Automatic Analysis Device With Unit-Aware Reagent Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analysis devices with integrated multiple functions require complex and time-consuming preparations when one measuring unit is unavailable, leading to unnecessary work and potential reagent waste due to lack of reflection of unit availability in display systems.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analysis device with a sample disk, reagent disk, and multiple measuring units, featuring a control part that adjusts display based on unit availability, preventing unnecessary preparations by reflecting unit necessity-of-use through a display system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single device integrates multiple measuring units for different analysis types, then device versatility and space utilization are improved, but preparation complexity and time consumption increase due to multiple maintenance, reagent replacement, calibration, and quality control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent measuring units (e.g., biochemical analysis unit, immunological analysis unit, hemostatic function unit), each capable of independent operation. The control part divides preparation tasks by measuring unit, allowing operators to focus on specific units without being overwhelmed by all units simultaneously. This segmentation reduces perceived complexity while maintaining overall versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The display part dynamically adjusts its content based on the operational status of measuring units. When a unit is unavailable for some reason, the display automatically hides preparation information related to that unit, creating a dynamic interface that adapts to current device state. This dynamic behavior simplifies operator workload by eliminating irrelevant preparation tasks.
2Reliability
If preparation operations are required for all measuring units regardless of availability, then system reliability is maintained, but time loss and reagent waste increase due to unnecessary preparations
Solution Approach 1:
The control part continuously monitors the availability status of each measuring unit and provides feedback to the display part. Based on this feedback, the display selectively shows or hides preparation information. This feedback mechanism ensures that operators only prepare for available units, eliminating time loss and reagent waste from unnecessary preparations while maintaining reliability through targeted preparation of functional units.
3Loss of information
If the display shows all preparation information for all measuring units, then complete information is provided, but operator workload increases due to unnecessary preparation tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The display part applies local quality by selectively presenting information tailored to specific measuring units based on their availability status. For unavailable units, preparation information is hidden; for available units, preparation information is displayed. This localized information presentation maintains completeness for relevant units while reducing overall operator workload by eliminating irrelevant information from the interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic analysis device according to the present invention is provided with a reagent disk configured to hold a plurality of reagent containers that is configured to a accommodate a reagent; at least two or more different measuring units configured to respectively perform different types of analysis using the reagent; a control part configured to control the measuring units; and a display part configured to display a reagent overview screen indicating information on a remaining amount of reagent and arrangement each of the plurality of reagent container hold on the reagent disk, as detailed information about reagents used in each of the two or more measuring units. When at least one of the two or more measuring units is not selected for use in the unit necessity-of-use selection part that allows selecting of necessity-of-use of each of the two or more measuring units, the display part is controlled so as not to display the information on the remaining amount of reagent and arrangement of the reagent container of the measuring unit, which is not selected for use, on the reagent overview screen. When at least one of the two or more measuring units is selected for use in the unit necessity-of-use selection part that allows selecting of necessity-of-use of each of the two or more measuring units, the display part is controlled so as to display the information on the remaining amount of reagent and arrangement of the reagent container of the measuring unit, which is selected for use, on the reagent overview screen.