Recyclable cleaning fluid supply system and method and sample analyzer

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of in-vitro diagnosis, and particularly discloses a recyclable cleaning fluid supply system and method. Comprising a second cleaning liquid barrel storing second cleaning liquid and provided with a first pipeline, a first three-way valve connected with the first pipeline, a second three-way valve, a third three-way valve, a plunger pump located between the second three-way valve and the third three-way valve and connected with the second three-way valve and the third three-way valve, and a two-way valve connected with the third three-way valve. The needle washing pool is connected with the two-way valve; the top of a pump head in the plunger pump is connected with a third three-way valve, and the bottom of the pump head in the plunger pump is connected with a second three-way valve. A connecting pipeline among the liquid inlet end of the needle washing pool, the two-way valve, the three-way valve III and the plunger pump forms a second cleaning liquid flow path; the second cleaning solution is an alkaline or acidic cleaning solution. Recycling and cleaning maintenance of the second cleaning liquid can be achieved, the inspection cost of the analytical instrument is reduced, and meanwhile the workload of instrument operators is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of in vitro diagnostic technology, and more specifically, to a recyclable cleaning solution supply system, method, and sample analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the field of in vitro diagnostics, in order to shield against cross-contamination caused by reagent or sample switching during the use of analytical instruments, in addition to rinsing with ordinary cleaning solution, a second cleaning solution is generally used for cleaning. The second cleaning solution is used in a low volume during the cleaning process and is generally corrosive. For example, fully automated coagulation analyzers generally use a sodium hypochlorite solution of a certain concentration.

[0003] The second cleaning solution is generally classified as a reagent and is placed in a fixed position along with the reagent bottle for the dispensing needle to draw. For high-speed instruments, since the dispensing needle must locate the second cleaning solution position before drawing it, it will significantly affect the instrument's throughput. Therefore, high-speed instruments are generally designed with an automatic quantitative supply of the second cleaning solution, that is, the second cleaning solution is automatically supplied to the needle position.

[0004] Generally, analytical instruments in the medical device field need to have their fluid systems emptied after commissioning before they can be transported.

[0005] In existing technologies, when the analyzer's liquid path system needs to be emptied, the cleaning fluid in the plunger pump head cannot be completely discharged. When the cleaning fluid crystallizes inside the pump head, it can cause blockages and other problems for the components of the liquid path system. Moreover, the cleaning fluid present in the liquid path system is discharged to the needle washing position and then drained away through the waste pipe of the needle washing position, resulting in waste of the cleaning fluid. When cleaning the flow path of the liquid path system after emptying, the instrument operator needs to replace the cleaning fluid bottle with the first cleaning fluid bottle and supply fluid to complete the cleaning, which is a cumbersome operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning fluid recyclable supply system, method and sample analyzer; which can realize the recycling of the second cleaning fluid, reduce the testing cost of the analytical instrument and reduce the workload of the instrument operator.

[0007] The solution adopted by this invention to solve the technical problem is: on the one hand: This invention provides a recyclable cleaning fluid supply system, comprising a second cleaning fluid tank storing a second cleaning fluid and equipped with a pipeline, a three-way valve 1 connected to the pipeline, three-way valves 2 and 3 connected to the three-way valve 1, a plunger pump located between the three-way valves 2 and 3 and connected to the three-way valves 2 and 3 respectively, a two-way valve connected to the three-way valve 3, and a needle washing tank connected to the two-way valve; the top of the pump head of the plunger pump is connected to the three-way valve 3, and the bottom of the pump head is connected to the three-way valve 2; the connecting pipeline between the inlet end of the needle washing tank, the two-way valve, the three-way valve 3, and the plunger pump forms a second cleaning fluid flow path; the second cleaning fluid is an alkaline or acidic cleaning fluid.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the system also includes a waste liquid tank connected to the needle washing tank, a diaphragm pump 1 disposed between the waste liquid tank and the needle washing tank, a first cleaning liquid tank connected to a three-way valve 2 and storing a first cleaning liquid, and a second diaphragm pump 2 disposed between the first cleaning liquid tank and the three-way valve 2; the first cleaning liquid is pure water.

[0009] In some possible implementations, a monitoring component is also included for monitoring the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank.

