RTS Life Science

 

Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies maintain large chemical libraries to support the drug discovery process. These samples need to be stored in controlled environmental conditions in order to maintain their quality and longevity. Samples are often kept in small microtubes, commonly barcode labelled, with a database or inventory system used to ensure that their location is known at all times. Samples are typically small molecule compounds, but in some organisations the samples may be biological in nature, for example, blood, proteins, nucleic acids such as DNA etc. The management of these libraries is commonly referred to as Compound Management, or more generically, Sample Management. This involves activities such as sample acquisition, storage and retrieval of samples, often using automated robotic systems, quality control checks, and information management. Sample Management is often undertaken by dedicated groups within organisations, but may sometimes form part of HTS (High Throughput Screening) operations.

 

RTS has been supplying automated sample management solutions for over 13 years; since 1997 80% of the top ten pharma companies selected and purchased RTS systems for business critical operations. RTS has over 25 automated storage systems installed across a range of organisations, from large pharma to academic and research institutes.

 

 

Automated sample management can deliver many different benefits, including improved quality (samples are stored in controlled environmental conditions and their locations tracked in inventory databases), reduced errors (2D barcoded sample tubes can be verified during the retrieval process to avoid picking errors), increased throughput (many thousands of samples may be picked each day), improved turnaround time (allowing increasing customer demands to be met), reduced operational costs (lower numbers of staff), improved staff utilisation and morale (automation allows staff to focus on value-added activities).

This will depend on the circumstances of your organisation, and your day to day business needs; try completing the RTS Automation Audit to see whether automated storage and retrieval might be appropriate for you, and get your own personalised recommendation of which of the RTS A Range storage solutions matches your requirements. For further advice, please contact RTS.

RTS’ automated storage and retrieval systems accommodate varying sizes of collection. Systems are designed to be expandable, and/or second or additional modules may be added at a later date to cater for your increased collection size. The important factor is to plan ahead and consider the anticipated size of your collection when initially discussing options with vendors; RTS can assist you with this process.

All RTS’ automated storage and retrieval systems are capable of storing samples at temperatures in the range from -20 ºC to ambient (+20 ºC). RTS has significant expertise and experience in low temperature storage; we were the first company to produce an automated store for DNA at -20 ºC.

All RTS’ automated storage and retrieval systems have been designed to operate with a wide range of industry standard labware, including plates, tubes and vials from all the leading suppliers. Please contact RTS and we will be pleased to advise on labware compatibility.

 

RTS systems are especially well suited to mixed storage configurations; storage densities can be optimised to suite different container sizes, and our picking robotics have multi-format capability built-in as standard. Please contact RTS, and we will be pleased to undertake a capacity configuration calculation for you.

 

 

This will depend on the size and nature of the specified system; the A3, A4 and A5 systems typically require an electrical supply of 400V, 50Hz, TP&N (17A), or 208V, 60Hz TP&N (33A) or 480V, 60Hz TP&N (15A). Depending on the samples being stored, a dry air or nitrogen gas supply is required to maintain the sample environment. RTS will advise on individual facility requirements during the quotation process.

 

Typically for a standard A3 or A3+ system the installation, commissioning and testing period is 1 week. A4 and A5 installation periods are dependent upon the size of the store and the shipping option adopted, however a typical A4 system will be installed within 2 weeks.

 

 

The RTS A3 and A3+ systems are designed to be relocated, although samples would need to be removed during this process and the store would be unavailable for a period of time during the move. Larger A4 and A5 stores can be relocated but will require a relocation plan, as there is likely to be an impact on building facilities; RTS has significant technical expertise and can advise and assist with this process.

 

Yes; RTS storage systems are designed with flexible storage configuration in mind. Our systems support different formats of storage tray, which allow high density storage of plates, racks (containing tubes or vials) or tubes themselves (offering very high density storage). The Oracle 10g based RTS Store Inventory System (SIS) database allows rapid re-configuration in line with your changing needs. Please contact RTS for further advice.

 

 

Yes; 1D barcode readers are used to track the plate/rack within the system and provide a container identification within the Store Inventory System (SIS) database. In a similar way, 1D barcode readers may also be used to read barcode labels applied to vials.

 

 

Yes; 2D barcode readers are used to track tubes/vials within the system and provide a container identification within the Store Inventory System (SIS) database.

 

Camera systems allowing remote viewing and monitoring of the automation within an RTS store are available as optional extras.

 

 

Yes, all RTS sample management systems are supplied with a CE Declaration of Conformity. Systems may also be provided with a UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listing if required. RTS has significant expertise in working with safety standards organisations, including SUVA and CSA. Please ask RTS for further details.