Configurable Wash Process for Sample Analyzer Reaction Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reaction cell washing methods fail to effectively remove unattached residues without disturbing attached components, leading to incorrect analysis results due to residual interference.
Innovation Solution
A configurable reaction cell washing arrangement using a hollow probe with timed sequences of wash actions tailored to specific assays, employing multiple wash actions to remove unreacted components while preserving attached samples and reagents, utilizing magnetic fields to retain desired components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple wash actions are performed to remove unreacted components, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but test throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process is made dynamic and configurable, allowing the number of wash actions to be adjusted based on the specific assay type. The system transitions from a fixed washing protocol to an adaptive one where the controller dynamically determines the optimal number of wash actions (e.g., 1-5 wash actions) based on assay requirements, thereby optimizing both cleaning effectiveness and test throughput for different applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of wash action count from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be configured based on assay type. The controller modifies this parameter (number of wash actions) to match the specific cleaning requirements of different assays, allowing thorough washing for assays requiring it while reducing wash actions for assays where fewer washes are sufficient, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and throughput
2Device complexity
If a fixed number of wash actions is used for all assays, then device complexity is reduced, but washing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process transitions from a static fixed protocol to a dynamic configurable system. The controller dynamically adjusts the number of wash actions based on assay type, providing assay-specific washing precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different washing requirements without adding complex hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The washing arrangement is designed with multi-functionality to handle different assay types through a single system. The same washing arrangement can perform 1-5 wash actions depending on the assay requirement, making it universally applicable to various assays without requiring separate washing systems for each assay type, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving precision
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
Ensures thorough removal of unreacted components without compromising test throughput or speed, maintaining accurate analysis by preventing residual interference and maintaining desired components within the reaction cell.
Implementation Method 1
employing multiple wash actions to remove unreacted components while preserving attached samples and reagents, utilizing magnetic fields to retain desired components
Data Source
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AI summary
A configurable washing arrangement (176) washes away at least unreacted components (230, 630) of patient samples (224, 624) from a reaction cell (220, 320) with a multiple number of wash actions (206, 210, 606). The configurable washing arrangement is suitable for use with an immunoassay diagnostic system (100) and washes the reaction cell within a predetermined timed sequence (Tww). The number of the wash actions correspond with an assay type of a plurality of assay types (200, 600). The various number of wash actions may be selected without compromising overall process speed. The immunoassay diagnostic system is configured to perform the plurality of the assay types and thereby detect analytes (244, 644) in patient samples (224, 624) by at least combining each of the patient samples with at least one reagent (216, 232, 616) in the reaction cell.