Laboratory sample distribution system and corresponding method of operation
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorsMichael Heise, Hans Schneider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the container carriers and a number of electro-magnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier.
Claims19
A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier carries a sample container;
- a transport plane to carry the container carriers;
- and
- a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to said container carrier, wherein each container carrier comprises an arrangement of multiple permanent magnets and wherein the multiple permanent magnets comprise a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet having a ring shape surrounding the first permanent magnet.
A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier carries a sample container;
- a transport plane to carry the container carriers;
- and
- a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier and wherein each container carrier comprises a first permanent magnet arranged in a center of a stand of the container carrier and a second permanent magnet having a ring shape arranged in the stand surrounding the first permanent magnet.
A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container;
- a transport plane to carry the container carriers;
- and
- a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to said container carrier and wherein the electro-magnetic actuators comprise a ferromagnetic core having a center finger and four outer fingers, each of the fingers extending perpendicular to the transport plane, wherein only the center finger is surrounded by a coil.
A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container, wherein each container carrier comprises an arrangement of multiple permanent magnets, and wherein the arrangement of multiple permanent magnets comprises a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet having a ring shape surrounding the first permanent magnet;
- a transport plane to carry the container carriers;
- and
- a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to said container carrier and wherein the electro-magnetic actuators comprise a ferromagnetic core having a center finger and four outer fingers, each of the fingers extending perpendicular to the transport plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.