Automated Analyzer Priority-Based Specimen Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated analyzers process specimens in a fixed order, leading to delays in processing high-priority specimens when lower-priority specimens are initially dispensed into pre-treatment containers.

Innovation Solution

An automated analyzer with a management unit that determines the dispensing order of pre-treated specimens based on priority, ensuring higher-priority specimens are dispensed into reaction containers before lower-priority ones, using a first and second dispensing probe system and a second turntable to manage specimen processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If specimens are processed in a fixed order of input, then the processing sequence is simple to manage, but high-priority specimens cannot be processed rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speed of high-priority specimensVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing order management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the dispensing order of pre-treated specimens based on their priority levels. The management unit determines the optimal dispensing sequence in real-time, allowing high-priority specimens to be processed first regardless of their input order, thereby resolving the contradiction between processing speed and management complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of dispensing order from a fixed sequence to a variable sequence based on specimen priority. By introducing priority as a variable parameter, the system can flexibly reorder specimens during processing, improving productivity for high-priority specimens while maintaining manageable complexity through automated priority-based sorting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If lower-priority specimens are dispensed into pre-treatment containers first, then the input sequence is maintained, but high-priority specimens experience processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaiting time for high-priority specimensVSAvoidsimplicity of specimen processing flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sorting of specimens by priority level before the actual analysis process. The management unit determines the dispensing order in advance based on priority, ensuring that high-priority specimens are positioned for rapid processing before they enter the analysis phase, thereby reducing waiting time while maintaining operational simplicity through pre-planned sequencing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The management unit acts as an intermediary between specimen input and the dispensing process. It receives information about specimen priorities and translates this into an optimized dispensing sequence, mediating between the simple input sequence and the complex priority-based processing requirements, thus reducing waiting time without complicating the overall operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables rapid processing of high-priority specimens by adjusting the dispensing order, allowing for timely analysis of critical samples.

Implementation Method 1

a first dispensing probe that dispenses a specimen and pre-treatment liquid into one of the pre-treatment containers and generates a pre-treated specimen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

a second dispensing probe that sucks the pre-treated specimen from one of the pre-treatment containers and dispenses the sucked pre-treated specimen into one of the reaction containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

the absorbance of the diluted specimen, which was dispensed into the reaction container, is measured and is converted into concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorbance measurement: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS20250334600A1Automated Analyzer and Method of Controlling Automated Analyzer

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 JEOL LTD

AI summary

An automated analyzer includes a first turntable that holds a plurality of pre-treatment containers; a first dispensing probe that dispenses a specimen and pre-treatment liquid into one of the pre-treatment containers and generates a pre-treated specimen; a second turntable that holds a plurality of reaction containers; a second dispensing probe that sucks the pre-treated specimen from one of the pre-treatment containers and dispenses the pre-treated specimen into one of the reaction containers; a measurement unit that measures the pre-treated specimen stored in one of the reaction containers; a management unit that determines an order in which the pre-treated specimen stored in one of the pre-treatment containers is dispensed by the second dispensing probe when the pre-treated specimen becomes dispensable into one of the reaction containers; and a control unit that causes the second dispensing probe to dispense the pre-treated specimen in accordance with the order determined by the management unit.