Automatic Assaying Pipette Multiplexing for Uninterrupted Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated pipetting systems in the life sciences industry are limited in their ability to handle diverse pipetting procedures efficiently and dynamically, often requiring manual intervention and interrupting the workflow.
Innovation Solution
An automatic assaying system with a continuous uninterrupted flow of work item holders between storage and work sections, enabling flexible loading and unloading of generic work items, and a controller that sequences and multiplexes pipetting protocols to maintain a seamless workflow, using interchangeable pipette trays and tip sets with varying characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional automated pipetting systems are used, then pipetting accuracy and control are improved, but the system becomes less dynamic and requires manual intervention for diverse pipetting procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic protocol selection mechanism where the controller automatically selects and sequences different pipetting protocols based on real-time identification of work item holder characteristics. This allows the system to adapt its pipetting procedures dynamically without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between maintaining precision and increasing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting pipetting protocols based on identified work item characteristics. The controller modifies pipetting parameters (volumes, speeds, sequences) automatically according to the specific requirements detected for each work item holder, enabling the system to handle diverse procedures while maintaining accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is used for diverse pipetting procedures, then adaptability to different protocols is improved, but workflow continuity is interrupted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically identifying work item holder characteristics and selecting appropriate pipetting protocols without human intervention. The controller autonomously manages protocol selection and sequencing, allowing the system to adapt to different procedures while maintaining continuous workflow and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors work item holder identification results and adjusts protocol selection accordingly. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to diverse pipetting procedures while maintaining workflow continuity, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
3Productivity
If a continuous uninterrupted flow of work item holders is maintained, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiplexing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal work item holder docks that can accommodate multiple types of work item holders with different characteristics. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain continuous flow while handling diverse protocols, reducing the need for specialized equipment for each protocol type and thereby managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of work item holder characteristics before protocol execution. By pre-identifying and storing protocol requirements, the system can seamlessly transition between different protocols in continuous flow without requiring complex real-time decision-making mechanisms, thus managing system complexity while maintaining productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If generic work item holders are used with interchangeable trays and tip sets, then adaptability to different protocols is improved, but device complexity increases due to interchangeability mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal work item holder docks designed to accommodate multiple types of trays and tip sets interchangeably. This universal interface design enables protocol flexibility while standardizing the interchangeability mechanism, thereby managing device complexity rather than increasing it.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates equipotential conditions by designing work item holder docks with standardized interfaces and positioning mechanisms. This standardization ensures that different tray and tip set types can be interchanged without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining adaptability while controlling system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic assaying system having a multiplex pipette cartridge section in which pipette cartridges are docked. At least one pipette cartridge has a different pipetting characteristic from another corresponding pipette cartridge, the different pipetting characteristic being selectable from a number of different pipetting characteristics. A multiplexing work item holder has an array of work item holder docks that dock corresponding work item holders selectable from pipette trays and pipette tip set racks that define the selectable different pipetting characteristic. One or more of the work item holder docks are indexed to selectably multiplex both the different interchangeable pipette trays and the at least one pipette set rack. A carrier moves the pipette cartridge or a work item holder carriage and a controller selects the at least one pipette tip set rack corresponding to a work item holder dock so as to effect automatic selection of the different pipetting characteristic.