Automatic analysis device and container

Abstract

Provided is technology for preventing the scattering of liquid when discharging the liquid to a container, and reducing a liquid residue at the time of suctioning the liquid from the container. An automatic analysis device according to the present disclosure comprises: a nozzle that discharges a liquid; and a placement part on which a container from which the liquid is discharged is placed. The container has an upper portion and a bottom portion. The upper portion has an opening for the nozzle to discharge the liquid to the container. The bottom portion has a first region serving as a lower end inside the container, a second region connected to the first region and formed so as to gradually increase in height, and a third region connected to the second region and formed so as to gradually increase in height. The automatic analysis device is characterized in that the degree of increase in height in the third region is smaller than the degree of increase in height in the second region.

Description

Automated analyzer and container

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automated analyzer and a container.

[0002] An automated analyzer is a device that analyzes the components and characteristics of a sample by reacting the sample with a reagent and analyzing the reaction. A mixed solution containing multiple reagents may be used as the reagent. In this case, the multiple reagents are introduced into a mixing container and mixed to prepare a mixed solution. The mixed solution is then supplied to an analytical unit or the like to react with the sample.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a reagent preparation device. The device aims to "easily prepare a reagent having a highly accurate concentration with a simple configuration," and discloses the following technology (see abstract): "The device includes a preparation tank for containing a reagent and a diluent, a reagent supply unit for supplying a predetermined amount of reagent to the preparation tank, a diluent supply unit for supplying a smaller amount of diluent to the preparation tank than the amount required to dilute the supplied reagent to a desired concentration, a diluent replenishment unit for replenishing a desired amount of diluent to the preparation tank, a detection unit for detecting the reagent concentration in the tank, and a control device for controlling the replenishment operation of the diluent replenishment unit. When the detected reagent concentration is higher than the desired concentration, the control device calculates a replenishment amount of diluent to adjust the reagent concentration to the desired concentration from the difference between the detected concentration and the desired concentration, and repeatedly controls the replenishment of an amount of diluent less than the calculated replenishment amount to the preparation tank until the desired concentration is reached."

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes an automatic analyzer. Its objective is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of mitigating the effects of a previously prepared mixed liquid when preparing a new mixed liquid, and it discloses a technology in which "the automatic analyzer is configured to prepare a second mixed liquid after preparing a first mixed liquid, and a mitigation reagent that mitigates the effects of the first reagent remaining in the mixing container when preparing the second mixed liquid is introduced into the mixing container based on the properties of the first mixed liquid."

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-033538 International Publication No. 2021 / 186931

[0006] In Patent Document 1, a reagent is prepared at a high concentration in a preparation tank 7 (mixing container), and then pure water is added to prepare the desired reagent. When preparing a mixed solution in a mixing container in this manner, there is a possibility that some of the mixed solution may not be aspirated when aspirating from the mixing container, or that some of the mixed solution may remain in the mixing container due to adhesion to the container wall. If the mixed solution remains in the mixing container, it may affect the next preparation of a mixed solution. To address this issue, Patent Document 2 introduces a buffering reagent into the mixing container to buffer the effects of the intermolecular forces and pH of the remaining mixed solution.

[0007] A different approach to suppressing residual mixed liquid from that described in Patent Document 2 is to devise a new shape for the mixing container. This eliminates the need for the step of discharging the mitigation reagent, thereby reducing the number of steps required to prepare the mixed liquid. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the throughput of the device.

[0008] In an automated analyzer, the mixture of reagents in a mixing container is aspirated through a nozzle. To reduce the amount of mixture remaining in the mixing container, it is effective to reduce the volume of the bottom of the mixing container, for example, by steeply inclining the bottom of the mixing container or by providing a recess in the bottom. However, if the bottom of the mixing container is steeply inclined, when the reagent dispensed into the mixing container collides with the inclination, the momentum of the reagent flows along the inclination to the bottom without being dispersed, and it is likely to run up the opposite side of the mixing container. As a result, there is an increased risk of the reagent being splashed out of the mixing container.

[0009] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technique for preventing splashing of liquid when it is discharged into a container, and for reducing residual liquid when it is sucked from the container.

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the automatic analyzer of the present disclosure comprises a nozzle that ejects a liquid and a mounting portion on which a container into which the liquid is to be ejected is placed, the container having a top and a bottom, the top having an opening through which the nozzle ejects the liquid into the container, the bottom having a first region that is the lower end of the interior of the container, a second region connected to the first region and formed so as to gradually increase in height, and a third region connected to the second region and formed so as to gradually increase in height, the degree of increase in height in the third region being smaller than the degree of increase in height in the second region.

