Automatic analysis device

Abstract

Reagents used in automated analyzers, which analyze components in biological samples by mixing and reacting biological samples with reagents, include liquid reagents and freeze-dried reagents. The freeze-dried reagents require dissolution with a solvent. Small freeze-dried reagent chips are also attached to the walls and upper portions of the reagent container containing the freeze-dried reagent. To dissolve these freeze-dried reagent chips, the reagent bottle must be rotated, either sideways or upside down, to mix them. However, this poses a risk of liquid leakage from the opening of the reagent container. The invention also provides a method for preparing the reagent container and a method for preparing the reagent container, wherein the method comprises: a reagent container; a reagent disk that holds the reagent container; a dispensing mechanism that dispenses a solution into the reagent container; an inversion mixing mechanism that inverts and mixes the reagent container; and a control unit that controls the dispensing mechanism and the inversion mixing mechanism, wherein the inversion mixing mechanism includes a tilting mechanism that tilts the rotation axis of the reagent container of a rotation mechanism that rotates the reagent container, the reagent container including a penetrable cover having an opening formed at a front end and a tubular mechanism extending toward an interior of the reagent container, the control unit controlling the dispensing conditions of the dispensing mechanism so that the position of the opening formed at the front end of the tubular mechanism is above the liquid level of the solution contained in the reagent container, regardless of whether the reagent container is held in an upright, inverted, or horizontal state by the inversion mixing mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for automatically analyzing components contained in a biological sample such as blood, and in particular to a technology of an automatic analyzer including an automatic dissolution mechanism for a freeze-dried reagent. Background Art

[0002] Automated analyzers analyze the components of biological samples by mixing and reacting biological samples with reagents. The reagents used here are either liquid or freeze-dried. Freeze-dried reagents require solvents to dissolve them for analysis.

[0003] Small pieces of freeze-dried reagent may be attached to the walls and around the lid of the reagent container containing the freeze-dried reagent. Therefore, these freeze-dried reagent pieces must also be dissolved during the dissolution of the freeze-dried reagent. If these small pieces of freeze-dried reagent remain in the reagent container without being dissolved, even if the correct amount of solvent is dispensed, the reagent concentration may be reduced, potentially distorting the analytical results.

[0004] Therefore, conventionally, in order to dissolve a freeze-dried reagent in a solvent, the solvent has been dispensed into the freeze-dried reagent and then mixed by inversion, which is mainly done manually.

[0005] However, when the inversion mixing is performed as described above, there is a possibility that the liquid may leak from the opening of the reagent container.

[0006] As a technology for preventing contact between the reagent liquid and the outside air and sealing the opening of the reagent container, Patent Document 1 describes the following reagent container structure: the front end of an adapter that can be freely detachably mounted relative to the container into which the reagent is inserted is formed into a bag shape, and a groove portion serving as a cutout is provided at the front end of the adapter. If the front end is squeezed using a pipette serving as a liquid dispensing mechanism, the groove portion opens, thereby allowing liquid to be sucked while maintaining a sealed state.

[0007] Patent Document 2 describes a structure comprising: a tube having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of an opening of a reagent container and having openings at a portion of the top and bottom; and a film provided to block the openings at the top and bottom of the tube and removable when the reagent container is used.

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-19855

[0011] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-153936 Summary of the Invention

[0012] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0013] As mentioned above, in order to dispense solvent to the freeze-dried reagent, the reagent container needs to be turned sideways or inverted, but at this time, liquid sometimes leaks from the opening of the reagent container. In addition, the operation of inverting and mixing is carried out by hand, thereby consuming energy and time.

[0014] However, the reagent container structure described in Patent Document 1 maintains a sealed state even when a pipette is inserted into the notch. Therefore, dispensing the freeze-dried reagent solvent increases the pressure in the reagent container. Furthermore, since the opening of the aptamer is submerged in liquid, there is a risk of liquid leaking from the gap between the notch and the pipette.

