Automated Analyzer Probe Interference Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated analyzers face interference issues between liquid-surface contact determination units of multiple probes, leading to inaccurate detection of liquid contact and potential cross-contamination during cleaning, which affects analysis reproducibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a conductive-liquid supply unit with a flow path and a charge accumulation unit having a capacitance equal to or higher than the dispensing probes, which separates the capacitance-type liquid-surface contact detection circuits and prevents interference between probes, allowing accurate detection of liquid contact even when multiple probes are simultaneously cleaned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple probes are simultaneously brought into contact with cleaning liquid for high accuracy and rapid dispensing, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but interference between capacitance detectors occurs making liquid surface contact determination impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common cleaning liquid supply system into electrically isolated segments by introducing non-conductive components (pipes, tanks, or coating layers) between the cleaning liquid and the probe capacitance detectors. This segmentation prevents electrical interference while maintaining simultaneous cleaning of multiple probes, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and detection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If probes are electrically connected through conductive cleaning liquid and pipes, then cleaning is performed, but capacitance detector interference occurs between probes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-conductive intermediaries (insulating pipes, non-conductive tank materials, or dielectric coating layers) between the conductive cleaning liquid and the probe electrical components. These intermediaries allow the cleaning liquid to contact the probes for effective cleaning while preventing electrical connection and capacitance interference between probes through the insulating barrier.
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 configuration enables reliable and accurate dispensing and cleaning of probes, preventing interference and ensuring precise liquid contact detection, thereby enhancing the reproducibility and reliability of analysis results.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid-surface contact determination unit installed in each of the plurality of dispensing probes, and determining a contact of a leading end of each of the plurality of dispensing probes with a liquid surface of the conductive liquid, based on a change in capacitance between the leading end and a housing
Implementation Method 2
a charge accumulation unit provided between the conductive liquid and the housing, and having a capacitance that is equal to or higher than a capacitance of the dispensing probe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
In preparation for a case in which the time at which a first reagent probe (204) comes into contact with cleaning liquid (208) and the time at which a second reagent probe (214) comes into contact with cleaning liquid (218) are the same, an automated analyzer (100) is provided with a charge accumulation unit (240) that is provided between a supply port comprising a conductive material that is electrically connected to the cleaning liquids (208, 218) and a device housing (243) and has a capacitance that is greater than or equal to that of the first reagent probe (204) and second reagent probe (214). As a result, it is possible to prevent interference between the liquid-surface contact determination units of a plurality of probes.