Disc Rotation Control for Variable Pretreatment Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers using a disc face challenges in continuously processing samples with varying pretreatment and measurement times, leading to reduced throughput due to inconsistent sample introduction and measurement completion times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adjustment rotation, rotation returning to origin, and measurement rotation controls, allowing for flexible and efficient sample introduction and discard operations, ensuring consistent measurement intervals and increased throughput by varying rotational speeds and directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the disc is controlled by a conventional driving method with fixed rotation speed and direction, then the sample introduction timing becomes inconsistent for assays with different pretreatment times, but the disc structure and basic operation remain simple
Solution Approach 1:
The disc rotation system transitions from fixed speed and direction to variable speed and bidirectional rotation. The control unit dynamically adjusts rotation parameters based on pretreatment time requirements, enabling the disc to adapt its motion characteristics to different assay protocols while maintaining a simple physical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes rotational parameters (speed and direction) based on pretreatment time requirements. For assays requiring longer pretreatment, the disc rotates at different speeds or directions compared to assays with shorter pretreatment times, optimizing sample introduction timing without modifying the disc structure
2Ease of operation
If the disc rotation speed and direction are varied to accommodate different pretreatment times, then sample introduction timing is optimized, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages disc rotation, determines optimal sample introduction timing, coordinates with the sample introduction mechanism, and handles different assay protocols. This multi-functionality consolidates control complexity into a single unit rather than requiring separate control systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives information about assay type and pretreatment time requirements, processes this information, and automatically adjusts disc rotation parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different protocols without manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustments
3Productivity
If samples with different measurement times are processed using conventional disc rotation, then all samples must wait until measurement completion before discard, but this reduces overall throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The disc continues rotating during the measurement process rather than stopping. Samples are introduced and positioned for measurement in a continuous flow, and the disc rotation maintains momentum throughout the measurement period, eliminating idle time and keeping the system continuously productive
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the disc and positions samples for measurement in advance. The control unit determines optimal sample introduction timing before measurement begins, and the disc is already rotating at the appropriate speed and position when measurement starts, eliminating setup delays
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention has an object to provide an automatic analyzer using a disc, which treats samples with different pretreatment times or samples with different measurement times requested at random with high throughput. The present invention relates to performing adjustment rotation, rotation returning to origin, and measurement rotation in specimen analysis using a disc having a plurality of sample positions on a circumference. The adjustment rotation is an operation for placing a desired sample position in a particular position for introducing a sample into the disc or discarding the sample. The rotation returning to origin is an operation for placing an origin of the disc in a particular position. The measurement rotation is an operation for rotating the disc at a predetermined speed for measuring a plurality of samples held by the disc.