Sample analyzer, sample analyzing method, and computer program product

A sample analyzer comprising:

• a reagent container holder configured to hold a first reagent container and a second reagent container, each of which contains a reagent of a same kind;
• a measurement unit for aspirating a sample to be measured, and for measuring a measurement sample prepared from the sample and the reagent contained in the first reagent container or the second reagent container;
• and
• an information processing unit configured to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a start instruction to start successive measurement of a plurality of samples;
• controlling the measurement unit to aspirate one sample and to measure a measurement sample prepared from the one sample and the reagent contained in the first reagent container according to the reception of the start instruction;
• determining whether to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container after the aspiration of the one sample;
• transmitting a start instruction to start quality control to the measurement unit and an aspiration stop instruction to stop sample aspiration when it is determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container;
• controlling the measurement unit upon reception of the start instruction and the aspiration stop instruction to suspend a start of aspiration of a next sample, to aspirate a quality control sample, and to measure a quality control measurement sample prepared from the quality control sample and the reagent contained in the second reagent container;
• determining whether an analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets a predetermined condition;
• and
• controlling the measurement unit to start the aspiration of the next sample and to measure a measurement sample prepared from the next sample and the reagent contained in the second reagent container, when the analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets the predetermined condition,
• wherein both of the first reagent container and the second reagent container are held by the reagent container holder during suspension of the start of the aspiration of the next sample.

A sample analyzing method comprising processes of:

• (a) starting successive measurement of a plurality of samples by a measurement unit;
• (b) determining whether to switch from a first reagent container to a second reagent container, each of which contains a same kind of reagent, while the measurement unit is performing the successive measurement by using the reagent contained in the first reagent container;
• (c) transmitting a start instruction to start quality control and an aspiration stop instruction to stop sample aspiration to the measurement unit when it is determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container;
• (d) upon reception of the start instruction and the aspiration stop instruction, suspending a start of aspiration of a next sample, aspirating a quality control sample, and measuring a quality control measurement sample prepared from the quality control sample and the reagent contained in the second reagent container by the measurement unit, when determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container;
• and
• (e) starting the aspiration of the next sample by the measurement unit, when an analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets a predetermined condition,
• wherein both of the first reagent container and the second reagent container are held by a reagent container holder during suspension of the start of the aspiration of the next sample.

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable medium, and
• software instructions, on the computer readable medium, for enabling a computer to perform predetermined operations comprising:
• receiving a start instruction to start successive measurement of a plurality of samples;
• controlling a measurement unit to start the successive measurement of the plurality of samples according to the reception of the start instruction;
• determining whether to switch from a first reagent container to a second reagent container, each of which contains a same kind of reagent, while the measurement unit is performing the successive measurement by using the reagent contained in the first reagent container;
• transmitting a start instruction to start quality control and an aspiration stop instruction to stop sample aspiration to the measurement unit when it is determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container;
• controlling the measurement unit upon reception of the start instruction and the aspiration stop instruction to suspend a start of aspiration of a next sample, to aspirate a quality control sample, and to measure a quality control measurement sample prepared from the quality control sample and the reagent contained in the second reagent container, when determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container;
• and
• controlling the measurement unit to start the aspiration of the next sample when an analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets a predetermined condition,
• wherein both of the first reagent container and the second reagent container are held by a reagent container holder during suspension of the start of the aspiration of the next sample.

A sample analyzer comprising:

• a reagent container holder configured to hold a first reagent container and a second reagent container, each of which contains a same kind of reagent;
• a measurement unit configured to aspirate a sample to be measured, and to measure a measurement sample prepared from the sample and the reagent contained in the first reagent container or the second reagent container;
• and
• an information processing unit configured to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a start instruction to start successive measurement of a plurality of samples;
• controlling the measurement unit to start the successive measurement of the plurality of samples according to the reception of the start instruction;
• when a remaining amount of the first reagent is less than a predetermined amount, controlling the measurement unit to suspend a start of aspiration of a next sample in the plurality of samples, to aspirate a quality control sample, and to measure a quality control measurement sample prepared from the quality control sample and the reagent contained in the second reagent container;
• and
• controlling the measurement unit to start the aspiration of the next sample in the plurality of samples when an analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets a predetermined condition,
• wherein both of the first reagent container and the second reagent container are held by the reagent container holder during suspension of the start of aspiration of the next sample in the plurality of samples.