Automatic Analyzer Reagent Cassette Ejection and Refrigerated Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face interruptions and reagent shortages due to the need for frequent reagent cassette replacements, especially when cassettes with expired validity dates or unsuitable for analysis are not properly handled, and the lack of refrigeration in replenishing storage leads to reagent deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer with a reagent replenishing unit that includes a reagent cassette ejecting mechanism to remove unsuitable cassettes from the replenishing storage and a refrigerated secondary storage to maintain usable cassettes, ensuring continuous analysis by optimizing reagent supply and minimizing operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If reagent cassettes are stored in replenishing storage without refrigeration, then storage capacity is maximized and operator workload is reduced, but reagent deterioration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The replenishing reagent cassette storage is divided into two separate storage units: a first storage unit without refrigeration for maximizing capacity and reducing operator workload, and a second storage unit with refrigeration for maintaining reagent quality. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both objectives by assigning different storage conditions to different portions of the reagent inventory.
2Reliability
If operator manually screens and removes expired or unsuitable reagent cassettes, then reagent quality is maintained, but analysis interruptions increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an automatic determination mechanism that autonomously identifies expired or unsuitable reagent cassettes and transfers them to the second refrigerated storage unit without requiring operator intervention. This self-service approach maintains reagent quality control while eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual screening and removal operations.
3Quantity of substance
If reagent cassettes are manually replaced during analysis, then reagent supply is maintained, but analysis interruptions occur and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining the usability of reagent cassettes in advance and proactively transferring expired or unsuitable cassettes to the second storage unit before they can cause analysis interruptions. This advance preparation ensures continuous reagent supply while maintaining high analysis speed by preventing disruptions before they occur.
4Reliability
If multiple reagent storage units with different refrigeration conditions are implemented, then reagent quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic determination mechanism serves multiple functions: it identifies expired cassettes, determines their suitability for analysis, and automatically transfers them to the appropriate storage unit. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations into a single integrated system, reducing the perceived complexity despite the presence of multiple storage units with different refrigeration conditions.
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 solution prevents reagent shortages and interruptions by automatically ejecting unsuitable cassettes and maintaining a full supply of usable reagents, reducing operator workload and maintaining reagent quality through refrigeration, thus ensuring uninterrupted analysis operations.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerated secondary storage to maintain usable cassettes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4(A)
Figure 4(B)
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that minimizes interruptions of analyzing operations without allowing any reagent shortage to occur during an analysis by ejecting replenishing reagent cassettes that are placed in a replenishing reagent cassette storage (20) and that have expired validity dates or that cannot be supplied for analysis using an analyzing unit (10), and that can equip the replenishing reagent cassette storage (20) with as many replenishing reagent cassettes to be supplied for analysis as possible. The present invention provides an automatic analyzer including: an analyzing unit (10) that includes an analyzing mechanism and a dispensing reagent cassette storage (28, 29) for storing a reagent cassette for dispensing; a reagent replenishing unit (11) including a replenishing reagent cassette storage (20) for storing in advance a reagent cassette for replenishing to be supplied as the reagent cassette for dispensing; and means (25A) for ejecting from the replenishing reagent cassette storage (20) the reagent cassette for replenishing that cannot be supplied as the reagent cassette for dispensing.