Specimen processing device and specimen processing method

Abstract

The present invention includes: a plurality of specimen container holders 203 for holding one specimen container 201; a function module 3 for performing processing accompanying an analysis of a specimen; a conveyance unit 4 which is connected to the function module 3 and conveys the specimen container 201 held by the specimen container holders 203 to the function module 3; and a control unit 2 which, when it is determined that a plurality of specimen containers 201 having the same identification information are present when acquiring analysis request items of the specimen, assigns request items for each of the specimen containers 201, or a control unit 2 which, when it is determined that a plurality of specimen containers 201 having the same identification information are present, controls the conveyance of the specimen containers 201 having the same identification information on the basis of the conveyance status of the other specimen containers 201 having the same identification information.

Description

Sample processing device and sample processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample processing apparatus and a sample processing method for pre-processing samples such as blood and urine before sending them to an automatic analyzer and for performing post-processing associated with the analysis.

[0002] In order to connect multiple carriers together for transport and control, the document describes that a management unit that holds the status of the entire sample transport system and sample information generates group information that groups together multiple simultaneous processes based on sample attributes and request information, and that a unit consisting of transport lines, connection lines, and processing units controls receiving carriers at junction points based on the group information, enabling group management and control of carriers.

[0003] JP 2012-154758 A

[0004] In recent years, in clinical testing at medical facilities, due to an increase in the number of test items and the amount of blood collected for analysis exceeding the capacity of a single specimen container due to the blood collection tubes (hereinafter referred to as "specimen containers") used at the facility, multiple specimen containers may be required for the same processing. These are generally referred to as multiple specimens or multiple specimens with the same ID, and an identical specimen identifier (such as a barcode or RFID) may be affixed to the specimen container.

[0005] In sample processing devices, a carrier (hereinafter referred to as a "holder") that can hold one sample container containing a test sample such as blood or body fluid, or a carrier that can hold multiple samples, is used to transport the sample container between each functional module within the sample processing device.

[0006] In such sample processing devices, information linked to the sample identifier (sample ID) attached to the sample container is received from a host system based on the sample ID, and processing details are determined based on that information. Depending on the medical facility, multiple sample containers with the same ID may occur depending on the test details.

[0007] In conventional sample processing devices, multiple samples with the same identifier are loaded onto a carrier capable of holding multiple sample containers, and then loaded and transported into the device to process multiple samples with the same identifier.

[0008] However, even if multiple sample containers can be loaded, if one sample container occupies a carrier, there is a risk that the entire sample processing device will run out of carriers. In this case, since it becomes impossible to load sample containers, adjustments must be made to prevent sample processing from starting until all sample containers are available, or the system must wait until a carrier carrying samples that have completed analysis is removed, which may result in delays in test results, and a solution is desired.

[0009] In the sample processing device provided in Patent Document 1, when handling samples from the same patient in a sample processing device using a carrier that holds one sample container, group information for performing the same processing is generated when the sample container is inserted, and multiple samples are handled by transport control based on the group information, using carrier evacuation areas installed in each functional module within the sample processing device.

[0010] However, multiple samples with the same sample identifier cannot be handled in a sample processing device that uses a holder that holds only one sample container. This is because the sample processing device handles each sample container using the sample identifier assigned to the sample container as a primary key, and no control method has been established for processing multiple samples with overlapping primary keys.

[0011] In a sample processing device that uses a holder that holds one sample container, unlike a carrier that holds multiple sample containers, the holder and the sample container are linked on a 1:1 basis. This has the advantage that in a sample processing device that has multiple functional modules and manages complex transport routes, it is possible to more flexibly control the transport of a single sample container.

[0012] However, if the sample identifiers used for transport control are the same but the total amount is unknown, the transport control mechanism itself must be changed.

[0013] Patent Document 1 describes that in order to achieve continuity in the transport of multiple related samples, an area is provided in each functional module to store sample containers in their carriers until all sample containers are collected. This increases the overall scale of the sample processing device, and therefore miniaturization is desirable.

[0014] Furthermore, exceeding the number of carriers stored in the evacuation area can cause congestion in the transport line, which can result in delays in transport within the sample processing equipment. Such delays can lead to delayed reporting of test results and longer elapsed times, which can lead to deterioration of clinical test samples and affect test results, so a solution is needed.

[0015] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a sample processing device and a sample processing method that maintains the flexibility of sample container transport using a holder that holds a single sample container, while enabling the handling of multiple samples to achieve improved sample processing efficiency regardless of the continuity of the sample containers.