[0011] Further features related to the present disclosure will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Also, aspects of the present disclosure are achieved and realized by the elements and combinations of various elements and the aspects of the following detailed description and the appended claims. The description of this specification is merely exemplary and does not limit the scope or application of the claims of the present disclosure in any way.

[0012] The technology disclosed herein can prevent the reagent from scattering outside the container when the reagent is dispensed and stirred in the process of preparing a mixed solution, and can also prevent the reagent from remaining behind when dispensed. Other issues, configurations, and effects will become clear from the description of the following embodiments.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reagent mixing mechanism and its periphery; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing container according to the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom of the mixing container; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the process of discharging a reagent from a discharge nozzle of a reagent discharging mechanism; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the process of aspirating a mixed liquid (reagent) by a dispensing nozzle of a reagent dispensing mechanism; Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom of a mixing container according to a second embodiment.

[0014] [First Embodiment] <Configuration Example of Automated Analyzer> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automated analyzer 100 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automated analyzer 100 includes a preprocessing unit 101, a separation unit 102, an analysis unit 103, a control device 104, an input device 105, a display device 106, and a storage device 107. The preprocessing unit 101 performs preprocessing of a sample. The separation unit 102 separates components in the sample. The analysis unit 103 detects and analyzes components in the solution separated in the separation unit 102. The control device 104 controls the overall operation of the automated analyzer 100. The input device 105, the display device 106, and the storage device 107 are connected to the control device 104. A user can input instructions to the automated analyzer 100 via the input device 105. The display device 106 displays a GUI screen for user instruction input, analysis results from the automated analyzer 100, and the like. The storage device 107 stores programs for operating the automatic analyzer 100, analysis results, and the like.

[0015] The pretreatment unit 101 includes a transport mechanism 112, a sample dispensing mechanism 113, a reaction vessel mounting rack 117, a transport mechanism 118, a reaction vessel disk 120, a reagent disk 122, a reagent dispensing mechanism 123, a magnetic separation mechanism 124, a transport mechanism 125, a reagent mixing mechanism 127, a reagent dispensing mechanism 128, a system reagent storage cabinet 129, an evaporation and concentration mechanism 131, a transport mechanism 132, and a separation unit dispensing mechanism 133.

[0016] The transport mechanism 112 transports sample containers 111 containing samples to be analyzed to a sample dispensing position. The transport mechanism 118 transports reaction containers 116 held in a reaction container mounting rack 117 to a reaction container disk 120. The reaction container disk 120 has multiple reaction container mounting positions 119 for mounting the reaction containers 116. The reaction container disk 120 functions as an incubator that maintains the solution in the reaction containers 116 at a constant temperature. The reagent disk 122 holds multiple reagent containers 121 containing reagents. The sample dispensing mechanism 113 dispenses sample from the sample container 111 transported to the sample dispensing position into the reaction containers 116 held in the reaction container mounting positions 119 on the reaction container disk 120.

[0017] The magnetic separation mechanism 124 separates magnetic beads in the solution contained in the reaction vessel 116 by the magnetic force of a magnet. The magnetic separation mechanism 124 is provided on a rotation track 126 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 123. The transport mechanism 125 transports the reaction vessel 116 between the reaction vessel disk 120 and the magnetic separation mechanism 124. The reagent mixing mechanism 127 holds a mixing vessel into which the reagent in the reagent vessel 121 is dispensed and mixed, as will be described later.

[0018] The reagent dispensing mechanism 123 is configured to dispense reagent into the reaction vessel 116 supported by the magnetic separation mechanism 124 and to aspirate the solution inside the reaction vessel 116. The reagent mixing mechanism 127 is provided on a rotation track 126 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 123. The reagent dispensing mechanism 128 is connected to the system reagent vessel 130 by a tube or the like disposed inside the automated analyzer 100. The reagent dispensing mechanism 128 dispenses the reagent drawn up from the system reagent vessel 130 into the reagent mixing mechanism 127 to prepare a mixed solution. The reagent dispensing mechanism 123 aspirates the mixed solution prepared in the reagent mixing mechanism 127 and dispenses it into the reaction vessel 116 supported by the magnetic separation mechanism 124.

