Reagent Station Segmented Storage for Continuous Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated analysis devices face interruptions and reduced test throughput due to the need for manual replacement of reagent containers, which can cause user safety hazards and damage to device components.

Innovation Solution

A reagent station with a second, rotatably mounted reagent container storage and a transfer apparatus that allows for simultaneous unloading and loading of reagent containers, enabling continuous operation by restricting user access to specific receptacle positions and using a control unit to manage the transfer process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual replacement of reagent containers is allowed during device operation, then user flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but user safety and device reliability deteriorate due to potential injury from movable apparatuses and interruption of work processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser flexibility for reagent container replacementVSAvoiddevice operation continuity and user safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent container storage is divided into two separate storages: a first reagent container storage that is continuously accessed by the pipetting apparatus during operation, and a second reagent container storage that is manually accessible by the user. This segmentation allows users to replace reagent containers in the second storage without interrupting the automated analysis processes accessing the first storage, thereby maintaining both operational flexibility and continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transfer apparatus acts as an intermediary between the first and second reagent container storages. It automatically transfers reagent containers from the second storage to the first storage without requiring user intervention during automated operation. This intermediary mechanism enables seamless replacement while maintaining continuous automated access to reagents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If user access to reagent container storage is restricted to ensure safety, then device reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited access options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation continuity and user safetyVSAvoiduser access flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent container storage is segmented into two separate storages with different access characteristics. The first reagent container storage is designed for continuous automated access by the pipetting apparatus and is restricted during operation. The second reagent container storage is designed for manual user access and does not require interruption of automated processes. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing dedicated access zones for different users and purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If complete interruption of work processes is implemented for manual reagent replacement, then user safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced test throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safety during reagent replacementVSAvoidtest throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the reagent container storage into two separate storages, the system allows manual replacement operations in the second storage to proceed simultaneously with automated analysis processes in the first storage. This eliminates the need to interrupt work processes for safety, thereby maintaining continuous productivity while ensuring user safety during manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automated transfer apparatus continuously transfers reagent containers from the second storage to the first storage without interrupting the automated analysis workflow. This continuous transfer mechanism ensures that the automated work processes remain uninterrupted while still allowing manual replacement operations to occur in the background, maintaining both safety and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Device complexity

If a single reagent container storage is used for both automated and manual access, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to conflicts between automated and manual access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent storage structureVSAvoidaccess coordination between user and device

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a single storage with complex access coordination, the system segments the storage into two separate storages, each optimized for its specific access mode. This segmentation actually reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for complex interlocking mechanisms and access coordination logic, while simultaneously improving reliability through dedicated access paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10359441B2Reagent station for an automated analysis device

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS PRODS

AI summary

The invention relates to a reagent station (1) for an automated analysis device, comprising a first and a second reagent container storage (2, 10) and a transfer apparatus (20) which transfers reagent containers (16) between the first and the second reagent container storage (2, 10). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for loading an automated analysis device with reagent containers.