Automated analysis device

Abstract

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic analysis device capable of reducing the risk of infection, injury, device breakage, and the like due to manual operation by a user. In the automatic analysis device of the present disclosure, an unused container holding section is configured to be capable of holding a cleaning member that cleans a hole for placing a reaction container, a reaction container carrying section or a sample probe picks up the cleaning member from the unused container holding section and carries it to a reaction container placement section, and the inner surface of the hole is cleaned by plugging the cleaning member with respect to the hole (see FIG. 3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automatic analysis device. BACKGROUND

[0002] When analysis is performed using an automatic analysis device, a reagent is added to a reaction container into which a biological sample such as blood or urine is dispensed, and the biological sample and the reagent are allowed to react. The automatic analysis device performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of the biological sample by measuring the absorbance and the amount of light emission of the reaction solution.

[0003] Sometimes, the analysis performance and reliability of the device are reduced due to attachment of dirt and foreign matter to the automatic analysis device. Therefore, a structure that takes into account the risk of attachment of dirt and foreign matter during use of the device and removes them as appropriate is necessary.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a technique related to a cleaning section for cleaning a transmission window through which light is transmitted toward the inside of a thermostat tank. The cleaning section cleans the surface of the transmission window when the reaction container is stopped and stops cleaning when the reaction container is moving.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0006] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-194325 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] Patent Document 1 automates cleaning of the transmission window inside the device, but on the other hand, cleaning of the surface of the device is not automated and needs to be performed by manual work. In the case of performing cleaning work by manual work, there is a possibility of inducing infection, injury, and damage to the device due to lack of professional knowledge of the user or accidental contact.

[0010] The present disclosure was made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analysis device capable of reducing risks caused by manual work of a user.

[0011] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0012] In the automatic analysis device of the present disclosure, the unused container holding section is configured to be capable of holding a cleaning member that cleans a hole for placing a reaction container, the reaction container conveying section or the sample probe picks up the cleaning member from the above-described unused container holding section and conveys it to the reaction container placement section, and the inner surface of the above-described hole is cleaned by plugging the above-described cleaning member with respect to the above-described hole.

[0013] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to the automatic analysis device of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce risks caused by manual work of a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a structure example of the automatic analysis device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a time when the cleaning process is started, of a structure example of the automatic analysis device 10.

[0017] Figure 3 is a side view schematic diagram illustrating a use example of the cleaning tool 138 and the pure water container 139.

[0018] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a time when the cleaning process is started, of a structure example of the automatic analysis device 10 in the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5A is a side view schematic diagram showing a structure of the sample sheet 104.

[0020] Figure 5B is a side view schematic diagram illustrating a use example of the cleaning tool 140.

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a structure example of the reaction container mounting portion 109. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] <Embodiment 1>

[0023] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a structure example of the automatic analysis device 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The automatic analysis device 10 is a device that analyzes a sample by analyzing a reaction solution in which a reagent and a sample are reacted. The automatic analysis device 10 is provided with a reaction container 108 that can accommodate a sample and a reagent. The automatic analysis device 10 is provided with a first reaction container conveying portion 105 and a second reaction container conveying portion 124 as reaction container conveying portions that move the reaction container 108. The reaction container 108 can move with respect to the automatic analysis device (more strictly, for example, a device housing 110).

[0024] The reaction container 108 placed on the reaction container mounting portion 109 (unused container holding portion) is moved by the first reaction container conveying portion 105 from the reaction container mounting portion 109 to the first reaction container mounting station 119, a reaction container holding hole provided on the reaction container mounting portion (incubator) 118.

[0025] The disposable sample sheet 104 placed on the reaction container mounting portion 109 is moved by the reaction container transfer portion horizontal movement mechanism 106 and the reaction container transfer portion vertical movement mechanism 107 of the first reaction container transfer portion 105, and is moved and disposed on the sample sheet mounting portion 111. The sample probe 103 is inserted from above into the insertion hole of the sample sheet 104, whereby the sample sheet 104 is mounted on the sample probe 103. The sample sheet mounting portion 111 functions as a work space for the sample probe 103 to perform its operation. The shape of the sample sheet 104 is described later in the second embodiment together with the shape of the cleaning tool 140.

