Dynamic Cleaning Control for Sample Analyzer Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample analyzers perform inadequate cleaning due to fixed cleaning schedules, which can lead to residual bacteria growth and air bubble formation over time, affecting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A sample processing apparatus and method that dynamically control cleaning operations based on elapsed time since the previous cleaning, ensuring thorough cleaning and maintaining measurement precision by adjusting the frequency and intensity of cleaning sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fixed cleaning operation is performed after power supply regardless of elapsed time, then the cleaning operation is simple and automated, but the cleaning becomes inadequate when a long time has elapsed since the previous cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning operation is made dynamic by adjusting its intensity based on the elapsed time since the previous cleaning. The controller determines whether to perform a first cleaning operation (standard intensity) or a second cleaning operation (higher intensity) based on whether the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined threshold. This dynamic adjustment ensures adequate cleaning while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation parameters are changed based on the elapsed time condition. When the elapsed time exceeds the threshold, the system changes to a second cleaning operation with different parameters (higher intensity, possibly different duration or detergent application). This parameter change allows the system to adapt cleaning adequacy to the actual contamination risk without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If cleaning operation intensity is increased to prevent bacteria growth and air bubble formation, then measurement precision is improved, but the complexity of the cleaning control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the elapsed time measurement to control the cleaning operation intensity. The controller continuously monitors the time since the previous cleaning and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate cleaning operation. This simple feedback mechanism achieves adaptive cleaning control without complex algorithms or additional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the cleaning need based on elapsed time before executing the cleaning operation. By determining the required cleaning intensity in advance based on the time condition, the system prepares the appropriate cleaning parameters, simplifying the actual cleaning execution while ensuring measurement precision is maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to present a sample processing apparatus, comprising: a sample processing mechanism which comprises a flow channel to be used for processing a sample, and performs a sample processing operation for processing the sample using the flow channel and a cleaning operation for cleaning the flow channel; and a controller for controlling the cleaning operation by the sample processing mechanism, based on an elapsed time since a previous cleaning operation by the sample processing mechanism.