Automatic analysis device

Abstract

To perform stable analysis.SOLUTION: An automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment includes a rotary table, a plurality of light receiving units, and a light irradiation unit. The rotary table has a plurality of placement portions on each of which a plurality of reaction tubes are placed. The plurality of light receiving units ate provided corresponding to the plurality of placement portions, respectively. The light irradiation unit changes an emission direction of light and changes the reaction tubes irradiated with the light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings relate to an automated analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] In automated analyzers for clinical testing, a certain amount of a biological sample such as blood or urine (hereinafter referred to as the sample) is mixed with a reagent to cause a reaction, and the mixture is irradiated with light to measure the amount of transmitted or scattered light obtained, thereby determining the concentration, activity value, time required for change, etc. of the substance to be measured. For example, the automated analyzer measures the liquid mixture in a cuvette, which is a reaction tube, by irradiating it with light using a photometric unit.

[0003] The photometric unit has a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the cuvette and a light-receiving unit that detects the light that has passed through the liquid in the cuvette. The amount of light emitted by each light-emitting unit varies. Therefore, if the number of photometric units provided on the reaction disk is the same as the number of slots for placing cuvettes, the variation in the amount of light must be adjusted by the number of slots in order to equalize the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting unit of each photometric unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-87185 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to perform stable analysis. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The automated analyzer according to this embodiment includes a turntable, a plurality of light-receiving units, and a light-irradiating unit. The turntable has a plurality of mounting units for mounting a plurality of reaction tubes, respectively. The light-receiving units are provided corresponding to the mounting units, respectively. The light-irradiating unit changes the direction of light emission to change the reaction tubes to be irradiated with the light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the analyzer of the automatic analyzer of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cuvette used in the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the reaction disk as seen from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 in a modified example of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic analyzer will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, the content described in one embodiment is, in principle, also applicable to other embodiments.

[0009] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer 100 according to this embodiment. The automatic analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an analyzer 70, a drive device 80, and a processor 90.

[0010] The analytical device 70 measures a mixture of a standard sample for each test item or a test sample (biological sample such as blood or urine) collected from a subject and a reagent used in analyzing each test item, and generates standard data and test data. The analytical device 70 includes multiple units that dispense samples, dispense reagents, etc., and a drive device 80 drives each unit of the analytical device 70. A processing device 90 controls the drive device 80 to operate each unit of the analytical device 70.

[0011] The processing device 90 includes an input device 50 , an output device 40 , a control circuit 30 , and a memory circuit 60 .

[0012] The input device 50 is equipped with input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, buttons, and touch panel, and is used to input data for setting analysis parameters for each test item, test identification information for the test sample, and test items.

[0013] The output device 40 includes a printer and a display. The printer prints the data generated by the control circuit 30. The display is a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal panel, and displays the data generated by the control circuit 30.

[0014] The storage circuit 60 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0015] The control circuit 30 controls the entire system. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit 30 executes a data processing function 31 and a control function 32. The control function 32 controls the drive device 80 to operate each unit of the analysis device 70. Here, the control function 32 is an example of a control unit. The data processing function 31 processes the standard data and test data generated by the analysis device 70 to generate calibration data and analysis data for each test item.

[0016] For example, the standard data generated by the analytical device 70 represents data (calibration curve or standard curve) for determining the amount or concentration of a substance, and the test data generated by the analytical device 70 represents data resulting from measuring a test sample. Furthermore, the calibration data output from the control circuit 30 represents data representing measurement results such as the amount or concentration of a substance derived from the test data and standard data, and the analytical data output from the control circuit 30 represents data representing a positive or negative determination result. In other words, the calibration data is data for deriving analytical data representing a positive or negative determination result.

[0017] Here, for example, each processing function executed by the components of control circuit 30 is recorded in the form of a computer-executable program in storage circuit 60. Control circuit 30 is a processor that realizes the function corresponding to each program by reading and executing each program from storage circuit 60. In other words, when each program is read, control circuit 30 has each function shown in control circuit 30 in FIG.

