Linked Automated Workstation

Abstract

To provide an automatic workstation capable of expanding the working area without limit, automatically conducting a plurality of experiments simultaneously in parallel, and completing the experiments inside a housing, thereby enabling full automation. [Solution] This automated workstation has physical and electrical connections in all directions, allowing it to be connected to adjacent automated workstations. The automated workstation detects whether or not a connection is made, the number of units, and the direction, and enables power supply and data communication with adjacent automated workstations, allowing the system to be controlled as a series of automated workstations. Furthermore, by providing a mechanism for transferring nozzles and experimental samples to adjacent automated workstations, it is possible to move nozzles and experimental samples to other enclosures without interrupting the experiment, achieving full automation without the need for manual transportation to distant enclosures or experimental equipment.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an automated workstation used in biological experiments that can be connected to other automated workstations, enabling expansion of the workspace, simultaneous parallel experiments, and the transport of nozzles and experimental samples between the housings. [Background technology]

[0002] In biological experiments, automated workstations and automated pipetting machines are widely used to automate the enormous amount of work involved and reduce the time and labor burden on experimenters.

[0003] An automated workstation, as described in, for example, JP 2004-17008 A, is capable of transporting liquid to a specified position by moving a nozzle capable of aspirating and discharging a specified amount of liquid sample in the X, Y, and Z axis directions under computer control.

[0004] This allows a range of biological research experiments to be carried out automatically, involving mixing of liquid samples within the automated workstation enclosure.

[0005] In addition, by introducing experimental modules such as temperature control devices, shaking devices, and magnetic separation devices into an automated workstation, it is possible to perform more complex operations than simple mixing of liquids, and there are also devices that can automate a series of experiments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-17008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem to be solved is that the number of experimental samples and experimental modules that can be installed on a single automated workstation is limited by the work area of ​​the automated workstation, making it difficult to carry out large-scale experiments. Some automated workstations have extension tables to expand the work area, but the amount of experiments that an experimenter can perform is limited by the size of the extension table provided by the manufacturer.

[0008] In addition, many automated workstations only have one set of XY stages, making it difficult to conduct multiple experiments simultaneously in parallel. This results in the problem of time-consuming execution of multiple experiments. Furthermore, even if multiple automated workstations are available, if the necessary experimental modules and samples are located in separate enclosures, the experimenter must manually transport them to the separate enclosures during the experiment, which poses a problem of not being able to achieve complete automation of research. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The main feature of this invention is the interconnection of automated workstations with a set of XY stages. The interconnection method involves providing electrodes on the housings, allowing the system to sense the electrical connections between the housings and recognize the number and orientation of the connected housings. The electrical connections between the housings enable power supply and data communication, allowing the system to operate multiple automated workstations as a series of automated workstations and execute a series of protocols specified by the experimenter. Furthermore, by equipping the housings with a transport mechanism such as a conveyor belt, nozzles and experimental samples can be transported between adjacent housings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The automated workstations of the present invention can be interconnected, allowing for unlimited expansion until the experimenter's desired working area is reached, making it easy to create an experimental environment tailored to the experimenter's desired scale of experiment volume. Furthermore, each chassis is equipped with an XY stage, allowing multiple experiments to be performed simultaneously in parallel, and nozzles and experimental samples can be moved to adjacent automated workstations as needed, improving experiment efficiency and speeding up the process. Furthermore, when there are more experimental modules than can be accommodated within a single automated workstation, experimenters previously had to manually remove the experimental samples from the chassis and transport them to an external chassis or experimental equipment, which was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and hygienic. However, by connecting multiple automated workstations and enabling the easy transfer of nozzles and experimental samples to other chassis, experiments can be completed within a series of automated workstations, eliminating these burdens and achieving hygienic, fully automated experiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic diagram of a linked automated workstation, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which two linked automated workstations are linked together. [Figure 2] 1(a) is a front view showing the outline of the connection part of the linked automated workstation, and FIG. 1(b) is a front view showing the state in which the electrode part shown in FIG. 1(a) is inserted and connected. [Figure 3] (a) is a front view of two linked automated workstations, and (b) shows the two linked automated workstations linked together, with the nozzle and experimental sample moved from the left enclosure to the right enclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] By providing a connection section with electrodes on the housing of an automated workstation, which allows it to connect adjacent automated workstations to each other, the system inside the automated workstation can recognize the connection direction and number of units, allowing it to control a series of automated workstations. Furthermore, by providing a transfer mechanism such as a conveyor belt at the end or bottom of the housing, it becomes possible to transport nozzles and experimental samples to adjacent housings. Furthermore, by providing a sensor in the transport section, it is possible to detect the approach and passage of nozzles and experimental samples during transport. [Example]

