Adapter for Reagent Container in Automatic Analyzing Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzing apparatuses require dedicated reagent bottles, limiting the use of general-purpose reagent bottles and increasing operational costs.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzing apparatus equipped with an adapter that allows general-purpose reagent bottles to be used, featuring an input unit, reagent storage, and transfer mechanism that utilize the adapter for automatic reagent loading and transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated reagent bottle is used for each manufacturer, then the automatic reagent loading mechanism can function properly, but the adaptability to different reagent bottles is reduced and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic reagent loading functionVSAvoidreagent bottle compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the automatic reagent loading mechanism and the reagent bottle. The adapter includes a holding portion that grips the reagent bottle and a connection interface that interfaces with the automatic loading mechanism, enabling general-purpose reagent bottles to be used without modifying the core loading mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional components: the automatic reagent loading mechanism, the adapter, and the reagent bottle. This segmentation allows the adapter to serve as a flexible interface layer that can accommodate different reagent bottle types while maintaining compatibility with the fixed loading mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a dedicated reagent bottle is required, then the automatic reagent loading mechanism operates reliably, but the device complexity increases due to manufacturer-specific requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent loading reliabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of general-purpose reagent bottles while maintaining a single standardized interface with the automatic loading mechanism. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized components for different bottle types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves as a universal intermediary that standardizes the interface between diverse reagent bottles and the loading mechanism, reducing system complexity by providing a single points-of-interface regardless of bottle type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a general-purpose reagent bottle is used directly, then the adaptability and cost are improved, but the automatic reagent loading mechanism cannot function properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent bottle compatibilityVSAvoidautomatic reagent loading function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter acts as a mediator that enables general-purpose reagent bottles to interface with the automatic loading mechanism by providing the necessary gripping features and connection interfaces that the mechanism requires, while maintaining compatibility with standard bottle types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250076328A1Automatic analyzing apparatus and adapter for reagent container

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 CANON KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzing apparatus includes an adapter, an input unit, a reagent storage, and a transfer mechanism. The adapter attachable to a reagent container. The input unit receives an adapter-attached reagent container, the adapter-attached reagent container being the reagent container to which the adapter is attached. The reagent storage stores the adapter-attached reagent container. The transfer mechanism transfers the adapter-attached reagent container from the input unit to the reagent storage using the adapter.