Automated Mini-StoreSystem forLow-Temperature Samples Storage

Lab Automation solutions

by PAA/Biosero

Focused offerings for high-throughput screening applications

Automated Samples Storage Systems

• Range of capacities and functionalities

• Ultra-low temperature robotic sample storage

• Automation integration – Front/back-end

Controlled-Environment Chambers

Targeted for manual and automated work-processes

Dry, inert, oxygen-free, ionized, temperature-controlled atmospheres possible

Dry, nitrogen atmosphere for automated liquid-handling

workcell

Dry, nitrogen atmosphere for samples weighing

Automated Mini-Store (AMS)

For small-medium libraries

• Standalone, self-contained, mobile• Configurable for range of tubes and vials• Cherry-picking capability• Medium-capacity; expandable• Modular design

General features

AMS Features and Specifications 1/2

• System Size: 8’ wide, 5’ deep, 6.5’ tall• Capacity: 300,000 micro-tubes (0.7ml)• Throughput: 4000 picks/day; higher possible• Cherry-picking: Yes, for 96- and 384-well• Operating environment:

o +4ºC to -20 º C (settable)o -80 º C option available

• Environment Backup: Liquid Nitrogen

AMS Features and Specifications 2/2

• Input/Output Station: Positions for 6 racks• Output Stacker: 24 racks capacity• Compression/Consolidation:

o On-demand or auto• Database: Any SQL database• Samples ID: 2D matrix and 1D barcode

Container Types and Capacity

96-well Tubes, Half-height (0.7 ml)

175,000 tubes (max 190,000)

96-well Tubes, Standard-height (1.4 ml)

275,000 tubes (max 300,000)

Picoplates (or Microtiter plates)

1.9 Million picotubes2.6 Million in stacked configuration

Other Container Types

Vials, custom racks and tubes are possible

Multi-Container Types in Single AMS

AMS can easily be configured to simultaneously handle multiple container types in a single system.

This is achieved by using gripper-changers at the Picking Robot for handling each container-type (similar to our larger ASRS)

Note, however, that this affects the overall throughput of the system (and some loss of flexibility)

Modules View – Main Discrete Modules

Storage Module #1

Storage Module #2

Picking Module

Input/Output Module

Modules View – Storage Stack

Storage Stack

Single Pan

Modules View – Picking Module

Extractor

Extractor transfers product from storage module to picking module

Picker

Picker (robot) cherry-picks samples from source-racks to destination racks

Modules View – Pan in Extractor

Picking Module – Picking Station

I/O Buffer

I/O Buffer can hold 6 racks

Cherry-Picker

Can pick tubes and vials of various sizes

Pan Extracted for Picking

Extractor

Picker

Source Rack

I/O Module

Modules View – I/O Module

System display

I/O Stacker

Rack Scanner

Dry Inert enclosure for plate thawing

• Inert / dry plate exit hotel• Dry Nitrogen atmosphere• Room Temperature

thawing• Recirculation with inline

warming & desiccating module.

• Intelligent control with O2 and humidity sensors to monitor environment

• Minimal N2 consumption

Sample Retrieval from the Inert hotel

The available capacity of the Hotel allows for batch loading of tube racks into the AMS.

Tube racks can be efficiently handled in batches using ‘Cassettes’, with a capacity of 10 tube racks each.

AMS

InertPlateHotel

Automated transfer oftuberacks

Manual transfer

of tuberacks inCassettes

(Option) Tuberacks singly loaded/unloaded

into AMS manually

Tuberacks (in Cassettes) loaded/unloaded into AMS manually

Airlock

The antechamber allows product transaction without compromising the internal atmosphere

Cycle Times

AMS Cycle Time as a Function of Pan Extractions

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

0.0 24.0 48.0 72.0 96.0

# of tuberack picks/pan

Cyc

le t

ime

(tu

ber

acks

/hr)

The adjacent graph shows the dependency of cycle-time to picking efficiency. If the inventory is fragmented, or if pick request is characterized by dispersed samples, the throughput will be lower.

For pan extractions in the range of 1 to 20, the steep slope of the graph underlines the advantages of condensed/optimized storage.

Important note: these numbers are for serial service of tube racks (not picked in batches, which AMS can do, up to 6 tube racks at once). With batch picking, throughput will be higher.

AMS System Features

Feature RANDEX AMS

Throughput Cherry-pick of 4 96-well tube racks per hour, on average (see conditions)

Temperature Yes, settable between +4C and –20C

Redundancy/backup In case of power failure or refrigeration system failure, liquid nitrogen backup (option)

Humidity Control Built-in dehumidification control

Container Types, Capacities

300,000 0.65ml Micronic micro-tubes in their racks: (height: 32 mm); 267,264 0.75ml Matrix micro-tubes in their racks: (height: 40 mm)

Cherry-Picking Micro-tubes are cherry-pickable. Cherry-picking is done inside the controlled environment

System Size and weight AMS Standard Size: 8’ wide, 5’ deep, and 6.5’ tall. Weight: 2,500 lbsAMS with Integrated Hotel:

