Sample Analyzer Liquid Surface Detection and Aspiration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sample analyzers with multiple connected measurement units, insufficient sample amounts can lead to incomplete measurements, requiring re-obtaining samples and increasing user burden, especially when upstream units aspirate remaining samples intended for downstream units.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where the control section detects sample insufficiency and allows users to select from various settings to manage aspiration and measurement processes, including stopping or continuing processes, using manual or diluted samples, and notifying users of insufficiency, to prevent re-obtaining samples and optimize sample utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sample is aspirated by the most-upstream measurement unit when the liquid amount is sufficient for that unit, then the measurement by the upstream unit can be performed, but the remaining sample amount becomes very small and may be insufficient for downstream measurement units
Solution Approach 1:
The control section performs a preliminary check of the sample liquid amount before aspiration begins. By detecting whether the sample amount is sufficient for all required measurements in advance, the system prevents aspiration of samples that would leave insufficient remaining volume for downstream units, thereby avoiding measurement failures and the need to re-obtain samples.
2Reliability
If the sample amount is insufficient for downstream measurement units, then re-obtaining the sample is required, but this increases user burden and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of sample sufficiency before the aspiration process starts. By checking whether the sample amount is adequate for all planned measurements in advance, the system prevents incomplete measurements and eliminates the need for users to re-obtain samples, thereby saving time and reducing user burden.
3Productivity
If the liquid amount confirmation is performed only by the most-upstream measurement unit, then the aspiration process can start, but downstream measurement units may fail due to insufficient sample amount
Solution Approach 1:
The control section uses feedback from the liquid amount detection result to control the aspiration process. When the detected sample amount is insufficient for downstream measurements, the control section automatically adjusts the aspiration parameters or stops the process, preventing downstream measurement failures while maintaining high productivity by avoiding rework.
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 approach enables effective sample utilization without re-obtaining samples, alleviates user burden, and allows for quick processing by managing sample insufficiency through appropriate settings and notifications.
Implementation Method 1
the magnitude of the capacitance at the tip of the nozzle when detecting the liquid surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
[Object] To provide a sample analyzer which enables a plurality of types of measurements to be assuredly performed without obtaining a sample again. [Solution] A first measurement unit 10 performs measurement by aspirating a sample in a sample container 51 using a nozzle 11. A capacitance-type sensor 13 for detecting a liquid surface is connected to the nozzle 11. A transporting apparatus 30 transports the sample container 51 from the first measurement unit 10 to a second measurement unit 20. When information about the amount of the sample in the sample container 51 obtained based on the sensor 13 is less than information about a sample amount necessary for performing measurements both in the first measurement unit 10 and the second measurement unit 20, the sample is aspirated by neither of the measurement units. Accordingly, before the sample is aspirated by the first measurement unit 10 and the second measurement unit 20, the user can select an appropriate method to obtain measurement results for both measurement units. Therefore, it is not necessary to obtain the sample again.