Look Ma, No Hands! The Future of Hands-free Technology in the Lab

August 24, 2023

Hands-free technology has come a long way since Bluetooth headsets first appeared in 1999. Advancements in voice recognition and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the way we interact with devices. Future advances in hands-free technology will bring exciting possibilities to various lab settings across every industry. In this blog post, we’ll look at how hands-free technology in the lab began, where it is today, and what it may do for the lab of the future.

Hands-Free Technology in the Lab

Historians believe that the first lab notes were those of Archimedes, who made notes and drawings about his mathematical and engineering discoveries on parchment. With the rise of remote work and the need for multitasking, hands-free technology has become an essential tool for productivity and efficiency in the modern workplace.

Lab notebooks of today are capable of storing photographic images, voice notes, and analyst’s locations, while interfacing with the other informatics systems in use in the lab and across the organization.

The hands-free communication tools that many lab analysts make use of today are based on Bluetooth and WiFi, which use radio frequencies to send signals short distances without wires. The frequency-hopping technology that keeps these signals secure is the invention of Hedy Lamarr. Although she is better known today for her starring roles in Hollywood films, Lamarr thought of herself as a scientist.

Current applications of Bluetooth and WiFi for hands-free applications in the lab include two  main focuses:

1. voice-activated virtual assistants based on voice recognition, and
2. wearable devices.

If you employ Bluetooth-enabled devices in your lab and you have data privacy or security concerns, ensure that employees follow best practices and turn off Bluetooth when the devices are not in use, keep the software updated, and use antivirus programs.

Voice Recognition Software Applications in the Lab

Voice recognition software underpins the voice-activated virtual assistants that are the most familiar hands-free lab note-taking technology. The applications using voice recognition are constantly evolving and improving to meet the needs of scientists and researchers. Voice recognition software uses artificial intelligence to convert spoken words into text, using complex algorithms and machine learning to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

The two most common voice recognition software models are the hidden Markov model, which deconstructs words into their phonemes, and recurrent neural networks, which use outputs from prior steps to influence inputs to the current step. These models follow the GIGO principle, whereby gendered and racist assumptions within the training data find their way into the applications upon which they are based.

It is important to understand that the models used to train voice recognition software can perpetuate bias and can have difficulty recognizing the accents of non-native English speakers. LabTwin has worked to address these shortcomings in large language models (LLMs) by adding examples of speech from their multilingual team to their training data set.

The newest features and advancements in voice recognition software include improving machine learning models with natural language processing (upon which LabTwin relies), real-time transcription, and voice commands for data analysis. As you are no doubt aware, scientific language presents challenges to understanding even in your native tongue. Translating it among languages or recognizing it in accented speech adds additional complexity. However, the advantages in capturing experimental processes as they happen far outweigh the drawbacks. Scientists working in clean room environments or in the field, where their hands may be covered in PPE or occupied with other tools, benefit especially from these capabilities.

Wearable Devices for Hands-free Lab Environments

Wearable devices, like smartglasses and wristbands, offer a convenient and ergonomic way for scientists and researchers to access or collect information without using their hands. Smart glasses have become particularly useful for implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) because each step is displayed in the user’s field of vision as the SOP is being implemented. This helps to ensure that no step is missed. Silicone wristbands can function as passive sampling devices, collecting information about air quality or the physiological condition of the wearer. Because a fully digitized lab may not be a fully automated one, these applications are increasingly useful. The benefits of wearable devices include improved mobility, real-time data visualization, and seamless integration with other lab equipment.

Hands-free Technology Integration with LIMS

The integration of hands-free lab notes with a laboratory information management system (LIMS) provides a comprehensive and streamlined approach to data management and analysis in the lab. Many LIMS now offer apps that can be used to add notes to records or check on results when the analyst is not at a terminal. In addition, third-party apps, such as SampleVision, can capture relevant sample information at the point of collection and transmit it seamlessly to the LIMS. Integration of these devices with LIMS provides some specific advantages.

Enhanced Data Accuracy and Traceability with Hands-free Technology

The integration of hands-free technology with LIMS ensures accurate and traceable data collection, reducing the risk of errors and facilitating reproducibility. Adding hands-free technology to your lab operations can increase data integrity. LabTwin, SampleVision, and other mobile devices for data capture are designed to integrate seamlessly with LIMS.

