Biological Material Detection Using Identification Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for processing and analyzing biological target molecules often rely on user intervention to ensure that consumables and equipment are correctly positioned and oriented, leading to potential errors, sample loss, and device damage, as existing methods lack reliability and precision in detecting and inventorying objects on the device.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus equipped with a detection device that uses height measurements to determine the spatial position, orientation, presence, type, and number of objects, such as consumables and containers, by analyzing height profiles and identification elements, allowing for automated inventorying and improved process control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical image recognition is used to identify process vessels, then object detection is enabled, but reliability is insufficient when optical contrast is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces identification elements as intermediary markers that are deliberately placed on or near process vessels. These elements serve as mediators between the detection device and the process vessels, providing a reliable detection target that does not depend on the optical properties of the vessels themselves. The detection device detects these identification elements to indirectly identify the process vessels, solving the problem of inadequate optical contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification elements are designed with specific optical properties (such as contrasting colors or reflective characteristics) that make them easily distinguishable from the background and process vessels. By changing the optical appearance of the identification elements, they provide a reliable detection target that overcomes the limitations of process vessel optical contrast.
2Reliability
If force measurement is used to detect pipette tips, then presence detection is enabled, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The identification elements serve as intermediary markers that provide precise positional information without requiring direct contact or force measurement. The detection device measures the position of these elements optically or electromagnetically, achieving high precision without the limitations of force-based methods.
3Reliability
If fixed sequence gripping processes are used to determine process vessel position, then inventory checking is enabled, but speed is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The identification elements are pre-placed on process vessels before they are loaded into the device. This preliminary action allows the detection device to quickly locate and identify vessels without requiring sequential gripping and testing, significantly speeding up the inventory checking process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device continuously monitors the positions of identification elements and provides feedback to the control system. This real-time feedback enables rapid identification and tracking of process vessels, eliminating the need for slow fixed-sequence gripping processes.
4Extent of automation
If permanent software programming is used for object positions, then automation is improved, but adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic detection of identification element positions rather than fixed predetermined positions. The detection device can adapt to varying positions of process vessels by detecting the actual locations of their identification elements, allowing the automated system to handle different configurations without reprogramming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from fixed positional parameters programmed in software to dynamically detected parameters based on identification element positions. This allows the automation system to adapt to different object positions, types, and configurations by detecting and responding to the actual state of identification elements in real-time.
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
This approach enables reliable and precise detection of objects, reducing user errors and ensuring smooth processes by automatically verifying the correct placement and orientation of consumables, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of biological molecule processing and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the detection device comprises at least one radiation source for irradiating the detection area and/or at least one sensor for measuring an intensity of radiation coming from the detection area
Implementation Method 2
detecting the distance to the identification element and/or the intensity of radiation reflected by the identification element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~4a
AI summary
The apparatus has a detection unit (106) for detecting an object (1b) which has a detection range. The detection unit is arranged, in order to detect a high value of the detection range and in order to detect a spatial position or an orientation or a type or a presence or a number or a condition of the object from the high value. The detection unit is provided, in order to form a difference between the detected high value of the object and a reference high value. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a receiving device for receiving material for the processing, purifying and analyzing biological target molecules (2) a method for positioning and adjusting objects.