Automatic analysis device

Abstract

The present invention suppresses the occurrence of erroneous insertion of an emergency specimen by an operator or an inspection failure caused by such occurrence. Therefore, when a specimen container 103 is added to an installation mechanism 101 after analysis performed by an analysis unit is started, a control unit 7 performs control so that actions of the installation mechanism and a dispensing mechanism 4 are not executed. After the specimen container is added via an access unit 104, before a dispensing action performed by the dispensing mechanism is started, specimen data is read from an identification element by a reader 105 for each specimen container installed at the installation position of the installation mechanism, and the read specimen data and specimen data that is read from the identification element before the addition of the specimen container are compared.

Description

automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.

[0002] The automated analyzer can automatically and uniquely identify samples using an identification element attached to the sample container. The automated analyzer links the recognized sample information with the measurement item information requested for that sample, and measures the requested measurement items for any sample.

[0003] Patient samples used in automated analyzers are divided into regular samples and urgent samples. Regular samples are patient samples that are measured according to the predetermined measurement order, while urgent samples are patient samples that have a high measurement priority and are measured preferentially by interrupting the measurement of regular samples.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer in which, in order to easily perform emergency testing, a rack carrying emergency samples is placed in an emergency lane for samples to be tested.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-126080

[0006] Some automated analyzers are equipped with a sample loading mechanism that loads samples and sequentially extracts samples from sample containers loaded in the loading mechanism to perform analysis. In such automated analyzers, once analysis begins, the loading mechanism continues to operate intermittently. Therefore, loading an additional urgent sample requires at least a partial shutdown of the automated analyzer. To prevent unexpected accidents when loading an additional urgent sample, it is desirable to shut off the power supply to the loading mechanism and the drive mechanisms of the surrounding mechanisms to prevent these mechanisms from suddenly starting up.

[0007] For this reason, there is a possibility that the emergency sample will be placed in a location different from the location that was set as the emergency sample placement location, which may lead to a serious accident such as sample mix-up or incorrect reporting of results.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that prevents an operator from placing a specimen container containing an urgent specimen in the wrong installation mechanism, or prevents testing problems caused by the wrong placement.

[0009] An automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an installation mechanism configured to install sample containers at an installation position via an access unit, a reader that reads identification elements attached to sample containers stored in the installation mechanism, a dispensing mechanism that dispenses samples contained in sample containers installed in the installation mechanism into reaction containers, an analysis unit that analyzes the samples dispensed into the reaction containers, and a control unit; when the control unit receives an instruction to add a sample container to the installation mechanism after analysis by the analysis unit has begun, it controls the installation mechanism and the dispensing mechanism so that their operations are not executed; and when a sample container is added via the access unit and an instruction is received to resume analysis by the analysis unit, the control unit reads sample data from the identification elements for each sample container installed at the installation position using the reader before starting the dispensing operation by the dispensing mechanism, and compares the read sample data with the sample data read from the identification elements before the sample container was added.

[0010] The present invention provides an automatic analyzer that can prevent an operator from inserting the wrong urgent sample and causing a test failure due to the mistake. Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of an automatic analyzer. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining issues when setting up an emergency sample. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining issues when setting up an emergency sample. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining issues when setting up an emergency sample. Fig. 5 is a flowchart for collating sample information after setting up an emergency sample according to Example 1. Fig. 6 is a flowchart for detecting rotation of the setting mechanism when setting up an emergency sample according to Example 2.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, but includes various modifications. For example, the embodiment described below has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to an embodiment including all of the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add other configurations to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment.

[0013] Figure 1 is a simplified plan view of an automated analyzer 100. Reaction vessels 2 are arranged at circumferential positions on a reaction disk that constitutes an incubator 1. The same reaction vessels 2 are used for all reactions. The incubator 1 is controlled to rotate by a drive mechanism such as a motor.