Improved Efficiency and Collaboration in the Lab with Hands-free Technology

Integrating hands-free lab note taking with laboratory informatics promotes efficient workflows, reduces contamination or waste, facilitates collaboration among researchers, and enables real-time data sharing. Configuring hands-free devices with your lab’s specific SOPs facilitates repeatability and the efficient use of materials.

The Future of Hands-free Technology in the Lab

Hands-free technology is revolutionizing the way scientists and researchers work in the lab,  making their documentation more efficient and productive. Wearable devices and voice-activated assistants in the lab are increasing accuracy, enabling multitasking, reducing waste, and facilitating accessibility. These devices make labs better places to work for all kinds of people, providing individuals with disabilities greater access to scientific careers.

We have mentioned the potential security concerns with increased Bluetooth use and the difficulties of scientific language recognition. Additional challenges to the adoption of hands-free technology in the lab include compatibility issues and the learning curve for lab staff who adopt the new technology. These are not insurmountable problems, and applications of hands-free technology will continue to be found in the lab and in our daily lives. Future developments in hands-free applications will focus on real-time translation, augmented reality displays, haptic feedback, and better integrations with sensors and systems.

In what ways could your lab use hands-free technology?

LabTwin™ Demo Video

Keep Your Automated Chain of Custody Secure with SampleVision

July 24, 2023

A secure sample collection process is essential for accurate results and maintaining quality control in any lab. Implementing a secure chain of custody features can have a wide range of benefits for laboratories and research institutions. Chains of custody are intended to document the steps that samples are subjected to, and who performed those steps, from the start of a project through the development and reporting of the findings related to that sample. This includes documentation of how, when, and where a sample was collected; who collected the sample; the conditions under which the sample was transported to the lab; and all testing protocols to which the sample was subjected, including who performed the testing.

The automated audit trail features in SampleVision play a critical role in ensuring that the chain of custody process remains secure and tamper-proof, thereby improving your data integrity. In this blog post, we’ll look at how the built-in features of SampleVision contribute to your chain of custody security.

Automated Chains of Custody Are Secure

Paper chains of custody and audit trails are prone to human error. If your employees have not been thoroughly trained in the proper sample collection procedures, they may omit important information or steps in the process. Even if they’re properly trained, they may have a bad day and forget to document something, resulting in rework or additional sample collection time.

Paper chains of custody or audit trails are inherently corruptible. If the data can be tampered with, it is much harder to defend its security and provenance, as well as the validity of the results. It may be impossible to prove that the data or results have not been tampered with. Any possibility that the data is not accurate can raise questions about the conclusions based on that data.

These drawbacks of paper make an automated system attractive. Features to look for in an automated system include unique sample identification codes, a unique event record identifier, unique user identification codes, barcode integration, documentation of the protocol or instrument involved, and the result.

Different protocols can be used to ensure the integrity of the chain of custody, depending on your laboratory’s workflows. In SampleVision, the unique user identification makes it possible to trace all actions back to a specific user. Access control allows workflows to be configured to limit which users can perform which functions. This ensures the integrity of data transmitted through SampleVision. Access control also ensures that reports generated in SampleVision cannot be tampered with.

The Benefits of Automated Chains of Custody for Sample Collection

Automated chains of custody and audit trails use a combination of technology and protocols to create a comprehensive record of all activities related to the sample collection and testing process. Within SampleVision, the audit trail features include documentation of any changes made to the sample or test type. If a user deletes samples or makes changes to the required tests prior to submitting them, those deletions are noted in the SampleVision audit trail.

In addition to maintaining data integrity by reducing tampering and mitigating the risk of errors or accidental omissions, automation can help streamline processes and improve compliance. Automation streamlines processes by reducing manual data entry. This saves time and ensures that sample and test data are available wherever they are needed. Automation may even save costs by reducing the amount of rework that was previously associated with incomplete paperwork or misplaced samples.

Automating the chain of custody and providing a secure audit trail improves compliance and meets regulatory requirements in the sample collection process. It may be possible to configure your LIMS so that testing protocols are stored in the system, making it even easier to adhere to the protocols.

