A liquid level detection method and system
By setting thresholds for amplitude and pulse width, the problem of interference signals and misjudgment of low liquid volume was solved, and accurate control of the aspiration needle and low-cost detection were achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202211011646.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-08-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid level detection methods are prone to misjudgment under conditions of interference signals and low liquid volume, leading to contamination of the aspiration needle and reduced detection accuracy.
By acquiring multiple trigger data amplitudes, setting amplitude thresholds and pulse width thresholds, and using a buffer to determine whether to output a trigger command to control the aspiration needle to stop, interference signals are filtered out and the accuracy of low liquid volume detection is ensured.
It effectively filters out interference signals, avoids misjudgment, ensures the accuracy of low-volume sample testing, reduces costs, and minimizes contamination of the aspiration needle.
Smart Images
Figure CN115371767B_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the medical industry field, and in particular to a liquid level detection method and system. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the medical industry field, medical detection instruments need to suck liquid such as samples and reagents by a liquid suction needle. The purpose of liquid level detection is to control the liquid suction needle to stop at a set position below the liquid level, so that the liquid suction needle can suck the liquid such as samples and reagents. However, without the function of liquid level detection, the liquid suction needle must be moved to the bottom of the container to ensure that the liquid suction needle can suck the liquid. If the liquid suction needle is moved to the bottom of the container and there is a lot of liquid in the container, the outer wall of the liquid suction needle will be contaminated in a large range. At this time, if the liquid suction needle sucks the second liquid after being contaminated by the first liquid, the second liquid will be contaminated by the first liquid, thereby affecting the accuracy of the medical detection instrument in detecting the liquid such as samples and reagents.
[0003] In the prior art, the following methods are generally used to obtain a trigger signal to control the stopping of the liquid suction needle. The first method: the analog trigger voltage signal generated by the liquid suction needle contacting the liquid level is integrated to make the voltage signal amplitude larger, which is input to the comparator. At this time, the comparator outputs a digital trigger signal to control the stopping of the liquid suction needle. However, in the presence of some interference signals, the interference signals are integrated by the integration module to make the interference signal amplitude larger, which is input to the comparator and is misjudged as a trigger signal by the comparator, thereby affecting the control of the liquid suction needle. The second method: the slope of the adjacent analog trigger voltage signal generated by the liquid suction needle contacting the liquid level is calculated to determine whether the slope is greater than the slope threshold. If it is greater than the threshold, a trigger signal is output, otherwise, no trigger signal is output. This method cannot normally identify low-amplitude voltage signals (voltage signals generated when the liquid amount is low) because the slope threshold is fixed and cannot detect low-amplitude voltage signals, which may exist in the misjudgment situation. SUMMARY
[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a liquid level detection method and system to filter out interference signals and detect low-liquid samples when the current detection liquid amount is low without misjudgment.
[0005] To achieve the above purpose, one aspect of the present application provides a liquid level detection method, which comprises:
[0006] Based on controlling the liquid suction needle to move to the current detection liquid amount, a plurality of first trigger data amplitudes are obtained;
[0007] obtaining an amplitude threshold value, comparing each of the first trigger data amplitudes with the amplitude threshold value, and if the first trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold value, putting a first target parameter into a cache area;
[0008] obtaining a pulse width threshold value, comparing the number of the first target parameters in the cache area with the pulse width threshold value, and if the number of the first target parameters is greater than or equal to the pulse width threshold value, outputting a trigger instruction, the trigger instruction being used for controlling the liquid suction needle to stop moving.
[0009] Optionally, the obtaining of the amplitude threshold value comprises:
[0010] obtaining a plurality of second trigger data amplitudes based on controlling the liquid suction needle to move to a target detection liquid amount;
[0011] determining the amplitude threshold value according to the plurality of second trigger data amplitudes.
[0012] Optionally, the obtaining of the pulse width threshold value comprises:
[0013] comparing each of the second trigger data amplitudes with the amplitude threshold value, and if the second trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold value, putting a second target parameter into the cache area;
[0014] taking the number of the second target parameters in the cache area as the pulse width threshold value.
