Sample Container Reading Control for Faster Automatic Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers require excessive time to recognize the position of sample containers on a sample disk, prolonging the sample feeding process, especially when handling multiple containers.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer equipped with a container holding unit, detection unit, and control unit that efficiently detects and reads information from only the positions where sample containers are placed, utilizing a sample presence/absence sensor and sample position sensor to minimize detection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the reader reads information from all positions on the sample disk, then all container information is captured, but the sample feeding time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs preliminary detection to identify which positions actually have containers before the reader operates. This preliminary action prevents the reader from wasting time scanning empty positions, thereby reducing total sample feeding time while ensuring all container information is captured.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reading from all positions on the sample disk, the system performs partial reading only at positions where containers are detected. This partial action approach maintains complete information capture for all actual containers while significantly reducing the total reading time by excluding empty positions from the reading process.
2Reliability
If the system reads container information at every position on the sample disk, then no container is missed, but the processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit executes a preliminary scan to map the actual locations of containers before the reader begins its operation. This preliminary mapping ensures that the reader only visits positions with containers, maintaining 100% detection completeness while doubling the sample feeding speed by eliminating visits to empty positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and processes only the relevant positions (those with containers) from the complete set of all possible positions on the sample disk. By separating the detection of container presence from the reading of container information, the system achieves both complete detection and high processing speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide an automatic analyzer capable completing feeding of a container related to analysis of a sample and the like within a shorter time compared to a prior art. [Solution] An automatic analyzer includes: a container holding unit 114 that has a plurality of sample container arrangement positions 102 where each of plural sample containers 109 used for analysis of a sample can be arranged; a detection unit that detects, for each of the sample container arrangement positions 102, whether the sample container 109 is arranged at the sample container arrangement position 102; a reader 106 that reads information of the sample container 109; and a control unit 142 that controls the reader 106 so as to read only the sample container arrangement position 102 that is detected by the detection unit that the sample container 109 is arranged.