Tissue Processor Reagent Status Signals for Accurate Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue processors lack an effective way to intuitively indicate the status of reagents, leading to potential errors in reagent replacement, such as timing and accuracy issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a detector, controller, and indicator to visually and audibly signal the reagent status through color-coded lights and sound alerts, ensuring timely and accurate reagent replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no reagent status indication system is installed, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of reagent replacement is poor leading to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded signal lamps (red, yellow, green) to indicate different reagent status levels. This visual indication system allows operators to quickly identify reagent status without complex interfaces, resolving the contradiction by providing reliable status information through simple color-coded signals that do not significantly increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through signal lamps and buzzers that provide real-time status information about reagent levels. The detector continuously monitors reagent status and feeds this information back to the operator through visual and auditory signals, ensuring accurate and timely reagent replacement without requiring complex manual monitoring systems
2Loss of time
If manual reagent monitoring is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time for reagent replacement increases due to delayed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of reagent status automatically before manual intervention is needed. The detector continuously monitors reagent levels and triggers warning signals in advance, allowing operators to prepare for timely replacement without waiting for manual checking, thus reducing time loss while keeping the detection system relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback through signal lamps and buzzers provides immediate notification when reagents need replacement. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates delays associated with manual monitoring while maintaining a simple system structure that does not require complex continuous monitoring infrastructure
3Ease of operation
If simple indication methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to non-intuitive status display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universally understood color codes (red for empty, yellow for low level, green for sufficient) to indicate reagent status. This intuitive color-coding system makes it extremely easy for operators to identify reagent status at a glance, resolving the contradiction by providing obvious visual cues that do not require complex displays or interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The indication system is segmented into separate signal lamps for different reagent bottles, with each bottle having its own dedicated indicator. This segmentation allows operators to quickly locate and identify the status of specific reagents without confusion, improving ease of operation while keeping each individual indicator simple
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 apparatus and method ensure accurate and timely reagent replacement, reducing errors and maintaining processing efficiency by providing real-time status updates.
Implementation Method 1
a detector, a controller, and an indicator. The detector is configured to detect the reagent status
Implementation Method 2
The at least one signal lamp is configured to emit predetermined light based on the control signal. The predetermined light includes one of light with a first predetermined color, light with a second predetermined color, and light that flashes at a predetermined flashing frequency
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of buzzers is configured to emit a sound signal with a predetermined frequency based on the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for indicating a reagent status in a reagent bottle in a tissue processor and a tissue processor are provided. The apparatus includes a detector, a controller, and an indicator. The detector is configured to detect the reagent status. The controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the reagent status. The indicator is configured to generate a signal for indicating the reagent status based on the control signal. The apparatus may intuitively indicate the reagent status for an operator, such that the operator may replace the reagent timely and accurately, avoiding reagent replacement error.