Dispenser Nozzle Cleaning Segmentation for Automatic Analyzer Carryover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nozzle cleaning methods for automatic analyzers prolong the dispensation cycle when dealing with whole blood specimens, as they require extended cleaning times to prevent carryover, which slows down analysis speed.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle cleaning method that includes an initial cleaning step where the dispenser nozzle is moved through a flow path of cleaning fluid after specimen discharge, followed by a second step that discards the remaining specimen and cleaning fluid, allowing for efficient cleaning without elongating the cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning time for the dispenser nozzle is extended to avoid carryover, then cleaning reliability is improved, but the dispensation cycle time is elongated and analysis speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into two distinct segments: a first cleaning step that performs the primary cleaning function, and a second cleaning step that completes the cleaning process. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, with the first step focusing on rapid removal of contaminants and the second step ensuring complete cleaning, thereby maintaining cleaning reliability while reducing overall cycle time
Solution Approach 2:
The first cleaning step is performed preliminarily after specimen discharge but before the second cleaning step. This preliminary action removes the bulk of contaminants early in the process, preventing carryover while allowing the subsequent second cleaning step to be performed more quickly and efficiently, thus maintaining cleaning effectiveness without prolonging the overall dispensation cycle
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
This method effectively prevents carryover and maintains analysis speed by ensuring thorough nozzle cleaning without prolonging the dispensation cycle, even with whole blood specimens that contain coagulation components.
Implementation Method 1
the dispenser nozzle is moved in a longitudinal direction of the dispenser nozzle while having the dispenser nozzle entered into a flow path of cleaning fluid being jet out
Data Source
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AI summary
A nozzle cleaning method, a nozzle cleaning device, and an automatic analyzer that cleans a dispenser nozzle performing suction and discharge of liquid. The nozzle cleaning method includes a first cleaning step of cleaning an outer wall of the dispenser nozzle after the liquid is sucked and before the liquid is discharged, and a second cleaning step of cleaning at least an inner wall of the dispenser nozzle after the liquid is discharged. The nozzle cleaning device (6) includes a cleaning vessel (60) that has an opening (60a), to which the dispenser nozzle is inserted, at an upper part, a jet cleaning-fluid supplier (61) that jets out cleaning fluid at an upper part in the cleaning vessel, a retention unit (62) that is arranged in the cleaning vessel at a position below the cleaning fluid jet out by the jet cleaning-fluid supplier and retains the cleaning fluid, the retention unit having an opening (62a), to which the dispenser nozzle is inserted, at an upper part, and a retention cleaning-fluid supplier (63) that supplies the cleaning fluid to the retention unit.