JP3687015B2 - Sample analyzer and sample analysis method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sample analyzer and a sample analysis method, and more particularly to a sample analyzer and a sample analysis method capable of accurately moving an optical device relative to a test paper in order to enable highly accurate sample analysis. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a test paper has been used for testing a specimen, for example, urine. This test paper is obtained by attaching a plurality of test pieces each containing a different reagent to a strip-shaped support at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction.
[0003]
In the specimen analysis using such a test paper, the color reaction of each test piece is automatically measured by the reflection photometry method. That is, the light is emitted from the light emitting part of the optical device toward each test piece, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving part.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional sample analysis, since the test paper is set by hand, the arrangement position thereof is not accurate, and the position of each test piece cannot be accurately detected. As a result, the desired detection accuracy cannot be obtained. There's a problem.
[0005]
Moreover, the position of each said test piece has shifted | deviated by the manufacturing error. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately detect the position of each test piece in advance before measuring the color reaction.
[0006]
As such a urine analyzer capable of detecting the position of each test piece, for example, the following is proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-43996). That is, in this urine analyzer, before detecting the color reaction in each test piece, the optical device is moved from one end of the test paper to the other end, so that the peak value of the detected sawtooth reflected light amount is obtained. The position of each test piece is specified based on this, and the distance from the micro switch is calculated by turning on the micro switch at a predetermined position. Further, before detecting the color reaction, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element is corrected by comparing the amount of reflected light obtained at the home position with a preset reference value.
[0007]
However, the urine analyzer requires a micro switch for stopping the movement of the optical device in addition to the home position for correcting the light emission amount of the light emitting element, which is expensive. In addition, since the distance between each test piece and the micro switch is calculated based on the passage of time from the time when the optical device detects each position, it is necessary to keep the moving speed of the optical device constant. is there. Therefore, even when there are few inspection items, the time required for the inspection is the same.
[0008]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample analyzer and a sample analysis method having a simple configuration capable of accurately moving an optical device relative to a test paper in order to perform highly accurate sample analysis. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the optical device is relatively moved along the test paper arranged at the inspection position, and each test piece provided on the test paper is sequentially irradiated from the light emitting unit of the optical device, In the sample analyzer that analyzes the sample impregnated in each test piece by receiving reflected light at the light receiving unit and measuring the amount of reflected light, a position in which the test paper is not disposed among the inspection positions Before the specimen analysis on each of the test pieces, the optical device is relatively moved along the test paper, the first reference reflective part formed on the test paper, the second reference reflective part formed on the test paper, and the test position. After detecting the first reference reflecting portion of the test paper, the second reference reflecting portion of the test paper is detected to identify the placement position of the test paper, and based on the reference reflected light amount at the second reference reflecting portion. to determine the difference of the test items of test paper It is obtained by a structure in which a control means. In the relative movement between the test paper and the optical device, any means of moving only the test paper, moving only the optical device, or moving both may be adopted.
The control means performs gain adjustment and offset adjustment at the light receiving unit based on the amount of reflected light at the reference reflecting unit other than the test paper before sample analysis on each test piece, and sets a preset gain width. If the offset width deviates from the offset width, an error is preferably notified.
The control means relatively moves the optical device along the test paper before the specimen analysis on each test piece, so that the reference reflection portion other than the test paper, each test piece, and then the reference reflection portion of the test paper. It is preferable that the arrangement position of each test piece is specified by detecting the amount of reflected light.
The control means is configured to stop the optical device sequentially at a position facing each test piece based on the detection result of the amount of reflected light from each reference reflection portion and each test piece in the specimen analysis of each test piece. Is preferred.
The test paper is provided with a reference test piece that does not contain a reagent, and the control means performs a test that does not contain the reagent when the optical device moves relative to the test paper placed at the inspection position. The amount of reflected light is preferably corrected using the piece as a reference for the amount of reflected light in other test pieces containing a reagent.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a urine analyzer which is an example of a sample analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 (a) is a side view thereof. This urine analyzer generally includes a test tube holder 2, a urine volume detector 3, a test paper container 4 (see FIG. 2), a handling unit 5 (see FIG. 2), and a color reaction unit 6. And the control apparatus 7 (refer FIG. 5) which controls these operation | movement is provided.
[0014]
The test tube holding unit 2 is formed by forming notches 11 for holding the test tube 10 in the turntable 9 rotated by the motor 8 in two rows of inner and outer circumferences. A servo motor or the like can be used as the motor 8 and can be rotated by a predetermined pitch so that each test tube 10 can be sequentially moved to a predetermined position.
[0015]
The urine volume detection unit 3 is a conventionally known unit in which two electrodes 14a and 14b are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval via an electrode holding unit 13 at the tip of an arm 12 that translates vertically and horizontally. JP, 61-91571, A). When the electrodes 14a and 14b are inserted into the test tube 10, the urine volume detector 3 detects the liquid volume based on the presence or absence of conduction.
[0016]
The test paper storage unit 4 includes a cassette 16 that stores a plurality of test papers 15 and a base plate 17 provided on the bottom surface thereof. The base plate 17 can reciprocate in the width direction on the bottom surface of the cassette 16. Further, the base plate 17 is formed with a groove 20 that can accommodate only one test paper 15. By sliding, only one sheet of test paper 15 accommodated in the cassette 16 can be held in the groove 20 and discharged to the outside. The test paper container 4 is attached to the apparatus body 1 at an angle. Thereby, the test paper 15 taken out by the base plate 17 slides on the inclined surface and the rear ends thereof are aligned, so that the front end is always at the same position. Therefore, it can be reliably held by the handling unit 5 described below.
[0017]
The test paper 15 accommodated in the cassette 16 is obtained by attaching test pieces 18 from one end side to a support 15a such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film at a predetermined interval and using the other end as a gripping part 19. . Each test piece 18 contains various reagents so that urine components such as glucose and protein can be detected. However, the test piece 18 a on one end side does not contain anything, and is a test piece that serves as a reference for the amount of reflected light in the other test pieces 18. Further, the grip portion 19 is painted with a black marker 19a (corresponding to the second reference reflection portion of the present invention). The black marker 19a can be easily formed in the same process as the attaching of the test piece 18, and serves as a reference position for measuring the distance to each test piece 18.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the handling unit 5 includes a vertical plate 21, a slide plate 22, an elevating plate 23, and a clamping unit 24. The vertical plate 21 is fixed to the apparatus main body 1 and has rails 25 in the horizontal direction in two rows on the upper and lower sides on one surface thereof. The slide plate 22 has a rail 26 that can reciprocate in the horizontal direction along the rail 25 of the vertical plate 21 and extends in the vertical direction. The lift plate 23 can reciprocate in the vertical direction along the rail 26 of the slide plate 22. The sandwiching portion 24 is provided at the tip of the lifting plate 23 so as to be pivotable about the support shaft 24a, and is swung in a vertical plane by driving a motor 27 provided at the rear end of the lifting plate 23. The clamping unit 24 has a pair of upper and lower clamping pieces 28 so that the test paper 15 can be clamped.
[0019]
The color reaction unit 6 includes a test paper set unit 29, a transport table 30, a transport unit 31, and an optical device 32.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the test paper set unit 29 slides the surplus urine suction table 33 formed with the guide groove 34 in the front-rear direction on the apparatus main body 1 along the guide rail 39. It is what I did. The guide groove 34 of the surplus urine suction table 33 is formed in a step shape, the test paper 15 is placed on the upper stage side thereof, and the surplus urine flows down to the lower stage side. Suction holes 35 are formed at two locations on the bottom surface of the guide groove 34 and communicate with the drain bottle 37 via the discharge path 36. Then, by driving the air pump 38, excess urine adhering to the test paper 15 can be sucked into the drain bottle 37 through the suction hole 35. The surplus urine suction table 33 is advanced to a position where the test paper can be easily set by a manual operation described below.
[0021]
The transport table 30 is disposed on the side of the test paper setting unit 29, and a plurality of protrusions 40 are formed on the upper surface thereof at predetermined intervals along the transport direction. These ridges 40 serve to reduce the contact area with the surface of the transport table 30 when the test paper 15 is placed, minimize urine adhesion, and promote drying of the test paper 15. Plays. Further, the protrusions 40 are formed with concave portions 41 at predetermined intervals, and constitute three relay positions A for stably placing the test paper 15 conveyed by the conveying unit 31. Further, a white plate 30 a is provided on the rear end side of the apparatus main body 1 at the edge of the transport table 30 (a position where the optical device 32 described below moves back and forth). This white plate 30a (corresponding to the first reference reflecting portion of the present invention) is used for gain adjustment and offset adjustment described below, and calculates the positional relationship between the optical device 32 and each test piece 18 of the test paper 15. Also used when.
