Automatic Analyzer Reagent Heating Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in maintaining stable reagent heating and accurate reagent dispensing due to variations in external temperature and supply water temperature, leading to unstable discharge temperatures and increased nozzle size requirements, which affect reproducibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer incorporates a reaction disk with a thermostat bath for constant temperature control, a reagent dispensing mechanism with a heating function, and a fluid temperature control mechanism to maintain consistent reagent temperature, along with a reaction container temperature control block to ensure stable heating and accurate dispensing, independent of external temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a reagent heating function is provided to heat reagent from 5-10°C to 37°C, then the reaction temperature condition is satisfied, but the discharge temperature becomes unstable due to external temperature variations and supply water temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where a temperature sensor detects the actual temperature of the reagent in the syringe, and this information is fed back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the heating power accordingly to maintain the reagent temperature at the target value of 37°C, compensating for external temperature variations and supply water temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical heating method with a temperature-controlled heating system. Instead of using fixed heating power, the system uses a temperature sensor and control unit to regulate the heating process, substituting mechanical control with thermal feedback control to achieve stable temperature maintenance.
2Reliability
If the reagent nozzle tip is thickened to control temperature, then temperature stability improves, but the suction port size must be increased which affects reagent storage state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of thickening the nozzle tip with a temperature-controlled heating system. Instead of relying on increased thermal mass from a thicker nozzle, the system uses an electric heater and temperature sensor to actively control the reagent temperature, eliminating the need for dimensional changes in the nozzle structure.
3Measurement precision
If continuous photometry is performed to measure coagulation time with 0.1 second precision, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the reaction container cannot be recycled and must be disposable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts the limitation that continuous photometry requires disposable reaction containers. Instead of attempting to make the containers reusable, the system optimizes for measurement precision by using disposable containers that ensure clean, contamination-free reactions, thereby maintaining high measurement accuracy while accepting the disposable nature of the containers.
4Quantity of substance
If the reaction container is cleaned by recycling, then cost is reduced, but the temperature control section cools down due to supply water temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the temperature of the reaction container and the heating section. When the temperature drops due to cleaning or supply water temperature variations, the control unit increases the heating power to maintain the target temperature, ensuring stable temperature control throughout the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary heating to the reaction container and heating section before the actual measurement begins. This pre-heating action ensures that the temperature is already at or near the target value when the reagent is dispensed, compensating for any subsequent cooling that may occur during the measurement process.
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 configuration enables high reproducibility and accuracy in blood coagulation time analysis by maintaining stable reagent heating and dispensing, regardless of external and supply water temperature fluctuations, improving the overall performance of the analyzer.
Implementation Method 1
a thermostat bath for controlling the reagent or a reaction solution in the reaction cell to have a constant temperature
Implementation Method 2
a second reagent dispensing mechanism with a reagent heating function which dispenses the reagent into the disposable reaction container
Implementation Method 3
a fluid temperature control mechanism which controls the temperature of an internal fluid of the reagent dispensing syringe
Implementation Method 4
a reaction container temperature control block which has the coagulation time detection section and is used for controlling the reagent or the reaction solution in the disposable reaction container to have a constant temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic analyzer which realizes stable reagent heating and high dispensing accuracy includes a thermostat bath for controlling a reagent or a reaction solution in reaction cells arranged on a circumference of a reaction disk to have a constant temperature; a first reagent dispensing mechanism dispenses a reagent into the reaction cells; a photometer detects transmitted light or scattered light in the reaction cell; and a disposable reaction container for allowing the sample and the reagent to mix and react with each other. The analyzer also includes a second reagent dispensing mechanism with a reagent heating function which dispenses the reagent into the disposable reaction container; a coagulation time detection section; a reaction container temperature control block; a reagent dispensing syringe which is connected to the second reagent dispensing mechanism; and a fluid temperature control mechanism which controls the temperature of an internal fluid of the reagent dispensing syringe.