Automated Seed Tissue Sampling With Parallel Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing tissue samples from seeds are inefficient and lack automation, leading to difficulties in identifying and culling seeds that do not express desired traits during genetic improvement processes.

Innovation Solution

An automated seed sampling system comprising a seed loading assembly, transport assembly, imaging assembly, and sampling assembly, which singulates seeds, removes tissue samples, and maintains seed identity through pneumatic operations and imaging, ensuring precise and efficient sample collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual methods are used to remove tissue samples from seeds, then the process is simple and easy to implement, but the efficiency is low and automation is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated seed sampling assembly is divided into multiple independent sampling modules, each with its own sampler and cleaning mechanism. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple seeds simultaneously, dramatically improving sampling efficiency while keeping each module's complexity manageable and modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary singulation of seeds using elevator units that position individual seeds into retention members before sampling occurs. This preliminary positioning and organization of seeds enables the sampling process to proceed automatically without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between automation and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If statistical sampling is used to cull seeds, then the process of bulking up seed quantity is hastened, but the identification and culling of seeds without desired traits remains inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed culling efficiencyVSAvoidtrait identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical sampling with an automated integrated system that combines precision positioning, automated tissue removal, and imaging technology. This substitution enables both high-speed processing and accurate trait identification through the correlation of sampled seeds with their imaging data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates imaging assemblies that capture images of seeds during or after the sampling process. This feedback mechanism allows for real-time or near-real-time identification of seeds with desired traits, enabling precise culling decisions while maintaining high processing efficiency through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If multiple seeds are processed simultaneously, then productivity increases, but maintaining seed identity and preventing contamination becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch processing capacityVSAvoidseed identity maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each sampling module is completely isolated with its own retention member, sampler, and cleaning mechanism. This physical segmentation ensures that even when multiple seeds are processed simultaneously across different modules, each seed's sample path is independent, preventing cross-contamination and maintaining accurate seed-sample identity correlation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated cleaning mechanisms that remove residual seed tissue from samplers and retention members between samples. This continuous cleaning and recovery process ensures that no contaminating material is carried over to subsequent samples, maintaining reliability even during high-speed batch processing of multiple seeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS20250334523A1Automated systems for removing tissue samples from seeds, and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

An automated method for removing tissue samples from seeds includes holding a first seed by a seed grip assembly of a sampling module of an automated seed sampling assembly, and holding a second seed by the seed grip assembly of the sampling module. The method then includes removing tissue from the first seed by a first sampler of the sampling module at a first sampling location of the sampling module while removing residual seed tissue from a second sampling location of the sampling module, at about the same time the tissue is removed from the first seed at the first sampling location of the sampling module, and subsequently removing tissue from the second seed by a second sampler of the sampling module at a second sampling location of the sampling module while removing residual seed tissue of the first seed from the first sampling location.