[0014] Rack-type and disk-type installation mechanisms (including the function of transporting the containers) for installing sample containers in an automated analyzer are known as typical installation mechanisms. The rack-type installation mechanism is suitable for analyzing multiple sample containers at once, while the disk-type installation mechanism is suitable for analyzing individual sample containers. FIG. 1 shows an example of a disk-type installation mechanism. The installation mechanism 101 is disk-shaped and can store multiple sample containers 103 containing samples and multiple reagent bottles 3. For this reason, the installation mechanism 101 is also referred to as a sample / reagent disk. The reagent bottles 3 are connected to multiple (here, three) reagent containers, each containing a reagent. In this example, six arc-shaped sample racks 102 for holding sample containers 103 are arranged along the inner periphery of the installation mechanism 101, and each sample rack 102 has multiple installation positions for installing the sample containers 103. Alternatively, instead of a rack, for example, a holding member for holding annular sample containers along the inner periphery of the installation mechanism 101 may be provided, and installation positions for installing the sample containers 103 may be provided on the holding member. Thirty-six reagent bottles 3 are stored in a radial arrangement inside the sample rack 102 (or holding member). The installation method of the reagent bottles 3 and the sample containers 103 is not limited to the example shown in the figure; the sample containers 103 may be installed inside the reagent bottles 3, or the reagent bottles 3 and the sample containers 103 may be installed separately in the circumferential direction rather than the radial direction. Also, although an example is shown in which the installation mechanism 101 is used as a storage unit common to reagents and samples, separate storage units for reagents and samples may also be provided. Details of the installation mechanism 101 will be described later.

[0015] Between the incubator 1 and the installation mechanism 101, a dispensing mechanism 4 is installed, which is capable of circular (rotational) and vertical movement and is equipped with a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle moves in an arc around its axis of rotation to dispense from the reagent bottle 3 or the sample container 103 to the reaction container 2. The trajectory of the dispensing nozzle includes a reagent aspirating position and a sample aspirating position on the installation mechanism 101, a dispensing position on the incubator 1, and a washing tank 5 for cleaning the dispensing nozzle. The sample and reagent are aspirated by the dispensing nozzle, and are stirred and mixed by the aspirating and discharging operation of the dispensing nozzle inside the reaction container 2. By stirring the sample and reagent by pipetting using the dispensing nozzle, a stirring mechanism for stirring the sample and reagent is unnecessary.

[0016] A reaction vessel 2 containing a reaction solution in which a specimen and a reagent are mixed is maintained at a predetermined temperature by an incubator 1, and a reaction is promoted for a predetermined time. When the automated analyzer 100 is used for biochemical testing, a spectrophotometer (biochemical analysis unit) 6 is disposed around the incubator 1. The spectrophotometer 6 is equipped with a light source and a detector, and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution, for example, by irradiating the reaction solution in which a specimen and a reagent are mixed with light from the light source and detecting the transmitted light obtained by spectrally separating the light.

[0017] The automated analyzer 100 of this embodiment is not limited to the one used for biochemical testing as illustrated. For example, the automated analyzer may be used for immunoassays, in which case the spectrophotometer 6 is not required and an immunoassay unit is provided instead. The immunoassay unit uses electrochemiluminescence or chemiluminescence as its measurement principle, and measures the amount of luminescence resulting from the luminescence reaction of a labeled substance using a photomultiplier tube as a detector, for example. The automated analyzer 100 may also be a combined type used for both biochemical testing and immunoassays, in which case it is provided with both the spectrophotometer 6 and the immunoassay unit.

[0018] Each mechanism of the automated analyzer 100 is connected to a control unit 7. The control unit 7 controls the operation of various mechanisms, such as the rotational drive of the incubator 1, the rotational operation inside the installation mechanism 101, the dispensing operation of the dispensing mechanism 4, and the cleaning of the dispensing nozzle of the cleaning tank 5. The control unit 7 has a central processing unit (CPU) and a display unit serving as an input / output unit. The display unit may be, for example, a touch panel, so that its display screen also functions as an input unit. For example, as described below, when an interrupt is made to measure an urgent sample, the operator presses an urgent sample measurement mode button displayed on the display unit, and the interrupt process is executed. Note that, for simplicity of illustration, connections between each mechanism constituting the automated analyzer and the control unit 7 are omitted in FIG. 1 .