[0019] A user places system reagent containers 130 in the system reagent storage 129. An evaporation and concentration mechanism 131 evaporates and concentrates the components to be analyzed in the reaction solution in the reaction containers 116. A transport mechanism 132 transports the reaction containers 116 between the reaction container disk 120 and the evaporation and concentration mechanism 131. A separation section dispensing mechanism 133 dispenses the reaction solution in the reaction containers 116 after evaporation and concentration to the separation section 102.

[0020] The separation unit 102 is, for example, a liquid chromatography (LC). The separation unit 102 is equipped with a column or the like to separate the components in the reaction solution. The separation unit 102 separates the components in the reaction solution and sequentially introduces the separated components into the analysis unit 103.

[0021] The analysis unit 103 is, for example, a mass spectrometer (MS). The analysis unit 103 is equipped with an electron multiplier and the like to perform ionization and mass analysis of the components introduced from the separation unit 102. The analysis unit 103 ionizes the components introduced from the separation unit 102, detects the amount of ions (i.e., the amount of components), and outputs the detection result to the control device 104.

[0022] <Configuration Example of Reagent Mixing Mechanism> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the reagent mixing mechanism 127 and its surroundings. The left-right direction is the X-axis, the front-back direction is the Y-axis, and the height direction is the Z-axis. The right, rear, and upward directions are the positive directions of each axis. The reagent mixing mechanism 127 includes multiple mixing containers 210 and a stirring mechanism 220 (mounting unit). The mixing containers 210 are mounted on the stirring mechanism 220. Although FIG. 2 shows four mixing containers 210, this number is not limited. The mixing container 210 is a container used to prepare a mixed solution by introducing multiple reagents therein. The operations of the reagent dispensing mechanism 123, reagent dispensing mechanism 128, and stirring mechanism 220, which will be described below, are controlled by the control device 104.

[0023] The reagent dispensing mechanism 128 has a discharge nozzle 1281 facing vertically downward. The reagent dispensing mechanism 128 has a mechanism (not shown) for moving the discharge nozzle 1281 vertically and horizontally. The reagent dispensing mechanism 128 dispenses the reagent drawn up from the system reagent container 130 from the discharge nozzle 1281 into the mixing container 210. One to three types of reagent are dispensed depending on the components to be measured. When dispensing the reagent, the horizontal position of the discharge nozzle 1281 is controlled so that it is positioned within a predetermined range from the center of the mixing container 210. In addition, the vertical position of the discharge nozzle 1281 is controlled so that the tip of the discharge nozzle 1281 is lower than the opening of the mixing container 210. Note that the mixing container 210 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 128 may be provided for each type of reagent or mixed liquid, for example.

[0024] The stirring mechanism 220 is configured to stir the reagent dispensed into the mixing container 210. As the stirring mechanism 220, for example, a vortex type stirring device can be used.

[0025] The reagent dispensing mechanism 123 has a dispensing nozzle 1231 facing vertically downward. The reagent dispensing mechanism 123 has a mechanism (not shown) for moving the dispensing nozzle 1231 vertically and horizontally. The reagent dispensing mechanism 123 aspirates the mixed liquid in the mixing container 210 into the dispensing nozzle 1231 and dispenses it into the reaction container 116 held in the reaction container disk 120. A sample is introduced into the reaction container 116, and the mixed liquid and the sample react within the reaction container 116. When aspirating the mixed liquid, the reagent dispensing mechanism 123 lowers the dispensing nozzle 1231 into the mixing container 210. At this time, the tip of the dispensing nozzle 1231 is controlled to be positioned within a predetermined range based on the center and bottom surface of the mixing container 210. The number of reagent dispensing mechanisms 123 is not limited to one; for example, a reagent dispensing mechanism 123 may be provided for each type of mixed liquid.

[0026] <Regarding the Shape of the Mixing Container> Here, we will explain the issues regarding the shape of the mixing container 210. After aspirating the mixed liquid, the mixing container 210 is used as is to prepare the next mixed liquid. Therefore, the amount of reagent remaining in the mixing container 210 during aspirating must be an amount that does not affect the next mixed liquid to be prepared. A typical cylindrical container has a large bottom volume, resulting in a large amount of residual reagent. In contrast, a tapered container, for example, with a conical bottom, has a smaller bottom volume and therefore less residual reagent. However, such a container has a small bottom surface area and a steep slope connected to it. During the reagent dispensing process into the mixing container 210, when the dispensed reagent hits the bottom surface of the mixing container 210, the reagent is evenly dispersed and spreads around the impact point, and then runs up the side surface (sidewall) connected to the bottom. If a steep slope connected to the bottom surface exists, the upward velocity component of the reagent running up the slope becomes large, making it easier for the reagent to run up the side surface of the container without significantly changing its velocity component. As a result, there is an increased risk that the reagent will splash outside the mixing container 210. Furthermore, if the dispensed reagent collides not with the bottom surface but with the slope connected to it, the momentum of the reagent will not be dispersed and will flow along the slope to the bottom surface, and will likely continue to run up the side surface on the opposite side of the mixing container 210. As a result, there is an increased risk that the reagent will splash outside the mixing container 210.

