Automated Liquid Handling System
Description
Apply the blood analysis process automatically to avoid infection and get reliable results, the machine is holding an electronic pipette in Cartesian gantry mechanism [X, Y, and Z]. The system contains a main modules using in Micro Biology Lab like [Centrifugal device, Shaker, Heating blocks, tubes and solution stand].
The electronic pipette can hold a certain volume of liquid moving through all modules as per the programmed process with a certain time and set parameters for each device, then the machine operator can see the result on computer at the end.
The machine controlled by using LabView machine user interface.
Heating Module
There are 3 heating blocks with 3 different points of temperature, it is a PID closed loop system to remain the blocks temperature stable all time.
Design consideration of heating block
- Material has high thermal conductivity.
- Machinable and available in local market.
- Position of heater against Thermocouple to ensure that all tubes have the same degree of temperature.
Shaking Module
Mixing the solutions with a certain speed and certain time, using DC motor with 4 links parallel mechanism and using sensor to keep the same position of mechanism when stop.
The shaker holds a heating block to facilitate heating process during shaking.
the heat distribution simulation done by using SolidWorks to ensure that the thermocouple sense the same temperature for the two tubes inside.
Centrifugal Module
high speed separation up to 30k RPM, using brushless motor with high speed with a sensor to keep the same position of tubes when stop, by controlling the brushless motor the module can select each tube aligned with pipette. The parameters of centrifugal modules are the speed of motor, duration of process, and define each liquid weight inside the opposite tubes to reduce vibration at high speed.
Machine Result
At the end the machine capture the image of final sample and using the image processing analysis to validate the result by detecting the color of sample – “This criteria applied only for Hepatitis C detection” and each virus or bacteria has a different method to detect and the machine easy to receive any scenario.