[0019] The setting mechanism 101 will now be described in detail. The setting mechanism 101 is actually provided with a cover to keep the interior cool, and a lid is provided at the position of the cover corresponding to the access unit 104. The sample rack 102 or sample container 103 can be inserted or removed by opening or closing the lid provided on the access unit 104. As shown in FIG. 1 , the storage unit of the setting mechanism 101 is disk-shaped, with samples arranged on the outer periphery of the storage unit and reagents arranged on the inner periphery. The control unit 7 controls rotation around the center of the storage unit as the rotation axis. This allows the sample container 103 and the reagent bottle 3 to be moved to the required position. The setting mechanism 101 is provided with a rotation sensor for rotation control that detects the amount of rotation of the storage unit, and the rotation sensor monitors how much it has actually rotated in response to an operation command from the control unit 7.

[0020] In an automated analyzer equipped with a disk-type installation mechanism, an operator typically installs a specimen container 103 in an installation position on the installation mechanism 101 while the automated analyzer 100 is stopped before starting analysis. The operator then sets information (measurement request data) such as the measurement items requested for the specimen contained in the specimen container 103 installed in the automated analyzer 100, and inputs an instruction to start analysis. Upon receiving the instruction to start analysis, the automated analyzer 100 begins analyzing the specimen container 103 installed in the installation mechanism 101.

[0021] Specifically, after receiving a measurement start instruction, the automated analyzer 100 uses a reader 105 to read the identification element (barcode, RFID, etc.) attached to the sample container 103 in order to identify the sample installed in the installation mechanism 101. The ID data read by the reader 105 is sent to the control unit 7, which links it to registered measurement request data. Based on the linked ID data and measurement request data, the control unit 7 issues a sample measurement operation instruction to the automated analyzer 100. Note that, in the following explanation, ID data is used as a representative example of sample data for identifying a sample, but in the case of calibrators or control samples that do not have ID data, they can be identified using sample type information, etc.

[0022] Once the automated analyzer 100 begins analysis, the installation mechanism 101 rotates each time a sample or reagent needs to be dispensed. During the analysis operation, the storage section of the installation mechanism 101 intermittently rotates and does not stop until the analysis operation of all sample containers 103 installed in the installation mechanism 101 is complete. For this reason, the operator is usually unable to install a new sample container into the installation mechanism 101 during the analysis operation. However, there may be cases where a sample that is not stored in the installation mechanism 101 but urgently needs to be measured by the automated analyzer 100 occurs. For example, this may be an urgent sample that requires measurement prior to normal samples, or a calibrator or control sample that is used to maintain appropriate measurement accuracy.

[0023] To install a sample container 103 in the installation mechanism 101 after analysis has started, the operator must either (1) wait until analysis of all existing sample containers 103 is completed, or (2) interrupt the installation mechanism. To install an additional sample container 103 in the installation mechanism 101 by interrupting, all or part of the operation of the automated analyzer 100 must be stopped. Here, part of the operation of the automated analyzer 100 refers to the operation of the installation mechanism 101 and mechanisms installed in the vicinity of the installation mechanism 101 that access the installation mechanism 101, such as a dispensing mechanism. The reason for stopping the operation is that the safety of the operator and the samples cannot be ensured if these mechanisms are operating. For example, if the operator's fingers come into contact with the tip of the dispensing probe, the operator may be injured or infected with some kind of pathogen. Furthermore, the tip of the dispensing probe may become contaminated, which may affect the analysis. Furthermore, if the sample container 103 comes into contact with a moving mechanism, it may be damaged.

[0024] The automated analyzer 100 has a function for designating any one of the sample racks 102 stored in the installation mechanism 101 as a rack for adding new sample containers (hereinafter referred to as an "emergency rack") to allow the operator to install new sample containers in the installation mechanism 101 during an analysis operation. Alternatively, if a circular holding member is used, the automated analyzer 100 has a function for designating a predetermined range of installation positions on the holding member as an emergency sample installation position. Here, the term "emergency rack" is a management setting by the control unit 7, so there is no visual distinction between the emergency rack and other sample racks 102. The same applies to the holding member; the emergency rack and the emergency sample installation positions are collectively referred to as the "additional sample installation area." Both have in common the fact that they include at least one installation position where an additional sample container is installed. Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given using an example of a sample rack 102. The additional sample installation area may be fixedly defined in the automated analyzer 100 or may be arbitrarily designated by the operator when starting analysis.

