Automated Biological Sample Library with Modular Cryogenic Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological sample libraries have weak automation in depositing and retrieving operations, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to biological samples due to manual handling.
Innovation Solution
An automatic biological sample library is designed with an upper computer, control system, liquid nitrogen tank, insulated chamber, transfer container, and various automated modules such as rotary-disk rotating, basket lifting, tray shoveling, tube picking, and transfer modules, enabling fully automated depositing and retrieving of biological samples while maintaining them in cryogenic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual or semi-automatic operations are used in biological sample libraries, then device complexity is reduced, but automation level and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple functional modules including a rotary-disk module for sample storage, a lifting module for vertical movement, a shoveling module for tray handling, a picking module for tube manipulation, and a transfer module for sample transport. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex automated system to be managed through modular components that can be independently controlled and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated sample library system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform that can perform depositing, retrieving, cooling, and data management operations. The control system coordinates all modules to achieve comprehensive automation of biological sample handling processes, replacing multiple manual operations with a single integrated automated system.
2Reliability
If manual handling operations are used, then device complexity is lower, but sample security and reliability deteriorate due to repeated freezing and thawing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the transfer container and maintains cryogenic temperatures throughout the sample transfer process. The insulated chamber and cooling module prepare the environment in advance to ensure samples remain frozen during automated handling, preventing thawing and maintaining sample viability throughout the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer container acts as an intermediary between the storage baskets and the external environment. It provides a controlled cryogenic environment during sample transfer, isolating samples from temperature fluctuations that would occur during manual handling operations.
3Productivity
If automated modules are added to increase automation, then operational efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional modules are merged into a compact integrated system within a single insulated chamber. The rotary-disk, lifting, shoveling, picking, and transfer modules work together in coordination, sharing common infrastructure such as the cooling system and control platform, thereby achieving high automation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture allows components to be nested within each other - the rotary-disk with baskets is nested within the insulated chamber, the transfer container is nested within the chamber, and various mechanical modules are nested within the available space. This nesting approach maximizes functionality within a compact footprint.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If samples are manually transferred between containers, then equipment requirements are simpler, but sample protection from temperature fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulated chamber creates a thermally inert environment that isolates samples from external temperature fluctuations. The chamber maintains a stable cryogenic atmosphere throughout the automated transfer process, preventing harmful temperature changes that would occur during manual handling in conventional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system maintains continuous cryogenic protection throughout the entire sample transfer process. The cooling module operates continuously to maintain temperature, and the insulated chamber remains sealed during all operations, ensuring uninterrupted thermal protection unlike manual handling where samples are exposed during transfer.
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 automatic biological sample library reduces human interference, enhances the security, reliability, and convenience of sample handling, and facilitates automatic data management, sharing, and analysis, thereby protecting the viability of biological samples.
Implementation Method 1
the second compartment is internally provided with a cooling module
Implementation Method 2
a rotary-disk assembly accommodated in the first insulated tank body, multiple baskets placed on the rotary-disk assembly
Implementation Method 3
The basket lifting module is configured to cooperate with the automatic cover to drive the automatic cover to rise and fall
Implementation Method 4
The tube picking module is configured to deposit a cryopreservation tube into a cryopreservation tray shoveled by the tray shoveling module, or retrieve a cryopreservation tube from a cryopreservation tray shoveled by the tray shoveling module
Implementation Method 5
The transfer module is arranged on the frame, and capable of driving the transfer container to move into the tube outlet or move away from the tube outlet
Implementation Method 6
The liquid nitrogen tank includes a first insulated tank body, a rotary-disk assembly accommodated in the first insulated tank body
Implementation Method 7
The insulated chamber is arranged to cover above the automatic cover, and the insulated chamber includes a first compartment and a second compartment
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic biological sample library, includes a frame, an upper computer, a control system, a liquid nitrogen tank, an insulated chamber, a transfer container, a rotary-disk rotating module, a basket lifting module, a tray shoveling module, a tube picking module and a transfer module. The rotary-disk rotating module, the basket lifting module, the tray shoveling module, the tube picking module and the transfer module are electrically connected to the control system. The automatic biological sample library includes the upper computer and the control system, and therefore can automatically control operations of the rotary-disk rotating module, the basket lifting module, the tray shoveling module, the tube picking module and the transfer module, such that automatic depositing and retrieving biological samples are achieved, human interference is reduced, the safety, reliability and convenience of depositing and retrieving are improved, automatic data management, data sharing and data analysis of biological sample information are realized.