[0027] Increasing the flow rate when discharging the reagent shortens the time required to discharge the reagent, thereby increasing the analysis throughput. On the other hand, if the flow rate is increased too much, the reagent will run up the side of the mixing container 210 with increased force, increasing the risk of splashing outside the mixing container 210. The optimal discharge rate is determined taking this into consideration.

[0028] The reagents used in the automated analyzer 100 contain organic solvents. Organic solvents have lower viscosity than reagents that use water as a solvent, and the reduction in flow rate due to frictional resistance when they run up the sides of the mixing container 210 is small, so care must be taken to prevent splashing during dispensing. In the following, this embodiment will describe the shape of the mixing container 210, which can reduce the risk of splashing when dispensing a reagent containing such an organic solvent.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing container 210 according to the first embodiment. The left-right direction of the mixing container 210 is the X-axis, the front-rear direction is the Y-axis, and the height direction is the Z-axis. The right, rear, and upward directions are the positive directions of each axis. As shown in FIG. 3 , the mixing container 210 has an upper end 310, a central portion 320, and a bottom portion 330. The upper end 310 has an opening through which a nozzle dispenses reagent into the mixing container 210 and aspirates the mixed liquid. The upper end 310 has a cylindrical shape that is approximately parallel to the vertical direction. The central portion 320 is connected to the upper end 310. The central portion 320 is inclined so that its diameter decreases toward the bottom portion 330. There is no particular limitation on the inclination angle of the central portion 320. The central portion 320 has a side surface (sidewall) whose height is longer than the diameter of the opening of the upper end 310. Providing a certain height in this manner can prevent the dispensed reagent from scattering. The bottom portion 330 connects to the center portion 320 .

[0030] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom 330 of the mixing container 210. The bottom 330 has a first region 340, a second region 350, and a third region 360. The first region 340 is the lower end of the mixing container 210. The second region 350 is connected to the first region and is formed so that its height gradually increases. The third region 360 is connected to the second region 350 and is formed so that its height gradually increases. The rate of increase in the height of the third region 360 is formed so that it is smaller than the rate of increase in the height of the second region 350.

[0031] The first region 340 is formed by a flat surface with no curvature. This plane is perpendicular to the Z axis, which is the height direction, and parallel to the X and Y axes, which are horizontal directions. The first region 340 has an area larger than the control range of the horizontal position of the tip of the discharge nozzle 1281 in the reagent discharge step and the control range of the horizontal position of the tip of the dispensing nozzle 1231 in the mixed liquid aspirating step.

[0032] The second region 350 is formed along a curved surface having a center of curvature above the second region 350. The third region 360 has a tapered shape without curvature. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the third region 360 is a straight line. A curved surface 370 (first curved surface) is provided at the boundary (first boundary) between the second region 350 and the third region 360. A curved surface 380 (second curved surface) is provided at the boundary (second boundary) between the third region 360 and the central portion 320. The curved surface 370 has a center of curvature below the curved surface 370. The curved surface 380 has a center of curvature above the curved surface 380.

[0033] 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process of discharging a reagent (liquid) from the discharge nozzle 1281 of the reagent discharging mechanism 128. In the reagent discharging process, the discharge nozzle 1281 descends to a height corresponding to the center 320 inside the mixing container 210. The discharged reagent first collides with the bottom 330. At this time, the first region 340 is formed by a plane that is wider than the horizontal control range of the discharge nozzle 1281, so that the reagent discharged from the discharge nozzle 1281 reliably collides with the first region 340 of the bottom 330. By causing the reagent to collide with a plane perpendicular to the discharge direction, the flow of the liquid can be dispersed symmetrically around the nozzle.

