Automated Sample Prep System for Clinical Vials
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Solution Overview
Problem
The processing of large volumes of clinical samples for medical diagnostics leads to increased time, exposure to biohazardous materials, repetitive motion disorders, and inconsistent sample preparation, resulting in higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A microprocessor-controlled robotic device, the Sample Preparation System (SPS), automates the handling of vials by using mechanical arms to decap, pipette, and recap samples, reducing manual intervention and enhancing efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual processing of clinical samples is performed, then workers can handle samples directly, but processing time increases and workers are exposed to biohazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the robotic device independently performs sample processing tasks including uncapping, transferring, and recapping without continuous human intervention, resolving the contradiction by providing automated functionality without requiring complex centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The sample processing system is divided into discrete functional modules (uncapping mechanism, transfer mechanism, recapping mechanism) that can operate independently, allowing automation to be implemented through simple, modular components rather than a single complex system
2Productivity
If large volumes of samples are processed manually, then all samples can be handled, but processing time increases and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system incorporates feedback mechanisms through programmable control that ensure consistent execution of sample processing steps, maintaining precision while increasing throughput by eliminating human variability in repetitive tasks
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with programmable robotic mechanisms that provide consistent, repeatable actions for uncapping, transferring, and recapping samples, ensuring uniformity across large volumes of processed samples
3Object-affected harmful factors
If workers manually handle samples repeatedly, then samples can be processed, but workers are exposed to repetitive motion disorders and biohazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the operator and biohazardous samples, performing all contact operations remotely through automated mechanisms, thereby eliminating direct worker exposure while maintaining simple interface operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-contained sample processing operations including uncapping, transferring, and recapping without requiring workers to physically handle samples, reducing exposure risks while keeping the operational interface simple and intuitive
4Loss of time
If manual uncapping and recapping is performed, then samples can be accessed and preserved, but time is lost and exposure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The uncapping and recapping operations are merged into a single automated sequence performed by the robotic system, eliminating the time loss associated with manual operations while maintaining sample preservation, as the system seamlessly transitions between accessing and sealing samples
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a system for automated handling of vials containing liquid medical specimens. The robotic system processes the specimens for further downstream molecular analysis. The processing comprises automated vial cap removal, pipetting of the vial contents, transfer of the vial contents to a destination tray such as a multiwell plate, and recapping of the vial.