Pipette Positioning via Collision Detection in Sample Analyzers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample analyzers face challenges in accurately positioning the pipette due to mechanical deterioration and user-induced damage, leading to difficulties in reagent dispensing and potential contamination, which existing adjustment methods fail to prevent.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pipette moving mechanism, a position confirming section, and a controller that moves the pipette to a predetermined position and judges its accuracy using a collision detecting sensor to prevent damage and ensure precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pipette is manually adjusted by the user to be positioned at a predetermined position, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to mechanical deterioration and user-induced damage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic position confirmation without user intervention. The controller automatically moves the pipette to the predetermined position and uses the collision detecting sensor to confirm positioning, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment and ensuring consistent reliability over time
Solution Approach 2:
The collision detecting sensor provides feedback to the controller about whether the pipette has reached the predetermined position. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment and confirmation, ensuring both positioning accuracy and long-term reliability by compensating for mechanical deterioration
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening of the reagent container is made as small as possible to prevent vaporization and contamination, then the protection against contamination is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically confirms pipette positioning relative to the small opening using the collision detecting sensor, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments and making the small opening feasible for contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The collision detecting sensor (optical or electromagnetic field-based) replaces manual mechanical positioning, enabling precise alignment with the small opening without requiring user skill or intervention
3Measurement precision
If the pipette is manually adjusted during operation, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-confirmation of pipette positioning using the collision detecting sensor and controller, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms and procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides automatic feedback to the controller, enabling simple positioning confirmation without complex adjustment mechanisms. The system self-regulates based on collision detection signals
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 solution ensures accurate and reliable pipette positioning, reducing the risk of contamination and damage, thereby maintaining analysis precision and extending the analyzer's operational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a position confirming section disposed at a position where the pipette can be reached; and a controller for performing a position confirming process comprising: moving the pipette by the pipette moving mechanism so as to be disposed at a predetermined position included in the position confirming section; and judging whether the moved pipette is disposed at the predetermined position
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample analyzer is disclosed which enables to confirm the position of a pipette of dispensing section not depend on instruction directed a start of a position confirmation operation from the operator, and to prevent a pipette from being damaged or credibility of analysis results from declining. Concretely, the sample analyzer comprises a pipette, a pipette moving mechanism and a position confirming member disposed at a position where the pipette can be moved by the pipette moving mechanism. The position confirming member comprises a space into which a tip end of the pipette can be inserted. When the sample analyzer carries out the position confirmation process, the tip end of the pipette is moved by the pipette moving mechanism so as to be inserted into the space of the position confirming member. When a sensor sensed that the tip end of the pipette collides with the position confirming member, the sample analyzer stops the movement of the pipette and notify that the pipette of the pipette moving mechanism has a problem.