Automated Pipetting Sequence Control for Tip Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic pipetting machines face inefficiencies due to the need for frequent pipette tip changes, which increases material consumption and time, as each tip must be changed before handling different liquids to prevent contamination.
Innovation Solution
A control device that analyzes the order of transfer steps and combines them to minimize pipette tip changes by identifying transfer steps involving the same or compatible liquids, allowing for sequential handling and reduced tip usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipette tips are changed before handling different liquids to prevent contamination, then liquid handling reliability is improved, but material consumption and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the pipette tip by introducing a cleaning function that allows the same tip to be reused for different liquids. The control device manages cleaning cycles and determines when tips can be reused based on liquid compatibility, effectively changing the tip's state from single-use to reusable through parameter-based control
Solution Approach 2:
The pipetting device performs self-cleaning through integrated cleaning functions, eliminating the need for manual tip changes. The control device automatically manages the cleaning process and determines tip reuse eligibility, allowing the system to serve itself by maintaining tip cleanliness and preventing contamination through automated monitoring
2Reliability
If pipette tips are changed before handling different liquids to prevent contamination, then liquid handling reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by implementing a cleaning function that allows tips to be reused. The control device monitors liquid compatibility and automatically manages cleaning cycles, transforming the tip from a disposable component to a reusable one through parameter-based control, thereby eliminating repeated tip change operations
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-cleaning through automated cleaning functions managed by the control device. The system automatically determines when tips can be reused based on liquid compatibility and executes cleaning cycles without user intervention, eliminating manual tip change time and allowing continuous operation
3Ease of operation
If transfer steps are executed as specified without optimization, then process simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements feedback by monitoring the sequence of transfer steps and liquid compatibility information. It automatically analyzes this data to identify opportunities for tip reuse and optimizes the execution sequence, providing feedback-driven productivity improvement while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary analysis of the transfer step sequence before execution, identifying which tips can be reused and optimizing the execution order. This preliminary optimization prepares the system for more efficient operation without requiring complex user input or changing the fundamental simplicity of the操作流程
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented control device for controlling an automated pipetting system. The control device is designed to control at least one actuator for moving a pipetting device between receiving devices for liquids to be pipetted. According to the invention, the control device is configured to analyze the specified sequence of execution of several specified transfer steps and the liquid to be pipetted in these transfer steps before the execution of these transfer steps by the pipetting device and the actuator, and after the analysis, to automatically change the sequence of execution of these transfer steps and/or to combine several of these transfer steps.The invention also relates to a pipetting machine with such a control device, a method for controlling a pipetting machine, a computer program product and a use of a control device for controlling a pipetting machine.