A sample transfer device has sample container transfer mechanisms which are arranged between a conveyance path for conveying a sample container holder to one of plural analysis devices. A sample container housing a sample is mounted in the sample container holder. The sample container transfer mechanisms transfer the sample container between the sample container holder and a sample container rack, which is used for mounting the sample container in the analysis device and for conveyance. The sample transfer device determines whether or not an analysis device is in a state suitable for receiving the sample container, and if the analysis device is determined not to be in a state suitable for receiving, controls the sample container transfer mechanism to convey the sample container to the other analysis device via the conveyance path. In this way, it is possible to suppress delays in analysis processing and decreases in throughput.

A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and direction system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.

In accordance with embodiments, a transport mechanism transports a first sample container to a sample aspiration position. A setting part may set a second sample container, that accommodates a sample to be measured, with priority over a measurement of a sample in a first sample container. A nozzle may be capable of moving a sample from a first sample container at a sample aspiration position, and aspirating the sample from the second sample container. A detector may detect components of the sample. A controller may control a transport mechanism such that the first sample container moves to a position distant from the sample aspiration position, when the first sample container has been transported and when sample aspiration of the second sample container is required. A controller may execute control to move the nozzle above the sample aspiration position in state in which the first sample container is distant from the sample aspiration position.

A specimen rack transfer device is provided with a tray section, a pusher mechanism, a transfer lane, a guide rail, and a guide rail moving mechanism. The pusher mechanism transfers, in a first direction, a specimen rack placed on the tray section. The transfer lane transfers the specimen rack in a second direction. The guide rail is provided on the tray section. Furthermore, the movable mechanism supports the guide rail such that the guide rail can move in the first direction.

A particle measuring apparatus includes a flow cell configured to flow a specimen, a first light source configured to emit light having a first wavelength, and a second light source configured to emit light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. An irradiation optical system is configured to irradiate the flow cell with light emitted from the first light source and the second light source. The irradiation optical system includes a dichroic mirror configured to transmit the light emitted from the first light source and reflect the light emitted from the second light source, and a light collecting lens configured to collect the light emitted from the first and second light sources and passed through the dichroic mirror at the flow cell. The second light source and the dichroic mirror are turnable about rotation axis that are orthogonal to one another.

In determining whether a rack inputted to the automatic analyzer by the user is to be transferred to an analysis section or not, samples existing in a route from a buffer to a sample dispensing position in the analysis section are identified, and the number of items in which suction by a nozzle has not been completed in analysis items requested for the samples is managed. When the number of items is reduced to be smaller than a given number, the conveyance of a next rack from the buffer to the analysis section is controlled, thereby limiting the number of analysis items requested for samples in a waiting state for analysis in the analysis section constantly to be smaller than a fixed number. As a result, a period of time until a measurement result of emergency samples is outputted can be reduced even when emergency samples are newly inputted.

Disclosed is a specimen analyzer comprising: a rack transport part configured to transport a rack accommodating a plurality of specimen containers; an agitating part configured to agitate a specimen in each of the specimen containers; a suction part configured to suction the specimen from the specimen container; a container transport part configured to transport the specimen container between the rack on the rack transport part, the agitating part, and a suction position for specimen suctioning by the suction part; a measurement part configured to measure a measurement sample prepared from the specimen suctioned by the suction part; and a controller configured to control at least the agitating part, the suction part, and the container transport part, wherein the specimen analyzer is configured such that control by the controller causes, during a period from start to end of agitation of one of the specimen containers, at least one of transferring to the suction position, suctioning of a specimen, and returning to the rack to be executed on another one of the specimen containers.

Disclosed is a specimen analyzer that uses a specimen rack in which a plurality of specimen containers can be held to analyze a specimen in each of the specimen containers, and the specimen analyzer includes: a measurement unit configured to measure the specimen; and a transport unit comprising a first placement region which is disposed in front of the measurement unit and in which a plurality of the specimen racks can be placed, and a second placement region which is disposed in a left-right direction relative to the first placement region and in which a plurality of the specimen racks can be placed, the transport unit configured to transport the specimen racks placed in the first placement region and the second placement region to a start position at which the measurement unit starts measurement.

Methods and apparatus of inspection tools for inspecting impurities in vials are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inspection tool for inspecting impurities in vials includes: a motor; a plurality of carts configured to move via the motor to selectively place each of the plurality of carts in an inspection position, wherein each of the plurality of carts includes a vial holder configured to hold a plurality of vials, and wherein each vial holder is configured to spin the plurality of vials on their own respective axes; and a camera configured to take an image of at least one of the plurality of vials of a corresponding cart of the plurality of carts when the corresponding cart is disposed in the inspection position.

A sample handling device is presented. The sample handling device comprises at least one magnetic positioning device for magnetically holding a carrier configured for carrying at least one vessel in the sample handling device. A sample identification device is also presented. The sample identification device comprises at least one of the above sample handling device and at least one reader for reading at least one identifier attached to the vessel carried by the carrier. A system for sample handling, a diagnostics device for identifying at least one property of a plurality of samples and a method for handling a sample are also presented.