Fluid Analyzer Sensor Obstruction Detection via Calibration Slopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid analyzers face challenges in detecting and removing obstructions, such as blood clots, which can block pathways, cause downtime, and affect sensor response, leading to biased results without the need for additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A fluid analyzer system that uses a calibration fluid injection mechanism with a control system to detect obstructions by analyzing response slope differences between calibration fluids, alerting users, and potentially removing obstructions via fluid aspiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid analyzers operate continuously without obstruction detection, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected obstructions causing biased results
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing sensor and calibration fluids to detect obstructions autonomously. The sensor measures response slopes of calibration fluids, and the control system automatically compares slopes between time periods to detect obstructions, eliminating the need for separate detection sensors while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors sensor responses to calibration fluids and compares response slopes across different time periods. When a change in slope exceeds a threshold, the system identifies an obstruction and can alert users or adjust operation, providing real-time feedback without adding complex hardware.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added to detect obstructions, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor, originally used for measuring analyte concentrations, is made multi-functional by using it to detect obstructions through calibration fluid response slope analysis. This eliminates the need for separate obstruction detection sensors while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
Calibration fluids serve as intermediaries to detect obstructions. By measuring how calibration fluids respond to the sensor over time, the system indirectly detects obstructions without requiring direct obstruction sensing, avoiding the need for additional sensors.
3Reliability
If obstruction detection is implemented, then reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to detection and removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstructions using calibration fluids before they affect patient sample analysis. By detecting obstructions early through response slope changes, the system can address them proactively, minimizing the impact on patient testing and reducing overall downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstruction detection system operates continuously alongside patient sample analysis using the same sensor and calibration fluid injection mechanism. This allows simultaneous detection and analysis without interrupting the analytical workflow, maintaining continuous useful action while detecting obstructions.
4Device complexity
If calibration fluid injection mechanism is used for obstruction detection, then device complexity is minimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing calibration fluid injection mechanism, already present for sensor calibration, is reused for obstruction detection. This eliminates the need for separate fluid delivery systems while maintaining precision requirements through the existing mechanism's controlled delivery of calibration fluids at specific time periods.
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
Effectively detects and removes obstructions without additional sensors, ensuring accurate sensor response and reducing downtime by using a control system to analyze response slope variations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor in fluidic communication with the fluid channel; a meter operable to receive signals generated by the sensor and transform the signals into information indicative of an electric potential of the fluids
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting an obstruction on a sensor of a fluid analyzer, including a method comprising causing a first calibration fluid to contact the sensor to generate signals indicative of a first electric potential of the first calibration fluid; causing a second calibration fluid to contact the sensor to generate signals indicative of a second electric potential of the second calibration fluid; storing a first response slope; causing the first calibration fluid to contact the sensor to generate signals indicative of a third electric potential of the first calibration fluid; causing the second calibration fluid to contact the sensor to generate signals indicative of a fourth electric potential of the second calibration fluid; storing a second response slope; and storing data indicative of an obstruction on the sensor in response to a difference between the first response slope and the second response slope being beyond a threshold.