reserved. Therefore, the operator could confirm the presence or absence of bubbles when setting the reagent. In addition, since the reagent container was often made of a translucent substance, it was easy to confirm the presence or absence of bubbles.

  However, with the increase in the analysis processing speed of the apparatus and the diversification of analysis items, it is assumed that a large number of reagent containers having a small capacity must be used. In this case, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to replace the reagent during the analysis, and there has been a concern that it cannot be handled by an operator as in the conventional case.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of performing a highly reliable analysis even if bubbles are present on the reagent liquid surface.

  The problem solving means of the present invention is as follows.

  Reagent container mounting means capable of mounting a plurality of reagent containers, reagent container transport means for transporting a reagent container on the reagent container mounting means, and transported onto the reagent container mounting means by the reagent container transport means And a bubble detecting means for detecting whether or not bubbles are present on the reagent liquid surface in the reagent container.

  Alternatively, a reagent container mounting means capable of mounting a plurality of reagent containers, a reagent container transporting means for transporting a reagent container from a reagent container holding means for temporarily storing reagents onto the reagent container mounting means, and the reagent container An automatic analyzer comprising: bubble detecting means for detecting whether or not bubbles are present on the reagent liquid surface in the reagent container on the holding means.

  The reagent container mounting means preferably has moving means capable of moving the relative position between the reagent containers. Examples of the moving means include a means for placing a reagent container on a turntable and a means for placing a reagent on a belt to move the belt. However, the reagent container position may be fixed.

The reagent container transport means includes, for example, one that grips the reagent container with a robot arm and transports it to the target position, but is not particularly limited, and any reagent container can be used.
Although an example is given in claim 5 as the bubble detection means, it is only necessary to detect the presence of bubbles.

  As described above, in the present invention, in order to detect the liquid amount of the reagent after automatically detecting whether or not there is a bubble in the reagent container, when the operator mounts the reagent on the apparatus, Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable automatic analyzer that can perform analysis reliably without confirming that there is no problem.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of reaction vessels 35 are arranged on the circumference of the reaction disk 36 on the housing 62. A reagent disk 42 (reagent container mounting means) is disposed inside the reaction disk 36, and a reagent disk 41 is disposed outside. A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be placed on the circumference of each of the reagent disks 41 and 42. Two reagents enter one reagent container 40. A reagent container transport mechanism 12 for moving the rack 11 on which the sample container 10 is placed is installed near the reaction disk 36. Rails 25 and 26 are arranged on the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42. The rail 25 includes reagent probes 20 and 21 movable in a direction parallel to the rail and in the vertical direction. Removable reagent probes 22 and 23 are installed. The reagent probes 20, 21, 22, and 23 are connected to a reagent pump (not shown). The reagent probes 20, 21, 22, 23 each have a liquid level detection function. Between the reaction vessel 35 and the transport mechanism 12, a sample probe 15, which can be rotated and moved up and down,
16 is installed. The sample probes 15 and 16 are connected to a sample pump (not shown). Around the reaction disk 36, stirring devices 30 and 31, a light source 50, a detection optical device 51, and a container cleaning mechanism 45 are arranged. The container cleaning mechanism 45 is connected to a cleaning pump (not shown). Sample probes 15, 16, reagent probes 20, 21,
Cleaning ports 54 are installed in the respective operation ranges of 22, 23 and the stirring devices 30, 31. A replenishing reagent storage 71 is installed on the reagent disk 41. A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be mounted in the replenishment reagent storage 71. A rail 72 is disposed on the replenishing reagent storage 71. The rail 72 is provided with a rail 72, a reagent holding mechanism 73 that can move in three axial directions, a reagent cap opening mechanism 74, and a bubble detector 80. Yes. An erection port 75 for the reagent container 40 is installed in front of the replenishing reagent storage 71. A barcode reader 76 is installed near the installation port 75 of the reagent container 40 in order to read the reagent barcode. In the vicinity of the replenishing reagent storage 71, a disposal port 77 for discarding the reagent cap and the used reagent container 40 is provided. Sample pump, reagent pump, cleaning pump, detection optical device 51, reaction vessel 35, reagent disk 41, reagent probe 20, not explicitly shown in the figure,
21, 22, 23, sample probes 15, 16, reagent holding mechanism 73, reagent cap opening mechanism 74, and barcode reader 76 are connected to the controller 60.

  FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the bubble detector 80 portion of the first embodiment. The bubble detector 80 is composed of a vertical mechanism 81 and a plurality of liquid level probes 82. The plurality of liquid level probes 82 are provided with almost the same height at the tips, and are connected to a comparator (not shown). The comparator determines the electrical resistance between the liquid level probes 82.

  An analysis procedure using this apparatus will be described.

Before starting the analysis, the equipment is first maintained. For maintenance, in addition to the inspection of the detection optical device 51, the cleaning of the reaction container 35, the cleaning of various probes such as the sample probes 15 and 16, and the like, the most important thing is the inside of the reagent container 40 mounted on the reagent disks 41 and 42. This is a reagent check. Information on the reagent container 40 is stored in a control computer in which reagent mounting positions, lots, expiration dates, reagent remaining amounts, etc. in the reagent disks 41 and 42 are not clearly shown in the figure. The operator checks the state of the reagent container 40 in the reagent disks 41 and 42 with a CRT or the like not explicitly shown in the figure. Reagents that have a small amount of remaining reagent and are likely to be lost during the day's analysis are set in the erection port 75 of the reagent container 40 with the lid on. The reagent information of the set reagent is read by the bar code reader 76 and conveyed to the replenishing reagent storage 71 by the reagent holding mechanism 73. The read reagent information and the loading position loaded in the replenishment reagent storage 71 are output to a control computer not shown in the figure. All of the reagents that are assumed to be insufficient are implemented by the above procedure. In addition, reagents with special items that are used infrequently are loaded in the replenishment reagent storage 71 according to the above procedure.

  A sample to be inspected, such as blood, is placed in the sample container 10, placed on a rack 11, and carried by a transport mechanism 12. A sample collected by the sample probe 15 is dispensed into a reaction container 35 arranged in a certain amount on the reaction disk 36, and a certain amount of reagent is supplied from the reagent container 40 installed on the reagent disk 41 or 42 to the reagent probe 21 or After being dispensed from No. 22, stirred by the stirring devices 30 and 31, reacted for a predetermined time, measured by the detection optical device 51, and output as a measurement result to a control computer not explicitly shown in the figure. If more measurement items are requested, the above sampling is repeated. Similarly, the process is repeated for all the samples on the rack 11 until sampling of the set measurement items is completed.

  If the reagent in the reagent disks 41 and 42 is likely to run out of reagents during analysis, the reagent is replenished by the following procedure. Since the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent disks 41 and 42 is stored by a control computer not explicitly shown in the figure, it is known in advance how many times the measurement is insufficient. In addition, the number of corresponding items requested by the apparatus is also stored by the control computer. Therefore, the reagent can be replenished before the reagent shortage occurs.

Since the reagent for which the reagent replenishment request has been made is previously loaded in the replenishing reagent storage 71, the reagent holding mechanism 73 loads the reagent from the replenishing reagent storage 71 onto the reagent disks 41 and 42. The reagent holding mechanism 73 takes out the requested reagent from the replenishing reagent storage 71 and installs it once in the reagent container 40 installation port 75. The reagent barcode is read by the barcode reader 76 and it is confirmed whether or not the reagent is the reagent. If the reagent is correct, the reagent cap opening mechanism 74 opens the lid of the reagent container. The lid that has been opened is discarded in the disposal port 77.

  Next, the bubble detector 80 moves onto the installation port 75, and the vertical mechanism 81 is driven to insert the liquid level probe 82 from the port of the reagent container 40. The timing at which the electrical resistance between the plurality of liquid level probes 82 is changed is detected by a comparator, and if the difference in change timing between the probes is longer than a preset time, a bubble detection alarm signal is sent to the control computer.

  When the bubble detection alarm signal is not generated, the reagent disk 41 or 42 is rotated, and the designated arrangement position is waited according to the reagent loading port 78, and the opened reagent container 40 holds the reagent. It is carried to the reagent loading port 78 by the mechanism 73 and loaded on the reagent disk 41 or 42.

  The replenished reagent container 40 is detected for the height of the liquid level by the reagent probe 20 or 21, and waits for analysis processing when it matches the predetermined amount registered in the control computer.

  The waiting reagent container 40 is used when the apparatus determines that a reagent that is likely to cause a reagent shortage is insufficient. The lack of reagent in the device judgment does not mean that there is really no reagent, but it means that normal analysis may not be possible if the reagent is used any more. Actually, a small amount of reagent remains in the reagent container 40. . If it is determined that the replenished reagent lot is the same as the previous reagent and it is not necessary to redraw the calibration curve, the reagent lot is used as it is. When it is necessary to redraw the calibration curve, the necessary standard solution is transported as a sample by the rack 11 and used after redrawing the calibration curve.

  On the other hand, the used reagent container 40 is ejected from the reagent disks 41 and 42 by the reagent holding mechanism at the timing of loading the replenishing reagent or at any one of the timings described above, transported to the disposal port 77, and discarded.

If a bubble detection alarm occurs during the procedure, the bubble detection status is recorded by the control computer and displayed to the operator. After a predetermined time, bubble detection is performed again. If there is no bubble, the reagent container 40,
Then, the process is continued. If the bubbles do not disappear after a predetermined number of repetitions, they are recorded in the control computer and the reagent container 40 is returned to the installation port 75. During this time, if the same type of reagent is loaded in the replenishing reagent storage 71, it can be set so that it is transported to the reagent disks 41 and 42 first.

  Also, during the procedure, if the amount of reagent contained in the reagent container 40 does not match the predetermined amount registered in the control computer, the reagent amount detection result is recorded by the control computer, displayed to the operator, The container 40 is transported to the disposal port 77 and discarded.

  In this embodiment, since a plurality of liquid level probes 82 having a constant tip height are used, when bubbles are present in the reagent container, the surface of the bubbles is not horizontal, so that the plurality of liquid level probes 82 are on the surface of the bubbles. Since there is a shift in the contact timing, and the timing shift is detected by the comparator, the presence of bubbles can be detected reliably.

  In this embodiment, first, it is detected whether there is a bubble in the container, then the height of the reagent liquid surface is detected, and after confirming that there is no abnormality, the reagent in the reagent container is aspirated and analyzed. Therefore, the reagent in the reagent container with an abnormal amount of reagent is used as it is, and there is no mistaken analysis. That is, when the amount of liquid is larger than normal, it is correctly determined that the reagent liquid level is higher than normal. When the amount of liquid is less than normal and there is no bubble, it is correctly determined that the reagent liquid level is lower than normal. If the amount of liquid is less than normal and there is a bubble, an alarm will be issued when the bubble is detected, so that the amount of liquid is measured as it is and it is not erroneously judged.

  In this embodiment, only the reagent container 40 that has been confirmed to be free of bubbles is placed in the reagent disk and the amount of liquid is detected. Therefore, the amount of reagent is normal but the amount of reagent is abnormal due to liquid level detection due to bubbles. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reagent from being discarded without being used for analysis, and the waste of the reagent can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, since only the reagent container 40 that has been confirmed to be free of bubbles is placed in the reagent disk and used for analysis, the liquid level detection function of the reagent probes 20, 21, 22, 23 malfunctions due to the bubbles. There is no emptying of reagents. Therefore, since a normal amount of reagent can be surely dispensed, a highly reliable measurement is possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the apparatus automatically detects bubbles, there is no need for the operator to check for the presence or absence of bubbles. Therefore, it is possible to save the labor of the operator when loading the reagent.

