Automated Analyzer Probe Cleaner Liquid Amount Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated analyzers face challenges in accurately and efficiently adjusting the liquid amount of probe cleaner due to fixed dispensing probe positions and time-consuming manual adjustments, leading to variations in analysis reliability.
Innovation Solution
The automated analyzer adjusts the liquid amount of probe cleaner by ejecting a reference liquid amount from a cleaning nozzle while the dispensing probe is at a cleaning position, then checks for liquid contact at multiple positions, including above the first adjustment position, to determine the required setting for the liquid amount adjustment means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of probe cleaner liquid amount is performed, then adjustment can be made, but it is time-consuming and leads to variation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic adjustment of the probe cleaner liquid amount through a control unit that operates the liquid amount adjustment means based on detection results, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing both time and variation
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit detects whether the probe cleaner contacts the dispensing probe tip and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the liquid amount, ensuring accurate and consistent adjustment results
2Measurement precision
If only the height of the dispensing probe is changed to adjust liquid amount, then adjustment can be performed, but accuracy of the adjustment is not high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces horizontal position as an additional dimension for adjustment, moving the dispensing probe horizontally to different positions relative to the cleaning nozzle to achieve more accurate liquid amount adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts both the horizontal and vertical positions of the dispensing probe during the adjustment process, allowing flexible and precise control over the liquid amount rather than relying on a fixed position
3Measurement precision
If the dispensing probe gradually descends from reference height to check liquid amount, then liquid amount can be checked, but it requires time and takes time for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily positions the dispensing probe at a specific horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle before initiating the liquid amount check, allowing for rapid and accurate detection without time-consuming gradual descent
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated analyzer and an adjustment method which are capable of accurately adjusting the liquid amount of a probe cleaner in a short time. To this end, the present invention is an automated analyzer which discharges, during cleaning of a dispensing probe, a reference amount of a probe cleaner from a cleaning nozzle while the tip of the dispensing probe is at a cleaning position. When setting, as a first adjustment position, a position which is lower than the cleaning position and at which the horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle is greater than from the cleaning position, and a liquid contact is detected when the tip of the dispensing probe is present at the position and the reference amount of the probe cleaner is discharged, a control unit, upon adjusting the liquid amount of the probe cleaner discharges the probe cleaner while the tip of the dispensing probe is at the first adjustment position to confirm whether the liquid contact has been detected, discharges the probe cleaner while the tip of the dispensing probe is positioned above or downstream of the first adjustment position to confirm whether the liquid contact has been detected, and determines, on the basis of the confirmation results, the setting of a liquid amount adjustment means required for setting the liquid amount of the probe cleaner to the reference liquid amount.