[0015] Furthermore, with the reagent container structure described in Patent Document 2, when dispensing the solvent for dissolving the freeze-dried reagent, the film must be peeled off to expose the opening, and then the container must be inverted to mix. This can cause the liquid to spill outside the reagent container. Furthermore, to prevent this, the container must be sealed again after dispensing the solvent, requiring the film to be re-placed on the opening, which is laborious.

[0016] Furthermore, none of the literature considers automating the inversion mixing operation.

[0017] The present invention has been developed in view of the above problems and aims to prevent liquid from spilling out of the reagent container when dispensing a solvent into a freeze-dried reagent and mixing by inversion. This process can be performed automatically, thereby enabling high-precision dissolution of the freeze-dried reagent and saving user effort.

[0018] Technical solutions used to solve technical problems

[0019] As one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned technical problems, a device, a method for using the device, and a reagent container used in the device are provided, characterized by comprising: a reagent container; a reagent disk that holds the reagent container; a dispensing mechanism that dispenses a solution into the reagent container; an inversion mixing mechanism that inverts and mixes the reagent container; and a control unit that controls the dispensing mechanism and the inversion mixing mechanism, wherein the inversion mixing mechanism includes a tilting mechanism that tilts a rotation axis of the reagent container of a rotation mechanism that rotates the reagent container, the reagent container including a permeable lid having an opening formed at a front end and a tubular mechanism extending toward an interior of the reagent container, the control unit controlling the dispensing conditions of the dispensing mechanism so that the opening formed at the front end of the tubular mechanism is positioned above the liquid level of the solution contained in the reagent container, regardless of whether the reagent container is held in an upright, inverted, or horizontal state by the inversion mixing mechanism.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to one of the above-mentioned methods, during the dispensing and inversion mixing of the solvent into the freeze-dried reagent, the reagent will not spill from the reagent container, and the reagent operation can be automatically performed, so that the freeze-dried reagent can be dissolved with high precision, achieving high-precision analysis and helping to save the user's labor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a diagram illustrating inversion mixing of the freeze-dried reagent according to the present embodiment (first embodiment).

[0024] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the shape of a reagent container according to this embodiment (first embodiment).

[0025] Figure 4 These are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the opening of the reagent container and the liquid level of the solvent reagent when the reagent container according to the present embodiment (first embodiment) is placed upright, turned sideways, and inverted.

[0026] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the structure of the inversion mixing unit according to this embodiment (first embodiment).

[0027] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the inversion mixing of the freeze-dried reagent according to the present embodiment (first embodiment).

[0028] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the inversion mixing of the freeze-dried reagent according to the present embodiment (second embodiment).

[0029] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of dispensings and the amount of retained reagent according to the present embodiment (second embodiment). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the entire text, the same reference numerals are generally given to the components having the same functions in the various drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] <Overall Structure of the Device>

[0033] Figure 1 The figure shows the basic structure of the automatic analyzer involved in this embodiment. Here, as one embodiment of the automatic analyzer, an example of an apparatus for performing blood coagulation analysis is described. As shown in this figure, the automatic analyzer 100 mainly comprises a sample disk 102, a reagent disk 104, a sample dispensing mechanism 106, a reagent dispensing mechanism 107, a sample dispensing port 108, an analysis port 109, a reaction vessel supply unit 110, a reaction vessel moving and loading mechanism 113, and a control unit 114.

[0034] The sample disk 102 is a disk-shaped unit that can rotate freely in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A plurality of sample containers (specimen containers) 101 containing samples such as standard samples and test samples can be arranged on the circumference.

[0035] Like the sample disk 102, the reagent disk 104 is a disk-shaped unit that is freely rotatable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Multiple reagent containers 103 containing reagents that react with components of various test items contained in the sample can be arranged on its circumference. Furthermore, although not shown in this figure, the reagent disk 104 can also be configured to keep the reagents in the arranged reagent containers 103 cool by including a cooling mechanism or the like.

