Sample Rack Buffer Timing for Automatic Analyzer Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container storage devices and methods fail to efficiently convey samples without reducing the processing capacity of automatic analyzers, leading to potential congestion and delays in measurement results due to varying sample conveyance frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that includes a buffer and a control unit to manage and manage the timing of sample conveyance and the conveyance of sample containers, ensuring efficient use of racks by delaying conveyance when necessary to match the analyzer's operation rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the sample is conveyed at high frequency to improve measurement speed, then the measurement delay is reduced, but the rack use efficiency decreases and congestion occurs in the automatic analyzer
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit waits for a predetermined time after receiving a conveying command before actually conveying the rack, allowing it to anticipate future conveyance requests and batch multiple samples together, thereby improving rack utilization while maintaining timely delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance timing is dynamically adjusted based on whether new conveying commands are received within the predetermined time window, allowing the system to adapt between high-frequency and low-frequency conveyance modes automatically
2Productivity
If the sample is conveyed at low frequency to improve rack use efficiency, then the rack utilization increases, but the measurement result is significantly delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit waits for a predetermined time after receiving a conveying command before actually conveying the rack, allowing it to anticipate future conveyance requests and batch multiple samples together, thereby improving rack utilization while maintaining timely delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance timing is dynamically adjusted based on whether new conveying commands are received within the predetermined time window, allowing the system to adapt between high-frequency and low-frequency conveyance modes automatically
3Productivity
If manual conveyance is used to maintain flexibility in timing, then the processing capacity of the automatic analyzer is maintained, but the automation level decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines conveyance timing by receiving conveying commands from the automatic analyzer and independently deciding whether to convey the rack immediately or wait, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining optimal processing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from conveying commands received from the automatic analyzer to dynamically adjust conveyance timing, allowing the automated system to adapt to the analyzer's processing capacity and avoid congestion
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
To provide a container storage device that reduces a decrease in processing capacity of an automatic analyzer to be connected and a delay in a measurement result of a measurement request sample and efficiently conveys the sample. A container storage device 1 includes a buffer 21 in which a rack 23 configured to accommodate a first container 22 and a second container 22 is placed, and a control unit 101. The control unit 101 includes a reception unit 102 configured to receive conveying commands for the first container 22 and the second container 22 from an analyzer 11, is configured to confirm whether a predetermined time elapses since the reception unit 102 receives the conveying command for the first container 22, and is configured to perform control such that when the conveying command for the second container 22 is received before the predetermined time elapses, the rack 23 on which the first container 22 and the second container 22 are placed is conveyed to the analyzer 11 at a timing at which the conveying command for the second container 22 is received, and when the conveying command for the second container 22 is not received even after the predetermined time elapses, the rack 23 on which the first container 22 is placed is conveyed to the analyzer 11.