[0010] on the other hand: This invention provides a method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid, based on the aforementioned recyclable supply system for cleaning fluid; specifically, it includes the following steps: Step S1: Initialize filling with the second cleaning solution; Step S2: Supply the second cleaning solution to the needle washing pool; Step S3: Second cleaning fluid recovery; specifically includes the following steps: Step S31: Discard the residual liquid in the needle washing pool; Step S32: Recycle the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump into the second cleaning fluid tank; Step S33: Recycle the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path to the second cleaning fluid tank; Step S4: Clean the second cleaning fluid flow path.

[0011] In some possible implementations, step S32 specifically includes the following steps: Connect the three-way valve 1, three-way valve 2, and plunger pump; Control the movement of the plunger in the plunger pump to deliver the second cleaning fluid in the pump head to the second cleaning fluid tank through the lower opening at the bottom of the pump head, three-way valve two, and three-way valve one; In some possible implementations, step S33 specifically includes the following steps: Step S331: Control the two-way valve, three-way valve three, and plunger pump to connect, the plunger of the plunger pump moves to the maximum capacity, and the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered into the pump head; Step S332: Control the two-way valve to close, connect the three-way valve one and the three-way valve two, control the plunger to move, and deliver the second cleaning fluid in the pump head to the second cleaning fluid tank through the lower opening at the bottom of the pump head, the three-way valve two, and the three-way valve one. Repeat steps S331-S332 until all the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered.

[0012] In some possible implementations, step S4 specifically refers to: During cleaning, the first cleaning fluid tank, three-way valve two, plunger pump, three-way valve three, two-way valve, needle washing tank, and waste fluid tank are connected. Diaphragm pump one, which is located between the waste fluid tank and the needle washing tank, and diaphragm pump two, which is located between the first cleaning fluid tank and three-way valve two, are turned on. The first cleaning fluid in the first cleaning fluid tank is supplied to the needle washing tank after passing through three-way valve two, the pump head of the plunger pump, three-way valve three, and two-way valve, and is discharged from the needle washing tank into the waste fluid tank.

[0013] In some possible implementations, step S1 specifically includes the following steps: Step S11: Control the connection between the second cleaning fluid tank, three-way valve one, three-way valve three, and plunger pump. The plunger of the plunger pump moves, so that a negative pressure is formed in the pump head of the plunger pump, which draws the second cleaning fluid from the second cleaning fluid tank into the pump head. Step S12: Connect the three-way valve to the two-way valve and the pump head of the plunger pump, and control the plunger of the plunger pump to move upward to push the air or the second cleaning fluid in the pump head into the needle washing pool. Step S13: Repeat steps S11-S12 until the tubing between the needle washing tank and the plunger pump, as well as the plunger pump, is filled with the second cleaning fluid. Step S14: The second cleaning fluid that entered the needle washing tank during the initial filling process is transferred to the waste liquid tank.

[0014] In some possible implementations, step S2 specifically refers to: When the analyzer indicates that the washing solution tank requires a certain amount of the second cleaning solution, the two-way valve, the three-way valve, and the plunger pump are connected; the plunger of the plunger pump moves upward, delivering the second cleaning solution in the pump head to the needle washing tank according to the quantitative requirements; When the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump is lower than the preset value, the three-way valve three, the plunger pump, and the three-way valve one are connected to update the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump head to the state before quantitative supply.

[0015] In some possible implementations, step S2 further includes: Monitoring and replenishing the amount of the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank; specifically: When the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank is about to run out, if the needle washing tank needs to be replenished with the second cleaning solution, the plunger of the control plunger pump will move downwards by x distances to draw the second cleaning solution from the second cleaning solution tank. Since the second cleaning solution in the tank is insufficient at this time, air will enter the second cleaning solution flow path. The air bubbles will be detected by the monitoring component and the signal will be transmitted to the analyzer. The analyzer will prompt for maintenance and replenishment of the second cleaning solution and will no longer input new samples. At the same time, the control plunger will move upwards by x distances to allow the air bubbles to be expelled back into the second cleaning solution tank.

