Induction Heating Control to Reduce Diagnostic Device Carryover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusing aspiration and dispense devices in medical diagnostic instruments increases the probability of biological carryover and contamination due to residual materials on the device surfaces, which can affect subsequent tests.
Innovation Solution
An induction heating system is integrated into the diagnostic instrument to clean aspiration and dispense devices using electromagnetic inductive heating, which heats the devices to remove residual materials and reduce contamination, accompanied by a wash fluid application and a wash cup for collection, and a tank circuit that resonates at its natural frequency to enhance efficiency and accommodate manufacturing and load variabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aspiration and dispense devices are reused to reduce waste and operational costs, then productivity and cost-efficiency are improved, but biological carryover and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning systems with an electromagnetic inductive heating system. The induction heater uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat directly within the aspiration and dispense devices, eliminating the need for mechanical contact during cleaning. This substitution enables effective sterilization while maintaining device reuse, thus resolving the contradiction between cost-efficiency and biological contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing electromagnetic induction to generate high temperatures rapidly within the devices. By changing the thermal parameters through electromagnetic heating, the system achieves sterilization conditions that eliminate biological carryover while preserving the devices for reuse, thereby maintaining both productivity and reducing harmful factors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inductive heating is applied to clean devices, then biological carryover is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heater is designed as a multi-functional unit that integrates heating, washing, and sterilization capabilities. By combining these functions into a single device, the patent reduces the need for separate cleaning instruments, thereby offsetting the added complexity with operational simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The aspiration and dispense devices are designed with ferromagnetic properties that enable them to self-heat when exposed to the induction heater's electromagnetic field. This self-service heating mechanism eliminates the need for external heating elements or complex thermal transfer systems, reducing overall system complexity while achieving effective sterilization.
3Use of energy by moving object
If tank circuit resonates at natural frequency to enhance efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the tank circuit's resonant frequency and adjust operating parameters accordingly. This feedback system compensates for manufacturing variations and load changes, allowing the circuit to maintain optimal resonance and energy efficiency without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the tank circuit's operating frequency to track its natural resonant frequency under varying load conditions. By making the operating frequency adaptive rather than fixed, the patent maintains energy efficiency across different manufacturing tolerances and operational states, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
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
The system effectively reduces biological carryover and contamination by substantially removing residual materials from the devices, ensuring reliable and efficient cleaning without the need for separate cleaning instruments.
Implementation Method 1
An induction heater includes a tank circuit. A controller drives the tank circuit to selectively oscillate at a resonant frequency for the tank circuit to inductively heat a work piece disposed proximate to the tank circuit
Implementation Method 2
A controller drives the tank circuit to selectively oscillate at a resonant frequency for the tank circuit to inductively heat a work piece
Data Source
AI summary
Inductive heating systems and method of controlling the same to reduce biological carryover are disclosed herein. An example system includes an induction heater including a tank circuit, the tank circuit including a work coil and a sense coil. The sense coil is to detect a magnetic field generated by the work coil and to output signals in response to the detection. The example system includes a controller to cause the tank circuit to oscillate at a resonant frequency in response to the signals and a power drive unit in communication with the controller and the induction heater. The power drive unit is to adjust power provided to the induction heater in response to the controller driving the tank circuit to oscillate at the resonant frequency.