JP6539367B2 - Reaction vessel of automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components such as blood.

  As an analyzer that analyzes the amount of components contained in the sample, the transmitted light or scattered light of one or more wavelengths obtained by irradiating the reaction liquid in which the light from the light source is mixed with the sample and the reagent is measured There is known an automatic analyzer which calculates the amount of components from the relationship between the amount of light and the concentration. The reaction of the reaction solution has two major fields of analysis: colorimetric analysis using a color reaction between a substrate and an enzyme, and homogeneous immunoassay using an agglutination reaction by binding an antigen to an antibody, the latter being the latter. In homogeneous immunoassays, measurement methods such as immunoturbidimetric assay and latex agglutination assay are known.

  In the immunoturbidimetric assay, an antibody-containing reagent is used to generate an immune complex with the measurement target (antigen) contained in the sample, detect these optically, and quantify the amount of components. In the latex agglutination method, a reagent containing latex particles having an antibody sensitized (bound) on the surface is used, and latex particles are aggregated by an antigen-antibody reaction with an antigen contained in a sample, and these are detected optically. , Determine the amount of ingredients. Furthermore, heterogeneous immunoassay analyzers are known which perform more sensitive immunoassays by chemiluminescence or electrochemiluminescence detection technology and B / F separation technology.

There are also automatic analyzers that measure the clotting ability of blood. Blood flows while maintaining fluidity inside blood vessels, but once it bleeds, coagulation factors present in plasma and platelets are activated in sequence, and fibrinogen in plasma is converted to fibrin and deposited. It leads to hemostasis. As such blood coagulation ability, there are extrinsic ones in which blood leaked out of blood vessel is coagulated and intrinsic ones in which blood is coagulated in blood vessel. Measurement items related to blood coagulation ability (blood coagulation time) include prothrombin time (PT) for extrinsic blood coagulation reaction test, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) for intrinsic blood coagulation reaction test, fibrinogen amount (Fbg), etc. Exists. These items require sufficient agitation of the mixture of sample and reagent in order to stably advance the blood coagulation reaction.

  As background art of this technical field, there exists Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 7-239334 (patent document 1). This publication describes a method of uniformly mixing a small amount of sample solution with a second solution while efficiently stirring it at a precise mixing ratio. At that time, it is described that the tip of the sample liquid pipette tip is brought into contact with or close to the inner side wall surface of the container and the liquid is discharged.

JP-A-7-239334

  Patent Document 1 describes a method of efficiently stirring a small amount of sample solution with a second solution. However, in the stirring method of Patent Document 1, lifting of the liquid due to capillary phenomenon is not taken into consideration. For example, when the dispensing probe is brought into contact with or in proximity to the inner sidewall surface of the reaction container to discharge the liquid, capillary action occurs in the gap between the dispensing probe and the inner sidewall surface of the reaction container, There are cases where it travels through the outer wall of the dispensing probe.

  At that time, since the dispensing probe is contaminated with the liquid over a wide range, the cleaning range of the dispensing probe also becomes wider accordingly. As a result, the washing operation of the dispensing probe becomes complicated or takes a long time. Since this washing step needs to be performed every cycle, there is a drawback that it does not lead to improvement of the processing capacity and a drawback that the amount of washing water is increased. In addition, there is a problem that if the cleaning process is neglected, the possibility of carryover and contamination increases.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the step portion is provided on the inner side wall surface of the reaction vessel, the capillary phenomenon occurring in the gap between the dispensing probe and the reaction vessel is suppressed, and the lifting of the reagent is reduced to thereby contaminate the dispensing probe Provide an automated analyzer that can limit Also, the present invention provides a reaction vessel capable of limiting such a contaminated area.

  The outline of typical ones of inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

  A reaction container in which a sample and a reagent are dispensed, a dispensing probe for discharging the reagent into the reaction container, a cleaning tank for cleaning the dispensing probe, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the dispensing probe. In an automatic analyzer provided with a detection unit for testing the sample from a mixture of the sample and the reagent, the reaction container has a step portion projecting to the inner side on the inner side wall surface, and the control unit dispenses It is an automatic analyzer that discharges the reagent in a state where the dispensing probe is lowered so that the tip of the probe is below the stepped portion and the dispensing probe is in contact with the stepped portion.

  Further, a reaction container into which a reagent is dispensed, a dispensing probe for discharging the reagent into the reaction container, a cleaning tank for cleaning the dispensing probe, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the dispensing probe. In a reaction container of an automatic analyzer provided with a detection unit for testing the sample from a mixture of the sample and the reagent, the control unit lowers the dispensing probe and then reacts the tip of the dispensing probe The reaction container is controlled to be in contact with the side surface of the container and to discharge the reagent, and the reaction container is a reaction container of the automatic analyzer provided with a stepped portion projecting to the inner side wall surface in contact with the dispensing probe.

  Thus, by providing the step portion on the inner side wall surface of the reaction container, it is possible to suppress the capillary phenomenon generated in the gap between the dispensing probe and the reaction container and to limit the lifting of the reagent to the upper part of the dispensing probe. .

  The effects obtained by typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

  According to the automatic analyzer of the present invention, the lifting of the liquid to the upper part of the dispensing probe due to the capillary phenomenon is suppressed, so that the dispensing probe can be easily cleaned and the possibility of the occurrence of carryover and contamination is reduced. can do. Further, also in the reaction container of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the same effect as described above can be obtained when the reagent is to be dispensed by contacting the reaction container at the time of dispensing.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the embodiments below.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the automatic analyzer of one Embodiment to this invention. Is a flow chart showing the operation of the dispensing probe. These are explanatory drawings showing the operation of the dispensing probe. These are explanatory drawings which showed the shape of the reaction container concerning Example 1, the contamination area | region of a dispensing probe, and the relationship of the washable range. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example of the reaction container according to the second embodiment. These are the longitudinal cross-sectional view and top view which show the modification of the reaction container which concerns on Example 3. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in order to describe the present embodiment, components having the same function in all the drawings are in principle given the same reference numerals, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted as much as possible.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an outline of a configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a sample container 20 for storing a sample such as a standard sample or a test sample, and a sample disk 21 for holding the sample container 20.

  The reagent container 30 further includes a reagent container 30 containing a reagent containing a component that reacts with the component of each test item contained in the sample, and a reagent disk 31 that holds and cools the reagent container 30.

  In addition, a sample probe 22 is provided which sucks the sample in the sample container 20 held by the sample disc 21 and dispenses the sample into the disposable reaction container 50.

  In addition, a reagent dispensing probe 60 for aspirating the reagent in the reagent container 30 held by the reagent disc 31 and dispensing the same into the disposable reaction container 50 is provided.

  The sample probe 22 carries out a suction operation and a discharge operation of the sample and the reagent in accordance with the operation of the syringe pump for sample. Similarly, the reagent dispensing probe 60 executes a suction operation and a discharge operation in accordance with the operation of the reagent syringe pump.

  The sample syringe pump and the reagent syringe pump can be finely operated, and are controlled by the control unit 100 so that the dispensing accuracy can be strictly controlled to a very small value.

  In addition, a reaction container transfer mechanism 71 is provided, which disposes the disposable reaction container 50 in the detection unit 72 and the sample dispensing port 74 and transports the used disposable reaction container 50 for disposal.

  The sample and the reagent are dispensed into the disposable reaction container 50 and mixed, whereby the sample and the reagent start the reaction.

  In the detection unit 72, a disposable reaction container 50 holding a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent is installed to detect a reaction between the sample and the reagent, and a sample is inspected from the mixed solution.

  The detecting unit 72 includes a light source and a light receiving unit. The light source uses, for example, an LED, and the light receiving unit uses, for example, a photodiode. The disposable reaction vessel 50 installed is irradiated with the light from the light source from below, and the light is scattered by the precipitate generated in the reaction of the mixture liquid. When the amount of precipitates increases, the amount of scattered light also increases. Therefore, the amount of precipitates is calculated by detecting the scattered light by the light receiving unit. For example, in a coagulation test item, when a sample and a reagent react, time passes and fibrin precipitates. The amount of scattered light also increases with the increase in fibrin. By monitoring the amount of light, the amount of fibrinogen (Fbg) can be inspected. In addition, by monitoring the light intensity similarly using the reagent corresponding to the test item, it is possible to test other coagulation items such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT).

  The detection unit 72 is kept at a constant temperature to promote the reaction between the sample and the reagent, and 37 ° C. is preferable.

