JP2011106828A - Dispensing device, automated analysis apparatus, and dispensing method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve liquid dispensing accuracy from a sealed liquid holding container without increasing the diameter of a probe.
A sample pump, a sampling probe connected to the sample pump and sucking and discharging a liquid sample 205, a cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 for cleaning the sampling probe 3, and the sample pump and the sampling probe 3 are controlled. A computer that sucks the liquid sample 205 in the sample container 101 into the sampling probe 3 and removes the sampling probe 3 from the sample container 101 until the liquid sample is dispensed into the reaction container 5. A first procedure for causing the sample pump to discharge by a set amount and a second procedure for causing the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 to clean the tip of the sampling probe 3 are executed.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus that collects a liquid from a liquid holding container holding a liquid, such as a sample container or a reagent container, and dispenses it into a reaction container, an automatic analyzer including the same, and a dispensing method.

  For example, an automatic analyzer generally uses a non-sealed liquid holding container (a sample container, a reagent container, etc.) whose upper opening is opened, but recently, the opening is closed with a rubber cap such as a vacuum blood collection tube. However, sealed liquid holding containers are widely used, and dispensing apparatuses are also required to collect liquid directly from the sealed liquid holding container without opening.

  However, in general, the inside of a sealed liquid holding container is often at a negative pressure with respect to the external pressure. In this case, when the probe is pulled out of the liquid holding container, the sucked liquid is pushed by the outside air. The probe is pushed from the distal end to the proximal end side. In this case, the amount of liquid dispensed decreases with respect to the operation amount of the pump, and the required dispensing accuracy is not ensured.

  On the other hand, there is one in which a passage for ventilation is provided in parallel with a passage for sucking a liquid sample, and a probe is integrally formed by two passages (see Patent Document 1 and the like). According to this technique, a probe having two passages is passed through a rubber cap, and the liquid is sucked from the sealed liquid holding container through the suction passage, and then vented through the passage for ventilation. This suppresses the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the liquid holding container.

JP-A-9-304400

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the probe has a large diameter and has a large frictional force when pierced into the rubber cap because it has two passages for ventilation in addition to suction, the rubber cap A large force is required for inserting / removing the probe to / from. In addition, problems such as wear on the outer surface of the probe, generation of a rubber cap residue during insertion / removal, leakage of retained liquid from a hole remaining in the rubber cap after removal of the probe, and clogging of the rubber cap residue into the probe may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A dispensing device, an automatic analyzer, and a dispensing device that can improve the dispensing accuracy of a liquid from a sealed liquid holding container without increasing the diameter of the probe. The purpose is to provide an ordering method.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention sets the pump between the time when the liquid in the liquid holding container is sucked into the probe and the probe is removed from the liquid holding container until the liquid is dispensed into the reaction container. After performing the discharge operation by the amount, the probe tip is washed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the dispensing precision of the liquid from a sealed liquid holding container can be improved, without enlarging a probe.

It is the schematic of the automatic analyzer provided with one Embodiment of the dispensing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a mimetic diagram of a sample dispensing mechanism with which a dispensing device concerning the present invention was equipped in one embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the comparative example showing the general dispensing sequence of the liquid sample. It is a schematic diagram showing the dispensing sequence by one Embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing suction operation from an open type sample container.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The present embodiment relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus, an automatic analyzer including the liquid dispensing apparatus, and a liquid dispensing method. The automatic analyzer automatically analyzes components of biological samples such as blood and urine, and has a dispensing device that collects a liquid from a sample container or a reagent container and dispenses it into a reaction container.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automatic analyzer equipped with a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a sample dispensing mechanism 10 described later.

  The automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 includes an operation unit user interface 104, a sample disk (sample disk) 102 in which a sample container 101 containing a biological sample such as blood and urine is installed, and a reagent containing a reagent corresponding to an analysis item. Reagent disk 125 in which container (reagent bottle) 112 is installed, reaction disk 4 in which reaction container 5 is installed, sample dispensing mechanism (sampling mechanism) 10 for dispensing the liquid sample in sample container 101 into reaction container 5, and reagent container A reagent dispensing mechanism 20 that dispenses the reagent 112 into the reaction vessel 5; a stirring mechanism 113 that stirs the sample of the reaction vessel 5; and a measuring unit that reads the luminescence value or absorbance of the target component in the reaction vessel 5 or changes thereof. 115, and a reaction container cleaning mechanism 119 for cleaning the used reaction container 5 and the like.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 10 includes a post 1 standing vertically, a horizontal sampling arm 2 having a base end attached to the post 1, and a sampling probe 3 suspended from the tip of the sampling arm 2. Yes. The sampling arm 2 horizontally moves up and down with respect to the post 1 and rotates in the horizontal direction with respect to the post 1 with the base end as a fulcrum. The sampling probe 3 is connected to the sample pump (syringe pump) 107 via the conduit 11 as shown in FIG. 2, and as the sample pump 107 moves back and forth, the liquid sample is suctioned and dispensed. Perform the action. A liquid is held inside the pipe line 11 that connects the sampling probe 3 and the sample pump 107, and a liquid sample is sucked and discharged from the tip opening of the sampling probe 3 by the volume change of the sample pump 107. The sample pump 107 is further connected to a pump (not shown), and the pump and the sample pump 107 are blocked by a solenoid valve 201. When the liquid in the pipe line 11 is discharged or sucked, the electromagnetic valve 201 is opened, and the liquid in the pipe line 11 is sucked and discharged by a pump (not shown).

  Further, in FIG. 1, container holding portions are formed so that three rows of sample containers 101 can be set concentrically on the sample disk 102, and the sample suction position by the sampling probe 3 is one in each row of the sample containers 101. Is set. However, it is not limited to the case where a large number of sample containers 101 arranged concentrically as shown in the figure are directly mounted on the sample disk 102, but the sample container 101 is placed on the sample disk 102 in a state of being mounted on a test tube (not shown). May be installed.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 20 has substantially the same configuration as the sample dispensing mechanism 10 described above, and includes a reagent dispensing probe 110 at the tip of a movable arm that can be rotated horizontally around a post. The reagent dispensing probe 110 performs a liquid reagent suction operation and a dispensing operation in accordance with the operation of the reagent pump 111. In FIG. 1, two rows of reagent containers 112 can be set concentrically on the reagent disk 125, and the reagent aspirating position by the reagent dispensing probe 110 is set at one place in each row of the reagent containers 112. .

  The reaction container cleaning mechanism 119 is not particularly shown, but in addition to a mechanism for cleaning the reaction container 5, a cleaning liquid for applying the cleaning liquid 210 (see FIG. 4E) to the sampling probe 3 of the sample dispensing mechanism 10. A discharge nozzle 209 (see FIG. 4D) and a container (hereinafter referred to as a cleaning tank) that receives the cleaning liquid 210 discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 are provided. The cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 and the cleaning tank are disposed on the turning path of the sampling probe 3 (for example, between the sample disk 102 and the reaction disk 4).

  In the automatic analyzer of this embodiment, analysis items of individual liquid samples are input by an input device (such as the keyboard 121 or the screen of the CRT 118). Each component of the automatic analyzer such as the sample disk 102, the sample dispensing mechanism 10, the sample pump 107, the reagent disk 125, the reagent dispensing mechanism 20, the reagent pump 111, etc., analyzes the individual liquid samples thus input. It is controlled by the computer 103 as control means according to the item.

  A basic operation of the automatic analyzer executed by the computer 103 will be briefly described.

  When analyzing the liquid sample in the sample container 101, the computer 103 first rotates and moves the sample disk 102, transfers the target sample container 101 to the sample suction position by the sample dispensing mechanism 10, and stops it. Then, the sampling arm 2 is lowered with the sampling probe 3 positioned on the sample container 102. Accordingly, when the tip of the sampling probe 3 comes into contact with the liquid level of the liquid sample, a detection signal is output from the liquid level detection circuit 151, and based on this, the computer 103 stops the lowering operation by the driving unit of the sampling arm 2. .

  Subsequently, the computer 103 drives the sample pump 107 to suck a predetermined amount of liquid sample into the sampling probe 3. While the liquid sample is sucked into the sampling probe 3, a change in the internal pressure of the pipe 11 (see FIG. 2) connecting the sampling probe 3 and the sample pump 107 is detected by the pressure sensor 152, and this detection signal is detected by pressure. Monitoring is performed by a circuit 153. When the computer 103 detects an abnormality in the pressure fluctuation during sample suction based on the signal from the pressure detection circuit 153, the computer 103 determines that there is a high possibility that the sample is not sucked, and the liquid sample being sucked An alarm is added to the analysis data.