[0015] Optionally, the controlling of the liquid suction needle to move to the target detection liquid amount comprises:
[0016] obtaining a first motion instruction;
[0017] outputting a first motion control instruction according to the first motion instruction, the first motion control instruction being used for controlling the liquid suction needle to move to the target detection liquid amount.
[0018] Optionally, the obtaining of the plurality of second trigger data amplitudes comprises:
[0019] obtaining a first change amount of resistance or capacitance generated when the liquid suction needle contacts the target detection liquid amount;
[0020] converting the first change amount into a first trigger signal;
[0021] amplifying and converting the first trigger signal to obtain the plurality of second trigger data amplitudes.
[0022] Optionally, the controlling of the liquid suction needle to move to the current detection liquid amount comprises:
[0023] obtaining a second motion instruction;
[0024] A second motion control command is output according to the second motion command, and the second motion control command is used to control the aspiration needle to move toward the current detection volume.
[0025] Optionally, acquiring multiple first trigger data amplitudes includes:
[0026] The second change in resistance or capacitance caused by the aspiration needle contacting the current volume of detection liquid is obtained;
[0027] The second change is converted into a second trigger signal;
[0028] The second trigger signal is amplified and converted to obtain multiple first trigger data amplitudes.
[0029] Optionally, the method further includes:
[0030] If the number of the first target parameters is less than the pulse width threshold, then fault information is output.
[0031] To achieve the above objectives, another aspect of the present invention provides a liquid level detection system, the system comprising:
[0032] Host computer, processor, motion control circuit, aspiration needle assembly, liquid level detection circuit, AD acquisition circuit;
[0033] The host computer is electrically connected to the processor and is used to send a first motion command or a second motion command to the processor, and to receive fault information output by the processor.
[0034] The processor is electrically connected to the motion control circuit and is used to send a first motion control instruction to the motion control circuit according to the first motion instruction, and to send a second motion control instruction to the motion control circuit according to the second motion instruction.
[0035] The motion control circuit is electrically connected to the aspiration needle assembly and is used to output a control signal to the aspiration needle assembly according to the first motion control command or the second motion control command, so as to control the aspiration needle to move or stop moving.
[0036] The aspiration needle assembly is electrically connected to the liquid level detection circuit and is used to detect the first or second change in resistance or capacitance caused by the aspiration needle contacting the liquid volume.
[0037] The liquid level detection circuit is electrically connected to the AD acquisition circuit, and is used to convert the first change amount into the first trigger signal, and amplify the first trigger signal and send it to the AD acquisition circuit, and to convert the second change amount into the second trigger signal, and amplify the second trigger signal and send it to the AD acquisition circuit.
[0038] The AD acquisition circuit is electrically connected to the processor and is used to convert the amplified first trigger signal into a plurality of second trigger data amplitudes for the processor, and to convert the amplified second trigger signal into a plurality of first trigger data amplitudes for the processor.
[0039] Optionally, the processor is configured to perform the following steps:
[0040] Based on controlling the movement of the aspiration needle toward the current detection volume, multiple first trigger data amplitudes are acquired;
[0041] Obtain the amplitude threshold, compare each first trigger data amplitude with the amplitude threshold, and if the first trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, put the first target parameter into the buffer area;
[0042] Obtain a pulse width threshold, compare the number of the first target parameters with the pulse width threshold, and if the number of the first target parameters is greater than or equal to the pulse width threshold, output a trigger command, which is used to control the aspiration needle to stop moving;
[0043] The processor includes: a motion control module and a trigger data processing module;
[0044] The motion control module is electrically connected to the host computer and is used to receive the first motion command or the second motion command from the host computer, and to send the fault information to the host computer.
[0045] The motion control module is electrically connected to the motion control circuit and is used to send the first motion control command to the motion control circuit according to the first motion command, and to send the second motion control command to the motion control circuit according to the second motion command.
[0046] The trigger data processing module is electrically connected to the AD acquisition circuit and is used to receive multiple first trigger data amplitudes sent by the AD acquisition circuit, and to receive multiple second trigger data amplitudes sent by the AD acquisition circuit.
