Automatic Analyzer Thermoresponsive Polymer Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automatic analyzers, magnetically separated aggregates from antigen-antibody reactions often remain as contaminants on reaction vessel surfaces, affecting subsequent measurements due to residual effects.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer employs a thermostat unit to heat the solution mixture, causing thermoresponsive polymers in the reagent to aggregate, and a cooler to lower the temperature of the cleaning fluid, allowing the aggregates to disperse and be effectively removed from the reaction vessel surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic separation is used to measure turbidity changes, then measurement capability is improved, but aggregate contamination on reaction vessel surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful aggregates from the reaction vessel interior by introducing a magnetic field that attracts magnetic particles to the vessel wall, separating them from the solution mixture. This allows the aggregates to be removed from the measurement zone while maintaining the measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to mediate between the aggregates and the reaction vessel wall. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that enables the separation of aggregates from the solution without direct mechanical contact, solving the contamination problem while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cleaning is performed to remove aggregates, then contamination is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness is insufficient when aggregates remain adhered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by applying a magnetic field before cleaning to pre-concentrate and pre-position the aggregates on the reaction vessel wall. This preliminary magnetic concentration makes subsequent cleaning more effective by gathering dispersed aggregates into a removable configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and position of aggregates by altering the magnetic field parameters during cleaning. By adjusting magnetic field strength and duration, the aggregates are transformed from a dispersed adhered state to a concentrated removable state, enhancing cleaning effectiveness.
3Productivity
If reaction vessels are reused after cleaning, then productivity is improved, but residual aggregates affect subsequent measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods with a magnetic field-based removal system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical scrubbing or rinsing, the magnetic field systematically attracts and removes magnetic aggregates, providing a more reliable cleaning mechanism that preserves measurement accuracy for subsequent uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary cleaning mechanism that bridges between the aggregates and the cleaning process. This intermediary approach enables thorough removal of contaminants without the need for aggressive mechanical cleaning that could damage the reaction vessel, ensuring reliable reuse for subsequent measurements.
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 method ensures thorough cleaning of reaction vessels, preventing residual contaminants from interfering with subsequent measurements and maintaining analysis accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a thermostat unit that heats the solution mixture to a first temperature at which thermoresponsive polymers contained in the reagent aggregate
Implementation Method 2
a cooler that cools a cleaning fluid used to clean the reaction vessel to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, at which the thermoresponsive polymers contained in the reagent disperse
Implementation Method 3
an aggregate formed by the reaction between an antibody immobilized to a magnetic particle in a reagent and an antigen in a specimen is attracted by a magnet to the inner surfaces (two opposite surfaces) of a reaction vessel
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzer includes dispenser, measurer, thermostat, cooler and cleaner. Dispenser dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a reaction vessel. Measurer measures a solution mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the vessel. Thermostat heats the mixture to a first temperature at which thermoresponsive polymers contained in the reagent aggregate. Cooler cools a cleaning fluid used to clean the vessel to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, at which the polymers contained in the reagent disperse. Cleaner cleans the vessel from which the mixture has been drained, using the cooled fluid.