Automatic analysis device

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to identify, at a glance, the presence / absence of an abnormality and a cause thereof, in relation to a sample that is transported into an automatic analysis device. This automatic analysis device comprises an analysis unit 101 that performs measurement of a sample accommodated in a sample container 105, a display unit 104 that displays the result of the measurement by the analysis unit, a transportation unit 107 that transports the sample container to the analysis unit, and a camera 108 that images the sample container being transported to the analysis unit. The automatic analysis device analyzes an image of the sample container that is captured by the camera, and causes the display unit to collectively display, in relation to the sample for which the measurement result is displayed, one or more icons that are based on the result of analyzing the image of the sample container in which the sample is accommodated.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples (hereinafter referred to as specimens) such as serum and urine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for capturing an image of a container containing a specimen from above and analyzing the state of the specimen through image analysis. In addition to the image analysis method, this document also mentions a method for displaying the analyzed image.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a method for capturing an image of a transparent container containing a specimen from the side and analyzing the state of the specimen through image analysis. This document mentions that the analyzed state of the specimen can be confirmed on the same screen as the measurement results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-173101 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-146281 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In automated analyzers such as biochemical analyzers and immunological analyzers, once a rack containing sample containers is transported into the analyzer, the status of the samples cannot be confirmed from outside the analyzer. In particular, in the case of large analyzers that are connected to a sample pretreatment device such as a centrifuge via a sample transport device, the user cannot check the status of the sample containers containing the samples for a long time after placing them in the automated analyzer. Therefore, by capturing an image of the sample container as it is transported and displaying information on the screen that analyzes the status of the sample based on the image of the sample container, the user can grasp the status of the sample to some extent while the sample is inside the analyzer.

[0006] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose capturing images of sample containers to analyze the state of the sample, but the method of communicating the analysis results to the user is also important. The captured image itself contains a lot of information that is unnecessary for the user. Therefore, in order to grasp the information that the user wants to confirm from the image, the user must themselves select and discard the information. In contrast, if the analysis results are displayed as text information, the user must carefully watch the display screen to read the text, which can be time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an analysis unit that measures samples contained in sample containers, a display unit that displays the measurement results from the analysis unit, a transport unit that transports the sample containers to the analysis unit, a camera that images the sample containers being transported to the analysis unit, and a control unit that analyzes the images of the sample containers captured by the camera and, for samples for which measurement results are displayed, displays one or more icons on the display unit based on the analysis results of the images of the sample containers containing the samples. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] By checking the status information of the sample transported into the device using an icon, it is possible to know at a glance whether there is an abnormality and the cause. Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an automatic analyzer. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a measurement result display screen. [Figure 4] This is an example of an icon. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of the selection of an icon indicating a sample volume. [Figure 6]10 is a comparison table of sample status and displayed icons. [Figure 7] 10 is another example of a measurement result display screen. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of an icon selection screen. [Figure 9] This is an example of an icon. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a raw data display screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer of this embodiment. The automatic analyzer includes an analysis unit 101 that measures samples, a control unit 102 that receives samples and performs analysis based on the measurement results from the analysis unit 101, a computer 103 that controls the control unit 102 and performs information processing such as image analysis, a display unit 104, a transport unit 107 that transports a rack 106 carrying sample containers 105 that contain samples from the control unit 102 to the analysis unit 101, a camera 108 that captures images of the sample containers 105, and a barcode reader 109 that identifies the rack and the sample containers. Note that the control unit 102 and computer 103 are sometimes collectively referred to as the control unit.

[0011] The configuration of the automatic analyzer shown in Figure 1 is one example, and it may be a multi-module automatic analyzer equipped with multiple analysis units 101, or an apparatus connected to an additional transport unit for automatically transporting racks 106 from an apparatus that performs sample pre-processing. Furthermore, the number of sample containers 105 that can be loaded on racks 106 is not important. Furthermore, although an example is assumed here in which barcodes are used to identify racks and sample containers, if identification means other than barcodes are used to identify racks and sample containers, a reading device appropriate for the identification means is provided.

