Automatic Analyzer Dispensing Probe Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic analyzers face errors in measured values due to fluctuating concentrations of precipitated substances in specimens like blood, caused by varying precipitation speeds and vessel shapes, leading to incorrect analysis of components such as hemoglobin A1c.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer with a dispensing apparatus that uses a dispensing probe to suck in blood components from multiple vertical positions based on liquid-surface detection and shape information of the specimen vessel, ensuring consistent concentration by averaging the component concentration across different precipitation states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distal end of the dispensing probe is inserted into a certain position substantially at the middle of the blood regardless of precipitation state, then the dispensing operation is simple, but the concentration of the sucked precipitated substance fluctuates causing errors on measured values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the insertion depth of the dispensing probe adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically determines the insertion depth based on detected liquid surface height and precipitation state, allowing the system to adapt to varying specimen conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both simple automated operation and accurate measurement through dynamic position adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of insertion depth based on the precipitation state of the specimen. By detecting whether precipitation has occurred and adjusting the probe insertion depth accordingly (deeper into the precipitated layer when precipitate is present), the system maintains measurement accuracy while keeping the operation simple through automated parameter adjustment.
2Device complexity
If the distal end of the dispensing probe is inserted into a certain position of the specimen, then the dispensing process is straightforward, but the concentration of the sucked precipitated substance fluctuates due to varying precipitation speeds and vessel shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the liquid surface height and precipitation state, then using this information to determine the appropriate insertion depth. The control unit receives feedback about the specimen condition and adjusts the probe position accordingly, ensuring stable concentration sampling while maintaining a relatively simple dispensing process through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of liquid surface height and precipitation state before the dispensing operation. By determining the insertion depth in advance based on detected conditions, the system prepares the optimal sampling position beforehand, ensuring concentration stability without complicating the actual dispensing process.
3Ease of operation
If a single insertion depth is used for dispensing, then the operation is simple, but supernatant plasma is sucked in when blood cells are precipitated, leading to incorrect hemoglobin A1c analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the insertion depth dynamic rather than fixed at a single position. When blood cells are precipitated, the control unit detects this state and adjusts the insertion depth to reach the precipitated layer, ensuring reliable hemoglobin A1c analysis. When no precipitation occurs, the probe inserts to the predetermined middle position, maintaining operational simplicity through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the insertion depth parameter based on the precipitation state detected in the specimen. By adjusting this critical parameter according to actual specimen conditions rather than using a fixed value, the system maintains both operational simplicity and analysis reliability across different specimen states.
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
Minimizes concentration fluctuations and allows for accurate dispensing of blood components with consistent concentration, improving the reliability of hemoglobin A1c analysis by adapting to individual specimen conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the dispensing probe detects a height of a liquid surface of the blood inside a specimen vessel
Implementation Method 2
inserts a distal end of dispensing probe into a predetermined certain position substantially at a middle of the blood, and the dispensing probe is stopped there to suck in the component of blood with a sucking operation
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an automatic analyzer (1) which moves a dispensing apparatus (20) having a dispensing probe (20b), or a vessel (9a) by a driving mechanism to dispense plural liquids into the vessel (9a) via the dispensing probe (20b), and measures and analyzes optical characteristic of a reaction liquid in which each of the dispensed liquids is reacted, and a dispensing method thereof. The automatic analyzer (1) includes a drive controlling unit (15a) which controls the driving mechanism so that the liquid surface of the liquid and a distal end of the dispensing probe (20b) are moved relatively to each other in a vertical direction; and, when the liquids including precipitated substance are to be dispensed, the dispensing probe (20b) sucks in the liquids from plural different positions along the vertical direction.