February 20-22, 2013 | Orlando World Marriott Center | Orlando, Florida USA

Automation In Life Sciences and Diagnostics Applications

Pedro DiazDirector of Research

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

• Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing

• Our diagnostic systems are found in hospitals and other critical care settings around the world and produce information used by physicians to diagnose disease, make treatment decisions and monitor patients

• Scientists use our instruments to study complex biological problems including causes of disease and potential new therapies or drugs

• Our customers: Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies Universities Core and clinical labs Clinical research organizations

• More than 275,000 Beckman Coulter systems operate worldwide

Improving patient health and reducing the cost of care

Beckman Life Sciences Sites

Marseille

Galway

DanversFort CollinsCarlsbad

Miami

Indianapolis

Flow Cytometry Centrifugation

GenomicsElectrophoresis

Particle CharacterizationLab Automation

Automation in Life Sciences

• Working close with customers to analyze workflow and understand requirements

• Design assay and select required reagents

• Architect system ensuring scalability

• Validate system performance Accuracy Precision Repeatability

• Sustain instrument in the filed throughout its useful life

Typical Life Science Workflow

Obtain Sample

Sample Preparation

Execute test

Data Analysis

Results

Beckman Coulter Automation Delivered

Cellular AnalysisFlow Cytometry & Hematology Instrumentation

• Instrument systems designed to perform analysis of blood cells

• Blood samples prepared prior to analysis

• Light scattering properties and Coulter principle used to identify cell types or specific disease states

• Software algorithms used to facilitate data analysis

• Results generated

Adding reagents

SystemMeasurements

From tubes …

… To results

Liquid handlers used for sample prepping

• Automation of cell staining, lysing, and mixing

• Main functions: XYZ motion of probes Aspirating and dispensing Mixing Pick and place

• Faster and repeatable results

Cellular Analysis InstrumentationTwo main working principles employed

Hydrodynamic Focusing Coulter PrincipleA beam of light (usually laser light) of a single wavelength is directed onto a stream of fluid. A number of detectors are aimed at the point where the stream passes through the light beam

A suspension of blood cells is passed thru a small orifice simultaneously with an electric current. The individual blood cells passing through the orifice introduce an impedance change in the orifice determined by the size of the cell.

Analyzers

• Up to 32 blood samples can be loaded for analysis

• Each tube lifted from carousel Lift, spin (mix), aspirate

• Blood column directed to flow cell for interrogation

• Lasers energy applied to each cell that crosses interception point

• Scatter and fluorescence signals are collected by sensors

• 90 samples processed per hour

• Multiple designs to facilitate batch processing• Sample traceability kept during workflow• Functionality to interrupt workflow and insert a single specimen

Sample Transport & Traceability

Carousel Loader Cassette Loader Single tube station

Example of Automated Workflow

Sample loading Prep + Analysis Results

Automating Blood Smears

• Automated system bring a whole new dimension to the world of slide-making / staining

• “Load ’n’ go” feature allows loading of up to 180 slides in the easily accessible compartment

• Ability to connect (data and sample transport) with a hematology analyzer

Load

Slide Transfer

Confirm

Design Approach

• System engineering methods

• Strong voice of customer analysis

• Multidisciplinary teams Hardware engineering Chemistry Software Optics Application development Industrial design

• Partnering with OEMs and suppliers

• Physical size and weight• Scalability and upgrade paths• Noise• Cost• Duty cycles• Throughput • Connectivity with information system• Design for reliability and service• Environmental footprint• Waste management• User safety and ergonomics• User graphical interface

System Platform Design Considerations

What’s inside the box?

• Motors• Pumps• Laser engines• Sensors• Electronic boards• Valves• Tubing• Cameras

Classical Challenges

• Synchronization and timing of all modules involved in the workflow

• Fluidics and pneumatics Fluid and air management

• Software debugging & error recovery

• Information systems connectivity• End of life components• Unanticipated use case error• Premature component failures• Instrument operating environment• Cost management• Reducing size / foot print

• Laboratory automation will continue to contribute reducing total cost of diagnostics

• Customers will continue to demand the integration of multiple analytical processes Total Lab Automation: Multiple instrument systems seamlessly connected

• Pre-analytical sample prep and analysis integrated in one system• Increase in multiplexing and integration of imaging will require more

efficient data management methods• Laboratory information systems will play a larger role in lab

automation and specimen management• Higher demands for miniaturization and instrument cost reduction• Bring the technology to the point of care

Future Trends & Opportunities

• Life sciences and diagnostic companies are enablers of ongoing research on multiple health fronts.

• Advances in instrumentation technologies will help decoding complex biological processes that cause diseases.

• We could facilitate research and diagnostics in remote areas of the world by designing robust and portable instruments.

• We have an opportunity of improving patient health and making personalized medicine a reality in the future.

Closing Remarks

Pedro DiazDirector of ResearchBeckman Coulter Life Sciences

11800 S.W. 147th AvenueMiami, Florida 33196-2500USA

Phone: (305) 380-2658Web: www.beckmancoulter.com

Contact Information