METHOD OF MONITORING THERMAL COUPLING PROPERTY OF MEASUREMENT CELL

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of checking thermal coupling properties between a measurement cell and an element subjected to thermostat temperature adjustment in an analyzer. SOLUTION: The method includes: a step (a) of inserting the measurement cell into the analyzer to establish mechanical contact with the element subjected to thermostat temperature adjustment; a step (b) of filling a measurement channel with fluid, such as fluid for calibration supplied from the analyzer and fluid for rinsing, or with fluid, such as a sample fluid supplied from the outside and a quality management fluid; a step (c) of waiting for temperature equilibration between the measurement channel and an external fluid or internal fluid; a step (d) of applying a rapid temperature change by the element subjected to thermostat temperature adjustment; a step (e) of measuring a temporal signal curve of at least one sensor element after the rapid temperature change has been applied; and a step (f) of determining quality of thermal coupling properties by analyzing the temporal signal curve obtained by the measurement of the (e). COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT