Aliquoting Biological Samples via Selective Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aliquoting methods result in significant sample waste due to automatic discarding of pipette tips containing biological samples when errors occur during the process, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary procurement of additional samples.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that instructs laboratory instruments to detect errors during the aliquoting process and selectively perform actions such as reinsertion of the sample volume into the primary container, reducing waste by retaining the sample instead of discarding it, based on the type and timing of the error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipette tip containing the aliquot is automatically discarded when an error occurs during aliquoting, then the reliability of the aliquoting process is improved by preventing use of compromised samples, but the loss of substance increases due to unnecessary discarding of the biological sample
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of sample disposal from automatic discarding to selective retention based on error type and timing. The control unit modifies the disposal decision by analyzing error characteristics (e.g., aspiration error vs. dispensing error) and temporal information (when in the aliquoting process the error occurred), thereby preventing unnecessary sample loss while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the aliquoting process for errors and using this information to adjust the disposal decision. The control unit receives feedback about error occurrence, analyzes it according to predefined criteria, and modifies the action taken on the sample accordingly, allowing the system to learn from the error and make intelligent disposal decisions.
2Ease of operation
If the pipette tip is always discarded when an error occurs, then the ease of operation is improved by automating the error handling, but the productivity decreases due to loss of usable samples and need for re-collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing errors and deciding whether to retain or discard samples without requiring manual intervention. The control unit independently evaluates error conditions, applies retention criteria, and executes appropriate actions, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving productivity through reduced sample loss and eliminated need for re-collection.
3Loss of substance
If biological samples are retained and reused when errors occur, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the risk of contamination and sample integrity issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of sample disposition from uniform discarding to selective retention based on error analysis. By evaluating error type (e.g., whether the error affected sample integrity) and timing, the system determines when retention is safe and when discarding is necessary, thereby reducing sample waste while managing contamination risks through informed decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from error detection and analysis to guide sample retention decisions. The control unit continuously monitors sample state and error conditions, and adjusts disposal decisions based on this feedback, ensuring that samples are retained only when they remain fit for purpose and discarding when contamination or integrity issues are detected.
Data Source
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AI summary
Summarizing the invention, a method is provided. The method comprises: instructing a laboratory instrument comprising an aspirating/dispensing device to aliquot a drawing volume of a biological sample contained in a primary sample container; determining that an error has occurred, wherein the error affects at least one of: the laboratory instrument, a state of the biological sample, and a state of a secondary sample container configured to receive the drawing volume; selecting, based on at least one of a type of the error and a time point at which it is determined that the error has occurred, an action from a plurality of actions to be performed by the laboratory instrument, wherein the plurality of actions comprise a reinsertion action that comprises dispensing the drawing volume to the primary sample container; and instructing the laboratory instrument to perform the selected action.