[0036] The reaction container transfer and loading mechanism 113 transfers the reaction container 105 for analysis from the reaction container supply unit 110 and loads it into the sample dispensing port 108. Furthermore, after the sample has been dispensed, the reaction container 105 is removed from the sample dispensing port 108 and transferred to the analysis port 109. After the analysis is completed, the reaction container 105 is removed from the analysis port 109 and transferred to the reaction container disposal unit 112.

[0037] The sample dispensing mechanism 106 draws the sample from the sample container 101 held on the sample disk and dispenses the sample into the reaction container 105 provided in the sample dispensing port 108. In the sample dispensing mechanism 106, the sample dispensing nozzle is connected to a sample pump or sample syringe (not shown) via a flow path. Water, for example, can be used as the pressure transmission medium. The sample is drawn in and ejected by the sample syringe or sample pump, which are controlled by instructions from the control unit 114. The rotation and vertical movement of the sample dispensing mechanism are also controlled by instructions from the control unit 114.

[0038] The reagent dispensing mechanism 107 draws the reagent from the reagent container 103 held on the reagent disk 104 and dispenses it into the reaction container 105, which has been dispensed with the sample and is located at the analysis port 109. In the reagent dispensing mechanism 107, the reagent dispensing nozzle is connected to a reagent pump or reagent syringe (not shown) via a flow path, and water, for example, can be used as a pressure transmission medium. The reagent is drawn in and ejected by the reagent syringe or reagent pump, and these actions are controlled based on instructions from the control unit 114. The horizontal movement and vertical motion of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 are controlled based on instructions from the control unit 114.

[0039] The cleaning mechanism 111 cleans the sample dispensing mechanism 106 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 .

[0040] Multiple reaction vessels 105 can be placed in the analysis port 109, allowing simultaneous analysis of multiple samples. The analysis port 109 includes a light source 115 and a light receiver (detector) 116 for each received reaction vessel 105. Light from the light source 115 is irradiated onto the reaction solution 704 in the reaction vessel 105, and the light is scattered by precipitates generated by the reaction in the reaction solution. As the amount of precipitate increases, the amount of scattered light also increases. By detecting this scattered light with the light receiver (detector) 116, the amount of precipitate can be determined.

[0041] For example, in blood coagulation testing, when a sample and a reagent react, fibrin is deposited over time. Furthermore, the amount of light scattered by this fibrin deposition also increases. By detecting this light intensity, the amount of fibrinogen (Fbg) in the sample can be determined. Furthermore, by similarly monitoring the light intensity using reagents corresponding to each test item, other blood coagulation test items such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) can also be analyzed.

[0042] Throughout this document, the control unit 114 controls the operation and condition settings of the various components of the automatic analyzer 100. This includes the vertical and horizontal movement of the sample disk 102, reagent disk 104, sample dispensing mechanism 106, and reagent dispensing mechanism 107; the operation of the sample and reagent syringe pumps (not shown); the supply of wash water (not shown) by the washing mechanism 111; the operation of the light source 115 and light receiving unit 116 of the analysis port 109a; and data processing operations such as calculations of blood coagulation time and target component concentrations based on detection results. While the control unit 114 is shown in this figure as being connected to each component to control the entire automatic analyzer, a separate control unit may be provided for each component.

[0043] <Relationship between the Structure of the Reagent Container and the Liquid Level of the Contained Solution>

[0044] Regarding the use of reagent container 103 Figure 3 Provide explanation. Figure 3 The shape of the reagent container according to this embodiment is shown.

[0045] When the freeze-dried reagent and the solvent are mixed by inversion in the reagent container 103 having an opening, the height of the liquid level in the reagent container needs to be below the opening.

[0046] like Figure 3 In the case where the reagent container 103 shown in (a) is a cylinder or a sphere and the opening 103a is located at the center of gravity of the reagent container 103, if the liquid volume relative to the volume V of the reagent container 103 is less than V / 2, the liquid level will be below the opening 103a regardless of the posture of the reagent container 103.

