Automatic Analyzer Flow Rate Control for Fungal Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face challenges in suppressing the propagation of fungi in circulation flow paths, leading to increased maintenance frequencies and operator workload due to biofilm formation and contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer incorporates a control system that adjusts the flow rate of the constant-temperature medium and utilizes ultraviolet light sources to sterilize the medium, even when the power is off, thereby reducing biofilm formation and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical cleaning is performed frequently to remove slime from the circulation flow path, then the contamination and clogging of the circulation path is reduced, but the maintenance frequency and operator workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding a chemical substance to the constant-temperature water to prevent slime formation before it occurs. This preventive approach eliminates the need for frequent physical cleaning operations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining circulation path cleanliness and reducing maintenance frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning system with a chemical prevention system. Instead of using physical cleaning methods to remove slime after formation, a chemical substance is added to the constant-temperature water to prevent slime formation altogether, thereby reducing maintenance operations while ensuring circulation path cleanliness
2Reliability
If chemical substances are added to prevent germ propagation in the constant-temperature water, then the contamination is reduced, but the metal corrosion and optical characteristics may be adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and controlling the concentration and type of chemical substance added to the constant-temperature water. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves effective germ propagation prevention while minimizing adverse effects on metal components and optical characteristics of the circulation path
3Stability of the object's composition
If the constant-temperature water is circulated continuously to maintain temperature, then the reaction stability is improved, but the propagation of fungi in the circulation flow path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chemical substance as an intermediary into the constant-temperature water circulation system. This intermediary substance prevents fungi propagation in the circulating water without interfering with the temperature control function, thereby maintaining reaction stability while eliminating fungi propagation issues
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 effectively suppresses the propagation of fungi, reducing the frequency of liquid exchanges and cleaning operations, thereby decreasing maintenance time and operator workload.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet lamp is constituted by a member that causes ultraviolet light to be transmitted through a part of the circulation path in the heading unit, and irradiates the constant-temperature medium with ultraviolet light through the member
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic analyzer includes an analyzer 20 that analyzes a specimen, a supply unit that stores and supplies a liquid to be used by the analyzer 20, an analyzer circulation system that circulates the liquid within the analyzer 20, a supply unit circulation system that circulates the liquid within the supply unit, and an analysis controller 50 that controls an operation of the automatic analyzer 100. The analysis controller 50 switches a flow rate of the liquid circulated by at least one of the analyzer circulation system and the supply unit circulation system between a first flow rate in a normal state and a second flow rate different from the first flow rate. Consequently, by suppressing fungal propagation within a circulation flow path for a liquid, compared to conventional techniques, the frequency with which a liquid is replaced and the frequency with which the inside of a reaction tank is cleaned are reduced and a time period for a maintenance operation by an operator is reduced.