  In this embodiment, since the presence or absence of bubbles is detected using the liquid level probe 82, it is not necessary to observe the presence or absence of bubbles and the position of the liquid level from the outside of the reagent container. Therefore, the reagent container does not need to be transparent and can be shielded from light to increase the stability of the reagent.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the lid of the reagent container 40 is opened by the reagent cap opening mechanism 74, the operator does not need to remove the lid, and the labor for loading the reagent can be saved.

  In this embodiment, the reagent container 40 is not directly mounted on the reagent disks 41 and 42, but is stored in the replenishing reagent storage 71 at the erection port 75, and opening and detection of bubbles are detected as necessary. Therefore, the operator can set a plurality of reagent containers 40 in advance, so that the labor for loading the reagents can be saved.

  Further, in this embodiment, even if the bubble presence alarm is issued, the bubble is detected again after a predetermined time, so that the reagent can be used as it is if the bubble has disappeared by that time, and the reagent is not wasted.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the bubble presence alarm is issued, if there is the same type of reagent in the replenishing reagent storage 71, it can be transported first, so the time for stopping the analysis due to the reagent running out can be reduced. It can be shortened and analysis with a high throughput per fixed time is possible.

  In this embodiment, since the bubble detection is carried out after being performed outside the reagent disks 41 and 42, it is not necessary to detect the bubbles in the reagent disk 41, and the correct liquid level can be detected in a short time. Therefore, the time for stopping the analysis is short, and an analysis with a high processing capability is possible.

  In this embodiment, the reagent is mounted on the apparatus without opening the reagent lid, and when necessary, it is opened and bubbles are detected, so the reagent remains covered until just before use. It is possible to prevent deterioration due to evaporation and contact with air.

  Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the liquid level probe 82 comes into contact with the bubbles, so that there is an effect of erasing the bubbles, and the analysis can be performed with high reliability by erasing the bubbles.

  In the case of this example, the presence / absence of bubbles and the liquid level of the reagent are recorded by the control computer, so that the reagent can be proved to be normal later and a highly reliable analysis is possible. It is.

  In this embodiment, the liquid level probe 82 can detect both the detection of bubbles and the height of the liquid level. In that case, since it is not necessary to detect the height of the liquid level with the reagent probe 20 or 21 after the reagent container 40 is inserted into the reagent disk 41 or 42, it is possible to reduce the time for stopping the analysis when the reagent is replaced.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, unlike the first embodiment, the bubble detector 80 is not attached to the reagent holding mechanism 73, and the reagent probes 20, 21 are connected to the pressure detector. The reagent container 40 on the replenishing reagent storage 71 is opened by the reagent cap opening mechanism 74 as necessary, and conveyed to the reagent disk 41 or 42. After the transport, the reagent probe 20 or 21 detects the reagent liquid level, descends a predetermined height from the liquid level position, sucks a predetermined amount of reagent, and detects the pressure before and after the suction. When there is no bubble in the reagent container 40, the reagent is normally sucked, so that the pressure in the reagent probes 20 and 21 decreases according to the amount of suction. If there are bubbles, they are sucked in, so the amount of change in pressure is small. The amount of change in pressure is determined, and if it is outside the predetermined range, a bubble detection alarm is generated in the control computer.

  In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to incorporate the bubble detector 80 in the reagent holding mechanism 73, the cost is low and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since the liquid level probe 82 is not inserted into the reagent for detecting bubbles, water for washing the liquid level probe 82 is unnecessary, and the liquid level probe 82 is contacted. The reagent is not contaminated.

