Body Fluid Sample Carrier with Visual Rack Placement Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body fluid analyzers face issues with incorrect positioning of sample racks, leading to misallocation of results to the wrong patient, due to the lack of clear guidance on the correct placement of racks on the carrier.
Innovation Solution
A body fluid sample carrier with marker receptacles and markers providing optical information, such as color codes and arrows, to guide correct rack placement, and a detection system to verify correct positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If no marker system is provided on the sample carrier, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of placement guidance
Solution Approach 1:
Markers are pre-positioned on the sample carrier frame at locations corresponding to rack receptacles before the user arrives. This preliminary placement of information markers guides the user to correctly position racks without requiring complex real-time guidance systems or training.
Solution Approach 2:
Markers serve as an intermediary element between the sample carrier structure and the user. Instead of directly communicating complex positioning requirements, the markers provide intuitive visual cues that mediate the interaction, making the placement process simple while maintaining system sophistication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple marker arrangements are provided on both sides of the carrier, then the adaptability improves for different rack configurations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker system is segmented into multiple independent marker receptacles distributed along both sides of the carrier. Each marker receptacle can independently indicate a specific rack position, allowing flexible configuration for different rack types and sizes without requiring a completely different marker system.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker receptacles are designed with universal functionality to accommodate various rack configurations. The same marker receptacle structure can indicate positions for different rack types (e.g., full-width vs. half-width racks), making the system adaptable without increasing physical complexity.
3Reliability
If form fit connections with protrusions are provided, then the reliability of rack positioning improves, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire rack receptacle complex, only specific local areas (where racks interface with the carrier) are equipped with protrusions or detentions. This localized application of form-fit features provides reliable positioning while keeping the overall manufacturing process simple and focused on critical areas only.
Data Source
AI summary
Body fluid sample carrier for use in a body fluid analyser and body fluid analyser using a body fluid sample carrier, wherein the body fluid sample carrier has a plurality of rack receptacles and a plurality of marker receptacles for receiving corresponding markers in order to improve the association between racks positioned on the carrier and the correct position on the carrier.