Purpose

Automated reading of barcodes of tubes is often reqires for application on liquid handling robots. In this way sample transfers from tube to microtiter plates can be tracked. The customized modul supports this functionality.

Process

The Modul for tubes of different sizes and reagent bottles is placed on deck of liquid handling robots. The tubes and bottles are located in racks. The racks are loaded manually into the module, while the barcode is read automatically. The standard module holds 12 racks each with up to 20 tube positions. Customised racks are also available for holding reagent bottles.

As the operator guides the racks one by one into their tracks, each rack is detected by a sensor, and a fixed scanner automatically reads the barcodes of all the tubes placed in it. The read / unread barcodes are displayed and the not readed barcodes can be corrected. This data are stored in the database for later use. It takes approx 1. second to read a rack of tubes. The sensor detects if a rack is incorrectly placed. It is a plug and play module that can be removed from the deck when not in use, generating more deck space for other applications. It can also be retrofitted to instruments already in the field.

Features

• with 6, 12, 15 and 24 racks
• racks for tubes with diameter from 10 - 50mm and racks for reagent bottles available
• different racks/modul possible
• data tracking through datasets
• barcode reporting otions
• all standard linear barcodes like Interleaved 2 of 5, code 128, code 39, code 93, codabar...
• data matrix 2D codes on request optional

The modul was developed to allow handling on Biomek series. The device can be modified for other liquid handling robots on request.