Automated Laboratory Instrument Calibration System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation and calibration of laboratory instrumentation are time-consuming and costly, often requiring on-site engineers, and manual calibration processes are error-prone and subjective.

Innovation Solution

An automated system for calibrating and verifying laboratory equipment, incorporating expert knowledge to provide pass/fail status and troubleshooting feedback, which minimizes the need for on-site engineers and reduces calibration errors by automating steps such as ROI, background, and pure dye calibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration procedures are used, then experienced users can successfully calibrate properly manufactured instruments, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service calibration by providing automated guidance that allows users to perform calibrations independently without requiring experienced engineers, thus reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy through structured procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calibration process from manual subjective adjustments to automated objective measurements by capturing instrument responses to test patterns and using image processing algorithms to objectively determine calibration parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If on-site engineers are deployed for calibration, then proper calibration can be ensured, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration reliabilityVSAvoidcalibration cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces expensive on-site engineer services with automated self-service calibration capabilities that guide users through the process, maintaining reliability through structured procedures while dramatically reducing costs by eliminating the need for specialized personnel travel and deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback during calibration by capturing images of test patterns, processing them through algorithms, and guiding users through adjustments until calibration targets are met, ensuring reliability without requiring expert intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual calibration processing is used, then flexibility is maintained, but the process becomes subjective and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration flexibilityVSAvoidcalibration objectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and subjective judgment with automated image capture and computer-based image processing algorithms that objectively analyze test patterns and determine calibration status, eliminating human error and subjectivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9482652B2Method of automated calibration and diagnosis of laboratory instruments

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Method and system providing an automated workflow for installing and/or calibrating laboratory equipment. The workflow empowers an end user to perform installation and calibration thereby reducing the costs associated with such activities. The automated workflow taught herein, can greatly reduce the incidence of calibration error by providing for verification of certain events during the calibration process.