[0026] The sample probe 103 is rotated, and the sample sheet mounting portion 111 on the rotation track 136 mounts the sample sheet 104 on the probe tip. The sample container 102 is transferred by the transfer portion 100 to the sample setting portion 101. The sample in the sample container 102 is sucked by the sample probe 103.

[0027] The reaction container mounting portion 118 has a plurality of reaction container holding holes. The reaction container mounting portion 118 is rotated to move the reaction container 108 disposed in the reaction container holding hole of the first reaction container mounting station 119 to the sample dispensing position 120. The sample probe 103 is rotated after sucking the sample, and the sample dispensing position 120 on the rotation track 136 discharges a prescribed amount of sample to the reaction container 108. After discharging the sample, the sample probe 103 is further rotated, and the sample sheet disposal portion 112 on the rotation track 136 disposes the used sample sheet 104.

[0028] The reagent bottle 115 on the reagent disk 114 is moved by rotation of the reagent disk 114. When the reagent bottle 115 is positioned at the reagent suction position 116, the first reagent is sucked from the reagent bottle 115 by the reagent probe 113. Next, the reaction container mounting portion 118 is rotated to move the reaction container 108 to the reagent dispensing position 122.

[0029] Next, the reagent probe 113 is rotated to discharge a prescribed amount of the first reagent at the reagent dispensing position 122. The reaction container mounting portion 118 is temperature-controlled to a constant temperature of 37°C or the like. The first reagent contains an antibody that specifically binds to only a specific antigen in the sample. In the reaction container 108 disposed in the reaction container mounting portion 118, the sample and the first reagent undergo an antigen-antibody reaction.

[0030] The first reagent is a component in which an antibody and a fluorescent substance are combined in advance. After a certain time elapses and the antigen-antibody reaction sufficiently proceeds, the reaction container mounting portion 118 moves the reaction container 108 again to the reagent dispensing position 122.

[0031] Next, the reagent probe 113 sucks the second reagent from the reagent bottle 115. The reagent bottle of the first reagent and the reagent bottle of the second reagent can be provided separately. The reagent probe 113 dispenses the second reagent to the reaction container 108 at the reagent dispensing position 122.

[0032] The second reagent is a reagent containing an antibody that specifically binds to the antigen, and is a component in which the antibody is combined with a magnetic particle in advance. After a certain period of time, the antigen-antibody reaction is allowed to proceed to a certain degree, and thus a sufficient amount of the final reaction product that binds to the magnetic particle and the fluorescent emitter is generated from the antigen present in the sample.

[0033] Next, the reaction container placement section 118 is rotationally moved to the second reaction container mounting station 121. The second reaction container transport section 124 moves the reaction container 108 of the reaction container placement section 118 to the reaction container cleaning position 126.

[0034] At the reaction container cleaning position 126, the magnetic particles that bind to the antibody in the reaction solution in the reaction container are captured in the container by a magnet provided on the outside of the reaction container using the magnetic properties of the magnetic particles, and the reaction solution is discarded in this state. Thus, the substances other than the antigen that are brought by the sample are washed away, and only the final reaction product remains in the reaction solution (B / F separation).

[0035] The cleaning reagent probe 129 discharges a buffer solution at the reaction container cleaning position 126. Next, the second reaction container transport section 124 moves the reaction container 108 to the second reaction container mounting station 121 of the reaction container placement section 118. The second reaction container transport section 124 can be moved by the second reaction container transport section lateral movement mechanism 128.

[0036] The automatic analysis device 10 can also be provided with a reaction container cleaning tank 125 and a probe cleaning tank 117.

