Dynamic Buffer Allocation in Laboratory Automation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laboratory automation systems face inefficiencies in sample throughput due to the need for dedicated add-on buffers within laboratory stations, which increases complexity and resource allocation, especially during varying operational conditions such as peak traffic or specific disease scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically allocates buffer areas on a transport plane within the laboratory automation system, allowing for flexible resizing and reconfiguration based on real-time operating conditions, eliminating the need for dedicated add-on buffers within stations and optimizing sample container carrier management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated add-on buffers are provided within each laboratory station, then samples waiting for conditional further processing can be stored, but the device complexity and resource allocation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the buffer function from individual laboratory stations and consolidates it into a centralized buffer area on the transport plane. This eliminates the need for each station to have its own dedicated add-on buffer, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to store samples waiting for conditional further processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized buffer area serves as a universal storage resource for the entire laboratory automation system, replacing multiple station-specific buffers. This multi-functional buffer can serve any laboratory station that needs to store samples for conditional further processing, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If fixed buffer sizes are allocated within laboratory stations, then sample storage is guaranteed, but adaptability to varying operational conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic buffer allocation where the buffer area size and characteristics can be adjusted based on current operational conditions. The control unit monitors system state and dynamically modifies buffer parameters, allowing the system to adapt to varying traffic loads and operational requirements while maintaining reliable sample storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes buffer parameters (size, location, capacity) dynamically based on operational conditions such as traffic load, processing speed, and sample accumulation rates. This allows the buffer to maintain reliability across different operational scenarios while adapting to varying demands.
3Productivity
If large buffer areas are provided within each station, then sample throughput is maintained during peak conditions, but resource allocation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges individual station buffers into a single centralized buffer area on the transport plane. This consolidation allows efficient resource allocation where the buffer capacity is shared across all stations, maintaining high sample throughput during peak conditions while improving overall resource utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer functionality is moved from the vertical dimension (within-station storage) to the horizontal dimension (transport plane). This dimensional shift allows the buffer to be integrated into the existing transport infrastructure, improving resource utilization while maintaining throughput capability.
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
Enhances sample throughput by dynamically adapting buffer area size and location according to operational demands, reducing resource allocation complexity and ensuring efficient sample processing and analysis, even during peak conditions or specific events like epidemics.
Implementation Method 1
Electro-magnetic actuators are disposed below a transport plane in order to drive sample container carriers carrying sample containers on the transport plane
Data Source
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AI summary
Method of operating a laboratory automation system (10), wherein the laboratory automation system (10) comprises: - a number of laboratory stations (20), - a number of sample container carriers, wherein the sample container carriers are adapted to carry one or more sample containers, wherein the sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by means of the laboratory stations (20), - a transport plane (110), wherein the transport plane (110) is adapted to support the sample container carriers, and - drive means, wherein the drive means are adapted to move the sample container carriers on the transport plane (110), wherein the method comprises the steps: - during an initialization of the laboratory automation system (10): - logically reserving at least one buffer area (30) on the transport plane (110), and - after the initialization of the laboratory automation system (10): - buffering in the at least one buffer area (30) sample container carriers carrying sample containers, which sample containers comprise samples waiting for a result of an analysis, wherein depending on the result of the analysis, the samples have to be further processed.