[0018] In FIG. 1, it is assumed that each of the processing functions described below is realized by a single control circuit 30, but it is also possible to configure a processing circuit by combining multiple independent processors, and realize the functions by each processor executing a program.

[0019] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to a circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). If the processor is a CPU, for example, the processor realizes its function by reading and executing a program stored in a memory circuit 60. On the other hand, if the processor is an ASIC, for example, the program is directly embedded in the processor circuit instead of storing the program in the memory circuit 60. Note that each processor in this embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, but may be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its function. Furthermore, multiple components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into a single processor to realize its function.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the analyzer 70 of the automatic analyzer 100 of FIG.

[0021] The analyzer 70 is used, for example, for testing blood coagulation, and includes a reaction disk 10, a constant temperature unit 11, a rack sampler 12, and a reagent storage 14.

[0022] The reaction disk 10 has a plurality of slots 10a for placing cuvettes 1, which are reaction tubes. The reaction disk 10 rotates around a rotation axis R parallel to the vertical direction. The plurality of slots 10a are arranged in a line along the circumferential direction of the reaction disk 10, centered on the rotation axis R. The slots 10a are grooves recessed downward from the upper surface of the reaction disk 10. When cuvettes 1 are placed in the slots 10a, the reaction disk 10 holds the plurality of cuvettes 1 in a circular arrangement. With the cuvettes 1 held on the reaction disk 10, the drive device 80 drives the reaction disk 10 to alternately rotate and stop at predetermined time intervals, thereby transporting the held cuvettes 1. Here, the reaction disk 10 is an example of a turntable, and the slots 10a are an example of a mounting unit.

[0023] The thermostatic unit 11 stores a heat medium set at a predetermined temperature, and raises the temperature of the mixture contained in the cuvette 1 by immersing the cuvette 1 in the stored heat medium.

[0024] The rack sampler 12 movably supports a sample rack 13 that can hold a plurality of sample containers containing samples to be measured. Figure 2 shows a sample rack 13 that can hold five sample containers in parallel.

[0025] The rack sampler 12 is provided with a first area for transporting the sample racks 13 from an input position where the sample racks 13 are input to a recovery position where the sample racks 13 that have been measured are recovered. In the first area, a plurality of sample racks 13 aligned in the longitudinal direction are driven by a drive unit 80 and moved in a direction D1.

[0026] The rack sampler 12 is also provided with a second area for retracting the sample rack 13 from the first area in order to move the sample container held in the sample rack 13 to a predetermined sample aspirating position. The sample aspirating position is provided, for example, at a position where the rotational path of a sample dispensing probe (described later) intersects with the movement path of the opening of the sample container supported by the rack sampler 12 and held in the sample rack 13. In the second area, the transported sample rack 13 is driven by the drive unit 80 and moved in direction D2.

[0027] The rack sampler 12 is also provided with a third area for returning the sample rack 13, which holds the sample container into which the sample has been aspirated, to the first area. In the third area, the sample rack 13 is driven by the drive unit 80 and moved in the direction D3.

[0028] The reagent storage 14 keeps cool a plurality of reagent containers 15 containing standard solutions and reagents used in each test item performed on a sample. The reagent storage 14 includes a reagent storage cover 14a and a reagent rack 14b.

[0029] The reagent storage 14 is covered by a detachable reagent storage cover 14a. The reagent rack 14b is rotatable. The reagent rack 14b holds a plurality of reagent containers 15 arranged in a circular ring shape. The reagent containers 15 are, for example, cylindrical glass containers. More specifically, the reagent containers 15 are cylindrical or polygonal glass containers that can be accommodated in a predetermined cylinder.

[0030] The analyzer 70 further includes a sample dispensing arm 16 , a sample dispensing probe 17 , a reagent dispensing arm 18 , and a reagent dispensing probe 19 .

