Laboratory automation systems

The OPMBS used a custom-written spreadsheet application, i.e., a workbook, in conjunction with laboratory automation systems to standardize data recording, calculations, and presentation of results. Devising this approach required careful differentiation between (a) the workbook used to calculate and report the results and (b) the data acquisition systems used in each laboratory. The laboratory systems were used to collect the raw chromatographic data, but the calculation modules in the laboratory systems were not used. Instead, all calculations were done in the workbook. Use of the laboratory systems to collate and output the final results was considered but was rejected for two reasons. First, different laboratories used different systems, and some laboratories used more than one system. The output characteristics of the various systems differed considerably and would have required extensive modification... 

The Zymark robotic laboratory automation system Although detail procedures differ in each laboratory, the basic elements of binding and enzyme assays are similar. The generalized procedure shown in Table 1.10 highlights the common steps and indicates which Zymate laboratory systems are required. These procedures are performed using common laboratory glassware such as test tubes or in multiple tube devices such as microtitre plates. 

Table 1.10 Typical immunoassay procedure using Zymate robotic laboratory automation system... 

Zymark Ryobotic Laboratory Automation system for inununoassays Zymark Corp... 

The first commercial laboratory robot, the Zymate Laboratory Automation System (Fig. 6.1), was introduced by Zymark Corporation (ffopkinton, Massachusetts, USA) in 1982. Subsequently, some Hght industrial robots have been adapted for laboratory use, and other systems have been introduced. Basic aspects of laboratory robots have been reviewed by Dessy [6, 7], Kenig and Rudnic [8], Isenhour [9] and Lochmuller et al. [10]. More recently. Hawk and Kingston [11] have pubhshed a very comprehensive review with particular regard to trace analysis. 

The manual procedures for TDS, TDS-ROE, TSS and TS are described in 22 separate steps in Table 6.3. The automated procedures follow these same steps. The robotic system shown in Fig. 6.S has a Zymate Laboratory Automation System at the heart of the system design. 

Analytical. Samples were chromatographed on a Hewlett-Packard 5880A gas chromatograph which was fitted with a 30M fused silica capillary column (DBS) and an automatic sampler. The GC was interfaced to a Hewlett-Packard 3354 Laboratory Automation System (LAS). Raw data was automatically transferred to the LAS where peaks were selected by retention time, integrated and stored in a processed file. Processed data was then transferred... 

Computers are pervading all areas of our life and, in this same way, they are pervading all areas of chemical research. In flavor analysis, computers with their information analysis capabilities are a natural ally with separation science which is an information generator. Our laboratory has extensive experience with the Hewlett-Packard 3357 Laboratory Automation System. The specific hardware which we have is given in Table I. 

Table I. Hewlett-Packard 3357 Laboratory Automation System ...

The use of the Zymate Laboratory Automation System allows the standardization and automation of many routine operations in an analytical chemistry laboratory. It additionally allows for a closing of the analytical automation loop of sample preparation and analysis therefore potentially decreasing the need for personnel with a resultant increase in productivity. These operations include, but are not limited to, weighing, pipetting, diluting, blending, heating, liquid-solid extraction, and filtration. 

Analyses were done on a Dionex Model 14 Ion Chromatograph (IC), equipped with a Waters WISP 7 autosampler, Linear recorder, and interfaced with a Hewlett-Packard 3354 Laboratory Automated System. The principal components of the IC, shown in Figure 2, are (A) eluent reservoir, (B) pump, (C) injection valve, (D) separator column, (E) suppressor column, (F) conductivity cell, and (G) conductance meter with a recorder (integrator). 

The development of TLA and modular automation required the development of computer systems known as laboratory automation systems (LAS) with extensive software to support these systems in the clinical laboratory. For a more detailed description of the relationships between an LAS, LIS, automation equipment, and laboratory analyzers, the reader is referred to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) standard on laboratory automation communications. ... 

Computers and computer telecommunications are integral components of the entire analytical and reporting process and control the data input, operation, monitoring, and data reporting functions in automated analyzers. Also, workstations have been used to integrate the operation of one or more laboratory analyzers. Individual analyzers and/or their workstations are electronically interfaced with large central data repositories on laboratory information systems (LIS) and/or laboratory automation systems (LAS) (see Chapter 18). 

The NCCLS has developed standards to meet the requirements of vendors and users of clinical laboratory automation systems. Five standards have now been published at the approved level dealing with specimen container and specimen carrier bar codes for specimen container identification communications with automated clinical laboratory systems, instruments, devices, and information systems b systems operational requirements, characteristics,... 

Bauer S, Teplitz C. Total laboratory automation system design. Medical Laboratory Observer 1995 27(9) 44-50. 

National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Laboratory automation Systems operational requirements, characteristics, and information elements, approved standard. NCCLS Document AUT04-A Wayne, PA NCCLS, 2000. 

Tatsumi N, Okuda K, Tsuda I. A new direction in automated laboratory testing in Japan five years of experience with total laboratory automation system management Clin Chim Acta 1999 290 93-108. 

In order to avoid problems with sample inhomogeneity, the entire oil sample from each sample of shale was dissolved in 1.5 to 2.5 mL of CS2 (about 1 g oil to 1.5 mL solvent). One pL of this solution was injected into a Hewlett-Packard Model 5880 Gas Chromatograph equipped with capillary inlet and a 50 m x 0.25 mm Quadrex "007" methyl silicone column. Injection on the column is made with a split ratio of approximately 1 to 100. The column temperature started at 60°C and increased at 4°C/min to 280°C where it remained for a total run time of 90 min. The carrier gas was helium at a pressure of 0.27 MPa flowing at a rate of 1 cm /min. The injector temperature was 325°C and the flame ionization detector (FID) temperature was 350°C. Data reduction was done using a Hewlett-Packard Model 3354 Laboratory Automation System with a standard loop interface. Identification of various components was based on GC/MS interpretation described previously (4). For multiple runs on the same shale, the relative standard deviations of the biomarker ratios were about 10%. 

The Shimadzu GC-15A and GC-16A systems are designed not only as independent high-performance gas chromatographs but also as core instruments (see previously) for multi-GC systems or computerised laboratory automation systems. Other details of these instruments are given in Table 5.1. The Shimadzu GC-8A range of instruments do not have a range of built-in detectors but are ordered either as temperature-programmed instruments with thermal conductivity detection (TCD), flame ionisation detection (FID), or flame photometric detectors (FPD) detectors or as isothermal instruments with TCD, FID, or electron capture detectors (ECD) (Table 5.1). 

The commercially available MTS Laboratory Automation System was the major tool used in mechanical characterization.The MTS system, as shown in Figure 7, is equipped with a computer-controlled servohydraulic capability. It is a very versatile mechanical tester which can be used to test specimens of a variety of geometries under a broad range of conditions of temperature, frequency, and strain. The double lap shear specimen used to obtain dynamic mechanical properties data is shown in Figure 8. 

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