Sample Analyzer Automatic Reagent Set Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sample analyzers face complexity in creating calibration curves for reagent sets used during automatic reagent switching, leading to inefficient recalculations of analysis parameters due to the need to search for unused reagent sets without calibration curves, and incomplete quality control processes.

Innovation Solution

The sample analyzer automatically extracts and displays the reagent set used during measurement without a calibration curve, allowing for easy creation of a calibration curve and quality control execution, reducing user workload and ensuring accurate recalculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic reagent switching is performed to continue measurement, then measurement continuity is improved, but the complexity of creating calibration curves increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement continuityVSAvoidcalibration curve creation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies and extracts the reagent set used in measurement without requiring user intervention. The controller autonomously determines which reagent set lacks a calibration curve and presents it for calibration, eliminating the need for users to manually search through multiple reagent combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification of the reagent set used in measurement before the calibration process begins. By storing reagent set information associated with measurement results and pre-identifying which set needs calibration, the system prepares the calibration process in advance, reducing the complexity users would otherwise face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If users manually search for reagent sets without calibration curves, then calibration accuracy is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically extracts and presents the reagent set that requires calibration, eliminating the manual search process. The system self-identifies which reagent set was used in measurement and for which no calibration curve exists, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining accuracy through precise automated identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying information about the reagent set that requires calibration. This feedback mechanism guides the user directly to the correct reagent set without requiring manual searching, reducing operation time while ensuring the accurate selection of the appropriate calibration target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reagent sets are managed for different measurements, then measurement versatility is improved, but the difficulty of quality control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement versatilityVSAvoidquality control difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies the reagent set used in each measurement and determines whether quality control has been performed for that specific set. This automated identification eliminates the need for users to manually track which reagent sets require quality control, reducing the difficulty of quality control while maintaining versatility in managing multiple reagent sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2843418B1Sample analyzer and sample analyzing method
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 SYSMEX CORP
  • EP2843418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a sample analyzer comprising: a measurement unit including a reagent storage capable of holding a plurality of kinds of reagents, the measurement unit configured to measure a sample by use of a plurality of kinds of reagents held in the reagent storage in combination; a memory in which a calibration curve is stored in association with a reagent set used in creation of the calibration curve; and a controller programmed to perform operations, comprising: in a case where no calibration curve corresponding to a reagent set used in measurement of the sample has been stored, storing, in the memory, information indicating that the reagent set used in the measurement of the sample has been used in measurement, and when creating a calibration curve, automatically extracting the reagent set for which no calibration curve has been stored and for which the information has been stored.