[0037] Next, the reaction container placement section 118 is rotated to move the reaction container 108 to the reaction container analysis suction position 123. The reaction solution suction probe 132 sucks the reaction solution from the reaction container 108 located at the reaction container analysis suction position 123. Next, the reaction solution suction probe 132 delivers the reaction solution to the reaction solution analysis section 130, and the amount of light emitted by the fluorescent emitter is measured.

[0038] The reaction container placement section 118 is rotated to move the reaction container 108 to the discarded reaction container mounting station 133. The first reaction container transport section 105 moves the reaction container 108 to the reaction container discarding section 134 to be discarded.

[0039] The series of operations described above are controlled by the control section 135. The analysis section 137 acquires the amount of light emitted by the phosphor, performs predetermined analysis based on the amount of light emitted, and outputs the analysis result. At the time of analysis, for example, information indicating the amount of sample (predetermined liquid amount information) and the principle that the amount of light emitted by the phosphor is proportional to the amount of antigen are used.

[0040] This is an example of one analysis operation unit for the measurement. The automatic analysis device 10 is capable of performing a plurality of analysis operations at one time. In addition, the automatic analysis device 10 is capable of causing the control section 135 to perform operation control in a pipeline manner so as to be capable of performing a plurality of analysis operations simultaneously. With this structure, analysis processing of a plurality of samples can be performed without delay.

[0041] Figure 2 is a plan view of a structure example of the automatic analysis device 10 indicating the time when the cleaning process is started. Before the cleaning is started, the user removes the reaction container 108 and the sample sheet 104 from the reaction container mounting section 109, and instead sets the cleaning tool 138 and the pure water container 139 filled with pure water.

[0042] Figure 3 is a side view schematic diagram illustrating a use example of the cleaning tool 138 and the pure water container 139. The cleaning tool 138 and the pure water container 139 are configured as disposable members. The cleaning tool 138 has a shape that can be gripped by the first reaction container carrying section 105, and the front end is covered with absorbent cotton. The cleaning tool 138 can be set with respect to the reaction container mounting section 109. The pure water container 139 has a shape that can be gripped by the first reaction container carrying section 105, and pure water can be put inside. The pure water container 139 can be set with respect to the reaction container mounting section 109.

[0043] The first reaction container carrying section 105 grips the cleaning tool 138, and moves to the pure water container 139 in this state. After the movement, the first reaction container carrying section 105 lowers the cleaning tool 138 into the inside of the pure water container 139, and after the front end of the cleaning tool 138 is immersed in the pure water, the cleaning tool 138 is raised to the original position.

[0044] The first reaction container carrying section 105 moves the cleaning tool 138 to the first reaction container mounting station 119.

[0045] The first reaction container carrying section 105 performs up-and-down operation of the cleaning tool 138 by three reciprocations from the upper limit position to the bottom of the reaction container holding hole, and thereby cleans the reaction container holding hole with the pure water held by the absorbent cotton. After that, the reaction container placement section 118 rotates, and moves the next reaction container holding hole to the first reaction container mounting station 119. Until the cleaning of all the reaction container holding holes is completed, the operation is repeated.

[0046] The first reaction container carrying section 105 moves to the pure water container 139, grips the pure water container 139 filled with pure water, and then moves to the reaction container disposal section 134 to dispose of the pure water container 139.

[0047] The first reaction container carrying section 105 moves to the pure water container 139, grips the pure water container 139 filled with pure water, and then moves to the reaction container disposal section 134 to dispose of the pure water container 139.

[0048] The first reaction container carrying section 105 moves to the cleaning tool 138, grips the unused cleaning tool 138, and moves to the first reaction container mounting station 119.

[0049] The first reaction container carrying section 105 performs up-and-down movement of three reciprocations from the upper limit position to the bottom of the reaction container holding hole, thereby wiping the water vapor from the reaction container holding hole. Thereafter, the reaction container placement section 118 rotates to move the next reaction container holding hole to the first reaction container mounting station. This operation is repeated until the cleaning of all the reaction container holding holes is completed.

