Application Dictates Design

Initial Meeting Goals

At Dynamic Devices we believe that application requirements should determine the optimal configuration. Our flexible system architecture supports multiple hardware configurations which need to be optimized for the specific functionality and throughput.

Automation Reasons

• To reduce exposure or certain chemicals or biologics to lab staff.
• Increase the reproducibility of assays over multiple operators.
• Increase a labs capacity and throughput with additional staffing.
• Decrease the amount of repetitive tasks technicians perform in pipetting.
• Decrease costs by having the ability to run overnight or with minimal staffing. 

Automation has many benefits in the laboratory, however, care must be takes to automate rugged reliable methods that are proven manually.

Customer Prep Worksheet

Sample types, reagents and containers

• What types of samples are being handled by the lab?
• What type of containers do your samples and reagents arrive in?
• Are there any special storage needs of the samples or reagents, do they need refrigeration, incubation or are they light sensitive?
• Are there any caps or seals on the containers?

Workflow

• Do your samples come in all at once or spread out through the day or week?
• Can one sample have multiple tests/assays carried out on it?
• Can you batch your samples to run in a particular test/assay?
• Do any of the processes requiring sterile conditions? HEPA hoods?

Throughput

• What is the required processing time from the first sample to the last finished sample?
• How many samples of each type will be processed in a day or week?
• What is the maximum capacity or walk away time needed from the system?
• How many technicians does it require to process the current sample load?
• How much is the expected level of samples expected to rise over the next few years?
• During what times of the day or week is the system expected to be available for use?

Automation Level

• Why are these tests/assays being automated?
• Increase data integrity by reducing operator errors
• Handling increased workload with no additional personal
• Handling hazardous reagent or sample matrixes

Results and data handling

• Are the incoming samples bar coded or manually labeled that needs to be transferred into the system?
• If bar coded, do the specific bar code correspond to which test/assays will be carried out?
• Are the destination tubes or plates bar coded and need to be read and recorded?
• Are the bar codes in use random or are they created by combining information like sample ID, date, patient number or anything else?
• Will the sample be transferred to another automation workstation?
• What kind of validation study is needed to be used in the lab?
• What metrics will be tracked to ensure system performance?