Tilt Changing Mechanism for Reagent Container Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample analyzers face challenges in minimizing dead volumes of reagents in reagent containers, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to unused reagents, particularly when handling reagents of varying heights, diameters, and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A sample analyzer with a reagent container holder that includes a tilt-changing mechanism, allowing reagent containers to be tilted to optimize reagent aspiration, reducing dead volumes by ensuring complete aspiration of reagents regardless of container geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If reagent containers are held at a fixed upright position, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but dead volumes of reagents cannot be completely eliminated and reagents are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent container holder is designed with a tilting mechanism that allows the holder to change its angle from an upright position to a tilted position. This dynamic adjustment enables the reagent container to be tilted at a predetermined angle during reagent aspiration, allowing complete drainage of reagents and elimination of dead volumes, while returning to an upright position for storage. This resolves the contradiction by introducing controlled movement to eliminate reagent waste without overly complicating the overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reagent containers of various sizes and shapes are used, then reagent storage flexibility is improved, but complete aspiration of reagents becomes difficult and dead volumes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with a tilted surface that is specifically oriented to work with the geometry of reagent containers. By tilting the holder at a predetermined angle, the reagent container can be positioned such that its opening is at the highest point, allowing gravity to pull reagents completely out of the container. This local geometric adjustment accommodates various container sizes and shapes while ensuring complete reagent aspiration, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reagent waste.
3Loss of substance
If the holder surface is tilted to aspirate reagents completely, then reagent waste is reduced, but the holder structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holder incorporates a tilting mechanism that allows it to change its angle dynamically. The holder can be tilted at a predetermined angle during reagent aspiration to enable complete drainage, and then returned to an upright position for storage. This dynamic capability achieves complete reagent aspiration and eliminates waste while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through controlled movement rather than complex fixed geometric designs.
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 tilt-changing mechanism enables efficient aspiration of reagents from containers of different sizes and shapes, minimizing waste and optimizing reagent use, thereby reducing operational costs and improving analysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reagent container holder (50) including a reagent container holder body (51) configured to hold a reagent container (40), and a tilt changing part configured to change a tilt of the reagent container holder body (51)
Implementation Method 2
a reagent dispenser configured to aspirate a reagent contained in the reagent container held in the reagent container holder body
Data Source
AI summary
A sample analyzer includes: a reagent container holder including a reagent container holder body configured to hold a reagent container, and a tilt changing part configured to change a tilt of the reagent container holder body; a reagent dispenser configured to aspirate a reagent contained in the reagent container held in the reagent container holder body; a detector configured to detect a signal for analysis from a measurement specimen containing a sample and the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispenser; and a controller that analyzes the sample on the basis of the signal detected by the detector.