Transfer Mechanism for Sterile Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling of petri-dishes and other objects through transfer ports in clean processing areas is prone to contamination due to the risk of lids being opened or displaced, especially when handling multiple items, compromising the sterility and detection results in environmental monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A transfer mechanism comprising a supporting base, shuttle, and container with a holding means that allows translational and pivoting motion, enabling objects to be moved through a transfer port without compromising sterility, featuring a connector for attaching the holding means and a transfer actuator for controlled motion, compatible with existing rapid transfer port designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of petri-dishes is used to transfer objects through transfer ports, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to high risk of contamination from accidental lid opening or displacement
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic manipulator serves as an intermediary between the operator and the petri-dishes, performing the actual handling operations. The manipulator includes a gripper that securely holds petri-dishes during transfer through the transfer port, eliminating direct manual contact and preventing accidental lid opening while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical handling system is replaced with an automated robotic manipulator system. The manipulator uses controlled mechanical movements and a specialized gripper to transfer petri-dishes, replacing the unreliable manual handling process with a more reliable automated system that maintains sterility while remaining easy to operate
2Reliability
If automated robotic manipulator is used to transfer objects through transfer ports, then reliability is improved by preventing contamination, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple tasks: gripping petri-dishes, transferring them through the transfer port, and positioning them on the culture medium. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high reliability for sterility maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper is integrated as part of the robotic manipulator structure, with the manipulator arm containing the gripper mechanism. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact integrated system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of automated handling
3Productivity
If multiple petri-dishes are handled in a set or stack, then productivity is improved, but reliability worsens due to increased risk of contamination from batch handling
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator acts as an intermediary that can securely grip multiple petri-dishes in a stack or set simultaneously. The gripper is designed to hold batches of petri-dishes during transfer through the transfer port, enabling productive batch handling while preventing contamination that would occur with manual processing of multiple items
Data Source
AI summary
Transfer mechanism/device (40) transferring one or more objects (O) through a transfer port (R), having a supporting base (41), a shuttle (42) with a mount (43) for a holder (47) for the one or more objects (O) or with a holder (47) and a container (44) accommodating the base (41) and the shuttle (42) and accommodating the objects (O), and having at least one opening (45) at an end portion in an axial direction (X) of the container (44).