  The computer 103 sucks the liquid sample into the sampling probe 3 and then instructs the driving unit of the sampling arm 2 to raise the sampling arm 2 to the top dead center. Then, it is swung to a position above the predetermined reaction vessel 5 on the reaction disk 4, the sampling probe 3 is lowered, and the sample pump 107 is driven to dispense the liquid sample into the reaction vessel 5.

  In addition, the computer 103 controls the reaction disk 4 to move the reaction container 5 into which the liquid sample has been dispensed to the reagent addition position, and also controls the reagent disk 125 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 20 to perform the corresponding analysis item. Are dispensed from the reagent container 112 on the reagent disk 125 to the reaction container 5. The dispensing operation is basically the same as the sample dispensing operation. The liquid level of the reagent is detected, the reagent is aspirated, and dispensed into the reaction container 5.

  When the liquid sample and the reagent are dispensed into the reaction container 5, the computer 103 controls the reaction disk 4 and the stirring mechanism 113 to move the reaction container 5 to the stirring position, Stir the reagent. Thereafter, the reaction disk 4 is controlled to move the reaction container 5 to the measurement position, the inspection light is irradiated to the reaction container 5 by the light source lamp 114, and the luminescence value or absorbance of the contents of the reaction container 5 is measured by the measuring means 115. To do. As the measuring means 115, a photomultiplier tube, a photometer or the like is used. A detection signal from the measuring unit 115 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 116 and input to the computer 103 via the interface 104. The computer 103 calculates the concentration of the analysis item based on this input signal, stores the analysis result in the memory 122 via the interface 104, and outputs the print to the printer 117 or the screen to the CRT 118 according to the operation. To do.

  After the measurement, the computer 103 controls the reaction disk 4 to move the reaction container 5 to the cleaning position, and cleans the used reaction container 5 by the reaction container cleaning mechanism 119. In the reaction container cleaning mechanism 119, a cleaning liquid (water, ion-exchanged water, etc.) is supplied into the reaction container 5 by the cleaning pump 120 and the waste liquid is discharged from the reaction container 5.

  Here, the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment includes a dispensing device including a probe cleaning means. In the present embodiment, a dispensing device that dispenses a liquid sample into the reaction vessel 5 will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a mechanism that dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessel 5. The dispensing apparatus includes the sample pump 107, the sample dispensing mechanism 10, the reaction container cleaning mechanism 119, the computer 103, and the like. The computer 103 transfers the liquid sample in the sample container 101 into the sampling probe 3. The first procedure for causing the sample pump 107 to perform a discharge operation by a set amount during the period from when the sampling probe 3 is pulled out to the sample container 101 and the liquid is dispensed into the reaction container 5, and the sampling probe 3 A second procedure is performed to clean the tip portion of the nozzle with the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 described above.

  First, as a comparative example, FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a general dispensing sequence of a liquid sample.

  FIG. 3A shows a state immediately before the probe 3 'enters the sample container 101' in order to suck the liquid sample 205 '. The sample container 101 'is sealed with a stopper 203' made of a soft material such as rubber. The probe 3 ′ holds a liquid (system water) 202 ′ (similar to the liquid held in the pipe line 11 in this embodiment), and as a preparatory operation for sucking the liquid sample 205 ′ from the probe 3 ′. In order to prevent the liquid sample 205 ′ sucked into the probe 3 ′ from coming into contact with the liquid 202 ′ and being diluted, air 204 ′ is sucked into the tip of the probe 3 ′, and the air 204 ′ A layer for blocking the liquid 202 ′ and the liquid sample 205 ′ in 3 ′ is formed.

