Tube Picking Chamber for Reliable -80°C Sample Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated ultra-low temperature storage and retrieval systems face challenges in reliably retrieving and transferring biological or chemical samples stored in sealed tubes due to issues with reading one-dimensional bar codes on the sidewalls, maintaining low humidity, and ensuring efficient cooling within the tube picking chamber, especially at -80°C temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A tube picking mechanism with a cache system and a retractable shuttle door, integrated with a one-dimensional bar code reader and a gripper head that can operate within a controlled -20°C tube picking chamber, allowing for efficient transfer of tubes between source and destination racks while maintaining low humidity and consistent cooling, and enabling the reading of bar codes on the sidewalls of tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a tube picking mechanism operates directly in the ultra-low temperature freezer compartment at -80°C, then the mechanism can retrieve tubes without removing racks from the system, but the cold temperature causes unreliable operation of mechanical and electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
A tube picking chamber is introduced as an intermediary space between the ultra-low temperature freezer compartment and the external environment. The chamber is maintained at a higher temperature (e.g., -20°C to -50°C) than the freezer compartment, allowing mechanical and electrical components of the tube picking mechanism to operate reliably. The chamber includes a door that opens to the freezer compartment, enabling the mechanism to access tubes without exposing the entire system to temperature fluctuations.
2Ease of operation
If the tube picking chamber door is opened frequently to retrieve tubes, then tube retrieval is enabled, but moisture ingress and temperature fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube picking chamber serves as a buffer zone that minimizes the impact of door opening on the ultra-low temperature freezer compartment. When the door is opened, only the chamber is exposed to temperature changes, while the main freezer compartment remains protected. The chamber door can be opened briefly for tube retrieval, and the chamber can be pre-cooled or equipped with rapid cooling capabilities to minimize temperature excursions.
3Loss of information
If one-dimensional bar code labels are placed manually on tube sidewalls for identification, then sample tracking is enabled, but the variety of positions and orientations makes them difficult to read in an automated system
Solution Approach 1:
The tube picking mechanism includes a rotatable gripper head that can rotate to different orientations. The bar code reader is positioned to read bar codes on the sidewall of tubes as they are gripped and rotated into the correct orientation. The system dynamically adjusts the gripper head rotation to align the bar code with the reader, enabling reliable reading regardless of the initial label position or orientation on the tube.
4Device complexity
If conventional tube picking mechanisms are used in the ultra-low temperature environment, then the system structure is simplified, but the cold temperature prevents reliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct thermal zones: the ultra-low temperature freezer compartment at -80°C for long-term storage, and the tube picking chamber at a higher temperature (e.g., -20°C to -50°C) for tube retrieval operations. This segmentation allows different temperature requirements to be met in different zones, enabling reliable operation of mechanical and electrical components in the picking chamber while maintaining ultra-low temperature storage in the freezer compartment.
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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of tube retrieval and transfer, minimizes exposure to warmer temperatures, reduces moisture ingress, and allows for precise tracking of samples, thereby protecting the integrity of the samples and improving system throughput.
Implementation Method 1
The tube picking mechanism includes a circulation fan for moving air throughout the tube picking chamber to improve cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 2
A retractable shuttle door is located between the tube picking chamber and the ultra-low temperature storage compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g., −80° C.) storage and retrieval systems which stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are loaded into trays located within an ultra-low temperature freezer compartment (−80° C.). A tube picking mechanism resides in a tube picking chamber that is located adjacent the freezer compartment. The tube picking chamber is maintained at about −20° C. when the tube picking mechanism is in operation. The tube picking mechanism includes a cache within the tube picking chamber to facilitate fast paced shuttling of the tube racks from the freezer compartment into the tube picking chamber. The shuttle has a clamping mechanism to secure a tube rack in place when a gripper head picks a tube from the rack. The system also includes a push pin that pushes on the bottom of the respective tube as it is being picked from the tube rack. A one-dimensional bar code reader is included within the tube picking chamber. The gripper head is able to move vertically and rotate within the field of view of the one-dimensional bar code reader in order to facilitate identification and reading of one-dimensional bar codes located on the sidewall of picked storage tubes. The system also uses fans to facilitate efficient cooling of the tube picking chamber.