Automated Analyzer Specimen Nozzle Washing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated analyzers face contamination issues when consecutively pipetting high-concentration and low-concentration specimens, particularly when the dilution factor is significant, leading to contamination of the low-concentration specimen.
Innovation Solution
An automated analyzer is designed with a washing mechanism that determines and performs washing operations based on the dilution factor, ensuring effective reduction of contamination by allocating washing cycles between specimen and diluted specimen pipetting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single specimen nozzle is used for both pipetting high-concentration specimens and diluted low-concentration specimens, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination of low-concentration specimens occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single specimen nozzle is divided into two separate nozzles: a first specimen nozzle for pipetting high-concentration specimens and a second specimen nozzle for pipetting diluted low-concentration specimens. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between different specimen types while maintaining manageable device complexity through dedicated functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A washing mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the two specimen nozzles. This washing mechanism performs intermediate cleaning operations to eliminate any potential contamination pathways, serving as a protective mediator that ensures specimen purity while allowing the system to maintain operational efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If washing processing is performed separately before pipetting diluted specimens, then contamination is reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing mechanism performs preliminary washing actions before the pipetting of diluted specimens begins. By preparing the washing sequence in advance and integrating it into the overall processing workflow, the system eliminates contamination risks without causing significant delays, as the washing operations are scheduled and executed as pre-planned intermediate steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing processing is integrated into the continuous operational sequence of the automated analyzer, allowing washing actions to occur seamlessly between specimen processing steps without interrupting the overall workflow. This continuity ensures that contamination prevention measures are maintained while minimizing idle time and maintaining high throughput.
3Quantity of substance
If specimen nozzle volume is reduced to handle small specimen volumes, then specimen volume requirement is reduced, but washing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washing mechanism is segmented into multiple washing stages with different volumes and configurations. The first washing stage uses a larger volume to effectively clean the entire nozzle interior, while subsequent stages use smaller volumes for final rinsing. This segmented approach ensures thorough washing effectiveness even for nozzles designed to handle small specimen volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing mechanism dynamically changes washing parameters including liquid volume, flow rate, and pressure throughout the washing sequence. By adjusting these parameters optimally for each washing stage, the system achieves effective contamination removal from nozzles of various sizes, maintaining washing effectiveness regardless of the small specimen volume requirements.
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 contamination of low-concentration specimens by implementing a controlled washing process that considers the dilution factor, ensuring accurate and contamination-free analysis results.
Implementation Method 1
the washing mechanism is configured to perform washing with a washing liquid on the specimen nozzle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an automated analyzer that can effectively reduce contamination of a diluted low-concentration specimen resulting from a high-concentration specimen not being diluted. The automated analyzer includes a specimen nozzle that performs both the function of pipetting a specimen from a specimen container accommodating the specimen and the function of pipetting a specimen diluted by the analyzer, and means for washing the specimen nozzle with a predetermined detergent. When a pipetting process of a high-concentration specimen not being diluted and a pipetting process of a low-concentration specimen diluted by the analyzer are consecutively performed for the same specimen by the specimen nozzle, between the pipetting process of a high-concentration specimen and the pipetting process of a low-concentration specimen, the analyzer performs a washing processing in which the specimen nozzle is washed with the predetermined detergent.