Nondisruptive Reagent Loading in Body Fluid Workstations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Body fluid workstations with multiple analyzers face disruptions and inefficiencies due to the need to shut down analyzers for reagent replenishment, leading to delayed test results and wasted time, especially in emergency situations where reagents run out during testing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for nondisruptive reagent loading, allowing reagents to be added to one analyzer without shutting down other analyzers, by pausing the dispensing operation of the affected analyzer and adjusting the test sequence of sample racks to ensure continuous testing across unaffected analyzers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the analyzer shuts down to add reagent, then the reagent can be replenished, but the testing is delayed and results are not reported timely
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the analyzer into multiple independent functional units (first analyzer and second analyzer), allowing reagent loading in one unit to proceed without stopping operations in other units. This segmentation enables parallel processing of reagent replenishment and sample testing, resolving the contradiction between reagent supply and testing continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading reagents into the second analyzer before the first analyzer depletes its reagent supply. The control system anticipates reagent exhaustion and triggers reagent loading in advance, ensuring continuous testing capability without interruption to the overall testing workflow.
2Quantity of substance
If the analyzer stops to add reagent, then reagent depletion is addressed, but the doctor's time is wasted and testing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the analyzer into multiple independent units, the system allows reagent replenishment in one unit while maintaining full productivity in other units. This eliminates the need to stop all testing operations for reagent addition, thereby preserving testing efficiency while still addressing reagent depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that at least one analyzer unit is always operational and testing samples. While one unit undergoes reagent loading, the other unit continues processing, eliminating downtime and maintaining continuous testing productivity.
3Ease of operation
If sufficient reagents are added at the beginning of the day, then the doctor's operation is easy and convenient, but reagent exhaustion during testing causes delays and requires retesting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reagent loading into the second analyzer before the first analyzer exhausts its reagent supply. This advance preparation ensures that reagents are ready for immediate use, maintaining testing continuity and reliability without requiring the doctor to manually intervene or restart testing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors reagent levels in both analyzers and provides feedback to trigger automatic reagent loading operations. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable testing continuity by detecting reagent exhaustion conditions and initiating appropriate actions to maintain operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of nondisruptive loading of reagents in a body fluid workstation including a plurality of analyzers, including: receiving application information to a first analyzer which needs loading of a reagent; loading the reagent into the first analyzer; controlling the first analyzer to pause dispensing of the reagent at a determined time; and controlling one or more other analyzers in the body fluid workstation to continue testing, wherein controlling the one or more other analyzers includes adjusting a test sequence of one or more sample racks in the one or more other analyzers subsequent to the first analyzer, and dispatching the one or more sample racks according to the adjusted test sequence.