Sample analyzer

Abstract

A sample analyzer comprising: a sample preparing section for preparing first and second measurement sample including reagent and sample; a first detector for detecting a predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; a second detector for detecting the predetermined component in the second measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; and a controller configured for performing operations, comprising: (a) controlling the first detector to detect the predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; (b) determining the reliability of the result detected by the first detector; (c) controlling the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample when the result has been determined to be unreliable; and (d) controlling the second detector to detect the predetermined component in the second measurement sample, is disclosed.

1 . A sample analyzer comprising:
 a sample preparing section for preparing first and second measurement sample including reagent and sample;   a first detector for detecting a predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section;   a second detector for detecting the predetermined component in the second measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; and   a controller configured for performing operations, comprising:   (a) controlling the first detector to detect the predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section;   (b) determining the reliability of the result detected by the first detector;   (c) controlling the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample when the result has been determined to be unreliable; and   (d) controlling the second detector to detect the predetermined component in the second measurement sample.   
   
   
       2 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first detector and the second detector are configured to detect the predetermined component by mutually different detection principles.   
   
   
       3 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first detector comprises:   a first flow cell through which the first measurement sample flows; and   an electrical information obtainer for obtaining electrical information when the first measurement sample flows through the first flow cell; and   the second detector comprises:   a second flow cell through which the second measurement sample flows;   a light emitting unit for irradiating light on the second measurement sample flowing through the second flow cell; and   a light receiving unit for receiving light from the second measurement sample irradiated by the light from the light emitting unit.   
   
   
       4 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the sample is blood; and   the predetermined component is platelet in the blood.   
   
   
       5 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the second detector is configured to further detect white blood cells in the blood.   
   
   
       6 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein
 in step (c), the controller controls the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample and a different reagent than the reagent used in the first measurement sample.   
   
   
       7 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the sample is blood; and   the predetermined component is platelet in the blood.   
   
   
       8 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 7 , wherein
 in step (b), the controller determines the result is unreliable when the platelet count value is less than a predetermined value or when a platelet distribution anomaly occurs.   
   
   
       9 . A sample analyzer comprising:
 a sample preparing section for preparing first and second measurement sample including reagent and sample;   a first detector for detecting a predetermined component in the first and second measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; and   a controller configured for performing operations, comprising:   (a) controlling the first detector to detect the predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section using a first detection condition;   (b) determining the reliability of the result detected by the first detector;   (c) controlling the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample when the result has been determined to be unreliable; and   (d) controlling the first detector to detect the predetermined component in the second measurement sample using a second detection condition which is different from the first detection condition.   
   
   
       10 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the first detection condition is a condition for detecting a plurality of types of components, and the second detection condition is a condition for detecting fewer types of components than the first detection condition.   
   
   
       11 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the first detection condition is a condition for detecting at least two types of components, and the second detection condition is a condition for detecting only one type of component.   
   
   
       12 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second detector for detecting the predetermined component in third measurement sample including sample and reagent prepared by the sample preparing section; wherein   the controller is configured for performing further operations, comprising   determining the reliability of the result of the second detector, wherein the controller determines the result is unreliable when the result detected by the first detector and the result detected by the second detector are both unreliable.   
   
   
       13 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the controller accepts a result determined to be reliable when one or the other of the result detected by the first detector and the result detected by the second detector has been determined to be reliable.   
   
   
       14 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the second detector comprises:   a first flow cell through which the third measurement sample flows; and   an electrical information obtainer for obtaining electrical information when the third measurement sample flows through the first flow cell; and   the first detector comprises:   a second flow cell through which the first and second measurement sample flows;   a light emitting unit for irradiating light on the first and second measurement sample flowing through the second flow cell; and   a light receiving unit for receiving light from the first and second measurement sample irradiated by the light from the light emitting unit; and   the controller uses the result detected by the first detector when the result detected by the first detector has been determined to be reliable, regardless of the reliability of the result detected by the second detector.   
   
   
       15 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the first detector comprises:   a second flow cell through which the measurement sample flows;   a light emitting unit for irradiating light on the first and second measurement sample flowing through the second flow cell; and   a light receiving unit for receiving light from the first and second measurement sample irradiated by the light from the light emitting unit;   the first and second detection conditions relate to the light detection sensitivity of the light receiving unit, and the detection sensitivity in the second detection condition is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection condition.   
   
   
       16 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the light receiving unit comprises a detecting part for detecting light and for outputting signal corresponding to the amount of detected light, and an amplifier for amplifying the signal output from the detecting part; and the first and second detection conditions relate to the degree of amplification by the amplifier.   
   
   
       17 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein
 in step (c), the controller controls the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample and a different reagent than the reagent used in the first measurement sample.   
   
   
       18 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the sample is blood; and   the predetermined component is platelet in the blood.   
   
   
       19 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 18 , wherein
 in step (b), the controller determines the result is unreliable when a platelet distribution anomaly occurs.   
   
   
       20 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 19 , wherein
 the controller determines there is a platelet distribution anomaly when the platelet distribution region at least partially overlaps the distribution region of another component in a scattergram representing the distributions of components in blood.