[0047] The trigger data processing module is electrically connected to the motion control module and is used to process multiple first trigger data amplitudes and output trigger commands to the motion control module, and to process multiple second trigger data amplitudes to obtain a pulse width threshold.
[0048] The embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: Based on controlling the movement of the aspiration needle towards the current detection volume, multiple first trigger data amplitudes are acquired; an amplitude threshold is acquired, and each first trigger data amplitude is compared with the amplitude threshold. If the first trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, a first target parameter is placed in the buffer; a pulse width threshold is acquired, and the number of first target parameters in the buffer is compared with the pulse width threshold. If the number of first target parameters is greater than or equal to the pulse width threshold, a trigger command is output, which is used to control the aspiration needle to stop moving. The above method, by setting amplitude and pulse width thresholds (amplitude and pulse width at low liquid volumes), ensures that even if the amplitude of the interference signal at the current detection volume meets the amplitude threshold, the pulse width of the interference signal will not meet the pulse width threshold, effectively filtering out interference signals and preventing false judgments. Furthermore, it ensures that even when the current detection volume is low, samples with low liquid volumes can still be detected without false judgments, and it reduces costs. Attached Figure Description
[0049] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0050] in:
[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a liquid level detection method according to an embodiment of this application;
[0052] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the process for controlling the movement of the aspiration needle towards the current detection volume in an embodiment of this application;
[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the process for obtaining multiple first trigger data amplitudes in an embodiment of this application;
[0054] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the process for obtaining the amplitude threshold in an embodiment of this application;
[0055] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the process for controlling the movement of the aspiration needle toward the target detection liquid volume in an embodiment of this application;
[0056] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the process for obtaining multiple second trigger data amplitudes in an embodiment of this application;
[0057] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the process for obtaining the pulse width threshold in an embodiment of this application;
[0058] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid level detection system according to an embodiment of this application;
[0059] Figure 9 This is another structural schematic diagram of a liquid level detection system in an embodiment of this application.
[0060] Explanation of icon numbers:
[0061] 810 - Host computer, 820 - Processor, 830 - Motion control circuit, 840 - Aspiration needle assembly, 850 - Liquid level detection circuit, 860 - AD acquisition circuit, 821 - Motion control module, 822 - Trigger data processing module;
[0062] 910 - Sensitivity adjustable circuit; 920 - Sensitivity control module. Detailed Implementation
[0063] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0064] Please see Figure 1 The diagram below illustrates a liquid level detection method according to an embodiment of this application. The method includes:
[0065] Step 110: Based on the control of the aspiration needle moving towards the current detection volume, acquire multiple first trigger data amplitudes.
[0066] It should be noted that the current test volume refers to the liquid currently being tested in the sample bottle, reagent bottle, or other container. The amount of liquid in the container can be selected by the operator according to actual needs, and there is no limitation here.
[0067] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 As shown, step 110 involves controlling the aspiration needle to move towards the current detection volume, including:
[0068] Step 111: Obtain the second motion command;
[0069] Step 112: Output the second motion control command according to the second motion command. The second motion control command is used to control the aspiration needle to move towards the current detection volume.
[0070] The second motion command includes, but is not limited to, information such as motion distance and motion direction.
[0071] In one feasible implementation, the operator sends a second motion command to the host computer according to actual needs. This second motion command is then transmitted to the processor, allowing the processor to acquire the command and send a second motion control command to the motion control circuit. The second motion control command controls the motion control circuit to send a control signal to the aspiration needle assembly, thereby controlling the aspiration needle to move towards the currently detected liquid volume. In essence, by controlling the aspiration needle to move towards the currently detected liquid volume through the second motion control command, the aspiration needle can contact the detected liquid, achieving liquid level detection for the current volume.
[0072] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, in step 110, multiple first trigger data amplitudes are obtained, including:
[0073] Step 113: Obtain the second change in resistance or capacitance caused by the aspiration needle contacting the current volume of test liquid;
[0074] Step 114: Convert the second change into a second trigger signal;
[0075] Step 115: Amplify and convert the second trigger signal to obtain multiple first trigger data amplitudes.