[0025] When the operator presses the emergency sample measurement mode button, the control unit 7 transitions the installation mechanism 101 to a state in which a new sample container 103 can be safely stored in the emergency rack (hereinafter referred to as STAT (Short Turn Around Time) mode).

[0026] Specifically, when an additional sample such as an urgent sample (hereinafter, an urgent sample will be described as an example) is to be placed in the installation mechanism 101 during sample measurement, the operator notifies the control unit 7 by pressing the urgent sample measurement mode button. In response to the pressing of the urgent sample measurement mode button, the control unit 7 instructs the automated analyzer 100 to stop dispensing new samples. To prevent the sample and reagents being measured from going to waste, the automated analyzer 100 performs the reserved analysis operation, and then the installation mechanism 101 rotates the emergency rack to the position of the access unit 104, after which it controls the installation mechanism 101 and its peripheral mechanisms so that they do not operate, and notifies the control unit 7 that an urgent sample can be placed (STAT mode). This prompts the operator to place the urgent sample.

[0027] When the urgent sample becomes available for installation, the operator removes the sample rack 102 registered as an emergency rack via the access unit 104, installs the sample container 103 containing the urgent sample in the removed emergency rack, and then loads the emergency rack onto the installation mechanism 101 via the access unit 104. After completing installation of the urgent sample, the operator sets the measurement request data for the urgent sample in the automatic analyzer 100 and issues an instruction to resume measurement.

[0028] In a comparative example, when restarting measurement, the automated analyzer 100 receives a measurement restart instruction and uses the reader 105 to read information about the sample container 103 placed in the emergency rack. For the automated analyzer 100 to analyze the sample, it is necessary to link the ID data registered in the identification element attached to the sample container 103 with the registered measurement request data. In the comparative example, by reading information about the sample container 103 placed in the emergency rack that has been moved in and out of the installation mechanism 101 to install an emergency sample, it is possible to update the ID data of the sample container 103 placed in the sample rack 102 that has been removed from the installation mechanism 101. The ID data read by the reader 105 is sent to the control unit 7, where it is linked with the registered measurement request data. Based on the linked ID data and measurement request data, the control unit 7 issues a measurement operation instruction for the emergency sample to the automated analyzer 100. After the emergency sample is measured, the suspended measurement of the regular sample is resumed.

[0029] However, the method of the comparative example may result in sample mix-up or erroneous reporting of measurement results. As described above, the emergency rack (additional sample installation area) is a management setting by the control unit 7, and there is no visual distinction between the emergency rack and other sample racks 102. Furthermore, depending on the sample test request status at that time, sample containers 103 containing normal samples are also installed in the emergency rack. In other words, the additional sample installation area is not an area exclusively for additionally installed sample containers, and normal samples are also installed without any special restrictions. Therefore, the operator cannot distinguish whether the rack is an emergency rack or not from its appearance. For this reason, in STAT mode, if the power to the drive mechanism that rotates the installation mechanism 101 is turned off to avoid unexpected accidents, for example, the operator may accidentally touch the storage unit, causing the emergency rack located in the access unit to shift position, resulting in the operator retrieving a sample rack different from the emergency rack and installing an emergency sample.

[0030] This will be explained in detail using Figures 2A to 2C. Figure 2A shows an installation mechanism 101 capable of mounting three sample racks 102 (racks 1 to 3), with the three sample racks 102 mounted in regions I to III, respectively. An access unit 104 is provided in region II. Six sample containers 103 can be mounted on each sample rack 102. Rack 2 is also designated as an emergency rack. Figure 2B shows the installation status of the sample containers in the installation mechanism 101, and Figure 2C shows the installation status of the sample containers in the installation mechanism 101 recognized by the control unit 7. The top row of each table shows the rack, the middle row shows the installation position of the sample container 103, and the bottom row shows the sample ID (A to M) of the sample container 103 mounted in that installation position.