[0016] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example thereof includes a plurality of specimen container holders each holding a specimen container containing a specimen and having identification information attached thereto; a processing module that performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with analyzing the specimen; a transport unit connected to the processing module that transports the specimen container held in the specimen container holder to the processing module; and a control unit that, when acquiring requested analysis items for the specimen, assigns requested items to each specimen container when it is determined that there are multiple specimen containers with the same identification information.

[0017] Another example includes a plurality of specimen container holders each holding a specimen container containing a specimen and each having identification information assigned thereto; a processing module that performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with analyzing the specimen; a transport unit connected to the processing module that transports the specimen container held in the specimen container holder to the processing module; and a control unit that, when there are a plurality of specimen containers with the same identification information, controls the transport of other specimen containers with the same identification information based on the transport status of the specimen containers with the same identification information.

[0018] According to the present invention, the flexibility of specimen container transport using a holder that holds a single specimen container is maintained, and it is possible to handle multiple specimens to improve specimen processing efficiency regardless of the continuity of the specimen containers. Objects, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the description of the following examples.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration model of a sample processing apparatus according to an embodiment and an example of the relationship with a host system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a sample container and a holder used in a sample processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an example of a processing flow of a sample processing method for multiple samples according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sample container number registration screen in a sample processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a sample container request information registration screen in a sample processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of sample registration information recorded in a control unit of a sample processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing another example of a processing flow of a sample processing method for multiple samples according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing yet another example of a processing flow of a sample processing method for multiple samples according to an embodiment.

[0020] An embodiment of the sample processing apparatus and sample processing method of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0021] First, the overall configuration of a structural model of a host system and a sample processing apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a sample analyzing system equipped with a transport device according to this embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the sample processing device in this embodiment is composed of a functional module 3 that performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with sample analysis, a transport unit 4 that is connected to the functional module 3 and transports sample containers 201 (see Figure 2) held in multiple sample container holders 203 (see Figure 2), each holding one sample container 201, to the functional module 3, and a control unit 2.

[0023] The transport unit 4 may be configured in any known manner, such as belt transport or electromagnetic transport, to transport a specimen container holder 203 holding one specimen container 201 to a destination, although the details are not particularly limited.

[0024] The control unit 2 controls the operation of the entire system including the functional modules 3 and the transport unit 4, and is composed of a computer having a display unit 2A such as a liquid crystal display, input devices, a storage device, a CPU, memory, etc. The control of the operation of each device by the control unit 2 is executed based on various programs recorded in the storage device.

[0025] The control processes for the operations executed by the control unit 2 may be integrated into one program, or may be divided into multiple programs, or may be a combination of these. Furthermore, some or all of the programs may be realized by dedicated hardware or may be modularized.

[0026] In this embodiment, when the control unit 2 determines that there are multiple specimen containers 201 with the same identification information when acquiring requested specimen analysis items, it assigns requested items to each specimen container 201. Furthermore, when there are multiple specimen containers 201 with the same identification information, it controls the transport of other specimen containers 201 with the same identification information based on the transport status of the specimen containers 201 with the same identification information. These details will be described later.

[0027] In this embodiment, when there are multiple specimen containers 201 with the same identification information, the display unit 2A displays a setting screen for setting analysis request items for each specimen container 201 with the same identification information. Details of this will be described later.

[0028] The sample processing device is installed under the control of a host system 1, and the control unit 2 queries the host system 1 regarding request information 5 required for sample processing, and the information is sent from the host system 1 to the control unit 2, or the necessary information is sent from the host system 1 to the control unit 2 as appropriate.

[0029] When a sample container 201 is placed in a conventional sample processing device, the device sends an arrival notification to a host system 1 based on the sample identification information recorded on a sample identifier 202 attached to the sample container 201 shown in Figure 2, and the host system 1 then sends sample processing details to the sample processing device based on that notification. In some cases, the host system 1 may send sample processing details for registered samples before the arrival notification from the sample processing device.

[0030] The flow of sample processing contents between the host system 1 and the sample processing device in this invention is based on the assumption that a method has been selected in which the host system 1 transmits sample processing contents upon receiving an arrival notification from the former sample processing device.

[0031] In each functional module 3 in the sample processing apparatus, processing of each sample container 201 is carried out in response to instructions from the control unit 2 .

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, a specimen container 201 containing a specimen is transported mounted on a specimen container holder 203 with a specimen identifier 202 (identification information, typically a barcode or RFID) attached to its side.