[0016] A sample analyzer, comprising: A cleaning fluid recyclable supply system as described above; A dispensing needle is used to aspirate and dispense samples and / or reagents; A cleaning swab is used to clean the inner and outer walls of the injection needle using a first cleaning solution; The controller is used to control the cleaning fluid recyclable supply system to perform special cleaning on the liquid injection needle at a preset time or under preset conditions.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: This invention can automatically supply a second cleaning solution to ensure the throughput of the analytical instrument without wasting the second cleaning solution, thus significantly reducing the instrument testing cost. By allocating the capacity of the plunger pump head, it can ensure that the depletion of the second cleaning solution will not affect the normal detection of the sample being processed by the analytical instrument. By using a mature and low-cost plunger pump as a power source, the workload of the instrument operator is reduced by automatically cleaning the flow path of the second cleaning solution. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning fluid recyclable supply system in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the plunger in this invention; The components include: 1. Monitoring component; 2. Three-way valve one; 3. Three-way valve two; 4. Three-way valve three; 5. Piston pump; 51. Upper opening; 52. Lower opening; 6. Two-way valve; 7. Needle washing tank; 8. Diaphragm pump one; 9. Waste liquid tank; 10. Diaphragm pump two; 11. First cleaning liquid tank; 12. Second cleaning liquid tank. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "a" or "one," etc., do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one. In the implementation of this application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. For example, multiple positioning posts refer to two or more positioning posts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail.

[0021] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown: It should be noted that: in this invention, the plunger moves upward to the side closer to the top of the pump head, and moves downward to the side farther away from the top of the pump head; the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution are solutions commonly used in sample analyzers in the prior art. Specifically, the first cleaning solution can be a cleaning solution of pure water; the second cleaning solution is a cleaning solution with a certain concentration of alkaline or acidic solution; the improvement of this invention does not lie in the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution, so it will not be described in detail.

[0022] This invention provides a recyclable cleaning fluid supply system, comprising a second cleaning fluid tank 12 storing a second cleaning fluid and equipped with a pipeline, a three-way valve 2 connected to the pipeline, a three-way valve 3 and a three-way valve 4 connected to the three-way valve 2, a plunger pump 5 located between the three-way valve 3 and the three-way valve 4 and connected to the three-way valve 3 and the three-way valve 4 respectively, a two-way valve 6 connected to the three-way valve 4, a needle washing tank 7 connected to the two-way valve 6, a waste fluid tank 9 connected to the needle washing tank 7, a diaphragm pump 8 disposed between the waste fluid tank 9 and the needle washing tank 7, a first cleaning fluid tank 11 connected to the three-way valve 3 and storing a first cleaning fluid, and a diaphragm pump 10 disposed between the first cleaning fluid tank 11 and the three-way valve 3; the connecting pipeline between the needle washing tank 7, the two-way valve 6, the three-way valve 4, and the plunger pump 5 forms a second cleaning fluid flow path; When the second cleaning solution is filled into the needle washing tank 7, the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank 12 will be transported into the needle washing tank 7 with the cooperation of the plunger pump 5, the three-way valve 3 4, and the two-way valve 6. When the second cleaning fluid is recovered in the second cleaning fluid flow path, the two-way valve 6, the three-way valve 3 4, the plunger pump 5, the three-way valve 2 3, the three-way valve 1 2, and the second cleaning fluid tank 12 are connected. By moving the plunger in the plunger pump 5 downward, all the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered from the lower opening 52 of the pump head into the second cleaning fluid tank 12, thereby avoiding the waste of the second cleaning fluid. At the same time, during the recovery, all the second cleaning fluid in the pump head will be recovered into the second cleaning fluid tank 12, which will effectively prevent the second cleaning fluid from crystallizing in the pump head and causing blockage. During the second cleaning fluid flow path cleaning, the first cleaning fluid in the first cleaning fluid tank 11 is supplied to the needle washing tank 7 after passing through the three-way valve 2 3, the pump head of the plunger pump 5, the three-way valve 3 4, and the two-way valve 6, and is discharged from the needle washing tank 7 to the waste fluid tank 9. It should be noted that: the plunger pump 5 is existing technology, including a pump head and a plunger used in conjunction with the pump head; the top of the pump head is provided with an upper opening 51, and the bottom of the side of the pump head is provided with a lower opening 52; wherein the upper opening 51 is connected to the three-way valve 3 4, and the lower opening 52 is connected to the three-way valve 2 3. Specifically, when the second cleaning fluid is supplied, the second cleaning fluid enters from the opening 51 on the pump head of the plunger pump 5 and exits from the top opening 51. When supplied, the second cleaning fluid sucked in by the plunger pump 5 is used to expel the air and fill it. The air is in the upper part of the pump head, so the second cleaning fluid can only be discharged from the top opening 51 to expel the air in the pump head. When the second cleaning fluid is recovered, it enters from the upper opening 51 and exits from the lower opening 52. During recovery, the plunger pump 5 is used to draw in the second cleaning fluid or air and then discharge the second cleaning fluid from the pump head. The second cleaning fluid can only be discharged from the lower opening 52 to ensure that all the second cleaning fluid in the pump head can be discharged. When the lower opening 52 is used for discharge, the top surface of the plunger will be coplanar with the bottom surface of the lower opening 52 to ensure that all the second cleaning fluid can be discharged.