[0047] Figure 3 The left figure (b) shows a quadrangular prism-shaped reagent container 103 with its opening 103a positioned at the center of gravity. Similarly, the right figure shows a quadrangular prism-shaped reagent container 103 with its opening 103a offset from the center of gravity. Specifically, as shown in this figure, in the quadrangular prism-shaped reagent container 103, regardless of the position of the opening, if the distance from the opening 103a to the nearest surface is x, y, and z, and the liquid volume is less than 4xyz, the liquid level remains below the opening 103a regardless of the container's posture.

[0048] like Figure 3As shown in (c), in a cylindrical reagent container 103 whose volume is increased or decreased by necking, depression, expansion, or a structure such as the lid b of the reagent container 103 (this figure shows a structure in which the volume is reduced by ΔV from the original volume V of the reagent container), if the liquid volume is less than V / 2-ΔV, which is the amount of volume reduction ΔV, then the height of the liquid level is located below the opening 103a regardless of the posture of the reagent container 103.

[0049] In addition to the above embodiment, the shape of the reagent container 103 and the position of the opening 103a are irrelevant in any posture as long as the liquid level is below the opening 103a.

[0050] <Automatic Dissolution of Freeze-Dried Reagents>

[0051] Next, the automatic dissolution function of the freeze-dried reagent 201 according to this embodiment is used. Figure 2 and Figure 6 The flowchart is described. Figure 2 : is a diagram illustrating the inversion mixing of the freeze-dried reagent according to this embodiment. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the inversion mixing of the freeze-dried reagent according to this embodiment.

[0052] First, in step 601, Figure 2 As shown in (a), a reagent container 103 containing a freeze-dried reagent 201 is placed on a reagent disk 104. (S601) At this time, a small freeze-dried reagent sheet 201a is attached to the upper portion of the reagent container 103.

[0053] Next, if the pressure transmission medium of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 is water and the solvent 202 of the freeze-dried reagent 201 is other than water, the control unit 114 controls the operation so that the solvent 202 is aspirated from the solvent container by the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 (S602). On the other hand, if the solvent 202 is water, the water, which is the pressure transmission medium of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107, can also be dispensed into the reagent container 103, so aspiration of the solvent is unnecessary.

[0054] The reagent container 103 containing the freeze-dried reagent 201 is sealed by a lid 103b. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1( b ), the lid 103 b of the reagent container can be pierced by the nozzle of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 or a puncture needle, and the solvent 202 can be dispensed into the reagent container 103 by piercing the lid 103 b. Here, the reagent dispensing nozzle of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 pierces the lid 103 b of the reagent container 103, and a predetermined amount of the solvent 202 is dispensed into the reagent container 103.<s603>At this time, if Figure 2 As shown in (c), if the solvent 202 is simply dispensed into the reagent container 103, the small freeze-dried reagent piece 201a attached to the upper portion of the reagent container 103 does not dissolve and remains.

[0055] Then, if Figure 2 As shown in (d) and (e), after the solvent 202 has been dispensed, the reagent container 103 is moved to the inversion mixing unit 119 (S605), described later, for inversion mixing (S606). As described above, the reagent container lid 103b is pierced and opened by the nozzle of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107. Therefore, if the opening 103a is below the liquid level of the dissolved reagent 203 and enters the liquid, the dissolved reagent 203 may spill out of the reagent container 103 through the opening 103a. However, if the aforementioned conditions regarding the relationship between the structure of the reagent container 103 and the liquid level of the contained solution are met, the opening 103a remains above the liquid level regardless of the angle at which the reagent container 103 is positioned, such as when it is turned sideways or inverted, preventing the liquid from spilling out of the reagent container 103. After inversion mixing, the reagent container 104 is upright and moved to the reagent tray 104 (S607).

[0056] <Structure of inverted mixing unit>

[0057] Next, use Figure 5 The structure of the inversion mixing unit 119 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 (a-1) shows the state where the reagent container 103 is standing upright. Figure 5 (a-2) is a schematic diagram thereof. Figure 5 (b-1) shows the state where the reagent container 103 is rotated horizontally. Figure 5 (b-2) is a schematic diagram thereof. As shown in this figure, the inversion mixing unit 119 includes two driving parts: a motor 501 for tilting the rotation axis and a motor 502 for rotation.

