A control method for an automatic analyzer that can improve robustness, throughput, and measurement accuracy. The automatic analyzer includes a sample loop connected between two sample ports of a plurality of sample ports of a switch valve. The method includes the steps of: adjusting a drive parameter of the syringe corresponding to a viscosity of the sample acquired in advance; switching the switch valve to a first state in which the sipper and the syringe contact with each other without through the sample loop; driving the syringe based on the drive parameter to draw and introduce the sample through the sipper; switching the switch valve to a second state in which the syringe and the sample loop conduct with each other; and driving the syringe based on the drive parameter to introduce the sample into the sample loop.

A sample-taking unit having a sampling unit and a hold-down device which is movable relative thereto in a parallel manner, said sample-taking unit including a self-holding mechanism which, as a result of a self-locking effect, automatically fixes the hold-down device in a lowered fixing position against an upward movement until the self-locking effect is removed again as a result of the self-holding mechanism being acted upon with a detaching force, preferably as a result of contact between the sampling unit and a clamping element of the self-holding mechanism.

A sample injector for injecting a fluid into a fluidic path, wherein the sample injector comprises a robot arm configured for moving an injection needle, when being connected to the robot arm, between a fluid container containing the fluid and a seat in fluid communication with the fluidic path, the needle configured for aspirating the fluid from the fluid container, when the needle has been moved to the fluid container, and for injecting aspirated fluid into the fluidic path, when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and the seat configured for accommodating the needle and providing fluid communication with the fluidic path, wherein the robot arm is configured for selectively disconnecting the needle from the robot arm when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and wherein the robot arm is configured for performing a further task while the needle is disconnected from the robot arm.

A sample injector for injecting a fluid into a fluidic path, wherein the sample injector comprises a robot arm configured for moving an injection needle, when being connected to the robot arm, between a fluid container containing the fluid and a seat in fluid communication with the fluidic path, the needle configured for aspirating the fluid from the fluid container, when the needle has been moved to the fluid container, and for injecting aspirated fluid into the fluidic path, when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and the seat configured for accommodating the needle and providing fluid communication with the fluidic path, wherein the robot arm is configured for selectively disconnecting the needle from the robot arm when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and wherein the robot arm is configured for performing a further task while the needle is disconnected from the robot arm.

Provided is a sample injection device for flow-type analysis including a cylindrical needle (27) which penetrates through an upper wall and a lower wall of a sample injection portion (22) of a carrier-liquid channel through ring-like sealing members (25, 26). The needle (27) includes an inner hole (41) which is closed on a side of a lower end of the needle (27) and open on an outer peripheral surface as a horizontal hole (42). The needle moving unit (44) induces the needle (27) to move downward so that the horizontal hole (42) faces an inside of a sample vessel (40) to draw the sample to the inside of the needle (27). Then the moving unit (44) induces the needle (27) to move upward so that the horizontal hole (42) faces an inside of the sample injection portion (22) to inject the sample in the inside of the needle (27). At an intermediate position, washing liquid is discharged from the horizontal hole (42) of the needle (27), and the washing liquid is recovered via a discharge path (15).

Provided is a sample injection device for flow-type analysis including a cylindrical needle (27) which penetrates through an upper wall and a lower wall of a sample injection portion (22) of a carrier-liquid channel through ring-like sealing members (25, 26). The needle (27) includes an inner hole (41) which is closed on a side of a lower end of the needle (27) and open on an outer peripheral surface as a horizontal hole (42). The needle moving unit (44) induces the needle (27) to move downward so that the horizontal hole (42) faces an inside of a sample vessel (40) to draw the sample to the inside of the needle (27). Then the moving unit (44) induces the needle (27) to move upward so that the horizontal hole (42) faces an inside of the sample injection portion (22) to inject the sample in the inside of the needle (27). At an intermediate position, washing liquid is discharged from the horizontal hole (42) of the needle (27), and the washing liquid is recovered via a discharge path (15).

An automatic sample injection device includes: an injector (2) including a sampling mechanism (10) for sucking and dispensing a liquid, the injector (2) being configured to conduct a series of operations related to an injection of a sample into an analysis device; an operation condition setting part (16) configured to set operation conditions of the injector (2) in each of a plurality of processes included in the series of operations, based on a plurality of parameters which are set; and an information display device (6) configured to display information. In setting the operation conditions, the operation condition setting part (16) is configured to display an operation condition setting screen, in which an operation condition field for indicating the operation conditions for each of the processes reflecting the plurality of parameters which are set is included, on the information display device, and the operation condition setting part (16) is configured, when an operation to determine the plurality of parameters has performed by a user, to set the operation conditions based on the plurality of parameters which are currently set.

A seal pack of a sample manager of a liquid chromatography system having a plurality of wash flow pathways fluidically connected to a central pathway that accommodates a sample needle, wherein a first wash flow pathway is vertically offset from a second wash flow pathway, such that a wash solution flows axially along an exterior surface of the sample needle in a vertical direction to wash the sample needle when flowing from the first wash flow pathway to the vertically offset second wash flow pathway, is provided. Furthermore, an autosampler and associated methods are also provided.

A seal pack of a sample manager of a liquid chromatography system having a plurality of wash flow pathways fluidically connected to a central pathway that accommodates a sample needle, wherein a first wash flow pathway is vertically offset from a second wash flow pathway, such that a wash solution flows axially along an exterior surface of the sample needle in a vertical direction to wash the sample needle when flowing from the first wash flow pathway to the vertically offset second wash flow pathway, is provided. Furthermore, an autosampler and associated methods are also provided.

A configurable injector for injecting a fluidic sample in a separation path of a sample separation apparatus includes a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample to be injected into the separation path, a valve arrangement fluidically couplable with the separation path, fluidically coupled with the sample accommodation volume, and being controllable for injecting the fluidic sample into the separation path, an input interface configured for receiving input data indicative of an injection profile of an injector to be emulated by the configurable injector, and a control unit configured for controlling the configurable injector, in particular the valve arrangement, so that the configurable injector is operated in accordance with the injection profile to thereby emulate the injector to be emulated.