Reagent Cooler Positive Pressure Unit for Contamination Control

Solution Overview

Problem

The automatic analyzer disclosed in existing technologies fails to prevent contamination of the reagent cooler due to external air inflow, which leads to dust, germ, or dew condensation, causing reagent deterioration and reduced analysis accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzer design that includes a reagent cooler with a positive pressure unit to maintain a clean environment by pressurizing the inside of the reagent cooler relative to its periphery, using an air supply unit to prevent external air inflow, and a reagent vessel replacement unit with an opening mechanism for reagent vessel exchange, along with an adjacent removal unit to clean the reagent vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the opening of the reagent vessel replacement unit is opened to replace the reagent vessel, then the reagent vessel can be exchanged, but external air containing dust, germs, or moisture can flow into the reagent cooler causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent vessel replacementVSAvoidcontamination of reagent cooler

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positive pressure unit is activated before the opening is opened to establish positive pressure inside the reagent cooler. This preliminary action ensures that when the opening is opened for reagent vessel replacement, the positive pressure is already in place to prevent external air from flowing in, thus preventing contamination while allowing easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reagent cooler is maintained in a positive pressure state with internal air that is free from dust and germs. This creates a protected environment similar to an inert atmosphere, where the positive pressure acts as a barrier against external contaminants during the opening and closing operations for reagent vessel replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Productivity

If the opening is opened frequently for reagent vessel replacement, then reagent vessels can be exchanged as needed, but dust or germs from external air may adhere to the reagent vessel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent vessel exchange frequencyVSAvoiddust or germ adhesion to reagent vessel

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positive pressure unit is activated before the opening is opened to establish positive pressure inside the reagent cooler. This preliminary action ensures that when the opening is opened for reagent vessel replacement, the positive pressure is already in place to prevent external air from flowing in, thus preventing contamination while allowing easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positive pressure, which could be seen as an additional complexity, actually simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms or sterile barriers. The positive pressure itself becomes the protective mechanism that allows frequent opening and closing without contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a positive pressure unit is added to prevent external air inflow, then contamination can be prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidstructure with positive pressure unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positive pressure unit serves multiple functions: it prevents contamination during opening and closing operations, protects against dust and germs adhering to reagent vessels, and maintains a stable environment for long-term reagent storage. By consolidating these protective functions into a single mechanism, the actual complexity added to the system is minimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The reagent cooler is maintained in a positive pressure state with internal air that is free from dust and germs. This creates a protected environment similar to an inert atmosphere, where the positive pressure acts as a barrier against external contaminants during the opening and closing operations for reagent vessel replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 solution effectively keeps the reagent cooler clean, preventing contamination and maintaining analysis accuracy by controlling air flow and ensuring the reagent remains undeteriorated.

Implementation Method 1

a positive pressure unit that positively pressurizes inside of the reagent cooler with respect to a periphery of the reagent cooler when the opening is opened

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a reagent cooler that stores a reagent vessel containing a reagent to be reacted with a sample at a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigeration: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS11885824B2Automatic analyzer

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

An automatic analyzer keeps the inside of a reagent cooler that stores a reagent vessel clean. The automatic analyzer includes: a reagent cooler that stores a reagent vessel containing a reagent to be reacted with a sample at a predetermined temperature. A reagent vessel replacement unit includes an opening configured to put the reagent vessel into and take the regent vessel out of the reagent cooler, wherein the opening is opened and closed to replace the reagent vessel. A positive pressure unit positively pressurizes the inside of the reagent cooler with respect to a periphery of the reagent cooler when the opening is opened.