Reagent Cartridge Optical Residual Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reagent cartridges for pathological specimen preparation devices face challenges in accurately determining the residual amount of drug solutions, leading to inefficient use and frequent replacement, especially in intraoperative settings where rapid treatment is critical.

Innovation Solution

A reagent cartridge design featuring a light-transmissive window section and a movable drug solution storage section with a discharge mechanism, allowing for optical confirmation of residual drug solution levels and adjustable discharge volumes through a variable ball stopper system, integrated with a pathological specimen preparation device for precise drug solution management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the residual amount of drug solution is calculated from discharged amount and number of discharges, then automation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to accumulation of small variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic calculation of residual amountVSAvoidaccuracy of residual amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical calculation method (summing discharged amounts) with an optical detection system. Light transmissive windows and optical paths enable direct visual or instrumental measurement of residual drug solution in the storage chamber, eliminating accumulation of discharge variations and providing accurate real-time residual amount assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If frequent replacement of fluid dispenser occurs to ensure drug solution supply, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to replacement operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveensuring drug solution supplyVSAvoidtime for replacement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent cartridge is designed with visible optical indicators (light transmissive windows) that enable users to self-monitor drug solution residual amounts without requiring replacement operations. The constricted section design also allows direct visual confirmation of residual levels, enabling users to replace cartridges only when truly necessary, thus reducing unnecessary replacement time while maintaining reliable supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If large amount of drug solution is left in cartridge to avoid frequent replacement, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to wasted residual solution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereducing replacement frequencyVSAvoidwasted residual drug solution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs optical detection systems (light transmissive windows, optical paths) to provide accurate real-time visualization of residual drug solution amounts. This replaces rough estimation methods, enabling precise determination of when the cartridge is truly empty, thereby allowing users to fully utilize the drug solution without premature replacement and minimizing wasted residual solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If constricted section is added to drug solution storage section to improve visual confirmation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual confirmation of residual amountVSAvoidstructural complexity of storage section

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding light transmissive windows specifically at strategic locations (including the constricted section) rather than making the entire storage section complex. The constricted section itself is a simple geometric feature that naturally concentrates and visualizes residual solution, providing enhanced measurement precision through minimal structural modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 easy and accurate assessment of residual drug solution amounts, optimizing usage and reducing waste, while allowing for customizable discharge volumes based on the type and size of tissue specimens, thereby enhancing operational efficiency in pathological diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

a light transmissive first window section and a drug solution chamber capable of storing a drug solution, a case section which holds the drug solution storage section movably in a first direction and has a light transmissive second window section... the first window section and the second window section are disposed along a second direction crossing the first direction to form an optical path with respect to the drug solution chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10871499B2Reagent cartridge, reagent cartridge set, and pathological specimen preparation device

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A reagent cartridge includes a drug solution storage section which has a first window section and a drug solution chamber, a case section which holds the drug solution storage section movably in the negative Z-axis direction and has a second window section and a nozzle section, a spring which biases the drug solution storage section, and a discharge mechanism for discharging a predetermined amount of the drug solution from the nozzle section by the moving motion of the drug solution storage section within a predetermined range.