[0012] In such an automatic analyzer, the flow up to transporting a sample to the analysis unit 101 is as follows: The user places a rack 106 holding sample containers 105 containing the sample to be analyzed in the control unit 102, and selects the analysis items to be requested for the sample from the display unit 104. Here, a monitor capable of touch panel operation is assumed as the display unit 104, but it may also be operated by connecting a mouse to the computer 103.

[0013] When the user issues an instruction to start analysis, the rack 106 is transported to the analysis unit 101 by the transport unit 107. When the rack 106 passes in front of the camera 108, the transport unit 107 temporarily stops transporting the rack 106, and the camera 108 captures images of the sample containers 105 placed on the rack 106 one by one. The control unit 102 links the images of the sample containers 105 captured by the camera 108 with the identification information read by the barcode reader 109, thereby linking the sample information with the image information.

[0014] Figure 2 shows a top view of the analysis unit 101. The analysis unit 101 is an apparatus that dispenses specimens and reagents into a plurality of reaction vessels 202, respectively, to cause a reaction, and measures the reacted liquid, and is equipped with a reaction disk 201, a reagent disk 203, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 204, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 205, a specimen dispensing mechanism 206, a light source 208a, and a spectrophotometer 208b. Figure 2 only shows the main components of the analysis unit 101, and other components include a cleaning mechanism that cleans the reaction vessels 202, a stirring mechanism that stirs the specimens and reagents to cause a reaction between them, and a cleaning tank that cleans the probes attached to the dispensing mechanisms.

[0015] Reaction vessels 202 are arranged on a circumference of a reaction disk 201, which rotates at a constant angle during analysis, and this rotation moves the reaction vessels 202 to various positions such as a sample dispensing position, a reagent dispensing position, and a photometry position.

[0016] A transport unit 107 is installed near the reaction disk 201 to transport racks 106 carrying specimen containers 105 containing specimens. A specimen dispensing mechanism 206 that can rotate and move up and down is installed between the reaction disk 201 and the transport unit 107. The specimen dispensing mechanism 206 moves in an arc around its rotation axis, dispensing specimens from specimen containers 105 to reaction containers 202.

[0017] The reagent disk 203 can accommodate a plurality of reagent containers containing reagents to be used in analysis on its circumference, and as the reagent disk 203 rotates, any reagent is moved to a reagent suction position. The reagent disk 203 is covered with a cover to keep the reagent containers cool. For this reason, the cover is provided with suction ports 203a that allow the first reagent dispensing mechanism 204 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 205 to access the reagent containers in order to dispense the reagent from the reagent container into the reaction container 202. The reagent disk 203 does not need to be rotatable, and may be of a type that allows the first reagent dispensing mechanism 204 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 205 to freely access the reagent containers arranged thereon.

[0018] The flow of sample measurement processing in the analysis unit 101 is as follows. First, the sample dispensing mechanism 206 dispenses samples from sample containers 105 placed on a rack 106 that has been transported to the sample suction position 207 by the transport unit 107 into reaction containers 202 on the reaction disk 201. In an automatic biochemical analyzer, the probes attached to the sample dispensing mechanism 206 are not disposable, but are washed in a washing tank and reused. The sample dispensing mechanism 206 detects the liquid level using a liquid level detection sensor, and by performing suction at a position close to the liquid level, the area where the probe comes into contact with the sample is reduced.

[0019] Once the specimen is discharged into the reaction vessel 202, after a certain time, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 204 dispenses the first reagent to be used in the analysis from a reagent vessel on the reagent disk 203. Next, the mixing mechanism mixes the mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel 202. After a certain time, if necessary, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 205 dispenses the second reagent and the third reagent from reagent vessels on the reagent disk 203 into the reaction vessel 202 into which the first reagent was previously dispensed.

[0020] Thereafter, the light intensity measured by spectrophotometer 208b is sent to control unit 102 via an A / D converter and an interface. Control unit 102 then performs calculations to determine the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine, and causes display unit 104 to display the result.

[0021] Here, a biochemical analyzer is exemplified as the analysis unit 101. The analysis unit 101 may be an immunoanalysis device, an electrolyte analysis device, a mass analysis device, or the like.