[0076] The aspiration needle itself has a variable resistor or capacitor (if the aspiration needle does not have a variable resistor or capacitor, the operator can install one inside). When the aspiration needle comes into contact with the liquid being tested, its resistance or capacitance will change. It should be noted that as soon as the aspiration needle comes into contact with the liquid being tested, its resistance or capacitance will change, and this change is related to the amount of liquid being tested. For example, a larger amount of liquid will result in a higher change, and a smaller amount of liquid will result in a lower change.
[0077] It should be noted that the amplification process amplifies the low-amplitude second trigger signal, while the conversion process converts the analog second trigger signal into multiple digital first trigger data amplitudes.
[0078] In one feasible implementation, the aspiration needle is controlled to move towards the current detection volume. When the aspiration needle contacts the current detection volume, a second change occurs in the resistance or capacitance of the inner and outer walls of the aspiration needle. The aspiration needle assembly sends this second change to the liquid level detection circuit, which converts it into a second trigger signal. This second trigger signal is amplified and sent to the AD acquisition circuit, which converts it into multiple first trigger data amplitudes, thus obtaining multiple first trigger data amplitudes. It is understood that amplification makes the low-amplitude second trigger signal more noticeable when converted into multiple first trigger data amplitudes, facilitating subsequent comparison and judgment between the multiple first trigger data amplitudes and an amplitude threshold.
[0079] Step 120: Obtain the amplitude threshold. Compare the amplitude of each first trigger data with the amplitude threshold. If the amplitude of the first trigger data is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, put the first target parameter into the buffer.
[0080] The amplitude threshold is determined when the amount of liquid in the container meets the minimum detection liquid volume requirement. It can be understood that the amplitude threshold determined when the amount of liquid meets the minimum detection liquid volume requirement allows detection to be performed even when the current detection liquid volume is low.
[0081] It should be noted that the first target parameter can be any value, such as 1 or other numerical values, A or other letters, or other symbols, etc. There are no restrictions here.
[0082] It should be further noted that if the amplitude of the first trigger data is less than the amplitude threshold, no operation is required, or any value or symbol different from the first target parameter and the second target parameter can be placed in the buffer; there are no restrictions here. That is to say, when the amplitude of the first trigger data satisfies the condition of being greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, this first trigger data amplitude that satisfies the condition becomes the first target parameter placed in the buffer as mentioned in step 120 above.
[0083] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 4 As shown, obtaining the amplitude threshold in step 120 includes:
[0084] Step 121: Based on controlling the movement of the aspiration needle toward the target detection liquid volume, acquire multiple second trigger data amplitudes;
[0085] It should be noted that the target test volume is the minimum liquid volume required in the sample bottle, reagent bottle, or other container. Of course, it can also be selected according to the actual needs of the operator, and no limitation is made here.
[0086] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5 As shown, step 121, controlling the movement of the aspiration needle toward the target detection liquid volume, includes:
[0087] Step 1211: Obtain the first motion command;
[0088] Step 1212: Output the first motion control command according to the first motion command. The first motion control command is used to control the liquid aspiration needle to move towards the target detection liquid volume.
[0089] The first motion command includes, but is not limited to, information such as motion distance and motion direction.
[0090] In one feasible implementation, the operator sends a first motion command to the host computer according to actual needs. This first motion command is then transmitted to the processor, allowing the processor to acquire the command and send a first motion control command to the motion control circuit. The first motion control command controls the motion control circuit to send a control signal to the aspiration needle assembly, thereby controlling the aspiration needle to move towards the target liquid volume. In essence, by controlling the aspiration needle to move towards the target liquid volume through the first motion control command, the aspiration needle can contact the liquid being detected, achieving liquid level detection of the target liquid volume.
[0091] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, in step 121, multiple second trigger data amplitudes are acquired, including:
[0092] Step 1213: Obtain the first change in resistance or capacitance caused by the amount of liquid contacted by the aspiration needle with the target detection liquid;
[0093] Step 1214: Convert the first change into a first trigger signal;
[0094] Step 1215: Amplify and convert the first trigger signal to obtain multiple first trigger data amplitudes.
