Automated analyzer

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic analysis device, which has a plurality of reaction lines and can inhibit the enlargement of the device. An automatic analysis device (1) is provided with a diluted sample analysis chamber turret (3), a plurality of reaction lines (6A, 6B), and a diluted sample dispensing unit (22). The diluted sample analysis chamber turret (3) has a plurality of diluted sample analysis chambers (P3) for accommodating diluted samples. The plurality of reaction lines (6A, 6B) are supplied with diluted specimens and react the diluted specimens with reagents. A dilution sample dispensing unit (22) supplies a dilution sample contained in a dilution sample analysis chamber (P3) of a dilution sample analysis chamber turret (3) to a plurality of reaction lines (6A, 6B). Then, the diluted sample dispensing unit (22) supplies the diluted sample from one diluted sample line provided on the diluted sample analysis chamber turret (3) to the plurality of reaction lines (6A, 6B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analysis device. Background Art

[0002] An automatic analysis device is used for examinations in various fields such as biochemical examinations and blood transfusion examinations, and analyzes various components contained in a specimen quickly and with high precision. The automatic analysis device has a reaction disk for performing the reaction between the specimen and the reagent, and a diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable for supplying the diluted specimen diluted to the reaction disk. Moreover, the automatic analysis device dispenses the diluted specimen from the diluted specimen analysis chamber disposed on the diluted specimen line of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable, and supplies it to the reaction analysis chamber disposed on the reaction line of the reaction disk.

[0003] As such an automatic analysis device, for example, there is a device as described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which two reaction lines are provided and two diluted specimen lines for supplying the diluted specimen to the two reaction lines are provided. Moreover, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the two diluted specimen lines supply the diluted specimen to specific reaction lines among the two reaction lines, respectively.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2010 / 117045 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare the diluted specimen lines according to the number of reaction lines. Moreover, as the number of diluted specimen lines increases, the number of mechanisms for stirring the diluted specimen analysis chambers disposed on each diluted specimen line, the mechanism for supplying the specimen to the diluted specimen analysis chambers on each diluted specimen line, the mechanism for cleaning the diluted specimen analysis chambers, etc. also increases. As a result, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there are problems such as the enlargement of the device and further the complication of the structure of the device.

[0009] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device having a plurality of reaction lines and capable of suppressing the enlargement of the device.

[0010] Solutions to the Problems

[0011] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the automatic analysis device includes a diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable, a plurality of reaction lines, and a diluted specimen dispensing unit. The diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable has a plurality of diluted specimen analysis chambers for accommodating the diluted specimens, which are the specimens after dilution. The plurality of reaction lines are supplied with the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable to cause the diluted specimens to react with the reagents. The diluted specimen dispensing unit supplies the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable to the plurality of reaction lines. Moreover, the diluted specimen dispensing unit supplies the diluted specimens from one diluted specimen line provided on the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable to the plurality of reaction lines.

[0012] Effect of the Invention

[0013] The automatic analysis device according to the present invention can suppress the enlargement of the device while having a plurality of reaction lines. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing a control system around the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable in the automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a flowchart showing an example of the supply operation of the diluted specimen in the automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram showing the moving positions of the diluted specimen analysis chambers in each cycle in a simulated manner.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a timing chart showing the operations of the respective devices in one cycle (basic cycle) of the automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a table showing the operations of the respective devices in each cycle of the automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a table showing a modified example of the operations of the respective devices in each cycle of the automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the remaining amount of the diluted specimen in the automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 9It is a diagram showing the remaining amount of the diluted specimen in a conventional automatic analyzer.

[0023] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of a turntable for a diluted specimen analysis chamber in an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 11 It is a side view of a turntable for a diluted specimen analysis chamber in an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing an enlarged view of a backlash adjustment mechanism of a turntable for a diluted specimen analysis chamber in an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing an example of the operating speed distribution of a turntable for a diluted specimen analysis chamber in an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the high-low speed ratio, amplitude, and settling time of a turntable for a diluted specimen analysis chamber in an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 15 It is a sectional view of a diluted specimen analysis chamber in an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 16 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the depth and liquid volume of a diluted specimen analysis chamber.

[0030] Figure 17 It is a diagram showing the depth and operating time of a diluted specimen analysis chamber. Detailed Embodiments

[0031] Next, with reference to Figures 1 to 17 an embodiment of the automatic analyzer of the present invention will be described. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components.

[0032] 1. Embodiment

[0033] 1-1. Structure of the Automatic Analyzer

[0034] First, with reference to Figure 1 an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this example") will be described.

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an automatic analyzer according to the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 1 The automatic analysis device 1 shown, for example, is a biochemical analysis device that automatically measures the amount of a specific component contained in a biological sample such as blood or urine. The automatic analysis device 1 includes a measurement unit 1a and a control unit 1b.

[0037] The measurement unit 1a, for example, includes a sample turntable 2, a diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3, a first reagent turntable 4, a second reagent turntable 5, and a reaction turntable 6. In addition, the measurement unit 1a includes a diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, a diluted sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12, a first reaction stirring mechanism 13, a second reaction stirring mechanism 14, a multi-wavelength photometer 15, and a reaction analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 16.

[0038] In addition, the measurement unit 1a includes a sample dispensing unit 21, a diluted sample dispensing unit 22, a first reagent dispensing unit 23, a second reagent dispensing unit 24, and a plurality of probe cleaning mechanisms 31, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 34A, 34B.

[0039] On the other hand, the control unit 1b includes a display unit 41 and, as will be further described in detail later, an input unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. Hereinafter, the details of these components will be described in the order of the measurement unit 1a and the control unit 1b.

[0040] <Measurement unit 1a>

[0041] [Sample turntable 2]

[0042] The sample turntable 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The sample turntable 2 holds a plurality of sample containers P2 in multiple columns along the circumferential direction and rotates along the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown), thereby transporting the held plurality of sample containers P2 along the circumferential direction.

[0043] In each sample container P2 held by the sample turntable 2, there is stored a sample to be measured and a control sample for accuracy management as a dispensing liquid. The sample turntable 2 transports these various samples to be measured to a specified position.

[0044] In addition, in the sample turntable 2, in addition to holding the sample container P2, a diluent container storing a diluent and a hemolytic agent container storing a hemolytic agent for performing hemolysis treatment may also be held. In addition, the sample turntable 2 may have a function of cooling the held sample container P2 and other containers.

[0045] [Diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3]

[0046] The dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 arranges and holds a plurality of dilution specimen analysis chambers P3 storing dispensing liquids along the circumferential direction. Thus, in the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, the plurality of dilution specimen analysis chambers P3 are arranged along the circumferential direction to form one dilution specimen line. The dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 rotates along the circumferential direction by a drive motor 53 (refer to Figure 10 ) of a drive mechanism to convey the plurality of held dilution specimen analysis chambers P3 along the circumferential direction. In addition, the drive of the drive motor 53 is controlled by the control unit 1b.

[0047] A specimen (hereinafter referred to as "diluted specimen") that has been aspirated from the specimen container P2 disposed on the specimen turntable 2 and diluted is injected as a dispensing liquid into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 held by the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3.

[0048] In addition, the detailed operation and structure of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 will be described later.

[0049] [First reagent turntable 4 and second reagent turntable 5]

[0050] The first reagent turntable 4 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first reagent turntable 4 arranges and holds a plurality of first reagent containers P4 in two columns along the circumferential direction. The inner line on which the plurality of first reagent containers P4 are arranged is defined as the first reagent line 4A, and the outer line on which the plurality of first reagent containers P4 are arranged is defined as the second reagent line 4B.

