Hitachi, Ltd.

Other

Takehide Satou

Hisayuki Sagusa

Tomonori Mimura

Katsuaki Takahashi

Hiroshi Hashimoto

Yasushi Nomura

Ryohei Yabe

Kasumi Yoshida

Osamu Ohno

Tetsuaki Abe

Tetuaki Abe

An automatic analyzing apparatus and method transfers a sample to be examined to a sampling position, fractionally injects the sample into a reaction vessel by using sampling means, adds a reagent to the reaction vessel holding therein the sample fractionally injected to cause reaction, and measures absorbance of the reaction solution at predetermined time intervals using a photometer. A first check for checking whether an abnormality is present in the measurement result of each measurement item is made, followed by a second check for checking whether an abnormality is present on the basis of a change in the rate of absorbance measured after the reagent is added to the sample in the reaction vessel. Then, a third check computes correlation of measured absorbance data and checks whether an abnormality is present on the basis of the result of computation. Finally, a determination is made, with respect to the sample in accordance with an abnormal item when it is judged that an abnormality is present in the result of the first, second or third check, whether remeasurement is necessary, and for selecting, in case of remeasurement, either remeasurement under the same conditions or remeasurement with a reduced sample quantity as compared with that of the first measurement conditions. When remeasurement is determined, the sample is carried to the sampling position.

Automatic analyzing apparatus and method for clinical examination

A row composed of reaction vessels is arranged on a turntable and one unit of sample dispenser mechanism as well as one photometer and a plurality units of reagent feeding mechanism are arranged near the turntable. After a sample is added to one specified reaction vessel, the turntable is rotated by 180.degree. or more and stopped so as to advance the reaction vessel containing said sample by half a revolution plus one cell. During this rotation, approximately half of all the vessels cross the light path of the photometer for the absorbance of fluid in each vessel to be measured. A reagent is added to the specified reaction vessel at the next stop position after sampling in order to start reaction. The turntable is again rotated and stopped so as to advance the reaction vessel by half a revolution plus one cell. During this rotation, the reaction vessel crosses said light path of the photometer for the absorbance of the reaction fluid to be measured. The reaction vessel stops at the second reaction vessel position beyond the initial sample adding position. During the course of repeated rotations, the specified reaction vessel crosses the light path of said photometer a number of times and is stopped at said sample adding position after it is washed to be ready for further use.

Method and apparatus for analyzing fluid sample

A special cleaner is located between a sample cup at the sample absorbing position and a reaction case at the sample delivery position. This cleaner has a V-shaped recess, in which the cleaning liquid is filled in a pile. A pipetting tube is inserted into the sample cup, and a serum sample of the amount corresponding to a plurality of analysis items is absorbed and held by the pipetting tube. The pipetting tube hoisted upward is carried to the sample delivery position. In the process, the pipetting tube passes through cleaning liquid, so that the outer wall of the pipetting tube is cleaned within a short time, thus removing the excessive serum attached to the outer wall. The pipetting tube is lowered into the reaction case associated with the first analysis item to deliver a predetermined amount of serum sample thereinto. The pipetting tube is raised again and the train of reaction cases advances one step so that the tube is inserted into the next reaction case. After the delivery for a plurality of items, the inner and outer walls of the pipetting tube are cleaned.

Sampling apparatus

An automatic rate analyzing method for determining a concentration of an item in concern contained in a sample to be analyzed comprises steps of irradiating the sample with light thereby to produce a transmitted light signal at a specific wavelength, converting the transmitted light signal into a corresponding electric signal and sampling the electric signal at a given interval thereby to produce a plurality of sample values. The plurality of sample values are grouped into groups each containing a predetermined number of sample values selected for every given number of the sample values. Each of the groups is deviated from the adjacent ones by a number of sample values smaller than the given number. The sample values in each of the groups are added together to produce sums associated with each of the groups. Difference between the sums of every two adjacent groups is determined and divided by the sum associated with either one of the two adjacent groups thereby to produce quotients which are then added together to produce a total sum representing the concentration of the item in concern.

Automatic rate analyzing method

A serum and a reagent are supplied into a reaction tube to prepare a reactive solution or a sample solution which is sucked up at a predetermined position into one of a plurality of flow cells. The flow cells are mounted on a thermostatic block to be heated to a predetermined temperature and alternatively supplied with the sample solution. After a sample solution has been introduced from a specified reaction tube into one of the flow cells and heated to the predetermined temperature, the sample solution in the one flow cell is irradiated with light to measure changes in absorbance of the sample solution for a predetermined time. During a period when the absorbance changes of the sample solution in one flow cell is measured, another sample solution is introduced from another reaction tube into another flow cell and heated to the predetermined temperature. Immediately after the measurement of the absorbance changes of the sample solution in the one flow cell has been completed, the other flow cell is irradiated with light to measure the changes in absorbance of the sample solution in the other flow cell. Thereafter, one and the other flow cells are alternately supplied with a sample solution to successively measure the absorbance changes. Thus, a waiting time for stabilizing the temperature of the sample solution introduced into the flow cell can be actually dispensed with, and therefore effective measurement can be made.

Growing community of inventors

Katsuta, Japan

Takehide Satou