  FIG. 3B shows a state in which the probe 3 'passes through the plug 203' and sucks the liquid sample 205 '. At this time, in preparation for the suppression of dilution in the case of contact with the liquid 202 ′ and the discharge back of the backlash correction operation of the sample pump, the liquid sample 206 ′ (suction to the probe 3 ′) is attracted more than the required amount. The liquid sample is affixed with a reference numeral 206 '). At this time, the internal pressure of the sealed sample container 101 ′ is lower than the outside due to the suction operation of the sample pump. For example, when the sample container 101 'is a vacuum blood collection tube, the internal pressure of the sample container 101' may be lower than the external pressure before the probe 3 'enters.

  FIG. 3C shows a state in which the probe 3 'is pulled out from the sample container 101'. At this time, since the tip opening of the probe 3 ′ is exposed to the external pressure environment from the negative pressure inside the sample container 101 ′, the held liquid sample 206 ′ is pushed by the outside air and is applied to the tip of the probe 3 ′. Air 207 'enters.

  FIG. 3D shows a state immediately before the liquid sample 206 ′ is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 ′. Since the air 207 ′ has entered the tip of the probe 3 ′, the amount of the liquid sample 206 ′ actually discharged into the reaction vessel 5 ′ is air even when a specified amount of discharge operation is performed by the sample pump. 207 'will be insufficient. Further, since the amount of the air 207 'entering the probe 3' varies, the dispensing reproducibility also decreases.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the sample pump 107 is supplied with a set amount by the time the liquid sample is sucked and the sampling probe 3 is extracted from the sample container 101 and the liquid is dispensed into the reaction container 5. A first procedure for performing a discharge operation and a second procedure for cleaning the tip portion of the sampling probe 3 with the above-described cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 are executed.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a dispensing sequence by the dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the procedures in FIGS. 4A to 4C and FIG. 4F are procedures corresponding to the procedures in FIGS. 3A to 3D, and the sequence in FIG. This corresponds to the procedure of FIGS. 4D and 4E added between the procedures of FIGS. 3C and 3D. That is, the procedures in FIG. 4D and FIG. 4E are the “first procedure” and the “second procedure” described above, and the procedures in FIG. 4D and FIG. By adding, the dispensing accuracy is stabilized. Each procedure will be described.

  FIG. 4A shows a state immediately before the sampling probe 3 is inserted into the sample container 101 in order to suck the liquid sample 205. The sample container 101 is a sealed container sealed with a stopper 203 made of a soft material such as rubber. As a preparatory operation for sucking the liquid sample 205 from the sampling probe 3, a layer of air 204 is held at the tip of the sampling probe 3 as described above.

  FIG. 4B shows a state where the sampling probe 3 has penetrated the stopper 203 and sucked the liquid sample 205. The liquid sample 206 sucked and held in the sampling probe 3 (the liquid sample sucked by the sampling probe 3 is denoted by reference numeral 206 to be distinguished from the liquid sample 205) contacts the liquid 202 held in the sampling probe 3. The liquid sample 205 is sucked into the sampling probe 3 more than the necessary dispensing amount in order to suppress the dilution caused by this and allow the sample pump 107 to discharge the backlash correction operation. At this time, the internal pressure of the sealed sample container 101 is lowered from the outside by the suction operation of the sample pump 107. Further, when the sample container 101 is a vacuum blood collection tube, the internal pressure of the sample container 101 may be lower than the external air pressure before the sampling probe 3 is inserted.

  FIG. 4C shows a state in which the sampling probe 3 is pulled out from the sealed sample container 101. At this time, the air pressure applied to the tip opening of the sampling probe 3 rises, and the air 207 enters the tip of the sampling probe 3.

  FIG. 4D shows a state where a small amount of the liquid sample 206 is discharged from the sampling probe 3. In this procedure, the computer 103 controls the sample dispensing mechanism 10 to move the sampling probe 3 to the position of the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 and the cleaning tank (described above) of the reaction container cleaning mechanism 119. Then, the sample pump 107 is driven to discharge only a part (some amount) of the liquid sample 206 in the sampling probe 3 to the cleaning tank.

  At this time, for example, data on the amount of intrusion of air 207 into the sampling probe 3 is collected for each type of liquid sample 205 and sample container 101, and the maximum amount of air 207 that can enter the sampling probe 3 is determined based on past data. Calculate in advance. Alternatively, the maximum amount of air 207 that can enter the sampling probe 3 may be obtained by calculation. This data is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the computer 103. Accordingly, the computer 103 drives the sample pump 107 by a set discharge amount (> volume of the air 207) according to the conditions of the liquid sample 205 and the sample container 101, discharges the air 207 from the sampling probe 3, and air 207 is replaced with the liquid sample 206. At this time, a small amount of the liquid sample 206 is dropped into the cleaning tank, and as a result, the droplet 208 of the liquid sample 206 hangs down at the tip of the sampling probe 3 as shown in FIG.

