Single-Probe Reagent Dispensing Sequence to Avoid Carry-Over
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face reduced throughput when dispensing multiple reagents using a single dispensing probe due to the need for pre-cleaning to avoid carry-over, which requires time and disrupts the dispensing process.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer that classifies dispensing operations into two categories: those requiring pre-cleaning and those that do not, determining the execution times to optimize the dispensing sequence and minimize the need for pre-cleaning, thereby maintaining throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-cleaning is performed on the dispensing probe just before dispensing the second reagent to avoid carry-over, then the reliability of reagent dispensing is improved, but the productivity of the automatic analyzer deteriorates due to the additional time required for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of dispensing operations into two categories: first processing that requires pre-cleaning and second processing that does not require pre-cleaning. By determining the execution times in a specific sequence (first processing times determined before second processing times), the system proactively plans cleaning operations to avoid conflicts with dispensing operations, thereby maintaining reliability while optimizing throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing operations are segmented into two distinct categories: first processing (requiring pre-cleaning) and second processing (not requiring pre-cleaning). This segmentation allows the system to apply different scheduling strategies to different types of operations, enabling efficient resource allocation and time management to prevent throughput reduction
2Manufacturing precision
If the dispensing probe is sufficiently cleaned just before dispensing the second reagent to avoid carry-over, then the purity of the second reagent is improved, but the time required for the dispensing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines execution times of first processing (requiring pre-cleaning) before determining execution times of second processing. This preliminary determination allows the system to proactively schedule cleaning operations in advance, ensuring purity requirements are met while optimizing the overall time management of the dispensing process
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the scheduling of cleaning operations based on the classified processing types. By making the cleaning schedule flexible and adaptive to the specific requirements of first and second processing, the system minimizes time loss while ensuring purity requirements are satisfied
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
To provide an automatic analyzer that does not deteriorate a throughput by avoiding carry-over when a plurality of reagents are dispensed by using one dispensing probe. An automatic analyzer that dispenses a plurality of reagents by using one dispensing probe to analyze a sample, includes a classifying unit that classifies a plurality of processes including the dispensation of the reagents into the first processing that requires a pre-cleaning performed on the dispensing probe just before or after the dispensation and second processing that requires no pre-cleaning, and a determining unit that determines an execution time of the first processing and then determines the execution time of the second processing.