Hitachi, Ltd.

Naoya Ono

Nobuyoshi Takano

Hiroshi Mitsumaki

Isao Shindo

Kasumi Yoshida

A clinical analyzer with an analyzing section having a reaction tube and photometer, and a sampling section having a sample transfer pipe and centrifugal separator which also serves as a sampler. Sample containers containing blood are set on a plurality of container holders through an aperture formed in the cover of the centrifugal separator. A rotor with the container holders mounted thereon is rotated at a low speed intermittently so that each of the container holders is positioned at the container setting position in a predetermined order in which a container holder which is not located adjacently to the previously positioned container holder is positioned next. Subsequently, the rotor is rotated at a high speed for a predetermined period so that the sample liquid in each sample container centrifugally separated. After the centrifugal separation, the rotor is rotated at a low speed intermittently so that the sample containers set on the container holders are positioned to the sample take-out position in the same order as in setting the sample containers. A pipe is inserted through a sample transfer hole formed in the cover of the centrifugal separator into the sample container, and the sample liquid is pumped up and transported to the analyzing section. This series of operations is repeated and a plurality of samples are measured for items of analysis by the photometer sequentially.

Method and apparatus for clinical analysis

A flow path in a flow analyzing apparatus is branched into two or more branch flow paths. In one of the branch flow paths, a flow path blockage detector and an electrolyte measuring electrode are disposed, and in the other branch flow path, a gas measuring electrode is disposed. When a liquid sample is introduced into the flow paths from a sampling nozzle of the common flow path, the blockage detector detects whether a blockage is occuring. If the blockage is detected, the blockage is removed by feeding a cleaning fluid into the common flow path in a direction opposite to the flow of the sample. Following this, the sample is introduced into the other branch flow path. By this operation, the pressure in the other branch flow path is not reduced abnormally, and thus normal operation of the gas measuring electrode can be maintained.

Method and apparatus of flow analysis

A single sampling tube is inserted into a whole blood sample contained in a sample cup, and the blood introduced into a switch-valve and a first channel without being diluted. The switch-valve has a volumetric section. In the first channel are arranged a plurality of ion-sensing electrodes, and downstream from these electrodes, a sample position sensor. The blood is led up to where the sample position sensor is located, at which point it fills the volumetric section and the ion sensing electrode channels. The sample Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Cl.sup.-, and Ca.sup.++ are detected in this state. After the switch-valve switches, the flow within the volumetric section is forced towards a photometer positioned in a second channel by a reagent solution. The blood is diluted while passing through a reaction coil, during which time enzymes in the blood give rise to enzyme reactions with the reagents. The absorbance of the reaction solution is measured by the photometer.

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Katsuta, Japan

Naoya Ono