Staining Tank Selection for Smear Prep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smear preparing apparatuses face challenges in reducing staining solution consumption while maintaining processing speed, as they often require all staining tanks to be used simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and increased solution usage.
Innovation Solution
A smear preparing apparatus with a controller that determines which staining tanks to use based on user input, allowing for selective use of tanks and optimizing the number of tanks engaged in staining processing to minimize solution consumption without compromising speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the number of glass slides that can be held by each staining tank is reduced, then the consumption amount of the staining solution is reduced, but the processing speed of the smear preparing apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the number of holdable glass slides variable rather than fixed. The staining tank's slide holding capacity is dynamically adjusted based on the actual processing requirements, allowing the system to optimize between solution consumption and processing speed for different workloads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the staining tank's slide holding capacity from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to processing needs. This allows optimization of both solution consumption and processing speed by selecting appropriate parameter values for different scenarios.
2Productivity
If all staining tanks are used simultaneously, then the processing speed is maintained, but the consumption amount of the staining solution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary staining tanks from the processing system based on actual requirements. By determining which tanks are needed for the current batch of glass slides, the system removes unused tanks from operation, thereby reducing solution consumption while maintaining adequate processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary number of staining tanks required for the current processing load, rather than operating all tanks simultaneously. This prevents excessive solution consumption while ensuring sufficient processing capacity is available.
Data Source
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AI summary
A smear preparing apparatus may include: a staining unit including staining tanks that are configured to receive glass slides smeared with samples and to accommodate a staining solution used to stain the samples smeared on the glass slides; a transfer unit that holds the glass slides and transfers the glass slides to the staining unit; a fluid circuit that supplies the staining solution to each of the staining tanks in the staining unit; and a controller that determines a staining tank used for staining processing among the staining tanks in response to a manipulation by a user.