Specimen Analyzer Carry-Over Detection Using Internal Reference Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen analyzers face performance degradation due to the need for blank measurements to detect carry-over, which prolongs standby time and reduces specimen processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The specimen analyzer measures carry-over using internal reference materials and correlation coefficients, eliminating the need for blank measurements and allowing continuous specimen processing without performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blank measurement is inserted between specimen measurements to detect carry-over, then carry-over detection accuracy is improved, but specimen processing performance deteriorates due to prolonged standby time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by adding internal reference materials to specimens before measurement and pre-calculating correlation coefficients. This allows the system to establish baseline data in advance, enabling carry-over detection during normal specimen measurement without requiring separate blank measurements, thus maintaining high specimen processing performance while ensuring accurate carry-over detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Internal reference materials serve as intermediaries between the specimen and the measurement system. These reference materials are added to specimens and allow the system to detect carry-over through correlation analysis without requiring blank measurements. The internal reference materials mediate the detection process by providing a reference signal that indicates the presence of carry-over contaminants.
2Device complexity
If measured value of measurement item is used to detect carry-over, then detection method is simplified, but faulty detection occurs depending on concentration of measurement item
Solution Approach 1:
Internal reference materials act as intermediaries that provide a reliable basis for carry-over detection independent of the measurement item concentration. By measuring the correlation between internal reference material signals in consecutive specimens, the system achieves reliable carry-over detection without being affected by variations in specimen concentration or matrix effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from measuring the absolute value of the measurement item to measuring the correlation coefficient of internal reference material signals between consecutive specimens. This parameter transformation allows the system to detect carry-over reliably regardless of the concentration or characteristics of the measurement item itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a specimen analyzer that can measure carry-over without degrading a specimen processing capability. A specimen analyzer according to the present invention measures a first sample including a first specimen and a first internal reference material, subsequently measures a second sample including a second specimen and a second internal reference material, and calculates an amount of the second specimen included in the second sample using an amount of the first internal reference material measured when the first sample has been measured and an amount of the second internal reference material measured when the second sample has been measured.