[0033] When the specimen container 201 is inserted into the functional module 3 or mounted on the specimen container holder 203, the specimen identifier attached to the specimen container 201 is read by a reading device (not shown), and the specimen container holder 203 and the mounted specimen container 201 are linked.

[0034] The sample container 201 mounted on the sample container holder 203 is moved between the functional modules 3 by the transport unit 4. When the sample container 201 is moved between the functional modules 3, the functional module 3 notifies the control unit 2 at a specific point on the transport unit 4 about the passage of the sample container holder 203 or the processing of the sample container 201 in the functional module 3. The present invention is also assumed to have the above-mentioned functions of conventional sample processing devices.

[0035] The number and arrangement of the functional modules 3 and transport units 4 in the sample processing apparatus shown in Figure 1 are merely examples, and the number and arrangement of the functional modules 3 and transport units 4 are not particularly limited. Furthermore, an analysis unit can be incorporated into the system. The analysis items in the analysis unit are not particularly limited, and a known analysis unit configuration for analyzing biochemical items or immunological items, for example, can be adopted. Furthermore, when multiple analysis units are provided, they may have the same specifications or different specifications, and are not particularly limited.

[0036] Next, the characteristic configuration and processing of the sample processing apparatus and sample processing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and subsequent figures.

[0037] In the present invention, when multiple specimen container holders 203 each holding one specimen container 201 containing a specimen and having identification information assigned thereto are transported to a functional module 3 that performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with specimen analysis, if it is determined that there are multiple specimen containers 201 with the same identification information when the requested specimen analysis items are obtained, a requested item is assigned to each specimen container 201, and the specimen containers 201 with the same identification information are transported individually by a transport unit 4 to the functional module 3, where the necessary pre-processing or post-processing is performed.

[0038] An example of a processing flow in the present invention when there are two specimen containers 201 (specimens) with the same identifier will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 3, before the specimen containers 201 are inserted, the number of specimens with the same identifier and the allocation of requested items are registered in the control unit 2 (301). For specimen containers 201 with the same identifier to be registered, a specimen identifier 402 (specimen ID in this case) and the number of specimen containers 201 403 are input on a specimen container 201 number registration screen 401 in Fig. 4. After the specimen ID and the number of specimen containers 201, which are required items, are input on the specimen container 201 number registration screen 401, a trigger 404 for determining the number of tests is pressed to transition the screen of the control unit 2 to a request information registration screen 501 shown in Fig. 5.

[0040] Meanwhile, once the control unit 2 determines the number of sample containers 201, it sends an arrival notification of the sample ID registered in the above-mentioned process to the host system (302), and the host system responds to an inquiry from the control unit 2 and sends the request details to the control unit 2 (303).

[0041] The request information registration screen 501 preferably displays the registered sample ID and the number of registered samples 502. On this request information registration screen 501, it is determined to which of the multiple sample containers 201 the request content transmitted from the host system to the control unit 2 for the sample ID registered on the previous screen should be allocated.

[0042] In this way, the control unit 2 sets the analysis request items for each specimen container 201 based on the information on the number of specimen containers 201 with the same identification information notified from the host system.

[0043] Regarding the allocation content, the control unit 2 defines standard allocation content using the priority for each request that is pre-registered in the control unit 2 and the limit setting for the total dispensing amount per sample container 201 that is set for multiple samples, and the content is displayed when the screen changes.

[0044] Furthermore, the priority of the control unit 2 and the total dispensing amount limit setting for one specimen container 201 can be changed on the display screen, allowing for settings that take into account the environment of the facility where the system is installed. This setting makes it possible to accommodate, for example, differences in the types of specimens used at the facility where the system is installed.

[0045] Here, because the amount of blood collected from the specimen container 201 varies depending on the type, the amount of content (specimen) per specimen container 201 is not necessarily the same, but varies in most cases. Therefore, by setting a larger total dispensing amount per specimen container 201 for a specimen container 201 with a larger amount of blood collected, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the subsequent dispensing process.

[0046] On the other hand, by specifying standard allocation details and displaying them during transition, users do not need to enter all of the allocation details, which can also lead to a reduction in the time required for registration work.

[0047] Furthermore, it is desirable that the allocation content of a standard request can be changed by the user. For example, the request information registration screen 501 in Figure 5 can be configured to allow the user to select whether to change the allocation of the request content to which samples by changing the sample order 503 or checking or unchecking the aliquoting required box 504. Then, by determining the allocation content on the request information registration screen 501 using a registration decision trigger 505 provided on the screen, the request for multiple target samples in the control unit 2 is decided.