[0023] In some possible implementations, a monitoring component 1 is also included for monitoring the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank 12; Specifically, the monitoring component 1 is used to monitor the capacity of the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank 12. The monitoring component 1 can be a photoelectric sensor, a liquid level sensor, or a float switch. When a photoelectric sensor is used, the photoelectric sensor is installed on the pipeline. When a liquid level sensor or a float switch is used, the liquid level sensor or float switch is installed inside the second cleaning fluid tank 12. Furthermore, when the monitoring component 1 is a photoelectric sensor, the detection is achieved by sensing the air bubbles in the first and third pipelines through the photoelectric sensor. If air bubbles are found, it indicates that the capacity of the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank 12 is insufficient to support the second cleaning fluid requirement of the needle washing pool 7, and the second cleaning fluid needs to be replenished.

[0024] on the other hand: This invention provides a method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid, based on the aforementioned recyclable supply system for cleaning fluid; specifically, it includes the following steps: Step S1: Initial filling of the second cleaning fluid; specifically including the following steps: Step S11: Control the connection between the second cleaning fluid tank 12, three-way valve 12, three-way valve 34, and the pump head of the plunger pump 5. The plunger of the plunger pump 5 moves downward, so that a negative pressure is formed in the pump head of the plunger pump 5, which draws the second cleaning fluid from the second cleaning fluid tank 12 into the pump head. Step S12: Connect the three-way valve 4 to the two-way valve 6 and the upper opening 51 of the pump head respectively, and control the plunger of the plunger pump 5 to move upward to push the air or the second cleaning fluid in the pump head through the upper opening 51 and the two-way valve 6 into the needle washing pool 7. Step S13: Repeat steps S11-S12 until the tubing between the needle washing tank and the plunger pump, as well as the plunger pump, is filled with the second cleaning fluid. Step S14: The second cleaning fluid that entered the needle washing tank 7 during the initial filling process is transferred to the waste liquid tank 9.

[0025] Specifically, under normal circumstances, the maximum capacity of the pump head in the plunger pump 5 is a, and the capacity of the second cleaning fluid flow path is b, a < b; in order to ensure that the second cleaning fluid can be filled into the needle washing tank 7 to ensure that the analytical instrument can be supplied with the second cleaning fluid in a timely manner when needed, this second cleaning fluid filling action will be performed multiple times, with the number of cycles being n, n × a > b; During this period, the diaphragm pump 8 is turned on to pump the excess second cleaning fluid that has been filled into the needle washing tank 7 into the waste liquid tank 9. After the filling action is performed n times, the two-way valve 6 is closed to complete the filling.

[0026] Step S2: Supplying the second cleaning solution to the needle washing tank 7, monitoring and replenishing the amount of the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank; wherein, the supply of the second cleaning solution to the needle washing tank 7 specifically refers to: When the analyzer indicates that the washing solution tank needs a certain amount of the second cleaning solution, the two-way valve 6, the three-way valve 3 4, and the plunger pump 5 are connected; the plunger of the plunger pump 5 moves upward, delivering the second cleaning solution in the pump head to the needle washing tank 7 according to the quantitative requirements. When the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump 5 is lower than the preset value, the three-way valve 34, the plunger pump 5, and the three-way valve 12 are connected to update the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the pump head of the plunger pump 5 to the state before quantitative supply. Specifically, when the analytical instrument issues a quantitative (c) second cleaning fluid supply command, the two-way valve 6, the three-way valve 4, and the plunger pump 5 are connected; after controlling the plunger of the plunger pump 5 to move upward and push the second cleaning fluid of volume c into the needle washing tank 7; the two-way valve 6 is closed, thus completing one supply of the second cleaning fluid. At this time, the remaining volume (f) of the second cleaning fluid in the pump head is f = ac. The minimum limit of the second cleaning fluid volume in the pump head is set to d. When the remaining second cleaning fluid volume in the pump head after n1 supply cycles is a-n1×c<d, the three-way valve 12, the three-way valve 24, and the upper opening 52 should be connected. The plunger of the plunger pump 5 is controlled to move downward a certain distance to draw the second cleaning fluid so that the second cleaning fluid volume in the pump head is updated to a, thus ensuring the supply of the second cleaning fluid.

