Automatic analysis device and analysis method

A sample analysis method using an automatic analysis device which includes:

• a sample vessel placing section in which a first sample vessel containing a biological sample to be analyzed and a second sample vessel containing a blood clot time reference sample that has a known blood clot time are placed;
• a reagent vessel placing section in which a plurality of reagent vessels each containing a reagent and each having a barcode attached thereto are placed;
• a reaction vessel;
• a sample dispensing mechanism which dispenses the biological sample or the blood clot time reference sample into the reaction vessel;
• a reagent dispensing mechanism which dispenses the reagent of the into the reaction vessel from the reagent vessel;
• a detector which detects a signal value that changes over time in accordance with a mixing reaction of the reagent and the biological sample or the blood clot time reference sample;
• and
• a barcode reader;
• and
• a control section, the method comprising steps executed by the control section of:
• controlling the barcode reader to read information from a barcode on a first reagent vessel of the plurality of reagent vessels;
• obtaining an expected blood clot time based on the information read from the barcode;
• controlling the detector to detect first signal values from a mixture of the blood clot time reference sample and the reagent and generate a first reaction curve based on the first signal values;
• determining a signal reference value based on the first reaction curve and the expected blood clot time;
• storing the signal reference value in association with identification information of the reagent;
• and
• controlling the detector to detect second signal values from a mixture of the biological sample and the reagent and generate a second reaction curve based on the second signal values;
• determining whether the expected value of blood clotting time is in a predetermined range;
• upon determining the blood clotting time is not in the range, issue an alarm on a display;
• and
• determining the blood clotting time of the biological sample based on the signal reference value and the second reaction curve of the biological sample.