[0022] In this embodiment, the specimen state is displayed as an icon on the display unit 104. The specimen state can be ascertained by analyzing an image of the specimen container 105 captured by the camera 108 using the computer 103. The specimen container 105 may be captured from the side or from above. Of the information obtained by analyzing the image of the specimen container 105, the specimen state is particularly important to the user. Therefore, an example is shown in which information such as the quantity, color, and presence or absence of bubbles of the specimen is extracted from the captured image of the specimen container 105 by image analysis, and the extracted results are displayed as icons on the display unit 104.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an example of a measurement result display screen. The left side of the measurement result display screen 300 displays specimen information 301 for the specimen contained in the specimen container 105. The specimen information 301 includes a status, specimen sequence number, rack ID, specimen type, and date. The status indicates the progress of the measurement for the analysis items requested for the specimen. Here, the status is displayed with a mark to improve visibility. For example, mark 311 indicates that the measurement for all analysis items requested for the specimen has been completed without any abnormalities, and mark 312 indicates that the measurement has been abnormally interrupted. The specimen number is a number that uniquely identifies the specimen, and the rack ID is the ID of the rack on which the specimen container is placed. The specimen type indicates the type of specimen, such as serum, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. The date indicates the date and time when the measurement was completed. Note that the items displayed as specimen information 301 for the specimen in FIG. 3 are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0024] The upper right corner of the measurement result display screen 300 displays analysis item information 302 requested for the sample selected in the sample information 301. Figure 3 shows an example when a sample with sample number 000002 is selected. In this example, four analysis items have been requested for sample number 000002. Analysis item information 302 includes analysis item (Test), measurement type (Unit), result, alarm, module, and status. The analysis item identifies the analysis item requested for the sample, and the measurement type indicates the type of measurement performed for the analysis item. The example "Abs" indicates that the absorbance of the reaction solution between the sample and reagent is being measured. The result is the measurement result, and the alarm displays the content of the alarm if one is issued due to a measurement abnormality. The example "S.Short" indicates an alarm indicating an aspiration abnormality in the sample dispensing mechanism. If a module has multiple analysis units, information identifying the analysis unit is displayed. The status indicates the progress of measurement for each analysis unit. Visibility is improved by using marks similar to those in the sample information 301. Mark 321 indicates that the measurement for the relevant analysis item was completed without any abnormalities, mark 322 indicates that the measurement was abnormally interrupted, and mark 323 indicates that the measurement for the relevant sample was completed without dispensing the sample.

[0025] The lower right side of the measurement result display screen 300 displays specimen status information 303, which is analyzed from the captured image of the specimen container 105 for the specimen selected in the specimen information 301. As described above, the specimen status information 303 displays information such as the quantity, color, and presence or absence of bubbles in the specimen as icons.

[0026] As long as the specimen information 301, analysis item information 302, and specimen status information 303 are displayed on the same screen, the screen display may be arranged in a different manner than that shown in FIG.

[0027] Figure 4 shows example icons for remaining volume, color, and the presence or absence of bubbles. The icon includes a background and a graphic portion. The background portion indicates whether the analysis result indicated by the icon is normal or abnormal, while the graphic portion indicates the remaining volume, color, and the presence or absence of bubbles, i.e., the content of the analysis result. Therefore, by first checking the background portion of the icon, the user can determine at a glance whether there is an abnormality in the sample. Here, a normal background is shown in white, and an abnormal background is shown with diagonal lines. Normal and abnormal may also be distinguished by pattern, color, or a combination of these. By checking the graphic portion of the icon indicating an abnormality, the user can understand the nature of the abnormality.

[0028] Three icons are provided to represent the amount of sample: one for when there is sufficient remaining volume (remaining volume), one for when there is a possibility that the volume will be insufficient for the measurement of the requested analysis item (insufficient volume), and one for when the liquid volume is below a certain level (no volume remaining).In the example of Figure 4, the graphic portion uses the figures of sample containers with different liquid level heights.

