Automatic Analyzer Cleaning Agent Reuse Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers require large tanks for cleaning agents, leading to increased size and inefficiency in cleaning puddles used for stirring reagents with fine particles, as no consideration is given to reducing the amount of cleaning agent used.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer design that includes a reagent dispensing unit, stirring unit, and cleaning unit, where the cleaning agent is reused and partially replaced based on contamination scores, with a magnetic field option to prevent reattachment of magnetic particles, reducing the overall cleaning agent consumption and tank size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the amount of cleaning agent stocked in the tank is increased to ensure sufficient cleaning of the puddle, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the tank size and overall analyzer size must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a contamination detection mechanism that monitors the cleanliness of the puddle and provides feedback to the cleaning control unit. Based on this feedback, the cleaning agent is supplied only when contamination exceeds a predetermined threshold, enabling precise control of cleaning operations and reducing unnecessary cleaning agent consumption while maintaining effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by switching between different cleaning modes (normal cleaning and intensive cleaning) based on contamination levels. This allows the system to use minimal cleaning agent during low contamination periods while having the capability to increase cleaning intensity when needed, thereby reducing overall tank size requirements.
2Loss of substance
If the cleaning agent is reused multiple times to reduce consumption, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the contamination level in the cleaning agent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contamination detection unit continuously monitors the cleaning agent quality and provides feedback to the cleaning control unit. When contamination reaches a predetermined threshold, the system automatically stops reusing the cleaning agent and initiates disposal or replacement, ensuring that cleaning effectiveness is maintained while maximizing reusable cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the cleaning agent lifecycle including usage, monitoring, and replacement decisions without manual intervention. The cleaning control unit autonomously determines when to continue using the current cleaning agent and when to replace it based on real-time contamination feedback, optimizing the balance between consumption reduction and contamination control.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic particles are thoroughly cleaned from the puddle to maintain analysis accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but more cleaning agent is required
Solution Approach 1:
The contamination detection unit specifically monitors for magnetic particle contamination and provides feedback to the cleaning control unit. The system supplies cleaning agent only when magnetic particle contamination exceeds acceptable levels, thereby maintaining analysis accuracy while minimizing cleaning agent consumption through precise, need-based cleaning.
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
The solution effectively reduces the amount of cleaning agent used, maintaining acceptable contamination levels and minimizing the size of the tank, while improving analysis accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field toward the inside of the cleaning vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
There is provided an automatic analyzer that can reduce a cleaning agent used for cleaning a puddle configured to stir a reagent including a fine particle. An automatic analyzer including a reagent container configured to accommodate a reagent including a fine particle, a puddle configured to stir the reagent, and a cleaning unit configured to immerse the puddle in a cleaning vessel reserving a cleaning agent. The automatic analyzer further includes a determining unit configured to determine whether to totally replace the cleaning agent based on a score computed using a number of times of cleaning the puddle having stirred the reagent in the cleaning unit and a remaining amount of the reagent. When the determining unit determines that the cleaning agent is totally replaced, the cleaning unit displays, on a screen, a notification of total replacement of the cleaning agent, or recommendation of the total replacement.