Dual-Disk Reagent Management for Automatic Analyzer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face inefficiencies due to the need for reagent storage and replacement, which can disrupt analysis and require additional space for cold storage, limiting their compactness and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A compact reagent management system featuring a turntable with adjustable compartments and a dual-disk setup, allowing for simultaneous reagent dispensing and stirring on one disk while another disk stands by, enabling efficient reagent container replacement without reducing throughput and eliminating the need for additional storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of reagent containers are stored in the second reagent-container storage means for an extended time, then automatic reagent replacement is enabled, but cold-storage means must be provided resulting in an oversized apparatus structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares replacement reagent containers in advance by storing them in the second storage means, and automatically transfers them to the first storage means when needed. This preliminary preparation enables seamless reagent replacement during analysis without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between automatic replacement capability and apparatus size by automating the transfer process rather than requiring permanent cold storage of multiple containers
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs self-service through automatic detection of reagent levels and automated transfer of replacement containers from the second storage means to the first storage means. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual reagent replacement and cold-storage infrastructure, achieving automatic replacement capability while maintaining a compact apparatus structure
2Device complexity
If one reagent container is conveyed at a time from the second reagent-container storage means to the first reagent-container storage means, then apparatus structure is simplified, but reagent replacement efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically transferring reagent containers from the second storage means to the first storage means without interrupting the analysis process. The automated transfer mechanism operates continuously or periodically based on reagent level detection, ensuring that replacement containers are ready when needed while keeping the conveyance system simple and the apparatus productive throughout the analysis cycle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3-1~3-2
Figure 3-3~4
AI summary
The analyzer includes a reagent driving disk (301) that accommodates a reagent to be used for analysis and transports the reagent to a desired position, and a fixed disk (303) that has a reagent stand-by position in which to make a reagent container (110) containing the reagent, temporarily stand by, and a magnetic particles stirring position for stirring magnetic particles. A portion of the reagent stand-by position is constituted by a loading system (304). A reagent container moving unit (305) moves reagent containers (110) containing the reagent, between the reagent driving unit (301) and the fixed disk (303), according to analytical request status. Providing in a part of the fixed disk (303) the loading system (304) constructed so that reagent containers (110) containing the reagent can be mounted therein during operation enables any of the reagent containers (110) to be changed, irrespective of an operational status of the reagent driving disk, and the system to have cold-storage functionality.