Robot Protocol Conversion for Consistent Cell Culture Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In biological engineering, results vary due to subtle differences in hand technique or operation, leading to low yield rates and productivity, as skilled workers may not consistently achieve the same results.
Innovation Solution
A robot program generation system that converts protocols into executable programs for robots, allowing modification of basic and supplementary operations to optimize performance, enabling efficient work and high-yield cell culture by acquiring and modifying protocol information based on instrument usage and operation details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operations are performed by skilled workers, then certain results can be obtained, but results vary due to subtle differences in hand technique leading to low yield rates and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robot system that executes protocols converted from biological engineering procedures. The robot performs operations such as attaching neurons to nerve graft segments, culturing test constructs, and analyzing outgrowth neural tissue, eliminating variability in hand techniques while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts biological engineering protocols into robot-executable programs with modified parameters. The protocol conversion process adjusts operational parameters to suit robotic execution, transforming manual operation specifications into precise robotic control parameters that ensure consistent reproduction of procedures.
2Productivity
If protocols are converted into robot programs, then productivity and yield rate increase, but complexity of protocol modification and adaptation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion device as an intermediary between the biological engineering protocol and the robot program. This intermediary automatically translates and adapts protocols into robot-executable formats, reducing the complexity burden on users while enabling productivity improvements through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service protocol adaptation where the conversion device automatically modifies protocols based on robot capabilities and performance data. The system learns from execution results and autonomously adjusts protocols, reducing manual intervention complexity while maintaining high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If basic operations and supplementary operations are modified to optimize robot performance, then manufacturing precision and yield improve, but time required for protocol optimization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system acquires data from robot execution of modified protocols and uses this information to further optimize basic and supplementary operations. The feedback loop continuously refines operation parameters, improving manufacturing precision while reducing the time needed for manual optimization through automated learning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary protocol modifications before robot execution, pre-optimizing basic and supplementary operations based on anticipated performance requirements. This preliminary action reduces the need for extensive post-execution optimization, saving time while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot program generation system and the like Provided are a first conversion unit configured to convert a protocol representing multiple pieces of work in the field of biological engineering into a first program executable by a first robot, a protocol modification information acquisition unit configured to acquire, to modify the protocol after the first robot performs the multiple pieces of work according to the first program, modification information for at least one of a basic operation for performing the pieces of work and is for an instrument used by the first robot for the pieces of work or a supplementary operation that supplements the basic operation, a protocol modification unit configured to modify the protocol according to the modification information acquired, and a second conversion unit configured to convert the protocol modified into a second program executable by a second robot, or different from the first robot.