Consumable Vessel Switching to Prevent Analyzer Run Interruptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers do not effectively manage consumable expiration dates, leading to potential interruptions in analysis when standby reaction vessels expire, causing incomplete analyses.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer with a control section that identifies and manages consumables using identifiers, ensuring that only usable reaction vessels are used by transferring standby vessels to the active position if necessary, allowing for uninterrupted analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the analyzer uses multiple consumable storage vessels (first and second positions) to ensure continuous analysis, then the reliability of analysis continuity is improved, but the complexity of managing consumable expiration dates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and expiration date verification of the standby consumable storage vessel (second position) before the analysis actually needs it. The control section determines in advance whether the standby consumable is usable, and only transfers it to the first position when confirmed usable, preventing future interruptions without requiring complex real-time monitoring during analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification section continuously provides feedback about the expiration status and usability of consumables in the standby position to the control section. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically make informed decisions about whether to transfer standby consumables, maintaining analysis continuity through intelligent, data-driven management.
2Productivity
If the system transfers the standby consumable storage vessel to the first position when the first is used, then the productivity of analysis is improved, but the risk of using expired consumables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of the standby consumable's expiration date and usability status before transferring it to the first position for use. The control section checks whether the standby consumable is usable in advance, ensuring that only valid consumables are transferred, thus maintaining both productivity and consumable reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares a valid standby consumable in advance and keeps it ready in the second position, cushioning against the risk of running out of valid consumables during analysis. This pre-positioning of verified usable consumables ensures that productivity is maintained without risking the use of expired materials.
3Loss of time
If the system checks the expiration date of the standby consumable before transfer, then the loss of time due to analysis interruption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual checking of consumable expiration dates with an automated identification section that optically or electronically reads identification marks on consumables. This substitution of mechanical/manual verification with automated detection reduces the complexity burden on operators while minimizing analysis interruption time through rapid, automated validity checks.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A consumable storage vessel mount section has a first position and a second position. A consumable stored in a consumable storage vessel at the first position is used for a sample analysis. When the consumable storage vessel at the first position has been used, the consumable storage vessel at the second position is transferred to the first position. If it is determined that the consumable stored in the consumable storage vessel at the second position is unusable, the determination is made before starting the sample analysis whether it is possible to perform the sample analysis by using only the consumable stored in the consumable storage vessel at the first position, or it is necessary to use the consumables stored in the consumable storage vessels at the first and the second positions for performing the sample analysis. Hence, an interruption of an analysis that has been started using a first consumable resulting from unavailability of a second consumable owing to the validity term of the consumable in a standby state is avoided.