Automated Cap Opening System for Medical Test Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical test analyzers face issues with unreliable cap opening and frequent failures during the cap opening process, which increases labor intensity and biological pollution risk for operators.
Innovation Solution
A sample pretreatment system capable of automatically opening caps, comprising a comprehensive machine base plate with various assemblies such as sample introduction, ID recognition, cap opening, and collection, ensuring reliable and stable cap opening operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cap removal is performed, then test tube openings are ensured to be open for sampling, but operators spend a lot of time on manual operations and face increased risk of harmful aerosol infection
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic cap removal through the cap opening assembly (7) and clamping assembly (6), which self-operate to remove caps from test tubes without human intervention. The control assembly (12) coordinates the automated process, allowing the system to serve itself in the cap removal task, thereby eliminating time loss and infection risk associated with manual operations.
2Extent of automation
If existing cap opening machines are used, then automated cap opening is achieved, but unreliable cap opening and frequent failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates detection assemblies (test tube rack ID recognition assembly (3), test tube ID recognition assembly (5)) before the cap opening process to verify test tube positions and conditions. The control assembly (12) uses this advance information to adjust operating parameters, providing a cushioning effect that prevents failures and ensures reliable cap opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control assembly (12) receives information from detection assemblies and adjusts the cap opening process accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that cap opening operations are reliable and adapt to actual test tube conditions, preventing frequent failures.
3Productivity
If test tube caps are directly punctured, then sampling can be performed without cap removal, but cap debris blocks sampling needle ports or mixes into samples affecting test results
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the test tube cap completely from the test tube using the cap opening assembly (7) and clamping assembly (6), rather than puncturing it. The removed cap is then collected by the cap collecting assembly (8), preventing cap debris from contaminating the sample or blocking sampling needle ports, while maintaining sampling efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical instruments, and in particular to a sample pretreatment system capable of automatically opening a cap. The system includes a complete machine base plate, a sample introduction tray, a sample introduction side shifting assembly, a test tube rack identity (ID) recognition assembly, a transverse sample introduction assembly, a test tube ID recognition assembly, a test tube cap opening clamping assembly, a cap opening assembly, a test tube cap collecting assembly, a test tube rack conveying assembly, a floor cabinet assembly, an upper housing and a control assembly. After a test tube reaches the test tube cap opening clamping assembly, the test tube on a test tube rack is clamped, then the test tube cap opening clamping assembly rises by a certain distance to make a test tube cap rise to the position of the cap opening assembly, and then the test tube cap is rotated by the cap opening assembly to be separated from a test tube opening. The system can automatically perform operations including recognition, cap opening, cap collection, etc. on a sample, and the cap opening operation has very high safety stability, which reduces labor intensity of operators, reduces the biological pollution risk, improves the sample treatment efficiency, and solves the problem that an existing cap opening machine used online with an inspection apparatus is unreliable in cap opening.