Automatic Analyzer Preprocessing Error Detection and Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzers face errors due to manual preprocessing steps, which are not effectively addressed by existing techniques, leading to increased workload and specimen errors.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzer equipped with a preprocessing registration information acquisition unit, error determination unit, and statistical data output unit to identify and reduce errors caused by preprocessing, using image analysis and statistical output to improve specimen quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual preprocessing is performed on specimens, then specimen preparation can be completed, but errors occur during the preprocessing step

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecimen preparation efficiencyVSAvoidpreprocessing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual preprocessing operations with an automated imaging system that captures images of specimens and uses image analysis to automatically determine preprocessing status, eliminating human error in the preprocessing determination step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting and determining preprocessing status through image analysis, where the specimen processing state is assessed without requiring operator intervention or visual determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automated image analysis is used to detect specimen status, then operator workload is reduced, but preprocessing errors still occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidspecimen quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by capturing images of specimens after preprocessing, analyzing these images to determine whether preprocessing was performed correctly, and providing this information back to the analysis system to decide whether to proceed with analysis or reject the specimen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing images and analyzing preprocessing status before the main analysis procedure, allowing for early detection and rejection of defective specimens to prevent errors in subsequent analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If visual determination by operator is used, then simple determination can be made, but errors and workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination system complexityVSAvoiddetermination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the operator's visual determination with an automated image analysis system that objectively measures specimen characteristics, eliminating subjective judgment and human error while maintaining simplicity through automated processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4617669A1Automated analysis device and automated analysis system
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4617669A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617669A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4617669A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that reduces an error specimen caused by a preprocessing step and reduces a workload of an operator. For this purpose, the invention provides an automatic analyzer for analyzing a specimen, the automatic analyzer including: a preprocessing registration information acquisition unit configured to read or receive, for each specimen, preprocessing registration information for specifying a preprocessing execution source that performs preprocessing on the specimen or a preprocessing date and time at which preprocessing is performed on the specimen; an error determination unit configured to determine, for each specimen, presence or absence of occurrence of an error caused by the preprocessing; and a statistical data output unit configured to statistically output an error occurrence status for each preprocessing execution source or preprocessing date and time.