Specimen Conveyance Route Reset for Faster Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen conveyance systems cannot dynamically adjust the conveyance route when additional request information is received after specimen loading, leading to delays and inefficiencies in specimen analysis.
Innovation Solution
A specimen conveyance system and method that allows for real-time regeneration of the conveyance route based on additional request information, utilizing an operation control unit to manage specimen flow and adjust priorities dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyance route is determined at specimen loading and cannot be changed during pre-treatment, then the system operates with a simple fixed route, but additional request information cannot be processed and examination time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance route is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system allows the conveyance route to be changed during pre-treatment when additional request information is received. The specimen can be conveyed to a stocker and then re-conveyed to the analysis device based on updated requirements, enabling the system to adapt to changing examination needs without reloading the specimen.
2Device complexity
If the specimen is conveyed in one direction only until accommodated in a storage unit, then the conveyance system is simple, but the specimen cannot stop by the analysis device again for reexamination
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance system introduces a multi-dimensional pathway by incorporating a stocker as an intermediate storage point that enables route changes. Instead of a single linear path, the system provides multiple conveyance routes: loading unit to analysis device, loading unit to stocker, stocker to analysis device, and analysis device to stocker. This dimensional expansion allows specimens to be redirected for reexamination without increasing fundamental system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the conveyance route cannot be reset when additional request information is received, then the system maintains operational simplicity, but specimen analysis time increases due to required specimen reloading
Solution Approach 1:
The stocker serves as an intermediary element that enables route resetting without requiring specimen reloading. When additional request information is received, the system can redirect the specimen from the current conveyance path to the stocker, and then from the stocker to the analysis device. This intermediary stocker maintains operational simplicity while eliminating time loss associated with specimen reloading.
Data Source
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AI summary
A specimen conveyance system and a specimen conveyance method are realized, in which a conveyance route of a specimen can be reset even when information about an additional request is received after loading of the specimen. A specimen container 33 containing a specimen is conveyed to a transfer machine 9, 10, or 11 via a conveyance line 6, 7, or 8 according to a set conveyance route so as to be analyzed by an analysis device 12, 13, or 14. When an abnormality occurs in the analysis result, a notification of the abnormality is sent to an operation control unit 21 and a host computer 23 through a communication cable 22 and information about the additional request for changing the conveyance route is created. After the specimen is conveyed from the analysis device 12, 13, or 14 to the transfer machine 9, 10, or 11, information about the additional request is checked at a destination determination point 15, 16, or 17, and the conveyance route is changed according to the additional request. Accordingly, the specimen container can be conveyed to the appropriate analysis device 12, 13 or 14 without being returned to the storage unit 3 once, and thus the specimen analysis time can be reduced.