Sample dispensing apparatus and automatic analyzer including the same

An automatic analyzer comprising:

• a sample container loading mechanism capable of loading a plurality of sample containers each containing a sample to be analyzed and including a mechanism capable of changing arrangement of said plurality of sample containers;
• a reaction cuvette loading mechanism capable of loading a plurality of reaction cuvettes in each of which the sample to be analyzed and a reagent are mixed with each other, and including a mechanism capable of changing arrangement of said plurality of the reaction cuvettes;
• a sample dispensing mechanism for sucking the sample from said sample container and discharging the sucked sample into said reaction cuvette;
• and
• a controller connected to said sample container loading mechanism, said reaction cuvette loading mechanism, and said sample dispensing mechanism for controlling said sample container loading mechanism, said reaction cuvette loading mechanism, and said sample dispensing mechanism,
• wherein said sample dispensing mechanism includes a plurality of dispensing mechanisms for sucking the samples and discharging the sucked samples, said plurality of dispensing mechanisms moving between said sample container and said reaction cuvette independently with each other to be capable of sucking the sample from the same sample container alternately with each other,
• at least one of said plurality of dispensing mechanisms having a clogging detecting function for detecting a clogging in a nozzle,
• said controller controlling the dispensing operation of other dispensing mechanism on the basis of information concerning to the clogging in the nozzle.