[0050] The first reaction container carrying section 105 moves to the pure water container 139, grips the pure water container 139 filled with pure water, and then moves to the reaction container disposal section 134 to dispose of the pure water container 139.

[0051] <Embodiment 1: Summary>

[0052] The automatic analysis device 10 of this embodiment 1 picks up the cleaning tool 138 from the reaction container mounting section 109 and carries it to the reaction container placement section 118, and wipes the inner surface of the reaction container holding hole by plugging the cleaning tool 138 with respect to the reaction container holding hole. This enables the surface portion of the automatic analysis device 10, particularly the dirt of the reaction container placement section 118 that can affect the analysis result, to be cleaned without manual operation by the user. Therefore, the risk of infection, injury, device breakage, and the like due to manual operation by the user is reduced.

[0053] In the automatic analysis device 10 of this embodiment 1, the reaction container mounting section 109 is configured to be capable of replacing and holding the unused reaction container 108 and the cleaning tool 138. This eliminates the need to newly secure a space for holding the cleaning tool 138, and thus eliminates the need to unnecessarily increase the size of the automatic analysis device 10. However, if permitted from the viewpoint of installation space or the like, the reaction container mounting section 109 can be configured to, for example, simultaneously hold the unused reaction container 108 and the cleaning tool 138. The same applies to the cleaning tool 140 described later.

[0054] The automatic analysis device 10 of Embodiment 1 wets the cotton swab-shaped cleaning tool 138 capable of being held by the first reaction container carrying section 105 with the pure water container 139 filled with cleaning water (e.g., pure water) and cleans the reaction container holding hole using the cotton swab. By using the member held by the first reaction container carrying section 105, it is possible to clean the surface of the reaction container placement section 118 without using a special member for cleaning and without manual operation by the user.

[0055] The automatic analysis device 10 of Embodiment 1 further wipes the cleaning water remaining on the surface of the reaction container holding hole with the unused cleaning tool 138 after cleaning the reaction container holding hole with the cleaning tool 138 containing pure water. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the effect of automatic cleaning while suppressing the influence on the subsequent analysis process.

[0056] <Embodiment 2>

[0057] In Embodiment 1, the case where the cotton swab-shaped member capable of being held by the first reaction container carrying section 105 is used as the cleaning tool 138 is described. In Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, as another cleaning tool, a member capable of being fitted to the sample probe 103 is described. The structure other than the cleaning tool is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

[0058] Figure 4 is a plan view of a structure example of the automatic analysis device 10 indicating the timing at which the cleaning process is started in Embodiment 2. Before the start of cleaning, the user removes the reaction container 108 and the sample sheet 104 from the reaction container mounting section 109 and instead sets the cleaning tool 140.

[0059] Figure 5A is a side view schematic diagram indicating the configuration of the sample sheet 104. The sample sheet 104 has an insertion hole for inserting the sample probe 103 from above. By inserting the tip portion of the sample probe 103 into the insertion hole, it is possible to fit the sample sheet 104 to the sample probe 103. The sample probe 103 sucks a sample into the sample sheet 104 in the state where the sample sheet 104 is fitted and spits the sample into the reaction container. The used sample sheet 104 is discarded.

[0060] Figure 5Bis a side view schematic diagram illustrating an example of use of the cleaning tool 140. The cleaning tool 140 has a shape that can be held by the first reaction vessel carrying section 105. The cleaning tool 140 also has a shape that can be fitted to the front end of the sample probe 103 as with the sample sheet 104. Specifically, the upper end of the cleaning tool 140 has an insertion hole into which the sample probe 103 can be inserted, and by inserting the sample probe 103 into the insertion hole, the cleaning tool 140 is mounted to the front end of the sample probe 103. That is, the cleaning tool 140 has the same configuration as the sample sheet 104, and thus the sample probe 103 can fit the cleaning tool 140 by the same action as the sample sheet 104. The other end of the cleaning tool 140 is covered with absorbent cotton.

[0061] The first reaction vessel carrying section 105 holds the cleaning tool 140 and moves it to the sample sheet fitting section 111.

[0062] The sample probe 103 rotates, and the sample sheet fitting section 111 on the turning locus 136 fits the cleaning tool 140 to the probe front end, and then discharges a cleaning liquid (e.g., pure water) into the inside of the cleaning tool 140, thereby wetting the absorbent cotton at the front end. The sample probe 103 rotates and moves the fitted cleaning tool 140 to the sample dispensing position 120.

[0063] The sample probe 103 makes the cleaning tool 140 perform up-and-down movement of three reciprocating degrees from the upper limit position to the bottom of the reaction vessel holding hole, thereby cleaning the reaction vessel holding hole. After that, the reaction vessel placement section 118 rotates and moves the next reaction vessel holding hole to the sample dispensing position 120. This action is repeated until the cleaning of all the reaction vessel holding holes is completed.

[0064] The sample probe 103 rotates and disposes of the fitted cleaning tool 140 at the sample sheet disposal section 112.

[0065] The first reaction vessel carrying section 105 holds the cleaning tool 140 and moves it to the sample sheet fitting section 111.

[0066] The sample probe 103 rotates, and the sample sheet fitting section 111 on the turning locus 136 fits the unused cleaning tool 140 to the probe front end. The sample probe 103 rotates and moves the fitted cleaning tool 140 to the sample dispensing position 120.

[0067] The sample probe 103 makes the cleaning tool 140 perform up-and-down movement of three reciprocating degrees from the upper limit position to the bottom of the reaction vessel holding hole, thereby wiping the reaction vessel holding hole of moisture. After that, the reaction vessel placement section 118 rotates and moves the next reaction vessel holding hole to the sample dispensing position 120. This action is repeated until the cleaning of all the reaction vessel holding holes is completed.

[0068] The sample probe 103 is rotated, and the assembled cleaning tool 140 is discarded at the sample sheet waste section 112.

[0069] <Embodiment 2: Summary>

[0070] The automatic analysis device 10 of this embodiment 2 assembles the cleaning tool 140 to the sample probe 103, and cleans the reaction vessel receiving hole, and thus, as with the embodiment 1, it is possible to clean the surface of the reaction vessel placement section 118 without the manual operation of the user. In addition, since the cleaning tool 140 is held to the reaction vessel mounting section 109, it is not necessary to newly secure a space for clamping the cleaning tool 140.

[0071] The automatic analysis device 10 of this embodiment 2 cleans the reaction vessel receiving hole using the cleaning tool 140 that can be held by the first reaction vessel conveyance section 105 and that can be assembled to the sample probe 103. Thereby, it is possible to clean the surface of the reaction vessel placement section 118 without the manual operation of the user, and without using a special member for cleaning.

[0072] The automatic analysis device 10 of this embodiment 2 cleans the reaction vessel receiving hole using the cleaning tool 140 that has the same structure as the sample sheet 104. Thereby, it is possible to clean the surface of the reaction vessel placement section 118 without using a special member for cleaning, and using the existing sample probe 103.

[0073] <Embodiment 3>

[0074] Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a structure example of the reaction vessel mounting section 109. In the embodiment 1, the reaction vessel mounting section 109 can be configured to be mounted with the first plate (or a member on which the first plate is placed) on which the unused reaction vessel 108 and the unused sample sheet 104 are mounted. In this case, by replacing the first plate with the second plate on which the unused cleaning tool 138 and the unused pure water container 139 are mounted, the reaction vessel mounting section 109 becomes Figure 2 by this configuration of the reaction vessel mounting section 109, the user does not need to set the cleaning tool 138 one by one to the reaction vessel mounting section 109, and thus it is very convenient.

