Immunoassay Controller Dynamic Scheduling Parallel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated immunoassay analyzers face inefficiencies due to serial processing of samples, which limits throughput and requires significant operator intervention, especially when prioritizing tests, as they must halt ongoing processes to accommodate higher-priority tests, leading to potential destruction of results and compromised data.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic controller system that optimizes resource allocation and scheduling, allowing multiple path processing of samples based on resource and timing requirements, enabling simultaneous testing of diverse assays without operator intervention, and adapting to predicted saturation levels using historical data to manage workload and prioritize tests without disrupting ongoing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If serial processing is used to simplify system design and operation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to limited throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the immunoassay processing into multiple independent parallel paths, each capable of handling different test types with different duration requirements. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple samples through different assay sequences without requiring a completely complex re设计 of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional serial processing to multi-dimensional parallel processing by adding the dimension of multiple processing paths. This allows the system to handle diverse test types simultaneously by routing samples through different paths based on their specific requirements, thereby increasing throughput without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operator intervention is increased to manage high-priority tests, then adaptability improves, but loss of time increases due to halting ongoing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-allocates resources and prepares multiple processing paths in advance, allowing high-priority tests to be inserted without halting ongoing processes. The controller is pre-programmed to automatically recognize and route high-priority samples through appropriate paths, eliminating the need for operator intervention and preventing test interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated controller independently manages test scheduling and resource allocation without requiring operator intervention. The system self-adjusts to accommodate high-priority tests by dynamically allocating resources and resequencing operations, thereby maintaining continuous processing and eliminating time losses associated with manual intervention.
3Device complexity
If serial processing is used to simplify resource allocation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to bottleneck constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic resource allocation where the controller continuously monitors and adjusts resource distribution based on real-time system state and test requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize throughput by allocating resources to the most time-critical tests while maintaining simplified physical hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operational parameters such as processing speed, resource allocation, and test sequencing based on system load and test priority. This allows the system to maximize throughput by adjusting parameters in real-time without requiring complex physical reconfiguration, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and productivity.
4Reliability
If duplicate resources are increased to balance workload, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universal resources that can perform multiple functions across different processing paths. Rather than duplicating specialized resources for each path, the controller manages shared resources that can be dynamically assigned to different test types, thereby improving reliability through workload balancing while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for an automated immunoassay system is provided to manage the system resources and control the flow of samples under test. The controller allows tests to be run dynamically instead of in a serial, first in first out flow. The controller evaluates the set of tests to be run and generates a sequencing strategy. The sequencing strategy is based on the paths specified for each type of assay, the numbers of tests to be run, the priority of each test and the resources required for each test. In addition, the controller can resolve resource allocation conflicts and modify the sequencing strategy as test conditions change during operation.