Sample Aspiration Probe Control for Trace-Volume Automatic Analyzers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in accurately dispensing trace amount samples due to dead volume issues, leading to potential aspiration failures and abnormality in analysis data, especially when the probe contacts the container bottom during sample aspiration.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer employs a sample dispensing mechanism with a liquid level detector and control unit to control the probe's operation, ensuring it stops below the liquid level and elevates before aspiration, minimizing contact with the container bottom, thereby preventing aspiration failures and enabling accurate dispensing of trace amount samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the probe is dropped below the liquid level to aspirate the sample, then the sample aspiration is performed, but the distal end of the probe may contact the bottom of the container when the sample volume is small
Solution Approach 1:
The probe movement control is made dynamic by adjusting the drop distance based on the detected liquid level position. The control unit calculates the appropriate drop distance to reach below the liquid level for aspiration while preventing contact with the container bottom, adapting to varying sample volumes automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid level detector provides feedback on the sample volume and liquid level position. This feedback is used by the control unit to adjust the probe drop distance in real-time, ensuring the probe reaches the correct position for aspiration without contacting the container bottom, thereby resolving the contradiction between aspiration capability and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the probe is elevated after liquid level detection, then the sample can be aspirated, but the distal end may depart from the liquid level causing aspiration failure
Solution Approach 1:
The probe elevation is controlled dynamically based on the detected liquid level. The control unit adjusts the elevation distance to maintain the distal end at or near the liquid level during aspiration, preventing aspiration failure while ensuring easy and controlled probe movement.
3Quantity of substance
If a dedicated container for trace amount sample is used, then the dead volume is reduced, but the height from bottom to liquid level becomes small increasing contact risk
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid level detector provides critical feedback on the reduced sample volume and liquid level height in trace amount containers. The control unit uses this feedback to calculate and adjust the probe drop distance to a smaller value, ensuring the probe reaches below the liquid level for aspiration while maintaining a safety margin to avoid contacting the container bottom, thus resolving the contradiction between handling trace samples and preventing probe contact.
4Quantity of substance
If the probe is dropped further to ensure sample aspiration, then adequate sample is collected, but the distal end may contact the bottom causing abnormal drop detection
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid level detector provides feedback on the liquid level position, enabling the control unit to calculate the precise drop distance needed to reach below the liquid level for adequate aspiration. This feedback mechanism ensures the probe drops far enough to collect sufficient sample while stopping before contacting the container bottom, preventing abnormal drop detection and maintaining measurement precision.
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 allows for reliable analysis of trace amount samples, reducing patient burden and laboratory costs by ensuring accurate sample dispensing without contact with the container bottom, thus preventing aspiration failures and maintaining analysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid level detector configured to detect a liquid level of the sample
Implementation Method 2
The sample is aspirated. At this time, the probe is further dropped such that the distal end of the probe is not separated from the liquid level of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an automatic analyzer and a sample aspiration method in an automatic analyzer capable of analyzing a sample of further minute amount compared than before. In aspirating the sample, a sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 is controlled so as to detect the liquid level L1, to thereafter allow a dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be dropped and stopped below the liquid level L1, to thereafter allow the dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be elevated and stopped, and to thereafter allow the dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be further dropped while aspirating the sample.