[0075] Similarly, in the embodiment 2, by replacing the first plate with the second plate on which the unused cleaning tool 140 is mounted, the reaction vessel mounting section 109 becomes Figure 4 Thereby, the user does not need to set the cleaning tool 140 one by one to the reaction vessel mounting section 109, and thus it is very convenient.

[0076] <Variations on the Disclosure>

[0077] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments are examples that are described in detail in order to easily understand the present disclosure, and it is not necessarily required to have all the structures described. In addition, a part of one embodiment can be replaced with a structure of another embodiment. In addition, a structure of another embodiment can be added to a structure of one embodiment. In addition, a part of a structure of each embodiment can be added, deleted, or replaced with a part of a structure of another embodiment.

[0078] In the above-described embodiments, pure water is used as the cleaning liquid, but another cleaning liquid that has a small influence on the inspection process can also be used. The material that holds the cleaning liquid is not necessarily limited to absorbent cotton, and another appropriate water-absorbing material can also be used.

[0079] In the above-described embodiments, the process of cleaning the reaction container holding holes using the cleaning tool 138 needs to be performed separately from the process of inspecting the sample. For example, as the operation mode of the control section 135, it is preferable to be able to switch between (a) a first mode in which the reaction container 108 is placed on the reaction container placement section 118 in order to inspect the sample and (b) a second mode in which the cleaning tool 138 is transported to the reaction container placement section 118 and is inserted and pulled out with respect to the holes in order to clean the reaction container holding holes. Similarly, the process of cleaning the reaction container holding holes using the cleaning tool 140 also needs to be performed separately from the process of inspecting the sample. For example, as the operation mode of the control section 135, it is preferable to be able to switch between (a) a first mode in which the sample sheet 104 is mounted on the sample probe 103 in order to inspect the sample and (b) a second mode in which the cleaning tool 140 is mounted on the sample probe 103 and is inserted and pulled out with respect to the holes in order to clean the reaction container holding holes.

[0080] The cleaning tool 138 described in Embodiment 1 and the cleaning tool 140 described in Embodiment 2 can also be used in combination. For example, it is conceivable to clean the holes of the first reaction container mounting station 119 using the cleaning tool 138 before starting the analysis process, to clean the holes of the sample dispensing position 120 using the cleaning tool 140 at an appropriate timing in the middle of the analysis process, and the like. Alternatively, it is conceivable to clean the holes using the cleaning tool 138 and to wipe the cleaning water and the like using the cleaning tool 140. In these cases, two kinds of cleaning tools are required, but on the other hand, there is an advantage that a plurality of cleaning operations can be performed in parallel.

[0081] In the above-described embodiments, the case where the reaction container holding holes of the reaction container placement section 118 are cleaned is described, but the holes of other components (for example, the reagent disk 114) can also be cleaned. However, it is generally considered that the number of the reaction container holding holes of the reaction container placement section 118 is the largest, and thus the advantage of automating the cleaning thereof by the above-described embodiments is the largest.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the cleaning tool 140 is attached to the sample probe 103, but the cleaning tool 140 can be attached to other probes that suck a liquid, such as the reagent probe 113. However, since a work site for pressing the probe from above the cleaning tool 140 toward the inside of the cleaning tool 140 is required, a new work site needs to be secured or an existing work site can be utilized.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the control section 135 and the analysis section 137 can also be configured by hardware such as a circuit device on which the functions thereof are mounted, or by software on which the functions thereof are mounted executed by an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0084] Symbol Explanation

[0085] 10 - automatic analysis device, 103 - sample probe, 104 - sample sheet, 105 - first reaction container conveyance section, 108 - reaction container, 109 - reaction container mounting section, 118 - reaction container placement section, 135 - control section, 138 - cleaning tool, 139 - pure water container, 140 - cleaning tool.

