PATHFINDER900 PLUSTAKING THE STRESS OUT OF
MANAGING YOUR SAMPLES
Lab automation made easy
Up to 40 rack positions with no predefined input or output positions. You can set the system up how best it suits your lab’s workflow!
Huge storage area underneath - great for consumables and accessories
Takes variety of sample racks and supports different third party analyzer racks
Samples are quick and easy to identify in the coloured sample racks
Easy loading of consumables at the back, you can do this without stopping the instrument!
Rack loading of samples from 3 sides, several operators can access the system without getting in each other’s way.
You don’t even have to stop the instrument to load or unload racks!
KEY BENEFITS
DD Improves laboratory workflow and sample Turn Around Time
DD Minimizes manual handling errors and decision steps
DD Decreases biohazard exposure
DD Reduces lost or misplaced tubes
DD Reduces RSI injuries
DD Assists in tracking samples as they move through the laboratory
DD Frees up lab staff for more productive work
Configurable specimen tray swaps out in less than a minute! Fantastic! It allows you to change the instrument configuration as your workflow changes.
Stat position for priority sample
Easy operator interaction through 17” touch screen LCD - can be located on the left or right side
Handy shelf at convenient height - holding area for your next sample racks Light tower
to indicate instrument status
PaThFINdEr 900 PluSAim Lab Automation Technologies’
PathFinder 900 Plus is a high speed robotic
workstation that automatically processes and
manages the distribution of sample tubes
in the busy pathology laboratory ready for
analysis or storage. The system automates a
number of manual processes including:
− Loading and unloading of specimen
tubes in sample racks
− Determination of the patient id and
sample type of each presented tube
− Decapping of primary tubes
− The preparation and labeling of
secondary tubes
− Aliquoting of sample into multiple
labeled secondary tubes
− Capping of secondary and
primary tubes
− Sorting of tubes into different
destination racks
− Interfacing with the LIS
While sophisticated in design, the day-to-
day use of the instrument is simple and
straightforward.
uNIquE Modular dESIgNThe PathFinder 900 Plus is a truly modular
system with a number of modules arranged
around a two lane conveyor track. Each
module is dedicated to a specific function
MODULE
1MODULE
2
DUAL LANE TRACK
ID MODULE
SO
RT
ER
4
SORTER 3
EaSY-To-uSE SoFTWarEInteraction with the PathFinder 900
Plus software is through an intuitive,
icon-driven Graphical User Interface
(GUI) with a web-style layout that
provides a high level of familiarity to the
novice operator.
At a glance the home page reveals the
status of the entire system. The operator
can be guided through each module,
providing more detailed information
about the hardware, consumables and
running state.
The GUI also provides the system
administrator with the ability to
configure the system for the laboratory’s
particular requirements. Spreadsheet
style configuration pages present data
in a readable, easily edited format.
The GUI can also be viewed on any PC
on the same network as the PathFinder
900 Plus allowing the system to
be monitored and/or reports to be
generated remotely
99 Dynamic interface that updates
system status in real time
99 Full management and
workflow reporting
99 Workflow productivity graphs
and statistics
99 Ability to track, search and
locate tubes on demand
99 Complete customization of
work area and tube types
99 Web based technology which
allows multiple PCs to use the
same interface
99 In-built user diagnostics with
pop up help screens
99 Available in different languages
and sample tubes are transported around the
system between modules in pucks.
The basic system includes four sorter modules
and a sample tube ID module with the facility
to accommodate up to 4 function modules as
shown in the schematic diagram below.
The different function modules that can be
fitted to the system are:
Position Function Module
1 De-capping or Capping
2 Secondary Tube Preparation
3 Aliquot (also de-caps
the primary tube)
4 De-capping or Capping
The flexibility in the design allows the
system to be customised to suit the
automation needs of your laboratory.
For example, if presented tubes are to
be aliquoted into secondary tubes, the
system is equipped with a Secondary Tube
Preparation module and an Aliquot module.
To increase the de-capping throughput
or to de-cap tubes without aliquoting, a
De-capping module can be added. Finally,
to selectively foil cap secondary tubes or
re-presented uncapped tubes, a Capping
module can be installed in the remaining
function module position.
Alternatively, if aliquoting is not required, a
PathFinder 900 Plus could be equipped
with 2 De-capping modules, 2 Capping
modules or even 1 De-capping module
and 1 Capping module.
99 Automated aliquoting and
distribution of secondary tubes
99 Automated decapping and
distribution of decapped
primary tubes
99 Recursive distribution of samples
based on test priority
99 Auditing test panel completeness
99 Capping and archiving of
samples into low cost
storage racks
99 Foil sealing and sorting of
prepared “send out” tubes
ready for transport
aPPlICaTIoNS
MODULE
3MODULE
4
DUAL LANE TRACK SO
RT
ER
1
SORTER 2
FlExIBIlITYThe PathFinder 900 Plus has been
developed with flexibility as an essential
design criteria. Sample racks can be
loaded or unloaded from the front or
either side of the instrument onto easily
configurable specimen trays. Any rack
position (and there can be up to 40 in
total) can be set up as either an input or
an output position giving ultimate flexibility
in the layout. As a result, the instrument
can be set up specifically to suit the
layout of your laboratory and orientated
to optimize your laboratory’s workflow.
