Specimen Container Transfer Between Detection Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instruments for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in biological fluids are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly in cases of septicemia, where rapid detection is critical due to high mortality rates despite available antibiotics.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments, utilizing a housing with automated loading, transfer, and detection mechanisms, including sensors to ensure accurate positioning and handling of containers, and a computer-readable medium for executing these operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual transfer of specimen containers between detection instruments is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic arm serves as an intermediary device to transfer specimen containers between the first and second detection instruments. The robotic arm includes a gripper that automatically grasps and moves containers, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining system modularity and reducing overall complexity through standardized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical transfer operations are replaced with an automated robotic system controlled by sensors and processors. The system uses optical sensors to detect container positions and a programmable robotic arm to execute transfer operations, replacing human-operated mechanical processes with automated electromechanical systems
2Productivity
If automated transfer mechanism is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated transfer system is segmented into modular components: a robotic arm with gripper for transfer operations, separate sensor systems for detection, and independent control units. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance while maintaining high transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm is designed with universal gripping capabilities that can handle different types of specimen containers through adaptive gripper mechanisms. The system uses standardized container interfaces and positioning protocols that allow the same transfer mechanism to operate with various container formats, reducing the need for specialized equipment
3Measurement precision
If sensor-based positioning system is used, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Optical sensors continuously monitor the position of specimen containers during transfer operations and provide real-time feedback to the control system. The system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the robotic arm's movement and gripper positioning, achieving high measurement precision through closed-loop control rather than complex mechanical positioning systems
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments. The method may include sensing a specimen container at a container transfer station of a first automated detection apparatus using a first sensor; transferring the specimen container from the container transfer station of the first automated microbial detection apparatus to an automated loading mechanism of a second automated microbial detection apparatus; said transferring comprising releasing the specimen container onto the pre-activated automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus.