Reaction Disc Washing Control for Analysis Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic analysis devices face challenges in efficiently performing soaking and washing of reaction containers without hindering the analysis process, especially in facilities operating 24/7, where securing time for soaking and washing during urgent sample analysis is not guaranteed, leading to potential degradation in analysis efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a control system that allows for concurrent or delayed initiation of the soaking and washing process during the analysis preparation phase, using a dispensing mechanism to distribute soaking and washing detergent to reaction containers, ensuring efficient washing without interrupting the analysis cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soaking and washing are performed during standby period, then washing quality is improved, but analysis efficiency deteriorates when urgent samples arrive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing qualityVSAvoidanalysis efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary washing actions during idle periods by storing washing information and executing it when the analysis device becomes idle. This allows the washing process to be prepared in advance without interrupting ongoing analysis operations, resolving the conflict between washing quality and analysis efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The analysis device automatically manages its own washing schedule by monitoring its own operational state and initiating washing during idle periods without external intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures washing is performed when appropriate without requiring manual scheduling that could conflict with urgent analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If soaking and washing are forcibly completed, then washing quality is improved, but analysis process is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing qualityVSAvoidanalysis process smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The washing process is made dynamic by allowing it to be executed only when the analysis device is in an idle state. The system continuously monitors operational status and adjusts washing execution timing accordingly, ensuring that washing quality is maintained without forcing interruptions to ongoing analysis processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from its own operational state to control washing execution. By monitoring whether the device is busy or idle, the system automatically determines the appropriate timing for washing, preventing interference with analysis processes while ensuring washing is performed when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If washing is performed immediately before analysis, then analysis accuracy is maintained, but accumulated dirt from repeated use cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoiddirt removal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary washing during idle periods before the next analysis cycle begins. By storing washing information and executing it in advance, the system removes accumulated dirt from repeated use while ensuring that analysis accuracy is maintained through proper washing, without creating timing conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3101427B1Automatic analysis device
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3101427B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3101427B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3101427B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

After an analysis start instruction is input in a state where a sample is not dispensed to all of reaction containers 104 mounted on a reaction disc 105, before completing an analysis preparation washing process for washing the reaction container 104 to be used in analyzing the sample to be first analyzed, a soaking and washing process for performing soaking and washing during a predetermined period of time is controlled to be started by dispensing a soaking and washing detergent to another reaction container 104 different from the reaction container 104. In this manner, the soaking and washing can be efficiently performed on the reaction container without hindering an analysis process.