[0022]
The transport unit 31 has a pair of upper and lower clamping pieces 42 similar to the handling unit 5, and can reciprocate along the guide rails 43 along the side edges of the transport table 30. The clamping piece 42 is configured to lift and hold the test paper 15 placed on the test paper setting unit 29 or the transport table 30 by rotating the lower side.
[0023]
The optical device 32 includes a light emitting unit 44 and a light receiving unit 45. A plurality of LEDs are used for the light emitting unit 44 and sequentially irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength at predetermined intervals based on signals input from the control device 7 via the D / A converter 47 and the drive circuit 46. A plurality of photodiodes are used for the light receiving unit 45, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit 44 and reflected by the transport table 30 or the test paper 15 is received as a digital signal via the amplifier 48 and the A / D converter 49. It outputs to the control apparatus 7 (refer FIG. 5). The reason why a plurality of photodiodes are used in the light receiving unit 45 is to enable more appropriate detection based on the average value of the detected light amount of each photodiode. The optical device 32 reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the test paper 15 that has been conveyed. A pulse motor 50 is used for this movement. In other words, a pinion (not shown) provided on the rotating shaft of the pulse motor 50 and a rack (not shown) provided along the front-rear direction of the transfer table 30 are meshed so as to be predetermined according to the number of input pulses. It is possible to move by pitch.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 7 receives signals from the manual switch 51, the urine volume detection unit 3, and the optical device 32, and receives the motor 8 of the test tube holding unit 2, the urine volume detection unit 3, and the test paper storage unit. 4. A control signal is issued to the handling unit 5, the color reaction unit 6, and the display unit 52.
[0025]
The urine analysis process in the control device 7 of the urine analyzer will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0026]
First, one sheet of test paper 15 is taken out by sliding the base plate 17 of the test paper storage unit 4 and the handling unit 5 is driven to grip it with the clamping unit 24 (step S1). On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the amount of urine in the test tube 10 to be analyzed exceeds a set value (for example, 9 cc) (step S2). The urine volume is detected by driving the urine volume detector 3 and inserting the electrodes 14a and 14b held at the tip of the arm 12 to a predetermined position in the test tube 10 and determining whether or not the electrodes 14a and 14b are electrically connected. . When the urine volume is small and there is no conduction between the electrodes 14a and 14b, it is determined that the urine volume does not exceed the set value. In this case, urine analysis cannot be performed automatically by the urine analyzer. Therefore, the number (port number) of the corresponding test tube 10 is stored (step S3), and the next test tube 10 is set by rotating the turntable 9 (step S4).
[0027]
When there is continuity between the electrodes 14a and 14b, it is determined that the urine volume exceeds the set value, so that the urine analysis can be automatically performed by the urine analyzer. Therefore, the handling unit 5 is driven, and the urine is dipped by inserting the test paper 15 into the test tube 10 (step S5). If dipping is completed, the handling part 5 will be driven again, the test paper 15 will be pulled up from the test tube 10, and this time will be set to the surplus urine suction stand 33 (step S6). And the excess urine is discharged | emitted to the drain bottle 37 through the suction hole 35 by driving the air pump 38 (step S7). As a result, the problem that excess urine remains and adheres to the next test paper 15 and prevents proper analysis is avoided.
[0028]
Next, the test paper 15 after removing excess urine is conveyed (step S8). The test paper 15 is once transported to any one of the relay positions A on the transport table 30 by driving the transport unit 31 and waits for at least a sufficient time (reaction time) for the color reaction, and then transported to the optical device 32. Is done. While the test paper 15 is waiting at the relay position A, the next test paper 15 is sequentially transported to another relay position A by driving the transport unit 31. Then, among the test papers 15 transported to the relay position A, the test papers 15 are transported to the photometric part below the optical device 32 in order from the one having passed the reaction time.
[0029]
Subsequently, after performing the urine analysis process described below with the optical device 32 (step S9), the test paper 15 is discarded (step S10).