[0058] The auto-rotational axis tipping motor 501 is connected to the reagent container holder 505 via a conveyor belt 503 and two pulleys 504. The reagent container 103 is housed in the reagent container holder 505. The auto-rotational axis tipping motor 501 is driven to tilt the reagent container holder 505, causing the housed reagent container 103 to fall. The rotation motor 502 is connected to the reagent container holder 505, allowing it to rotate along with the housed reagent container 103. The auto-rotational tipping motor 501 and the rotation motor 502 can be driven independently.

[0059] Next, the method for inverting and mixing the reagent container 103 will be described. The reagent container 103 placed in the inverting and mixing unit 119 rotates while tilting the rotation axis, thereby inverting and mixing the freeze-dried reagent 201 and solvent 202 contained therein. The rotation speed at this time is preferably approximately 40 rpm, for example.

[0060] Furthermore, regarding the angle of the rotation axis during inversion mixing, in order to dissolve the freeze-dried reagent 201 and dissolve the small freeze-dried reagent pieces 201a attached to the upper portion of the reagent container 103, it is desirable to vary the angle within a range of, for example, 70° to 110°, and rotate the reagent container 103 while shaking it. This allows the solvent 202 to reach the upper portion of the reagent container 103, thereby dissolving the small freeze-dried reagent pieces 201a attached to the upper portion of the reagent container 103.

[0061] On the other hand, for reagents that easily precipitate, such as those that create a concentration gradient within the dissolved reagent 203, it is desirable to rotate the reagent container 103 while shaking it, while varying the angle of the rotation axis within a range of 35° to 55°, centered around 45°. In this case, by rotating under these conditions periodically, for example at a predetermined interval such as every 30 minutes, the precipitated reagent can be mixed. Furthermore, in this case, it is necessary to pre-accommodate a sufficient amount of reagent in the reagent container to ensure that the liquid level remains below the opening in all positions.

[0062] Furthermore, when the freeze-dried reagent sheet 201a is dissolved and then mixed again to make the concentration uniform, the sheet may be rotated while changing the angle under the same conditions.

[0063] In all dissolution methods, the angle of the rotation axis is changed at a speed at which the liquid surface does not fluctuate, thereby preventing the reagent from bubbling.

[0064] Furthermore, when the reagent container 103 is restored to an upright position from a sideways or inverted state, the angle of the rotation axis is gradually restored. This prevents the dissolved reagent 203 from adhering to the wall or upper portion of the reagent container 103 due to surface tension, and allows the dissolved reagent 203 to be retained at the bottom of the reagent container 103.

[0065] This allows mixing by inversion without spilling the liquid in the reagent container 103 outside the reagent container 103. This allows small freeze-dried reagent pieces 201a adhering to the walls and lid of the reagent container 103 to dissolve, minimizing variations in reagent concentration between containers. Furthermore, the reagent can be dissolved without the user having to manually manipulate the reagent.

[0066] Example 2

[0067] In the first embodiment, a method has been described in which the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 dispenses a predetermined amount of the solvent 202 into the reagent container 103 containing the freeze-dried reagent 201 therein.

[0068] In this embodiment, a method of performing dispensing of the solvent 202 two or more times will be described. By dispensing the solvent 202 a plurality of times under predetermined conditions, the amount of reagent held in the reagent container can be increased as described later.

[0069] Figure 7 This is a flow chart for explaining the inversion mixing of the freeze-dried reagent according to the second embodiment. Figure 6 (First embodiment) is the same, so the description is omitted. Here, the following conditions must be met: the amount of solvent 202 dispensed in the first injection must be at least the amount that allows the freeze-dried reagent 201 to dissolve without being saturated, and at least the amount that allows the liquid level to be located below the opening of the reagent container 103 regardless of the angle at which the container is rotated.