[0031] The sample dispensing arm 16 is provided between the reaction disk 10 and the rack sampler 12. The sample dispensing arm 16 is provided so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction. The sample dispensing arm 16 holds a sample dispensing probe 17 at one end.

[0032] The sample dispensing probe 17 rotates in an arc as the sample dispensing arm 16 rotates. A sample suction position for aspirating a sample from a sample container held in a sample rack 13 on the rack sampler 12 is provided on this rotational orbit. A sample discharge position for discharging the sample aspirated by the sample dispensing probe 17 into the cuvette 1 is also provided on the rotational orbit of the sample dispensing probe 17. The sample discharge position corresponds to, for example, the intersection of the rotational orbit of the sample dispensing probe 17 and the movement orbit of the cuvette 1 held on the reaction disk 10.

[0033] The sample dispensing probe 17 is driven by a driving device 80 and moves up and down at a sample suction position or a sample discharge position. The sample dispensing probe 17 also aspirates a sample from a sample container stopped at the sample suction position under the control of the control circuit 30. The sample dispensing probe 17 also discharges the aspirated sample into a cuvette 1 stopped at the sample discharge position under the control of the control circuit 30.

[0034] The reagent dispensing arm 18 is provided between the reaction disk 10 and the reagent storage 14. The reagent dispensing arm 18 is provided so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction. The reagent dispensing arm 18 holds a reagent dispensing probe 19 at one end.

[0035] The reagent dispensing probe 19 rotates in an arc as the reagent dispensing arm 18 rotates. A reagent aspirating position H1 is provided on this rotational orbit. The reagent aspirating position H1 is provided, for example, at a position where the rotational orbit of the reagent dispensing probe 19 intersects with the movement orbit of the opening of the reagent container 15 placed in an annular shape on the reagent rack 14b. Also, a reagent dispensing position is set on the rotational orbit of the reagent dispensing probe 19 for dispensing the reagent aspirated by the reagent dispensing probe 19 into the cuvette 1. The reagent dispensing position corresponds to, for example, the intersection of the rotational orbit of the reagent dispensing probe 19 and the movement orbit of the cuvette 1 held on the reaction disk 10.

[0036] The reagent dispensing probe 19 is driven by a driving device 80 and moves up and down at a reagent aspirating position H1 or a reagent dispensing position on the rotational orbit. The reagent dispensing probe 19 aspirates reagent from a reagent container stopped at the reagent aspirating position H1 under the control of the control circuit 30. The reagent dispensing probe 19 also discharges the aspirated reagent into a cuvette 1 stopped at the reagent dispensing position under the control of the control circuit 30.

[0037] The analytical device 70 further includes a washing tank for washing the sample dispensing probe 17 after each sample dispensing, a washing tank for washing the reagent dispensing probe 19 after each reagent dispensing, a stirrer for stirring the mixed liquid in the cuvette 1, and a washing tank for washing the stirrer after each stirring.

[0038] The analysis device 70 further includes a photometric unit 20 and a cleaning unit. The photometric unit 20 irradiates light to measure the mixed liquid in the cuvette 1. The cleaning unit cleans the inside of the cuvette 1 after measurement by the photometric unit 20 has been completed. The photometric unit 20 will be described later.

[0039] The driving device 80 drives each unit of the analysis device 70 .

[0040] The driving device 80 includes a mechanism for driving the rack sampler 12 of the analyzer 70, thereby moving each sample rack 13. The driving device 80 also includes a mechanism for driving the reagent rack 14b of the reagent storage 14, thereby rotating each reagent container 15. The driving device 80 also includes a mechanism for driving the reaction disk 10, thereby rotating each cuvette 1.

[0041] The driving device 80 also has a mechanism for rotating and vertically moving the sample dispensing arm 16, and moves the sample dispensing arm 16 between the sample container and the cuvette 1. The driving device 80 also has a mechanism for driving the sample dispensing probe 17, and causes the sample dispensing probe 17 to aspirate the sample from the sample container and eject the sample into the cuvette 1, thereby causing the sample dispensing probe 17 to dispense the sample.

