Multi-Unit Autoanalyzer with Interchangeable Reaction Cuvettes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic analyzers require separate systems for biochemical and immunological analyses, leading to increased size and prolonged measurement times, as they cannot efficiently combine measurements with different analyzing accuracies within a single apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A multi-unit autoanalyzer with interchangeable reaction cuvettes and optical measuring units, allowing for biochemical and immunological analyses in a single apparatus, with shared components and independent reagent supply, enabling simultaneous measurements with varying accuracies and reduced space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate biochemical and immunoanalyzing units are integrated in a multiple autoanalyzer, then measurement versatility is improved, but apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction cuvette is designed as a universal container that can accommodate different reagent types and measurement modes (biochemical and immunoanalysis) within a single apparatus. The cuvette's standardized structure allows it to be used across multiple measuring units, enabling one apparatus to perform diverse measurements without requiring separate dedicated containers for each analysis type.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into multiple independent measuring units, each capable of performing specific biochemical or immunoanalysis. These measuring units share common infrastructure components (sample transport, reagent supply, detection systems), allowing the system to achieve high versatility while minimizing overall apparatus size through modular design.
2Area of stationary object
If biochemical and immunoanalyzing units share samples and reagents, then space is saved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sample allocation and reagent preparation in centralized units before measurements begin. Samples are pre-loaded into reaction cuvettes with appropriate reagents in advance, allowing measuring units to operate continuously without waiting for sample or reagent preparation, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple measuring units operate in parallel with continuous sample and reagent supply, ensuring that measurements are performed without interruption. The shared infrastructure maintains continuous operation by coordinating sample transport and reagent delivery across all measuring units, preventing idle time while keeping the apparatus compact.
3Productivity
If a single apparatus performs both biochemical and immunoanalysis, then system efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each measuring unit is designed with specific local characteristics optimized for its intended function (biochemical or immunoanalysis), while sharing common infrastructure. This allows the system to maintain high efficiency for specific measurement types without requiring complete redesign of the entire apparatus, thus managing complexity through functional specialization at the module level.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction cuvette serves as an intermediary component that interfaces between the sample transport system, reagent supply system, and detection systems. This standardized intermediary container simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a universal interface that accommodates different measurement types without requiring direct integration of complex interaction mechanisms between all system components.
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 multi-unit autoanalyzer enables efficient, simultaneous biochemical and immunological analyses in a compact format, reducing measurement time and space requirements while maintaining high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbance change of a reaction liquid by a biochemical reaction in a blood sample is generally used to measure the substance to be examined by means of a transmitted or scattered light
Implementation Method 2
detecting the labeled antibodies or labeled antigens by a heterogeneous measurement... labeled antibodies or labeled antigens provided as reagents and prepared by labeling antibodies or antigens specifically reactive to each of the substances to be examined with a fluorescent colorant
Data Source
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AI summary
A biosample multiple autoanalyzer characterized by including: (1) a sample supply unit having a plurality of biosamples; (2) a first measuring unit fitted with a first optical measuring means capable of detachably holding, in a mutually independent fashion, a plurality of reaction cuvettes independent from each other; (3) a sample transport means capable of transporting the biosamples from the sample supply unit to the reaction cuvettes on the first measuring unit; (4) a second measuring unit fitted with a second optical measuring means capable of detachably holding, in a mutually independent fashion, a plurality of reaction cuvettes independent from each other; (5) a cuvette transfer means capable of transferring the reaction cuvettes on the first measuring unit to the second measuring unit; (6) a reagent supply unit having reagents for use in measuring by the first measuring unit and measuring by the second measuring unit; and (7) a reagent transport means capable of transporting reaction reagents, in a mutually independent fashion, from the reagent supply unit to the reaction cuvettes on the first measuring unit and/or second measuring unit, and characterized by being arranged such that the reaction cuvettes on the second measuring unit are dispensed with the biosamples on the first measuring unit, subsequently transferred from the first measuring unit to the second measuring unit by the cuvette transfer means, and retained thereon, and such that different measurements are carried out by the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit.