Rotary Settling Disc Smear Preparation With Constant-Temperature Staining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell smear preparation and staining devices lack full automation, leading to inconsistent staining quality due to temperature variations, high labor costs, and inefficiency, with manual operations still required for cleaning and glass slide handling.
Innovation Solution
An integrated constant-temperature fully-automatic cell smear preparation device with a rotary settling disc, glass slide addition and discharge mechanisms, and a cleaning and sample addition integrated device, along with a temperature control system to maintain consistent staining conditions and automate cleaning and slide handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual smear preparation and staining is performed, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but staining quality becomes inconsistent due to temperature variations and operator fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service through automated temperature control and sequential operation execution. The temperature control assembly automatically maintains constant temperature without manual intervention, and the control unit automatically sequences the operations of sample addition, staining, and cleaning, eliminating operator fatigue and temperature variation effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated mechanical and control systems. The rotary settling disc replaces manual slide handling, the pipetting mechanism replaces manual reagent addition, and the temperature control assembly replaces manual temperature management, all driven by automated control logic.
2Productivity
If automated smear preparation device is used, then labor cost is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple operations into a single platform. The rotary settling disc serves both sample processing and staining functions, the pipetting mechanism handles both reagent addition and cleaning fluid delivery, and the temperature control assembly manages thermal conditions for both settling and staining processes, reducing the need for separate dedicated devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate operations into integrated functions. The cleaning and sample addition are combined in a single pipetting sequence, the settling and staining processes share the same temperature control system, and the glass slide handling is merged with the rotary disc mechanism, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional staining process is performed without temperature control, then device simplicity is maintained, but staining quality varies with temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter control by maintaining constant temperature as a critical parameter throughout the staining process. The temperature control assembly actively regulates temperature to prevent variations that would affect staining consistency, transforming temperature from an uncontrolled variable to a controlled parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements beforehand cushioning by pre-heating or pre-cooling the staining environment before the actual staining process begins. The temperature control assembly prepares the thermal conditions in advance to ensure stable temperature during staining, preventing temperature-induced quality variations before they can occur.
4Loss of time
If separate cleaning and staining processes are performed manually, then process simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements continuity of useful action by eliminating idle time between cleaning and staining operations. The rotary settling disc continuously positions slides for the next operation, and the pipetting mechanism continuously transitions between cleaning fluid delivery and staining reagent addition without manual intervention or process interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action through the rotary settling disc that periodically positions slides at different stations for cleaning, staining, and observation. The control unit executes periodic sequences of operations, with each slide undergoing cleaning and staining in a rhythmic, automated cycle that optimizes time efficiency.
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
Provides stable smear preparation quality across varying temperatures, reduces labor costs through automation, minimizes consumable waste, and enhances efficiency by integrating reagent and cleaning pipettes for simultaneous staining and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control assembly, arranged at the bottom of the settling disc base
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated constant-temperature fully-automatic cell smear preparation device includes a rotary settling disc, where the rotary settling disc includes a settling disc base and a turntable body connected to a settling disc body through a fixed shaft; a glass slide addition mechanism arranged adjacent to a glass slide inlet position of the rotary settling disc; a cleaning and sample addition integrated device, where the cleaning and sample addition integrated device is arranged on a side of the rotary settling disc, the cleaning and sample addition integrated device includes a cleaning assembly and a sample addition assembly, and the cleaning assembly and the sample addition assembly add fluid to one or more different settling cups simultaneously as the turntable body rotates intermittently; and a glass slide discharging mechanism arranged adjacent to a glass slide outlet position of the rotary settling disc.