Reagent Container Pairing Accuracy in Sample Analyzers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sample analyzers face issues with accurately pairing reagent containers due to mismatched information, leading to incorrect determination of reagent usability, especially when containers are transferred between analyzers, resulting in potential waste of usable reagents.

Innovation Solution

A sample analyzer system that includes a reagent container holder, a writer/reader for storing and retrieving identification information, and a controller to ensure accurate pairing of reagent containers by writing and reading liquid surface position information, using RFID tags and bar code labels for reagent management, and a sensor for detecting the liquid surface within the reagent container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If reagent containers are transferred between different sample analyzers, then reagent flexibility and reusability are improved, but reagent pairing accuracy deteriorates due to mismatched information in different analyzers' databases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent transferabilityVSAvoidreagent pairing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a portable copy of reagent container information by attaching an information carrier (RFID tag or bar code label) to each reagent container. This information carrier contains identification information that can be read by any analyzer, allowing the reagent to be accurately identified and paired regardless of which analyzer it is used in. The information is copied from the analyzer's database to the physical label on the container, enabling transferability without losing pairing information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The information carrier (RFID tag or bar code label) acts as an intermediary between the reagent container and the analyzer system. Instead of relying on the analyzer's internal database alone, the information carrier provides a portable interface that carries reagent identification information across different analyzers, ensuring accurate pairing information is maintained during transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If reagent containers are paired based on database information in a single analyzer, then pairing speed is improved, but information loss occurs when containers are moved to different analyzers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing speedVSAvoidpairing information loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-attaching information carriers with reagent identification information to the reagent containers before they are used. This ensures that when containers are transferred between analyzers, the pairing information is already present on the container itself, preventing information loss without requiring time-consuming database lookups at each analyzer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If liquid surface detection is performed without stored reference data, then analyzer operation is simplified, but detection accuracy deteriorates when reagent containers are transferred from other analyzers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyzer operation simplicityVSAvoidliquid surface detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention copies liquid surface position information from the previous analyzer's database to an information carrier attached to the reagent container. This allows the new analyzer to access accurate reference data without having to perform complex calibration procedures, maintaining both operational simplicity and detection accuracy when containers are transferred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Ensures accurate reagent pairing and usage by maintaining consistent reagent information across analyzers, preventing waste and ensuring proper reagent utilization through precise identification and management of reagent containers.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor, which is included in the aspiration tube, for detecting the liquid surface of the reagent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9201083B2Sample analyzer and reagent management method

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 SYSMEX CORP

AI summary

A sample analyzer for performing analysis regarding a predetermined measurement item by using a combination of at least a first reagent and a second reagent, the sample analyzer comprising: a reagent container holder configured to hold a first reagent container which contains the first reagent and which includes a first storage medium, and a second reagent container which contains the second reagent and which includes a second storage medium; a writer configured to write information into the first storage medium and the second storage medium; and a controller configured to control the writer to write, into the first storage medium of the first reagent container, identification information for identifying the second reagent container which is paired with the first reagent container is disclosed. A reagent management method is also disclosed.