[0027] Furthermore, the minimum limit for the capacity of the second cleaning fluid in the pump head is d, set to d=a / 2. The value of d should be set to ensure the normal detection of the sample being processed by the analyzer. If the maximum number of samples processed by the analyzer at the same time is n2, and the amount of second cleaning fluid required for a single sample is e, then the setting of d should satisfy n2×e<d, that is, the pump head is buffered with enough second cleaning fluid to ensure the normal detection of the sample being processed by the analyzer.

[0028] Monitoring and replenishing the amount of the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank specifically refers to: When the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank 12 is about to run out, if the needle washing pool 7 needs to be replenished with the second cleaning solution, the plunger of the control plunger pump 5 will be moved downward by x distance to draw the second cleaning solution from the second cleaning solution tank 12. Since the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank 12 is insufficient at this time, air will enter the second cleaning solution flow path during the aspiration. The air bubbles are detected by the monitoring component 1 and the signal is transmitted to the analysis instrument. The analysis instrument prompts to maintain and replenish the second cleaning solution and will no longer record new samples. At the same time, the control plunger is moved upward by x distance so that the air bubbles are discharged back into the second cleaning solution tank 12.

[0029] It should be noted that when the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank 12 is about to run out, if it is necessary to replenish the second cleaning fluid, the plunger of the plunger pump 5 will be moved down a distance x to replenish the second cleaning fluid in the pump head. Since the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank 12 is insufficient at this time, air will enter the second cleaning fluid flow path. After the air bubbles pass through the monitoring components 1 such as photoelectric sensors, the photoelectric sensors will detect them and send a signal that the second cleaning fluid is used up to the analysis instrument. The analysis instrument will prompt the maintenance and replenishment of the second cleaning fluid and will no longer record new samples. Furthermore, in order to ensure the normal detection of the sample being processed by the analyzer, the plunger of the plunger pump 5 should be moved upward by a distance x to discharge the air that has entered the second cleaning fluid flow path back to the second cleaning fluid tank 12, and the minimum limit d of the second cleaning fluid buffered in the pump head should be activated. After the analyzer completes the detection of the sample being processed, the analyzer operator should replenish the second cleaning fluid before starting further operation.

[0030] Step S3: Second cleaning fluid recovery; specifically includes the following steps: Step S31: Discard the residual liquid in the needle washing pool 7; Specifically, after turning on diaphragm pump 8 to drain the residual liquid in needle washing tank 7 to waste liquid tank 9, turn off diaphragm pump 8. Step S32: Recycle the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump 5 into the second cleaning fluid tank 12; specifically including the following steps: Connect the three-way valve 1 (2), the three-way valve 2 (3), and the plunger pump 5. The plunger of the control plunger pump 5 moves downward, and the second cleaning fluid in the pump head is delivered to the second cleaning fluid tank 12 through the lower opening 52, three-way valve 2 3 and three-way valve 1 2 set at the bottom of the pump head; Step S33: Discharge the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path and return it to the second cleaning fluid tank 12; specifically including the following steps: Step S331: Control the two-way valve 6, the three-way valve 3, and the plunger pump 5 to connect. The plunger of the plunger pump 5 moves downward to the maximum capacity, and the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered into the pump head. Step S332: Control the two-way valve 6 to close (the two-way valve 2 is not connected to the needle washing tank 7), connect the three-way valve 1 2 and the three-way valve 2 3, control the plunger to move downward, and deliver the second cleaning fluid in the pump head to the second cleaning fluid tank 12 through the lower opening 52 at the bottom of the pump head, the three-way valve 2 3, and the three-way valve 1 2. Repeat steps S431-S432 until all the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered; after repeating the cycle n3 times, all the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered into the second cleaning fluid tank 12. The setting of n3 should satisfy n3×a>b.

