Automated Analyzer Reaction Disk Positioning for Parallel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic analyzers face a decrease in processing ability when handling analyses with different reaction times due to irregular stopping positions of the reaction disk, leading to interference with concurrent operations and the need for idle cycles, which significantly reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer incorporates a reaction container transfer mechanism that allows mounting reaction containers from multiple positions on the reaction disk, adjusting their position and timing to adjust reaction times without complex dispensing mechanism control, enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple samples with varying reaction times on the same disk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stopping position of the reaction disk is irregularly changed to accommodate different reaction times, then the analyzer can handle various inspection items with different reaction time requirements, but the processing ability decreases due to interference with concurrent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction disk is divided into multiple independent reaction container positions (first through fourth positions) that can be independently controlled. Each position can have its stopping position adjusted separately, allowing different reaction times for different inspection items without affecting other positions. This segmentation enables parallel processing of multiple samples with different reaction time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopping positions of the reaction disk are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit can irregularly change the stopping position of each reaction container position based on the specific reaction time requirements of different inspection items. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to various reaction time needs while maintaining optimal concurrent operation of all positions.
2Productivity
If the stopping position of the reaction disk is kept regular to avoid interference with concurrent operations, then the processing ability is maintained, but the analyzer cannot efficiently handle inspection items with different reaction time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reaction disk into multiple independently controllable positions, the system can maintain regular stopping positions for most positions while applying irregular stopping positions only to specific positions that require different reaction times. This minimizes disruption to concurrent operations while still accommodating diverse inspection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The irregular stopping position adjustment is applied locally to specific reaction container positions that require different reaction times, rather than changing the stopping positions of all positions. This localized adjustment maintains the regular operation and high processing ability of the overall system while providing adaptability for specific inspection items with different reaction time requirements.
3Reliability
If idle cycles are provided to avoid interference when not irregularly changing stopping positions, then concurrent operations are protected, but the processing ability decreases remarkably to one tenth
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates idle cycles by enabling continuous useful action across all reaction container positions. Each position can continuously process samples with its optimized stopping position and reaction time, without requiring idle cycles for synchronization. The independent control of each position allows parallel processing to continue uninterrupted, maintaining high processing ability while ensuring operation stability through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment of stopping positions for each reaction container position allows the system to adapt to different reaction time requirements without resorting to idle cycles. The control unit coordinates the operations of all positions dynamically, ensuring that irregular stopping positions for specific items do not interfere with concurrent operations, thereby maintaining both reliability and high productivity.
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 solution minimizes the decrease in processing ability, allowing for concurrent analysis of items with different reaction times while maintaining high efficiency by optimizing the reaction disk's operation and reducing idle cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction disk (1) on which a biological sample reacts with a reagent, wherein a position at which a reaction container (2) is mounted on the reaction disk (1) can be adjusted
Implementation Method 2
The automatic analyzer incorporates a reaction container transfer mechanism that allows mounting reaction containers from multiple positions on the reaction disk
Implementation Method 3
irradiating a reaction solution with light after the lapse of the predetermined reaction time, and calculating the concentration of a specific component contained in the biological sample from the absorbance of the light which has passed through the reaction solution
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention has been made taking the abovementioned problem into consideration, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer, wherein the processing ability hardly decreases even when a plurality of analyses, each of which requires the different reaction time, exist in parallel. There is provided an analyzer comprising: a disk having a plurality of holding sections for holding a plurality of containers on the circumference of the disk or on a closed loop that rotationally moves, the disk adapted to move the plurality of containers; a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent into the container on the disk; and a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into the container on the disk. The analyzer includes a container transfer mechanism for mounting the container in the holding sections on the disk. The container transfer mechanism is driven in such a manner that the container can be mounted in the plurality of holding sections on the disk.