RFID Reagent Tags for Analyzer Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bar codes on reagent vessels in automatic analyzers are prone to unreadability and cannot be updated, leading to issues with calibration and quality control data storage, which results in prolonged analyzer restart times and increased HDD wear due to frequent data access.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer that uses a reagent management unit to read and write quality control and calibration information onto reagent vessel ID tags, allowing for quick retrieval and display of this information, enabling rapid analyzer restarts even in case of storage device trouble.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bar codes are used for reagent identification, then label creation is easy and inexpensive, but the labels become unreadable or misread when dirty or moist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical bar code reading system with an RFID (radio frequency identification) system. Instead of using visual bar codes that require line-of-sight reading and are susceptible to dirt and moisture, the invention uses electromagnetic fields to read and write data to RFID tags attached to reagent vessels. This substitution eliminates the readability problems of bar codes while maintaining ease of identification.
2Ease of manufacture
If bar codes are used for reagent identification, then labeling is simple, but the information cannot be updated once created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static bar code information into dynamic, writable data stored on RFID tags. The RFID tags can be repeatedly written to and read from, allowing calibration results, quality control information, and other data to be updated and stored electronically. This dynamic storage capability enables the system to adapt to changing information needs while maintaining simple attachment of the tags to reagent vessels.
3Device complexity
If calibration and quality control data are stored in the analyzer's HDD, then data storage is centralized, but frequent access shortens HDD life and causes data loss risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized storage system into distributed storage units. Instead of storing all calibration and quality control data in a single HDD within the analyzer, the invention stores this data on RFID tags attached to individual reagent vessels. Each reagent vessel becomes an independent storage unit, eliminating the need for frequent read/write operations to a centralized HDD and thereby extending its lifespan while reducing data loss risk.
4Reliability
If calibration data is lost due to HDD trouble, then data recovery is needed, but recalibration takes several hours for multiple reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by storing calibration and quality control data on RFID tags attached to reagent vessels before they are used. This redundant storage ensures that if the analyzer's HDD fails or data is lost, the calibration information is already preserved on the RFID tags and can be immediately retrieved, eliminating the need for time-consuming recalibration and allowing rapid analyzer restart.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention is intended to provide an automatic analyzer restartable within a short time even in case of trouble with a storage unit. At least one of quality control information and calibration information is stored into an analyzer processing unit 33. The quality control information includes reagent-based assay results on a quality control sample, an assay date/time of the quality control sample, and information on analyzer used for the quality control. The calibration information includes reagent-based calibration results, an execution date/time of the calibration, and information on analyzer used for the calibration. A reagent management unit 32 reads out information from a reagent vessel ID tag affixed to a reagent vessel 8 inside a reagent accommodation unit 7 containing the reagent, and writes information onto the reagent vessel ID tag. The analyzer processing unit 33 uses the reagent management unit 32 to write the quality control information or the calibration information onto the reagent vessel ID tag.