ABB robots help TCI Gene test for COVID-19 up to 1800 samples per day

2021: ABB Robots Implementation

For fast and accurate tests for coronavirus infection (COVID-19), a fully automated testing system in Taiwan uses ABB robots. This was announced on May 25, 2021 by ABB Russia.

Taiwan's TCI Gene company required an automated system that could quickly and accurately test up to 1,800 samples per day on Covid-19, taking into account the lack of trained personnel and the need to reduce the load on operators. Such an automated system could also significantly reduce the risk of personnel contacting the virus.

Small ones ABB Industrial Robots working as part of a fully enclosed modular test solution scan sample tubes, identification data add reagents, and move samples between stations, ensuring rapid and accurate testing while protecting personnel.

Two ABB robots used in an automated testing system on Covid-19 help a Taiwanese company test for the virus in 60 minutes 96 samples with accuracy 99.99%.

The QVS-96S system, developed by the Taiwanese company TCI Gene, is a fully automatic closed device based on gene testing equipment. This type of system ensures that the samples remain clean throughout the test process.

QVS-96S consists of three stations: extraction, dosing and analysis of nucleic acids. The first two stations use ABB's compact industrial IRB 1200 robots.

The nucleic acid extraction step begins with the technician loading the samples for testing. The IRB 1200 takes samples and substitutes them under scanner barcode to capture the data and the test result correlated with the sample. Then, custom-made equipment opens test tubes with samples and takes samples of ribonucleic acid (RNA). After this procedure, the IRB 1200 takes samples and moves them to the second station.

At the second station, another IRB 1200 robot, using a specially designed grip, adds reagents immediately to the entire row with eight tubes. He does this at a certain angle so as not to spoil the remaining samples in the batch.

After adding reagents, the robot takes and places the tubes in a centrifuge, the work of which allows you to get rid of the deposits of reagents and conduct an ideal reaction with each sample. Upon completion of this step, the robot picks up the tubes from the centrifuge and moves them to the conveyor for transportation to the third station.

Using an automated solution allows testing in 24/7 mode. The results of testing 96 samples can be obtained in 60 minutes, in total it is 1800 samples per day.

In addition to significantly accelerating the processing of samples, the main advantage of the automated system is its ability to relieve excessive physical load on laboratory personnel. The repetitive nature of sample preparation tasks poses an increased risk of injury, as employees need to perform each step repeatedly within hours per day.

Task automation also reduces the risk of fatigue-related errors, which can potentially call into question the validity of sample testing.

The robotic cell has a modular design. This means that it can be adapted to test other viruses, such as influenza. Its design ensures that samples are isolated and personnel are fully protected from potential viruses.