Analyzer Workflow Display for Unavailable Measuring Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analysis devices with integrated multiple functions require complex and time-consuming preparations when one measuring unit is unavailable, leading to unnecessary work and potential reagent waste due to lack of reflection on unusable units.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analysis device with a sample disk, reagent disk, and multiple measuring units, featuring a control part that displays operational flow and unit usability, allowing operators to select necessity-of-use and avoid preparations for unused units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple measuring units are integrated into one device to perform different types of analyses, then the device versatility and functionality are improved, but the complexity of maintenance, reagent replacement, calibration, and quality control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent measuring units, each capable of performing specific analyses. The control unit manages each measuring unit separately, allowing independent maintenance and operation. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high versatility while reducing the complexity of maintenance by treating each unit independently rather than as a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on which measuring units are available and functional. The control unit can selectively activate or deactivate specific measuring units based on their operational status, allowing the device to adapt its functionality dynamically. This dynamic adjustment simplifies maintenance by allowing operators to focus only on affected units rather than the entire system.
2Reliability
If preparations are performed for all measuring units regardless of their usability status, then ensure all units are ready for operation, but time loss and unnecessary work increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the operational status of each measuring unit and provides feedback to the operator through the display unit. When a measuring unit is found to be unusable, the control unit automatically adjusts the preparation checklist to exclude that unit, preventing unnecessary preparation time. This feedback mechanism ensures operators only prepare for units that are actually functional, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of usable and unusable measuring units before requiring preparations. The control unit assesses the operational status of each unit in advance and uses this information to generate a customized preparation plan. This preliminary action prevents operators from spending time on preparations for units that cannot be used, while ensuring all necessary preparations are made for functional units.
3Ease of operation
If color coding and display are used to distinguish analysis units requiring preparation operations, then operator guidance is improved, but unnecessary preparations may still occur when units are unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit uses color coding to visually distinguish between different types of measuring units and their operational status. Usable units are displayed in one color while unusable units are displayed in a different color, providing immediate visual guidance to operators. This color change mechanism simplifies operation by making unit status instantly recognizable, while preventing reagent wastage by guiding operators to prepare only for units that are actually functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit provides feedback to the operator about which measuring units are usable and which are not, and this feedback is visually represented through color coding on the display. The system continuously updates the display based on the actual operational status of measuring units, ensuring operators receive accurate, real-time information. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary reagent preparations by clearly indicating which units should be excluded from preparation activities.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic analysis device is provided with: a sample disk for holding a sample container that accommodates a sample; a reagent disk for holding a reagent container that accommodates a reagent; at least two different measuring units that respectively perform different types of analyses; a control part that controls the measuring units; and a display part that displays: a work flow area in which the flow of operation of the two or more measuring units is displayed; and an overview area in which the usable or unusable states of the respective measuring units are displayed, wherein the overview area has a unit necessity-of-use selection part that can select whether using each of the measuring units is necessary, and the control part controls the display part so as to change the display of the work flow area on the basis of the information set in the unit necessity-of-use selection part.