Several operators can access the system
at the same time without getting in each
other’s way.
The flexibility also characterises the way the
system processes samples. Tubes can be
directly picked from or placed into different
analyzer racks or low cost PathFinder
automation racks. The PathFinder sample
racks are conveniently available in different
capacities and colors and make ideal
destination or storage racks. Operators are
alerted to empty input racks or full output
racks as soon as they need replacement.
Even partially filled racks can be replaced
at any time without stopping the instrument
and impacting throughput. The system
layout can be changed in a matter
on minutes as the workload changes
throughout the day.
FuNCTIoNalITYWith simple robust functionality, the
PathFinder 900 Plus has been designed
to meet the many day-to-day challenges
associated with sample management.
The PathFinder 900 Plus represents the
fourth generation in tube automation
systems designed by Aim Lab Automation
Technologies. It takes proven technology
from Aim Lab’s earlier lab automation
platforms, enhances these and integrates
them with innovative new design elements
to improve overall performance. Unique
technologies such as the tube type
identification by image analysis and foil
capping are patented technologies.
Specific capabilities include:
− Full clot detection.
− Processing capped or uncapped
primary tubes.
− Recapping a primary tube with its
original cap or a foil cap.
− Foil capping of secondary tubes to
IATA requirements for air transport.
− Multiple aliquots per primary tube.
− Ability to manage multiple tubes of the
same type with the same barcode.
CoMPaCT SIzEWith a footprint of only 2.5m x 1.4m
(8.2’ x 4.6’) and a working area that allows
operator access from both the front and
the sides, the PathFinder 900 Plus is
compact in size for the functionality and
flexibility it offers. The component modules
fit through a standard doorway so the
system can be subsequently assembled
on site with minimal disruption to existing
infrastructure or the laboratory layout.
hIgh ThroughPuTThe PathFinder 900 Plus boasts a
consistently high sample throughput.
Sample tubes are processed at a rate up
to 1,200 tubes per hour when sorting and
the throughput is maintained at over 900
tubes per hour even when 30% of the
primary tubes processed are aliquoted into
a secondary tube (1:1).
The dual track design allows parallel sample
processing to improve overall efficiency.
Samples that require only sorting will
bypass sample queues for aliquoting and
capping. The PathFinder 900 Plus workcell
controller monitors the input workload to
automatically optimise the work directed
to each module. This workload balancing
capability ensures maximum throughput
performance of each module is maintained
under varying workloads.
THROUGHPUT
Up to 1,200 sorted tubes/hour (sorting only).
Up to 1,000 de-capped tubes/hour (de-capping only)
Up to 1,100 foil capped tubes/hour (capping only)
Up to 560 total tubes/hour de-capping and aliquoting (1 primary: 3 secondary)
SAMPLE ID
Positive barcode identification
Tube type recognition
PRESEnTED TUbES
Handles most standard sample collection tubes from major tube manufacturers
Diameter: 12 - 16 mm
Height: 63mm – 120mm (depending on rack)
RAck TyPES
PathFinder racks - 20, 50 or 128 well sample racks, available in different colors
Choice of rack adapters for loading different analyzer racks
Stat/error rack
SORTInG AREA cAPAcITy
Up to 1,016 samples (16mm OD tubes)
Up to 2,064 samples (13mm OD tubes)
LIS InTERfAcE
Bi-directional interface; CLSI/NCCLS LIS2-A (ASTM E 1394-91)
DIMEnSIOnS
2.5m (8.2’) L x 1.4m (4.6’) W x 1.8m (5.9’) H
POwER SUPPLy
220 - 240VAC, 50 - 60Hz, 2400W
OPERATInG TEMPERATURE RAnGE
10°C - 35°C (50°F - 95°F)
UTILITIES REqUIRED
Power
Network point
Compressed air
cERTIfIcATIOn
Designed and manufactured in accordance with ISO13485
2004/108/EC and 2006/95/EC
PaThFINdEr 900 PluS SPECIFICaTIoNS
www.aimlab.com
International Head Office
10-22 hornibrook Esplanade,
Clontarf, qld 4019, australia
P: +61 7 3897 1600
F: +61 7 3283 7922
ThE PaThFINdEr FaMIlYTo compliment the PathFinder 900 Plus,
Aim Lab Automation Technologies also
offers smaller bench top automation
systems - the PathFinder 450S for
dedicated sorting applications and the
PathFinder 350A for post analytical
capping and archiving of sample tubes.
The PathFinder family share the same
interface specification. One or more
PathFinder systems (either 450S or 350A)
can integrate with the PathFinder 900 Plus
to provide a network of systems enabling
error free sample prioritizing and tracking
within the same site or between laboratories
which share a common LIS system
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PathFinder 450S Sorter
PathFinder 350A Archiver