Biological Sample Measurement Device Early Washing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological sample measurement devices face reduced throughput due to the need to determine whether additional washing is necessary after each measurement, often resulting in delayed determination of washing condition changes.

Innovation Solution

A biological sample measurement system that includes a characteristic judgment section to assess the sample before completion, using a urine qualitative measurement device to determine the level of occult blood, and a washing control section to adjust washing conditions based on this assessment, allowing for early determination of necessary washing method changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional washing is performed based on measurement results to prevent carry-over, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device throughput is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary judgment of the current sample's concentration using a concentration detection unit before completing the full measurement. Based on this preliminary result, the washing control unit determines in advance whether additional washing is needed for the next sample, allowing the washing decision to be made before the current measurement fully completes, thus preventing throughput reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the concentration detection unit continuously monitors sample concentration and provides real-time information to the washing control unit. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of washing operations based on actual sample characteristics, optimizing both measurement accuracy and throughput by avoiding unnecessary washing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If washing condition changes are determined after measurement completion, then accurate washing decisions are made, but time is lost delaying the next measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing decision accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The concentration detection unit performs preliminary concentration assessment during the measurement process rather than waiting for completion. This preliminary action provides sufficient information for the washing control unit to determine the appropriate washing conditions in advance, allowing the next measurement cycle to start without delay while maintaining accurate washing decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by overlapping the concentration detection and washing decision-making processes with the ongoing measurement. The concentration detection unit operates throughout the measurement cycle, ensuring that washing decisions are always ready when needed, eliminating idle time between measurements while preserving measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3081943B1Biological sample measurement device, biological sample measurement system, and biological sample measurement method
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 ARKRAY INC
  • EP3081943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3081943B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a biological sample measurement device having a high throughput obtained by being capable of early determining whether or not change of a washing condition is necessary. Provided is a biological sample measurement device including a measurement section that performs measurement of a biological sample, and a washing section that washes a biological sample contact portion, the biological sample contact portion contacting the biological sample during the measurement, the biological sample measurement device further including a characteristic judgment portion that judges a characteristic of the biological sample before the measurement by the measurement section is completed, and a washing control section that determines a washing method by the washing section based on the characteristic judged by the characteristic judgment section.