Automatic Analyzer Probe Dispensing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzers lack efficient operation control based on dispensing probe characteristics, leading to unnecessary retry or skip operations during dispensing processes, which reduces overall analysis efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The automatic analyzer is equipped with a control unit that performs dispensing operations according to the characteristics of each dispensing probe, using pressure gauges, outer wall detectors, and liquid level detectors to determine normalcy and adjust the dispensing process, thereby minimizing unnecessary skip operations and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the analyzer performs a skip operation when dispensing abnormality is detected, then the abnormal dispensing process is avoided, but additional analysis processes are required which reduces overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing abnormality detectionVSAvoidanalysis process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of whether a skip operation is necessary by detecting dispensing abnormalities and comparing probe characteristics before executing the skip operation. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary skip operations and maintains analysis efficiency while ensuring reliable abnormality detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the analyzer performs retry operation for abnormal dispensing, then the same dispensing liquid is dispensed again, but this wastes time and reduces analysis efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoiddispensing process time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of whether a retry operation is necessary by detecting dispensing abnormalities and comparing probe characteristics before executing the retry operation. This prevents unnecessary retry operations, reducing time loss while maintaining dispensing accuracy through targeted retries only when genuinely needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the analyzer performs skip operation without considering probe characteristics, then the abnormal dispensing is avoided, but the skip operation may be performed in vain reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality response accuracyVSAvoidoverall analysis efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different skip operation control strategies based on the specific characteristics of each dispensing probe. By customizing the abnormality response according to probe-specific properties, the system avoids unnecessary skip operations while maintaining reliable abnormality detection, thereby preserving overall analysis efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of whether a skip operation is necessary by detecting dispensing abnormalities and comparing probe characteristics before executing the skip operation. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary skip operations and maintains analysis efficiency while ensuring reliable abnormality detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3570043B1Automatic analyzer and automatic analysis method
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 JEOL LTD
  • EP3570043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3570043B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3570043B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an automatic analyzer capable of improving the efficiency of an analysis process by the automatic analyzer by performing dispensing operation in accordance with the characteristics of a dispensing probe. An automatic analyzer includes a plurality of storage container holding units, a dispensing container holding unit, a plurality of dispensing devices, a dispensing abnormality detector, and a drive control unit. The plurality of storage container holding units is configured to hold a storage container in which dispensing liquid is stored. The dispensing container holding unit is configured to hold a plurality of dispensing containers into which the dispensing liquid is to be dispensed. The plurality of dispensing devices includes a dispensing probe and is provided while corresponding to the storage container holding unit. The dispensing probe is configured to suck the dispensing liquid from the storage container and discharge the dispensing liquid into the dispensing container. The dispensing abnormality detector is provided in each dispensing device. The drive control unit is configured to control driving of each dispensing device on the basis of a detection result of the dispensing abnormality detector. If a dispensing device in which an abnormality is detected on the basis of the detection result of the dispensing abnormality detector among the plurality of dispensing devices is a first dispensing device configured to dispense the dispensing liquid first into the dispensing container, the drive control unit is configured to cause a dispensing process of a cycle in which the abnormality is detected to be performed again. If the dispensing device in which the abnormality is detected on the basis of the detection result of the dispensing abnormality detector is the dispensing device other than the first dispensing device, the drive control unit is configured to end the dispensing process of the cycle in which the abnormality is detected and then cause the dispensing process of a next cycle to be performed.