[0042] The driving device 80 also includes a mechanism for rotating and vertically moving the reagent dispensing arm 18, and moves the reagent dispensing arm 18 between the reagent container 15 and the cuvette 1. The driving device 80 also includes a mechanism for driving the reagent dispensing probe 19, and causes the reagent dispensing probe 19 to aspirate the reagent from the reagent container 15 and eject the reagent into the cuvette 1, thereby causing the reagent dispensing probe 19 to dispense the reagent.

[0043] The cuvette 1 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cuvette 1 used in the automatic analyzer 100 according to this embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the cuvette 1 has a body 1a, a top 1b, and a flange 1c.

[0045] The body 1a is a cylindrical member with an open top and a closed bottom. A plurality of photometric sections 1d are formed in the body 1a. For example, four photometric sections 1d are formed in the body 1a. The four photometric sections 1d are, for example, planar.

[0046] The flange 1c is an annular member, and the outer diameter of the flange 1c is larger than the outer diameter of the body portion 1a. The flange 1c is provided on the opening 1e side of the body portion 1a. The sample or reagent is dispensed into the body portion 1a from the opening 1e side.

[0047] The top portion 1b is a hollow, rectangular cylindrical member having four flat surfaces that are erected on the upper surface of the flange 1c. When viewed from above, the shape of the top portion 1b is generally rectangular. The flat surfaces of the top portion 1b are provided to correspond to the photometry portion 1d of the body portion 1a. Light from the photometry unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 is irradiated onto the photometry portion 1d.

[0048] As described above, the photometric unit 20 measures the liquid in the cuvette 1 by irradiating it with light. Specifically, the photometric unit 20 measures the optical properties of the mixture of the sample and reagent dispensed into the cuvette 1. Here, the photometric unit 20 has a light-emitting unit that irradiates light toward the cuvette 1 and a light-receiving unit that detects transmitted light or scattered light obtained by irradiating the mixture in the cuvette 1 with light. If the photometric units 20 are provided in the reaction disk 10 in the same number as the slots 10a in which the cuvettes 1 are placed, it is necessary to adjust the variation in the light intensity of the light-emitting units by the number of slots 10a in order to uniformize the amount of light irradiated by each light-emitting unit. Furthermore, adjusting the variation in the light intensity of the light-emitting units by the number of slots 10a requires effort and labor costs to adjust the variation in the light intensity.

[0049] Furthermore, deterioration of the light-emitting units over time may require a compensation circuit to compensate for the decrease in the light output of the light-emitting units. If the light output decreases due to deterioration of the light-emitting units over time even with the compensation circuit, there is a risk that the number of slots 10a corresponding to the number of deteriorated light-emitting units will become unusable.

[0050] Therefore, the automated analyzer 100 according to this embodiment includes a reaction disk 10, which is a turntable, multiple light receiving units, and a light emitting unit, so as to perform stable analysis. The reaction disk 10 has multiple slots 10a for respectively placing multiple cuvettes 1. The multiple light receiving units are provided corresponding to the multiple slots 10a. The light emitting unit changes the direction of light emission to change the cuvette 1 to be irradiated with the light.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a view of the reaction disk 10 as viewed from above. Fig. 4 shows only a plurality of slots 10a provided in the reaction disk 10 and some of the plurality of cuvettes 1 held in each of the plurality of slots 10a, and the rest are omitted because they have the same configuration.

[0052] The photometry unit 20 has a light irradiator 21 and multiple light receivers 22. One light irradiator 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the rotation axis R of the reaction disk 10. That is, the light irradiator 21 is provided at the center of the reaction disk 10. The light irradiator 21 emits light (light L shown in FIG. 2) toward each of the multiple cuvettes 1 within the reaction disk 10 by changing the emission direction of light from the center of the reaction disk 10.

