Automatic Analyzer Timing With Pre-Operation Mechanism Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzers do not accurately account for the time required for operation confirmation of mechanisms such as dispensing probes and reaction disks, which can lead to analysis hindrances due to displacement or abnormalities, necessitating a more precise estimation of pre-operation times.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzer is equipped with a control unit that calculates and displays the remaining time for pre-operations based on the time required for operation confirmation of various mechanisms, including mechanism reset, pressure sensor check, and reagent registration, using pre-operation and post-operation tables to determine and display the necessary times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the pre-operation time is estimated without considering mechanism operation confirmation, then the estimation process is simple, but the analysis end time prediction accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis end time prediction accuracyVSAvoidpre-operation time calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs operation confirmation of various mechanisms (dispensing probe, reaction disk, pressure sensors) before the actual analysis begins. This preliminary action ensures that all components are in correct positions and functioning properly, preventing analysis interruptions and improving time prediction accuracy by accounting for these confirmation steps in the pre-operation time calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-operation process is segmented into multiple independent confirmation steps: dispensing probe position confirmation, reaction disk position confirmation, and pressure sensor checks. Each step is handled separately and can be confirmed independently, allowing the system to calculate the total pre-operation time by summing these individual confirmation times accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If operation confirmation of various mechanisms is performed, then the reliability of analysis operation is improved, but the pre-operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis operation reliabilityVSAvoidpre-operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs operation confirmation of various mechanisms without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously checks the positions of dispensing probes and reaction disks, and verifies pressure sensor readings, allowing the system to self-verify its own readiness for analysis while minimizing the time operator needs to be present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors and position detection to confirm that mechanisms are in the correct states before proceeding to analysis. Pressure sensors provide feedback on liquid levels, and position detection systems provide feedback on mechanism locations, allowing the control unit to verify operational readiness and adjust timing accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4579241A1Automatic analysis device and control method for same
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4579241A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4579241A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4579241A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of more accurately obtaining time required for a pre-operation from reception of an analysis instruction to start of analysis. The automatic analyzer includes an analysis module that analyzes a sample, a control unit that controls the analysis module, and a display unit that displays a state of the analysis module. The control unit performs control to calculate remaining time until the pre-operation is completed based on time required for operation confirmation of various mechanisms of the analysis module and display the remaining time on the display unit.