[0034] The reagent that collides with the first region 340 then spreads horizontally in the first region 340 and moves up the wall surface inside the mixing container 210. When the reagent that has moved up the wall surface reaches above the upper end 310, it scatters. At this time, because the second region 350 has a curvature, the reagent rising along the second region 350 constantly changes its velocity component. The energy loss at this time can reduce the flow rate of the reagent, thereby preventing it from scattering from the mixing container 210.

[0035] The reagent that rises along the second region 350 then rises along the third region 360. At this time, by reducing the inclination angle θ, which is the angle between the third region 360 and the horizontal plane, the horizontal velocity component of the reagent flowing along the third region 360 increases. This significantly reduces the flow rate when the reagent collides with the side of the central portion 320. This prevents the reagent from scattering from the mixing container 210. The inventors conducted an experiment in which the reagent was ejected into a mixing container 210 in which the inclination angle θ (degree of height increase) of the third region 360 was smaller than the inclination angle (degree of height increase) of the second region 350, and confirmed that scattering was suppressed. The inclination angle θ of the third region 360 can be designed, for example, depending on the ejection speed, physical properties, etc. of the reagent to be ejected.

[0036] 5 has been described regarding the dispensing of a reagent when the mixing container 210 is empty. Even when a reagent is already contained in the mixing container 210 and another reagent is dispensed, splashing from the mixing container 210 can be prevented in the same manner as described above. Also, splashing can be prevented when stirring a single reagent or a mixture of multiple reagents contained in the mixing container 210.

[0037] 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process of aspirating a mixed liquid (reagent) using the dispensing nozzle 1231 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 123. When aspirating a mixed liquid, the dispensing nozzle 1231 descends so that its tip is lower than the boundary surface between the second region 350 and the third region 360. At this time, due to the presence of a concave space formed by the first region 340 and the second region 350, less mixed liquid 390 remains below the tip of the descending dispensing nozzle 1231. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of liquid remaining after dispensing.

[0038] If the mixed liquid remains on the wall surface of the mixing container 210 during aspirating by the dispensing nozzle 1231, the mixed liquid cannot be aspirated by the dispensing nozzle 1231, leading to an increase in residual liquid. In this case, by increasing the inclination angle θ, which is the angle between the third region 360 and the horizontal plane, the reagent is more likely to flow down the third region 360 and into the space formed by the first region 340 and the second region 350. The optimal value of the inclination angle θ is determined taking into consideration the risk of scattering when the reagent is discharged and the risk of residual liquid when dispensed.

[0039] The above describes a mixing container 210 in which the upper end 310 is cylindrical and parallel to the vertical direction, and the central portion 320 has an inclined shape. The central portion 320 does not necessarily have to be inclined, and the portion connecting to the curved surface 380 of the bottom portion 330 may extend parallel to the vertical direction. That is, the mixing container 210 may have a shape having an upper portion that extends parallel to the vertical direction and the above-mentioned bottom portion 330. Furthermore, the upper end 310 does not necessarily have to be parallel to the vertical direction, and may be inclined. In this case, the inclination angle of the upper end 310 may be the same as or different from the inclination angle of the central portion 320.

[0040] The mixing container 210 can be manufactured by any known method, such as injection molding, cutting, etc. The material of the mixing container 210 can be any material that can withstand the reagents and samples.

[0041] Summary of First Embodiment As described above, the automated analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment includes a discharge nozzle 1281 that discharges a reagent (liquid) and a stirring mechanism 220 (mounting portion) on which a mixing container 210 into which the reagent (liquid) is to be discharged is mounted. The mixing container 210 has an upper end 310 (upper portion), a central portion 320 (upper portion), and a bottom portion 330. The upper end 310 (upper portion) has an opening through which the discharge nozzle 1281 discharges the liquid into the mixing container 210. The bottom portion 330 has a first region 340 that forms the lower end of the interior of the mixing container 210, a second region 350 that is connected to the first region 340 and is formed so as to gradually increase in height, and a third region 360 that is connected to the second region 350 and is formed so as to gradually increase in height. The rate of increase in height in the third region 360 is smaller than the rate of increase in height in the second region 350.

[0042] By having the mixing container 210 have the above-described shape, it is possible to prevent the reagent (liquid) from scattering when being discharged, and to suppress the liquid from remaining when the reagent is aspirated.