[0051] The first reagent turntable 4 rotates along the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the plurality of held first reagent containers P4 along the circumferential direction. A first reagent is stored in the plurality of first reagent containers P4 as a dispensing liquid.

[0052] The second reagent turntable 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The second reagent turntable 5 arranges and holds a plurality of second reagent containers P5 in two columns along the circumferential direction. The inner line on which the plurality of second reagent containers P5 are arranged is defined as the first reagent line 5A, and the outer line on which the plurality of second reagent containers P5 are arranged is defined as the second reagent line 5B.

[0053] The second reagent turntable 5 rotates along the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the plurality of held second reagent containers P5 along the circumferential direction. A second reagent is stored in the second reagent containers P5 as a dispensing liquid.

[0054] [Reaction turntable 6]

[0055] The reaction turntable 6 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The reaction turntable 6 holds a plurality of reaction analysis chambers P6 arranged in two columns along the circumferential direction. The line on the inner side where a plurality of reaction analysis chambers P6 are arranged is defined as the first reaction line 6A, and the line on the outer side where a plurality of reaction analysis chambers P6 are arranged is defined as the second reaction line 6B. The reaction turntable 6 rotates along the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the plurality of held reaction analysis chambers P6 along the circumferential direction.

[0056] The diluted sample collected from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3, and the first reagent collected from the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent turntable 4 or the second reagent collected from the second reagent container P5 of the second reagent turntable 5 are respectively dispensed in a predetermined amount into the reaction analysis chamber P6. Then, the diluted sample and the first reagent or the second reagent are stirred in the reaction analysis chamber P6 to carry out a reaction.

[0057] The reaction turntable 6 as described above has a thermostat (not shown). The thermostat keeps the temperature of the reaction analysis chamber P6 constant at all times. In addition, when the automatic analyzer 1 does not have the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3, the sample collected from the sample container P2 of the sample turntable 2 is dispensed into the reaction analysis chamber P6 held by the reaction turntable 6.

[0058] [Diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11]

[0059] The diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 is arranged around the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3. The diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 has a stirring mechanism and a drive mechanism for driving the stirring mechanism. The diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 inserts two stirrers of the stirring mechanism into the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 held by the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 to stir the sample to be measured and the diluent.

[0060] [Diluted sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12]

[0061] The diluted sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 is arranged around the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3. The diluted sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 cleans the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 after the diluted sample is aspirated by a diluted sample dispensing unit 22 described later.

[0062] [First reaction stirring mechanism 13 and second reaction stirring mechanism 14]

[0063] The first reaction stirring mechanism 13 and the second reaction stirring mechanism 14 are arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The first reaction stirring mechanism 13 and the second reaction stirring mechanism 14 stir the diluted sample and the first reagent or the second reagent in the reaction analysis chamber P6 held by the reaction turntable 6.

[0064] The first reaction stirring mechanism 13 and the second reaction stirring mechanism 14 each have a stirring mechanism and a driving mechanism for driving the stirring mechanism. The first reaction stirring mechanism 13 and the second reaction stirring mechanism 14 insert the stirrer of the stirring mechanism into the reaction analysis chamber P6 held at a specified position on the reaction turntable 6 to stir the diluted specimen (or specimen) and the first reagent or the second reagent. Thereby, the reaction between the diluted specimen and the first reagent and the second reagent is promoted.

[0065] [Multi-wavelength photometer 15]

[0066] The multi-wavelength photometer 15 is a specific example of the measurement unit according to the present invention. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 is arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 optically measures the diluted specimen that has reacted with the first reagent and the second reagent in the reaction analysis chamber P6 to detect the reaction state of the diluted specimen. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 outputs the amounts of various components in the specimen as absorbance to the control unit 1b.

[0067] [Reaction analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 16]

[0068] The reaction analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 16 is arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The reaction analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 16 cleans the inside of the reaction analysis chamber P6 after the inspection is completed.

[0069] [Specimen dispensing unit 21]

[0070] The specimen dispensing unit 21 is arranged around the sample turntable 2 and the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. The specimen dispensing unit 21 includes a thin tubular specimen supply probe 21A extending in the vertical direction. The specimen dispensing unit 21 operates according to a preset measurement procedure. The specimen dispensing unit 21 inserts the tip of the specimen supply probe 21A into the specimen in the specimen container P2 held on the sample turntable 2 to aspirate a specified amount of the specimen.

[0071] In addition, the specimen dispensing unit 21 supplies a specified amount of diluent (such as physiological saline, pure water) into the specimen supply probe 21A. The specimen dispensing unit 21 inserts the tip of the specimen supply probe 21A into the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 to eject the specimen aspirated from the specimen container P2 and a specified amount of diluent into the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3. Thereby, the specimen to be measured diluted to a specified multiple concentration is injected into the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3.

[0072] The specimen supply probe 21A is provided with a liquid level detection mechanism (not shown). The liquid level detection mechanism detects the contact between the tip of the specimen probe and the liquid level based on, for example, the capacitance between the liquid level and the tip of the specimen probe.

[0073] [Diluted specimen dispensing unit 22]

[0074] The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 is disposed between the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6. The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 includes diluted sample supply probes 22A and 22B. The diluted sample supply probes 22A and 22B are each formed as a thin tube extending in the vertical direction. The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 operates according to a preset measurement procedure.

[0075] The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 inserts the tips of the diluted sample supply probes 22A and 22B into the same or different diluted sample analysis chambers P3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3, respectively, to aspirate a predetermined amount of the diluted sample. The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 inserts the tip of the first diluted sample supply probe 22A into the reaction analysis chamber P6 arranged on the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6, and ejects the diluted sample aspirated from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 into the reaction analysis chamber P6. In addition, the diluted sample dispensing unit 22 inserts the tip of the second diluted sample supply probe 22B into the reaction analysis chamber P6 arranged on the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6, and ejects the diluted sample aspirated from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 into the reaction analysis chamber P6.

[0076] [First reagent dispensing unit 23]

[0077] The first reagent dispensing unit 23 is disposed between the reaction turntable 6 and the first reagent turntable 4. The first reagent dispensing unit 23 includes first reagent probes 23A and 23B (see Figure 1 ). The first reagent probes 23A and 23B are each formed as a thin tube extending in the vertical direction. The first reagent dispensing unit 23 operates according to a preset measurement procedure.

[0078] The first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23A into the first reagent container P4 arranged on the first reagent line 4A of the first reagent turntable 4, to aspirate a predetermined amount of the first reagent. In addition, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23A into the reaction analysis chamber P6 arranged on the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6, and ejects the first reagent aspirated from the first reagent container P4.

[0079] The first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23B into the first reagent container P4 arranged on the second reagent line 4B of the first reagent turntable 4, to aspirate a predetermined amount of the first reagent. In addition, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23B into the reaction analysis chamber P6 arranged on the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6, and ejects the first reagent aspirated from the first reagent container P4.

[0080] [Second reagent dispensing unit 24]

[0081] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 is arranged between the reaction turntable 6 and the second reagent turntable 5. The second reagent dispensing unit 24 has the same structure as the first reagent dispensing unit 23, and is equipped with second reagent probes 24A and 24B (refer to Figure 1 ). The second reagent dispensing unit 24 operates according to a preset measurement procedure.

[0082] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24A into the second reagent container P5 arranged on the first reagent line 5A of the second reagent turntable 5 to aspirate a prescribed amount of the second reagent. In addition, the second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24A into the reaction analysis chamber P6 arranged on the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6 to eject the second reagent aspirated from the second reagent container P5.

