Monday, June 14, 2010

Lab Automation Trends

Lab Automation plays a vital role in the transformation. Manufacturers have responded to the needs for greater productivity by using high powered analyzers which are more powerful softwares that are used for managing the automation systems. To meet increasing needs of labs with the present testing technologies, the analyzer size has been grown. With response to the growing needs and even in the reduction of the labour, manufacturers have developed systems with great analytical power which are used for testing. With the increment in analytical thinking the systems are becoming more complex, in order to reduce them. Small embedded systems are used to reduce the complexity. Most of the analyzers contain sensors and software that manage the processes like sample processing etc. Lab automation often uses multiple screens and workstations to access test the instrument data. Different trends of lab automation are:

Smaller, more – flexible Instruments: In spite of the limitations of today’s automation systems, labs are continuing their advancements for new solutions. Manufacturers responded by developing larger systems with higher costs, and limited flexibility. This has become an ineffective approach and manufacturers are building their systems by finding out the limits. In the next generation the analyzers reduce the size by adopting emerging trends in micro technology. Working with small and flexible instruments will reduce the amount of blood or the samples taken from the patient for the test. They designed them as cost effective and they even offer great flexibility. The smaller lab automation systems will be flexible and reaches the targeted solutions by reducing the labour. These are also low cost automated devices.


Powerful, Easy-to-use software: According to the laboratory information system, the centralized control function will go through all lab processes. Many labs are taking orders via internet. The next step is to manage the lab operations remotely, and check out lab processes and test status off-site. The next generation lab processes provide easy, powerful softwares for real time access.


Real-Time Service Maximizes Uptime: Manufacturers build automation systems with highly intelligent analyzers and equip them with sensors,which monitor every step of the testing process. Manufacturers are accessing the analyzers with the intelligence systems by using the automation systems. Internet based real time service is done faster and it even gives the best performance results. In future, the technology advances for managing test inventory, lab work flow, and other aspects to improve quality and efficiency.


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