Automatic Analyzer Reagent Detection Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face challenges in accurately measuring reagents due to reagent bottle undulation and pH changes, leading to data drift and increased costs, especially when handling reagents that absorb CO2, requiring hermetically closable vessels which hinder high-speed processing.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer with reagent suction/discharge means, reagent vessel information input, and multiple liquid surface contact detection methods to select the appropriate detection method based on the reagent vessel size, ensuring accurate reagent measurement and high processing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetically closable reagent vessel is used to prevent pH changes and data drift, then measurement reliability is improved, but processing speed deteriorates due to the need to pierce the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent vessel system is segmented into two parts: a hermetically closable bottle for storage and a separate lidless container for dispensing. The lidless container allows the probe to access reagent without piercing, enabling high-speed processing while the hermetic bottle maintains measurement reliability by preventing pH changes during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hermetically sealed storage bottle and the dispensing system. The reagent is transferred from the sealed bottle to a lidless container, which then supplies reagent to the probe. This intermediary system resolves the contradiction by allowing both hermetic sealing for reliability and open access for speed.
2Productivity
If a tube is inserted into the reagent bottle to prevent undulation during high-speed processing, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simple, inexpensive lidless container instead of a complex tube insertion system. The container is designed to be simple in structure, reducing device complexity and cost while still enabling high-speed processing by allowing direct probe access without undulation issues.
3Measurement precision
If multiple liquid surface contact detection methods are provided to adapt to different reagent vessel sizes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides multiple liquid surface contact detection methods (capacitance, pressure, optical) that can detect the liquid surface across different reagent vessel sizes and types. This multi-functional detection capability ensures measurement precision is maintained regardless of vessel configuration, while the system automatically selects the appropriate method based on vessel characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts by selecting different detection methods based on the specific reagent vessel being used. The detection system is not fixed but can switch between capacitance, pressure, and optical methods depending on the vessel size, shape, and reagent properties, optimizing measurement precision for each scenario.
4Manufacturing precision
If the reagent probe descends deeper into the reagent vessel to account for undulation, then reagent suction accuracy is improved, but the risk of excessive bubbling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses liquid surface contact detection to identify the exact liquid surface position, then controls the probe to descend to a predetermined distance from this detected position. This copying of the liquid surface position information allows accurate reagent suction without excessive descent that would cause bubbling, maintaining suction accuracy while preventing harmful effects.
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
Enables reliable analytical data and high processing capabilities by adapting to the chemical characteristics of the reagent vessel, reducing costs and preventing data drift, while allowing for efficient reagent measurement and dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
capacitance-type liquid surface sensor
Implementation Method 2
pressure-detection-type liquid surface sensor
Implementation Method 3
optical liquid surface sensor
Implementation Method 4
suction mechanism that operates by applying negative pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic analyzer can operate a reagent distribution operation suitable for a reagent vessel adapted to the reagent, having high reliability of analysis data and high processing ability. It is checked whether a liquid undulation prevention mechanism is present or absent in a reagent vessel at the start of an operation (steps 601 and 602). When the liquid leakage prevention mechanism is absent in the reagent vessel, the size of the opening of the reagent vessel is judged (step 604). A nozzle is inserted and lowered into the reagent vessel after one cycle from the stop of a reagent disk to judge the contact of the nozzle to the liquid surface. When the opening is larger size, a capacitance method is used (step 607). When the opening is small size, a pressure detection is used (step 608). When the liquid leakage prevention mechanism is present, the size of the opening is judged (step 604). The nozzle is inserted and lowered into the reagent vessel just after the stop of the reaction disk to judge the contact of the nozzle to the liquid surface. When the opening is larger size, a capacitance method is used (step 605). When the opening is small size, a pressure detection is used (step 606).