Automated Analyzer Probe Clogging Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face challenges in maintaining dispensing accuracy when dealing with high viscosity samples, as existing methods for detecting clogging using pressure sensors are unreliable and can lead to sample scattering and reduced processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that examines the sample probe for clogging before suction and performs cleaning operations to ensure the probe is clear, allowing for continuous stable dispensing by checking the state inside the probe every cycle and performing necessary cleaning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure sensor-based clogging detection is used during suction, then clogging can be detected, but the detection is unreliable for high viscosity samples and may lead to false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs clogging detection by examining pressure waveform characteristics (negative pressure peak value and residual pressure) after suction completion, rather than during suction. This preliminary examination approach allows accurate detection of high viscosity samples without interfering with the suction process itself, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and measurement precision.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring and cleaning operations are performed, then dispensing accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs clogging examination after each suction operation and automatically executes cleaning operations when clogging is detected, ensuring continuous reliable dispensing without manual intervention. This continuous automated monitoring and cleaning maintains high dispensing accuracy while minimizing processing time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously detects clogging through pressure waveform analysis and performs cleaning operations without operator intervention. This self-service capability maintains dispensing accuracy while optimizing processing speed by eliminating manual cleaning steps and false positive interruptions.
3Ease of operation
If threshold-based clogging detection is used, then simple determination is achieved, but false detection occurs with high viscosity samples
Solution Approach 1:
The system evaluates multiple pressure waveform parameters (negative pressure peak value and residual pressure) rather than relying on a single threshold. By analyzing the combination and relationship of these parameters, the system maintains simple automated determination while significantly improving detection accuracy for high viscosity samples, avoiding false positives.
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 ensures that clogging is prevented or removed before suction, maintaining dispensing accuracy and reliability, even with high viscosity samples, by continuously checking and cleaning the sample probe.
Implementation Method 1
detect the clogging of the sample probe based on pressure variations by disposing a pressure sensor inside a dispensing flow route including the sample probe
Implementation Method 2
the dispensing syringe is driven by a predetermined amount. In this manner, a predetermined amount of the sample is suctioned
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide an automatic analyzer which is not influenced by fluidity or viscosity of a sample, and which can stably dispense the sample with dispensing accuracy by determining whether a flow route including a sample probe is in a stable and suction-available state when the sample is suctioned. In suction of the sample, before the sample is suctioned, in the flow route including the sample probe, the automatic analyzer determines whether the sample is in a suction-available state or in a suction-unavailable state, and performs cleaning on the flow route when it is determined that the sample is not in the suction-available state. Since the state in the flow route including the sample probe is determined before the sample is suctioned, the automatic analyzer can repeatedly perform a dispensing operation having improved reliability, without being influenced by the fluidity or the viscosity.