Automatic analyzer

An automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into each reaction container to initiate a reaction and then measures the reacted liquid, the automatic analyzer comprising:

• a dispensing probe for dispensing a reagent or a sample to be analyzed into the reaction container;
• a cleaning container including a reservoir;
• a cleaning-solution supply unit that supplies a first cleaning solution to the cleaning container through a passage leading to the cleaning container, the cleaning-solution supply unit includes two first cleaning solution tanks each connected to a first branch pipe via respective lines, the first branch pipe merging the respective lines to a single first line connected to a second branch pipe via a first electromagnetic valve, the cleaning-solution supply unit further including a second cleaning solution tank, a syringe, a second line connected to the second branch pipe and the syringe, the passage connected to second branch pipe via a second electromagnetic valve;
• a heating unit that is thermally connected to the passage to heat the passage;
• and
• a controller connected to the dispensing probe, the cleaning-solution supply unit and the heating unit, the controller programmed to:
• control at least the syringe, first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve of the cleaning-solution supply unit to supply the first cleaning solution to the reservoir of the cleaning container from at least one of the two first cleaning solution tanks via at least the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe thereby causing the first cleaning solution held in the reservoir of the cleaning container to overflow from the reservoir,
• after controlling the cleaning-solution supply unit to supply the first cleaning solution to the reservoir of the cleaning container thereby causing the first cleaning solution held in the reservoir of cleaning container to overflow from the reservoir, control at least the syringe, first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve of the cleaning-solution supply unit to draw in the first cleaning solution from the reservoir of the cleaning container into at least the passage and the second branch pipe,
• control the heating unit to heat the passage containing the first cleaning solution drawn into the passage,
• control at least the syringe, first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve of the cleaning-solution supply unit to supply the heated first cleaning solution drawn into the passage into the cleaning container,
• control the dispensing probe to immerse a portion of the dispensing probe into the cleaning solution, and
• after controlling the dispensing probe to immerse the portion of the dispensing probe into the cleaning solution, control at least the syringe, and the second electromagnetic valve of the cleaning-solution supply unit to deliver the second cleaning solution from the second cleaning solution tank into the cleaning container via at least the second line, the second branch pipe and the passage, thereby replacing the first cleaning solution with the second cleaning solution.