Sample analyzer and sample analyzing method

Abstract

A sample analyzer includes a suction unit configured to suction a sample in a sample container through a stopper installed in an opening of the sample container; a rack transport unit configured to transport a sample rack holding a sample container along a transport path, and position the sample container held by the sample rack at a suction position by the suction unit; a sample transport unit in which a sample container other than the sample container transported by the rack transport unit is installed and which is configured to transport the installed sample container to the suction position provided on the transport path; a measurement unit configured to measure a sample suctioned by the suction unit from the sample container positioned at the suction position; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the sample based on the measurement result of the measurement unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sample analyzer comprising:
 a rack transport unit configured to transport, along a transport path, a sample rack holding a first sample container containing a normal sample;   a sample transport unit on which a second sample container containing a priority sample that requires analysis prior to the normal sample is placed, and which is configured to transport the placed second sample container;   a suction unit configured to suction the normal sample in the first sample container held in the sample rack transported by the rack transport unit, and configured to suction the priority sample in the second sample container transported by the sample transport unit;   a measurement unit configured to measure the normal sample suctioned by the suction unit, and configured to measure the priority sample suctioned by the suction unit; and   an analysis unit configured to analyze the normal sample based on measurement result of the normal sample measured by the measurement unit, and configured to analyze the priority sample based on measurement result of the priority sample measured by the measurement unit,   wherein the sample transport unit comprises: a holding member comprising a container holding part configured to hold the second sample container; and a rotation drive unit configured to rotate the holding member around a rotation axis, and   wherein the rotation drive unit is configured to rotate the holding member around the rotation axis so that the suction unit suctions the priority sample contained in the second sample container placed in the container holding part.   
     
     
         22 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the rotation drive unit is configured to further rotate the holding member around the rotation axis to return the second sample container, from which the priority sample has been suctioned by the suction unit, to a position where the second sample container is removable from the container holding part. 
     
     
         23 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the suction unit configured to suction the normal sample through a stopper installed in an opening of the first sample container held in the sample rack transported by the rack transport unit, and configured to suction the priority sample through a stopper installed in an opening of the second sample container transported by the sample transport unit. 
     
     
         24 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the first sample container and the second sample container have the same shape. 
     
     
         25 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the rotation drive unit rotates the holding member around the rotation axis so that the suction unit suctions the priority sample, in response to predetermined operation by an operator after the second sample container has been held in the containing holding part. 
     
     
         26 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the container holding part has a hole configured to hold the second sample container in a state of standing upright. 
     
     
         27 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , further comprising a transport unit which comprises:
 the rack transport unit;   a rack storage unit on which the sample rack is set, and which is configured to transport the sample rack to the transport path; and   a rack collection unit configured to collect the sample rack transported from the transport path,   wherein the sample transport unit is arranged in the transport unit.   
     
     
         28 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 27 , wherein the sample transport unit is arranged between the rack storage unit and the rack collection unit. 
     
     
         29 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 22 , wherein the position where the second sample container is removable from the container holding part is a position where the container holding part is located when the second sample container is placed in the container holding part. 
     
     
         30 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the sample rack comprises a plurality of container holding parts, each of which being configured to hold the first sample container. 
     
     
         31 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein the suction unit comprises a nozzle having a pointed tip. 
     
     
         32 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 31 , further comprising a pressing member which has a hole through which the nozzle passes in a vertical direction, and which is located above the first sample container when the suction unit suctions the normal sample and is located above the second sample container when the suction unit suctions the priority sample. 
     
     
         33 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , wherein each of the normal sample and the priority sample is a whole blood, a serum, plasma, a urine, a lymph fluid or a body cavity fluid. 
     
     
         34 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 21 , further comprising a cover configured to prevent an operator from touching the second sample container held in the container holding part when the suction unit suctions the priority sample. 
     
     
         35 . A sample analyzing method, comprising:
 transporting, along a transport path, a sample rack holding a first sample container containing a normal sample;   suctioning the normal sample by a suction unit from the first sample container held in the sample rack transported along the transport path;   measuring the normal sample suctioned by the suction unit;   analyzing the normal sample based on measurement result of the normal sample;   receiving, by a container holding part in a holding member, a second sample container containing a priority sample that requires analysis prior to the normal samples;   rotating the holding member around a rotation axis so that the suction unit suctions the priority sample contained in the second sample container held in the container holding part;   suctioning the priority sample by the suction unit from the second sample container held in the container holding part;   measuring the priority sample suctioned by the suction unit; and   analyzing the priority sample based on measurement result of the priority sample.   
     
     
         36 . The sample analyzing method according to  claim 35 , further comprising rotating the holding member around the rotation axis to return the second sample container, from which the priority sample has been suctioned by the suction unit, to a position where the second sample container is removable from the container holding part. 
     
     
         37 . The sample analyzing method according to  claim 21 , wherein the suctioning the normal sample is suctioning the normal sample through a stopper installed in an opening of the first sample container by the suction unit, and
 the suctioning the priority sample is suctioning the priority sample through a stopper installed in an opening of the second sample container by the suction unit.