Common Sample Buffer Module for Automated Laboratory Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In clinical laboratories, managing the complex workflow of sample tubes across multiple work cells in high-throughput systems is inefficient, leading to suboptimal system capacity utilization and increased processing times due to interdependencies and storage bottlenecks in sample buffers and conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory automated system featuring a common sample buffer module coupled to the conveyor and a sample workflow manager that dispatches sample tubes to work cells based on their processing throughput, reducing mechanical complexity, eliminating individual sample buffers, and optimizing conveyor usage, allowing for maximum overall throughput without the need for detailed processing status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual sample buffers are coupled to each work cell, then sample tubes can be stored locally for processing, but the mechanical complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual sample buffers into a single shared sample buffer that serves multiple work cells. Instead of each work cell having its own dedicated buffer, one common buffer stores sample tubes and the conveyor system distributes them to appropriate work cells based on processing needs, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining storage availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared sample buffer serves multiple functions and multiple work cells simultaneously. It acts as a universal storage resource that can supply samples to any work cell that needs them, replacing the need for dedicated buffers at each work cell and reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If samples are stored in buffers coupled to work cells, then processing can continue, but the movement of sample tubes is blocked and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system acts as an intermediary between the shared sample buffer and work cells. Instead of direct coupling that causes blocking, the conveyor mediates sample transport, allowing samples to be moved efficiently from the buffer to the appropriate work cell without blocking the buffer or increasing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the sample flow into distinct stages: storage in the shared buffer, transport via conveyor, and processing at work cells. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently at optimal speed, preventing bottlenecks and reducing overall processing time.
3Device complexity
If a common sample buffer module is used for multiple work cells, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but sample dispatch coordination becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the conveyor system and work cells communicate with the shared buffer about sample needs and availability. This feedback allows coordinated dispatch of samples to the appropriate work cells, maintaining high productivity despite the simplified buffer architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A laboratory automated system (100) and a method for processing sample tubes (10) are disclosed. The system (100) comprises a conveyor (20) and a plurality of work cells (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40) coupled as modules to the conveyor (20) so that sample tubes (10) can be transported by the conveyor (20) to the work cells (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40), wherein the work cells (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40) have respective sample processing throughputs. The system (100) further comprises a sample buffer module (50) coupled to the conveyor (20), the sample buffer module (50) being in common to the plurality of work cells (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40). The system (100) further comprises a sample workflow manager (60) configured to dispatch sample tubes (10) from the sample buffer module (50) to the work cells (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40) via the conveyor (20) with a frequency for each work cell (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40), which is equal to the sample processing throughput of each respective work cell (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40).