[0053] The light receiving units 22 are provided in the same number as the slots 10a of the reaction disk 10. That is, the light receiving units 22 are provided in the same number as the cuvettes 1 held in the slots 10a of the reaction disk 10. When detecting light that has passed through the mixed liquid in the cuvette 1, the light receiving units 22 are located radially outward (outer periphery side) of the slots 10a. Alternatively, when detecting light scattered by particles in the mixed liquid in the cuvette 1, the light receiving units 22 are located circumferentially outward of the slots 10a.

[0054] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 4. The light irradiation unit 21 has a light emitting unit 21a, a mirror 21b, and a motor 21c. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 21 is made rotatable, thereby realizing a single light source.

[0055] The light emitting unit 21a is provided on the bottom surface of the reaction disk 10 at a position corresponding to the rotation axis R of the reaction disk 10. The light emitting unit 21a is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a laser light source, and emits light L.

[0056] The motor 21c has a rotation shaft and a main body that rotates the rotation shaft. The motor 21c is provided on the upper surface of the reaction disk 10 at a position corresponding to the rotation shaft R of the reaction disk 10. The rotation shaft of the motor 21c rotates around the same axis as the rotation shaft R of the reaction disk 10. The main body of the motor 21c is driven by the drive device 80 to rotate the rotation shaft of the motor 21c. The motor 21c or the rotation shaft of the motor 21c is an example of a rotating part.

[0057] The mirror 21b is provided at the tip of the rotation shaft of the motor 21c. For example, the mirror 21b reflects the light L emitted from the light-emitting unit 21a by 90 degrees and emits the light L toward the cuvette 1. The mirror 21b rotates with the rotation of the motor 21c. After being reflected by the mirror 21b, the light L emitted from the light-emitting unit 21a travels along the radial direction of the reaction disk 10 toward the slot 10a and the light-receiving unit 22.

[0058] As a result, as motor 21c rotates, mirror 21b reflects light L emitted from light-emitting unit 21a and changes the emission direction of light L, thereby emitting light L toward photometric locations 1d of each of the multiple cuvettes 1. For example, light-emitting unit 21a rotates mirror 21b with the rotation of motor 21c so that light L is emitted to each of the multiple cuvettes 1 at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time intervals are, for example, 0.1 seconds.

[0059] When the cuvette 1 filled with the mixed liquid is placed in the slot 10a, light L is emitted from the light emitting unit 21 to the photometric portion 1d of the cuvette 1. At this time, the light receiving unit 22 detects transmitted light or scattered light obtained by irradiating the mixed liquid in the cuvette 1 with light. The light receiving unit 22 samples the detected light at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 0.1 second intervals). The light receiving unit 22 then measures the amount and intensity of the detected light, and outputs the measurement results to the control circuit 30 as test data.

[0060] 5, the light-emitting unit 21a is provided inside the reaction disk 10, but for example, the light-emitting unit 21a may be provided outside the reaction disk 10. For example, a through-hole is provided in the bottom surface of the reaction disk 10, and the light-emitting unit 21a irradiates light L from outside the reaction disk 10 through the through-hole.

[0061] 5, the motor 21c is provided inside the reaction disk 10, but for example, the main body of the motor 21c may be provided outside the reaction disk 10. For example, a through-hole for passing the rotation shaft of the motor 21c is provided on the upper surface of the reaction disk 10.

[0062] 5, the light-emitting unit 21a and the motor 21c are provided on the bottom and top sides of the reaction disk 10, respectively, but they may be provided in the reverse order. For example, the light-emitting unit 21a and the motor 21c may be provided on the top and bottom sides of the reaction disk 10, respectively.

