Automated Pick and Place Head for Cryogenic Specimen Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for retrieving and placing specimen containers in cryogenic environments face challenges due to close spacing, leading to exposure of multiple containers to non-cryogenic temperatures and increased manual labor, with limited access and accuracy in cryogenic freezers or dewars.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pick and place head with a receiver, drive shaft, and engagement head, equipped with actuators and sensors, allows for precise translation and rotation to selectively engage and disengage specimen containers, utilizing vacuum or mechanical mechanisms to manage frost and automate the process, while incorporating wireless interrogation and optical reading for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional methods are used to retrieve and place specimen containers, then manual labor is required, but this leads to exposure of multiple containers to non-cryogenic temperatures and reduced accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the retrieval operation into discrete steps: approaching the container array, positioning the receiver over a target container, engaging the container with the drive shaft, and placing it in the receptacle. This segmentation allows automated control of each step while managing overall system complexity through modular functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver acts as an intermediary tool between the automated system and the specimen containers. It provides a controlled interface for engagement and placement, mediating the interaction to ensure precise positioning and minimal temperature exposure while being operated by automated actuators.
2Quantity of substance
If specimen containers are closely spaced to maximize storage density, then storage efficiency improves, but access and accuracy in picking and placing containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated pick and place head equipped with actuators and sensors. The automated positioning system overcomes the difficulty of close spacing by using controlled motorized movement and sensor feedback to accurately target and grasp containers regardless of their proximity to one another.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated into the pick and place head to detect the position, orientation, and presence of specimen containers. This feedback information is used by the control system to adjust the positioning and engagement actions, ensuring accurate identification and access even when containers are closely spaced.
3Ease of operation
If entire carriers or shelves are retrieved to access specimen containers, then access is simplified, but this exposes multiple containers to non-cryogenic temperatures unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific container needed from the array rather than retrieving the entire carrier or shelf. The pick and place head selectively engages and removes individual containers, leaving the rest of the array undisturbed and maintaining their cryogenic environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is pre-positioned over the target container before engagement occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that only the intended container is exposed to non-cryogenic temperatures during the retrieval process, minimizing thermal exposure of other containers while simplifying the access operation.
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
The system reduces exposure to non-cryogenic temperatures, enhances accuracy, and automates the retrieval and placement of specimen containers, improving tracking and reducing manual labor in cryogenic storage environments.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum source may be fluidly communicatively coupled to the interior of the receiver via the port to induce a negative pressure to draw the single one of the specimen containers inwardly at least further into the interior of the receiver
Implementation Method 2
Long-term preservation of cells and tissues through cryopreservation has broad impacts in multiple fields including tissue engineering, fertility and reproductive medicine, regenerative medicine, stem cells, blood banking, animal strain preservation, clinical sample storage, transplantation medicine, and in vitro drug testing
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers. The system or device may include a mechanical pick and/or place head, or a vacuum-based pick and/or place head. The mechanical pick and/or place head may include a drive shaft with an engagement head to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and retain such until positioned to place such. The vacuum-based mechanical pick and/or place head may include a vacuum conduit to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and drive shaft that orients a portion of the receiver to retain such until positioned to place such. Various sensors may be employed, for example to detect frost, and a defroster employed.