[0031] The above settings ensure that when the analytical instrument is debugged and the second cleaning fluid flow path needs to be emptied, all the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path will be recovered into the second cleaning fluid tank 12, without wasting any of the second cleaning fluid in the flow path. When the analytical instrument sends a signal that the second cleaning fluid is used up, and after replenishing and maintaining the second cleaning fluid, the second cleaning fluid flow path recovery operation is performed before the initial filling of the second cleaning fluid flow path, which will also prevent any waste of the second cleaning fluid in the flow path. The complete recovery of the second cleaning fluid in the pump head will effectively prevent it from crystallizing inside the pump head.

[0032] It should be noted that the second cleaning fluid in the flow path formed by the three-way valve 34 and the three-way valve 12 can be recycled as needed.

[0033] Step S4: Cleaning the second cleaning fluid flow path; Step S4 specifically refers to: During cleaning, the first cleaning fluid tank 11, three-way valve 2 3, plunger pump 5, three-way valve 3 4, two-way valve 6, needle washing tank 7, and waste fluid tank 9 are connected. Diaphragm pump 1 8, which is located between waste fluid tank 9 and needle washing tank 7, and diaphragm pump 2 10, which is located between first cleaning fluid tank 11 and three-way valve 2 3, are turned on. The first cleaning fluid in the first cleaning fluid tank 11 is supplied to the needle washing tank 7 after passing through three-way valve 2 3, the pump head of plunger pump 5, three-way valve 3 4, and two-way valve 6, and is discharged from the needle washing tank 7 into waste fluid tank 9. The cleaning of plunger pump 5 is carried out by the repeated movement of the plunger in the pump head.

[0034] By using the second cleaning fluid recovery, supply, and cleaning of the flow path of the second cleaning fluid in this invention, a low-cost plunger pump 5 can be selected as the power source. The recovery and cleaning maintenance of the second cleaning fluid are achieved through the cooperation of the plunger pump 5 and valves (three-way valve 1 2, three-way valve 2 3, three-way valve 3 4, and two-way valve 6), reducing the inspection cost of the analytical instrument and the workload of the instrument operator. The supply status of the second cleaning fluid can be monitored by setting up a detection component. The quantitative supply and buffering function of the second cleaning fluid can be achieved by distributing the displacement of the plunger pump 5, which reduces costs without affecting the operation of the analytical instrument.

[0035] A sample analyzer, comprising: A cleaning fluid recyclable supply system as described above; A dispensing needle is used to aspirate and dispense samples and / or reagents; A cleaning swab is used to clean the inner and outer walls of the injection needle using a first cleaning solution; The controller is used to control the cleaning fluid recyclable supply system to perform special cleaning on the liquid injection needle at a preset time or under preset conditions.

[0036] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The invention extends to any new feature or combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process step or combination disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A cleaning fluid recyclable supply system, characterized in that, The system includes a second cleaning fluid tank storing a second cleaning fluid and equipped with a pipeline, a three-way valve 1 connected to the pipeline, three-way valves 2 and 3 connected to the three-way valve 1, a plunger pump located between the three-way valves 2 and 3 and connected to the three-way valves 2 and 3 respectively, a two-way valve connected to the three-way valve 3, and a needle washing tank connected to the two-way valve; the top of the pump head of the plunger pump is connected to the three-way valve 3, and the bottom of the pump head of the plunger pump is connected to the three-way valve 2; the connecting pipeline between the inlet end of the needle washing tank, the two-way valve, the three-way valve 3, and the plunger pump forms the second cleaning fluid flow path; the second cleaning fluid is an alkaline or acidic cleaning fluid.

2. The cleaning fluid recyclable supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a waste liquid tank connected to the needle washing pool, a diaphragm pump 1 disposed between the waste liquid tank and the needle washing pool, a first cleaning liquid tank connected to a three-way valve 2 and storing a first cleaning liquid, and a diaphragm pump 2 disposed between the first cleaning liquid tank and the three-way valve 2; the first cleaning liquid is pure water.

3. The cleaning fluid recyclable supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a monitoring component for monitoring the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank.

4. A method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid, characterized in that, A recyclable cleaning fluid supply system according to any one of claims 1-3; specifically comprising the following steps: Step S1: Initialize filling with the second cleaning solution; Step S2: Supply the second cleaning solution to the needle washing pool; Step S3: Second cleaning fluid recovery; specifically includes the following steps: Step S31: Discard the residual liquid in the needle washing pool; Step S32: Recycle the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump into the second cleaning fluid tank; Step S33: Discharge the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path and recycle it to the second cleaning fluid tank; Step S4: Clean the second cleaning fluid flow path.