  In addition, a reagent dispensing probe 60 is provided which discharges the reagent to the disposable reaction container 50 installed in the detection unit 72 and performs dispensing.

  In addition, a washing bath 73 for washing the sample probe 22 and the reagent dispensing probe 60 is provided.

  The controller 100 controls the sample disc 21, the reagent disc 31, the sample dispensing probe 22, the vertical and horizontal operations of the reagent dispensing probe 60, the operations of the sample syringe and the reagent syringe, and the washing tank 73. Control of all the automation elements constituting the automatic analyzer 1, such as discharge and stop operation of the washing water 75, control of the light source and light receiving unit of the detection unit 72, concentration calculation, etc. is performed.

  The operation of the automatic analyzer 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 2A and the operation flow of the dispensing probe of FIG. The implementation contents of these flowcharts are controlled by the control unit 100.

  First, the disposable reaction container 50 to be used will be described with reference to FIG. 3 (a). As shown, this reaction container has a step 51 projecting to the inner side on the inner side wall surface. As an example of dimensions, the protruding height (horizontal width) is about 0.13 mm, and the vertical width is about 0.8 mm. The height of the reaction vessel is about 26 mm, the distance from the opening to the step is about 11 mm, and the distance from the bottom to the step is about 15 mm. The height of the step portion is designed to be a height at which the mixture does not touch even if the mixture of the sample and the reagent is accommodated. The step 51 is annularly arranged and arranged in all directions.

  It returns to the flowchart of FIG. In S101, the sample held in the sample container 20 mounted on the sample disc 21 is aspirated by the sample probe 22. The reaction container transfer mechanism 71 places the disposable reaction container 50 in the sample dispensing port 74. The sample probe 22 dispenses the sample into the disposable reaction container 50 installed in the sample dispensing port 74 by discharging the sample. The reaction container transfer mechanism 71 transfers the disposable reaction container 50 from the sample dispensing port 74 to the detection unit 72 and sets it. The sample installed in the detection unit 72 is heated.

  In S102, the reagent held in the reagent container 30 mounted on the reagent disc 31 is aspirated by the reagent dispensing probe 60. The reagent dispensing probe 60 is equipped with a heater, and is thermostatically maintained at 37 ° C., for example. The aspirated reagent is preheated in the reagent dispensing probe.

  After the preheating is completed, in S103, as shown in FIG. 3A, the coagulation reagent dispensing probe 60 moves horizontally, and moves to the center and upper side of the disposable reaction container 50. At S104, the reagent dispensing probe 60 is lowered. At this time, the control unit 100 lowers the probe so that the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 60 is below the stepped portion 51.

  Subsequently, at S105, the reagent dispensing probe 60 moves horizontally, and stops at the position where the tip of the probe is brought into contact with the step 51 provided on the inner side wall surface of the disposable reaction container 50.

In S106, the reagent is discharged in a state in which the reagent dispensing probe 60 is stopped, that is, in a state of being in contact with the step portion 51. The sample 62 and the reagent 61 are mixed by the momentum when the reagent is discharged. The probe includes water 63 for pushing out the reagent 61 and a void 64 for preventing the reagent 64 from being thinned by the water 63 before discharging the reagent 61. When discharging the reagent, as shown in FIG. 3B, the reagent flows along the wall and flows into the disposable reaction container 50 by bringing the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 60 into contact with the inner wall of the disposable reaction container 50. Can be mixed with the sample without entrainment of air bubbles. Further, the mixing can be performed more efficiently than the method of discharging and mixing the reagent from the center of the disposable reaction container 50. In the present embodiment, the mixture is stirred by the discharge force of the reagent without separately performing stirring using an external stirring unit.

  After discharging the reagent, as shown in S107 and FIG. 3 (c), the reagent dispensing probe 60 returns to the center of the disposable reaction container 50, and rises to the rising limit position in S108. As another form, the reagent dispensing probe 60 can be moved so as to rise while moving the tip to the center of the disposable reaction container 50, that is, in an oblique direction. Thus, the reagent dispensing probe 60 is raised or moved obliquely upward after being close to the central axis of the disposable reaction container 50.

  In S109, after rising to the rising limit position, the reagent dispensing probe 60 moves horizontally to the washing tank 73, and is washed with the washing water 75 as shown in FIG. 3 (d).

  Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2B, the process of S107 can be omitted as the second modification. The reagent dispensing probe 60 can be raised while maintaining its position in the horizontal direction, with its tip in contact with the step 51 on the inner side wall surface of the disposable reaction container 50. Thus, the reagent dispensing probe 60 can be lifted while being in contact with the stepped portion 51. After rising, the reagent dispensing probe 60 moves horizontally to the washing tank 73. The reagent dispensing probe 60 is washed with the washing water 75 in the washing tank 73.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the shape of the disposable reaction container 50 and the contaminated area of the reagent dispensing probe 60 and the washable area according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4A shows an example in which the reagent is discharged to the disposable reaction container 50 without the stepped portion 51. Even when there is no step portion 51, discharging the reagent from the side of the reaction container is very effective in terms of the stirring efficiency of the sample 62 and the reagent. However, when the reagent is discharged from the side surface of the reaction container, a part of the reagent ascends by capillary action in a slight gap generated between the side surface of the reaction container and the probe, and reaches near the opening of the reaction container. That is, the contaminated area which needs to be cleaned later spreads to the vicinity of the opening. Therefore, the cleaning range in the cleaning tank 73 needs to be at least the entire area of the probe that has entered the opening.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows the case where there is the step portion 51. As shown in the figure, the probe and the step portion 51 are in contact with each other. Although a part of the reagent ascends by capillary action as in the example of (a), the reagent can not rise any more because the probe and the step portion 51 are in contact with each other. That is, the contamination area is from the tip of the probe to the contact point with the step 51. For this reason, the cleaning range in the cleaning tank 73 is sufficient only for the range in which a predetermined amount of margin is taken upward from the point of contact with the stepped portion 51.

  In other words, due to the step 51, there is a region of the probe which has not entered the opening but does not need to be cleaned. Therefore, when the cleaning tank 73 cleans the tip of the probe, the opening from the position contacting the step 51 of the probe positioned below the opening of the reaction container at the position where the probe discharges the reagent to the opening You do not have to wash part of the side.

  As described above, since it is not necessary to clean the non-contaminated area, it is possible to solve the drawback that the cleaning operation of the dispensing probe becomes complicated or takes a long time. In addition, since this cleaning step needs to be performed for each cycle, various defects such as a defect that does not lead to improvement of the treatment capacity and a defect that the amount of washing water increases are eliminated by providing the step 51 in the reaction container. be able to.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 4B, it is assumed that the length for inserting the probe into the opening is about 15 mm, the length from the probe tip to the step part 51 is about 4 mm, and the margin is about 2 mm. Also, it is sufficient for the washing tank 73 to wash the range of about 6 mm from the tip of the probe. This is a significant improvement over the case where the range of about 15 mm has to be cleaned without the stepped portion 51.

  Next, a more desirable example will be described. So far, the embodiment has been described in which the step 51 is brought into contact with the side surface relatively distant from the tip of the probe. Thereby, the rise of the reagent due to the capillary phenomenon can be suppressed. Even if the probe tip is not completely in contact with the side surface of the reaction container, the surface tension of the reagent causes a rise of the reagent if the distance is short to some extent. However, when the probe tip is not completely in contact, the stirring power is reduced due to the position for discharging the reagent being away from the side of the reaction container. If the reagent reaches the sample directly without passing through the side of the reaction vessel, it is because the separation is from the interface between the sample and the side of the reaction vessel, which is the most efficient stirring, and even if it reaches along the side of the reaction vessel. The collision between the reagent and the side surface of the reaction vessel is greater than that when the probe tip is in complete contact, and the reagent is less likely to penetrate the sample. Therefore, it is desirable to discharge the reagent by bringing the probe tip into contact with the side surface of the reaction container. This will be described below.

  FIG. 4 (b) is a view showing a state in which the tip of the probe is also in contact with the side surface of the reaction container. The following description is based on the premise that the reaction vessel has a circular vertical cross section.

