Specimen Analyzing Apparatus Dual Dispensing Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing specimen analyzing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently handling specimens with caps, requiring complex operations for precise aspiration, and in managing mixed batches of specimens that require re-examination and those that do not, necessitating improved dispensing and analysis modes.

Innovation Solution

A specimen analyzing apparatus with a transporting device, a detector, and operation mode selector that allows for two dispensing modes: one for a necessary amount directly to an analyzing container and another for a reserve container, enabling efficient handling of specimens with caps and mixed examination requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex operation is performed to precisely aspirate specimen from capped containers, then measurement precision is improved, but examination time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of specimen aspirationVSAvoidexamination time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of container types (capped vs. uncapped) and pre-determines the appropriate aspiration method before the actual specimen withdrawal. This allows the apparatus to select between complex precise aspiration for capped containers and simple aspiration for uncapped containers, thereby reducing examination time while maintaining precision where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The aspiration method is made dynamic and adaptable based on the container type detected by the sensor unit. The control unit adjusts the aspiration process in real-time based on whether the container is capped or uncapped, switching between different operational modes to optimize both precision and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If sufficient specimen is dispensed into stock container for re-examination, then re-examination capability is improved, but productivity is reduced due to mixed batches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-examination capabilityVSAvoidexamination throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the specimen handling process into distinct pathways: one for single-examination specimens and another for re-examination specimens. By separating these flows and using different dispensing modes, the apparatus can efficiently process mixed batches without compromising re-examination capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs preliminary determination of examination requirements before specimen dispensing. By identifying whether a specimen requires re-examination in advance, the system can pre-configure the appropriate dispensing mode (first mode for single exam, second mode for re-exam) to optimize productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If first dispensing mode is used for all specimens, then examination speed is improved, but re-examination capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination speedVSAvoidre-examination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing system transitions from a static single-mode operation to a dynamic multi-mode operation. The control unit adjusts the dispensing mode based on real-time identification of re-examination requirements, allowing the system to maintain high speed while preserving re-examination capability when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters (dispensing mode) based on the specimen requirements. By switching between first dispensing mode (fast, no reserve) and second dispensing mode (with reserve for re-exam), the system optimizes both speed and reliability according to the specific examination needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If second dispensing mode is used for all specimens, then re-examination capability is maintained, but examination efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-examination capabilityVSAvoidexamination efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality levels of specimen handling to different specimens. By locally identifying which specimens require re-examination, the apparatus applies the more time-consuming second dispensing mode only to those specific cases, while using the faster first dispensing mode for routine examinations, thereby optimizing overall efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9068956B2Specimen analyzing apparatus and specimen analyzing method

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 SYSMEX CORP

AI summary

A specimen analyzing apparatus comprising: a detector for detecting component information regarding a component in a specimen contained in each of analyzing containers, the analyzing containers comprising first and second analyzing containers; an analyzing part for analyzing the component information detected by the detector; a transporting device for transporting specimen containers each containing a specimen, the specimen containers comprising first and second specimen containers; an operation mode selector for selecting one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode; a first supplying device for supplying the specimen of a first amount; a second supplying device for supplying the specimen of a second amount greater than the first amount; and a supply controller for controlling the first and second supplying devices in accordance with an operation mode selected by the operation mode selector, is disclosed. A specimen analyzing method is also disclosed.