Automatic analyzer

Abstract

The occurrence of splash of a sample or a reagent from a nozzle tip is prevented during shifting of a dispensing mechanism. An automatic analyzer includes a nozzle for sucking liquid to be dispensed; a pump for allowing suction of the liquid into the nozzle and generating pressure variations; a pipe line connecting the nozzle with the pump; and a shifting mechanism for shifting the nozzle in horizontal and vertical directions. In the automatic analyzer, the pipe line is at least partially composed of a flexible tube. The flexible tube has an upward or downward convex bending portion in the middle thereof. The convex bending portion changes in position and shifts along with the shifting mechanism at a nozzle side. If the nozzle is shifted horizontally, a value obtained by subtracting a vertical distance between the top of a convex portion of the flexible tube and the uppermost portion of the nozzle from a vertical distance between the tip portion of the nozzle and the uppermost portion of the nozzle is a value ranging from −30 mm to 130 mm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.