[0070] Here, Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of dispensing times and the amount of reagent retained according to the second embodiment. As a prerequisite for increasing the amount of reagent retained in the reagent container by dividing the number of dispensing times into multiple times, it is necessary to make the volume of the dissolved reagent 203 required to make the liquid level below the opening of the reagent container have a difference between the case where the reagent container is in an upright state and the case where the reagent container is in an inverted state. For example, there is a case where the opening of the reagent container is located near the cover, or there is a difference between the two due to the shape of the reagent container. Under this premise, if the above-mentioned conditions for the amount of solvent 202 dispensed for the first time are to be met, the amount of solvent 202 dispensed needs to be such that the liquid level is located below the opening in the inverted state when the volume of the dissolved reagent 203 is the smallest. Thus, as Figure 8 As shown in the left figure, the volume of the dispensed amount becomes "small".

[0071] After the solvent 202 dispensed by the first dispensing is inverted and mixed, the reagent container 103 is set in the reagent disk 104. Then, in the second dispensing, the remaining solvent 202 is dispensed so that the dissolved reagent 203 becomes a predetermined amount. <S708> Here, as a condition for the amount of solvent 202 dispensed in the second time, it is necessary that the volume of the dissolved reagent 203 is maximized in an upright state and the liquid level is located below the opening. Thus, as Figure 8 As shown in the right figure, the volume of the dispensed amount becomes "large".

[0072] After the second dispensing, the reagent container 103 is again placed in the inversion mixing unit 119 and mixed <S709>. At this point, the small freeze-dried reagent pieces 201a attached to the walls and lid of the reagent container 103 have already been dissolved by the first inversion mixing. Therefore, mixing can be continued while the reagent container 103 is tilted at approximately 45°. <S710> After mixing, the reagent container 103 is placed upright and moved to the reagent tray 104. <S711>

[0073] When dispensing the solvent 202 with only a single dispensing action, the dispensing amount must be set according to the configuration state of the reagent container with the smallest volume based on the above-mentioned prerequisites. However, according to this embodiment, since the automatic dissolution function of the freeze-dried reagent is installed, the amount of dissolved reagent 203 that can be retained in the reagent container 103 is greater than that in the first embodiment, and thus the volume of the reagent container 103 can be used efficiently.

[0074] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but also includes various modifications. For example, the above-mentioned embodiments are detailed descriptions for the purpose of explaining the present invention in an understandable manner, and are not necessarily limited to having all the structures described. In addition, a portion of the structure of a certain embodiment can be replaced with the structure of another embodiment, and further, the structure of another embodiment can be added to the structure of a certain embodiment. In addition, with respect to a portion of the structure of each embodiment, other structures can be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0075] Description of labels

[0076] 100···Automatic analysis device

[0077] 101···Sample container

[0078] 102···Sample tray

[0079] 103···Reagent container

[0080] 103a···Opening

[0081] 103b···Reagent container lid

[0082] 104···Reagent disk

[0083] 105···Reaction vessel

[0084] 106···Sample injection mechanism

[0085] 107···Reagent dispensing mechanism

[0086] 107a···Reagent dispensing probe

[0087] 108···Sample injection port

[0088] 109···Analysis Unit

[0089] 109a···Analysis port

[0090] 110···Reaction vessel providing department

[0091] 111···Cleaning mechanism

[0092] 112···Reaction vessel disposal area

[0093] 113···Reaction vessel moving loading mechanism

[0094] 114···Control Department

[0095] 115···Light Source

[0096] 116···Light receiving unit (detector)

[0097] 119···Inverted mixing unit

[0098] 201···Freeze-drying reagent

[0099] 201a···Freeze-dried reagent tablets

[0100] 202···Solvent

[0101] 203···Dissolution reagent

[0102] 501···Motor for self-rotating shaft tilting

[0103] 502···Autorotation motor

[0104] 503···Conveyor belt

[0105] 504···Pulley

[0106] 505···Reagent container holder

[0107] 704···Reaction solution (mixture of sample and reagent)

