Automatic Analyzer Vessel-Mount Cleaning Without Manual Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers require manual cleaning, which increases the risk of infection, injury, and damage due to user inexperience and unintended contact.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer is designed with a mechanism to automate the cleaning process by using a cleaning member held by an unused vessel holding unit, which is transported by a reaction vessel transport unit to clean the reaction vessel mounting unit without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning is performed by user, then cleaning can be done, but risk of infection, injury, and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member automatically cleans the reaction vessel mounting unit without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by having the reaction vessel transport unit carry the cleaning member to the mounting unit, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and thereby reducing safety risks associated with user contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member acts as an intermediary between the reaction vessel transport unit and the reaction vessel mounting unit. It performs the cleaning function automatically through the transport mechanism, serving as a mediator that eliminates direct user contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
2Reliability
If automated cleaning is implemented, then safety risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction vessel transport unit is given a dual function: it not only transports reaction vessels but also carries the cleaning member to perform cleaning operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving automated cleaning.
3Device complexity
If manual cleaning is performed, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The automated cleaning mechanism allows cleaning operations to be performed continuously without interruption by manual tasks. The reaction vessel transport unit can carry the cleaning member to clean the mounting unit between vessel handling operations, maintaining continuous productive action rather than stopping for manual cleaning intervals.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of reducing risks such as infection, injury, and damage to the device caused by manual operation of a user. In the automatic analyzer according to the present disclosure, an unused vessel holding unit is configured to be able to hold a cleaning member that cleans a hole for mounting a reaction vessel, and a reaction vessel transport unit or a specimen probe picks up the cleaning member from the unused vessel holding unit, transports the cleaning member to the reaction vessel mounting unit, and inserts and removes the cleaning member into and from the hole, thereby cleaning the inner surface of the hole.