Centrifuge Transfer Order Control for Sample Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sample preprocessing systems face a decrease in throughput due to the need for manual intervention and the requirement to unify sample container shapes and types, which limits simultaneous processing of samples with different processing needs.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge unit with control means that changes the transfer order of centrifuged samples to prevent throughput reduction, allowing for collective processing without manual intervention or apparatus-specific requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carriers are loaded with one sample container each, then the shapes of sample containers and kinds of samples need not be unified, but throughput decreases when samples requiring different processing types succeed each other
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the transfer order of centrifuged samples based on the processing requirements of downstream processing units. The control means adjusts the sequence in which samples are transferred from the centrifuge unit to downstream units, optimizing throughput by ensuring that samples requiring the same processing type are grouped together, thereby enabling collective simultaneous processing while maintaining adaptability to different sample container shapes and types.
2Ease of operation
If samples are arranged on trays in a fixed order, then loading is simplified, but throughput decreases when samples with different processing requirements are processed sequentially
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains simple fixed-order loading of samples onto trays while dynamically adjusting the transfer order after centrifugation. The control means resequences the transfer of centrifuged samples based on their processing requirements, allowing the system to maintain operational simplicity during loading while optimizing throughput during the transfer phase by grouping samples with identical processing needs.
3Productivity
If manual intervention is used to unify sample container shapes and types, then collective processing is enabled, but operator intervention is required and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies samples requiring the same processing type and resequences their transfer order without operator intervention. The control means enables the system to self-organize samples for collective processing by dynamically adjusting transfer sequences based on processing requirements, thereby achieving automated collective processing that eliminates the need for manual sample unification while maintaining high throughput.
4Device complexity
If samples are transferred in the order they enter the centrifuge unit, then processing sequence is simple, but downstream processing units experience throughput reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a dynamic transfer sequence that changes based on the processing requirements of downstream units. The control means optimizes the transfer order of centrifuged samples to maximize downstream throughput by grouping samples with identical processing needs together, thereby enabling collective simultaneous processing while maintaining relatively simple transfer mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution maintains system throughput and prevents analyzer connection line throughput decreases by dynamically adjusting the carrier-loading order based on sample analysis requirements, eliminating the need for manual intervention and specialized apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifuge unit positioned at an upstream process site to process a plurality of samples in a collective manner
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a sample preprocessing system capable of conveying carriers without suffering a decrease in throughput due to a manner of arranging samples on trays supplied. Also provided is a sample preprocessing system that prevents a decrease in throughput of analyzers connected thereto via connection lines. Of a plurality of processing units included in the sample preprocessing system, a centrifuge unit positioned at an upstream process site to process a plurality of samples in a collective manner includes control means to change transfer order of centrifuged samples. This change of the transfer order prevents a decrease in throughput of the processing units positioned at downstream process sites.