[0083] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24B into the second reagent container P5 arranged on the second reagent line 5B of the second reagent turntable 5 to aspirate a prescribed amount of the second reagent. In addition, the second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24B into the reaction analysis chamber P6 arranged on the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6 to eject the second reagent aspirated from the second reagent container P5.

[0084] [Probe cleaning mechanism 31]

[0085] The probe cleaning mechanism 31 is arranged on the track of the specimen supply probe 21A of the specimen dispensing unit 21. The probe cleaning mechanism 31 cleans the specimen supply probe 21A. The probe cleaning mechanism 31 is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply pipe and a cleaning tank. The cleaning liquid supply pipe supplies the cleaning liquid in a spray form to the tip of the specimen supply probe 21A arranged above the cleaning tank. Thereby, the outer wall of the specimen supply probe 21A is cleaned.

[0086] [Probe cleaning mechanisms 32A and 32B]

[0087] The probe cleaning mechanism 32A is arranged on the track of the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A of the diluted specimen dispensing unit 22. The probe cleaning mechanism 32A cleans the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A. The probe cleaning mechanism 32B is arranged on the track of the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B of the diluted specimen dispensing unit 22. The probe cleaning mechanism 32B cleans the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B. The probe cleaning mechanisms 32A and 32B are each equipped with a cleaning liquid supply pipe and a cleaning tank. The cleaning liquid supply pipes of the probe cleaning mechanisms 32A and 32B respectively supply the cleaning liquid in a spray form to the tips of the first diluted specimen supply probes 22A and 22B arranged above the respective cleaning tanks. Thereby, the outer walls of the first diluted specimen supply probes 22A and 22B are cleaned.

[0088] [Probe cleaning mechanisms 33A, 33B]

[0089] The probe cleaning mechanism 33A is arranged on the track of the first reagent probe 23A of the first reagent dispensing unit 23. The probe cleaning mechanism 33A cleans the first reagent probe 23A. The probe cleaning mechanism 33B is arranged on the track of the first reagent probe 23B of the first reagent dispensing unit 23. The probe cleaning mechanism 33B cleans the first reagent probe 23B. The probe cleaning mechanisms 33A, 33B each include a cleaning liquid supply pipe and a cleaning tank. The cleaning liquid supply pipes of the probe cleaning mechanisms 33A, 33B respectively supply the cleaning liquid in a spray shape to the front ends of the first reagent probes 23A, 23B arranged above the respective cleaning tanks. Thereby, the outer walls of the first reagent probes 23A, 23B are cleaned.

[0090] [Probe cleaning mechanisms 34A, 34B]

[0091] The probe cleaning mechanism 34A is arranged on the track of the second reagent probe 24A of the second reagent dispensing unit 24. The probe cleaning mechanism 34A cleans the second reagent probe 24A. The probe cleaning mechanism 34B is arranged on the track of the second reagent probe 24B of the second reagent dispensing unit 24. The probe cleaning mechanism 34B cleans the second reagent probe 24B. The probe cleaning mechanisms 34A, 34B respectively have a cleaning liquid supply pipe and a cleaning tank. The cleaning liquid supply pipes of the probe cleaning mechanisms 34A, 34B respectively supply the cleaning liquid in a spray shape to the front ends of the second reagent probes 24A, 24B arranged above the respective cleaning tanks. Thereby, the outer walls of the second reagent probes 24A, 24B are cleaned.

[0092] <Control unit 1b>

[0093] The control unit 1b is connected to the drive mechanisms and the multi-wavelength photometer 15 which are the respective components constituting the above-mentioned measurement unit 1a, and is further connected to the specimen supply device for supplying the specimen to the measurement unit 1a.

[0094] The specimen supply device includes a supply unit, a recovery unit, a conveyance unit, and a barcode reader. The supply unit supplies a specimen rack to the measurement unit 1a, and the specimen rack houses a plurality of (for example, 5) specimen containers for storing specimens. The recovery unit is used to recover the specimen rack after the dispensing process by the specimen dispensing unit 21. The conveyance unit is used to convey the specimen rack from the supply unit to the recovery unit. The barcode reader is arranged between the supply unit and the specimen collection position.

[0095] When the operator inserts the specimen rack into the supply unit, the transport unit transports the specimen rack to the barcode reading position of the barcode reader. The barcode reader reads the barcode information pasted on the specimen container. Then, the transport unit transports the specimen rack to the specimen collection position. When the dispensing process performed by the specimen dispensing unit 21 ends, the transport unit transports the specimen rack to the recovery unit.

[0096] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the control system around the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3.

[0097] As Figure 2 shown, the control unit 1b is connected to the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, the diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, the diluted specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12, the specimen supply probe 21A, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A, and the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B. Moreover, the control unit 1b controls the operations of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, the diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, the diluted specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12, the specimen supply probe 21A, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A, and the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B.

[0098] 1-2. Supply operation of diluted specimen

[0099] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 7 an example of the operation of supplying the diluted specimen from the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 to the reaction turntable 6 in the automatic analyzer 1 having the above structure will be described.

[0100] Figure 3 It is a flowchart showing an example of the supply operation of the diluted specimen. In addition, Figure 3 the flowchart shown is used to illustrate the following example: A certain type of diluted specimen is prepared and stirred in the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 and supplied to the reaction analysis chamber P6 for each analysis item. Additionally, Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram simulating the moving position of the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 in each cycle. In the following description, an example in which the number of diluted specimen analysis chambers arranged on the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 is 120 is shown. Moreover, an example in which the basic movement amount in one cycle of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 is the amount of 41 analysis chambers is shown.

[0101] As Figure 3 shown, the original specimen (original specimen) is aspirated from the specimen container P2 of the sample turntable 2 using the specimen supply probe 21A (step S1). Then, the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated original specimen and diluent into the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 (step S2). In the processing of steps S1 and S2, as Figure 4A diluted sample is supplied to the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 located at the diluted line analysis chamber position "1" in the turntable 3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber as shown.

[0102] Next, the control unit 1b rotates the turntable 3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber along the circumferential direction to transfer the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 supplied with the diluted sample in the process of step S1 to the stirring position (step S3). Then, the diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 performs a stirring operation on the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 supplied with the diluted sample (step S4).

[0103] In addition, in this example, the stirring operation is performed twice. Specifically, if the cycle of supplying the diluted sample to the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 located at the diluted line analysis chamber position "1" is set as the first cycle, the first stirring operation is performed on the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 in the second cycle. Then, the second stirring operation is performed on the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 in the fifth cycle. In addition, one of the two stirrers of the diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 is used in the first stirring operation, and the other stirrer is used in the second stirring operation.

[0104] As Figure 4 shown in (b) of Figure 4 and (c) of

[0105] the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 is transported to the diluted line analysis chamber position "42" during the first stirring operation. The diluted sample analysis chamber P3 is transported to the diluted line analysis chamber position "45" during the second stirring operation. Therefore, the diluted line analysis chamber position "42" becomes the first stirring operation position (the first stirring position), and the diluted line analysis chamber position "45" becomes the second stirring operation position (the second stirring position).

[0105] Here, as described above, since the number of diluted sample analysis chambers is 120 and the basic movement amount in one cycle is 41, the amount of movement of 41×3 = 123 analysis chambers is achieved through three cycles in one week. In this way, the analysis chamber positions shifted by one week are close to the amount of three analysis chambers. Therefore, as described above, by performing the first stirring operation in the second cycle and the second stirring operation in the fifth cycle three cycles after it, the first stirring position and the second stirring position of the stirrers in the diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, that is, the first stirring position and the second stirring position, can be converged to a close distance. As a result, it is not necessary to provide independent drive mechanisms for the two stirrers of the diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, and the drive mechanism for driving the two stirrers of the diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 can be shared to perform the two stirring operations. In addition, by performing the two stirring operations, even if the stop time is shortened, the stirring efficiency can be ensured.