[0029] Figure 5 shows a flowchart for selecting an icon indicating the sample volume. This flowchart is executed by the computer 103. First, the computer 103 analyzes the volume of sample liquid in the sample container from an image of the sample container 105 (S01). Next, it calculates the volume of sample to be used for all analysis items requested for that sample (S02). If the volume of sample liquid is equal to or less than a threshold, it is determined that there is no remaining volume (S05). The threshold can be the minimum dispensing volume set in the automated analyzer. If the remaining volume exceeds the threshold, the volume of sample liquid is compared with the volume to be used for measurement of that sample (S04). If the volume of sample liquid is less than the volume to be used, it is determined that there is insufficient remaining volume (S06), and if the volume of sample liquid is equal to or greater than the volume to be used, it is determined that there is remaining volume (S07).

[0030] Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the remaining amount is classified based on the amount of sample used, for example, icons may be set to classify the remaining amount based on the height from the bottom of the sample container 105 to the liquid surface.

[0031] Returning to the explanation of Figure 4, we will now explain the icons that represent colors. Figure 4 shows an example of an icon that indicates a color abnormality when the sample is serum. When the sample is serum, the color of a normal sample is clear. On the other hand, if hemolysis is present, the color will turn red, if jaundice is present, the color will be closer to yellow, and if chyle is present, the color will be white. Therefore, abnormality icons are set for each of the three color abnormalities: hemolysis, jaundice, and chyle. Since all of these icons indicate abnormalities, the background is displayed with diagonal lines, and color abnormalities are displayed by the pattern, color, or a combination of these in the graphic part. If it is determined that both hemolysis and jaundice are present in the sample, both the hemolysis icon and the jaundice icon will be displayed.

[0032] The icons representing color abnormalities may be displayed in stages by setting a threshold. In this case, the icons allow the user to visually distinguish between severe abnormalities (e.g., hemolysis) and slight abnormalities. For example, when color abnormalities are displayed by the color of the graphic portion, the degree of abnormality can be distinguished between light and dark colors. Alternatively, the degree of abnormality may be expressed by the pattern or color of the background portion rather than the graphic portion, making it easier for the user to visually recognize the condition.

[0033] The icon indicating the presence or absence of bubbles will be explained. The icon indicating the presence or absence of bubbles is displayed only when bubbles are present. The sample dispensing mechanism 206 detects the liquid level using a liquid level detection sensor, so if bubbles on the sample surface are mistakenly detected as the liquid level, it may not be able to aspirate the sample. Therefore, by checking for the presence or absence of bubbles, it is possible to determine whether there is truly no sample present or whether it is a false detection due to bubbles. In the example of Figure 4, a figure of a sample container containing bubbles in the sample is used as the graphic part.

[0034] The sample status information 303 on the measurement result display screen 300 displays the sample status using one or more icons as shown in Figure 4. When multiple icons are displayed, the user interprets the sample status as a combination of these icons. In the example of Figure 3, sample number 000002 indicates that there is a remaining amount and bubbles are present. Figure 6 is a comparison table of sample status and displayed icons. As shown in the top row, a normal sample with a remaining amount and no abnormalities is represented by a single icon with a remaining amount. On the other hand, when there is no remaining amount (the sample liquid volume is below the threshold), measurement is impossible even if there are color abnormalities or bubbles, so only the icon with no remaining amount should be displayed.

[0035] In this way, by displaying the specimen status information 303 as an icon, the user can check the main status of the specimen simply by selecting the specimen on the measurement result display screen 300. Furthermore, by arranging the specimen status information 303 on the same screen as the specimen information 301 and analysis item information 302, the specimen status that can be read from the captured image of the specimen container 105 and the alarm information displayed as the measurement result can be checked together. Modifications of this embodiment will be described below.

[0036] (Variation 1) FIG. 7 shows another example of the measurement result display screen. On the measurement result display screen 300 shown in FIG. 3, the sample status information 303 cannot be viewed unless a sample is selected from the sample information 301. On the measurement result display screen 300b shown in FIG. 7, if an abnormality is detected in the sample, an abnormality icon 701 is displayed in the sample information 301. The abnormality icon 701 is an icon that displays a representative abnormality among the abnormalities analyzed for the sample. This makes it possible to check whether or not there is an abnormality without selecting a sample. If there are multiple abnormalities in the sample status, the priority of the icons to be displayed in the sample information 301 may be determined by the device or by the user.