5. The method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid according to claim 4, characterized in that, Step S32 specifically includes the following steps: Connect the three-way valve 1, three-way valve 2, and plunger pump; Control the movement of the plunger in the plunger pump to deliver the second cleaning fluid in the pump head to the second cleaning fluid tank through the lower opening at the bottom of the pump head, three-way valve two, and three-way valve one.

6. The method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid according to claim 4, characterized in that, Step S33 specifically includes the following steps: Step S331: Control the two-way valve, three-way valve three, and plunger pump to connect, the plunger of the plunger pump moves to the maximum capacity, and the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered into the pump head; Step S332: Control the two-way valve to close, connect the three-way valve one and the three-way valve two, control the plunger to move, and deliver the second cleaning fluid in the pump head to the second cleaning fluid tank through the lower opening at the bottom of the pump head, the three-way valve two, and the three-way valve one. Repeat steps S331-S332 until all the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid flow path is recovered.

7. The method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid according to claim 4, characterized in that, Step S4 specifically refers to: During cleaning, the first cleaning fluid tank, three-way valve two, plunger pump, three-way valve three, two-way valve, needle washing tank, and waste fluid tank are connected. Diaphragm pump one, which is located between the waste fluid tank and the needle washing tank, and diaphragm pump two, which is located between the first cleaning fluid tank and three-way valve two, are turned on. The first cleaning fluid in the first cleaning fluid tank is supplied to the needle washing tank after passing through three-way valve two, the pump head of the plunger pump, three-way valve three, and two-way valve, and is discharged from the needle washing tank into the waste fluid tank.

8. The method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid according to claim 4, characterized in that, Step S1 specifically includes the following steps: Step S11: Control the connection between the second cleaning fluid tank, three-way valve one, three-way valve three, and plunger pump. The plunger of the plunger pump moves, so that a negative pressure is formed in the pump head of the plunger pump, which draws the second cleaning fluid from the second cleaning fluid tank into the pump head. Step S12: Connect the three-way valve to the two-way valve and the pump head of the plunger pump, and control the plunger of the plunger pump to move upward to push the air or the second cleaning fluid in the pump head into the needle washing pool. Step S13: Repeat steps S11-S12 until the tubing between the needle washing tank and the plunger pump, as well as the plunger pump, is filled with the second cleaning fluid. Step S14: The second cleaning fluid that entered the needle washing tank during the initial filling process is transferred to the waste liquid tank.

9. A method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid according to claim 4, characterized in that, Step S2 specifically refers to: When the analyzer indicates that the washing solution tank requires a certain amount of the second cleaning solution, the two-way valve, the three-way valve, and the plunger pump are connected; the plunger of the plunger pump moves upward, delivering the second cleaning solution in the pump head to the needle washing tank according to the quantitative requirements; When the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump is lower than the preset value, the three-way valve three, the plunger pump, and the three-way valve one are connected to update the volume of the second cleaning fluid in the plunger pump head to the state before quantitative supply.

10. A method for recyclable supply of cleaning fluid according to claim 4, characterized in that, Step S2 further includes: monitoring and replenishing the amount of the second cleaning fluid in the second cleaning fluid tank; specifically, this means: When the second cleaning solution in the second cleaning solution tank is about to run out, if the needle washing tank needs to be replenished with the second cleaning solution, the plunger of the control plunger pump will move downwards by x distances to draw the second cleaning solution from the second cleaning solution tank. Since the second cleaning solution in the tank is insufficient at this time, air will enter the second cleaning solution flow path. The air bubbles will be detected by the monitoring component and the signal will be transmitted to the analyzer. The analyzer will prompt for maintenance and replenishment of the second cleaning solution and will no longer input new samples. At the same time, the control plunger will move upwards by x distances to allow the air bubbles to be expelled back into the second cleaning solution tank.

11. A sample analyzer, characterized in that, include: A cleaning fluid recyclable supply system as described in any one of claims 1-3; A dispensing needle is used to aspirate and dispense samples and / or reagents; A cleaning swab is used to clean the inner and outer walls of the injection needle using a first cleaning solution; The controller is used to control the cleaning fluid recyclable supply system to perform special cleaning on the liquid injection needle at a preset time or under preset conditions.

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