Immunoassay Reactor Transfer Scheduling for Higher Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
The bottleneck in the efficiency of full-automatic immune analyzers is the relatively long time required for sample distribution, reagent distribution, and mixing processes, which hinders achieving higher test throughput.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a liquid distribution method with at least two ferry units that reciprocate between workstations, distributing samples from a buffer unit to reactors, and adding reagents at a first workstation, with staggered intervals and non-contact eccentric oscillation for mixing, to optimize the distribution and mixing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sample distribution, reagent distribution and mixing processes are performed sequentially using a single ferry unit, then the process is simple to operate, but the test throughput is limited due to long residence time
Solution Approach 1:
The single ferry unit is segmented into multiple ferry units (first ferry unit and second ferry unit) that operate in parallel. Each ferry unit handles specific tasks (sample distribution, reagent distribution, mixing) simultaneously, reducing the overall residence time and increasing test throughput while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
Sample distribution is performed in advance on the first ferry unit before the reactor is transferred to the second ferry unit for reagent distribution and mixing. This preliminary action allows overlapping of distribution and mixing processes, reducing idle time and improving overall productivity.
2Productivity
If the reactor remains on the ferry unit for complete mixing process, then mixing is thorough, but the residence time increases reducing test throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is segmented into multiple stages across different ferry units. Initial mixing is performed on the first ferry unit, then the reactor is transferred to the second ferry unit for continued mixing. This segmentation allows the mixing process to continue without requiring the reactor to remain on a single ferry unit for the entire duration, thereby reducing residence time on each unit while ensuring thorough mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing action continues seamlessly as the reactor is transferred between ferry units. The second ferry unit resumes and completes the mixing process that was initiated on the first ferry unit, ensuring continuous useful action without interruption or repetition, thus maintaining mixing quality while reducing total residence time.
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 approach reduces the residence time of reactors on the ferry unit, allowing for synchronized distribution and mixing, thereby increasing the test throughput and improving the overall efficiency of the immune analyzer.
Implementation Method 1
making the ferry unit perform non-contact eccentric oscillation, so that the sample and the reagent are mixed
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid distribution method comprises: providing at least two ferrying units, each ferrying unit made to reciprocate between an initial workstation and a first workstation; transferring from the initial workstation onto each ferry unit a reactor containing a sample; at the first workstation, adding a reagent into the reactor; recording, as a first cycle, a shortest time window during which a sequence of actions performed by each ferry unit can be cyclically reproduced, and recording, as a second cycle, a quotient obtained by dividing the first cycle by the number of ferry unit, and successively transferring the reactors to other ferry units staggeredly at intervals of the second cycle; and sequentially removing from the ferry units the reactors for which the mixing has been completed, staggeredly at intervals of the second cycle, and placing another reactor containing the sample onto the ferry unit from which the reactor was removed.