[0095] When the aspiration needle comes into contact with the target detection liquid, its resistance or capacitance will change. It should be noted that the first change in the target detection liquid volume is lower than the second change in the current detection liquid volume. Of course, they may also be equal. In this case, the target detection liquid volume can be equal to the current detection liquid volume.
[0096] It should be noted that the amplification process amplifies the low-amplitude first trigger signal, while the conversion process converts the analog first trigger signal into multiple digital second trigger data amplitudes.
[0097] In one feasible implementation, the aspiration needle is controlled to move towards the target detection liquid volume. When the aspiration needle contacts the target detection liquid volume, a first change occurs in the resistance or capacitance of the inner and outer walls of the aspiration needle. The aspiration needle assembly sends this first change to the liquid level detection circuit, which converts it into a first trigger signal. This first trigger signal is amplified and sent to the AD acquisition circuit, which then converts the amplified first trigger signal into multiple second trigger data amplitudes, thus obtaining multiple second trigger data amplitudes. It is understood that amplification makes the low-amplitude first trigger signal more noticeable when converted into multiple second trigger data amplitudes, facilitating the subsequent determination of the amplitude threshold based on these multiple second trigger data amplitudes.
[0098] Step 122: Determine the amplitude threshold based on multiple second trigger data amplitudes.
[0099] In one feasible implementation, the amplitude threshold is obtained by averaging multiple second trigger data amplitudes. It is understood that by determining the amplitude threshold within the target detection volume, detection can be achieved even when the current detection volume is low, allowing the use of low-volume liquids in containers such as sample bottles, thus reducing the cost of detection liquids.
[0100] It should be noted that averaging the amplitudes of multiple second trigger data is just one of many ways to determine the amplitude threshold. The amplitude threshold can also be determined by plotting multiple second trigger data amplitudes as curves or tables. It can also be adjusted according to the actual needs of the operator, and there are no restrictions here.
[0101] In one feasible implementation, after obtaining the amplitude threshold, each of the multiple first trigger data amplitudes obtained in step 110 is compared with the amplitude threshold. If the first trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, the first target parameter is placed into the buffer. It can be understood that by comparing each of the multiple first trigger data amplitudes with the amplitude threshold, the pulse width at the current detection volume can be determined, and the pulse width at the current detection volume is the number of first target parameters in the buffer.
[0102] Step 130: Obtain the pulse width threshold. Compare the number of first target parameters in the buffer with the pulse width threshold. If the number of first target parameters is greater than or equal to the pulse width threshold, output a trigger command. The trigger command is used to control the aspiration needle to stop moving.
[0103] It should be noted that the number of first target parameters in the buffer is the pulse width of the current detection volume, while the pulse width threshold is the pulse width of the target detection volume.
[0104] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 7 As shown, obtaining the pulse width threshold in step 130 includes:
[0105] Step 131: Compare the amplitude of each second trigger data with the amplitude threshold. If the amplitude of the second trigger data is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, then put the second target parameter into the buffer.
[0106] Step 132: Use the number of second target parameters as the pulse width threshold.
[0107] The pulse width threshold is obtained by comparing the amplitude of multiple second trigger data of the target detection liquid volume with the amplitude threshold. Therefore, the pulse width threshold is obtained when the detection liquid volume is low, and it can be considered that the pulse width is determined by the detection liquid volume. For example, if the detection liquid volume is high, the pulse width is high, and if the detection liquid volume is low, the pulse width is low.
[0108] It should be noted that the second target parameter can be any value or symbol different from the first target parameter, which is convenient for distinguishing and counting the number of the first target parameter and the number of the second target parameter. Of course, the first target parameter and the second target parameter can also be the same. It is understandable that when the first target parameter and the second target parameter are the same, the buffer will be cleared again when the number of the first target parameter or the number of the second target parameter is obtained.
[0109] It should be further noted that if the amplitude of the second trigger data is less than the amplitude threshold, no operation may be performed, or any value or symbol different from the first and second target parameters may be placed in the buffer; no restrictions are imposed here. That is to say, when the amplitude of the second trigger data satisfies the condition of being greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, this second trigger data amplitude that meets the condition becomes the second target parameter placed in the buffer as mentioned in step 131 above.
