Automatic Analysis Device Dispensing Accuracy Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In automatic analysis apparatuses, determining dispensing accuracy without measuring absorbance is challenging, especially when failures occur at specific dispensing volumes, making it difficult to identify which mechanism is faulty and requiring complex absorbance measurement processes.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus performs dispensing accuracy measurement by controlling and measuring the dispensing volume using a control unit that manages various mechanisms, including weight sensors, to determine the accuracy and precision of dispensing operations without relying on absorbance measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If absorbance measurement is used to determine dispensing accuracy, then dispensing accuracy can be confirmed, but the work becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing accuracy measurementVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the dispensing accuracy measurement from the complex absorbance measurement process. By using a separate weight measurement process independent of the optical measurement system, it simplifies the dispensing accuracy confirmation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the measurement functions into separate independent processes: weight measurement for dispensing accuracy and optical measurement for analysis results. This segmentation allows each measurement to be performed independently without interfering with the other, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple mechanisms operate continuously for detection, then detection capability is enhanced, but it becomes unclear which mechanism has failed when abnormality occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidfailure source identification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements feedback by measuring and recording the actual dispensing volumes for each mechanism separately. This creates a traceable record that provides feedback on each mechanism's performance, enabling identification of which specific mechanism failed when abnormalities occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces weight measurement as an intermediary method that independently verifies the performance of each dispensing mechanism. This intermediary measurement system acts as a mediator between the multiple operating mechanisms and the control system, providing clear information about each mechanism's actual output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If dispensing accuracy is measured at a single volume, then measurement is simple, but failures at specific volumes cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement simplicityVSAvoidfailure detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamics by making the measurement volume variable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically adjust and perform weight measurements at multiple different dispensing volumes, allowing detection of volume-specific failures while maintaining measurement simplicity through automated weight-based measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for efficient and accurate dispensing accuracy measurement within the automatic analysis apparatus, simplifying the process and reducing the complexity of identifying faulty mechanisms by directly measuring dispensing volumes and calculating accuracy and precision.

Implementation Method 1

controlling and measuring the dispensing volume using a control unit that manages various mechanisms, including weight sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3739341B1Automatic analysis device
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3739341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739341B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3739341B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

To provide an automatic analysis apparatus capable of setting a dispensing mechanism for measuring dispensing accuracy and a dispensing volume, and capable of performing dispensing accuracy measurement without absorbance measurement. Regarding a dispensing accuracy, a dispensing mechanism to be measured is designated (S201). Parameters including a dispensing volume and the like are input (S202). A dispensing operation of the input dispensing volume is automatically performed for each designated dispensing mechanism (S204 to S216). A reaction vessel contains, for example, a reagent of the input dispensing volume which has been dispensed by the designated dispensing mechanism. By measuring a weight of the reagent in the reaction vessel, or the like, it is possible to measure the dispensing accuracy of the designated dispensing mechanism.