Automated Analyzer Queue Reordering for Coordinated Patient Results

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated analysis devices struggle with varying measurement start times for specimens from the same patient, leading to delayed reporting and manual organization of results, especially when different blood collection tubes require different pre-treatments and urgent tests are involved.

Innovation Solution

An automated analysis device and method that adjusts the measurement order for specimens based on the completion times of other specimens from the same patient, minimizing time differences in result output and enabling coordinated reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple analysis devices are used to analyze multiple analytes simultaneously, then analysis capability and productivity are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analysis devices into a single integrated system where multiple measurement units share common components including sample introduction system, flow control units, and data processing unit. This merging approach enables simultaneous analysis of multiple analytes while reducing overall device complexity and space requirements compared to using separate standalone devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated analysis system employs universal components that serve multiple functions. For example, the sample introduction system can introduce different sample types to various measurement units, and the flow control units can regulate flows to multiple different measurement cells. This multi-functionality allows a single device to perform multiple analysis tasks simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple analysis devices are used to analyze multiple analytes simultaneously, then analysis capability and productivity are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated analysis system employs a nested configuration where multiple measurement units are arranged in a compact, space-efficient layout. The measurement units share common infrastructure components, creating a hierarchical structure where smaller functional units are integrated within a larger unified system, thereby minimizing the overall footprint while maintaining multiple analysis capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If manual operation is used for analysis, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis system incorporates automated sample introduction, flow control, and data processing capabilities that enable the system to perform analysis operations autonomously. The microprocessor-controlled flow control units automatically regulate sample and reagent flows, and the system can automatically process multiple samples through the shared measurement units without requiring manual intervention for each analysis step, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If separate analysis devices are used for different analytes, then measurement precision for each analyte is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated analysis system divides the analysis function into separate measurement units, each optimized for specific types of measurements. Each measurement unit maintains its own measurement precision through dedicated sensors and measurement circuits, while the segmented architecture allows parallel operation of multiple units to analyze different analytes simultaneously, thereby maintaining precision while improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3901632B1Automated analysis device, and analysis method

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

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AI summary

Since the measurement start timings for a plurality of specimens in different test fields deviate from one another, the measurement results are not coordinated, leading to a delay in reporting. When determining an order for measuring a newly recognized specimen using an automated analysis device capable of performing measurements in a plurality of test fields, the measurement order for specimens waiting to be measured is changed to minimize the time difference between measurement result output timings for a plurality of specimens for the same patient, with reference to specimen information (301) such as urgent test information (302), a measurement completion time (309), and an earliest measurement completion time for other specimens (311), relating to the patient's other specimens having the same patient number (303) in the specimen information (301).