Rotating Reaction Tray for Variable Incubation in Immunity Analyzers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vitro diagnostic equipment faces challenges in implementing variable incubation times, leading to complex control systems, low reliability, and difficulty in achieving high-speed automated testing, while also limiting the simultaneous implementation of washing and measuring processes.
Innovation Solution
A reaction incubation apparatus with a rotating reaction tray that advances by a predetermined angle at fixed intervals, allowing for variable incubation times, combined with a bound-free apparatus for direct washing and separation of reaction vessels, enabling flexible and efficient incubation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an independent incubation tray is used to implement variable incubation time, then the adaptability to different assays is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the incubation function with the reaction tray that is already part of the high-speed automated testing system. Instead of using a separate independent incubation tray, the reaction tray itself is utilized for incubation by controlling its rotation speed and position, thereby merging multiple functions into a single component and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction tray is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the reaction container carrier and the incubation device. By controlling the rotation speed and stopping positions of this universal tray, the system can achieve variable incubation times for different assays without requiring dedicated equipment for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an independent incubation tray is used for variable incubation time, then the flexibility of incubation time setting is improved, but the reliability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the incubation function into the existing reaction tray system, the patent eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for an independent incubation tray. The unified system reduces the number of moving parts and control interfaces, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational flexibility through software-controlled rotation parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate units are used for incubation, washing, and measuring, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates incubation, washing, and measuring functions into a single high-speed automated testing system. The reaction tray serves as the common platform for all these operations, with different zones or positions on the tray designated for different functions. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate units and reduces structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the rotational dimension of the reaction tray to organize different functional zones. By arranging reaction vessels at different angular positions on the rotating tray, the system can perform incubation, washing, and measuring in a spatially distributed manner while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
4Productivity
If a rotating reaction tray with fixed-time intervals is used, then the productivity and automation are improved, but the incubation time precision for variable protocols may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of the reaction tray rotation, where the rotation speed and stopping positions are adjustable based on the required incubation time. For variable incubation protocols, the tray can be slowed down or stopped at specific positions to achieve precise incubation durations, while maintaining high-speed operation for fixed-time protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the reaction tray dynamically. By adjusting rotation speed, acceleration, deceleration, and stopping positions, the system can precisely control incubation time for different protocols. This parameter flexibility allows the same hardware to achieve both high-speed automated testing and precise variable incubation times.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses a reaction incubation device, an immunity analyzer and a reaction incubation method. The reaction incubation device comprises a reaction unit (10), which is used for bearing and incubating a reaction container; and a transfer unit (20), which is used for removing the reaction container in and out of the reaction unit (10). The reaction unit (10) comprises a rotating device (11). The rotating device (11) is provided with an incubation position which increases a predetermined angle θ at an interval of fixed time T along with the rotating device (11). The transfer unit (20) removes the reaction container out of the incubation position according to variable incubation time t1. With the device, flexible and variable incubation time can be achieved, and the problem of complicated control, low reliability and that high-speed automation is not easy to achieve in the prior art can be solved.