Choosing the Chain of Custody Automation for Your Lab

Not all automation is created equal, and choosing the right features for your lab can be challenging. Understanding how the SampleVision audit trail features work within the chain of custody can help lab managers and technicians ensure that their overall audit trail will meet the lab’s needs. Your automated system doesn’t have to include all of the possible components and can be configured to work best with your lab’s workflows and processes.

In selecting the components of an automated chain of custody system, consider scalability and flexibility. The system should be able to accommodate future growth of your organization. Ensure that the automated chain of custody you set up can handle your existing workflows as well as any future workflows that might be developed as your business expands.

The Future of Automated Chains of Custody for Sample Collection

As technology continues to advance, the ways in which chain of custody and audit trail features will ensure the security of the sample collection process is likely to evolve. Understanding these trends can help labs stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions about their technology investments. Some of the emerging technologies that will impact increasing automation in the future include blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). It’s important to stay current with chain of custody and audit trail technology so that your organization does not lose a competitive edge or, worse, suffer a data breach, by falling behind.

How would automating your chain of custody streamline your lab processes?

LIMS Wizards and LabTwin Partner to Enhance AI-and Voice-powered Digital Lab Assistant Presence in North American Market

NEWARK, DE, UNITED STATES, July 5, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — LIMS Wizards, LLC, a global scientific software solutions provider, is pleased to announce its exclusive North American distributorship for LabTwin, the leading AI- and voice-powered smart lab assistant.

These two global lab informatics leaders have partnered to build upon the strengths of each with the shared goal of accelerating innovation by digitizing laboratory data recording and making it available more quickly and more accurately to the laboratory’s customers. 

“LabTwin aims to reduce the overall time to market for essential innovations, the regulatory risks, and the cost of delays associated with error-prone, paper-based manual processes. LIMS Wizards is excited to bring these exclusive capabilities to scientists in North America,” explains Dale Seabrooke, Vice President of Sales. 

John Egerton, Head of Sales at LabTwin, concurs, saying “After entering the market in 2019 as the world’s first voice-powered digital lab assistant, LabTwin has been adopted by some of the world’s most recognizable companies, across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania. This partnership with LIMS Wizards provides us with the ability to have an instant local presence and support within the North American market. As a company with well-known expertise within lab informatics, LIMS Wizards represents the perfect partner in helping us with our mission to accelerate innovation within the lab.” 

What is LabTwin

LabTwin acts as a mobile companion in the lab, guiding scientists through the steps of an experiment and capturing observations, results, or pictures in real-time and in context. The advanced voice technology is based on large natural language processing models, combined with laboratory-specific training, which enables LabTwin’s accuracy to surpass that of other digital assistants. LabTwin can structure the captured data using FAIR data principles, incorporate metadata and results, and be configured with company-specific terminology and workflows. It can also be interfaced with ELN or LIMS software if desired.

LIMS Wizards is now providing LabTwin to scientists across North America to enable better science, faster. LabTwin is useful in a wide range of industries such as pharmaceutical, food and beverage, materials science, and chemicals, for research and development and quality control. 

Learn More About LabTwin

LabTwin is available from LIMS Wizards as of June 26, 2023. You can read more about how LabTwin works here, request a demo, or visit us at a number of events where we are exhibiting.

Change Your Laboratory Workflows for the Better

June 22, 2023

Laboratories and their associated remote testing/sampling sites may like the numerous, multistep workflows that currently rule the organization’s daily operations. These laboratories should not buy SampleVision™. Many of your favorite workflows will be immediately streamlined if you do make SampleVision part of your lab. Conversely, if you’re looking for every possible competitive advantage in the age of digital transformation, read on for descriptions of how some of your sampling, testing, and reporting workflows would be simplified if you did buy SampleVision. SampleVision’s ability to interface with more than one LIMS or LIS can make these workflows simpler across your organization.

The Sample Collection Laboratory Workflow

Your current sample submission workflows probably look something like this: Samples are collected, and sampling locations are noted. Upon return to the lab, labels or barcodes are created manually if they aren’t already on the sample containers. Labeled samples are logged into the LIMS or LIS.

With SampleVision, many of these existing workflow steps become unnecessary. You’d collect the samples and log their locations using SampleVision’s geotagging capability. Labels or barcodes are created in SampleVision, and SampleVision autoposts the samples to the LIMS with the details of the incoming samples and their required tests. This saves time for lab staff and reduces potential human error.

