BD rolls out new-generation robotic track system for microbiology labs

12 January -- Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) has unveiled a new-generation robotic track system for its BD Kiestra microbiology laboratory solution to automate lab specimen processing.

The third-generation BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation (TLA) system is said to help reduce manual labour and wait time for results and is scalable to meet evolving needs of labs.
In addition, the system allows labs to create a custom and flexible total lab automation configuration to connect multiple BD Kiestra modules, said the medical technology company.

According to BD, the third-gen BD Kiestra TLA system provides labs with multiple track options and allows them to employ instruments of their choice.

Labs can select their automation entry point and configure the system according to their individual workflow and physical lab space, said the company.

BD microbiology vice president and general manager Cecilia Soriano said: “The track-based configuration options are designed to eliminate the manual sorting of plates and walking the specimen from module to module, which helps to ensure culture integrity and results in streamlined workflows.

“The modular tracks use a sophisticated robotic highway on/off ramp design to help eliminate bottlenecks, traffic jams and plate collisions.”

The third-gen BD Kiestra TLA system delivers a fully automated workflow that enables routine specimen inoculation to incubation, imaging, and colony selection, and can be personalised to fit the lab’s physical space.

It deploys the BD Synapsys informatics solution to trace each step of the lab’s diagnostic pathway, to improve the productivity of the laboratory staff.

The BD Synapsys Informatics solution is a life science diagnostics informatics platform, designed to help laboratories to address challenges and impact laboratory outcomes.
It is an advanced platform with an intuitive, personalised user interface that allows labs to analyse their performance using microbiology informatics, said the medical device maker.

BD integrated diagnostic solutions president Brooke Story said: “With our 3rd Generation Total Lab Automation System, labs with workflows impeded by room layouts can break free from space and configuration constraints to build the system that best meets their needs today and be ready to expand tomorrow.”