User Interfaces for University Laboratory Work cells

1. User Interfaces for University Laboratory Work cells Malcolm Crook Process Analysis & AutomationLecturer, MChem Course, University of Surrey Lecturer, MSc Course Trinity College DublinAdvisory Board, University of Manchester

2. Purpose of presentation to show … • Software options • Vendor specific • Vendor independent • Hardware options • Usually decided by user • Systems integration • Putting the system together • Tailoring projects • Making the system useable

3. prepare sample prepare sample analyze sample analyze sample report results Laboratory automation - the process collect sample

4. Key software requirements • Run a batch of plates • Run another batch of plates if present • Reliable • Easy to use

5. Software Choices • Time driven scheduler • Unsuitable for the tasks suggested in the documents • Event driven scheduler • Can handle timings • Can handle decisions • Can handle unknown plate quantities at the beginning of the run • Overlord2 is an EVENT DRIVEN SCHEDULER • Overlord Scheduler is a TIME RESOLVED SCHEDULER

6. STATIC DYNAMIC hit the GO button hit the GO button know exactly what will happen at any time in the process Follow a set process control and scheduling software

7. real-time scheduling OVERLORD Workstation event driven time-resolved scheduling OVERLORD Scheduler time driven Either control software - summary

8. common features • support for over 300 instruments • data handling facilities • utilizes original instrument software • can integrate with most databases • SQL server, oracle, access • 21 CFR part 11 compliant • full system tracking • error notification • error recovery

9. which product ? Overlord2 • Very Flexible • True Dynamic Scheduling • Takes longer to setup OVERLORD Scheduler • Cannot make decisions • Very easy to use • Obeys critical timings • Schedules fixed processes

10. Overlord2 • dynamic/real-time/event • icon based drag and drop set-up • flow chart interface • very flexible • dynamic scheduling • decisions can be made in real-time

11. Software Structure Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Run native instrument control software

12. Software Structure Overlord2 Driver Overlord2 Driver Overlord2 Driver Written to access key functionality Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Run native instrument control software

13. Supervisor layer Software Structure Overlord2 Event driven Overlord2 Driver Overlord2 Driver Overlord2 Driver Written to access key functionality Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Run native instrument control software

14. Overlord2

15. which product ? Overlord2 • Very Flexible • True Dynamic Scheduling • Takes longer to setup OVERLORD Scheduler • Cannot make decisions • Very easy to use • Obeys critical timings • Schedules fixed processes

16. OVERLORD Scheduler • static/time driven • icon based drag and drop Gantt chart interface • optimise and interleave different assays e • ach assay run with exact incubation timings • very easy to create an assay • add new assays when the system is running

17. OVERLORD Scheduler

18. HARDWARE OPTIONS

19. Most manufacturers Most instruments Over 300 instruments 450 licenses Used in USA Europe Japan Australia

20. HARDWARE OPTIONS Plate transport

21. Stackers Hudson PlateSilo Magstar Stacker PerkinElmer LS PlateStak Titertek Titan Thermo RapidStak plate stacker Velocity 11 BenchCel Stacker Robots automate.it KiNEDx SCARA arm Caliper (Zymark) Twister I & II Denso VS-6556E robot Hamilton Microlab SWAP Hudson Plate Crane Mitsubishi robots PAA TUBEstar / WELLstar / STORstar PAA X-Link Sands Robot R16 Staubli robots Thermo CataLyst 5 & X Plate transfer choice

22. PE PlateStak Thermo RapidStak HARDWARE OPTIONS – stackers

23. HARDWARE OPTIONS - robots

24. automate.it SCARA Mitsubishi PE PlateStak HARDWARE OPTIONS - robots

25. HARDWARE OPTIONS Peripheral equipment

26. High content plate reader Plate manipulator Peripherals HARDWARE OPTIONS- peripheral equipment

27. Liquid Handling Reagent dispensing PlateWash Flexdrop HARDWARE OPTIONS- peripheral equipment

28. Barcode reader HARDWARE OPTIONS- peripheral equipment Plate reader

29. HARDWARE OPTIONS Storage/containment

30. Storage HARDWARE OPTIONS - storage • Inheco 12 place incubator • Thermo Cytomat range of incubators • Liconic range of incubators • Hamilton (TekCel) PlateStore • Thermo (Jouan) MolBank • Incubator • Caliper Scitec Carousel

31. HARDWARE OPTIONS - containment • Bench workcell • automate.it SAFEcel • automate.it SAFEcel L • automate.it SAFEcel C2 • automate.it connect • 2 robot solution

32. Systems Integration

33. system what is an integrator ? • instruments are BRICKS • software is the CEMENT • integrator puts it together like a BUILDER hardware software integration

34. example systems No stacker Stacker Robot Tracked robot

35. no stacker or laboratory robot • PerkinElmer JANUS system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/elisa_jpm_lo.wmv

37. stacker only • automated TTP Mosquito system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/nano_mosquito_lo.wmv • automated PerkinElmer PlateStak system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/elisa_pe_lo.wmv

38. laboratory robot systems • automated Innovadyne Nanodrop system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/nano_innovadyne_lo.wmv • automated GE Healthcare IN Cell 1000 system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/hcs_1000_lo.wmv

39. factory robot systems • automated dilute & seal system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/mitsubishi_dilute_seal_lo.wmv • automated cell system http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/ppw_lo.wmv

40. tracked robot system • BSE workcell http://www.paa.co.uk/ftp/labauto/videos/milk_lo.wmv

41. Tailoring systems

42. Overlord2 - Customizable • user GUI & runtime module separable • can use different GUI, Excel could be used • different run engines can be run • processes the flow using Overlord variables • overlord instrument drivers developed quickly • all components can be modified • master or slave • all errors handled with different options • .NET framework, API will be utilized • flexible GUI makes writing assays easier

43. User layer Software Structure Experiment Manager Overlord2 Event driven Overlord2 Driver Overlord2 Driver Overlord2 Driver Written to access key functionality Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Instrument Interface Run native instrument control software

44. Experiments added Experiment running Experiment complete Add an experiment Experiment Manager – User layer

45. External collaborations Overlord2 • GE: Automation front ends • Molecular Devices StakMax • Labcyte 810 Pod: Automation layer • Caliper ACES programme • TAP: Automation layer • Matrical automated workcell OVERLORD Scheduler • PerkinElmer: JANUS Project Manager

46. conclusion laboratory automation has a number of key stages • choice • hardware • software • scheduler choice • User front end choice • integration • make the system what was required not what was asked for • committed to technically relevant cost effective solution