Chemical analyzer, method for dispensing and dilution cup

Abstract

A method for dispensing a sample solution and a reagent into a container in a chemical analyser includes a first step of dispensing a reagent into a container, a second step of dispensing a sample solution into the container after the first step, and a third step of dispensing the reagent into the container after the second step. A dilution cup includes an inner face where a diameter of a horizontal section increases on at least one position from a bottom to a top, an opening portion surrounding an opening, where a sample solution is dispensed, located on or near the top, a reagent aperture portion surrounding an aperture where a reagent is dispensed such that the sample solution and the reagent create an upswing spiral flow, and a drain aperture portion surrounding a drain aperture, where a mixed solution of the sample solution and the reagent is discharged, located on or near the bottom.

1 . A method for dispensing a sample solution and a reagent into a container in a chemical analyser, comprising: 
 a first step of dispensing a reagent into a container;    a second step of dispensing a sample solution into the container after the first step; and    a third step of dispensing the reagent into the container after the second step.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein total amount of the reagent dispensed in the first step and the third step corresponds to amount which is required for obtaining a biochemistry test array.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the amount of the reagent dispensed in the first step is smaller than the amount of the regent dispensed in the third step.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein speed of dispensing of the reagent in the third step is faster than speed of dispensing of the reagent in the first step.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the second step includes a step of soaking a top of a probe for dispensing the sample solution to the reagent dispensed in the first step.  
     
     
         6 . A dilution cup, comprising: 
 an inner face where a diameter of a horizontal section increases on at least one range from a bottom to a top;    an opening portion surrounding an opening, where a sample solution is dispensed, located on or near the top;    a reagent aperture portion surrounding an aperture where a reagent is dispensed such that the sample solution and the reagent create an upswing spiral flow; and    a drain aperture portion surrounding a drain aperture, where a mixed solution of the sample solution and the reagent is discharged, located on or near the bottom.    
     
     
         7 . The dilution cup according to  claim 6 , wherein a shape of the horizontal section is approximately circular.  
     
     
         8 . The dilution cup according to  claim 7 , wherein the reagent aperture portion is located above the drain aperture portion.  
     
     
         9 . The dilution cup according to  claim 8 , wherein a flow direction of the reagent dispensed from the reagent aperture is approximate horizontal.  
     
     
         10 . The dilution cup according to  claim 9 , wherein an axis which extends from the reagent aperture in the flow direction is shifted from a vertical central axis of the inner face.  
     
     
         11 . A chemical analyser, comprising: 
 a container where a sample solution and a reagent are mixed;    a first mechanism configured to dispense the reagent into the container;    a second mechanism configured to dispense the sample solution in to the container; and    a controller configured to control the first mechanism to dispense the reagent in a first step, the second mechanism to dispense the sample solution in a second step after the first step, and the first mechanism to dispense the reagent in a third step after the second step.    
     
     
         12 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller controls the first mechanism such that total amount of the reagent dispensed in the first step and the third step corresponds to amount which is required for obtaining a biochemistry test array.  
     
     
         13 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 12 , wherein the controller controls the first mechanism such that amount of the reagent dispensed in the first step is smaller than amount of the reagent dispensed in the third step.  
     
     
         14 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller controls speed of dispensing of the reagent and the sample solution.  
     
     
         15 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 14 , wherein the speed of dispensing of the reagent in the third step is faster than the speed of dispensing of the reagent in the first step.  
     
     
         16 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 12 , wherein the second member includes a probe, which dispenses the sample solution into the container when a top of the probe contacts a surface of the reagent dispensed in the first step.  
     
     
         17 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 11 , wherein the container is a dilution cup.  
     
     
         18 . The chemical analyser according to  claim 11 , wherein the container is a reaction cuvette.