The Sample Testing Laboratory Workflow

Sample testing workflows have the potential to change dramatically with SampleVision too. Today, it’s potentially a surprise when samples arrive in the lab, sometimes with a tight turnaround time. Your staff may need to adjust their schedules on short notice. Samples are analyzed while your staff fields update requests via phone or email. Once the results are ready, someone needs to log the results in the LIMS or LIS.

Conversely, when SampleVision is implemented, sample entries are visible in real time as soon as the samples are logged at the point of collection. Staff schedules can be adjusted as needed before the samples arrive in the lab, with less urgency. The push notification feature in SampleVision can keep users advised of the samples’ progress through the lab. When results are entered in the LIMS or LIS, results are pushed to SampleVision and users can see them as soon as they’re ready. With SampleVision, the lab staff no longer need to answer constant questions about the status of samples or tests.

The Reporting Laboratory Workflow

Once results are available, they need to get into the LIMS or LIS for compilation in reports. Your staff may be fielding calls and emails from people who need the results, but reports may be pulled only when someone has time to do it. Then, those reports have to be distributed to the requesters. Users may complain about wait times for results, despite your commitment to automation.

Adding SampleVision to your lab’s toolbox frees up much of the time that used to be dedicated to creating and distributing reports. Users can access reports in the LIMS, or critical reports can be emailed directly to them. Push notifications can be enabled in the app to let users know when their results are ready. Results can even be emailed directly to users before a report is generated.

Those hours that your lab staff are spending on the existing workflows have a cost that you can quantify. They’re lab costs that you could be saving, but only if you’re willing to see some of your workflows change dramatically. SampleVision can streamline workflows throughout your lab and bring value to your organization.

What value would you like to get from streamlining sample submission workflows?

LIMS Wizards announces the official release of SampleVision™ v3.1

June 15, 2023

Robert Jackson, Director, had this to say: “We are thrilled to announce that current and potential SampleVision clients across all the industry verticals that we support (Clinical, pre-Clinical, Life Sciences Quality/R&D, Food, Chemical, Petrochemical, and Environmental Testing) can now deploy v3.1 functionality to dramatically improve the user experience for sample/test order submitters and customers of the laboratories. We’ll be showcasing SampleVision specifically for pre-Clinical and Clinical customers at the DIA Global event.”

SampleVision v3.1 provides the ability to submit samples and tests from anywhere, on any device, and to receive push notifications and results on mobile devices for both Android and Apple users. SampleVision provides support for any commercial LIMS or LIS or for situations where no back-end system exists. SampleVision v3.1 is fully compliant with regulations for life sciences customers, via audit trail and electronic signatures, as well as offering cutting-edge features like geolocation services, dashboards, configurable reports, image capture, and barcoding.

If you are involved in pre-clinical or clinical laboratory work, please stop by booth 614 during exhibition hours on June 26 to 28 to see how SampleVision can help you. If you can’t be there, check out the SampleVision website for informative content include videos, webinars, and blogs.

LIMS Wizards Unveils SampleVision™ v3.1 at Pittcon 2023

SampleVision™ v3.0—Access to Lab Results from Anywhere for FDA Regulated Environments

Posted By: Einpress Wire

WEBINAR RECORDING: Introducing SampleVision™ v3.0 – A boon for GxP Industries

This is what regulated industries have been waiting for—a GxP-compliant portal where non-laboratory users can submit analytical sample requests from anywhere on any device, and securely retrieve the results, including electronic signature information!

Ranging from supporting raw material testing for a contract manufacturing facility, to sample recording for clinical testing, and food hygiene testing—SampleVision v3.0 can now address multiple use cases easily and efficiently.

Experts discuss how SampleVision v3.0 can reboot your sample submission and analysis request process. The webinar includes several detailed industry examples demonstrating how each new feature can add value to its industry’s daily processes.

SampleVision™ Demo Video

SampleVision™ reduces headaches at both ends of the sample testing process by automating sample requests and results retrieval through a mobile-friendly, cloud-based application that can be accessed anywhere.

If you are a central lab or a remote site that still relies on a paper process for sample requests and test analysis, then this video is for you. SampleVision is a customer portal by LIMS Wizards that automates the sample request and retrieval process – from anywhere, anytime, on any device.