[0048] Furthermore, if the user does not wish to change the standard allocation details described above and instead wishes to adopt the results of automatic allocation, the user can select the automatic allocation selection trigger 405 on the sample container number registration screen, and have the function of automatically reflecting the registration of the standard allocation details described above. This also simplifies the user operation.

[0049] The registration of the number and requested items can be included in the information sent from the host system to the sample processing device, eliminating the need for the user to perform the registration process.

[0050] 6 shows an example of sample information registered by the control unit 2 when there are three samples with the same sample identifier (sample ID). When sample containers 201, totaling 602 samples corresponding to a target sample ID 601, are loaded into the functional module 3, a request item is sent from the host system (702) based on a loading notification 701 from the control unit 2 shown in FIG.

[0051] At this time, the control unit 2 automatically allocates request items for multiple samples based on the sample information contents, including the total number of samples received (703), and in the example shown in Figure 6, it is possible to proceed with processing (704) of the samples in each of the first to third sample containers 201 in the order in which the inserted sample containers 201 were identified by the control unit 2.

[0052] After registering the request allocation information for multiple samples in the control unit 2 described above, when a sample container 201 having the registered sample identifier is inserted (304) into the functional module 3 for inserting the sample container 201 in the sample processing device, the sample container 201 is transferred to the sample container holder 203 and the sample identification information is read.

[0053] The sample identification information read by the functional module 3 is sent as a notification to the control unit 2, and based on this information, the control unit 2 refers to the sample registration information.If the sample container 201 has sample identification information that has been registered as multiple samples, the control unit 2 determines the subsequent sample processing details in accordance with the registered details and sends this as a request item to the functional module 3 (305).

[0054] Furthermore, the number of the specimen container 201 registered in the control unit 2 that has been inserted into the functional module 3 and whose specimen identification information has been read is determined by reading the specimen identification information after the specimen container 201 has been inserted and notifying the control unit 2 from the functional module 3, and the order of the specimen container 201 and the request content are determined from the specimen registration information in the control unit 2 (306).

[0055] In the sample processing device, the sample containers 201 inserted are transferred to the sample container holder 203 and the sample identification information is read for each sample container 201. For example, in the sample registration information of Figure 6, if three samples with sample ID "10006" are inserted, the sample for which a notification is first sent to the control unit 2 will be treated as the first sample, and the request content will be "A" only, and the sample for which a notification is secondly sent will be treated as the second sample, and the request content will be "B" and "C".

[0056] In this way, it is desirable to identify specimen containers 201 with the same identification information based on the order in which the transport unit 4 starts transporting the specimen containers 201 .

[0057] The sample registration information in the control unit 2 can be changed before the registered sample is input into the functional module 3 .

[0058] Furthermore, it is desirable that the control unit 2 in this embodiment be configured to be able to select whether to change the sample processing content after the common processing or to perform the same processing, depending on whether the multiple samples with the same ID that are input are the first sample or the second or subsequent samples.

[0059] The common processing here refers to processing that the sample processing device performs depending on the state of the inserted sample container 201. For example, for samples to be measured in a biochemical and immunological analyzer after blood collection, it is necessary to confirm that the collected blood has sufficiently coagulated before centrifuging it to separate the contents of the sample container 201 into serum and clots or plasma and blood cell components, and if necessary, to dispense the blood into separate containers before transporting the sample.

[0060] In the sample processing apparatus, the centrifugation process is a common process when the apparatus includes a device that performs centrifugation as a functional module 3. In addition, when the sample container 201 that has been loaded has a lid and the sample processing apparatus includes a functional module 3 that opens the lid of the loaded sample container 201, the cap removal process is also a common process.

[0061] Furthermore, the necessity is determined by the configuration of the functional module 3 in the sample processing apparatus, so it does not matter whether or not there is common processing.

[0062] For the multiple samples of the same ID that have been input, the common process described above is performed for the number of sample containers 201 registered in the control unit 2, and then each sample proceeds to processing.

[0063] However, for the second and subsequent sample containers 201, after the common processing, they are temporarily stored (307) in the functional module 3 that stores sample containers 201 in the sample processing device until all of the samples registered in the control unit 2 are input into the sample processing device, and based on the result of the control unit 2 notifying (308) that the sample container 201 corresponding to the sample previous to the relevant sample container 201 has completed a specific processing, the control unit 2 issues a processing instruction (309) for the sample container 201, and the subsequent processing is carried out (310).

