Clinical Analyzer Self-Diagnosis for Rapid Subsystem Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clinical analyzers require manual diagnostic routines that cause significant downtime and lack efficient fault diagnosis methods, leading to prolonged instrument unavailability and uncertainty in identifying root causes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an analytic sequence followed by a diagnostic sequence, utilizing subsystems like sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, assay washing, and chemiluminescence detection, with image analysis and luminometer-based fault detection to identify and diagnose faults automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual diagnostic routines are performed, then faults can be identified, but instrument downtime increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated diagnostic actions by executing diagnostic sequences that systematically evaluate subsystems before field service engineers arrive. The analyzer automatically captures fault data, evaluates subsystem performance, and prepares diagnostic reports in advance, reducing the time engineers need to spend on initial assessments and minimizing overall instrument downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The analyzer performs self-diagnosis by automatically executing diagnostic routines, evaluating its own subsystems, and generating fault identification reports without requiring manual intervention. The system uses its own resources (processors, sensors, subsystems) to diagnose itself, eliminating the need for customers or engineers to manually run diagnostic procedures and significantly reducing instrument downtime.
2Loss of information
If field service engineers perform diagnostic testing, then root causes can be determined, but the process is extended and remediation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where diagnostic data is continuously collected from subsystems, analyzed by the processor, and used to generate actionable fault information. The feedback mechanism provides immediate diagnostic results and root cause analysis to field service engineers, eliminating the need for extended manual testing and enabling faster remediation decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical diagnostic procedures with automated electronic and computational systems. The analyzer uses electronic sensors, digital signal processing, and computer algorithms to automatically evaluate subsystems and determine root causes, substituting the mechanical/manual diagnostic process with an automated electronic system that provides faster and more consistent results.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive diagnostic sequences are implemented, then subsystem faults are precisely identified, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system is segmented into distinct modules, each responsible for evaluating specific subsystems (e.g., sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, washing, detection). The processor executes segmented diagnostic sequences that systematically test individual components, allowing precise fault identification while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular organization of diagnostic functions.
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
Facilitates rapid fault diagnosis, reducing downtime and enabling precise identification of subsystem issues, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of clinical analyzers.
Implementation Method 1
adding a substrate adapted to generate chemiluminescent light in reaction with ALP to the reaction vessel and detecting chemiluminescent light generated by the substrate in reaction with the ALP using a luminometer
Implementation Method 2
adding a combination of ALP solution, a second reagent comprising paramagnetic particles, and a wash buffer to that vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating and diagnosing faults in a laboratory instrument comprising a plurality of subsystems may comprise performing an analytic sequence and a set of diagnostic steps. Such a method may be performed using a diagnostic reagent comprising paramagnetic particles and lacking an antibody component. Such a method may also include evaluating a set of the instrument's subsystems in the opposite of the order in which those subsystems are used during analysis.