Gripper Transport for Test Strip Reprocessing Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for measuring the concentration of reprocessing agents in a reprocessing liquid used in medical instrument reprocessing apparatuses are often expensive, require specialized chemicals, and are prone to manual errors and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A transport arrangement for a test strip that includes a gripper capable of moving the test strip between dosing, measuring, and relocation positions, allowing for automated handling and measurement of reprocessing agent concentrations in a reprocessing liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing solutions for measuring reprocessing agent concentration are used, then measurement capability is provided, but cost increases and reliability decreases due to manual operation and specialized chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable test strips instead of expensive specialized chemicals and complex measurement systems. Each test strip is a low-cost, single-use element that eliminates the need for costly reagents and complex instrumentation, directly reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement reliability through automated handling
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip contains all necessary measurement components integrated within it, allowing the measurement process to occur without external specialized chemicals or complex equipment. The test strip itself performs the measurement function, reducing the need for additional system components and manual intervention
2Measurement precision
If manual operation is used for measuring reprocessing agents, then flexibility is maintained, but accuracy decreases due to operating errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated gripper system that mechanically handles test strips. The gripper automatically picks up, transports, and positions test strips without human intervention, eliminating operating errors while maintaining ease of operation through simple automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper acts as an intermediary between the automated control system and the test strip handling process. It mediates the physical manipulation of test strips, enabling accurate and consistent operation without direct human contact, thereby improving measurement precision while keeping the system easy to operate through automated sequencing
3Productivity
If automated gripper system is implemented, then productivity increases and errors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple operations: picking up test strips, transporting them to different positions, and positioning them for measurement. This universal component approach increases productivity while minimizing the addition of separate specialized mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the transport and positioning functions into a single integrated gripper mechanism rather than using separate transport devices and positioning mechanisms. This merging of functions improves measurement throughput by streamlining the process while reducing the total number of components, thus limiting device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A transport apparatus for transporting at least one test strip including: a gripper configured to grip a portion of the at least one test strip; wherein the gripper is arranged to move the test strip between at least a first dosing position and a second measuring position.