[0064] Thereafter, the transport of a predetermined specimen container 201 is controlled based on the transport status of the previous container, such as the second container in the case of the third container, the third container in the case of the fourth container, and so on.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, it is desirable that the control unit 2 accepts changes to the number of specimen containers 201, the registered contents, and the analysis request items set for each specimen container 201 until the transportation of the first specimen container 201 begins.

[0066] More preferably, the control unit 2 is configured to allow changes to the registered content for the analysis request items set for each specimen container 201, provided that if all of the dispensing processes for the items set for the specimen container 201 were not successful in the transport status of the previous specimen, there is a next specimen container and the transport status of the next specimen container is unprocessed.

[0067] The number of registered sample containers 201, the registered contents, and the requested items can be changed until the sample containers 201 arrive at the specific function module 3 that determines the dispensing process.

[0068] If the dispensing process for the analysis request item set for each specimen container 201 is not completed, and there are specimen containers 201 with the same identification information that have not yet been transported, it is desirable for the control unit 2 to continue processing with the specimen containers 201 that have not yet been transported.

[0069] Specifically, when the sample arrives at a specific functional module 3, the functional module 3 sends an arrival notification to the control unit 2 (801), and the control unit 2 determines the dispensing process contents (802) based on the sample identifier mounted on the sample container 201. When the dispensing process is completed, the functional module 3 notifies the control unit 2 of the dispensing results (803).

[0070] At this time, if there are any items that have failed to be dispensed, the notification will include the details of the incomplete items and the incomplete dispensing results, and the control unit 2 will update the request details for the next bottle from the received details (804), while at the same time instructing the functional module 3 to remove and transport the next bottle from the primary storage location.

[0071] When the next bottle arrives at the specific functional module 3 that determines the dispensing process, the control unit 2 generates (805) processing content to execute the processing of the items that were not completed in the previous bottle based on the arrival notification of the next bottle, and instructs the functional module 3.

[0072] In this series of processes, if there is a sample with the same sample identifier in the specific functional module 3 that determines the dispensing process, the dispensing process contents cannot be carried over to the next sample, so the second and subsequent multiple samples with the same ID are temporarily stored in the functional module 3 that stores the sample container 201 in the sample processing device.

[0073] On the other hand, if more samples than the number of sample information registered in the control unit 2 are inserted, the control unit 2 can treat the corresponding sample containers 201, the number of which is greater than the registered number, as error samples.

[0074] Furthermore, if a certain period of time has elapsed with fewer specimen containers 201 than the number of specimen information registered in the control unit 2 having been loaded, the control unit 2 can issue an alert indicating that the number is insufficient, based on the specimen container 201 loading timeout setting set in the control unit 2. Furthermore, it is desirable to change the registered contents of the specimen information.

[0075] The control unit 2 changes the registration details and request items for the number of specimen containers 201 for the specimen container 201 to which the specimen identifier that caused the timeout has been assigned, and reconfigures the transport control details for the specimen container 201 based on the results of the changed registration information.

[0076] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0077] The sample processing apparatus of the present embodiment described above comprises a plurality of sample container holders 203, each holding one sample container 201 containing a sample and having identification information attached thereto; a functional module 3 that performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with sample analysis; a transport unit 4 connected to the functional module 3 and transporting the sample container 201 held in the sample container holder 203 to the functional module 3; and a control unit 2 that, when acquiring requested sample analysis items, assigns requested items to each sample container 201 when it determines that there are multiple sample containers 201 with the same identification information, or, when there are multiple sample containers 201 with the same identification information, controls the transport of sample containers 201 with the same identification information based on the transport status of the sample containers 201 with the same identification information.

[0078] When using a specimen container holder 203 that holds one specimen container, transport control can be established regardless of the continuity of the specimen containers 201 within the specimen processing device by using specimen information in which the number of specimen containers 201 and the processing details of the specimen containers 201 are registered for each specimen container 201. Therefore, transport operation control within the processing device for multiple specimen containers 201 with the same ID can be achieved at any timing, and even when multiple specimens are handled using a single specimen container holder, no evacuation area is required within each functional module 3, thereby preventing an increase in the scale of the device.

[0079] Furthermore, when there are multiple specimen containers 201 with the same identification information, the display unit 2A further displays a request information registration screen 501 for setting analysis request items for each specimen container 201 with the same identification information. This allows the handling of multiple specimens to be changed depending on the situation, making it possible to accommodate a wider variety of cases, thereby enabling more flexible pre-processing and post-processing.

