Did you know? The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is responsible for a wide range of functions, such as perceiving the environment, thermoregulation and important hormone synthesis processes. When it comes to examining skin lesions, the naked eye has its limitations when it comes to making a thorough assessment. To this end, skin samples are taken by a dermatologist or pathologist and later positioned by a laboratory onto sample slides that are thinner than a human hair. Until now, these samples have been laboriously and manually fed into the microscope for scanning. Due to increased documentation requirements and the time-consuming nature of manual work, the use of smart, state-of-the-art medical technology offers solutions that can be implemented through a fully automated processing workflow. The entire system requires a compact footprint of approximately 3 square metres.

The CRG30-050 gripper system from the Performance Line by Weiss Robotics provides, amongst other things, the basis for ensuring that the samples are safely transported to the individual microscopes. In conjunction with a KUKA® industrial robot, the smart gripping system is controlled via a PROFINET connection using IO-Link.

Grip force maintenance, as a ‘must-have feature’, plays a key role here, as the sample holders must be held securely even in the event of a power cut. As cycle time requirements are also a key indicator here, the flexible CRG30-050 gripper demonstrates its advantages, such as smart pre-positioning via integrated recipe management within the gripper.

Images: Skin samples at different magnifications (from left to right)

An overview of the various process steps and features of the system

• Flexible and safe handling process for sample carriers and sample boxes
• Innovative temporary storage of samples for the scanning process (more than 300 different waypoints)
• Reliable sample identification using QR code technology
• Automated position detection of the sample in preparation for the final partial high-resolution image
• 6 microscopes connected to a high-performance data file server
• Visual monitoring of all scanning processes is carried out via software, including via an integrated touch panel.

Looking ahead, the question arises as to whether artificial intelligence will play a role in supporting doctors with their diagnostic assessments. We’ll have to wait and see.

SWI 23 September 2020
Source: Argos