Ultrasonic Fill Level Sensor for Reagent Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treating specimens in histology face contamination and incomplete treatment due to unpredictable reagent levels in containers, with mechanical overflow mechanisms only addressing overfilling and not ensuring sufficient reagent coverage.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a contact-free ultrasonic sensor on the transport mechanism to determine reagent fill levels, ensuring correct immersion of specimens and preventing contamination by controlling the transport mechanism based on predetermined minimum and maximum fill levels, and providing user feedback for reagent adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical overflow mechanisms are used in reagent containers, then overfilling is prevented and contamination is avoided, but underfilling cannot be detected and specimen treatment may be incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical overflow mechanisms with an ultrasonic sensor-based monitoring system. The sensor detects reagent fill levels by measuring the distance to the reagent surface, providing electronic feedback about both overfilling and underfilling conditions without requiring complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the ultrasonic sensor to continuously monitor reagent fill levels and providing information about the fill status. This feedback enables the system to detect both insufficient and excessive reagent levels, allowing for appropriate responses to ensure complete specimen treatment.
2Ease of repair
If contact-free sensing is used to determine fill level, then sensor contamination is prevented and maintenance is reduced, but measurement accuracy may be affected by reagent properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an ultrasonic sensor that operates contact-free to measure reagent fill levels. This eliminates the need for the sensor to physically contact the reagent, preventing contamination and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining measurement accuracy through acoustic wave reflection principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic sensor uses sound waves as an intermediary to measure fill levels without direct contact. The acoustic waves travel through air to the reagent surface and reflect back, allowing the sensor to detect fill level information indirectly through the medium of sound waves rather than direct physical contact.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to monitor all reagent containers, then complete fill level monitoring is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal monitoring approach where a single ultrasonic sensor can monitor multiple reagent containers by moving between them or by positioning to detect multiple containers. This multi-functional sensor reduces the total number of sensors needed while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage across all containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the monitoring function into a single sensor unit that can service multiple reagent containers. By combining the monitoring capability into one versatile sensor rather than dedicating separate sensors to each container, the system reduces overall complexity while achieving complete monitoring coverage.
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
Ensures consistent and complete treatment of specimens by preventing both underfilling and overfilling, reducing maintenance and contamination risks, and allowing for compact, cost-efficient operation with minimal external dependencies.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for treating specimens, comprising a plurality of reagent containers (12) which are arranged in predetermined positions. Further, the device (10) comprises a transport mechanism (22a, 22b) for transporting at least one transport container (16a, 16b) which accommodates at least one carrier (20). On the carrier at least one specimen is placed. Further, the device (10) has a sensor (34) for determining the fill level (44) of the reagent containers (12) with reagents (42), the sensor (34) being arranged on the transport mechanism (22a, 22b). Further, the invention relates to a method for determining the fill level (44) of reagent containers (12) with reagents (42).