Robotic automation of coagulation analysis

Citation
S. Graves et al., Robotic automation of coagulation analysis, CLIN CHIM A, 278(2), 1998, pp. 269-279
Citations number
4
Categorie Soggetti
Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
ISSN journal
00098981 → ACNP
Volume
278
Issue
2
Year of publication
1998
Pages
269 - 279
Database
ISI
SICI code
0009-8981(199812)278:2<269:RAOCA>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
Laboratory automation systems (LAS) have been installed in over 22 sites ac ross North America providing automation of many preanalytical and analytica l tasks in clinical laboratories. Only a few laboratories have automated th e analysis of citrated whole blood for the diagnosis of hemostasis disorder s. The analysis of coagulation factors in citrated blood requires a large a mount of labor in order to provide rapid turnaround; thus automation of thi s analytical process is attractive. Therefore, we have created an automated coagulation workstation using a systematic approach to automation design a nd engineering. First, we used discrete event simulation to calculate poten tial throughput and to identify possible bottlenecks for the proposed coagu lation workcell. We then created a three-dimensional animated computer mode l of the workstation to simplify workstation design. Finally, we constructe d a prototype workcell using a mobile robot, an articulated robotic arm, an d a coagulation analytical system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.