Robotic Arm Consumable Transport for Liquid Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid handling systems face challenges such as sample loss during transportation, contamination risks due to complex and heavy pipetting heads, and inefficiencies in handling small volumes, which can lead to catastrophic consequences in applications like molecular biology and forensics.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a robotic arm to transport and manipulate consumables instead of moving liquid handling heads, utilizing static or quasi-static pipetting stations, magnetic docking connectors, and imaging for precise localization and identification, enabling efficient and contamination-free liquid handling with reduced mechanical complexity and increased flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a liquid handling head is used to transport samples between consumables, then liquid handling operations can be performed, but sample loss during transportation occurs and contamination risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid handling efficiencyVSAvoidsample integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the liquid handling head to different consumable positions, the system inverts the approach by keeping the liquid handling head stationary and moving the consumables to it. This eliminates sample loss during transportation and contamination risks associated with moving the liquid handling head through the workspace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the transportation function from the liquid handling head and assigns it to a separate robotic arm. The liquid handling head remains stationary and dedicated to aspirating and dispensing operations, while the robotic arm handles all movements of consumables to and from the liquid handling head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If sophisticated and complex pipetting heads with multiple channels are used, then simultaneous aspirations and dispensings can be performed, but the heads become significantly heavy and precise rapid movement becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous aspirations and dispensingsVSAvoidliquid handling head weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the liquid handling head stationary and moves the consumables instead. This eliminates the need for precise rapid movement of heavy multi-channel pipetting heads while maintaining the capability for simultaneous aspirations and dispensings at the fixed liquid handling head position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the liquid handling function into two independent parts: a stationary liquid handling head for aspirating and dispensing, and a separate robotic arm for positioning consumables. This separation allows the liquid handling head to be optimized for fluid handling without compromising on speed or precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If liquid handlers aspirate and dispense from top surface in contact with air, then liquid handling operations can be performed, but exposed orifices create risk of dripping liquids, dispersion of aerosols and vapors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid handling capabilityVSAvoidaerosol dispersion and vapor release

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a robotic arm as an intermediary that brings consumables to the stationary liquid handling head. This allows for better control of the aspiration and dispensing process, reducing the risk of aerosol dispersion and vapor release by minimizing exposure to air during liquid transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the risk of sample loss and contamination, enhances handling efficiency, and allows for more flexible and expandable workflows, while minimizing mechanical constraints and costs, particularly suitable for high-precision applications like molecular biology and forensics.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic connector that attracts a magnetic tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11169163B2Consumable manipulation for the purpose of liquid handling

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 ANDREW ALLIANCE

AI summary

A method for performing flexible liquid handling processes among a plurality of consumables includes moving consumables by at least one arm having a magnetic interface device, connecting the at least one arm from the consumables, based on magnetic attraction utilizing said magnetic interface device, and aspirating and dispensing liquids on the consumables by at least one static or quasi-static pipette. The aspiration and dispensing actions are performed without displacement of the pipettes. The method further includes sensing, by the at least one arm, magnetic presence of a matching consumable connector or magnetic vector field modified by a presence of a matching consumable connector. The method includes disconnecting the at least one arm from the consumables based on a repulsive magnetic force.