# US 11,307,213 B2 · Specimen processing apparatus and specimen processing method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,213 B2 - Document ID: US11307213B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/986,076 - Filed: 2018-05-22 - Published: 2018-11-29 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-29 - Assignees: Sysmex Corporation - Applicants: Sysmex Corporation - Inventors: Yuuichi Hamada - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307213B2 ## CPC - G01N 35/1009: {Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids} - G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor - G01N 35/00: Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor - G01N 35/0095: {introducing urgent samples with priority, e.g. Short Turn Around Time Samples [STATS]} - G01N 35/1011: {Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device} - G01N 35/00584: {Control arrangements for automatic analysers} - G01N 2035/00277: {Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A specimen processing apparatus may include: an aspirating tube configured to aspirates a specimen in automatic aspiration and manual aspiration; an aspirating tube moving mechanism configured to move the aspirating tube between a first region in which the automatic aspiration is performed and a second region in which the manual aspiration is performed, the first region covered with a wall, the second region separated from the first region; and a processing unit that processes the specimen aspirated by the aspirating tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A specimen processing apparatus comprising: a housing; an aspirating tube configured to aspirate a specimen in automatic aspiration and manual aspiration; an aspirating tube moving mechanism configured to move the aspirating tube between a first region in which the automatic aspiration is performed inside the housing in an aspirating position of the aspirating tube and a second region in which the manual aspiration is performed outside of the housing in an aspirating position of the aspirating tube, the aspirating position of the aspirating tube in the second region separated from the aspirating position of the aspirating tube in the first region by the housing; and a processing unit that processes the specimen aspirated by the aspirating tube, wherein the aspirating tube moving mechanism is configured to move the aspirating tube to the aspirating position in the second region so that a tip of the aspirating tube is located outside the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aspirating tube moving mechanism is configured to move the aspirating tube linearly between the first region and the second region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen comprises a plurality of specimens, the specimen processing apparatus further comprising: a specimen transporting mechanism configured to transport, to the first region, a holder holding the plurality of specimens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the aspirating tube moving mechanism is configured to move the aspirating tube in a first direction linearly between the first region and the second region and to cause the aspirating tube to aspirate the plurality of specimens sequentially, and the specimen transporting mechanism configured to transport the holder in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing accommodates the specimen transporting mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing accommodates a setting position in which the holder is set and a transporting path in which the holder is transported from the setting position to the first region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a lid, and the holder can be set in the setting position in a condition in which the lid is open. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a cleaner comprising a cleaning bath configured to clean the aspirating tube, wherein the aspirating tube moving mechanism is configured to move the aspirating tube to the cleaner. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cleaner is located between the first region and the second region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller that controls an operation of the aspirating tube moving mechanism, wherein in a condition in which the controller receives an instruction for the manual aspiration, the controller causes the aspirating tube moving mechanism to move the aspirating tube to the second region. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller causes the aspirating tube moving mechanism to move the aspirating tube to the first region after the manual aspiration is completed or a predetermined period of time passes after the manual aspiration is started. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in a condition in which the controller receives an instruction for the automatic aspiration during the manual aspiration, the controller causes the aspirating tube moving mechanism to move the aspirating tube to the first region after the manual aspiration is completed or a predetermined period of time passes after the manual aspiration is started. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen contains nucleic acid, and the processing unit processes the nucleic acid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the automatic aspiration, the aspirating tube agitates the specimen before the aspirating tube aspirates the specimen. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen comprises a plurality of specimens, and in the automatic aspiration, the aspirating tube aspirates the plurality of specimens from a holder holding the plurality of specimens. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the manual aspiration, the aspirating tube aspirates the specimen from a specimen container held by a user. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a through-hole, and the aspirating tube moving mechanism is configured to move the aspirating tube to the aspirating position in the second region so that the tip of the aspirating tube is located outside the housing through the through-hole. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A specimen processing method with the specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, the method comprising: performing, in the first region, automatic aspiration for the specimen by the aspirating tube; and performing, in the second region, manual aspiration for the specimen by the aspirating tube moved to the second region from the first region.