US 12,179,367 B2 · Translation and automation of protocols in a robotic lab

Abstract

A lab system configures robots to performs protocols in labs. The lab automation system receives, via a user interface, an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab. The instruction may comprise text, and the lab may comprise a robot configured to perform the protocol. The lab system converts, using a machine learned model, the text into steps and, for each step, identifies one or more of an operation, lab equipment, and reagent associated with the step. In response to detecting an ambiguity/error associated with the step, the lab system notifies the user via the user interface of the ambiguity/error. The lab system may receive one or more indications from the user that resolve the ambiguity/error and update the associated steps. For each step, the lab system configures the robot to perform an identified operation, interact with identified lab equipment, and/or access/use an identified reagent.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving, via a graphic user interface, an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab, the instruction comprising text, the lab comprising a robot configured to perform the protocol;
converting, using a machine learned model, the text of the instruction into steps;
for each step, identifying one or more of an operation associated with the step, lab equipment associated with the step, and a reagent associated with the step, wherein at least one step is modified to include a replacement operation, replacement lab equipment, or a replacement reagent based on a capability of the lab such that an outcome of the modified step is not substantially different from the at least one step;
in response to detecting an ambiguity or error associated with a first step of the steps, notifying the user via the graphic user interface;
and
for each step, configuring a robot to perform the step by:
performing an identified operation associated with the step;
interacting with identified lab equipment associated with the step;
and/or
accessing and using an identified reagent associated with the step.

7 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor, the instructions comprising:

instructions for receiving, via a graphic user interface, an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab, the instruction comprising text, the lab comprising a robot configured to perform the protocol;
instructions for converting, using a machine learned model, the text of the instruction into steps;
instructions for, for each step, identifying one or more of an operation associated with the step, lab equipment associated with the step, and a reagent associated with the step, wherein at least one step is modified to include a replacement operation, replacement lab equipment, or a replacement reagent based on a capability of the lab such that an outcome of the modified step is not substantially different from the at least one step;
instructions for, in response to detecting an ambiguity or error associated with a first step of the steps, notifying the user via the graphic user interface;
and
instructions for, for each step, configuring a robot to perform the step by:
performing an identified operation associated with the step;
interacting with identified lab equipment associated with the step;
and/or
accessing and using an identified reagent associated with the step.

7 more elements

A computer system comprising:

a processor;
and
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive, via a graphic user interface, an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab, the instruction comprising text, the lab comprising a robot configured to perform the protocol;
convert, using a machine learned model, the text of the instruction into steps;
for each step, identify one or more of an operation associated with the step, lab equipment associated with the step, and a reagent associated with the step, wherein at least one step is modified to include a replacement operation, replacement lab equipment, or a replacement reagent based on a capability of the lab such that an outcome of the modified step is not substantially different from the at least one step;
in response to detecting an ambiguity or error associated with a first step of the steps, notify the user via the graphic user interface;
and
for each step, configure a robot to perform the step by:
performing an identified operation associated with the step;
interacting with identified lab equipment associated with the step;
and/or
accessing and using an identified reagent associated with the step.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Translation and automation of protocols in a robotic lab

Life of this patent

Translation and automation of protocols in a robotic lab

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20