[0106] Next, the control unit 1b rotates the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 in the circumferential direction to transfer the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 that has completed agitation in the process of step S3 to the sampling position of the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A (step S5). Then, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A aspirates the diluted specimen from the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 transferred to the sampling position (step S6). Next, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A ejects the aspirated diluted specimen into the reaction analysis chambers P6 arranged on the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6 (step S7). In addition, the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 that becomes the sampling target for the first reaction line 6A in the processes of step S6 and step S7 is transported to the diluted line analysis chamber position "86" as shown in Figure 4 (d) of the figure.

[0107] Next, the control unit 1b rotates the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 in the circumferential direction to transfer the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been dispensed to the first reaction line 6A to the sampling position of the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B (step S8). Then, the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B aspirates the diluted specimen from the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 transferred to the sampling position (step S9). Next, the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B ejects the aspirated diluted specimen into the reaction analysis chambers P6 arranged on the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6 (step S10). In addition, the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 that becomes the sampling target for the second reaction line 6B in the processes of step S9 and step S10 is transported to the diluted line analysis chamber position "88" as shown in Figure 4 (e) of the figure.

[0108] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 4 , the diluted line analysis chamber positions sampled to the first reaction line 6A and the second reaction line 6B are set to "86" and "88", but it is not limited thereto, and any diluted line analysis chamber position can be set.

[0109] Next, in the processes from step S1 to step S10, the control unit 1b determines whether the dispensing (sampling) of the diluted specimen produced in a certain diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 to the reaction analysis chamber P6 is completed (step S11). Moreover, when the control unit 1b determines in the process of step S11 that the dispensing is not completed, it returns to the process of step S5 and repeats the processes of steps S5 to S10. That is, steps S5 to S10 are repeated until the amount of diluted specimen corresponding to the number of analysis items assigned to the same specimen is dispensed.

[0110] In addition, when the control unit 1b determines that the dispensing is completed in the process of step S11, the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 is rotated along the circumferential direction to transfer the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 to the analysis chamber cleaning position (step S12). Then, the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 repeatedly performs the cleaning operation a specified number of times on the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 (step S13). As shown in (f) of Figure 4 , the start point of the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 is, for example, the dilution line analysis chamber position "50". Moreover, as shown in (g) of Figure 4 , the end point of the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 is, for example, the dilution line analysis chamber position "77". And when the cleaning operation shown in step S13 is completed, the production and supply operations of the dilution specimen are completed.

[0111] Next, with reference to Figures 5 to 7 , the overall operations of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, the specimen supply probe 21A, the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, the dilution specimen supply probes 22A and 22B, and the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 in the automatic analyzer 1 will be described. Figure 5 is a timing chart showing the operations of each device in one cycle (basic cycle). Figure 6 is a table showing the operations of each device in each cycle.

[0112] As shown in Figure 5 , in the basic cycle, as the first action, cycle A is implemented, and as the second action, cycle B is implemented. Moreover, in cycle A, the movement action of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, the ejection actions of the original specimen and the diluent by the specimen supply probe 21A, the stirring action of the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, the cleaning action of the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12, and the ejection actions of the dilution specimen by the dilution specimen supply probes 22A and 22B are performed.

[0113] In cycle A, the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 rotates by an amount corresponding to 41 analysis chambers as the basic movement amount (rotation by a specified number of analysis chambers) and stops. Then, when the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 stops, the ejection actions of the original specimen and the diluent by the specimen supply probe 21A, the stirring action of the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11, and the cleaning action of the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 are implemented. That is, in cycle A, the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 implements one movement action for moving the basic movement amount.

[0114] In addition, the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the original specimen aspirated and held from the specimen container P2 of the specimen turntable 2 during the B cycle of the previous basic cycle, together with the diluent, into the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the production position of the diluted specimen. Further, during the movement of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 by the basic movement amount in the A cycle, the diluted specimen supply probes 22A and 22B eject the diluted specimen aspirated and held during the B cycle of the previous basic cycle into the reaction analysis chambers P6 of the first reaction line 6A and the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6.

[0115] In the B cycle, the movement operation of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, the aspiration operation of the specimen supply probe 21A to aspirate the original specimen, and the aspiration operations of the diluted specimen supply probes 22A and 22B are performed. Further, in the B cycle, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A performs an aspiration operation on the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 transported to "86" which is the first diluted specimen sampling position, and the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B performs an aspiration operation on the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 transported to "88" which is the second diluted specimen sampling position.

[0116] Therefore, in the B cycle, the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 transports the target diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 to "86" (first arbitrary amount of rotation) which is the first diluted specimen sampling position and stops. Then, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A performs the aspiration operation. After that, the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 transports the target diluted specimen analysis chamber P3 to "88" (second arbitrary amount of rotation) which is the second diluted specimen sampling position and stops. Then, the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B performs the aspiration operation. That is, in the B cycle, the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 performs two movement operations for moving the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount. In this way, in the B cycle, the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 basically stops the number of times equal to the number of reaction lines (in this example, 2 times).

[0117] In addition, the first diluted specimen supply probe 22A and the second diluted specimen supply probe 22B that have aspirated the diluted specimen eject the held diluted specimen into the reaction analysis chambers P6 of the first reaction line 6A and the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6 in the A cycle of the next basic cycle as described above. Further, the aspiration operation of the specimen supply probe 21A to aspirate the original specimen only needs to be performed in the B cycle, and it can be performed at any timing.

[0118] In this way, the turntable 3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber in this example performs three moving actions in the basic cycle: the moving action of the basic moving amount performed in cycle A, and the moving actions of the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount performed in cycle B. That is, the turntable 3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber stops after performing the number of moving actions obtained by adding 1 to the number of reaction lines (in this example, 3 times) in the basic cycle. Further in other words, the turntable 3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber stops after performing the number of moving actions corresponding to the number of reaction lines in the basic cycle.

[0119] In addition, the moving direction and amount of the basic moving amount are fixed, but the moving directions and amounts of the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount are arbitrarily set according to the positions of the dilution line analysis chambers immediately before the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 to be transported is transported to the first diluted sample dispensing position and the second diluted sample dispensing position, respectively. In addition, the moving directions and amounts of the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount are set to minimize the moving amount of the turntable 3 of the diluted sample analysis chamber.

[0120] In addition, the first moving direction of the basic moving amount in one cycle action, and the second and third moving directions of the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount are not all limited to the same direction, and they can all be different directions. That is, the moving direction of the basic moving amount, and the second and third moving directions of the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount in one cycle action are appropriately set according to the supply position, stirring position, cleaning position, dispensing position to the first reaction line 6A, and dispensing position to the second reaction line 6B in the dilution line analysis chamber position.

[0121] The basic movement amount representing the first movement amount in the one cycle operation, and the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount as the second movement amount and the third movement amount are stored in the control unit 1b. In addition, the movement amounts as the first arbitrary amount and the second arbitrary amount also include "0". That is, through the first movement in the A cycle of one cycle operation, a dilution sample supply operation, a stirring operation (first and second times), and a cleaning operation are performed on the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 transferred to a specified position (supply position, stirring position, cleaning position) in the dilution line analysis chamber position. At this time, when the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 containing the dilution sample dispensed to the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the first reaction line 6A stops at the first dilution sample sampling position in the B cycle of the same basic cycle, the movement amount of the first arbitrary amount is "0", and the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3 does not rotate. In addition, through the second movement in the B cycle of one basic cycle operation, the first dilution sample supply probe 22A performs a suction operation on the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 transferred to the first dilution sample sampling position. At this time, when the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 containing the dilution sample dispensed to the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the second reaction line 6B stops at the second dilution sample sampling position in the B cycle of the same basic cycle, the movement amount of the second arbitrary amount is "0", and the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3 does not rotate.

