Automatic Analysis Device Registration Pattern Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-function automatic analysis devices face limitations in handling a sufficient number of specimens, calibrators, and quality control samples due to physical constraints on container capacity, leading to increased footprint and costs, especially when using circular racks that require additional storage space.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analysis device with a control unit that prepares and applies registration patterns to optimize the placement of specimens and reagents on a single rack, allowing for efficient use of available space and reducing the need for multiple racks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple circular racks are provided to accommodate sufficient specimens, calibrators, and quality control samples, then the analysis capacity is improved, but the device footprint and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis capacityVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a registration pattern switching mechanism that allows the system to dynamically reconfigure the logical arrangement of specimens, calibrators, and quality control samples on a single circular rack. By storing multiple registration patterns (first, second, and third patterns) that correspond to different analytical configurations, the system can adapt its sample management structure without adding physical racks, thereby maintaining analysis capacity while reducing device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple circular racks are provided to ensure sufficient specimen storage capacity, then the analysis capability is improved, but the cost of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecimen storage capacityVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores multiple registration patterns in memory, each corresponding to different configurations of specimen, calibrator, and quality control sample positions. By switching between these pre-stored patterns, the system can accommodate various analysis requirements on a single physical rack, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain multiple racks, thereby reducing device cost while preserving analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of physically duplicating multiple circular racks, the patent creates virtual copies of rack configurations through software-based registration patterns. These patterns replicate the organizational structure of multiple racks within a single rack's capacity, allowing the system to simulate the functionality of multiple physical racks without the associated hardware cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Area of stationary object

If a single rack is used to reduce device footprint, then the device compactness is improved, but the ability to handle sufficient specimens and calibrators is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidnumber of containers
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically reconfigures the logical positions of containers on the rack by switching between stored registration patterns. This allows a single physical rack to present different virtual arrangements of specimens, calibrators, and quality control samples, effectively multiplying its functional capacity to handle numerous containers without increasing physical footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional physical rack structure to a multi-dimensional virtual arrangement system. By introducing the dimension of software-based registration patterns, the system can organize containers in multiple virtual layers and configurations simultaneously, allowing a single physical rack to accommodate and present sufficient specimens and calibrators for comprehensive analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables efficient performance of multiple analyses while minimizing device footprint and cost by optimizing specimen and reagent placement on a single rack, thereby addressing the capacity and storage issues of traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

The control unit prepares a plurality of registration patterns in which information of a position having the container installed therein is correlated with information of the sample to be contained in the container, for the one rack, and stores a plurality of the prepared registration patterns

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectData processing and pattern recognition:

Implementation Method 2

measures intensity of transmitted light or scattered light having a single or a plurality of wavelengths obtained by emitting light from a light source to a reaction solution in which the specimen and a reagent are mixed with each other, and which calculates the component amount, based on a relationship between light intensity and density

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3789770B1Automatic analysis device
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3789770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3789770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3789770B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device (100) capable of efficiently performing a plurality of analyses, while reducing the footprint and cost of the device. Provided is an automatic analysis device (100) characterized by being provided with containers (103) for containing samples, a single circular disk (102) for placing the containers (103) thereon, and a control unit (120), the control unit (120) generating a plurality of registration patterns in which information of the positions where the containers (103) are disposed, and information of the samples contained in the containers (103) are correlated with each other, storing the registration patterns thus generated, applying one registration pattern selected from among the registration patterns thus stored, and analyzing the samples. Also provided is an analysis method using the device.