  In the present embodiment, since the bubble detection is performed after the reagent is mounted on the reagent disks 41 and 42, the reagent is not limited to the reagent introduced from the replenishing reagent storage 71 using the reagent holding mechanism 73, but another means. Therefore, it is possible to detect bubbles in the reagent containers 40 mounted on the reagent disks 41 and 42, and it is possible to use all the reagent containers 40 after confirming that there are no bubbles, so that highly reliable analysis can be performed.

FIG. 3 shows the bubble detector 80 portion of the third embodiment of the present embodiment. In this case, a light reflection detector 83 is arranged instead of the liquid level probe 82. The light reflection detector 83 detects the reflection of the emitted light and detects the intensity of the reflected light and the distance to the reflector. When the bubble 92 does not exist in the reagent container 40, the light reflection detector 83 is lowered by the vertical mechanism 81 to detect the liquid level 91. In this case, since the liquid level is horizontal, the reflected light is strong. When the bubble 92 exists in the reagent container 40, the light reflection detector 83 detects the reflected light from the bubble 92. However, since the surface of the bubble 92 is not horizontal, the reflected light is weak. Information on the intensity of the reflected light and the position of detection of the reflected light is sent to the control computer, and compared with a predetermined value, the presence of bubbles or the presence or absence of an abnormal liquid amount is determined.

  In the case of this embodiment, the presence or absence of bubbles and the abnormality in the liquid amount can be measured simultaneously, so that the processing time can be shortened.

  In the case of this embodiment, since the light reflection detector 83 is used for detecting bubbles and detecting the amount of liquid, detection is possible without contacting the reagent 90, and there is no fear of contaminating the reagent. Further, since the light reflection detector 83 does not come into contact with the reagent 90, it is not necessary to wash the light reflection detector 83 each time bubbles are detected, the processing time can be shortened, and it is not necessary to use cleaning water.

  In this embodiment, since light is emitted from the mouth of the reagent container 40, the reagent container 40 does not need to be transparent, and a light-shielding container can be used.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the ultrasonic reflection detector 84 is used. In this case, there is no vertical mechanism 81. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic reflection detector 84, and the time and intensity at which the ultrasonic waves are reflected are detected. When there is no bubble in the reagent container 40, since the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the horizontal liquid surface 91, a strong ultrasonic wave returns. When the bubble 92 is present, the ultrasonic wave reflected by the bubble 92 is detected. However, since the surface of the bubble 92 is not horizontal and is a thin film, the reflected ultrasonic wave is weak. Information on the time and intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves is sent to the control computer, and the presence of bubbles or an abnormality in the liquid amount is determined by comparison with a predetermined value.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the time to return the reflection of the ultrasonic wave is detected and the position up to the reflecting surface is known, so that the vertical mechanism is unnecessary, and a highly reliable detection without a driving unit is possible.

  Also in this embodiment, since the ultrasonic reflection detector 84 does not come into contact with the reagent 90, there is no fear that the reagent is contaminated, and no water for cleaning is required.

  FIG. 5 represents the bubble detector 80 portion of another embodiment of the present invention. A nozzle 85 is installed in the vicinity of the liquid level probe 82. Clean air is discharged from the nozzle 85. The liquid level probe 82 is lowered by the up-and-down mechanism 81 to detect the liquid level, and immediately after the detection, air is discharged from the nozzle 85, and subsequently it is detected again whether or not the liquid level probe 82 is in contact with the liquid level.

  In the case of this embodiment, when there is no bubble 92 in the reagent container 40, air is discharged from the nozzle 85 after the liquid level probe 82 contacts the liquid level 91, but the liquid level 91 is moved by the air flow. Therefore, it can be seen that the liquid level probe 82 remains in contact with the liquid level and no bubbles were present. Further, when bubbles 92 are present in the reagent container 40, air is discharged from the nozzle 85 immediately after the liquid level probe 82 comes into contact with the bubbles 92, and since the bubbles are light, the bubbles are blown away or destroyed. Therefore, it can be seen that the liquid level probe 82 is separated from the liquid level and has bubbles.