[0031] State 201 indicates a transition to STAT mode, enabling the installation of an urgent sample. In this state, the actual installation state in FIG. 2B and the administrative installation state in FIG. 2C are identical. The operator accidentally rotates the storage unit clockwise (202), resulting in a misalignment of the sample rack 102 (FIG. 2B). Meanwhile, in STAT mode, the rotation sensor is normally not operational, so the control unit 7 cannot recognize this change. Therefore, the administrative installation state shown in FIG. 2C remains unchanged between state 201 and state 203. The operator removes rack 3 via the access unit 104, installs urgent sample X, and then reloads rack 3 onto the installation mechanism 101 (204). This state is state 205 shown in FIG. 2B. The control unit 7 updates the sample rack ID data of the sample rack 102 loaded via the access unit 104. This state is state 205 shown in FIG. 2C.

[0032] In this way, if testing is continued in a state where the actual installation state shown in Figure 2B and the administrative installation state shown in Figure 2C do not match, it may happen that, for example, the analysis data output as the analysis result of sample C is actually the analysis data output from the analysis of sample G.

[0033] In Example 1, before resuming the measurement operation after an emergency sample is placed due to an interrupt, the sample containers are scanned at each placement position, and the sample data read from the identification element is compared before and after the sample container is added, and if there is a discrepancy between the two, the operator is notified.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the process after an operator installs an urgent sample in STAT mode and issues a measurement operation command again. First, the operator who installed the urgent sample issues a measurement operation command again (S01). The control unit 7 acquires the ID data of the installation mechanism 101 for a certain installation position that was read when the sample was read before the urgent sample was installed (S02). Next, the reader 105 reads the identification element of the sample container 103 at that installation position (S03). Next, the control unit 7 compares the ID data read by the reader 105 with the ID data acquired in step S02 (S04). If the comparison results in a determination that the installation position is outside the additional sample installation area and there is a discrepancy, abnormality processing is performed (S05). In abnormality processing (S05), measurement is not initiated, and processing such as notifying the operator that a sample has been replaced is performed. On the other hand, if there is no discrepancy or the installation position is determined to be within the additional sample installation area, it is determined whether reading of the identification elements of the sample containers 103 has been completed for all installation positions of the installation mechanism 101 (S06). If the result of the determination is that the reading of the sample information is not yet complete, the installation positions are updated (S07), and the reading of the sample information is executed (S03). If it is determined in step S06 that the reading of the sample information for all installation positions is complete, the dispensing operation by the dispensing mechanism 4 is started, and the measurement operation is resumed (S08).

[0035] In this way, when restarting after urgent sample installation, sample information is read not only from the installation position in the additional sample installation area (in the comparative example, the sample rack where the urgent sample was installed), but also from all installation positions in the installation mechanism 101, including the installation positions for normal samples, and the information is compared and collated before and after the addition of the sample container, making it possible to detect whether samples other than the urgent sample have been replaced when the urgent sample was installed. This makes it possible to detect incorrect sample replacement before analysis, preventing sample mix-ups and erroneous reporting of measurement results.

[0036] In Example 2, the configuration is such that it is prevented that the operator rotates the installation mechanism 101 when installing an emergency sample, thereby removing anything other than an emergency rack, or installing a sample container containing an emergency sample at an installation position other than the emergency sample installation position of the holding member.

[0037] 4 is a flowchart of rotation detection of the installation mechanism 101 in STAT mode. After transitioning to STAT mode, when the operator is ready to install an urgent sample (S11), the control unit 7 starts monitoring using the rotation sensor used to control the rotation of the installation mechanism 101 (S12). The operator then installs the urgent sample (S13). During this time, the rotation monitoring of the installation mechanism 101, which began in step S12, continues. If the installation mechanism 101 rotates and the rotation sensor detects rotations greater than or equal to a threshold ("Yes" in S14), abnormality processing is performed (S15). If the rotation sensor does not detect rotations greater than or equal to the threshold ("No" in S14), it is determined that rotation has not occurred, and the measurement operation is initiated after the urgent sample is installed (S16).

[0038] In this way, by using a rotation sensor for rotation control to detect rotation when installing an emergency sample, unintended rotation of the installation mechanism 101 can be detected without increasing the cost price or the unit price of the device, thereby preventing the incorrect removal of sample racks and the incorrect installation of emergency samples.