[0110] In one feasible implementation, each of the multiple second trigger data amplitudes in step 120 is compared with an amplitude threshold. If the second trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, the second target parameter is placed into a buffer, and the number of second target parameters in the buffer is counted. This number of second target parameters is then used as the pulse width threshold. It can be understood that by comparing each of the multiple second trigger data amplitudes with the amplitude threshold, the pulse width at the target detection volume can be determined, and the pulse width at the target detection volume is the pulse width amplitude.
[0111] In one feasible embodiment, after obtaining the pulse width threshold, the number of first target parameters in the buffer area in step 120 is first counted, and the number of first target parameters is compared with the pulse width threshold. If the number of first target parameters is greater than or equal to the pulse width threshold, a trigger command is output to the motion control module, which then sends a second motion control command to the motion control circuit. This causes the motion control circuit to send a control signal to the aspiration needle assembly to control the aspiration needle to stop moving. It can be understood that by comparing the number of first target parameters with the pulse width threshold—that is, comparing the pulse width of the current detected liquid volume with the pulse width threshold of the target detected liquid volume—liquid level detection can be performed even when the current detected liquid volume is the target detected liquid volume.
[0112] In this embodiment of the application, if the number of first target parameters is less than the pulse width threshold, then fault information is output.
[0113] Understandably, outputting fault information can alert the operator that the aspiration needle has malfunctioned.
[0114] Furthermore, it can be understood that the purpose of outputting fault information here is also to indicate to the operator that the aspiration needle has moved to its maximum stroke (i.e., it has reached the bottom of the container containing the reagent or liquid).
[0115] In one feasible implementation, after obtaining the pulse width threshold, the number of first target parameters in the buffer area from step 120 is first counted, and then compared with the pulse width threshold. If the number of first target parameters is less than the pulse width threshold, no trigger command is output to the motion control module. Instead, the motion control module sends a fault message to the host computer, alerting the operator that the aspiration needle has malfunctioned, allowing the operator to manually stop the needle's movement. It is understandable that alerting the operator to a needle malfunction allows them to be aware of the problem and take appropriate action.
[0116] In one feasible implementation, before steps 110 to 130, the operator can also send sensitivity adjustment instructions and sensitivity adjustment parameters to the host computer according to actual needs. The sensitivity adjustment instructions and sensitivity adjustment parameters will be sent to the processor, so that the processor can obtain the sensitivity adjustment instructions and sensitivity adjustment parameters, and send an adjustment signal to the sensitivity adjustable circuit according to the sensitivity adjustment instructions and sensitivity adjustment parameters. The adjustment signal is used to control the sensitivity adjustable circuit to adjust the sensitivity of the liquid level detection circuit to detect the first trigger signal or the second trigger signal.
[0117] It is understandable that adjusting the sensitivity of the detection of the first trigger signal or the second trigger signal in the liquid level detection circuit before steps 110 to 130 allows the operator to adjust the sensitivity of the detected first trigger signal or the second trigger signal according to actual needs.
[0118] In this embodiment, by setting the amplitude threshold and pulse width threshold (i.e., amplitude and pulse width at low liquid volume) for the target detection liquid volume, and amplifying the obtained first trigger signal or second trigger signal, the amplitude of the interference signal of the current detection liquid volume meets the amplitude threshold, but the pulse width of the interference signal does not meet the pulse width threshold, thus effectively filtering out the interference signal. Furthermore, when the current detection liquid volume is low, the low liquid volume sample can also be detected without misjudgment, and the cost is reduced.
[0119] In the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the aspiration needle moves vertically, moving in or out of the current or target detection liquid volume, thereby performing aspiration and dissipation operations on the reagent bottle. While using the above method to detect the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle, the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle is sufficient. The above method can effectively control the depth of the aspiration needle into the reagent, thereby ensuring that only a small part of the outer wall of the aspiration needle comes into contact with the reagent, reducing cross-contamination.
[0120] Please see Figure 8 The figure below is a schematic diagram of a liquid level detection system according to an embodiment of this application. The system includes: a host computer 810, a processor 820, a motion control circuit 830, a liquid suction needle assembly 840, a liquid level detection circuit 850, and an AD acquisition circuit 860.
