Modular Sample Storage System With Transport Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample storage units in the life sciences industry are stand-alone compartments with limited accessibility and flexibility for additional storage and transportation of samples.
Innovation Solution
A modular sample storage system comprising a transport module, storage modules, a tube selector module, and an input/output module, allowing for modular coupling and expansion, enabling flexible storage and transportation of specimen tubes or microtitre plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stand-alone sample storage compartments are used, then the structure is simple, but accessibility and flexibility for additional storage and transportation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sample storage system is divided into separate functional modules: storage modules for holding samples, a transport module for moving samples between locations, a tube selector module for identifying and selecting specific tubes, and an I/O module for interaction. These modular components can be independently configured and combined, enabling flexible adaptation to different storage and transportation needs while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If stand-alone storage compartments are used, then the device complexity is low, but accessibility of samples is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transport module serves as an intermediary component that connects the storage modules to the tube selector module and I/O module. This mediator enables efficient sample retrieval by automatically transporting selected tubes from storage locations to the selection and output stations, significantly improving accessibility and ease of operation while the modular design keeps the overall structural complexity manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular coupling is implemented, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized coupling mechanisms that can accommodate different configurations and expansion scenarios. The transport module, for example, can couple with various storage module types and configurations, allowing the system to be expanded and adapted to different needs without requiring completely different coupling systems, thus managing complexity while enabling flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a sample storage system having: a transport module; a storage module coupled with the transport module on at least one side of the transport module, the storage module for storing a plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates; a tube selector module coupled to an end of the transport module for selecting at least one of the plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates; and an input/output (I/O) module coupled with the transport module on a side of the transport module, wherein the transport module is configured to modularly couple with at least one additional storage module for storing a plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates.