Automatic Analyzer

An automatic analyzer comprising:

• a controller configured to control analysis of a sample;
• a container retaining mechanism on which a plurality of containers is loadable at a plurality of positions;
• a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the sample and a reagent to the container;
• a detection mechanism configured to detect a component from a reaction solution prepared by dispensing the sample and the reagent to the container;
• and
• a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the container when the container is to be loaded at a position on the container retaining mechanism and when the container at the position is to be disposed of to a disposal box,
• wherein:
• the dispensing mechanism includes a liquid surface detection mechanism configured to detect a liquid surface of a liquid in the container;
• the controller uses the dispensing mechanism at a prescribed timing to detect presence or absence of the liquid surface at a target position on the container retaining mechanism and the controller determines a state including presence or absence of the container accommodating the reaction solution;
• and
• the controller performs control in which the controller performs operation of the disposal using the transfer mechanism at the position when the controller determines a state in which the container is present, and the controller does not perform operation of the disposal using the transfer mechanism at the position when the controller determines a state in which the container is not present;
• and
• the automatic analyzer further comprising
• a container presence/absence detection mechanism configured to detect presence or absence of the container at the position on the container retaining mechanism,
• wherein the controller performs control in which the controller determines a state in which the container is not present when the liquid surface is not detected and the container presence/absence detection mechanism does not detect the container, the controller determines a state in which the container that is unused is present when the liquid surface is not detected and the container presence/absence detection mechanism detects the container, and the controller does not perform operation of the disposal using the transfer mechanism and operation of loading the container that is new and the container is used in subsequent analysis at the position when a state is determined in which the container that is unused is present.