Robotic Nutrient Carrier Transfer for Automated Isolator Microbial Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for germ monitoring in isolators are time-consuming and pose a risk of contamination and safety due to manual handling of Petri dishes and lids, which can damage glove ports and spread germs.
Innovation Solution
A robot-assisted method and system for automated microbial monitoring in isolators, involving a robot to transfer and position culture medium carriers, lids, and housing covers within the isolator, using a transfer lock and support structures to improve handling and operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of Petri dishes and lids is used for germ monitoring, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but it is time-consuming and poses a risk of contamination and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service operation where the robot autonomously performs all germ monitoring tasks including transferring Petri dishes, removing lids, and positioning components without human intervention, thereby eliminating contamination risks from manual handling while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (gloved hands handling Petri dishes) with an automated robotic mechanical system that uses specialized end effectors and transfer locks to handle culture medium carriers, eliminating the need for gloves and manual operations while improving reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If manual glove handling is used to transfer Petri dishes, then the equipment requirement is simple, but it can damage glove ports and spread germs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer lock as an intermediary component between the external environment and the isolator interior. This transfer lock serves as a protected interface where Petri dishes can be transferred without directly contacting or damaging the glove ports, while also preventing germ spread through the use of sealed transfer mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously performs all transfer operations through the transfer lock without requiring manual glove handling, eliminating the harmful effects of glove port damage and germ spread while maintaining equipment simplicity through the use of standardized transfer interfaces
3Reliability
If culture media are replaced every four hours to prevent drying out, then the culture medium remains effective, but production must be interrupted and manual handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously performs the replacement of culture medium carriers at scheduled intervals or when drying is detected, eliminating the need for production interruption. The system can operate continuously while the robot handles media replacement in the background, maintaining culture medium effectiveness without impacting productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation by automating the culture medium replacement process. The robot can replace dried culture media during production without requiring manual intervention or production shutdown, ensuring continuous useful action in both production and monitoring functions
4Reliability
If automated robot handling is implemented for germ monitoring, then handling efficiency and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the automated system into distinct functional modules: a robot unit with end effector for handling Petri dishes, a separate transfer lock for secure transfer, and dedicated culture medium carrier holders. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, reducing complexity while maintaining high operational safety
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system is designed with universal components that can perform multiple functions: the same end effector handles both Petri dishes and lids, the transfer lock serves as both a transfer mechanism and a protective barrier, and the culture medium carrier holders can accommodate different carrier types. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100, 200, 300) for an automated microbial monitoring process in an isolator (12), said isolator (12) having a transfer sluice (14). The method (100, 200, 200) has the following steps: a first process of providing at least one nutrient medium carrier holder (22) at a respective first position (46) within the isolator (12); a second process of providing at least one nutrient medium carrier holder (30) within the transfer sluice (14); a first process of transferring a respective individual nutrient medium carrier (30) of the at least one nutrient medium carrier (30) from the transfer sluice (14) to a free nutrient medium carrier holder (22) of the at least one nutrient medium carrier holder (22) with the aid of a robot; and a first process of arranging the transferred nutrient medium carrier (30) in the free nutrient medium carrier holder (22) with the aid of a robot. The invention additionally relates to a system (10) for an automated microbial monitoring process in an isolator (12) and to a computer program.