Claims

1. An automatic analyzing apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a reaction container placement section that places a reaction container that contains a reaction solution including a reagent and a sample; an unused container holding section that holds an unused reaction container that does not contain the reaction solution; a reaction container conveyance section that conveys the reaction container from the unused container holding section to the reaction container placement section; and a probe that sucks up liquid and spits out to the reaction container, the unused container holding section is configured to be able to hold a cleaning member instead of the unused reaction container, or to be able to hold the unused reaction container and the cleaning member at the same time, the cleaning member cleaning a hole of the reaction container placement section for placing the reaction container, the reaction container conveyance section or the probe picks up the cleaning member from the unused container holding section and conveys it to the reaction container placement section, and the hole is cleaned by plugging the cleaning member into the hole.

2. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reaction container conveyance section holds the cleaning member held by the unused container holding section and picks it up from the unused container holding section, the reaction container conveyance section conveys the picked-up cleaning member to the reaction container placement section, the reaction container conveyance section inserts the cleaning member into the hole by lowering it from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction, the reaction container conveyance section pulls the cleaning member out of the hole by lifting it from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction.

3. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning member is a cotton swab, the unused container holding section is configured to be able to hold a cleaning solution container that contains a cleaning solution instead of the unused reaction container, or to be able to hold the unused reaction container and the cleaning solution container at the same time, the reaction container conveyance section causes the cotton swab to suck up the cleaning solution by plugging the cotton swab into the cleaning solution container, the reaction container conveyance section cleans the hole by plugging the cotton swab that has sucked up the cleaning solution into the hole.

4. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reaction container conveyance section, after cleaning the hole by plugging the cotton swab that has sucked up the cleaning solution into the hole, plugs an unused cotton swab into the hole, thereby wiping the cleaning solution remaining in the hole.

5. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is configured to be able to be fitted to the probe, the probe fits the cleaning member held by the unused container holding section and conveys it to the reaction container placement section, the probe inserts the cleaning member into the hole by lowering it from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction, the probe pulls the cleaning member out of the hole by lifting it from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction.

6. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The probe is configured to suck the sample and eject it into the reaction container. The cleaning member is provided with: an insertion hole into which the sample probe is inserted; and a water-absorbing material installed on a side opposite to the insertion hole, The sample probe is installed with the cleaning member by inserting a tip portion of the sample probe into the insertion hole.

7. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sample probe ejects a cleaning solution after the cleaning member is installed, whereby the water-absorbing material absorbs the cleaning solution, the sample probe cleans the hole by plugging the water-absorbing material having the cleaning solution absorbed thereto with respect to the hole.

8. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sample probe wipes the cleaning solution remaining in the hole by plugging the unused cleaning member with respect to the hole after the hole is cleaned by plugging the water-absorbing material having the cleaning solution absorbed thereto with respect to the hole.

9. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The probe is configured to suck the sample and eject it into the reaction container. The sample probe is configured to suck the sample into a first insertion hole of the sample sheet after the sample sheet is installed by inserting a tip portion of the sample probe into the sample sheet having the first insertion hole, The cleaning member is provided with a second insertion hole into which a tip portion of the sample probe is inserted, The sample probe is installed with the cleaning member by inserting a tip portion of the sample probe into the second insertion hole.

10. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The unused container holding portion is configured to be capable of exchanging a first plate on which the unused reaction container is placed and a second plate on which the cleaning member is placed with each other.

11. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The automatic analysis apparatus further includes a control portion that controls the reaction container conveying portion, The control portion is configured to be capable of switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode, The first operation mode is to place the reaction container on the reaction container placement portion for checking the reaction solution, The second operation mode is to convey the cleaning member to the reaction container placement portion for cleaning the hole, and to plug the cleaning member with respect to the hole.

12. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The automatic analysis apparatus further includes a control portion that controls the sample probe, The control portion is configured to be capable of switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode, The first operation mode is to install the sample sheet to a tip portion of the sample probe for checking the reaction solution, The second operation mode is to install the cleaning member to the tip portion of the sample probe for cleaning the hole, and to plug the cleaning member with respect to the hole.

Images