  In the case of the present embodiment, when there are not many bubbles, the bubbles are destroyed by the discharge of air from the nozzle 85, so that there is no obstacle when the bubble detection operation is performed again. Thus, the bubbles can be eliminated and the reagent can be used immediately for analysis.

The top view of the analyzer of the 1st example. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of 3rd Example. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of 4th Example. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of 5th Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sample container, 11 ... Rack, 12 ... Transport mechanism, 15, 16 ... Sample probe, 20, 21, 22, 23 ... Reagent probe, 25, 26, 72 ... Rail, 30, 31 ... Stirrer, 35 ... Reaction Container, 36 ... Reaction disk, 40 ... Reagent container, 41, 42 ... Reagent disk, 45 ... Container cleaning mechanism, 50 ... Light source, 51 ... Detection optical device, 54 ... Cleaning port, 60 ... Controller, 62 ... Housing, 71 Replenishment reagent storage, 73 ... Reagent holding mechanism, 74 ... Reagent cap opening mechanism, 75 ... Installation port, 76 ... Bar code reader, 77 ... Disposal port, 78 ... Reagent loading port, 80 ... Bubble detector, 81 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Vertical mechanism, 82 ... Liquid level probe, 83 ... Light reflection detector, 84 ... Ultrasonic reflection detector, 85 ... Nozzle, 90 ... Reagent, 91 ... Liquid level, 92 ... Bubble.

Claims (12)

Reagent container mounting means capable of mounting a plurality of reagent containers;
Reagent container holding means for storing a plurality of the reagent containers transported to the reagent container mounting means;
Reagent container transport means for transporting a selected reagent container from the plurality of reagent containers held by the reagent container holding means onto the reagent container mounting means;
A bubble detection means for detecting whether bubbles are present on the reagent liquid surface in the reagent container on the reagent container holding means;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent container holding means includes a reagent container opening mechanism . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The reagent sorting means for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container includes a plurality of dispensing probes, and the bubble detecting means compares the electric resistance value between the plurality of dispensing probes with a reference value to generate bubbles. An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising a determination means for determining the presence or absence of any of the above. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The automatic analysis apparatus , wherein the bubble detection means includes a determination means for determining a difference in transmittance or reflectance of light irradiated on the reagent liquid surface of the reagent container by comparing with a reference value . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The automatic analysis apparatus , wherein the bubble detection means includes a determination means for determining a difference in transmittance or reflectance of a sound wave applied to the reagent liquid surface of the reagent container by comparing with a reference value . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The bubble detection means ejects air from a dispensing probe of a reagent dispensing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container, and a difference in capacitance between the dispensing probe and the liquid level before and after the air ejection. An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising determination means for comparing and determining the above . In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-6,
When the bubble detection means detects the presence of bubbles,
An automatic analyzer comprising control means for controlling so as to prohibit the dispensing operation of a reagent from a reagent container in which the presence of bubbles is detected . In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-6,
When the bubble detection means detects the presence of bubbles,
An automatic analyzer comprising an alarm notification means for issuing an alarm to that effect . In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-6,
When the bubble detection means detects the presence of bubbles,
It is characterized by comprising control means for prohibiting the dispensing operation of the reagent from the reagent container that has detected the presence of bubbles for a predetermined time and controlling the bubble detection means to perform bubble detection again after the predetermined time has elapsed. Automatic analyzer. In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-6,
When the bubble detection means detects the presence of bubbles,
An automatic analyzer comprising storage means for storing the detection of the presence of bubbles. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analysis characterized in that the bubble detection means comprises a control means for controlling to detect bubbles between the time when the reagent container is placed on the reagent container placement means and the first reagent suction. apparatus. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
An automatic analyzer comprising foam breaking means for breaking bubbles present on a reagent liquid surface of a reagent container on the reagent container mounting mechanism.

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