Automated Fluid Analysis with Robotic Sensing Stick Washing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid analysis devices are inefficient when processing multiple samples, as they are prone to cross-contamination and require manual handling, which can lead to inaccuracies and the need for sample disposal, especially when dealing with expensive or biological fluids.

Innovation Solution

A fluid analysis arrangement comprising a particle quantifying device, a holder, a robot, and a washing station, where the robot automatically positions the sensing stick in each sample fluid, and the washing station ensures cleaning between samples, preventing cross-contamination and allowing for automated processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual handling of cuvettes is used for each sample, then the device can be simple in structure, but the processing efficiency is low and cross-contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample processing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arm automatically performs cuvette insertion, removal, and replacement without manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously handling sample processing tasks, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining controlled complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical handling of cuvettes is replaced with an automated robot arm system. This substitution increases processing efficiency and reduces cross-contamination risk by eliminating human contact between samples, while the automated system manages the complexity of frequent cuvette changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the cuvette is positioned in one sample liquid after another without cleaning, then the operation is simple and fast, but cross-contamination occurs between samples

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The washing station performs preliminary cleaning of the cuvette between sample measurements. By proactively removing contaminants before the next sample is analyzed, the system ensures measurement accuracy and reliability while automating the cleaning process to maintain operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The washing station acts as an intermediary between sample analysis steps. It provides a cleaning medium that removes contaminants from the cuvette, serving as a mediating process that prevents cross-contamination while maintaining the simplicity of the overall operation through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If expensive samples are disposed of after analysis, then cross-contamination risk is eliminated, but substance loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample purityVSAvoidsample disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding expensive samples after analysis, the system recovers them by implementing automated cleaning and sterilization through the washing station. The cuvette is thoroughly cleaned between samples, allowing the same sample to be analyzed multiple times or reused, thereby reducing substance loss while maintaining sample purity through automated cleaning protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This setup enables efficient and accurate analysis of multiple fluids by preventing cross-contamination and allowing for the reuse of expensive samples, ensuring high-quality measurements and reducing the need for sample disposal.

Implementation Method 1

some devices apply optical methods based on either light scattering, light obscuration, or direct imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

If light blocking or light obscuration is used, the loss of light is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight obscuration: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the control unit is configured to control the robot to arrange the sensing stick in the washing station after each sensing for particles in one of the sample fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flushing:

Data Source

PatentUS20220390476A1Fluid analysis arrangement and method

Publication Date: 2022.12.08 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE INC

AI summary

A fluid analysis arrangement (1) comprises a particle quantifying device (4), a holder (6), a robot (3), a washing station (5) and a control unit (2). The particle quantifying device (4) has a sensor unit (42) with a sensing stick (421) to be arranged in a fluid to sense for particles in the fluid, and an evaluation unit (41). The holder (6) has a plurality of seats each configured to receive a container in which a sample fluid is arranged. The control unit (2) is connected to the particle quantifying device (4) and the robot (3). The sensor unit (42) is mounted to the robot (3). The control unit (2) is configured to control the robot (3) to arrange the sensing stick (421) in one of the sample fluids of each container received in the seats of the holder (6) after another, activate the particle quantifying device to sense for particles in the sample fluids, and control the robot (3) to arrange the sensing stick (421) in the washing station (5) after each sensing for particles in one of the sample fluids and before arranging the sensing stick (421) in a next one of the sample fluids.