Automatic analyzer
To provide an automatic analyzer with no need to control a residual amount of a quality control sample. An automatic analyzer includes an input unit which receives a container including a specimen and a quality control sample, an ID reader which reads ID attached to the container, a control unit which assigns measurement items to the ID and controls each unit, and an analysis unit which dispenses the specimen and the quality control sample from the container and performs analysis based on the measurement items, in which when a liquid amount of a first container including the quality control sample is not enough, the control unit assigns measurement items not yet performed, of measurement items assigned to ID of the first container, to ID of a second container including the quality control sample and controls the analysis unit to perform analysis.
1 . An automatic analyzer comprising:
an input unit configured to receive a container including a specimen and a quality control sample;
an ID reader configured to read an ID attached to the container;
a control unit configured to assign measurement items to the ID;
wherein the measurement items comprise at least a set measurement item, a specimen measurement item, a specimen-control measurement item, performed measurement items, and unperformed measurement items;
wherein the set measurement item is configured to be a predetermined volume of the quality control sample in the container, and the set measurement item is further configured to be a minimum volume of the quality control sample required to analyze a volume of the specimen within the container;
wherein the specimen measurement item is configured to be a volume of specimen assigned by the control unit to be analyzed within the container; and
wherein the specimen-control measurement item is configured to be the volume of a mixed solution of specimen and quality control sample assigned by the control unit to be analyzed within the container; and
an analysis unit configured to dispense the specimen and the quality control sample from the container and perform analysis based on the measurement items assigned by the control unit,
wherein the control unit is configured to control the input unit and the analysis unit, and is configured to perform operations comprising:
determining the specimen-control measurement item in a first container including determining if the quality control sample is configured to contain an insufficient volume of the quality control sample;
assigning the unperformed measurement items and the performed measurement items, wherein the control unit is configured to assign unperformed measurement items not yet performed, to the measurement items assigned to an ID of the first container, and to an ID of a second container when the quality control sample is at an insufficient volume, wherein the second container includes the set measurement item necessary to complete unperformed measurement items; and
transporting the second container, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the second container to be transported to the analysis unit, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the analysis unit to perform analysis of the unperformed measurement items.
2 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
the first container and the second container are held in a same rack, and
based on determining that the volume of liquid in the first container is insufficient, the control unit is configured to convey the rack to the ID reader and assign the unperformed measurement items, of the measurement items assigned to the ID of the first container, to the ID of the second container.
3 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 2 , wherein
while the rack is conveyed to the ID reader, the control unit is configured to control the analysis unit to analyze the measurement items other than the measurement items of the quality control sample.
4 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
the first container and the second container are held in individual racks, and
based on determining that the volume of liquid in the first container is insufficient, the control unit is configured to convey the rack holding the second container to the ID reader and assign the unperformed measurement items, of the measurement items assigned to the ID of the first container, to the ID of the second container.
5 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 4 , wherein
the rack holding the second container is kept in a cooling box for cold-insulating the quality control sample contained in the second container.
6 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
the analysis unit has a dispensing probe which dispenses the specimen and the quality control sample, and
the dispensing probe is provided with a liquid surface detecting mechanism.