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A collaborative robotic solution to partly automate SARS-CoV-2 serological tests in small facilities
Andrea Maria Zanchettin1, Federica Facciotti2
1Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci 32, Milano, Italy.
SLAS Technology
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Robotics automation significantly enhances COVID-19 testing by increasing throughput by 66% and reducing manual pipetting by 62% in clinical labs. This technology aids healthcare systems in managing the pandemic until widespread vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Clinical laboratory automation
- Robotics in healthcare
- Infectious disease diagnostics
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic strained global healthcare systems, highlighting the need for efficient diagnostic tools.
- Rapid and reliable screening is crucial for controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission pending mass vaccination.
- Robotics offers a solution to accelerate laboratory processes and reduce manual labor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail a collaborative robotics application for automating SARS-CoV-2 quantitative serological tests.
- To assess the impact of this automation on laboratory throughput and technician workload.
- To demonstrate the benefits for small laboratory facilities facing high testing demands.
Main Methods:
- Development of a collaborative robotics system in partnership with a clinical hospital and robot manufacturer.
- Partial automation of quantitative serological tests for SARS-CoV-2.
- Integration of robotic assistance for repetitive laboratory operations, including pipetting.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 66% increase in overall laboratory throughput.
- Reduced manual pipetting activities, a potentially harmful task, by 62%.
- Demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of robotic automation in a real-world clinical setting.
Conclusions:
- Robotics automation offers a substantial improvement in efficiency for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- This technology can alleviate laboratory technicians from repetitive tasks, enhancing safety and productivity.
- Partially automating serological tests is a viable strategy to support healthcare systems during infectious disease outbreaks.
