Specimen Rack Adapter for Small Test Tube Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen racks struggle to stably hold test tubes with small outer diameters, leading to inaccurate liquid level detection and specimen aspiration during automatic analysis, resulting in incorrect diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A specimen rack system that includes a main body with elastic portions and an adapter with a cylinder and notch portions, allowing the elastic portions to penetrate and securely hold test tubes with smaller diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a test tube with small outer diameter is used in the specimen rack, then the specimen rack can accommodate smaller test tubes, but the test tube cannot be stably held by the spring because the diameter is smaller than the insertion hole
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the specimen rack and the small-diameter test tube. The adapter includes a cylinder with an inner diameter matching the test tube size, and notch portions that allow the spring to penetrate and hold the test tube securely, thus mediating the connection between the rack and the small test tube
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is inserted through the upper opening of the specimen rack main body, and the test tube is then inserted through the adapter. This nested arrangement allows the adapter to provide a precise fit for small test tubes while being contained within the larger specimen rack structure
2Ease of operation
If the test tube is tilted in the specimen rack, then the axial center of the small cup deviates from the axial center of the probe, but this causes the probe to contact the inner wall of the small cup instead of accurately detecting the liquid level
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as a mediator that centers the small-diameter test tube within the specimen rack by providing a precisely fitted cylindrical structure. This ensures the test tube remains vertically aligned, preventing the probe from contacting the inner wall and enabling accurate liquid level detection
3Measurement precision
If the probe contacts the inner wall of the small cup before the liquid level, then the liquid level is erroneously detected at a higher position, but this prevents the required amount of specimen from being suctioned into the probe
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter ensures proper vertical alignment and centering of the test tube, which positions the small cup correctly relative to the probe. This prevents premature contact between the probe and the inner wall, ensuring accurate liquid level detection and adequate specimen aspiration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively stabilizes test tubes with small outer diameters, ensuring accurate liquid level detection and specimen aspiration, thereby preventing incorrect diagnosis results.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic portions that are provided in the specimen rack main body and press and hold the specimen container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is provided with: a sample rack body in which test tubes are inserted from insertion openings; a plurality of leaf springs that are provided to the sample rack body and press and hold the test tubes; and adaptors inserted from the insertion openings. The adaptors respectively have cylindrical bodies inserted from the insertion openings. The cylindrical bodies each have formed therein notch sections which cause the corresponding leaf spring to pass through a portion at which the leaf spring is in contact with the test tube and cause the test tube having a small outer diameter than the insertion opening to be held by the leaf spring.