Robotic Arm Sample Pretreatment Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cervical cancer testing requires significant user effort and time for separate sample preparations, leading to contamination issues and reduced reliability due to user-derived components being mixed with samples, and lacks flexibility in using general-purpose apparatus for pretreatments.

Innovation Solution

A sample pretreatment apparatus featuring a robotic arm with articulated members and hands that transports and processes samples between multiple pretreatment sections, including dispensers, centrifuges, and other equipment, to automate the preparation and minimize user-derived contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual sample pretreatment is performed by users, then sample preparation can be completed, but user-derived components contaminate the samples and reduce test reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual sample preparationVSAvoidtest result reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service sample pretreatment through the robotic arm that autonomously performs sample transfer, dispensing, and processing operations without human intervention, thereby preventing contamination from user-derived components while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of sample handling with an automated robotic arm system that uses programmable motion control and automated dispensing mechanisms to perform pretreatment operations, eliminating the source of contamination while preserving the essential sample preparation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If dedicated sample pretreatment systems are used, then sample preparation is automated, but system flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample pretreatment automationVSAvoidsystem flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm system is designed with universal applicability to perform multiple types of sample pretreatment operations including transfer, dispensing, mixing, and centrifugation across different measurement protocols, allowing a single automated system to replace multiple dedicated systems while maintaining flexibility through programmable task sequences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic reconfigurability through programmable control that allows the robotic arm to adapt its motion paths, speeds, and operation sequences based on different sample types and measurement requirements, enabling flexible automation without dedicated hardware for each application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple separate sample preparations are performed for different measurements, then each measurement can be optimized, but user time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement optimizationVSAvoiduser time and effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple separate sample preparation operations into a single integrated automated workflow where the robotic arm performs sequential pretreatment steps for different measurements in continuous operation, eliminating redundant user actions and significantly reducing the time and effort required while maintaining measurement-specific optimization through programmable parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11275095B2Sample pretreatment apparatus, robotic arm, and sample pretreatment method

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 SYSMEX CORP

AI summary

A sample pretreatment apparatus includes: a plurality of sample pretreatment sections, each of which executes a sample pretreatment prior to a measurement; and a robotic arm including: an articulated arm member; and a hand attached to the articulated arm member. The plurality of sample pretreatment sections includes a sample dispenser that dispenses a sample in a first sample container into a second sample container. For a first measurement, the robotic arm holds the second sample container with the hand and transports the second sample container to a pretreatment group of the plurality of sample pretreatment sections, the pretreatment group including the sample dispenser. For a second measurement, the robotic arm holds the second sample container with the hand and transports the second sample container to another pretreatment group of the plurality of sample pretreatment sections, the another pretreatment group including the sample dispenser.