Specimen Preprocessing System with Height-Adaptive Plug Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen preprocessing systems require users to manually confirm and adjust for different types of specimen containers, leading to errors, inefficiencies, and limited flexibility due to the need for containers of the same height and plug configuration.
Innovation Solution
A system with a determination section using image processing to identify and adjust the height of specimen containers, coupled with a plug opening mechanism that can accommodate containers of varying heights and plug configurations, allowing for automatic plug opening without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the plug opening unit requires specimen containers of the same type (height, configuration, and plug configuration) to be mounted in the same rack, then the operation is simple, but the system flexibility deteriorates and user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member height is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to different container heights dynamically. The height adjustment mechanism enables the plug opening unit to accommodate various container types by changing the support position, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the height parameter of the support member to match different container types. By allowing continuous or discrete height adjustments, the system can process containers with varying heights, plug configurations, and diameters without requiring manual reconfiguration or limiting container type selection.
2Manufacturing precision
If the user is required to confirm the type of specimen containers to be mounted in the rack, then mounting accuracy is maintained, but time loss occurs due to reconfirmation and user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of container types through the determination section, which automatically detects container characteristics (height, plug configuration, diameter) and adjusts support member heights accordingly. This eliminates the need for user confirmation while maintaining mounting accuracy, as the system autonomously adapts to the specific container type present.
3Device complexity
If the type of specimen container with the plug to be mounted in the specimen rack is limited, then the plug opening mechanism can be simplified, but system flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug opening mechanism is designed with universal capability to handle multiple container types through the adjustable support member system. By making the support height variable, a single plug opening mechanism can serve multiple functions across different container types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mechanisms while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen preprocessing system includes a determination section for determining with respect to a height of a specimen container; a specimen container lifting mechanism for lifting an opening portion of the specimen container held in a specimen rack to a same predetermined level based on determination information data of the determination section; and a plug opening mechanism for opening a plug of the specimen container lifted to the same predetermined level by the specimen container lifting mechanism.