  Let a be the radius of the vertical cross section including the point at which the tip of the probe contacts the wall surface of the reaction vessel. The radius of the vertical cross section including the point at which the probe and the step portion 51 come in contact with each other is b. The elastic range between the contact point of the probe tip and the side surface in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the probe is c. When in the range of 0 ≦ b−a ≦ c, the probe is easily pressed against the reaction vessel, the contact point between the tip of the probe and the wall of the reaction vessel, and the contact point between the probe and the step portion 51 Can be in contact with each other. The value of c varies depending on the size of the outer diameter of the probe, the material, and the distance between the contact points, but normally, when b-a exceeds 0.2 mm, the tip of the probe is the reaction vessel It is thought that it is difficult for the side surface of the probe to come into contact with the step portion 51 by being caught on the side surface. Therefore, regarding the protrusion height of the step portion of the reaction container, the distance in the horizontal direction between the step portion 51 and the central axis of the reaction container and the distance in the horizontal direction between the central axis and the location where the tip of the reaction container contacts The difference is preferably 0.2 mm or less. By designing the reaction container within this range, it is possible to achieve both suppression of the contamination range by the step portion 51 and improvement of the stirring efficiency by the reagent.

  As mentioned above, it is a desirable form and not an essential embodiment for the probe tip to contact the side of the container. However, the structure of the reaction vessel which satisfies the following conditions is desirable regardless of the contact of the tip.

  The distance between the dispensing probe and the inner wall of the reaction container in the proximity region on the opening side of the stepped portion 51 with the stepped portion 51 as a boundary is larger than the distance to the inner wall in the proximity region on the bottom side of the stepped portion 51 . Alternatively, with the step portion 51 as a boundary, the inner diameter in the proximity region on the opening side of the step portion is larger than the inner diameter in the proximity region on the bottom side. In addition, a proximity | contact area | region means the thing to the range 5 mm away from the level | step-difference part. That is, basically, the reagent can not rise above the step, but even if it rises above the step, the distance between the probe and the reaction vessel is inevitably large, so weakening the capillary phenomenon It is possible to suppress the rise of the reagent. On the other hand, since the distance between the tip of the probe and the reaction vessel is smaller below the step portion, the reagent easily flows along the side surface of the reaction vessel. Further, compared with the case where the tip of the probe contacts the side surface of the reaction container, although the stirring power is lowered, it is possible to maintain a constant amount of stirring power by discharging the reagent.

  As described above, by bringing the reagent dispensing probe 60 into contact with the step portion 51 and discharging the reagent, the lifting of the reagent due to the capillary phenomenon is suppressed, so that the contamination range of the outer wall of the reagent dispensing probe 60 can be limited. . According to this, when washing the reagent dispensing probe 60 in the washing tank 73, only the limited range of the probe may be washed, and as a result, the washing time and the amount of washing water used can be reduced. Further, not only the liquid adhering to the outer wall of the probe but also the liquid adhering to the inner side wall surface of the disposable reaction container 50 can be reduced, so waste of valuable reagents and specimens can be reduced. These enable efficient operation of the device.

  Further, according to the second modification, since the liquid adhering to the outer wall of the probe can be removed by the stepped portion 51 of the disposable reaction container 50, it is possible to further reduce the waste of the liquid.

  The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, only one step portion 51 of the disposable reaction container 50 is provided, but in the second embodiment, two or more step portions 51 of the disposable reaction container 50 are provided as shown in FIG. 5. The upper step portion 51 is a step portion 51 newly provided. Therefore, there is no difference in that the mixed solution is provided at a position not in contact with the step portion 51. The probe discharges the reagent in a state where the side surface of the probe is in contact with the two or more step portions 51.

  According to this, even when the reagent gets over the step portion 51 on the bottom side and the liquid is lifted, the step portion 51 on the opening portion side can prevent the liquid from being lifted up by the capillary phenomenon.

  Moreover, the inclination of the said probe can be controlled more easily by making the reagent dispensing probe 60 contact the level | step-difference part by the side of a bottom part and an opening part together.

  The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In Example 1, the inside diameter dimension is the same on the opening side and the bottom side of the disposable reaction vessel 50 with the step portion 51 as a boundary (however, except in the vicinity of the bottom on the vessel bottom side). As shown in 6 (a), the inner diameter on the opening side is made larger than the inner diameter on the bottom side of the disposable reaction container 50. The stepped portion 51 is disposed above the tip of the probe as in the other embodiments.

