Reagent Transfer Mechanism for Automatic Analyzer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic analyzers require significant operator intervention for reagent management, including registration and replacement, leading to potential reagent deficiencies and analysis interruptions, especially when multiple reagents are involved.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzer with a first reagent container storage section, a reagent dispensing mechanism, and a reagent container transfer mechanism that prioritizes the transfer of reagents from a supplementary storage section to the primary storage based on remaining amounts, minimizing operator burden and reagent interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple reagent containers are stored on a rotating reagent disk, then the analysis processing capability is improved, but the operator burden for reagent management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis processing capabilityVSAvoidoperator burden for reagent management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors reagent levels and performs self-service by transferring reagent containers from the supplementary storage section to the reagent disk when containers on the disk are depleted, eliminating the need for operator intervention in reagent management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing multiple reagent containers in the supplementary storage section and automatically transferring them to the reagent disk before they are needed, ensuring continuous availability of reagents without operator intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If reagent containers are manually monitored and replaced, then reagent deficiency can be prevented, but analysis interruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent deficiency preventionVSAvoidanalysis continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors reagent levels in real-time and uses feedback control to automatically transfer reagent containers from the supplementary storage section to the reagent disk when containers on the disk are depleted, ensuring continuous reagent supply without analysis interruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining a constant supply of reagents through automatic transfer mechanisms, preventing any interruption in analysis processing due to reagent depletion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If a single reagent storage section is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of mountable reagents is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of mountable reagentsVSAvoidreagent storage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent storage system is segmented into two distinct sections: a reagent disk for active reagent containers during analysis and a supplementary storage section for additional reagent containers, allowing increased reagent capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through functional separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds another dimension to reagent storage by introducing a supplementary storage section that operates independently from the reagent disk, enabling increased reagent capacity without complicating the primary reagent dispensing mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If reagent transfer is automated based on priority, then the operator workload is reduced, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing transfer priorities and criteria before reagent depletion occurs, allowing automated reagent container transfer based on predetermined rules rather than real-time complex decision-making, thus reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9513302B2Reagent transfer device

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

The automatic analyzer includes: a first reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a regent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container stored in the first reagent container storage section; a second reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a reagent container transfer mechanism for transferring a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section; and a controller configured to control the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.