Dispensing Probe Pulse Cleaning for Automated Analyzer Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods for dispensing probes in automatic analysis devices require extended cleaning times to achieve effective inner surface cleaning, which compromises analysis throughput, and reducing cleaning time or liquid amount results in insufficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The method involves alternating between periods of feeding a cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe's inner surface and stopping the liquid flow, known as pulse cleaning, to enhance cleaning efficiency while minimizing the impact on analysis throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning time is extended to improve cleaning effect, then cleaning effect is improved, but analysis throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing pulse cleaning where cleaning liquid is fed in intermittent pulses rather than continuously. The cleaning mechanism alternates between feeding cleaning liquid and stopping feeding, creating periodic action that improves cleaning effectiveness while reducing total cleaning time and liquid consumption, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effect and analysis throughput
2Productivity
If cleaning time and amount of cleaning liquid are reduced to improve analysis throughput, then analysis throughput is improved, but cleaning effect becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action through pulse cleaning to achieve better cleaning effect with less cleaning liquid. By stopping the cleaning liquid flow at specific intervals during the cleaning process, the system maintains cleaning effectiveness while reducing the total amount of cleaning liquid required, thus improving analysis throughput without sacrificing cleaning quality
3Reliability
If continuous cleaning liquid feeding is used, then cleaning effect is maintained, but cleaning liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing pulse cleaning where cleaning liquid is fed in intermittent pulses rather than continuously. This periodic feeding pattern maintains effective cleaning of the dispensing probe inner surface while significantly reducing the total consumption of cleaning liquid, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effect and liquid consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide a technique capable of enhancing a cleaning effect of a dispensing probe while preventing an influence on an analysis throughput. In a method according to the invention, an inner surface of a dispensing probe is cleaned by repeating an inner surface liquid-feeding period in which a cleaning liquid is fed to an inside of the dispensing probe and an inner surface stop period in which the cleaning liquid is not fed.