Facility for handling and storing biological samples at very low temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biobanks face challenges such as manual handling risks, uncertain sample traceability, operator safety issues due to cryogenic environments, and high investment and maintenance costs in automated systems, which are often inflexible and limited to specific configurations.
Innovation Solution
A six-axis robot system with a controlled environment enclosure is used to automate the handling and storage of biological samples, allowing for flexible movement and gripping of storage containers and samples, enabling reuse of existing containers and maintaining ergonomics while ensuring traceability and safety, with the ability to operate manually and upgrade configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling is used in conventional biobanks, then investment cost is minimized and flexibility is maintained, but operator safety is compromised due to cryogenic environment risks and sample traceability becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic arm serves as an intermediary between the operator and the cryogenic storage containers. The robot handles all interactions with containers stored in liquid nitrogen, eliminating direct operator exposure to cryogenic temperatures while maintaining automated traceability through database integration. The robot's gripper mechanically interacts with containers, transferring them between storage positions and retrieval positions without human intervention in the hazardous environment.
2Reliability
If automated biobanks are implemented with tailor-made design, then sample traceability and operator safety are improved, but investment and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of storage containers (vials, tubes, blood bags) and perform multiple operations (storage, retrieval, transfer) within a single integrated platform. The robot can adapt to different container configurations and storage arrangements, eliminating the need for custom-designed automated systems for each specific application, thereby reducing investment and maintenance costs while maintaining automated traceability.
3Extent of automation
If tailor-made automated systems are designed for specific configurations, then handling automation is achieved, but adaptability to different configurations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system incorporates dynamic adaptability through programmable control that allows reconfiguration for different storage arrangements and container types. The robot's movement paths, gripping forces, and interaction protocols can be dynamically adjusted based on the specific configuration required, enabling a single automated system to adapt to various layouts and container configurations without requiring custom design for each scenario.
4Reliability
If cryogenic storage containers are used, then sample preservation is achieved, but operator ergonomics deteriorate due to heavy weight and adhesion phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The robot extracts the hazardous and ergonomically challenging tasks of handling cryogenic containers from human operators. The robotic gripper is specifically designed to mechanically interact with containers stored in liquid nitrogen, performing all lifting, transferring, and positioning operations. This eliminates operator exposure to heavy weights and adhesion forces associated with cryogenic environments while maintaining effective sample preservation through continued use of cryogenic storage containers.
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 solution reduces costs and maintenance, ensures sample integrity and operator safety, allows for flexible layout and reuse of existing containers, and facilitates continuous operation while maintaining automation benefits, such as traceability and safety, while overcoming the limitations of conventional and existing automated biobanks.
Implementation Method 1
containers of biological samples are stored in vessels cooled by liquid nitrogen, typically in a temperature range of -150°C to -200°C
Implementation Method 2
at least one storage container, thermally insulated, the interior of which is suitable for being subjected to very low temperatures
Implementation Method 3
at least one robot comprising a gripping member adapted to carry out the gripping either of the upper end of a storage column, or of a storage box, either a container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention essentially consists in advantageously using and arranging at least one robot (8) relative to one or more storage recipients (4) and a transfer station (5) for transferring the containers to the unit in such a way as to take advantage of the flexibility of movement and grip offered by the arm or arms of the robot or robots and its/their gripping member, in order to automate all of the operations carried out manually by an operator in conventional biobanks.