Sampling Needle Rinsing Based on Container Insertion Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
The time required for needle cleaning in sampling devices is a bottleneck in throughput due to the need for cleaning after each sample collection, especially when dealing with containers of varying depths, leading to inefficiencies in liquid handling systems.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with a depth information acquirer and needle-rinsing length setter that adjusts the needle immersion length based on container depth, minimizing the time needed for cleaning by optimizing the needle-rinsing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the needle is immersed in rinse liquid for cleaning after each sample collection, then cross contamination between sample containers is prevented, but the time required for cleaning increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the needle rinsing length adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the rinsing parameters based on the specific sampling conditions, allowing optimization between cleaning effectiveness and processing speed. The controller adjusts the needle rinsing length according to the depth of the sample container, enabling faster rinsing for shallow containers while maintaining adequate cleaning for deeper containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the needle rinsing length as a controllable parameter. Instead of using a constant rinsing length for all samples, the system changes this parameter based on the sample container depth information. This allows the rinsing process to be optimized for each specific container type, reducing unnecessary rinsing time for shallow containers while maintaining cross-contamination prevention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a longer needle is used to access deep sample containers, then sampling capability is improved, but the time required for needle cleaning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing the rinsing action only on the specific portion of the needle that actually contacted the sample liquid. Instead of rinsing the entire needle length, the system determines the appropriate rinsing depth based on the sample container depth and only rinses that necessary portion. This localized approach maintains cleaning effectiveness while reducing overall rinsing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by performing only the necessary portion of the rinsing operation. The system calculates the minimum required rinsing length based on the sample container depth and executes rinsing only to that extent. This avoids the excessive action of rinsing the entire needle length, thereby reducing cleaning time while maintaining adequate sanitation.
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling needle (21) is inserted into a sample container (12) by a needle-driving mechanism (23) to collect a sample liquid from the sample container. A depth information acquirer (52) acquires insertion depth information, i.e., a piece of information concerning an insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container. A needle-rinsing length setter (54) sets a needle-rinsing length which is an insertion length of the sampling needle into a rinse storage tank (30) having an open top, based on the insertion depth information. A controller (51) controls the needle-driving mechanism so that a portion of the sampling needle extending from the tip of the sampling needle over the needle-rinsing length is inserted into the rinse storage tank. The needle-rinsing length setter is configured to set a shorter needle-rinsing length for a smaller insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container, to shorten the needle-cleaning time.