Automatic Analyzer Photometry Timing from Flat Waveform Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers require multiple measurements to determine the optimum photometry timing due to variations in reaction container shapes and attachment positions, making the process cumbersome and limiting the length of the photometry available region.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer that extracts a photometric waveform from a photometry signal to set a photometric value calculation period based on a flat waveform, using a control unit to acquire and process signals from each reaction cell before specimen testing, thereby determining an optimal photometry timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photometry is repeatedly executed while changing photometry timing at small time intervals to determine optimum timing, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary photometry measurements in advance (using water-filled reaction cells before actual analysis) to determine the optimum photometry timing and available region. This preliminary action stores the timing information for future use, eliminating the need to repeat multiple measurements during actual analysis and thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss
2Ease of operation
If photometry available region is determined based on central value of reaction containers, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to waveform variations among individual containers
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the photometry available region individually for each reaction container based on its specific waveform characteristics rather than using a universal central value. This local quality approach accounts for variations in container shapes and attachment positions, ensuring optimal photometry timing for each container while maintaining ease of operation through automated individual determination
3Adaptability or versatility
If photometry available region is extended to accommodate gentle slope waveforms, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to including non-flat waveform regions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the photometry available region for each reaction container based on its actual waveform characteristics, adjusting the region boundaries to include only flat portions suitable for accurate measurement. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to accommodate different waveform slopes while maintaining measurement precision by excluding non-flat regions
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 approach allows for stable photometric value calculation in a time domain representing a flat waveform, improving measurement consistency and reducing the need for repetitive measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit light
Implementation Method 2
a spectroscopic analyzer configured to detect transmitted light that transmits through a reaction cell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
In order to provide an automatic analyzer capable of improving the measurement stability, the following configuration is adopted. A control unit acquires a photometric waveform for each of a plurality of reaction cells held on a reaction disk from a photometry signal based on a photometry trigger signal, and sets a photometric value calculation period based on a time domain, the photometry signal being obtained by executing photometry of the plurality of reaction cells in an empty state or in a state where blank water is accommodated, the photometry trigger signal representing that each of the plurality of reaction cells crosses an optical axis of a light source, and the time domain representing a flat waveform obtained regarding the photometric waveform for each of the plurality of reaction cells .