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that include: Reagent containers; a reagent tray holding the reagent containers; a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a solution into the reagent container; an inversion mixing mechanism for mixing the reagent containers by inversion; and a control unit that controls the dispensing mechanism and the inversion mixing mechanism, The inverted mixing mechanism has: A rotation mechanism that rotates the reagent container; and a tilting mechanism that tilts the rotation axis of the reagent container, The reagent container has a cover portion that can be pierced by the nozzle of the dispensing mechanism or a puncture needle to form an opening. The cover has the opening formed at the front end and has a cylindrical structure extending toward the interior of the reagent container. When the amount of the solution contained in the reagent container is less than 1 / 2 of the volume of the reagent container, the control unit The dispensing conditions of the dispensing mechanism are controlled so that the opening formed at the front end of the tubular mechanism is positioned above the liquid level of the solution contained in the reagent container regardless of whether the reagent container is held upright, inverted, or in a horizontal position by the inverted mixing mechanism. The reagent container is placed on the reagent disk, the lid is punctured by the dispensing mechanism to form the opening, and the solution is dispensed into the reagent container, and the reagent container with the solution dispensed therein is moved from the reagent disk to the inversion mixing mechanism. The reagent container placed on the inversion mixing mechanism is rotated and tilted to perform inversion mixing. The opening of the cover is located at the center of gravity of the reagent container.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein The reagent container is pre-filled with a freeze-dried reagent. The solution dispensed by the dispensing mechanism is a solvent for dissolving the freeze-dried reagent. When the freeze-dried reagent is dissolved in the solvent, the control unit controls the rotation mechanism and the tilting mechanism so as to rotate the reagent container while keeping the rotation axis of the reagent container horizontal or inverted.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein When mixing a mixed solution obtained by dissolving the freeze-dried reagent in the solvent, the control unit controls the rotation mechanism and the tilting mechanism to rotate the reagent container while tilting the rotation axis of the reagent container within a range of approximately 35° to 55°.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein The control unit controls the rotation mechanism and the tilting mechanism so as to rotate the reagent container while tilting the rotation axis of the reagent container at approximately 45 degrees.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein The solution dispensed by the dispensing mechanism is a reagent solution with a concentration gradient. When mixing the reagent solutions, the control unit controls the rotation mechanism and the tilting mechanism so as to rotate the reagent container while tilting the rotation axis of the reagent container within a range of approximately 35° to 55°.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein The control unit controls the rotation mechanism and the tilting mechanism so as to rotate the reagent container while tilting the rotation axis of the reagent container at approximately 45 degrees.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein The control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so as to dispense the solution into the reagent container a plurality of times.

8. An analysis method using an automatic analysis device, the automatic analysis device comprising: Reagent containers; a reagent tray holding the reagent containers; a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a solution into the reagent container; an inversion mixing mechanism for mixing the reagent containers by inversion; and a control unit that controls the dispensing mechanism and the inversion mixing mechanism, The inverted mixing mechanism has: A rotation mechanism that rotates the reagent container; and a tilting mechanism that tilts the rotation axis of the reagent container, The reagent container has a cover portion that can be pierced by the nozzle of the dispensing mechanism or a puncture needle to form an opening. The cover has the opening formed at the front end and has a cylindrical structure extending toward the interior of the reagent container. When the amount of the solution contained in the reagent container is less than 1 / 2 of the volume of the reagent container, the control unit The dispensing conditions of the dispensing mechanism are controlled so that the opening formed at the front end of the tubular mechanism is positioned above the liquid level of the solution contained in the reagent container regardless of whether the reagent container is held upright, inverted, or in a horizontal position by the inverted mixing mechanism. The reagent container is placed on the reagent disk, the lid is punctured by the dispensing mechanism to form the opening, and the solution is dispensed into the reagent container, and the reagent container with the solution dispensed therein is moved from the reagent disk to the inversion mixing mechanism. The reagent container placed on the inversion mixing mechanism is rotated and tilted to perform inversion mixing. The opening of the cover is located at the center of gravity of the reagent container.

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