[0063] As described above, in this embodiment, a single light source is realized by making the light irradiating unit 21 rotatable. That is, in this embodiment, the reaction disk 10 has a plurality of slots 10a for respectively placing a plurality of cuvettes 1, and a plurality of light receiving units 22 are provided corresponding to the plurality of slots 10a. The light irradiating unit 21 changes the light emission direction to change the cuvette 1 to be irradiated with the light L. As described above, according to this embodiment, a single light source is realized by making the light irradiating unit 21 rotatable, and therefore the light intensity of the light emitting unit becomes constant and there is no variation in the light intensity, allowing for stable analysis.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by making the light irradiation unit 21 rotatable, a single light source is realized, and therefore, there is no variation in the adjustment range for adjusting the light intensity of the light L emitted by the light irradiation unit 21, and therefore the adjustment range is optimized. That is, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to adjust the light intensity of one light irradiation unit 21, and therefore a wide dynamic range can be set.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to adjust the light intensity of one light irradiator 21, which reduces the labor and labor costs required to adjust variations in the light intensity.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since a single light source is realized by making the light emitting unit 21 rotatable, when one light emitting unit 21 a deteriorates over time, the light emitting unit 21 a can be replaced. In this way, this embodiment is expected to have improved robustness compared to a case where the number of slots 10 a that cannot be used corresponds to the number of light emitting units that deteriorate over time.

[0067] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms other than the above-described embodiments.

[0068] (Variation) In this embodiment, for example, when the light emitting unit 21a of the light irradiating unit 21 is an LED, attenuation of the amount of light L irradiated from the light emitting unit 21a may become a problem due to factors such as an increase in the width of the optical path (optical path shown in FIG. 5) from the light emitting unit 21a via the mirror 21b to the light receiving unit 22. In this case, as a modified example of this embodiment, a light guide tube 23 with a reflective surface on the inside is provided in the reaction disk 10, as shown in FIG.

[0069] The number of light guide tubes 23 provided is the same as the number of slots 10a of the reaction disk 10. That is, the number of light guide tubes 23 provided is the same as the number of cuvettes 1 held in the slots 10a of the reaction disk 10. The light guide tubes 23 are, for example, optical fibers. For example, the light guide tube 23 has an optical fiber 23a and a plurality of optical fibers 23b. In the reaction disk 10, the optical fiber 23a is provided between the light-emitting unit 21a and the mirror 21b, and the plurality of optical fibers 23b are provided between the mirror 21b and the plurality of light-receiving units 22, respectively.

[0070] In a modification of this embodiment, by providing a light guide tube 23 in the reaction disk 10, attenuation of the amount of light L irradiated from the light-emitting unit 21a is reduced, and the light L irradiated from the light-emitting unit 21a is guided from the light-emitting unit 21a to the light-receiving unit 22 via the mirror 21b. In this way, in the modification, by making the light-irradiating unit 21 rotatable, a single light source is realized, so that the amount of light from the light-emitting unit becomes constant, and further, by providing a light guide tube 23 in the reaction disk 10, attenuation of the amount of light L irradiated from the light-emitting unit 21a is reduced, so that stable analysis can be performed.

[0071] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, stable analysis can be performed.

[0072] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 cuvette 10 Reaction Discs 21 Light irradiation unit 22 Light receiving section 100 automatic analyzer

Claims

[Claim 1] a rotary table having a plurality of mounting portions on which a plurality of reaction tubes are respectively mounted, the plurality of mounting portions being provided along a circumferential direction, the rotary table rotating about a rotation axis; a plurality of light receiving units provided on the rotary table in correspondence with all of the plurality of mounting units; a light irradiation unit provided with respect to the turntable, which changes the emission direction of light from the center of the turntable to change the reaction tube to be irradiated with the light, the light irradiation unit including: a light emitting unit that irradiates the light; a rotating unit that rotates around the same axis as the rotation axis of the turntable; and a mirror that reflects the light irradiated from the light emitting unit and changes the emission direction of the light as the rotating unit rotates; a first light guide pipe provided between the light emitting unit and the mirror, the first light guide pipe guiding the light emitted from the light emitting unit from the light emitting unit to the mirror; a plurality of second light guiding tubes that are respectively provided between the mirror and the plurality of reaction tubes and that guide the light, which has been guided to the mirror, from the mirror to each of the plurality of reaction tubes; An automatic analyzer comprising:

Images