[0080] Furthermore, the control unit 2 sets the analysis request items for each specimen container 201 based on the number information of specimen containers 201 with the same identification information, particularly based on the number information notified from the upper system, thereby enabling pre-processing and post-processing to be performed efficiently without wasting specimens.

[0081] Furthermore, by identifying specimen containers 201 with the same identification information based on the order in which the transport unit 4 starts transporting the specimen containers 201, it is possible to easily identify a plurality of specimens.

[0082] Furthermore, if the dispensing process for the analysis request item set for each specimen container 201 is not completed, and there are specimen containers 201 with the same identification information that have not yet been transported, the control unit 2 continues processing with the specimen containers 201 that have not yet been transported, thereby minimizing the risk of analysis not being performed due to inability to dispense.

[0083] In addition, the control unit 2 accepts changes to the number of specimen containers 201, the registered contents, and the analysis request items set for each specimen container 201 until the transportation of the first specimen container 201 begins, thereby preventing errors from occurring when pre-processing or post-processing cannot be started even if the insertion order is not as expected by the system.

[0084] <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the described configurations.

[0085] For example, the specimen processing method of the present invention is not limited to "when a plurality of specimen container holders 203 each holding a single specimen container 201 containing a specimen and having identification information assigned thereto are transported to a functional module 3 for pre-processing or post-processing associated with specimen analysis, if it is determined that a plurality of specimen containers 201 with the same identification information exist when a requested specimen analysis item is acquired, a requested item is assigned to each specimen container 201, and the specimen containers 201 with the same identification information are transported individually to the functional module 3 for pre-processing or post-processing," but may also be "when a plurality of specimen container holders 203 each holding a single specimen container 201 containing a specimen and having identification information assigned thereto are transported to a functional module 3 for pre-processing or post-processing associated with specimen analysis, if a plurality of specimen containers 201 with the same identification information exist, the transport of specimen containers 201 with the same identification information is controlled based on the transport status of specimen containers 201 with the same identification information."

[0086] 1... Upper system 2... Control unit 2A... Display unit 3... Functional module (processing module) 4... Transport unit 5... Request information 201... Sample container 202... Sample identifier 203... Sample container holder 401... Number registration screen 402... Sample identifier 403... Number 404... Trigger 405... Selection trigger 501... Request information registration screen 502... Number of registered bottles 503... Sample order 504... Dispensing required 505... Registration decision trigger 601... Target sample ID 602... Total number

Claims

1. A specimen processing device comprising: a plurality of specimen container holders each holding a specimen container containing a specimen, the specimen container having identification information attached thereto; a processing module which performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with the analysis of the specimen; a transport unit connected to the processing module which transports the specimen container held in the specimen container holder to the processing module; and a control unit which, when acquiring a requested analysis item for the specimen, determines that there are a plurality of specimen containers with the same identification information, assigns a requested item to each of the specimen containers.

2. A sample processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit which, when there are a plurality of sample containers with the same identification information, displays a setting screen for setting analysis request items for each of the sample containers with the same identification information.

3. A sample processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the analysis request items for each sample container based on information on the number of sample containers having the same identification information.

4. The sample processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit sets the analysis request items for each sample container based on the number information notified from a host system.

5. A sample processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sample containers having the same identification information are identified based on the order in which the transport unit starts transporting the sample containers.

6. A specimen processing device as described in claim 1, wherein, when the dispensing process for the analysis request item set for each specimen container is not completed, if there are specimen containers with the same identification information that have not been transported, the control unit continues processing with the specimen containers that have not been transported.

7. A sample processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit accepts changes to the number of sample containers, the registered contents, and the analysis request items set for each sample container until the transportation of the first sample container is started.

8. A specimen processing device comprising: a plurality of specimen container holders each holding one specimen container containing a specimen and each specimen container has identification information attached thereto; a processing module which performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with the analysis of the specimen; a transport unit connected to the processing module which transports the specimen container held in the specimen container holder to the processing module; and a control unit which, when there are a plurality of specimen containers with the same identification information, controls the transport of other specimen containers with the same identification information based on the transport status of the specimen containers with the same identification information.

9. A sample processing method in which, when multiple sample container holders each holding a single sample container containing a sample and having identification information attached thereto are transported to a processing module which performs pre-processing or post-processing associated with the analysis of the sample, if it is determined that there are multiple sample containers with the same identification information when a requested analysis item for the sample is obtained, a requested item is assigned to each sample container, and the sample containers with the same identification information are transported individually to the processing module to perform the pre-processing or post-processing.

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