Autosampler, automatic analysis device, sampling method, and automatic inspection method

An autosampler for sending out a rack holding one or a plurality of specimen containers from a predetermined transport position, inquiring of a management computer about an inspection item based on identification information attached to the specimen container or collating an inspection item registered in an automatic analysis device thereof, and sampling a specimen from the specimen container based on a response from the management computer or the automatic analysis device, the autosampler comprising:

• an installation part allowing a plurality of racks to be installed therein;
• an installation part moving means capable of moving the installation part back and forth in a predetermined installation part transport direction, the installation part moving means successively transferring the plurality of racks to the transport position;
• and
• a rack moving means capable of moving the racks at the transport position back and forth in a predetermined rack transport direction, the rack moving means moving the racks forward in the rack transport direction to send out the racks from the installation part, and moving the racks backward to send the racks back to the installation part after specimens are sampled from the specimen containers held in the racks,
• wherein the racks are transferred to the transport position by moving the installation part forward or backward as necessary, and
• sampling is started after completing accumulation of information about the inspection item corresponding to a specimen contained in the specimen container on the installation part.