[0043] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, it has been described that the curved surface 370 is provided at the boundary between the second region 350 and the third region 360 of the bottom 330 of the mixing container 210, and the curved surface 380 is provided at the boundary between the third region 360 and the central portion 320. These curved surfaces 370 and 380 do not have to be provided, and in the second embodiment, a mixing container 210 having such a shape will be described.

[0044] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom 330 of the mixing container 210 according to the second embodiment. Similar to FIG. 6 , the drawing shows the state when the dispensing nozzle 1231 is aspirating the mixed liquid. As shown in FIG. 7 , a boundary portion 371 is formed at the boundary (first boundary) between the second region 350 and the third region 360, instead of the curved surface 370. The boundary portion 371 connects the second region 350 and the third region 360 at a predetermined angle so that the increase in height of the second region 350 is greater than the increase in height of the third region 360. Furthermore, a boundary portion 381 is formed at the boundary (second boundary) between the third region 360 and the central portion 320, instead of the curved surface 380. The boundary portion 381 connects the third region 360 and the central portion 320 at a predetermined angle. The mixing container 210 according to the second embodiment, having such a shape, can also suppress scattering of the reagent during dispensing and stirring, similar to the first embodiment.

[0045] However, by providing the curved surface 370 between the second region 350 and the third region 360 as in the first embodiment, the second region 350 and the third region 360 become closer to a straight line. This makes it easier for the reagent to flow down, reducing residual liquid during dispensing. Furthermore, by providing the curved surface 380 between the third region 360 and the central portion 320, it is possible to prevent the reagent from entering and remaining at the boundary portion 381. This reduces residual liquid during dispensing.

[0046] [Modifications] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and it is not necessary to include all of the described configurations. Furthermore, a part of one embodiment can be replaced with a configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, a configuration of another embodiment can be added to a configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of each embodiment can be added to, deleted from, or substituted for a part of the configuration of another embodiment.

[0047] 100: Automatic analyzer 101: Pretreatment unit 102: Separation unit 103: Analysis unit 104: Control unit 105: Input unit 106: Display unit 107: Storage unit 111: Sample container 112: Transport mechanism 113: Sample dispensing mechanism 116: Reaction container 117: Reaction container mounting rack 118: Transport mechanism 119: Reaction container installation position 120: Reaction container disk 121: Reagent container 122: Reagent disk 123: Reagent dispensing mechanism 1231: Dispensing nozzle 124: Magnetic separation mechanism 125: Transport mechanism 126: Rotating orbit 127: Reagent mixing mechanism (mounting unit) 128: Reagent dispensing mechanism 1281: Discharge nozzle 129: System reagent storage 130: System reagent container 131: Evaporation and concentration mechanism 132: Transport mechanism 133: Dispensing mechanism for separation unit 210: Mixing vessel 220: Stirring mechanism 310: Upper end (upper part) 320: Central part (upper part) 330: Bottom part 340: First region 350: Second region 360: Third region 370: Curved surface (first curved surface) 371: Boundary part 380: Curved surface (second curved surface) 381: Boundary part 390: Mixed liquid

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising a nozzle for discharging a liquid and a placement part for placing a container into which the liquid is discharged, the container having an upper part and a bottom part, the upper part having an opening for the nozzle to discharge the liquid into the container, and the bottom part having a first region that is the lower end inside the container, a second region connected to the first region and formed such that its height gradually increases, and a third region connected to the second region and formed such that its height gradually increases, wherein the degree of increase in height in the third region is smaller than the degree of increase in height in the second region.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the upper part has an upper end part having the opening and a central part disposed between the upper end part and the bottom part.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the upper part has a side wall whose vertical height is greater than the diameter of the opening.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first region is a plane.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the area of the first region is larger than the control range of the horizontal position of the nozzle.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the second region is formed such that its height increases along a curved surface having a center of curvature above the second region.

7. The first boundary between the second region and the third region is formed by a first curved surface having a center of curvature below the first boundary, the third region is formed such that its cross-sectional shape increases in height along a straight line, and the second boundary between the third region and the upper part is formed by a second curved surface having a center of curvature above the second boundary.

8. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contains an organic solvent.

9. A container into which liquid is dispensed from a nozzle of an automatic analyzer, the container having an upper part and a bottom part, the upper part having an opening for the nozzle to discharge the liquid into the container, and the bottom part having a first region that is the lower end inside the container, a second region connected to the first region and formed such that its height gradually increases, and a third region connected to the second region and formed such that its height gradually increases, wherein the degree of increase in height in the third region is smaller than the degree of increase in height in the second region.

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