Expendable Item Case Barrier Layout for Leak-Safe Auto Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face issues with maintaining analysis accuracy when liquids leak onto expendable items, such as dispensing tips and reaction cells, due to the design of the lid portion allowing reagent containers to potentially tilt and spill.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer incorporates a tray with arrayed expendable items, covered by an expendable item cover featuring a side-mounted open portion and upward protruding barriers, which prevents liquid spread by directing it away from critical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid portion is opened to take out dispensing tips, then the dispensing tips can be accessed, but reagent containers may tilt and leak liquid onto the dispensing tips and reaction cells
Solution Approach 1:
The lid portion is divided into a first lid that opens for accessing dispensing tips and a second lid that provides a closed space for placing reagent containers. This segmentation allows the first lid to remain open for operation while the second lid prevents liquid leakage, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and prevention of harmful liquid leakage.
2Ease of operation
If reagent containers are placed on the upper surface of the lid portion, then they are easily accessible, but they may turn down and leak liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into two functional parts: a first lid for dispensing tip access and a second lid that creates a dedicated enclosed space for reagent containers. This allows reagent containers to be placed in a controlled environment where they are protected from tilting and leaking, while maintaining ease of access through the first lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The second lid acts as an intermediary structure between the reagent containers and the external environment. It provides a protective enclosure that prevents liquid leakage while still allowing the containers to be placed and accessed, thus mediating between accessibility and leakage prevention.
3Extent of automation
If an opening is provided in the lid portion for automatic conveyance, then expendable items can be automatically conveyed, but liquid may leak from the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The lid opening is segmented and positioned specifically for automatic conveyance of expendable items. The opening is designed to allow automated access while the surrounding lid structure and barrier portions prevent liquid from leaking through or near the opening, thus enabling automation while preventing harmful liquid leakage.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic analyzer maintains accuracy of analysis of a specimen even when a liquid spills on an expendable item case. The automatic analyzer has an expendable item case which accommodates expendable items including a dispensing tip used for dispensing a specimen and a reaction cell used for reaction between the specimen and a reagent, and a conveyance portion which conveys the expendable items from the expendable item case. A body cover covers the analysis unit, the expendable item case, and the expendable item conveyance portion. The expendable item case includes a tray in which the expendable items are arrayed, and an expendable item cover which covers the tray and in which an open portion through which the expendable item conveyance portion passes is provided on a side surface thereof, and the expendable item cover includes a barrier portion protruding upward at an end on a side of the open portion.