  Note that it is not always necessary to perform this discharge step in the cleaning tank. For example, when the surface tension of the liquid sample 206 is strong and large droplets 208 are allowed, the sample pump 107 is sufficiently sunk to drop the liquid 208 without dropping the liquid sample 206 after the air 207 is discharged. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the discharge operation is performed. Thus, when the liquid sample 206 does not drip in the discharging step, the step is executed immediately after the sampling probe 3 is pulled out from the sample container 101 or during the movement, without executing the discharging step in the cleaning tank. It is good as a program. By doing so, it helps to shorten the operation time of the entire flow.

  FIG. 4E shows a state in which a cleaning liquid (water, ion exchange water, etc.) 210 is applied to the tip of the sampling probe 3. In this step, the computer 103 controls the reaction container cleaning mechanism 119, and the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 applies the cleaning liquid 210 to the tip of the sampling probe 3 by a set amount, and the droplet 208 of the liquid sample 206 hangs down on the sampling probe 3. Remove. In this embodiment, the case where the cleaning liquid 210 is applied to the sampling probe 3 from below by the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 209 is exemplarily illustrated. However, the cleaning liquid 210 may be applied from above, or the cleaning liquid 210 may be applied to the probe tip from the horizontal direction. 210 may be applied.

  FIG. 4F shows a state immediately before the liquid sample 206 is discharged into the reaction vessel 5. Since the air 207 and the droplet 208 have been removed by following the procedures of FIG. 4D and FIG. 4E, the sample probe 3 holds the air when dispensing in FIG. The lower surface of the liquid sample 206 is flush with the tip of the sampling probe 3. Therefore, a prescribed amount of dispensing that is not excessive or insufficient with respect to the amount of operation of the sample pump 107 is obtained, and highly accurate dispensing performance is ensured.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the air 207 that has entered the sampling probe 3 due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the sample container 101 is discharged, and the droplet 208 that hangs down on the sampling probe 3 along with this is removed by washing. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in dispensing accuracy due to the negative pressure in the sealed sample container 101 using the sampling probe 3 including only the suction / discharge passage without providing a passage for ventilation. . Therefore, since the diameter of the sampling probe 3 can be suppressed, the frictional force when the sampling probe 3 is pierced into the plug 203 can be suppressed. Therefore, a large force is not required for inserting / removing the sampling probe 3 with respect to the plug 203, wear of the probe outer surface, generation of debris of the plug 203 during insertion / removal, and liquid from a hole remaining in the plug 203 after the sampling probe 3 is removed. This contributes to suppression of defects such as leakage of the sample 205 and clogging of the plug 203 with the sampling probe 3. Since a large hole does not remain in the stopper 203, it is also advantageous that the sealing property of the sample container 101 can be maintained. In addition, since a general probe can be used, the probe structure is not complicated, and the apparatus cost can be reduced.

  Note that the present embodiment is not limited to the case where the sample container 101 is a sealed type, and can be applied to the case where the sample container 101 is an open type without any problem. Next, advantages of applying this embodiment when the sample container 101 is an open type will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the suction operation from the open sample container 101.

  In FIG. 5, the sample container 101 is not plugged, and the sample container 101 is an open type. In order to speed up the dispensing of the liquid sample 205, a series of operations of sucking the liquid sample 205, moving the sampling probe 3, and discharging to the reaction container 5 must be performed quickly. However, when the sample suction speed is increased, the time required from the end of the suction operation of the sample pump 107 until the pressure in the sampling probe 3 and the pipe line 11 is stabilized becomes longer. In this case, until the pressure is established, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the sampling probe 3 must be kept in a state of being immersed in the liquid sample 205 in the sample container 101, and simple by increasing the suction speed. This does not shorten the time required for dispensing.

  If the sampling probe 3 is pulled up from the liquid sample 205 before the pressure in the sampling probe 3 and the pipe line 11 is settled to the atmospheric pressure after the sample pump 107 is stopped, as shown in FIG. Air 207 enters. Further, when the sampling probe 3 is pulled up from the liquid sample 205 during the hunting of the pressure vibration, the droplet 208 hangs down at the tip of the sampling probe 3 when the pressure is settled as time elapses as shown in FIG. It can be. Thus, even if the liquid container 101 is an open type, the dispensing accuracy may be affected if the suction speed and the waiting time after suction are not appropriate.

  On the other hand, when the series of procedures described in FIGS. 4A to 4F are executed when the sample container 101 is an open type, the sampling probe is as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. 3. Even if air 207 enters the tip of 3 or dripping of the droplet 208 occurs, the step of performing the discharge operation (FIG. 4D) and the step of cleaning the probe tip (FIG. 4E) are executed. Thus, the air 207 and the droplet 208 can be removed, and the dispensing accuracy can be ensured. In this case, even if the suction speed is increased, the sampling probe 3 can be lifted from the liquid sample 205 without waiting for the pressure to be settled, which contributes to shortening of the dispensing work time.

  When the pressure amplitude in the sampling probe 3 and the pipe line 11 is excessive and it is not preferable to execute the discharge step (FIG. 4D) while the sampling probe 3 is moving (the liquid sample 206 is dropped while moving). It is desirable that the discharge step be performed in the cleaning tank. Since the discharge amount of the liquid sample 206 in the discharge step is at most a fraction of the suction amount, the time required for settling is significantly shorter than that during suction, and even in this case, the time is reduced as a whole.

  In the above description, the case where the cleaning liquid 210 is used in the step of cleaning the tip of the sampling probe 3 has been described as an example. However, gas (air or the like) is sprayed onto the tip of the sampling probe 3 and droops on the sampling probe 3. A configuration in which the droplet 208 is washed and removed may be employed. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the droplet 208 is washed and removed by combining liquid and gas, such as by spraying the cleaning liquid 210 mixed with bubbles on the tip of the sampling probe 3.

3 Sampling probe 4 Reaction disk 5 Reaction container 10 Sample dispensing mechanism 20 Reagent dispensing mechanism 101 Sample container 102 Sample disk 103 Computer 107 Sample pump 110 Reagent dispensing probe 111 Reagent pump 112 Reagent container 119 Reaction container washing mechanism 120 Washing Pump 125 Reagent disc 204 Air 205 Liquid sample 207 Air 208 Droplet 209 Cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 210 Cleaning liquid

Claims (10)

A pump,
A probe connected to the pump for sucking and discharging liquid;
A cleaning means for cleaning the probe;
Control means for controlling the pump and the probe,
The control means includes
Between sucking the liquid in the liquid holding container into the probe and removing the probe from the liquid holding container until dispensing the liquid into the reaction container,
A dispensing apparatus, wherein a first procedure for causing the pump to discharge by a set amount and a second procedure for causing the cleaning means to clean the tip of the probe are executed.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the liquid held in the probe in the first procedure is discharged to a cleaning tank.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge operation of the pump is executed during the movement of the probe in the first procedure.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid holding container is a sealed type.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid holding container is an open type.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe is washed with a liquid in the second procedure.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe is washed with gas in the second procedure.   2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe is washed with a liquid and a gas in the second procedure. A sample disc with a sample container installed;
A reagent disk with a reagent container containing a reagent corresponding to the analysis item;
A reaction disc with a reaction vessel installed;
A pump,
A probe connected to the pump for sucking and discharging liquid;
A cleaning means for cleaning the probe;
Control means for controlling the pump and the probe,
The control means includes
After sucking the liquid in the liquid holding container, which is the sample container or the reagent container, into the probe and removing the probe from the liquid holding container, before dispensing the liquid into the reaction container,
An automatic analyzer that performs a first procedure for causing the pump to perform a discharge operation for a set amount, and a second procedure for causing the cleaning means to clean the tip of the probe. After the liquid in the liquid holding container is sucked into the probe by a pump and the probe is removed from the liquid holding container, the liquid is dispensed into the reaction container.
A dispensing method, wherein the pump is caused to discharge by a set amount, and the tip of the probe is washed.

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