| CPC G01N 35/1011 (2013.01) [G01N 35/1002 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1058 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |
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1. A device for preparing a specimen for an automatic analyzer, the device comprising:
a probe configured to aspirate and discharge the specimen and a reagent via a tip end of the probe; and
a control unit that is coupled to the probe, wherein the control unit is configured to:
form a first air layer within the probe by aspirating air into the probe and then aspirating the reagent into the probe, wherein the first air layer is a barrier between the reagent and working fluid in the probe,
form, after forming the first air layer, a second air layer within the probe by aspirating the air into the probe and then aspirating the specimen into the probe, wherein the second air layer is a barrier between the reagent and the specimen,
discharge the specimen and the reagent from the probe into a vessel,
determine a time change of a discharge amount using a discharge speed of the discharge amount and a duration of discharge of the reagent and the specimen discharged into the vessel,
detect a height of a liquid surface level of the reagent and the specimen discharged into the vessel, wherein the height of the liquid surface is detected using at least a dimension of a reaction vessel and the time change of the discharge amount,
continuously determine a distance between the tip end of the probe and the liquid surface based on at least the height of the liquid surface and the discharge amount of the specimen and the reagent from the probe into the vessel, wherein the distance is above the liquid surface, and
lift the probe while the specimen and the reagent are discharged so that, the distance between the liquid surface and the tip end of the probe is increased while the specimen and the reagent are discharged.
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