Automatic analyzer and method for determining abnormality therein

A method for determining an abnormality in an automatic analyzer including:

• a probe for performing a dispensing action including a process of aspirating and/or discharging liquid;
• a syringe for generating pressure variations for allowing the probe to dispense liquid;
• a flow passage connecting the probe and the syringe;
• and
• a sensor for measuring a pressure in the flow passage during liquid dispense,
• the method at least comprising:
• a waveform acquiring step of acquiring a time-varying waveform of pressure by the sensor after performing a backlash discharge for eliminating mechanical rattling of the syringe;
• an attenuation rate calculation step of calculating a pressure attenuation rate based on the time-varying waveform of pressure acquired in the waveform acquiring step;
• and
• an abnormality determination step of determining based on an attenuation rate calculated in the attenuation rate calculation step whether or not an abnormality has occurred in a process during liquid dispense.