Sample processing method and sample processing apparatus

A sample processing method comprising:

• removing a liquid component in a container housing a first liquid containing a magnetic particle bound with an analyte, while causing magnetic adhesion of the magnetic particle in the container;
• discharging a second liquid, which is different from the first liquid, from a pipette into the container from which the liquid component has been removed so as to mix the magnetic particle and the second liquid together;
• moving, after discharging the elution liquid from the pipette into the container, the pipette relative to and close to an inner wall of the container so as to collect a droplet attached to the inner wall onto an outer surface of the pipette;
• and
• moving a tip of the pipette to an accumulation area in which the second liquid accumulates in the container so as to move the droplet collected on the outer surface of the pipette to the accumulation area.

A sample processing apparatus comprising:

• a dispensing part that comprises a pipette and is configured to dispense a liquid via the pipette into a container;
• a magnetic force application part that comprises a magnet and is configured to apply a magnetic force to the container;
• and
• a controller, wherein:
• the controller causes the dispensing part to remove a liquid component in a container housing a suspension containing a magnetic particle bound with an analyte in a condition in which the controller causes the magnetic force application part to apply the magnetic force to the container and cause magnetic adhesion of the magnetic particle in the container;
• the controller causes the dispensing part to discharge an elution liquid for releasing the analyte from the magnetic particle via the pipette into the container from which the liquid component has been removed;
• after the dispensing part discharges the elution liquid into the container, the controller causes the pipette to move close to an inner wall of the container to collect a droplet attached to the inner wall onto an outer surface of the pipette;
• and
• the controller causes the pipette to move to an accumulation area in which the elution liquid accumulates in the container to move the droplet collected on the outer surface of the pipette to the accumulation area.

A sample processing method comprising:

• removing a liquid component in a container housing a suspension containing a magnetic particle bound with an analyte, while causing magnetic adhesion of the magnetic particle in the container;
• discharging, from a pipette to an attachment area of the inner wall of the container, an elution liquid for releasing the analyte from the magnetic particle, wherein the magnetic particle is attached on the attachment area of the inner wall of the container from which the liquid component has been removed;
• and
• performing, a plurality of times, an operation comprising:
• aspirating the elution liquid discharged and accumulated in the container;
• and
• discharging the aspirated elution liquid to the attachment area of the inner wall of the container on which the magnetic particle is attached.

A sample processing apparatus comprising:

• a dispensing part that comprises a pipette and is configured to dispense a liquid via the pipette into a container;
• a magnetic force application part that comprises a magnet and is configured to apply a magnetic force to the container;
• and
• a controller, wherein:
• the controller causes the dispensing part to remove a liquid component in a container housing a suspension containing a magnetic particle bound with an analyte in a condition in which the controller causes the magnetic force application part to apply the magnetic force to the container and cause magnetic adhesion of the magnetic particle in the container;
• the controller causes the dispensing part to discharge an elution liquid for releasing the analyte from the magnetic particle via the pipette to an attachment area of the inner wall of the container, wherein the magnetic particle is attached on the attachment area of the inner wall of the container from which the liquid component has been removed;
• and
• the controller causes the dispensing part to perform, a plurality of times, an operation comprising:
• aspirating the elution liquid discharged and accumulated in the container;
• and discharging the aspirated elution liquid to the attachment area of the inner wall of the container.