Automated Mini-Store
System for
Low-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
General features
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Standalone, self-contained, mobile
Configurable for range of tubes and vials
Cherry-picking capability
Medium-capacity; expandable
Modular design
AMS Features and Specifications 1/2
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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, Standard-height (1.4 ml)
275,000 tubes (max 300,000)
96-well Tubes, Half-height (0.7 ml)
175,000 tubes (max 190,000)
Picoplates (or Microtiter plates)
1.9 Million picotubes
2.6 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
Picking Module
Storage
Module #1
Storage
Module #2
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
Cherry-Picker
Can pick tubes
and vials of
various sizes
I/O Buffer
I/O Buffer can
hold 6 racks
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.
(Option) Tuberacks singly loaded/unloaded
into AMS manually
Tuberacks (in Cassettes) loaded/
unloaded into AMS manually
AMS
Inert
Plate
Hotel
Tube racks can be
efficiently handled in
batches using
‘Cassettes’, with a
capacity of 10 tube
racks each.
Automated transfer of
tuberacks
Manual transfer
of tuberacks in
Cassettes
Airlock
The antechamber allows product
transaction without compromising
the internal atmosphere
Cycle Times
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.
Cycle time (tuberacks/hr)
AMS Cycle Time as a Function of Pan Extractions
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
0.0
24.0
48.0
72.0
# of tuberack picks/pan
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.
96.0
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 lbs
AMS 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
Process for Storing Racks with 2D ID underside
Store Request (via user or software agent)
Move Rack(i) from stacker to ID area
Read 2D datamatrix
Transfer Rack(i) from ID area to I/O Shuttle
repeat until all Racks done
OR I/O_Nest is full
Picker moves Rack(i) from shuttle to I/O_Nest (i)
Extractor retrieves Pan(i) to I/O Station
repeat until all Racks done
Picker transfers Rack(i) to Pan(i)
Repeat until done
Process – Retrieving Samples
Retrieve Request (via user or software agent)
Check Destination Rack (DR) exists
Check 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
repeat
until
done
repeat until all req. tubes
are picked from Pan(i)
Picker transfers Rack(i) to Pan(i)
Extractor returns Pan(i) to Store
Picker moves DR(i) to ID Station
2D Datamatrix is verified
DR(i) is moved to Stacker
Software/Data Integration to LIMS
We can integrate our systems seamlessly into your LIMS
Samples Login System
(SLS)
UI for data
file upload
Reporting
Interface
Business objects
Supervisory Control System
(SCS)
User (and Security) Manager
Product Data Manager
Transactions Manager
Product Input-Output Manager
Machine Control Positions Data Manager
Machine Control Communications
Manager
Enterprise database (RDBMS)
Global Samples Ordering System
(GSOS)
Hosted web-service
OR
Active or Passive Ordering System
(client-specific)
Data Model
Inert Sample Processing
Human and Robotic Solutions
A Precipitous Problem
DMSO Weight Gain in Laboratory
125
120
Percent
115
110
105
100
0:00
WebData from Labcyte.com
water absorption vs. time (hrs)
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12:00
0:00
12:00
WebData from Tekcel.com
water absorption vs. time (hrs)
0:00
WebData from Waybright et al., NCI
sample precipitation
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
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
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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
Semi-Automated (‘Hubotic’) Solutions
Sealer
Pipettor
Input
Airlock
Stackers
Glove ports
Height
adjustable
Mobile
(casters)
 1/10 cost of alternative solutions by redeploying existing equipment
Output
airlock
Inert/dry
atmosphere
controls
Summary:‘Hubotic’ Solution
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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
Fully Integrated Robotic Solution
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Turnkey System to your specifications
Compact, movable, cost-effective
From an established leader in Materials Management
Operational Schematic
Buffer Stack for Empty Plates
Buffer Stack for Random Access (of 384-well Plates)
Transfer Robot
Liquid Handling System
PlateLoc Plate Sealer
Air-Lock
Buffer Stack for Thawing Racks
Shuttle between AMS and PPW
Plates Processing Workstation
(PPW)
Automated Mini-Store
(AMS)
Compound Management Solutions
• Samples must be processed in dry environment
o Simple solution is the DB500 for manual processing
o prevents water absorption during plate thawing
• Continuous Batch Processing with Enclosure
o emulates robotic solution (‘Hubotic’) at low cost
• Fully Integrated AMS: Best of both worlds
o Turnkey ASRS integrated turnkey sample processing
o Attractively priced, compact footprint
• Service and support
• Tried and tested technology
Appendix - (384-well) Picoplate
Bite and Place
Source Plate
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Field-proven, patented design
Source plate is single molded
part – Low cost
Cherry pick capability – no
freeze-thaw cycle
Destination
plate