Automatic Analyzer and Sample Dispensing Method for the Automatic Analyzer

Abstract

An automatic analyzer capable of avoiding carry-over between samples, and a sample dispensing method, are provided. To that end, an automatic analyzer ( 1 ) for performing analysis of both assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level and assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, includes: a first sample dispensing apparatus ( 6 ) loaded with a disposable tip ( 60 a ) for sample dispensing for assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, and for subdividing and dispensing a sample for assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level; an aliquot container ( 9 ) for subdividing and containing a sample for assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, subdivided and dispensed by the first sample dispensing apparatus ( 6 ); and a second sample dispensing apparatus ( 5 ) loaded with a reusable probe ( 50 ), for sample dispensing for assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level.

1 . An automatic analyzer for performing analysis of both an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level and an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, the automatic analyzer comprising:
 a first sample dispensing section for performing sample dispensing for an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, and the subdividing and dispensing of a sample for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, by loading a disposable tip thereto;   a housing section for subdividing and housing the sample for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, which is subdivided and dispensed by the first sample dispensing section; and   a second sample dispensing section for performing the dispensing of the sample for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, by loading a reusable probe thereto,   wherein the second sample dispensing section dispenses the sample from the housing section.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , which performs sample dispensing from a sample container for an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level by the first sample dispensing section, and sample dispensing from the housing section for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, in parallel with each other for the same sample. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing section is provided at a position above loci of dispensing probes of the first sample dispensing section and the second sample dispensing section, and at which the loci intersect with each other. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , further including a conveying section for conveying the housing section to a position at which the sample is subdivided by the first sample dispensing section, and to a position at which the sample is dispensed by the second sample dispensing section. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level is an immunological assay menu or a genetical assay menu, and the assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level is a biochemical assay menu. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first sample dispensing section and the second sample dispensing section are respectively included in two arms that independently pivot, but have a common pivoting axis. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing section is an aliquot container. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 7 , wherein the aliquot container is washed and reused every time a sample to be contained is changed. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 7 , wherein the aliquot container is disposed and replaced with a new container every time a sample to be contained is changed. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a calculation section for calculating a sample amount required for analysis of an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, for each sample; and   a recording section for housing the sample amount calculated by the calculation section.   
     
     
         11 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , further including a dispensation controlling section for the control of:
 the dispensing from the sample container using the first sample dispensing section loaded with a new disposable tip when a retest is conducted for an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level; and   the subdividing of the sample from the sample container to the housing section, using the first sample dispensing section loaded with a new disposable tip, and subsequently the dispensing from the housing section using the second sample dispensing section, when a retest is conducted for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level.   
     
     
         12 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , further including a washing apparatus for washing the probe of the second sample dispensing section. 
     
     
         13 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein an analysis module for analyzing an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, and an analysis module for analyzing an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level are provided as an independent unit. 
     
     
         14 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein an analysis module for analyzing an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, and an analysis module for analyzing an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level are provided in one unit. 
     
     
         15 . A sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer for performing analysis of both an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level and an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, the method comprising:
 a subdividing and dispensing step for dispensing a sample required for analysis of an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, from a sample container to a housing section, using a first sample dispensing section for an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, which is loaded with a disposable tip;   a first sample dispensing step, for the same sample, for dispensing a sample for an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, from the sample container, using the first sample dispensing section; and   a second sample dispensing step, for the same sample, for dispensing a sample for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, from the housing section, using a second sample dispensing section loaded with a reusable probe.   
     
     
         16 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , wherein the first sample dispensing step and the second sample dispensing step are performed in parallel with each other for the same sample. 
     
     
         17 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , wherein the assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level is an immunological assay menu or a genetical assay menu, and the assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level is a biochemical assay menu. 
     
     
         18 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , wherein the housing section is an aliquot container. 
     
     
         19 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 18 , wherein the aliquot container is washed and used every time a sample to be contained is changed. 
     
     
         20 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 18 , wherein the aliquot container is replaced with a new container every time a sample to be contained is changed. 
     
     
         21 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , further including:
 a calculation step for calculating a sample amount required for analysis of an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, for each sample; and   an extraction step for extracting the sample amount from a recording section for housing the sample amount calculated in the calculation step.   
     
     
         22 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , further including:
 performing the dispensing from the sample container using the first sample dispensing section loaded with a new disposable tip when a retest is conducted for an assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level; and   subdividing the sample from the sample container to the housing section, using the first sample dispensing section loaded with a new disposable tip, and subsequently dispensing the sample from the housing section using the second sample dispensing section, when a retest is conducted for an assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level.   
     
     
         23 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , further including a tip replacing step for disposing and replacing the disposable tip of the first sample dispensing section after the first sample dispensing step. 
     
     
         24 . The sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer according to  claim 15 , wherein the second sample dispensing step includes a washing step for washing a probe of the second sample dispensing section using a washing apparatus every time the dispensing is completed for each assay menu.