Laboratory System with Intermediary Workbench for Error Correction
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated laboratory systems face challenges in handling erroneous sample containers with issues like clots, unreadable barcodes, or improper sample volumes, which require manual intervention, disrupting the workflow and increasing the risk of contamination and errors.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained laboratory system with a sample container input-output station and a workbench for manual correction of errors, allowing operators to address issues without breaching the system's closed environment, using a transport mechanism and control unit to identify and redirect non-processable samples for manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is used to handle erroneous sample containers, then errors can be corrected, but workflow disruption and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary station is introduced between the automated processing system and the external environment. This station allows manual correction of erroneous sample containers while maintaining the closed environment of the automated system, thus enabling error correction without increasing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an automated processing area maintained in a closed environment, and a manual intervention area at the intermediary station. This segmentation allows manual operations to occur without compromising the integrity of the automated processing environment.
2Reliability
If manual handling is used for erroneous samples, then corrections can be made, but workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary station serves as a dedicated interface for manual intervention, allowing operators to efficiently handle erroneous samples without disrupting the overall automated workflow. The station is integrated into the system architecture, enabling seamless transition between automated and manual processing modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system identifies and redirects erroneous sample containers to the intermediary station before they can disrupt the main workflow. This preliminary action allows manual corrections to be performed on a queue of error samples without causing workflow interruptions in the automated processing line.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system remains fully closed, then contamination is minimized, but manual intervention becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary station acts as a controlled interface that provides manual accessibility while maintaining system closure. Operators can access and manipulate sample containers at this station without breaching the closed environment of the main automated processing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for physical breaching of the closed environment with a mechanically integrated intermediary station. This station is designed as part of the closed system architecture, allowing manual operations through a controlled interface rather than opening the system to the external environment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a laboratory system for automatically processing at least one sample container containing a biological sample, the laboratory system comprising a housing;laboratory instrument units for executing processing steps on the biological sample;an input station configured to receive the sample container; a transport means for transport of the sample container from the input station to the laboratory instrument units, and further to an output station;a control unit for determining whether the sample and/or the container is in a condition to be processed by the laboratory instrument units; an input-output station providing an interface between the inside and the outside of the housing; and a workbench on the outside of the housing in front of the input-output station for an operator to be in the position to manipulate the sample and/or the container. Furthermore, the use of such a laboratory system as well as a method for processing a biological sample in a sample container by means of such a laboratory system is described.