Automatic analyzer

Abstract

An automatic analyzer is capable of performing analysis of a precision control sample in response to an external factor to alleviate the burden on the operator and surely performing precision control at appropriate timing at which precision control must be performed, thereby allowing automatic maintenance of the measurement precision. Analysis of a precision control sample is performed by creating an analysis request for the internally held precision control sample and then transferring the precision control sample in response to an external factor occurring, for example, when a calibrator is inputted in the analyzer, the number of remaining reagents under analysis satisfies a predetermined condition (becomes zero or falls below a specified value), the date changes, a specified time runs out, the operator is changed, the number of analyzed samples exceeds a specified value, a specified time period has elapsed, a new reagent is registered, a measurement failure is detected, etc.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an automatic analysis system which performs qualitative and quantitative analyses of a biological sample, such as blood, urine, etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic analysis system which is provided with a transfer system for transferring sample vessels to analysis system.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]There is a remarkable increase in the use of automatic analyzers which automatically perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of a biological sample, such as blood, urine, etc., mainly in large hospitals and clinical inspection centers where it is necessary to process biological samples of a number of patients in a short time. Various types of automatic analyzers, i.e., large-, medium-, and small-sized automatic analyzers are under development in relation to the throughput. Particularly in the case of a certain large-sized analyzer which ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In such a case, the operator needs to prepare a calibrator and a precision control sample even during analysis of a general sample. This may prevent analysis of general samples which is a primary object of the analyzer.

[0011]An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can accomplish precision control even if the operator does not perform an operation of inputting a precision control sample.

[0015]There is provided a mechanism that can keep holding a precision control sample inputted to the sample buffer.

[0017]When a precision control sample is kept internally holding, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is capable of automatically performing analysis of a precision control sample in response to an external factor, for example, when a calibrator is inputted in the analyzer, the number of remaining reagents satisfies a predetermined condition (becomes zero or falls below a specified value), the number of analyzed samples exceeds a specified value, a specified time period has elapsed, etc. Accordingly, it is possible to easily accomplish precision control at appropriate timing, thereby alleviating the burden on the operator.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, if the operator does not input a rack mounting a calibrator and a precision control sample, calibration and precision control cannot be performed.

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