Offset Nozzle Insert for Clinical Analyzer Probe Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clinical chemistry analyzer drain stations face issues with carry-over and dilution due to turbulent fluid dynamics and air-jet nozzle design, leading to unpredictable rinsing and drying outcomes, which affect the accuracy of analytical results.
Innovation Solution
The improved sample probe rinsing and drying apparatus features a drain station with a nozzle insert forming a first annulus and offset nozzles, creating a stable swirling flow field for efficient drying and minimizing liquid recirculation, using a combination of inclined nozzles and optimized reservoir geometry to enhance fluid dynamics and gas-jet interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air-jet nozzles are used in drain stations, then drying function is provided, but turbulent fluid dynamics cause unpredictable rinsing and drying outcomes leading to carry-over and dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric nozzle configurations where nozzles are positioned at offset locations around the probe passage rather than symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement creates a controlled swirling flow pattern that improves predictability of fluid dynamics while reducing harmful carry-over effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curved or annular nozzle structures that form swirling flows around the probe passage. The curved geometry of the nozzles and the annular flow paths create more predictable fluid dynamics compared to conventional straight nozzles, reducing turbulence and improving drying consistency.
2Measurement precision
If conventional nozzle designs are used, then drying is attempted, but liquid recirculation increases dilution of samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excess liquid from the probe surface using optimized air-jet nozzles positioned to target specific liquid removal zones. The nozzles are configured to effectively remove liquid without causing it to recirculate back to the sample, thereby reducing dilution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary swirling flow field created by the annular nozzles between the liquid removal process and the sample. This intermediary flow acts as a buffer that prevents direct recirculation of liquid back to the sample, reducing dilution while maintaining effective drying.
3Reliability
If multiple nozzles are added to improve drying, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple nozzle functions into a unified annular nozzle structure that forms a single swirling flow field. Rather than using separate nozzles for different functions, the annular configuration combines liquid removal, drying, and flow control into one integrated component, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular nozzle structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the swirling flow field, removes liquid from the probe surface, and controls the drying process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
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 design reduces dilution by up to 15 times and improves precision by at least twice compared to prior systems, achieving more predictable and effective rinsing and drying of sample probes.
Implementation Method 1
creating a stable swirling flow field for efficient drying
Implementation Method 2
enhance fluid dynamics and gas-jet interaction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A rinsing and drying apparatus of a clinical analyzer probe drain station is provided. The rinsing and drying apparatus has a group of nozzles that are offset from a longitudinal axis of a probe passage and may be inclined and oriented to provide tangentially oriented fluid-jet trajectories exiting into the sample probe passage. The offset nozzles, nozzle orientation, and cavity geometrical features of the device permit the drying capacity of probe-impinging planar air-knife jets to be maximized by stabilizing local internal fluid movement to form a swirling (e.g., helical) gas flow field directed away from a drying region and toward a vacuum exhaust. The rinsing and drying apparatus eliminates rinse water re-circulated entrainment and up-wash (spitting) during the air-knife drying operation. Therefore, the rinsing and drying apparatus significantly reduces water carryout on sampling probes thereby reducing sample/reagent dilution.