  According to this, by increasing the distance between the probe and the inner wall of the disposable reaction container 50 on the side of the opening bordering the stepped portion 51, it is possible to more effectively prevent the lifting of the reagent due to the capillary phenomenon. As a guide, the step of the step portion where the inner diameter of the step portion 51 spreads outward is 0.25 mm or more. The distance between the side surface of the probe and the inner wall of the reaction vessel above the step portion is 0.3 mm or more. If a distance of 0.3 mm or more can be secured, lifting of the reagent due to capillary action can be prevented. Even in the case of the reaction container that gradually widens upward, the lifting of the reagent can be prevented if it is upward to a certain extent, but by gradually providing the step portion 51 as shown in FIG. Compared to the case, since the reagent to be raised is accumulated on the upper surface of the step portion 51 more, the contamination area can be effectively reduced.

  As a modification 2 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the distance between the reagent dispensing probe 60 and the inner wall of the disposable reaction container 50 is increased by providing the bending portion 65 in the reagent dispensing probe 60. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the liquid from being lifted up by capillary action, and even when the liquid volume of the sample or the reagent changes, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained. In this case, the stepped portion 51 is not necessarily required.

  The probe comprises a first axis extending from the root of the probe, a bend 65 and a second axis including the probe tip below the bend 65. The bent portion can suppress the rising of a part of the reagent discharged from the probe above the bent portion. If the displacement between the first axis and the second axis by the bending portion 65 is 0.3 mm or more, the lifting of the reagent due to the capillary phenomenon can be prevented.

  In the case of the third embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, the side surface of the probe does not necessarily have to be in contact with the step portion 51, and the tip of the probe may be in contact with or in proximity to it. It may be within 1 mm as a close eye.

  In either case of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the stepped portion 51 and the bent portion 65 can suppress the rise of the reagent discharged from the probe. The cleaning range can be narrower than in the case where these devices are not made. About the washing | cleaning range of a washing tank, the washing | cleaning range can be narrowed by providing the area | region which does not wash | clean a part like 1st Embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. For example, although the light from the light source is emitted from below the reaction vessel, it may be emitted from the lateral side. Also, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, with respect to a part of the configuration of each embodiment, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic analyzer, 20 ... Sample container, 21 ... Sample disc, 22 ... Sample probe, 30 ... Reagent container, 31 ... Reagent disc, 50 ... Disposable reaction container, 51 ... Step difference part, 60 ... Reagent dispensing probe, 61 ... reagent, 62 ... sample, 63 ... water, 64 ... air gap, 65 ... bent part, 71 ... reaction container transfer mechanism, 72 ... detection part, 73 ... cleaning tank, 75 ... cleaning water

Claims (3)

A reaction vessel in which the sample and the reagent are dispensed;
A dispensing probe for discharging the reagent into the reaction container;
A cleaning tank for cleaning the dispensing probe;
A control unit that controls the operation of the dispensing probe;
A light source for irradiating light to a reaction container containing a mixture of the reagent and the sample, and a light receiving unit for receiving the light emitted from the light source, the sample is analyzed based on the received light. in the analysis method using the analysis unit, an automatic analyzer provided with a to,
The reaction vessel is
Has formed the stepped portion so as to protrude along the inner side wall surface in an annular shape, the bottom side of the region of the step portion, the inner diameter of the nearer the reaction vessel at the bottom is configured to be smaller,
The control unit
The tip of the dispensing probe is lowered so as to be located on the bottom side of the step portion,
By pressing the side of the dispensing probe against the inner sidewall of the reaction vessel,
The reagent is discharged in a state in which the first contact portion between the tip of the dispensing probe and the inner side wall surface and the second contact portion between the side surface of the dispensing probe and the step portion are formed. , the method of analysis and controlling the operation of the dispensing probe.
In the analysis method according to claim 1,
The radius of the vertical cross section of the reaction vessel containing the first contact portion a, the radius of the vertical cross section of the reaction vessel containing the second contact portions when the b, b-a is at 0.2mm or less analysis wherein the Rukoto Oh.
In the analysis method according to claim 1,
The control unit
After the tip of the dispensing probe is lowered to be located on the bottom side of the stepped portion, the dispensing probe in Rukoto is moved horizontally toward the inner side wall surface of said reaction vessel, said first and the contact portion, so as to form a second contact portion, the analysis method characterized that you control the operation of the dispensing probe.

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