Design Considerations for a Minimally Invasive High-Throughput Automation System for Radiation Biodosimetry

Design aspects of a minimally invasive high-throughput automation system for radiation biodosimetry are reported. The system, currently under development, relies on robotic devices and advanced high-speed automated image acquisition to perform mass triage following a radiological event. A design concept of the automation system is proposed based on the use of an input stage, a centrifuge module, a cell harvesting system, a liquid handling module, an imaging system and a service robot. The biological assays are described along with an analysis of the throughput requirements. The special requirements imposed by bioassay automation, system throughput and minimal invasiveness lead to the design of a custom-made multipurpose gripper and a cell harvesting module. Results on the embodiment design of these modules are provided. A prototype of the automation system is described.