[0030]
The urine analysis process is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. That is, the light is emitted sequentially from the light emitting unit 44 toward the white plate 30 a provided on the conveyance table 30 at a predetermined interval, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 45. Then, gain adjustment and offset adjustment of the amplifier 48 are performed based on the received light quantity (step S21). However, if the optical device 32 is not in a position facing the white plate 30a, the optical device 32 is moved to the rear side of the apparatus main body 1 to stop at the position where the white plate 30a is detected.
[0031]
The gain adjustment is performed by averaging a plurality of wavelengths received by the light receiving unit 45 and calculating a gain so as to obtain a target A / D value. The average value of the wavelength is obtained from a value after a predetermined time has elapsed from the input of the reflected light after the output of the amplifier 48 is stabilized. The offset adjustment is performed by obtaining an offset amount so that the output of the amplifier 48 is minimized when the light emitting unit 44 is turned off, and correcting the gain obtained by the gain adjustment based on the offset amount. When the calculated gain or the adjusted offset amount does not fall within the gain range or the offset range determined in advance by experiment, it is determined that there is an adjustment trouble, and that fact is displayed on the display unit 52 and the operator is notified by sound. Causes of gain adjustment failure include a case where the amount of light from the light emitting unit 44 is not appropriate or a case where the white plate 30a is dirty. Moreover, as a cause of offset adjustment failure, the case where the light from another light source has penetrate | invaded is mentioned.
[0032]
After the gain adjustment and the offset adjustment are completed, the optical device 32 is then moved to the front side of the device body 1 as shown in FIG. 4A (step S22). The moving speed is gradually increased from the start of movement and is set to a constant speed before reaching the test paper 15. During this time, irradiation from the light emitting unit 44 is continued, and a digital signal corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 45 is stored as shown in FIG. 4B (step S23). And it is judged whether the black marker 19a was detected (step S24). The black marker 19a is detected when the wavelength of reflected light from the white plate 30a is a reference value and the amount of reflected light is, for example, 1/4 or less of the reference value. However, instead of the black marker 19a, a through hole may be formed at that position, and the transfer table 30 may be black so that the reflected light can be detected. Anything can be detected. Thereby, the position of the black marker 19a which is a 2nd reference | standard reflection part can be detected at high speed and correctly.
[0033]
If the black marker 19a is detected, it will gradually decelerate and stop when it has advanced 4.5 mm (step S25). Based on the data indicating the position of each test piece 18 stored as described above, the distance from the black marker 19a to each test piece 18 is calculated (step S26). Here, the number of oscillation pulses to the pulse motor 50 that moves the optical device 32 is calculated. Subsequently, the optical device 32 is moved to the back side by driving the pulse motor 50, and is temporarily stopped when the black marker 19a is exceeded. Next, the distance between the optical device 32 and the test piece 18a is calculated from the distance between the optical device 32 and the black marker 19a and the distance between the black marker 19a and the test piece 18a (which does not contain a reagent). 32 is moved to a position facing the test piece 18a. Then, after waiting for the aftershock of the optical device 32 (which means vibration until it stops completely) to stop, the amount of reflected light is measured (step S27). This is because the amount of reflected light at the test piece 18a is used as a reference value and the amount of reflected light at the other test pieces 18 is corrected. That is, by comparing the reference value with the amount of reflected light (experiment reference value) on the test piece 18a detected in advance by experiment, each reflected light amount (experimental value) on the other test piece 18 is corrected by the difference. To do. Similarly, the optical device 32 is made to face each test piece 18, and the amount of reflected light (measured value) at each test piece 18 containing the reagent is sequentially compared with each correction value, and the urine analysis is performed from the deviation amount. I do.
[0034]
As described above, since the optical device 32 detects the reflected light amount at the black marker 19a based on the reflected light amount at the white plate 30a, the position can be reliably detected from a significant difference in the reflected light amount. . In addition, since the distance from the black marker 19a to each test piece 18 is also detected based on the amount of reflected light from each test piece 18, even if the position of the test piece 18 is shifted due to a manufacturing error, the optical apparatus 32 can be moved to an appropriate position. Further, in the urine analysis, since the optical device 32 is completely stopped at each test piece 18, the distance between the optical device 32 and the test piece 18 varies due to vibration, or noise is superimposed on the signal. And the S / N ratio is improved (in particular, the noise (N) is reduced). Therefore, highly accurate urine analysis becomes possible.