[0037] (Variation 2) As shown in Figure 6, the specimen status is displayed using a combination of multiple icons. The icon display is designed to allow users to check for abnormalities at a glance, so if the number of icons displayed increases too much, it may become cumbersome. Also, different users may want different information to be displayed.

[0038] In Modification 2, the user can select the specimen state to be displayed as an icon. For this reason, an icon button 304 is arranged on the measurement result display screen 300 (see FIG. 3). When the user presses the icon button 304, an icon selection screen is displayed for selecting an icon to be displayed on the measurement result display screen 300. An example of the icon selection screen 800 is shown in FIG. 8.

[0039] The icon selection screen 800 displays selectable specimen conditions. In FIG. 8, the following conditions are displayed: tube type, tube material, tube size, presence or absence of blood clot, presence or absence of separating agent, remaining volume, sample color, bubbles, etc. Foam Here, the information that can be selected is any information that can be analyzed from the image of the sample container.

[0040] The user selects the item for which they wish to display an icon by checking the checkbox, and changes the icon display by pressing the confirm button 801. After that, by pressing the end button 802, the icon selection screen 800 is closed.

[0041] When the user selects a checkbox and changes the setting, it is preferable to change the color of the decision button 801. This notifies the user that the change has not been confirmed. Also, if the end button 802 is pressed when the change has not been confirmed, a pop-up message may be displayed to notify the user that the change will not be reflected, thereby preventing erroneous operation.

[0042] In addition, an upper limit on the number of icons to be displayed may be set as a device setting. In this case, if the user presses the OK button 801 with more items checked than the upper limit, a function may be provided to notify the user by a pop-up that the setting is not possible.

[0043] Furthermore, the icon selection screen 800 includes a priority selection button 803. In the first modification, if a sample has an abnormality, an abnormality icon 701 indicating a representative sample abnormality is displayed in the sample information 301 (see FIG. 7). The priority of the icons displayed as the abnormality icons 701 is determined by default by the device, but the user can use the priority selection button 803 to change the priority of the icons displayed as the abnormality icons 701.

[0044] When the user presses the priority selection button 803, a list of abnormality icons 701 to be displayed is displayed. When the user selects an item that he or she wants to display as the highest priority from the list, the item is changed to the highest priority item. This makes it easier for the user to check the information he or she wants. In addition to changing the highest priority item, the priority selection button 803 may also be used to rearrange the priority of the abnormality icons 701.

[0045] Figure 9 shows examples of icons related to the container shape, container material, container size, and the presence or absence of a separating agent or blood clot. None of these indicate an abnormality, so the background of the icon is white, indicating no abnormality.

[0046] The container shape displays the shape of the specimen container, such as a test tube, a false-bottom test tube (FBT), a cup, or a cup-on-tube.

[0047] The container material displays the material of the specimen container, such as polystyrene (PS) or polypropylene (PP). The container material can be determined from the color of the container. For example, transparent polypropylene is slightly cloudy, while polystyrene is transparent, making it possible to determine the material. Since the transparency of the specimen container is information necessary when determining the color of the specimen, it may be displayed as the transparency of the container rather than the container material.

[0048] The container size indicates the diameter and height of the specimen container. For cups and other items that come in a single size, the size is not indicated.

[0049] Regarding the presence or absence of a separating agent or blood clot, an icon with a separating agent is displayed if a separating agent is present, and an icon with a blood clot is displayed if a blood clot is present.

[0050] (Variation 3) In Modification 3, the user can check the sample state displayed as an icon using an actual image. For this purpose, an image display button 305 is provided on the measurement result display screen 300 (see FIG. 3). When the user presses the image display button 305, the user can check the image of the captured sample container 105 on the raw data display screen. This allows the actual color of the sample to be confirmed, for example, if a color abnormality is detected. FIG. 10 shows an example of the raw data display screen 1000.

