Electrophoresis Schedule Control for Adding New Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophoresis apparatuses require users to turn off the power and reset analysis settings when adding a new test sample, leading to increased user burden as previous settings are erased.
Innovation Solution
An electrophoresis apparatus with a control device that sets a schedule for multiple electrophoresis processes, stores information about completed and pending processes, and allows for the addition of new test samples without resetting the system, by maintaining storage of relevant information when a stop signal is received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power is turned off to add a new test sample, then the new test sample can be added, but the analysis settings are erased and user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device stores analysis settings in advance in a storage device before power is turned off. When power is restored, the control device retrieves and restores these settings automatically, eliminating the need for users to re-enter settings after adding new test samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device creates a copy of the analysis settings and stores it in the storage device. This copied data can be restored later without affecting the original settings, allowing users to add new samples while preserving configuration information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrophoresis process is interrupted to add new sample, then new sample analysis can be performed, but completed process results are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control device stores analysis settings and results in advance in the storage device before interruption occurs. This ensures that even if the electrophoresis process is interrupted, the accumulated results and configuration data are preserved and can be restored when the process resumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous storage of analysis data in the storage device throughout the electrophoresis process. This ensures that useful information accumulates continuously and is not lost during interruptions, allowing the process to resume without losing previously obtained results.
3Productivity
If multiple electrophoresis processes are run in sequence, then analysis throughput increases, but time to complete all processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device sets up a schedule in advance that defines the sequence of multiple electrophoresis processes. By pre-configuring the analysis schedule, the system can automatically manage multiple processes without requiring user intervention between each process, thereby improving throughput while minimizing total time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system executes multiple electrophoresis processes continuously according to the pre-set schedule without interruptions. The storage device maintains settings and results throughout the sequence, enabling seamless transition between processes and maximizing productivity while reducing total analysis time.
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
Enables the analysis of new test samples during ongoing analysis without requiring users to reconfigure settings, thereby reducing user burden and preventing sample wastage.
Implementation Method 1
An electrophoresis apparatus analyzes a test sample by separating the test sample by electrophoresis with a device such as a microchip or a capillary
Data Source
AI summary
A controller sets a schedule in which an order of a plurality of electrophoresis processes is defined. The controller controls a storage device to store first information representing a result of an electrophoresis process that has ended among the plurality of electrophoresis processes and second information about setting for the plurality of electrophoresis processes. The controller receives a stop signal from an information processing apparatus while the plurality of electrophoresis processes defined in the schedule are being performed. When the controller receives the stop signal, the controller controls an electrophoresis mechanism to perform until the end, an electrophoresis process that is being performed among the plurality of electrophoresis processes. When the controller receives the stop signal, the controller maintains storage of the first information stored in the storage device and the second information on an electrophoresis process that has not yet been performed among the plurality of electrophoresis processes.