[0039] 1...incubator, 2...reaction vessel, 3...reagent bottle, 4...dispensing mechanism, 5...washing tank, 6...spectrophotometer, 7...control unit, 100...automatic analyzer, 101...installation mechanism, 102...sample rack, 103...sample container, 104...access unit, 105...reader

Claims

1. An installation mechanism configured to allow the specimen container to be installed at the installation location via an access section, A reader that reads the identification element attached to the sample container installed in the aforementioned installation mechanism, A dispensing mechanism for dispensing samples contained in sample containers installed in the aforementioned installation mechanism into a reaction vessel, An analytical unit for analyzing the sample dispensed into the reaction vessel, It has a control unit and If the control unit receives an instruction to add a sample container to the installation mechanism after the analysis by the analysis unit has started, it controls the operation of the installation mechanism and the dispensing mechanism so that they are not executed. The control unit, upon receiving an instruction from the analysis unit to resume analysis after a sample container has been added via the access unit, and before the dispensing operation by the dispensing mechanism is started, reads sample data from the identification element using the reader for each sample container installed at the installation position of the installation mechanism, and compares the read sample data with the sample data read from the identification element before the sample container was added, thereby detecting whether any sample containers installed at the installation position of the installation mechanism have been replaced in addition to the added sample container.

2. In claim 1, The installation mechanism is provided with an additional sample installation area that includes at least one installation position for installing additional sample containers in the installation mechanism while the analysis unit is performing analysis. The control unit, after the analysis by the analysis unit has started, receives an instruction to add a sample container to the installation mechanism, and then controls the installation mechanism to operate so that the additional sample installation area is located in the access unit, and then prevents the operation of the installation mechanism and the dispensing mechanism from being performed.

3. In claim 2, The control unit is an automated analyzer that performs abnormality processing if there is a difference in the sample data read from the identification element by the reader before and after the addition of a sample container to a sample container installed at an installation position outside the additional sample installation area of ​​the installation mechanism.

4. In claim 2, The aforementioned installation mechanism is equipped with multiple specimen racks, each having multiple installation positions. The control unit is an automated analyzer that sets any one of the multiple mounted sample racks as the additional sample placement area.

5. In claim 1, The aforementioned additional sample container is an automated analyzer that contains emergency samples that require analysis prioritizing them over regular samples.

6. The installation mechanism includes an access section for placing the sample container at the installation location, A reader that reads the identification element attached to the sample container installed in the aforementioned installation mechanism, A dispensing mechanism for dispensing samples contained in sample containers installed in the aforementioned installation mechanism into a reaction vessel, An analytical unit for analyzing the sample dispensed into the reaction vessel, It has a control unit and The aforementioned mounting mechanism performs a rotational movement and is equipped with a rotation sensor that detects the amount of rotation of the mounting mechanism. After the analysis by the analysis unit has started, if the control unit receives an instruction to add a sample container to the installation mechanism, it controls the rotation of the installation mechanism and the dispensing of the dispensing mechanism so as not to be performed, and also controls the rotation of the installation mechanism to be monitored by the rotation sensor. The control unit is an automatic analyzer that performs abnormality processing if the rotation sensor detects rotation of the installation mechanism by a predetermined amount or more before a sample container is added via the access unit and the analysis unit gives an instruction to resume analysis.

7. In claim 6, The installation mechanism is provided with an additional sample installation area that includes at least one installation position for installing additional sample containers in the installation mechanism while the analysis unit is performing analysis. The control unit controls the installation mechanism so that, after operating the installation mechanism so that the additional sample installation area is located in the access section, the rotational movement of the installation mechanism and the operation of the dispensing mechanism are not performed, in an automated analyzer.

8. In claim 7, The aforementioned installation mechanism is equipped with multiple specimen racks, each having multiple installation positions. The control unit is an automated analyzer that sets any one of the multiple mounted sample racks as the additional sample placement area.

9. In claim 6, The aforementioned additional sample container is an automated analyzer that contains emergency samples that require analysis prioritizing them over regular samples.