[0051] The raw data display screen 1000 displays captured image data 1001 and container information 1002. In addition, a bar 1003 indicating the container height analyzed by the computer 103 and a line 1004 indicating the liquid level height are superimposed on the image data 1001. The bar 1003 indicating the container height may be displayed outside the image as long as it is at a distance that allows it to be compared with the positions of the bottom and top of the container in the image. In the drawings, the image data 1001 is shown as a schematic diagram.

[0052] When the line 1004 indicating the liquid level is displayed, it becomes difficult to check the image near the liquid level. In this case, it becomes difficult to visually check the presence or absence of bubbles, so it is preferable to be able to switch the display of the line 1004 indicating the liquid level on and off. Therefore, a display button 1005 is made to be able to switch the display of the bar 1003 indicating the container height and the line 1004 indicating the liquid level on and off. It may also be possible to turn off the display of the bar 1003 indicating the container height or the line 1004 indicating the liquid level by pressing the bar 1003 indicating the container height or the line 1004 indicating the liquid level.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications have been described in detail to make the present invention easier to understand, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment or modification with the configuration of another embodiment or modification, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment or modification to the configuration of one embodiment or modification. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment or modification with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 101: analysis unit, 102: control unit, 103: computer, 104: display unit, 105: sample container, 106: rack, 107: transport unit, 108: camera, 109: barcode reader, 201: reaction disk, 202: reaction container, 203: reagent disk, 203a: suction port, 204: first reagent dispensing mechanism, 205: second reagent dispensing mechanism, 206: sample dispensing mechanism, 207: sample suction position, 208a: light source, 208b: spectrophotometer, 300, 300b: measurement result display Screen, 301: specimen information, 302: analysis item information, 303: specimen status information, 304: icon button, 305: image display button, 311, 312, 321, 322, 323: marks, 701: abnormality icon, 800: icon selection screen, 801: decision button, 802: end button, 803: priority selection button, 1000: raw data display screen, 1001: image data, 1002: container information, 1003: bar, 1004: line, 1005: display button.

Claims

1. an analysis unit that measures the sample contained in the sample container; a display unit that displays the measurement results obtained by the analysis unit; a transport unit that transports the sample container to the analysis unit; a camera that captures an image of the sample container being transported to the analysis unit; a control unit that analyzes the image of the specimen container captured by the camera and, for the specimen for which the measurement results are to be displayed, displays on the display unit one or more icons based on the analysis results of the image of the specimen container containing the specimen, the measurement result display screen displayed on the display unit displays specimen information of the specimen to be measured by the analysis unit, analysis item information requested for the specimen, and specimen status information based on the analysis results of an image of a specimen container containing the specimen; a plurality of types of icons each having a different graphic part according to the content of the analysis result of the image of the specimen container are set; The sample status information is displayed as one type of icon or a combination of multiple types of icons according to the sample status information.

2. In claim 1, The type of the icon displayed as the specimen condition information on the measurement result display screen is selectable.

3. In claim 1, When an abnormality in the specimen condition of a first specimen is detected by analyzing an image of a specimen container containing the first specimen, the control unit displays the specimen information on the measurement result display screen with an abnormality icon indicating a typical abnormality in the specimen condition of the first specimen.

4. In claim 3, The automatic analyzer is configured such that the priority of the icon to be displayed as the abnormal icon is adjustable.

5. In claim 1, The control unit is an automatic analyzer that causes the display unit to display an image of a specimen container containing the specimen for which the specimen status information is displayed on the measurement result display screen.

6. In claim 5, The control unit of the automatic analyzer causes a bar indicating the height of the specimen container and a line indicating the liquid level height for the specimen whose specimen status information is displayed on the measurement result display screen to be superimposed on an image of the specimen container containing the specimen.

7. In claim 1, the icon has a background portion; The background portion represents the presence or absence of abnormalities in the specimen.

8. In claim 1, An automatic analyzer in which the analysis results of the image of the specimen container to which the icon is set include at least one of the following: container shape, container material, container size, presence or absence of blood clots, presence or absence of separating agent, liquid volume, color abnormalities, and bubbles.

Images