Reagent Preparing Apparatus pH Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reagent preparing apparatuses face challenges in ensuring the reliability of analysis results due to errors caused by hydrogen ion concentration of diluted reagents falling outside a predetermined range, making it difficult to identify and prevent erroneous analysis results.

Innovation Solution

A reagent preparing apparatus that stops the supply of diluted reagent to the sample measuring section when the hydrogen ion concentration is outside a predetermined range, discards the diluted reagent, and allows for resumed supply upon correction, thereby preventing erroneous analysis results and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If diluted reagent is supplied continuously to the sample measuring section, then productivity is improved, but analysis reliability deteriorates when hydrogen ion concentration is outside the predetermined range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous reagent supplyVSAvoidanalysis result reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the hydrogen ion concentration of the diluted reagent and uses this feedback information to control the supply operation. When the concentration is within the predetermined range, supply continues; when outside the range, supply is automatically stopped, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability through real-time feedback control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The reagent supply system transitions from a static continuous supply mode to a dynamic controlled supply mode. The supply state (on/off) changes dynamically based on the real-time hydrogen ion concentration measurement, allowing the system to adapt to varying reagent quality conditions while maintaining overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If diluted reagent with unknown hydrogen ion concentration is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis throughputVSAvoidanalysis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogen ion concentration of the diluted reagent is measured in advance before it is supplied to the sample measuring section. This preliminary measurement allows the system to identify and exclude reagent batches with inappropriate concentration, ensuring that only reagent within the predetermined range is used for analysis, thus maintaining measurement precision without sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If reagent supply is stopped to verify hydrogen ion concentration, then analysis reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis result reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of periodic manual verification, the system implements continuous automated monitoring of hydrogen ion concentration with real-time feedback control. The supply is stopped only when necessary (when concentration is outside the range) and automatically resumed when the concentration returns to the acceptable range, minimizing productivity loss while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-verification of reagent quality through automated hydrogen ion concentration measurement and self-control of the supply operation. This eliminates the need for external manual intervention and minimizes disruption to the analysis workflow, maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution effectively prevents erroneous analysis results by ensuring the hydrogen ion concentration of the diluted reagent remains within a predetermined range, enhancing the reliability of analysis results and allowing for controlled reagent usage without waste.

Implementation Method 1

a pH measuring section for measuring hydrogen ion concentration of the diluted reagent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2233929B1Reagent preparing apparatus and sample analyzer
Publication Date: 2012.12.26 SYSMEX CORP
  • EP2233929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2233929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2233929B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reagent preparing apparatus capable of being connected to a sample measuring section for measuring a sample using a diluted reagent prepared by the reagent preparing apparatus is disclosed. It comprises: a reagent preparing section for preparing a diluted reagent containing a predetermined reagent and pure water; a pH measuring section for measuring hydrogen ion concentration of the diluted reagent prepared by the reagent preparing section; and a controller for performing predetermined processing, wherein the controller is configured to change the process to be performed based on the hydrogen ion concentration measured by the pH measuring section. A sample analyzer is also disclosed.