[0121] The host computer 810 is electrically connected to the processor 820 and is used to send a first motion command or a second motion command to the processor 820, as well as to receive fault information output by the processor 820.
[0122] The processor 820 is electrically connected to the motion control circuit 830 and is used to send a first motion control command to the motion control circuit 830 according to a first motion command, and to send a second motion control command to the motion control circuit 830 according to a second motion command.
[0123] The motion control circuit 830 is electrically connected to the aspiration needle assembly 840 and is used to output a control signal to the aspiration needle assembly 840 according to the first motion control command or the second motion control command, so as to control the movement or stop the movement of the aspiration needle.
[0124] The aspiration needle assembly 840 is electrically connected to the liquid level detection circuit 850 and is used to detect the first or second change in resistance or capacitance caused by the aspiration needle contacting the liquid volume.
[0125] The liquid level detection circuit 850 is electrically connected to the AD acquisition circuit 860. It is used to convert the first change into a first trigger signal, amplify the first trigger signal and send it to the AD acquisition circuit 860, and to convert the second change into a second trigger signal, amplify the second trigger signal and send it to the AD acquisition circuit 860.
[0126] The AD acquisition circuit 860 is electrically connected to the processor 820 and is used to convert the amplified first trigger signal into multiple second trigger data amplitudes for the processor 820, and to convert the amplified second trigger signal into multiple first trigger data amplitudes for the processor 820.
[0127] In this embodiment, the processor 820 includes a motion control module 821 and a trigger data processing module 822.
[0128] It should be noted that the motion control module 821 and the trigger data processing module 822 are virtual modules. This means that operators can arbitrarily add, subtract, or divide modules in the processor 820.
[0129] The motion control module 821 is electrically connected to the host computer 810 and is used to receive the first motion command or the second motion command from the host computer 810, as well as to send fault information to the host computer 810.
[0130] The motion control module 821 is electrically connected to the motion control circuit 830 and is used to send a first motion control command to the motion control circuit 830 according to a first motion command, and to send a second motion control command to the motion control circuit 830 according to a second motion command.
[0131] The trigger data processing module 822 is electrically connected to the AD acquisition circuit 860 and is used to receive multiple first trigger data amplitudes sent by the AD acquisition circuit 860, and to receive multiple second trigger data amplitudes sent by the AD acquisition circuit 860.
[0132] The trigger data processing module 822 is electrically connected to the motion control module 821. It is used to process multiple first trigger data amplitudes and output trigger commands to the motion control module 821, and to process multiple second trigger data amplitudes to obtain a pulse width threshold.
[0133] Please see Figure 9 This is another schematic diagram of a liquid level detection system in an embodiment of this application. The system further includes: a sensitivity adjustable circuit 910; wherein the processor further includes: a sensitivity control module 920.
[0134] It should be noted that the sensitivity control module 920 is a virtual module. This means that operators can arbitrarily add, subtract, or divide modules in the processor 820.
[0135] The host computer 810 is electrically connected to the sensitivity control module 920 and is used to send sensitivity adjustment commands and sensitivity adjustment parameters to the sensitivity control module 920.
[0136] The sensitivity control module 920 is electrically connected to the sensitivity adjustable circuit 910 and is used to send adjustment signals to the sensitivity adjustable circuit 910 according to the sensitivity adjustment command and sensitivity adjustment parameters.
[0137] The sensitivity adjustable circuit 910 is electrically connected to the liquid level detection circuit 850 and is used to adjust the sensitivity of the liquid level detection circuit 850 in detecting the first trigger signal or the second trigger signal.
[0138] In this embodiment, a liquid level detection system is used to implement a liquid level detection method, wherein the structural components in the system correspond one-to-one with the structural components described in the above method. The processor 820 is used to execute steps 110 to 130. For details, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 The relevant content in the illustrated embodiment.
[0139] It is understood that the various structural components involved in the above system have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and can be referred to the contents of the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.
