Immunoassay Analyzer Reaction Unit Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional immunoassay analyzers face limitations in flexibility due to the combined design of incubation, detection, and B/F functions, leading to restricted rotation, complex structure, high cost, and unstable temperature control, which affects test accuracy and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The separate arrangement of reaction units for incubation and B/F functions prevents mutual influence, allowing for more flexible testing and a simpler system structure, with the reaction unit performing both incubations and detection in the same unit to improve efficiency and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If incubation, detection, and B/F functions are combined in the same disk, then the structure is integrated, but the disk rotation is restricted and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure integrationVSAvoiddisk rotation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the analyzer into separate functional modules: a reaction unit for incubation and detection, and a separate B/F unit for bound-free separation. This segmentation allows the reaction disk to rotate freely without being constrained by B/F mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between structural integration and rotational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If incubation, detection, and B/F are performed in the same disk, then the system is compact, but the temperature control becomes unstable due to B/F operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the B/F unit from the reaction unit, the patent eliminates temperature fluctuations caused by B/F operations during incubation. The reaction unit maintains stable temperature for incubation while the B/F unit operates independently, resolving the contradiction between system compactness and temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple B/F equipments are added to support two step one B/F protocol, then the testing capability is enhanced, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest protocol capabilityVSAvoidnumber of B/F equipments
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal B/F unit that can handle multiple test protocols including two-step one B/F protocol. The reaction unit and B/F unit are designed to work together flexibly, allowing a single B/F unit to serve multiple functions rather than requiring separate B/F equipments for different protocols, thus reducing cost while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If separate structural units are used for incubation, B/F, and detection, then the functions are independent, but the system structure becomes complex and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional independenceVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a balanced segmentation approach where the reaction unit (combining incubation and detection) is separated from the B/F unit. This provides functional independence between incubation and B/F operations while avoiding the excessive complexity of completely separate units for all functions, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2690445B1Apparatus for automatic analysis and sample analysis method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2690445B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2690445B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2690445B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present invention discloses an automatic analyzer, including a reaction unit, for holding a reaction vessel and conveying the reaction vessel to a predetermined operation position, the operation position include a detection operation position; a detection unit, for detecting an analyte in the reaction vessel of the reaction unit in the detection operation position; a B/F unit for cleaning off unbound components of the reaction system; a dispensing unit for dispensing reagent or/and sample to the reaction vessel; wherein an incubation position is provided in the reaction unit for incubating solution in the reaction vessel. In the present invention, the reaction unit has an incubation function and a B/F function that are located separately so prevening incubation and B/F from affecting one another, and the automatic analyzer test is more flexible, analysis and test more flexible, the work efficiency improved.