Automatic analysis apparatus and automatic analysis method

An automatic analysis apparatus comprising:

• a first sample-container loading module which installs a first sample container storing a first analysis sample;
• a second sample-container loading module, different from the first sample-container loading module, which installs an urgent sample container storing a high degree of urgency analysis sample;
• a first sample-container conveying module for conveying the first sample container installed in the first sample-container loading module or the urgent sample container installed in the second sample-container loading module toward a sample dispensing position;
• a second sample-container conveying module for conveying the first sample container installed in the first sample-container loading module or the urgent sample container installed in the second sample-container loading module to the sample dispensing position;
• a sample-container storing module which collects and stores one or more sample containers whose sample dispensing has been finished via the second sample-container conveying module;
• a sample-container switching module which is disposed before the sample dispensing position on the first sample-container conveying module and switches, at a position different from the sample dispensing position, the urgent sample container which is conveyed by the first sample-container conveying module to the sample-container switching module and the first sample container which is conveyed by the second sample-container conveying module from the sample dispensing position to the sample-container switching module;
• and
• a third sample-container conveying module for conveying a second sample container storing a second analysis sample to the sample-container switching module,
• wherein, when the urgent sample container is installed in the second sample-container loading module, the sample-container switching module slides to allow the urgent sample container to be housed in the sample-container switching module, the first sample container at the sample dispensing position is conveyed to and housed in the sample-container switching module, and the urgent sample container is preferentially conveyed to the sample dispensing position by the second sample-container conveying module and is subjected to sample dispensing,
• wherein the sample-container switching module is disposed to slide between the first sample-container conveying module and the second sample-container conveying module, and
• wherein the sample-container switching module slides to switch the second sample container from the third sample-container conveying module to the second sample-container conveying module, and the second sample-container conveying module conveys the second sample container to the sample dispensing position.