[0140] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0141] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for detecting liquid level, characterized in that, The method includes: Based on controlling the movement of the aspiration needle toward the current detection volume, multiple first trigger data amplitudes are acquired; Obtain the amplitude threshold, compare each first trigger data amplitude with the amplitude threshold, and if the first trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, put the first target parameter into the buffer area; Obtain a pulse width threshold, compare the number of the first target parameters in the buffer with the pulse width threshold, and if the number of the first target parameters is greater than or equal to the pulse width threshold, output a trigger command, which is used to control the aspiration needle to stop moving; The acquisition of the amplitude threshold includes: Based on controlling the movement of the aspiration needle toward the target detection liquid volume, multiple second trigger data amplitudes are acquired; The amplitude threshold is determined based on multiple second trigger data amplitudes; The acquisition of the pulse width threshold includes: Each second trigger data amplitude is compared with the amplitude threshold. If the second trigger data amplitude is greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold, the second target parameter is placed into the buffer. The number of the second target parameters in the buffer is used as the pulse width threshold.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control of the liquid aspiration needle to move toward the target detection liquid volume includes: Obtain the first motion command; A first motion control command is output according to the first motion command, and the first motion control command is used to control the aspiration needle to move toward the target detection liquid volume.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acquisition of multiple second trigger data amplitudes includes: The first change in resistance or capacitance caused by the liquid aspiration needle contacting the target detection liquid is obtained; Convert the first change into a first trigger signal; The first trigger signal is amplified and converted to obtain multiple second trigger data amplitudes.
4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control of the aspiration needle to move towards the current detection volume includes: Obtain the second motion command; A second motion control command is output according to the second motion command, and the second motion control command is used to control the aspiration needle to move toward the current detection volume.
5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acquisition of multiple first trigger data amplitudes includes: The second change in resistance or capacitance caused by the aspiration needle contacting the current volume of detection liquid is obtained; The second change is converted into a second trigger signal; The second trigger signal is amplified and converted to obtain multiple first trigger data amplitudes.
6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the number of the first target parameters is less than the pulse width threshold, then fault information is output.
7. A liquid level detection system, characterized in that, The system includes: Host computer, processor, motion control circuit, aspiration needle assembly, liquid level detection circuit, AD acquisition circuit; The host computer is electrically connected to the processor and is used to send a first motion command or a second motion command to the processor, and to receive fault information output by the processor. The processor is electrically connected to the motion control circuit and is used to send a first motion control instruction to the motion control circuit according to the first motion instruction, and to send a second motion control instruction to the motion control circuit according to the second motion instruction. The motion control circuit is electrically connected to the aspiration needle assembly and is used to output a control signal to the aspiration needle assembly according to the first motion control command or the second motion control command, so as to control the aspiration needle to move or stop moving. The aspiration needle assembly is electrically connected to the liquid level detection circuit and is used to detect the first or second change in resistance or capacitance caused by the aspiration needle contacting the liquid volume. The liquid level detection circuit is electrically connected to the AD acquisition circuit, and is used to convert the first change amount into the first trigger signal, and amplify the first trigger signal and send it to the AD acquisition circuit, and to convert the second change amount into the second trigger signal, and amplify the second trigger signal and send it to the AD acquisition circuit. The AD acquisition circuit is electrically connected to the processor and is used to convert the amplified first trigger signal into a plurality of second trigger data amplitudes for the processor, and to convert the amplified second trigger signal into a plurality of first trigger data amplitudes for the processor. The processor is used to perform the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The processor includes: a motion control module and a trigger data processing module; The motion control module is electrically connected to the host computer and is used to receive the first motion command or the second motion command from the host computer, and to send the fault information to the host computer. The motion control module is electrically connected to the motion control circuit and is used to send the first motion control command to the motion control circuit according to the first motion command, and to send the second motion control command to the motion control circuit according to the second motion command. The trigger data processing module is electrically connected to the AD acquisition circuit and is used to receive multiple first trigger data amplitudes sent by the AD acquisition circuit, and to receive multiple second trigger data amplitudes sent by the AD acquisition circuit. The trigger data processing module is electrically connected to the motion control module and is used to process multiple first trigger data amplitudes and output trigger commands to the motion control module, and to process multiple second trigger data amplitudes to obtain a pulse width threshold.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Apparatus and method for detecting liquid level with a probe
US20080053216A1