Barcode scanning 1D barcode scanning of racks. 2D cluster scanner for identification of microtubes

Input/Output AMS Standard via front stacker (24 tube racks), or serially.AMS with Integrated Hotel: automatic transfer of tube racks to and from Liconic LPX-200 Hotel. Hotel capacity is 100 tube racks

Compression/ Consolidation

Micro-tube compression. Can also compress by custom-defined field (project/department)

Inventory Data Will reside in your enterprise database or in our MSDE (SQL) database

Service Support 24 hour turnaround in support and service

Process – Storing Plates/Racks

Store Request (via user or software agent)

Move Rack(i) from stacker to ID areaRead 2D datamatrix

Transfer Rack(i) from ID area to I/O Shuttle

Picker moves Rack(i) from shuttle to I/O_Nest (i)

repeat until all Racks doneOR I/O_Nest is full

Extractor retrieves Pan(i) to I/O Station

Picker transfers Rack(i) to Pan(i)

repeat until all Racks done

Repeat until done

Process for Storing Racks with 2D ID underside

Process – Retrieving Samples

Retrieve Request (via user or software agent)

Check Destination Rack (DR) existsCheck requested samples are in inventory

Check parameters within physical limits

Extractor moves Pan(i) to I/O Station

Picker picks Tube(i) from Source Rack (SR) to DR

Picker transfers Rack(i) to Pan(i)

repeat until all req. tubesare picked from Pan(i)

Extractor returns Pan(i) to Store

repeatuntildone

Picker moves DR(i) to ID Station2D Datamatrix is verifiedDR(i) is moved to Stacker

Software/Data Integration to LIMS

Enterprise database (RDBMS)

User (and Security) ManagerProduct Data ManagerTransactions Manager

Product Input-Output ManagerMachine Control Positions Data Manager

Machine Control CommunicationsManager

ReportingInterface

UI for datafile upload

Business objects

Samples Login System(SLS)

Supervisory Control System(SCS)

Hosted web-serviceOR

Active or Passive Ordering System

(client-specific)

Global Samples Ordering System(GSOS)

We can integrate our systems seamlessly into your LIMS

Data Model

Inert Sample ProcessingHuman and Robotic Solutions

A Precipitous Problem

DMSO Weight Gain in Laboratory

100

105

110

115

120

125

0:00 12:00 0:00 12:00 0:00

Perc

en

t

WebData from Labcyte.comwater absorption vs. time (hrs)

WebData from Tekcel.comwater absorption vs. time (hrs)

• Samples absorb 10% water in 4 hours under ambient conditions• This will prevent freezing @ 20 C and compound precipitation• Sample precipitation occurs under such sub-optimal conditions• HTS and hit-to-lead follow-up are compromised• Consensus is that dry sample processing is a component of valid compound management for HTS

WebData from Waybright et al., NCIsample precipitation

Precipitation = More False Negatives

How Much Does a False Negative Cost?

Opportunity and Operations Loss

Solutions to a Common Problem Cost:Benefit

• Good: Dry boxes for thawing plates• Better: Semi-automated processing in inert

enclosure• State of the Art: ASRS and Integrated Workcell

Summary: Dry Box Solution

Summary: Dry Box Solution

• Obligatory for thawing/conditioning plates• Rapid dry equilibration of chamber• Gentle, ‘Power Thaw’ option• <1% Relative Humidity achievable• Requires only power outlet• Movable, space efficient and affordable• Vastly superior to passive desiccant • Custom configurations and options available

1/10 cost of alternative solutions by redeploying existing equipment

InputAirlock

Mobile(casters)

Heightadjustable

Pipettor Sealer

Outputairlock

Stackers

Glove ports

Inert/dryatmosphere

controls

Semi-Automated (‘Hubotic’) Solutions

Summary:‘Hubotic’ Solution

• Powerful workflow model. Simple and very cost-effective• Pressurized with dry argon gas, data monitored and logged• Inert processing from solubilization to seal• Movable, ergonomically adjustable• Continuous Batch Processing without breaking the conditioned environment

Turnkey System to your specifications Compact, movable, cost-effective From an established leader in Materials Management

Fully Integrated Robotic Solution

Automated Mini-Store

(AMS)Plates Processing Workstation

(PPW)

Buffer Stack for Random Access (of 384-well Plates)

Transfer Robot

Buffer Stack for Empty Plates

Buffer Stack for Thawing Racks

Shuttle between AMS and PPW

Liquid Handling SystemAir-Lock

Operational Schematic

PlateLoc Plate Sealer

Compound Management Solutions

• Samples must be processed in dry environmento Simple solution is the DB500 for manual processingo prevents water absorption during plate thawing

• Continuous Batch Processing with Enclosureo emulates robotic solution (‘Hubotic’) at low cost

• Fully Integrated AMS: Best of both worldso Turnkey ASRS integrated turnkey sample processingo Attractively priced, compact footprint

• Service and support• Tried and tested technology

Appendix - (384-well) Picoplate

• Field-proven, patented design• Source plate is single molded

part – Low cost• Cherry pick capability – no

freeze-thaw cycle

Source Plate

Bite and Place

Destination plate