ABSTRACT
The RABiT (Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool) is a dedicated Robotic platform for the automation of cytogenetics-based biodosimetry assays. The RABiT was developed to fulfill the critical requirement for triage following a mass radiological or nuclear event. Starting from well-characterized and accepted assays we developed a custom robotic platform to automate them. We present here a brief historical overview of the RABiT program at Columbia University from its inception in 2005 until the RABiT was dismantled at the end of 2015. The main focus of this paper is to demonstrate how the biological assays drove development of the custom robotic systems and in turn new advances in commercial robotic platforms inspired small modifications in the assays to allow replacing customized robotics with 'off the shelf' systems. Currently, a second-generation, RABiT II, system at Columbia University, consisting of a PerkinElmer cell::explorer, was programmed to perform the RABiT assays and is undergoing testing and optimization studies.
Subject(s)
Biological Assay/instrumentation , Chromosome Aberrations/radiation effects , Flow Cytometry/instrumentation , Radiometry/instrumentation , Robotics/instrumentation , Specimen Handling/instrumentation , Biological Assay/methods , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Humans , Pattern Recognition, Automated/methods , Radiation Dosage , Radiometry/trends , Robotics/methods , Specimen Handling/methodsABSTRACT
We describe the first case of hypothenar hammer syndrome followed by accelerated systemic sclerosis (SSc). A sawmill worker with repeated wrist trauma presented with bilateral digital ischemia and fingertip ulcerations. Hypothenar hammer syndrome involving both hands was diagnosed based on classic angiographic studies showing occlusion of the ulnar arteries at the level of the hamate and occlusions of multiple digital arteries. He also had minimal digital swelling, telangiectatic lesions on the fingers, and a positive FANA test. Resected ulnar arteries showed clearcut changes compatible with both microtrauma and SSc. After surgical repair of both ulnar arteries, he rapidly developed severe SSc with significant cardiopulmonary involvement.
