Innovation represents a key element of BSD's Competitive Advantage.
The success of BSD's products is closely related to our proprietory technologies - designed and developed within BSD. The BSD R&D team is constantly creating cost-effective solutions and products for unmet market needs. More than 40% of the Company's total resources are directed towards the creation of market-oriented new products and technologies.
In addition, BSD Robotics is constantly working to refine the technologies incorporated in our current product range. We constantly draw on the latest engineering technologies to apply to our instruments. This policy allows the company to maintain a leading edge in the market. BSD holds IP on all key technologies for pre-processing of dried samples, including the use of lasers.
To complement our proprietory technologies, BSD has also secured world-wide rights to other appropriate technologies, including the use of lasers to cut media containing bio-samples, and the use of coring as a means of cutting media.
The leading-edge technologies developed by BSD include:
The Card Scanner is designed to automatically locate the best target sites on sample cards from which to punch dried sample. The Card Scanner passes light through the sample area on the card , and measures the intensity of the light transmitted through the card on a pixel-by-pixel basis, comparing the sample density to pre-determined thresholds, and thereby determining the optimal pattern in which to punch out samples.
The Raised Die was specifically designed to punch dried samples from filter paper or other media, where that media is suspended in a cassette or frame. The raised die eliminates the possibility of the paper tearing during punching due to the suspension of the paper in the holder/frame. The Raised Die also allows for the punching of Biospot's VibraSwabs and BioDisks.
The Low-Pressure Air System was developed to improve the effectiveness with which punched disks separate from the punch during the punching process. Working hand-in-hand with the Low-Pressure Air System, the Humidifier System impregnates the flow of air pumped through the unit, thereby reducing the effects of static electricity on punched disks, allowing them to fall freely through the chute and into the designated well.
The BSD Light Targeting System is used on our semi-automated instruments and illuminates positions on the sample card from which disks are to be punched. The operator can then move the sample card to the optimum position under the targeting lights. This eliminates the possibility of insufficient sample material on the punched disks.
All BSD instruments are computer controlled systems. Complementing the BSD instruments is the highly flexible BSD software. The BSD software is 100% developed in-house, which allows dedicated customisation to individual laboratory's needs and requirements. The BSD software allows flexible programming of punching protocols/procedures/processes on a wide variety of plate maps. The software generates an comma-delimited ASCII output file after every run and each file includes several fields such as Tests Name, Plate No., Plate Barcode, Grid Reference, Sample Barcode , Type of Disk, Fill Order, Others and a Comment. This file can be exported into the LIMS or any downstream instruments for sample tracking. The BSD software is regularly improved/updated with the latest features and functions.
All BSD instruments have barcode reading capability which provides positive identification of magazines, plates, sample cards, standard cards, control cards and/or cleaning cards. The information generated by the barcode readers is uploaded to a comma-delimited ASCII output file after every run. This file can be exported into the LIMS or any downstream instruments. With barcode reading capability fully utilised by the BSD software, BSD instruments have the ability to punch according to an ASCII input file (e.g. for re-work and/or quality purposes) imported from the LIMS and/or other instruments.
Most BSD instruments have a built-in disk detection system, which works to ensure the integrity of the punching process. The Disk Detector System incorporates a number of sensors (located in the lower section of the Chute) designed to detect each disk as it passes, and a software element which complements these sensors.The Disk Detection System detects and ensures that the punched disks are deposited correctly into the pre-programmed well/tube locations.
The BSD Dust Extraction System was
designed in an effort to protect the health of our punch instruments'
operators. This system vacuums dust particles away from the instrument
and punched disks during punching of sample cards. It also reduces the
amount of sample-tainted paper dust from falling into plates during punching.
This assists to reduce cross contamination. This also helps to minimise
the amount of paper dust material, which can be a health hazard, that
the operators breathe in.
The BSD Dust Extraction System can be optioned on all semi-automated and automated BSD punch instrument. It can also be retro-fitted to all existing BSD punch instruments in the field.
