Temporary Reagent Store for Automated Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated analyzers face challenges in efficiently managing temperature-sensitive reagents, as existing systems often require frequent loading and transfer of reagents between storage units, leading to prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A closed reagent store with active cooling and a temporary storage unit that minimizes exposure to elevated temperatures by transferring reagents quickly to a pipetting device, allowing for reduced frequency of reagent loading and optimized reagent lifespan, while maintaining quick access and reducing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reagents are stored in a closed reagent store with active cooling, then reagent lifespan is extended and temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent storage system is divided into two distinct segments: a closed reagent store with active cooling for long-term storage, and a temporary store without cooling for quick access. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the closed store provides temperature stability and extended lifespan, while the temporary store simplifies the system by eliminating cooling requirements for frequently accessed reagents.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary store acts as an intermediary between the closed reagent store and the pipetting device. Reagents are transferred from the closed store to the temporary store before use, allowing the closed store to maintain strict temperature control while the temporary store provides rapid access without requiring cooling, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If reagents are transferred frequently between storage units, then accessibility is improved, but energy consumption increases due to prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
Reagents are pre-transferred from the closed reagent store to the temporary store before they are needed for analysis. This preliminary action allows reagents to be stored in a temperature-controlled environment until the moment of use, minimizing the time they spend in non-cooled areas and reducing energy loss from temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a rapid transfer mechanism that moves reagents quickly from the closed store through the temporary store to the pipetting device. By rushing through the temporary storage period as quickly as possible, the system minimizes the duration reagents are exposed to elevated temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining accessibility.
3Device complexity
If a temporary store without cooling is used for quick access, then device complexity is reduced and energy consumption decreases, but reagent temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the storage location of reagents based on their usage frequency and temporal requirements. Frequently accessed reagents are placed in the temporary store for quick access, while less frequently used reagents remain in the closed store for temperature stability. This dynamic allocation optimizes both complexity and temperature stability according to actual operational needs.
4Productivity
If reagents are loaded frequently to ensure availability, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases due to repeated temperature cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary loading of reagents into the temporary store based on predicted usage patterns. By pre-loading reagents that will be needed soon, the system ensures availability without requiring frequent re-loading operations, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing energy consumption from repeated temperature cycling.
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
This solution extends the walk-away time for operators, optimizes reagent lifespan, and reduces energy consumption by minimizing exposure to elevated temperatures, while ensuring timely and efficient presentation of reagents to the pipetting device.
Implementation Method 1
The closed reagent store comprises a cooling unit for active cooling. The cooling unit is set to keep the inside temperature of the closed reagent store between a lower specified temperature and an upper specified temperature.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An analyzer for detecting or quantitating an analyte comprising a temporary storage unit for storing a reagent cassette and a method for presenting a reagent cassette present in a temporary storage unit to a pipetting device are described.