[0013] First, we will describe an example of a typical automated workstation. Figure 1(a) 1 shows the articulated automated workstation of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a motor for transporting the workpiece in the X-axis direction. Rotation of the motor rotates a screw shaft 3, which moves a Y-axis rail 4 in the X-axis direction. The Y-axis rail 4 can move a nozzle 5 in the Y-axis direction using a mechanism such as a linear actuator. The nozzle 5 can aspirate and dispense liquid, and a Z-axis screw 6 moves the nozzle in the Z-axis direction. Reference numeral 8 denotes a lower motor, which rotates a belt conveyor 9, thereby moving an experimental sample 10. These mechanisms allow the nozzle and experimental sample to be moved to any desired position, allowing for aspirating and dispensing liquid at any desired location, enabling automated biological experiments.

[0014] Next, we will explain the connection method. The linked automated workstation 1 is equipped with a connection section 7, which allows it to be connected to an adjacent automated workstation as shown in Figure 1(b). As shown in Figure 2(a), the connection section 7 is equipped with physical and electrical connection sections such as a banana plug-like male terminal section 14 and a banana plug-like female terminal section 15, which allows the system to recognize the connection and enables control of the series of automated workstations, power supply to other enclosures, and data communication.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), adjacent connectable automated workstations can be equipped with conveyor belt-like transfer mechanisms at the top and bottom, where nozzles are typically installed, allowing the nozzles and experimental samples to be transported to adjacent enclosures under computer control. Note that the transport at the top is not limited to nozzles; by incorporating an attachment for grasping and lifting the experimental sample into the nozzle section, the sample can be transported to the adjacent enclosure by the top transport mechanism without using the bottom transport mechanism. Furthermore, the approach and passage of the nozzle or experimental sample to the adjacent enclosure can be detected by the top transport sensor 3 and bottom transport sensor 12, as shown in Figure 1(a). [Explanation of symbols]

[0016] 1 Connected Automated Workstation 2 X-axis motors 3 X-axis screw shaft 4 Y-axis rail 5 nozzles 6 Z-axis screw 7 Connection 8 Lower Motor 9 Lower belt conveyor 10 Experimental Samples 11 Upper Sensor 12 Lower Sensor 13. Linked automated workstations 14 Banana plug-like male terminal 15 Banana plug-like female terminal

Claims

1. An automatic workstation characterized in that adjacent automatic workstations can be connected to each other.

2. 2. The automated workstation according to claim 1, wherein electrical connections are provided between the cabinets, so that the number of cabinets connected and the direction of connection can be recognized.

3. 2. The automated workstation according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical connection section for connecting the housings together to supply power to adjacent housings and for data communication.

4. 2. The automated workstation according to claim 1, wherein a transfer mechanism is provided to a housing adjacent to the automated workstation, thereby enabling the nozzle and the experimental sample to be transported to the adjacent automated workstation.

5. 2. The automated workstation according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor such as a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor for transferring to an adjacent automated workstation, thereby detecting the approach and passage of the nozzle, experimental sample, etc. to be transferred.

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