Low-Pressure In-Line Filter for Automated Analyzer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated analyzers for biological samples face challenges in removing debris such as cell wall fragments and lipids from blood samples, which can contaminate high-pressure components like chromatographic columns and detectors, leading to impaired analysis and costly shutdowns for cleaning or replacement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sample filter in the low-pressure section of the analyzer, positioned between the sample dilution well and the sample loop, to filter out debris before the sample enters the high-pressure analytical cartridge, allowing for continuous operation without frequent cartridge replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sample filter is placed in the high-pressure section, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter clogs frequently requiring shutdowns for cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into low-pressure and high-pressure sections, with the filter positioned in the low-pressure section. This segmentation allows the filter to operate at lower pressure, preventing clogging while maintaining filtration effectiveness. The analytical cartridge operates separately at high pressure, eliminating the need to shut down the entire system for filter maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-pressure pump acts as an intermediary, delivering filtered sample to the high-pressure section. The filter serves as an intermediary component that protects downstream high-pressure components from debris without being subjected to high pressure itself, thereby extending its operational life and reducing maintenance needs.
2Measurement precision
If the analytical cartridge is replaced frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is preserved, but productivity decreases due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The filter performs preliminary action by removing debris from the sample before it enters the analytical cartridge. This pre-treatment prevents contamination of the cartridge, allowing it to operate continuously without frequent replacement, thereby maintaining both accuracy and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter system operates autonomously, continuously removing debris without requiring system shutdowns. The low-pressure pump maintains steady flow through the filter, which automatically cleans the sample stream, protecting the analytical cartridge from contamination without intervention or downtime.
3Power
If high-pressure pumping is used throughout the entire system, then analytical performance is improved, but the risk of component contamination and system shutdowns increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure levels for different functions: low-pressure pumping for sample delivery and filtration, high-pressure pumping for analytical separation. This dynamic pressure regulation optimizes both analytical performance and system reliability, preventing contamination while maintaining separation efficiency.
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 configuration extends the number of samples that can be analyzed without compromising reliability and accuracy, as the sample filter prevents contamination of downstream components, reducing downtime and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The sample filter is positioned between the sample dilution well and the sample loop at a site that is maintained at the low pressure of the low-pressure pump subsystem
Data Source
AI summary
An automated analyzer for biological samples that contain particulate matter is adapted to be able to process a large number of samples without changing the analytical cartridge, and in many cases without changing the internal switching valves, by including a filter in the low-pressure section of the analyzer, and preferably configuring the analyzer to be able to perform backflushing on the filter between sample injections.