Reagent Storage Drawer With Robotic Handler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automated laboratory systems face challenges in maximizing throughput while minimizing operator hands-on time for reagent handling, particularly in managing multiple batch runs and ensuring reagent availability with limited space and safety constraints.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory system with a reagent storage area featuring slidably mounted drawers, locking mechanisms, and a robotic handler controlled by a central unit to optimize reagent cartridge loading, unloading, and storage, ensuring secure operation and maximizing onboard capacity within a compact footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If reagent cartridges are stored in locked receptacles to prevent operator injury, then operator safety is improved, but operator access to the reagent storage zone is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic handler is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the locked reagent storage zone. The robotic handler can access and retrieve reagent cartridges from locked receptacles without exposing the operator to hazards, while the operator retains indirect access through the automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent storage zone is segmented into multiple locked receptacles, allowing selective access to specific reagent cartridges while maintaining overall safety. The robotic handler can navigate this segmented structure to retrieve only the needed reagents without requiring the operator to access the entire locked zone.
2Reliability
If multiple reagent cartridges are stored on board to ensure reagent availability for interleaved batch runs, then reagent availability is improved, but the system footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reagent cartridges are nested within modular receptacles that can be stacked or arranged in a compact three-dimensional configuration. This nesting approach maximizes the storage capacity within the available footprint, allowing multiple reagent cartridges to be stored on board without significantly increasing the system's external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent storage system utilizes vertical space and three-dimensional arrangement instead of only horizontal expansion. By stacking receptacles and arranging cartridges in multiple layers, the system achieves high reagent capacity while maintaining a compact footprint.
3Reliability
If reagent drawers are locked during operation to ensure process safety, then process safety is improved, but the ability to load/unload reagent cartridges is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is made dynamic rather than static. The reagent drawers can be locked during critical operations to ensure process safety, but can be unlocked when needed for loading or unloading reagent cartridges. The robotic handler coordinates with the locking mechanism to ensure drawers are unlocked only when safe to access.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic handler performs self-service by automatically retrieving reagent cartridges from locked drawers without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own reagent levels and triggers automatic retrieval operations, maintaining process safety while ensuring reagent availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A laboratory system or device, comprising a reagent storage area (1) comprising at least two reagent drawers (2, 3) mounted slidably between an open position (O) and a closed position (C), each of the reagent drawers comprising receptacles for a plurality of reagent cartridges (RC1, RC2), and at least two locking mechanisms (4, 5) for respectively locking/unlocking the at least two reagent drawers (2, 3) when in the closed position (C), at least one robotic handler (6) and a control unit (7), wherein the reagent storage area (1) is subdivided in a loading zone (LZ), a storage zone (SZ) and a pipetting zone (PZ), and the reagent storage area (1) further comprises a handling zone (HZ).