Design and Preliminary Validation of a Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool for High Throughput Radiological Triage

Abstract

This paper presents design, hardware, software, and parameter optimization for a novel robotic automation system. RABiT is a Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool for high throughput radiological triage. The design considerations guiding the hardware and software architecture are presented with focus on methods of communication, ease of implementation, and need for real-time control versus soft time control cycles. The design and parameter determination for a non-contact PVC capillary laser cutting system is presented. A novel approach for lymphocyte concentration estimation based on computer vision is reported. Experimental evaluations of the system components validate the success of our prototype system in achieving a throughput of 6,000 samples in a period of 18 hours.

Fast Image Analysis for the Micronucleus Assay in a Fully Automated High-Throughput Biodosimetry System

“…At the Center for High-Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry we have developed the Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool (RABiT) – a completely automated robotic-based ultra-high-throughput biodosimetry workstation (2–5). The estimation of the dose received by each individual is based on the analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from a single fingerstick (6).…”

“…Despite a wide selection of available commercial high-throughput imaging systems, to our knowledge no system could provide the throughput necessary for the RABiT system, while retaining adequate spatial resolution, for example, for detection of micronuclei (MNi). We have therefore developed such a system ourselves (3–5, 10). The imaging module of the RABiT incorporates three novel techniques for accelerated image acquisition: (1) use of light steering by fast galvanometric mirrors instead of sample motion; (2) single-step auto-focusing; and (3) simultaneous use of multiple cameras for dual-labeled samples.…”

The RABiT: A Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool for radiological triage. II. Technological developments

“…Over the past five years the Columbia Center for Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry has developed the RABiT (Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool), a completely automated ultra-high throughput biodosimetry workstation (Salerno et al 2007; Chen et al 2009, 2010b; Garty et al 2010; Lyulko et al 2011; Turner et al 2011). The RABiT analyzes fingerstick-derived blood samples to estimate past radiation exposure, or to identify individuals exposed above or below a cutoff dose.…”

THE DECADE OF THE RABiT (2005–15)

“…To fulfill this need, the Columbia Center for High Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry, funded by NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), began the development of the Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool (RABiT), as an end-to-end automated, ultrahigh throughput robotically-based biodosimetry workstation (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) . Although different procedural steps involved in cytogenetic bioassays (from chromosome preparations (8) , to scoring (9) and sample tracking (10) ) had previously been automated, the RABiT is presumably the first end-to-end system developed thus far where the only human intervention with samples is at the sample collection step (11) and interpretation of the reported results by a qualified medical professional.…”