Flow Cell Liquid Control for Evaporation Loss Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The atmosphere releasing part in the flow channel of automatic analysis apparatuses can cause liquid loss due to evaporation, leading to instability in the flow cell state over time, making it difficult to maintain a steady inner environment for analysis.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a detection unit with a flow cell, a suction nozzle, a pump, flow channels, a power source, a power-cutting unit, and a control unit that executes first and second liquid supplying processes to maintain a steady liquid state within the flow cell, ensuring continuous liquid supply and preventing evaporation-related losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If an atmosphere releasing part is provided in the flow channel, then air can be released from the flow channel, but liquid is lost due to evaporation from the atmosphere releasing part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair entrapment in flow channelVSAvoidliquid loss due to evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit executes second liquid supplying processing before power is cut off to the pump, proactively replenishing liquid in the flow channel to compensate for evaporation losses that will occur when the pump stops circulating liquid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the flow channel is kept filled with liquid for a long period, then the flow cell state remains steady, but liquid is continuously lost through evaporation from the atmosphere releasing part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow cell liquid state stabilityVSAvoidcontinuous liquid evaporation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit monitors pump operation status and uses this feedback to determine when to execute second liquid supplying processing, creating a closed-loop system that replenishes liquid based on actual pump operation and evaporation conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the pump is stopped to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but liquid evaporation from the atmosphere releasing part increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump power consumptionVSAvoidliquid evaporation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary liquid replenishment by executing second liquid supplying processing before pump shutdown, ensuring the flow channel is fully filled with liquid before the pump stops, thereby minimizing evaporation losses during the subsequent idle period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit implements periodic liquid supplying processing based on pump operation cycles, replenishing liquid at specific intervals (before power cutoff and when pump restarts) rather than continuously, balancing energy savings with liquid loss prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This solution effectively maintains a constant and stable inner state of the immunoanalysis flow cell, preventing liquid loss and ensuring consistent analysis conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a suction nozzle that is positioned upstream of the flow cell and that sucks the liquid to be introduced into the flow cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a syringe that generates a pressure difference for suction or discharge of the liquid and air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The atmosphere releasing part formed in the flow channel may cause the failure in filling the flow channel with water because of the liquid loss in the flow channel resulting from evaporation from the atmosphere releasing part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11467174B2Automatic analysis apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to constantly keep a state in a flow cell steady by filling a detection flow channel with a liquid. The configuration of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problem is as follows. Specifically, the present invention is an automatic analysis apparatus provided with a detection unit including a flow cell that accommodates a liquid serving as an analysis subject; a suction nozzle that is positioned upstream of the flow cell and that sucks the liquid to be introduced into the flow cell; a pump that is positioned downstream of the flow cell and that supplies the liquid to the flow cell; flow channels that connect the flow cell, the suction nozzle, and the pump; a power source; and a power-cutting instructing unit that gives an instruction to cut the power supply at least to the pump. The automatic analysis apparatus is characterized by being provided with a control unit that performs first liquid supply processing when the power-cutting instruction from the power-cutting instructing unit is not received, and that performs second liquid supplying processing when the power-cutting instruction from the power-cutting instructing unit is received, thus supplying the liquid to the flow cell.