Lab Automation Storage Buffer for Peak Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laboratories face challenges during peak times when a large number of sample containers arrive quickly, leading to instrument overload, clogging, and increased workload for personnel, while conventional solutions like additional instruments result in high costs and underutilization.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory automation system comprising a storage unit with a pick-and-place unit, working section, storing section, and transfer unit, which allows sample containers to be stored and processed when laboratory instruments become available, thereby managing peak loads efficiently without the need for additional instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional laboratory instruments are obtained to handle peak loads, then the laboratory can process more sample containers during peak times, but this results in high costs, space consumption, and underutilization of the additional instruments during non-peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit receives and stores sample containers in advance before they are processed by the laboratory instrument. During peak times, sample containers are accumulated in the storage unit and then processed sequentially as the instrument becomes available, eliminating the need for multiple parallel instruments and avoiding underutilization during non-peak times.
2Productivity
If the laboratory processes sample containers at a faster rate, then peak loads can be handled more efficiently, but this may compromise sample quality for samples requiring immediate processing such as centrifugation
Solution Approach 1:
Samples requiring immediate processing such as centrifugation are identified and processed as priority tasks. The control unit manages the processing queue to ensure that time-sensitive samples are handled with appropriate urgency while maintaining overall system productivity during peak loads.
3Productivity
If more conveying units are added to handle increased sample flow, then the laboratory can manage peak loads better, but this increases device complexity and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit serves as a buffer that accumulates sample containers before they are conveyed to the laboratory instrument. This preliminary storage eliminates the need for multiple parallel conveying units, as samples are processed sequentially from the storage unit as the instrument becomes available, reducing overall space requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects relate to a laboratory automation system, a computer-implemented method, and a computer program for processing sample containers. The laboratory automation system comprises a storage unit configured to receive and store sample containers. The laboratory automation system further comprises at least one laboratory instrument configured to process samples contained in the sample containers. The laboratory automation system further comprises a conveying unit configured to convey sample containers between the storage unit and the laboratory instrument. The storage unit comprises a pick-and-place unit, a working section, a storing section, and a transfer unit. The working section is configured such that a plurality of sample containers may be arranged therein to be accessible by the pick-and-place unit. The pick-and-place unit is configured to pick up a sample container in the working section and to place said sample container on the conveying unit. The storing section is configured such that a plurality of sample containers may be arranged therein by a user, and the transfer unit is configured to transfer the sample containers between the working section and the storing section.