Graves S, Holman B, Felder R A
Medical Automation Research Center, Box 800168, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
Clin Chem. 2000 May;46(5):772-7.
Total laboratory automation (TLA) has been shown to increase laboratory efficiency and quality. However, modular automation is smaller, requires less initial capital, and requires less planning than TLA. We engineered and performed clinical trials on a modular robotic preanalytical workcell for coagulation analysis.
Timing studies were used to quantify the efficiency of the manual processes and to identify areas in the processing of coagulation specimens where bottlenecks and long waiting periods were encountered. We then designed our modular robotic system to eliminate these bottlenecks. Our robotic modular workcell was engineered to allow a choice of specimen introduction manually, by conveyor, or by mobile robot. Additional timing studies were performed during clinical trials of the robotic system.
Prior to automation, the time required for preanalytical processing time was 18-107 min; after automation, it was 45-50 min. Additional improvements in workcell efficiency could be realized when high quality, prelabeled specimens were introduced into the system.
Compared with manual methods, modular automation provides more predictable variation in specimen processing.
全实验室自动化（TLA）已被证明可提高实验室效率和质量。然而，模块化自动化规模更小，所需初始资金更少，且规划比TLA少。我们设计并开展了针对用于凝血分析的模块化机器人分析前工作单元的临床试验。
通过计时研究来量化手工流程的效率，并确定在凝血样本处理过程中遇到瓶颈和长时间等待的环节。然后我们设计模块化机器人系统以消除这些瓶颈。我们的机器人模块化工作单元设计为可选择通过手动、传送带或移动机器人引入样本。在机器人系统的临床试验期间进行了额外的计时研究。
自动化之前，分析前处理时间为18 - 107分钟；自动化之后，为45 - 50分钟。当将高质量的预标记样本引入系统时，工作单元效率可实现进一步提高。
与手工方法相比，模块化自动化在样本处理方面提供了更可预测的变化。
