Automatic Analyzer Reagent Container Shielding for Rotation Bubble Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bubbles generated in reagent containers during rotation in automatic analyzers lead to inaccurate liquid level detection, causing the reagent dispensing probe to fail in properly dispensing the reagent.

Innovation Solution

A reagent container design with shielding portions that partially shield the inner and outer diameter sides, featuring increasing gaps between the shielding portions and the container sides from the upper to lower portion, reduces bubble generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the reagent container is rotated to dispense reagent, then the reagent can be delivered to the dispensing probe, but bubbles are generated in the reagent causing inaccurate liquid level detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent dispensing efficiencyVSAvoidliquid level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, which segment the reagent volume and prevent bubble formation during rotation. Each compartment has controlled gaps that allow liquid flow while blocking bubbles, thus maintaining accurate liquid level detection during the dispensing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different gap sizes are provided at different locations within the container. The gaps between partition walls and container walls are specifically designed to be smaller than the reagent viscosity threshold, creating localized flow control zones that prevent bubble generation while maintaining overall liquid flow for dispensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a baffle is provided in the reagent container to reduce bubbles, then bubble generation is suppressed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble generationVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition walls serve dual functions: they act as structural support elements and simultaneously function as bubble suppression baffles. By merging the support structure with the bubble control mechanism, the design eliminates the need for separate baffle components, thus reducing overall device complexity while effectively suppressing bubble generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls are designed to perform multiple functions: structural support, liquid flow control, and bubble suppression. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall container structure while addressing the bubble generation problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250262620A1Reagent container and automatic analyzer

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 CANON KK

AI summary

A reagent container according to the embodiment is installed in a reagent storage that rotates in an automatic analyzer. The reagent container includes a shielding portion. The shielding portion partially shields the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side in the rotation inside the reagent container. A gap between the shielding portion and the side surface of the reagent container is configured to increase from the upper portion toward the lower portion of the shielding portion.