Reaction Disk Rotation Scheduling for Interference-Free Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in setting rotational operations of the reaction disk to avoid interference during measurements and creating a measurement plan with minimal throughput loss.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer includes a reaction disk with synchronized control of dispensing units and a spectrophotometer, where the rotation cycle is divided into photometric, first positioning, and second positioning periods, with specific rotation amounts and suspension periods to ensure access without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the reaction disk rotates by a fixed amount in each analyzer cycle, then the measurement process can be automated, but it becomes difficult to avoid interference between measurements and to create a measurement plan with minimal throughput loss
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction disk rotation is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the rotation amount and rotation timing flexibly based on the specific measurement plan, allowing optimization of throughput while maintaining automation. The system can rotate the disk by different amounts (e.g., 1 turn, 1.5 turns, 2 turns) depending on the measurement requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rotation parameters (amount and timing) of the reaction disk based on the measurement plan. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system avoids interference between different measurements and optimizes throughput, resolving the contradiction between automation and productivity.
2Ease of operation
If the reaction disk rotates to position reaction vessels for access by dispensing units and spectrophotometer, then measurements can be performed, but interference occurs between different measurement processes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary planning of the rotation sequence and timing based on the measurement plan. It pre-determines when the reaction disk should rotate to specific positions for dispensing units and spectrophotometer access, ensuring that different measurement processes do not interfere with each other while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the measurement plan and adjusts the rotation timing and position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the reaction disk positions reaction vessels at the correct times for access by dispensing units and spectrophotometer, preventing interference between different measurement processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the reaction disk is stopped at specific positions for access by dispensing units, then liquid can be dispensed accurately, but the rotation operation becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction disk rotation is made dynamic with flexible positioning. The control unit can stop the disk at specific positions for accurate dispensing by dispensing units, while also allowing the disk to rotate by different amounts (1 turn, 1.5 turns, 2 turns) between dispensing operations. This maintains both dispensing accuracy and rotation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation operation is segmented into distinct phases: rotation to positioning points for dispensing, stopping for accurate dispensing, and subsequent rotation for spectrophotometer access or next dispensing operation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain precision during dispensing while preserving overall operational flexibility.
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 configuration enhances the freedom in rotating the reaction disk operations, allowing parallel processing of different analysis items like biochemical and immunoassay without throughput loss.
Implementation Method 1
measurement of the absorbance of the reaction solution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
There is provided an automatic analyzer that enhances a degree of freedom in the rotation operation of a reaction disk. A sum total of an amount of rotation of a reaction disk 1 in an analyzer cycle is set. The analyzer cycle includes a photometric rotation period 401 for which the reaction disk is rotated at one turn or more and a first positioning rotation period 402 and a second positioning rotation period 403 for which the reaction disk is stopped at a position corresponding to the sum total at the end of the analyzer cycle.