[0035]
Note that it is determined that there is no test paper unless the threshold value (a value smaller than the minimum value of the amount of reflected light from each test piece 18 is exceeded) once by the light emission and light reception. Further, once the threshold value is exceeded, but once the threshold value is not exceeded, the operator is notified in the same manner as described above that an abnormality has occurred in the detection of the black marker 19a.
[0036]
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a series of urine analysis processing (50 ports in the present embodiment) has been completed (step S11), and if not completed, steps S1 to S10 are repeated.
[0037]
If a series of urine analysis has been completed, it is determined whether or not urine analysis is to be performed by manual measurement for the test tube 10 in which the urine was traced and could not be automatically analyzed (step S12). This determination is made based on whether or not the input from the manual switch 51 is within a predetermined time. If no manual operation is performed, the urine analysis process is terminated.
[0038]
On the other hand, when the manual operation is performed, the port number of the test tube 10 that could not be automatically analyzed is displayed on the display unit 52 (step S13), the turntable 9 is rotated (step S14), and the test paper setting unit 29 is displayed. The test paper 15 is advanced to a position where it can be easily set (step S15). Here, it waits for a time (about 5 seconds) considered to be sufficient for dipping urine on each test piece 18 of the test paper 15 to generate a confirmation sound of “beep”. Further, it waits for a time (about 7 seconds) that is considered sufficient to set the test paper 15 in the test paper setting unit 29, and generates a confirmation sound of “beep”. Then, the test paper set unit 29 is moved back to the original position (step S16), and the presence or absence of the test paper 15 is once detected by a sensor (not shown). If the test paper 15 is detected, the test paper 15 is transported (step S17), urine analysis processing is performed (step S18), and the test paper 15 is discarded (step S19) in the same manner as in steps S8 to S10. The steps S13 to S19 are repeated until it is determined in step S12 that manual measurement is not performed.
[0039]
In steps S15 and S16, the test paper set unit 29 is automatically moved forward and backward according to the elapsed time. However, a touch panel is adopted for the display unit 52 so that the operation procedure is sequentially displayed on the screen. Also good. That is, characters such as “manual operation”, “analysis processing”, “analysis processing start”, or the like may be sequentially displayed. According to this, the operator only needs to directly push the screen sequentially in accordance with the display on the display unit 52, and the operation can be performed easily and smoothly.
[0040]
Further, the inspection items on each test paper 15 may be freely changed. In this case, the width of the black marker 19a may be changed for each test paper 15 having different inspection items. For example, if the test item differs depending on the specimen, the optical device 32 detects the width dimension of the black marker 19a, and automatically determines the movement position of the optical device 32 from the difference in the width dimension. Can be performed at a higher speed.
[0041]
In the above-described embodiment, the urine analyzer has been described as the sample analyzer. However, the sample analyzer can be applied to other sample analyzers such as blood (serum, plasma, etc.).
[0042]
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the center position was specified based on the reflected light amount of each test piece 18, when the detection accuracy is not required so much, the position of each test piece 18 is fixed. It is assumed that the driving of the optical device 32 may be controlled based on the distance from the black marker 19a input in advance to each test piece 18, and the optical device 32 is stopped for each test piece 18. However, it may be moved at a constant speed.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the sample analyzer or the sample analysis method of the present invention, the first and second reference reflection units capable of obtaining the reference reflected light amount are provided at the test position and the test paper, respectively. Since it did in this way, it is possible to detect the arrangement position of a test paper correctly. Therefore, based on the distance from the second reference reflecting portion provided on the test paper to each test piece, the optical device can be accurately opposed to the desired position of each test piece, and the detection accuracy can be increased.
[0044]
In addition, since the position of each test piece is specified based on the amount of reflected light at each reference reflecting portion and the test piece, even if the position of the test piece is shifted due to a manufacturing error or the like, Irradiation and reflected light can be received, and detection accuracy can be further improved. In this case, since the second reference reflecting portion can be formed on the test paper in the same manner as the test piece, the second reference reflecting portion can be easily manufactured, and a conventional micro switch or the like is not necessary, thereby reducing the cost. Is possible.
[0045]
Furthermore, since the optical device is sequentially stopped at a position facing each test piece and the sample analysis is performed, it is possible to eliminate the influence of noise and the like due to vibration, and to improve the detection accuracy.
[0046]
Further, since the gain adjustment and the offset adjustment at the light receiving unit are performed based on the amount of light reflected by the reference reflecting unit provided at the inspection position, accurate measurement can always be performed. Further, when a value that deviates from a preset range is detected, an error can be notified, and repair can be performed before failure occurs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a urine analyzer which is an example of a sample analyzer according to the present invention.
2 is a side view (a) of FIG. 1 and a perspective view (b) showing an excess urine suction table and a test paper. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the transfer table of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (a) showing the positional relationship between the optical device and the test paper, and a graph (b) showing the amount of reflected light at each test piece.
5 is a block diagram showing the input / output relationship of signals to the control device of FIG. 1;
6 is a flowchart showing urine analysis processing performed by the control device of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing urine analysis processing performed by the control device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a urine analysis process performed by the control device of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
15 Test paper 18 Test piece 19a Black marker (second reference reflector)
30a White board (first reference reflector)
32 Optical device 44 Light emitting part 45 Light receiving part

Claims (10)

Relative movement of the optical device along the test paper placed at the inspection position, sequentially irradiating each test piece provided on the test paper from the light emitting part of the optical device, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving part of the optical device and reflected In the sample analyzer configured to analyze the sample impregnated in each of the test pieces by measuring the amount of light,
A first reference reflecting portion formed at a position where no test paper is arranged among the inspection positions;
A second reference reflecting portion formed on the test paper;
Before the specimen analysis on each test piece, the optical device is relatively moved along the test paper to detect the first reference reflection portion at the inspection position, and then the second reference reflection portion of the test paper is detected. And a control means for determining a test paper arrangement position and discriminating a difference in the inspection items of the test paper based on a reference reflected light amount at the second reference reflecting portion. apparatus.   The control means performs gain adjustment and offset adjustment at the light receiving unit based on the amount of reflected light at the reference reflecting unit other than the test paper before sample analysis on each test piece, and sets a preset gain width. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein an error is reported when the offset value deviates from the offset width.   The control means relatively moves the optical device along the test paper before the specimen analysis on each test piece, so that the reference reflection portion other than the test paper, each test piece, and then the reference reflection portion of the test paper. The specimen analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arrangement position of each test piece is specified by detecting the amount of reflected light.   The control means, in the sample analysis on each test piece, stops the optical device at a position facing each test piece in sequence based on the detection result of the reflected light quantity on each reference reflecting portion and each test piece. The sample analyzer according to claim 3, wherein:   The test paper is provided with a reference test piece that does not contain a reagent,
  When the relative movement of the optical device along the test paper arranged at the inspection position, the control means uses the test piece not containing the reagent as a reference for the amount of reflected light in other test pieces containing the reagent. 5. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the amount of reflected light is corrected as follows. In the sample analysis method for analyzing the specimen impregnated in each test piece by sequentially irradiating each test piece of the test paper placed at the inspection position and receiving the reflected light,
Forming a first reference reflecting portion at a position where the test paper is not disposed among the inspection positions;
Forming a second reference reflecting portion on the test paper;
Prior to sample analysis on each test piece, the optical device is relatively moved along the test paper to detect the first reference reflection portion at the inspection position, and then the reference reflection at the second reference reflection portion of the test paper. Specimen analysis method characterized in that, by detecting the amount of light, the position of the test paper is specified , and the difference in the inspection items of the test paper is determined based on the reference reflected light amount at the second reference reflecting portion . Prior to sample analysis on each test piece, gain adjustment and offset adjustment are performed at the light receiving unit based on the amount of light reflected by the reference reflecting unit other than the test paper, and the gain width and offset width deviate from the preset values. In this case, the sample analysis method according to claim 6, wherein an error is reported.   Prior to sample analysis on each test strip, the optical device is relatively moved along the test strip to detect the amount of reflected light from the reference reflector other than the test strip, each test strip, and then the reference reflector of the test strip. The specimen analysis method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein it is specified that an arrangement position of each test piece is specified.   The optical device is sequentially stopped at a position facing each test piece based on the detection result of the amount of reflected light from each reference reflection portion and each test piece in the sample analysis of each test piece. Item 9. The sample analysis method according to any one of Items 6 to 8.   The test paper is provided with a reference test piece that does not contain a reagent,
  When the optical device is moved relative to the test paper placed at the inspection position, the amount of reflected light is corrected using a test piece that does not contain the reagent as a reference for the amount of reflected light in other test pieces that contain the reagent. The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein:

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