[0122] Figure 6 is a table showing the operations of each device in each cycle. In addition, an example is described in which the number of dilution sample analysis chambers P3 arranged on the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3 is 120, and the movement amount of the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3 in the A cycle is the amount of 41 analysis chambers. In addition, as Figure 4 shown, the production position of the dilution sample is "1", the first stirring position is "42", the second stirring position is "45", and the cleaning position is from "50" to "77". Moreover, the first dilution sample sampling position, that is, the sampling position to the first reaction line 6A is "86", and the second dilution sample sampling position, that is, the sampling position to the second reaction line 6B is "88". Then, an example of measuring analysis items a to d for samples A to G respectively is described.

[0123] As Figure 6 shown, when the basic cycle number is "0", in the A cycle, the dilution sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 performs a cleaning operation on the dilution sample analysis chambers P3 located at the cleaning positions from "50" to "77" in the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3. In addition, in the B cycle, the sample supply probe 21A sucks sample A from the sample container P2 of the sample turntable 2.

[0124] Next, in the A cycle with the basic cycle number being "1", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen A and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the dilution specimen production position "1" on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Thereby, the dilution specimen A is produced in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen production position "1". Additionally, in the B cycle, the specimen supply probe 21A aspirates specimen B from the specimen container P2 on the specimen turntable 2.

[0125] In the A cycle with the basic cycle number being "2", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen B and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the dilution specimen production position "1" on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Thereby, the dilution specimen B is produced in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen production position "1". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 stirs the dilution specimen A in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the first stirring position "42". Then, in the B cycle, the specimen supply probe 21A aspirates specimen C from the specimen container P2 on the specimen turntable 2.

[0126] In the A cycle with the basic cycle number being "3", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen C and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the dilution specimen production position "1" on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Thereby, the dilution specimen C is produced in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen production position "1". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 stirs the dilution specimen B in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the first stirring position "42". Then, in the B cycle, the specimen supply probe 21A aspirates specimen D from the specimen container P2 on the specimen turntable 2.

[0127] In the A cycle with the basic cycle number being "4", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen D and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the dilution specimen production position "1" on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Thereby, the dilution specimen D is produced in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen production position "1". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 stirs the dilution specimen C in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the first stirring position "42". Then, in the B cycle, the specimen supply probe 21A aspirates specimen E from the specimen container P2 on the specimen turntable 2.

[0128] In cycle A with a basic cycle number of "5", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen E and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the dilution specimen production position "1" on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Thereby, a diluted specimen E is produced in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen production position "1". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber agitation mechanism 11 agitates the diluted specimen D in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the first agitation position "42". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted specimen A moves a quantity equivalent to 123 analysis chambers through 3 cycles starting from the first agitation operation. Therefore, the diluted specimen A moves to the second agitation position "45" as shown in (c) of Figure 4 . Then, the dilution specimen analysis chamber agitation mechanism 11 agitates the diluted specimen A in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the second agitation position "45". Thereby, two agitation operations are performed on the diluted specimen A.

[0129] In cycle B, the specimen supply probe 21A aspirates the specimen F from the specimen container P2 on the specimen turntable 2. Additionally, in cycle B, when the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 moves by a first arbitrary amount, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted specimen A moves to the first dilution specimen sampling position "86". Then, the first dilution specimen supply probe 22A aspirates the diluted specimen A from the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the first dilution specimen sampling position "86" to perform the measurement of analysis item a. After that, when the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 moves by a second arbitrary amount, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted specimen A moves to the second dilution specimen sampling position "88". Then, the second dilution specimen supply probe 22B aspirates the diluted specimen A from the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the second dilution specimen sampling position "88" to perform the measurement of analysis item b.

[0130] In cycle A with a basic cycle number of "6", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen F and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 that has been transported to the dilution specimen production position "1" on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Thereby, a diluted specimen F is produced in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen production position "1". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber agitation mechanism 11 agitates the diluted specimen E in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the first agitation position "42". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted specimen B moves a quantity equivalent to 123 analysis chambers through 3 cycles starting from the first agitation operation. Therefore, the diluted specimen B moves to the second agitation position "45" as shown in (c) of Figure 4 . Then, the dilution specimen analysis chamber agitation mechanism 11 agitates the diluted specimen B in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the second agitation position "45".

[0131] In addition, when the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 moves the basic movement amount during cycle A, the first dilution specimen supply probe 22A ejects the dilution specimen A aspirated for measuring the analysis item a into the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6. At this time, the second dilution specimen supply probe 22B ejects the dilution specimen A aspirated for measuring the analysis item b into the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6.

[0132] During cycle B, the specimen supply probe 21A aspirates the specimen G from the specimen container P2 of the specimen turntable 2. Thus, all the specimens required for analysis can be aspirated from the specimen containers P2 of the specimen turntable 2. Therefore, in the subsequent number of basic cycles, the aspiration operation of the specimen supply probe 21A is not performed.

[0133] In addition, during cycle B, when the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 moves the first arbitrary amount, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 containing the dilution specimen A moves to the first dilution specimen sampling position "86". Then, the first dilution specimen supply probe 22A aspirates the dilution specimen A from the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 transported to the first dilution specimen sampling position "86" for measuring the analysis item c. After that, when the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 moves the second arbitrary amount, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 containing the dilution specimen A moves to the second dilution specimen sampling position "88". Then, the second dilution specimen supply probe 22B aspirates the dilution specimen A from the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 transported to the second dilution specimen sampling position "88" for measuring the analysis item d.

[0134] Next, during cycle A when the number of basic cycles is "7", the specimen supply probe 21A ejects the aspirated specimen G and diluent into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 transported to the dilution specimen preparation position "1". Thus, the dilution specimen G is prepared in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the dilution specimen preparation position "1". Then, all the specimens required for analysis can be ejected into the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3. Therefore, in the subsequent number of basic cycles, the ejection operation of the specimen supply probe 21A is not performed.

[0135] In addition, during cycle A, the dilution specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 stirs the dilution specimen F in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 located at the first stirring position "42". At this time, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 with the dilution specimen C moves a quantity of 41×3 = 123 analysis chambers through 3 cycles starting from the first stirring operation. Therefore, the dilution specimen B is as Figure 4It moves to the second stirring position "45" as shown in (c) of . Then, the diluted sample analysis chamber stirring mechanism 11 stirs the diluted sample C in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 located at the second stirring position "45".

[0136] In addition, when the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 moves the basic movement amount during the A cycle, the first diluted sample supply probe 22A ejects the diluted sample A aspirated for the measurement of analysis item c into the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6. At this time, the second diluted sample supply probe 22B ejects the diluted sample A aspirated for the measurement of analysis item d into the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6. Thereby, the diluted sample A for the measurement of analysis items a to d can be supplied to the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the reaction turntable 6.

[0137] During the B cycle, when the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 moves the first arbitrary amount, the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample B moves to the first diluted sample sampling position "86". Then, the first diluted sample supply probe 22A aspirates the diluted sample B from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 transported to the first diluted sample sampling position "86" for the measurement of analysis item a. After that, when the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 moves the second arbitrary amount, the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample B moves to the second diluted sample sampling position "88". Then, the second diluted sample supply probe 22B aspirates the diluted sample B from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 transported to the second diluted sample sampling position "88" for the measurement of analysis item b.

[0138] Thereafter, in the case of the basic number of cycles, for the measurement of analysis items a to d, the diluted samples B to G are stirred and supplied to the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the reaction turntable 6. The description of this operation is the same as the operation in the above-mentioned basic number of cycles, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0139] In addition, when the basic number of cycles is "90", the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample A reaches the diluted line analysis chamber position "50" which is the start position of the cleaning position. Then, the diluted sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 performs a cleaning operation on the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 located at the cleaning start position "50".

[0140] And, when the basic number of cycles is "117", the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample A reaches the diluted line analysis chamber position "77" which is the end position of the cleaning position. Then, the diluted sample analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 performs a cleaning operation on the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 located at the cleaning end position "77". Thereby, the cleaning operation on the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample A is completed.

[0141] In addition, in the A cycle of the above-described basic number of cycles, the dilution specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism 12 performs a cleaning operation on the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 after the supply operation of supplying the dilution specimen transported from the cleaning position "50" to the cleaning position "77" and supplied to the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the reaction turntable 6 is completed.

[0142] Here, in the conventional automatic analyzer, the timing of sampling the dilution specimen by the dilution specimen supply probe is only once in one cycle. In contrast, in the automatic analyzer 1 of this example, in the operations after the basic number of cycles "6", the supply operation, stirring operation, cleaning operation, and dispensing operation of dispensing the dilution specimen to the reaction lines 6A and 6B are performed in parallel within the same cycle. Thereby, analysis can be performed in parallel using multiple reaction lines, and the analysis processing ability of the automatic analyzer 1 can be improved.

[0143] In addition, as described above, according to the automatic analyzer 1 of this example, there are multiple reaction lines including the first reaction line 6A and the second reaction line 6B. Thereby, analysis can be performed in parallel using multiple reaction lines, and the analysis processing ability of the automatic analyzer 1 can be improved.

[0144] Moreover, although there are multiple reaction lines, there is only one dilution specimen line for supplying the dilution specimen to these multiple reaction lines. Thereby, the enlargement of the automatic analyzer 1 can be suppressed, and the number of stirring mechanisms, specimen supply probes, etc. can be reduced.

[0145] In Figure 6 the example shown, an example in which the first dilution specimen supply probe 22A and the second dilution specimen supply probe 22B aspirate the same dilution specimen in the B cycle is described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, in the B cycle, the first dilution specimen supply probe 22A and the second dilution specimen supply probe 22B may aspirate different dilution specimens.

[0146] Figure 7 is a table showing a modified example of the operations of each device in each cycle. In Figure 7 the modified example shown, an example of measuring the analysis items a to e for each of the specimens A to G is described. In addition, the operations from the basic number of cycles "0" to the basic number of cycles "6" are the same as those in Figure 6 the operation example shown, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0147] In the B cycle with a basic cycle number of "7", when the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3 moves a first arbitrary amount, the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample B moves to the first diluted sample dispensing position "86". Then, the first diluted sample supply probe 22A aspirates the diluted sample B from the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 transported to the first diluted sample dispensing position "86" to perform the measurement of analysis item a. For this, afterwards, when the dilution sample analysis chamber turntable 3 moves a second arbitrary amount, the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 containing the diluted sample A moves to the second diluted sample dispensing position "88". Then, the second diluted sample supply probe 22B aspirates the diluted sample A from the dilution sample analysis chamber P3 transported to the second diluted sample dispensing position "88" to perform the measurement of analysis item e.

[0148] Then, in the A cycle with a basic cycle number of "8", the first diluted sample supply probe 22A ejects the diluted sample B aspirated for the measurement of analysis item a into the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the first reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6. At this time, the second diluted sample supply probe 22B ejects the diluted sample A aspirated for the measurement of analysis item e into the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the second reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6. Thus, it is possible to supply the diluted samples A for performing the measurements of analysis items a to e to the reaction analysis chamber P6 of the reaction turntable 6.

[0149] In addition, other operations are the same as Figure 6 the operation example shown, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0150] 1-3. Remaining amount of supplied diluted sample

[0151] Next, the difference in the remaining amount of the diluted sample after the dispensing operation between the conventional automatic analyzer and the automatic analyzer 1 of this example will be described.

[0152] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the remaining amount of the diluted sample in the automatic analyzer 1 of this example, Figure 9 and is a diagram showing the remaining amount of the diluted sample in the conventional automatic analyzer.

[0153] Figure 9 The conventional automatic analyzer shown has two reaction lines 6A and 6B in the same manner as the automatic analyzer 1 of this example. In addition, in the conventional automatic analyzer, there are so-called multiple diluted sample lines, and these multiple diluted sample lines include a first diluted sample line 301A for supplying the diluted sample to the first reaction line 6A and a second diluted sample line 301B for supplying the diluted sample to the second reaction line 6B. In contrast, in the automatic analyzer 1 of this example, as described above, the diluted sample is supplied from one diluted sample line to the two reaction lines 6A and 6B.

[0154] Here, a case is described where, for example, the analysis of the reaction lines 6A and 6B has been commissioned for 4 projects each, and 20 μL of diluted specimen is required for each project. In this case, 20 μL × 4 = 80 μL of diluted specimen is required for each of the two reaction lines 6A and 6B. In addition, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 holds 200 μL of diluted specimen.

[0155] As Figure 9 shown, in a conventional automatic analyzer, 80 μL of diluted specimen is dispensed from each of the dilution specimen lines 301A and 301B. Therefore, in the conventional automatic analyzer, 120 μL of diluted specimen remains in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 of each of the dilution specimen lines 301A and 301B.

[0156] In contrast, in the automatic analyzer 1 of this example, since the diluted specimen is supplied from one dilution specimen line to two reaction lines 6A and 6B, the diluted specimen remaining in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 is 40 μL. Thus, according to the automatic analyzer 1 of this example, by supplying the diluted specimen from a single dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 to multiple reaction lines 6A and 6B, the residual amount of each type of diluted specimen can be minimized. As a result, the amount of specimen used can be significantly reduced.

[0157] 2. Structure of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3

[0158] Next, with reference to Figures 10 to 12 the detailed structure of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 will be described.

[0159] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, Figure 11 is a side view showing the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, Figure 12 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the backlash adjustment mechanism of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3.

[0160] As Figures 10 to 11 shown, the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 includes a rotating body 51 in which the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 is disposed, a rotating shaft 58, a shaft bracket 52, a drive motor 53, a drive gear 54, a driven gear 56, a bottom plate 55, and a backlash adjustment mechanism 60.

[0161] The rotating body 51 is formed in a circular flat plate shape. Along the circumferential edge of the rotating body 51, a plurality of dilution specimen analysis chambers P3 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 51. The rotating body 51 is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 58. In addition, the rotating shaft 58 is supported by the shaft bracket 52 in a rotatable manner by means of bearings, for example. A driven gear 56 is installed below the rotating body 51 or on the rotating shaft 58.

[0162] The driven gear 56 meshes with the driving gear 54. The driving gear 54 is mounted on the drive shaft of the drive motor 53. The drive motor 53 is provided on the base plate 55. Moreover, a backlash adjustment mechanism 60 is provided on the base plate 55. Further, the pressing force by which the driving gear 54 presses against the driven gear 56 is adjusted by the backlash adjustment mechanism 60. The backlash between the driving gear 54 and the driven gear 56 can be reduced by the backlash adjustment mechanism 60, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3.

[0163] As Figure 12 shown, the backlash adjustment mechanism 60 includes an anti-spring-drop screw 61, an adjustment bracket 62, a fixing screw 63, and a coil spring 64. The adjustment bracket 62 is slidably fixed to the end of the base plate 55 via the fixing screw 63. In addition, the drive motor 53 on which the driving gear 54 is mounted is fixed to the adjustment bracket 62.

[0164] In addition, the adjustment bracket 62 faces the end of the base plate 55 and is disposed at a position closer to the drive motor 53 than the end of the base plate 55. Moreover, a coil spring 64 exists between the adjustment bracket 62 and the end of the base plate 55. The coil spring 64 is mounted on the end of the base plate 55 by the anti-spring-drop screw 61. Further, the adjustment bracket 62 receives the reaction force from the base plate 55 by means of the coil spring 64. Thereby, the drive motor 53 fixed to the adjustment bracket 62 is pressed toward the driven gear 56 side. Thereby, the backlash between the driving gear 54 and the driven gear 56 can be reduced.

[0165] In addition, in Figure 10 the example shown, an example in which two coil springs 64 are provided in the backlash adjustment mechanism 60 is illustrated, but it is not limited thereto. The number of coil springs 64 may be one, or three or more may be provided. However, in order to press the drive motor 53 against the driven gear 56 parallelly and stably, it is preferable to provide two coil springs 64.

[0166] In addition, as an example of a mechanism for rotating the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, an example in which a gear mechanism is applied is illustrated, but it is not limited thereto. As a mechanism for rotating the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, for example, various other mechanisms such as a belt pulley mechanism and a direct drive mechanism may also be applied.

[0167] Here, in the belt pulley mechanism, it is easy to be affected by vibration caused by an increase in the positioning settling time due to changes in the belt tension during startup and stop. In addition, in the direct drive mechanism, a larger motor needs to be used to drive the inertial load of the rotating body 51 of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 and the diluted specimen analysis chamber P3.

[0168] In this regard, there is a concern that the positioning reproducibility may deteriorate due to the influence of backlash generated by the meshing of gears with each other. However, the influence of the backlash can be reduced by the above-described backlash adjustment mechanism 60. Also, according to the gear mechanism, the settling time can be suppressed to the minimum, and thus vibration can be suppressed. In addition, there is an advantage that the inertia load can be reduced by appropriately setting the tooth number ratio of the gears, and thus a relatively small motor can be used for driving. Therefore, as a mechanism for rotating the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, a gear mechanism is preferably applied.

[0169] 3. Operating speed of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3

[0170] Next, with reference to Figure 13 and Figure 14 the operating speed of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 will be described.

[0171] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operating speed distribution of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3.

[0172] Figure 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the high / low speed ratio, amplitude, and settling time of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3.

[0173] As Figure 13 shown, at the start of the operation of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, it starts from a low rotational speed, passes through the acceleration region, and reaches the operating rotational speed. After that, it passes through the deceleration region and becomes a low rotational speed again and stops. Moreover, the operating speed distribution of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 can be determined by setting the overall operation time, movement amount, acceleration time ratio, deceleration time ratio, and the high / low speed ratio (H / L), which is the ratio of the low speed to the operating speed.

[0174] Figure 13 The three operating speed distributions shown in Figure 13 show a comparison in the case where the operation time, movement amount, and acceleration / deceleration time ratio are set to be fixed and only the high / low speed ratio is changed from 10 to 500. As Figure 13 shown, when the high / low speed ratio (H / L) increases, the operating speed increases, and conversely, the low speed decreases. Also, it can be seen that the shape of the operating speed distribution becomes a sharper angle. On the other hand, since the low speed is a natural number with a minimum value of 1, even if the high / low speed ratio (H / L) is increased beyond a certain level, there is no significant difference in the shape of the operating speed distribution.

[0175] Figure 14This is a graph showing the measured results of the relationship between the vibration of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 when the shape of the motion speed distribution changes and the settling time until the vibration converges. Here, the vibration shows the maximum value of the vibration in the tangential direction of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 after the rotation motion of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 is performed and stopped. In addition, the settling time shows the time taken until this vibration converges below a certain fixed threshold (±0.05 mm or less in the example). Furthermore, regarding the speed distribution, all parameters other than the high-low speed ratio (H / L) are the same.

[0176] It can be seen that when the high-low speed ratio (H / L) is controlled with a speed distribution of 10, the amplitude of the vibration after the rotation motion of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3 ends reaches 0.9 mm. Moreover, the settling time until the vibration converges requires about 50 ms. In contrast, when the high-low speed ratio (H / L) is controlled with a speed distribution of 50, the amplitude of the vibration decreases to about 0.2 mm. Also, it can be seen that the settling time is also shortened to about 10 ms. However, even when the high-low speed ratio (H / L) is increased to 100 or more, no significant improvement is seen in the amplitude and settling time. Therefore, the high-low speed ratio (H / L) is preferably set to 50.

[0177] 4. Shape and Dimensions of Dilution Specimen Analysis Chamber P3

[0178] Next, with reference to Figures 15 to 17 the shape and dimensions of the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 will be described.

[0179] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view showing the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3. Figure 16 This is a graph showing the relationship between the depth and the liquid volume of the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3. Figure 17 This is a graph showing the depth and the operation time of the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3.

[0180] As Figure 15 shown, the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom. Here, in the acceleration / deceleration region of the speed distribution during the rotation motion of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3, an acceleration (including the negative acceleration during deceleration) is generated with respect to the tangential direction of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3. Due to this acceleration, the solution in the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 also experiences an acceleration with respect to the tangential direction of the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable 3.

[0181] When the operation of the turntable 3 in the diluted sample analysis chamber reaches the operating speed, the centripetal force in the radial direction of the turntable 3 in the diluted sample analysis chamber is the largest. Moreover, as a reaction force thereto, the centrifugal force acts on the solution in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. In this way, a large force in the tangential direction or the radial direction of the turntable 3 in the diluted sample analysis chamber continuously acts on the solution in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 during the rotation operation. In order to prevent the solution in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 from overflowing due to the action of acceleration and centrifugal force, it is preferable to set the shape and size of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 as follows.

[0182] As Figure 15 shown, the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape composed of a bottomed cylindrical shape or a conical shape. Generally, it is necessary to hold 150 μL to 300 μL of the diluted sample in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. When the rotation operation is performed in a state where this liquid volume is held in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3, the liquid level of the diluted sample rises to about 20% to 30% above.

[0183] Therefore, when cleaning the inside of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 in the next process, it is necessary to add the cleaning liquid to a height above the height of the diluted sample volume + 30%. And even when the rotation operation is performed in a state where the cleaning liquid is added to the inside of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. However, since the cleaning liquid sometimes contains a surfactant, the surface tension of the liquid becomes smaller than that of the diluted sample. In this case, even with the same motion distribution, the amount of the liquid level rise increases, and it rises about 2.5 to 3 times compared with the case of the diluted sample. Therefore, it is necessary to set the distance at which the cleaning liquid does not overflow from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 even in this state to the height (depth) L of the analysis chamber.

[0184] For example, when 250 μL of the diluted sample is added to the inside of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3, the liquid level of the diluted sample is at a height of 17 mm from the bottom surface of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 at this time. In this state, when the turntable 3 in the diluted sample analysis chamber is rotated, the liquid level rises about 20% to 30% as described above. Therefore, in the next cleaning process, the cleaning liquid is dispensed to a height of 22 mm from the bottom of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3.

[0185] And when the turntable 3 in the diluted sample analysis chamber is rotated in this state, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid further rises by about +12.5 mm (5 mm × 2.5 times). Therefore, the cleaning liquid reaches a height of about 29.5 mm from the bottom of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. Moreover, the height of 35 mm obtained by adding a surplus distance of +5 mm to this height becomes the determined height of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. The total volume of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 including this surplus distance is about 610 μL.

[0186] Next, the volume can be increased by expanding the diameter of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. However, if the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 is too thick, the influence of the inertial force increases compared to the surface tension of the liquid. Therefore, when the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 is rotated under the same conditions, the solution overflows from the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. Therefore, the diameter of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 is preferably at most 6 mm or less.

[0187] Based on the above, the ratio of the depth (L) to the diameter (D) of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3, i.e., L / D, is preferably set to, for example, 8 to 10. Here, if L / D is less than 8, the overflow of the liquid becomes significant. Conversely, if L / D is greater than 10, the overflow of the solution can be prevented. However, the influence of the surface tension of the liquid becomes large, which has an adverse effect on the cleaning effect of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3, or the restrictions on the shapes of the cleaning nozzle and the dispensing probe become large, so this is not preferable.

[0188] As the material of the above-mentioned diluted sample analysis chamber P3, it is preferably made of a thermoplastic resin. However, as the material of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3, it is preferable to use various other materials such as, for example, a thermosetting resin, a photo-curing resin, and glass.

[0189] Figure 16 It is Figure 15 a chart obtained by modeling the relationship between the analysis chamber shape of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 shown and the liquid volume. In the example shown in Figure 16 , the operation time for rotating the diluted sample analysis chamber turntable 3 by 180 deg is set to be fixed (for example, 0.3 s). As can be seen from Figure 16 , there is a linear correlation between the liquid volume and the depth (analysis chamber depth) L of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3. Therefore, it can be known that in order to increase the liquid volume, it is also necessary to increase the depth of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3.

[0190] In addition, multiple positioning operations are performed in one cycle operation, so there are restrictions on the operation time of each operation. In addition, there is also a requirement for the liquid volume that can be held in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3, for example, a necessary holding volume of 250 μL. As described above, if the operation time is accelerated, the liquid held in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 flies out due to the centrifugal force. Therefore, in order to prevent the fly-out, it is necessary to deepen the depth of the diluted sample analysis chamber P3.

[0191] Figure 17 It is a graph showing the relationship between the operation time and the analysis chamber depth L when the liquid volume to be held in the diluted sample analysis chamber P3 is fixed at 250 μL, for example.

[0192] As in Figure 17As can be seen, in order to achieve an action time of less than 0.3 s, it is necessary to set the analysis chamber depth of the dilution specimen analysis chamber P3 to 35 mm or more.

[0193] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention described in the claims.

[0194] For example, as an automatic analysis device, an example of an application to a biochemical analysis device used in the analysis of biological specimens such as blood and urine has been described, but it is not limited thereto, and it can also be applied to devices for performing various other analyses such as water quality and food.

[0195] In the automatic analysis device 1 according to the above-described embodiment example, an example in which the first reaction line 6A and the second reaction line 6B are arranged concentrically on one reaction turntable has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of reaction turntables may be provided, and the first reaction line 6A and the second reaction line 6B may be respectively arranged on different reaction turntables. And the number of reaction lines is not limited to 2, and 3 or more may be provided.

[0196] In addition, in this specification, words such as "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, but they do not only refer to "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the strict sense, and may also be in a state of "substantially parallel" and "substantially orthogonal" including "parallel" and "orthogonal" and within a range where their functions can be further exerted.

[0197] Explanation of reference numerals

[0198] 1: Automatic analysis device; 1a: Measurement unit; 1b: Control unit; 2: Sample turntable; 3: Diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable; 4: First reagent turntable; 4A: First reagent line; 4B: Second reagent line; 5: Second reagent turntable; 5A: First reagent line; 5B: Second reagent line; 6: Reaction turntable; 6A: First reaction line; 6B: Second reaction line; 11: Diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism; 12: Diluted specimen analysis chamber cleaning mechanism; 13: First reaction stirring mechanism; 14: Second reaction stirring mechanism; 15: Multichannel photometer; 16: Reaction analysis chamber cleaning mechanism; 21: Specimen dispensing unit; 21A: Specimen supply probe; 22: Diluted specimen dispensing unit; 22A: First diluted specimen supply probe; 22B: Second diluted specimen supply probe; 23: First reagent dispensing unit; 23A: First reagent probe; 23B: First reagent probe; 24: Second reagent dispensing unit; 24A: Second reagent probe; 24B: Second reagent probe; 30: Probe cleaning mechanism; 31: Probe cleaning mechanism; 32A: Probe cleaning mechanism; 32B: Probe cleaning mechanism; 33A: Probe cleaning mechanism; 33B: Probe cleaning mechanism; 34A: Probe cleaning mechanism; 34B: Probe cleaning mechanism; 51: Rotating body; 52: Shaft bracket; 53: Driving motor; 54: Driving gear; 55: Base plate; 56: Driven gear; 58: Rotating shaft; 60: Backlash adjustment mechanism; 62: Adjusting bracket; P2: Specimen container; P3: Diluted specimen analysis chamber; P4: First reagent container; P5: Second reagent container; P6: Reaction analysis chamber.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, comprising: A diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable having a plurality of diluted specimen analysis chambers for accommodating diluted specimens, where the diluted specimens are specimens after dilution; A plurality of reaction lines supplied with the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable to cause the diluted specimens to react with a reagent; and A diluted specimen dispensing unit that supplies the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable to the plurality of reaction lines, Among them, The diluted specimen dispensing unit supplies the diluted specimens from one diluted specimen line provided on the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable to the plurality of reaction lines.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, wherein The diluted specimen line is formed by arranging a plurality of the diluted specimen analysis chambers along the circumferential direction of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, wherein, It further comprises: A drive mechanism that rotates the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable along the circumferential direction; and A control unit that controls the drive mechanism, wherein the control unit controls the drive mechanism to move the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable along the circumferential direction by a predetermined amount, and stops the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable multiple times during a basic cycle.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 3, wherein During the operation of the basic cycle, the control unit stops the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable at least the number of times corresponding to the number of the plurality of reaction lines.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 4, wherein, It further comprises: A specimen dispensing unit that supplies the specimen and diluent to the diluted specimen analysis chamber; and A diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism that stirs the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers, The control unit controls the drive mechanism, the diluted specimen dispensing unit, the specimen dispensing unit, and the diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism, whereby during the operation of the basic cycle, a supply operation of supplying the specimen and the diluent by the specimen dispensing unit, a stirring operation of the diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism, a suction operation of sucking the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers, and a spraying operation of spraying the sucked diluted specimens to the plurality of reaction lines are performed.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 5, wherein The control unit controls the drive mechanism, the diluted specimen dispensing unit, the specimen dispensing unit, and the diluted specimen analysis chamber stirring mechanism, whereby during the first stop operation of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable in the operation of the basic cycle, the supply operation of the specimen and the diluent, the stirring operation, and the spraying operation of spraying the diluted specimens to the plurality of reaction lines are performed, and during the stop operations after the second time of the diluted specimen analysis chamber turntable, a suction operation of sucking the diluted specimens accommodated in the diluted specimen analysis chambers is performed.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 3, wherein The control unit implements a first action and a second action during the operation of the basic cycle, In the first operation, the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable is moved by a basic movement amount. In the second operation, the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable is moved a plurality of times by an arbitrary amount.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism includes: a drive motor; a drive gear provided on the drive shaft of the drive motor; and a driven gear provided on the dilution specimen analysis chamber turntable and meshing with the drive gear.

9. The automatic analysis device according to claim 8, wherein the automatic analysis device includes a backlash adjustment mechanism that presses the drive gear against the driven gear.

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