Dispensing Probe Aspiration Timing for Analytical Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analysis apparatuses face challenges in accurately dispensing test specimens without dilution, particularly in systems with multiple measurement channels, leading to reduced precision in analyzing low-density substances due to the use of pressure transferring media.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analysis apparatus with a semi-random access system that includes a moving unit to stop reaction vessels at each analysis cycle, a control unit to manage the aspirating/infusing process, and a single dispensing probe to aspirate and infuse test specimens into reaction vessels, minimizing dilution by using a pressure transferring medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multiple item dispensing system is used to aspirate test specimen for multiple measurement channels at once, then processing speed is improved, but the test specimen is diluted by pressure transferring medium causing reduction in measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dispensing process into separate operations for each measurement channel. Instead of aspirating multiple channels simultaneously with one probe, the system performs sequential aspiration and infusion operations, with the probe moving between different reaction vessels for each channel. This segmentation prevents mixing of test specimen with pressure transferring medium that would occur in simultaneous multi-channel aspiration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the test specimen aspiration operation from the multi-channel simultaneous processing. By separating the aspiration step from the multi-channel infusion step, and performing aspiration during the movement phase rather than during the reaction phase, the system avoids contamination of the test specimen with pressure transferring medium while still achieving efficient multi-channel processing.
2Measurement precision
If a single item dispensing system is used to maintain high precision, then measurement precision is improved, but the apparatus becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single probe perform multiple functions by utilizing different phases of the reaction vessel rotation cycle. The same probe that infuses reagents during the reaction phase is used to aspirate test specimens during the movement phase. This multi-functional use of the probe eliminates the need for separate aspiration probes for each channel, reducing system complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically assigns different functions to the probe based on the operational phase. During reaction vessel movement, the probe performs aspiration; during reaction vessel stopping, the probe performs infusion. This dynamic functional assignment allows a single probe to handle both aspiration and infusion tasks that would traditionally require multiple dedicated probes, thereby simplifying the apparatus.
3Measurement precision
If test specimen volume is increased to prevent dilution, then measurement precision is improved, but the reaction vessel capacity is exceeded or waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the aspiration operation in advance during the movement phase before the reaction vessels stop. By aspirating the test specimen beforehand and holding it in the probe, the system ensures that the correct volume is captured without dilution before the actual measurement phase begins. This preliminary action prevents the need to over-aspirate to compensate for potential dilution issues.
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 configuration allows for accurate and precise dispensing of test specimens, reducing the complexity and cost of the apparatus while maintaining high analytical precision, especially for low-density substances.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (6) to aspirate and infuse the test specimen
Implementation Method 2
measuring a change in color or the like generated in a mixed liquid of a test specimen and a reagent by utilizing a transmission quantity of light
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic analysis apparatus analyzing a test specimen held in a reaction vessel on the basis of a property of a mixed liquid of the test specimen and a reagent, includes a plurality of reaction vessels which corresponds to a plurality of measurement channels, respectively, a moving unit which moves the plurality of the reaction vessels then stops them at every analysis recycle, a control unit which controls the dispensing unit so as to aspirate the test specimen during movements of the reaction vessels, infuse the test specimen to one of the plurality of the reaction vessels after the reaction vessels stop, and repeatedly aspirate the test specimen and infuse the test specimen to one or more reaction vessels except the first reaction vessel among the plurality of the reaction vessels during stoppages of the reaction vessels.