# US 12,007,401 B2 · Sample analysis system and control method for the same and sample analysis method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,401 B2 - Document ID: US12007401B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/241,034 - Filed: 2021-04-26 - Published: 2021-08-12 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-06 - Assignees: Shenzhen Thistory Bio-Medical Co., Ltd - Applicants: Shenzhen Thistory Bio-Medical Co., Ltd - Inventors: Huali Zhang; Shaoyong Wu; Peng Xue; Huawei Zhang; Qiaobo Yin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007401B2 ## CPC - G01N 35/00584: {Control arrangements for automatic analysers} - G01N 35/04: Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} - G01N 35/1002: {Reagent dispensers} - G01N 35/1083: {with one horizontal degree of freedom} - G01N 2035/00326: {Analysers with modular structure} - G01N 2035/0465: {Loading or unloading the conveyor} - G01N 2035/0484: {Belt or chain} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to the technical field of automated analysis, and provides a sample analysis system and a control method for the same and a sample analysis method. The sample analysis system includes: a control device; a rail device for carrying cuvettes under control of the control device; at least one independent sample distribution node arranged on the rail device for distributing samples to the cuvettes, the independent sample distribution node being used for sample aspiration, transfer, and discharge; and at least two independent reagent distribution and measurement nodes arranged on the rail device for distributing test reagents to the cuvettes and measuring the mixture liquid in the cuvettes, the independent reagent distribution and measurement nodes being used for reagent aspiration, transfer, and discharge and reagent-sample mixture liquid measurement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample analysis system, comprising: a control device; a rail device for carrying cuvettes under control of the control device; at least one independent sample distribution node arranged on the rail device for distributing samples to the cuvettes, the independent sample distribution node being used for sample aspiration, transfer, and discharge; and at least two independent reagent distribution and measurement nodes arranged on the rail device for distributing test reagents to the cuvettes and measuring mixture liquid in the cuvettes, the independent reagent distribution and measurement nodes being used for reagent aspiration, transfer, and discharge and reagent-sample mixture liquid measurement; the cuvettes being used for containing the samples and reagents and signal measurement; wherein the sample distribution node comprises: a sample distribution control device; a sample distribution device for aspiration, transfer, and discharge of a sample to a cuvette in a current node under control of the sample distribution control device; and a sample distribution node fixing frame for fixing various portions of the sample distribution node to an independent structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sample analysis system of claim 1, wherein the rail device comprises multiple node rails corresponding to the sample distribution node and the reagent distribution and measurement nodes for communication between individual nodes, the multiple node rails constituting an integrated synchronized motion structure or a dividable structure consisting of free assembly and combination. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sample analysis system of claim 1, wherein the reagent distribution and measurement node comprises: a reagent distribution and measurement control device; a reagent distribution and measurement device for aspiration, transfer, and discharge of a reagent to the cuvette in the current node for measurement under control of the reagent distribution and measurement control device; and a reagent distribution and measurement node fixing frame for fixing various portions of the reagent distribution and measurement node to an independent structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sample analysis system of claim 3, wherein the analysis system has concurrency, combination of a sample distribution node with a reagent distribution and measurement node provides a basic measurement function of the analysis system; the reagent distribution and measurement node and sample distribution node beyond the basic measurement function combination constitute concurrent operation nodes; and under coordination of the control system, in case that the reagent distribution and measurement node and sample distribution node beyond the basic measurement function combination are in a failure mode or a halt mode, said basic measurement function can still realize a sample analysis process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sample analysis system of claim 4, wherein the sample distribution node and reagent distribution and measurement nodes are combined according to different combination rules and arranged on the rail device to constitute different sample analysis systems, and these sample analysis systems can be expanded by adding the sample distribution node and reagent distribution and measurement nodes and configuring the rail device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sample analysis system of claim 5, wherein the sample analysis system further comprises: a cuvette distribution node for providing cuvettes to other nodes in the sample analysis system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sample analysis system of claim 6, wherein the cuvette distribution node further comprises: a cuvette distribution control device; a cuvette distribution device for loading the cuvettes onto the rail device in order under control of the cuvette distribution control device; and a cuvette distribution node fixing frame for fixing various portions of the cuvette distribution node to an independent structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The sample analysis system of claim 3, wherein the reagent distribution and measurement node further comprises a blending mechanism for blending the sample, the reagent, and the reagent-sample mixture liquid evenly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sample analysis system of claim 8, wherein the reagent distribution and measurement node further comprises a gripper mechanism and a motion mechanism, the gripper mechanism being used for gripping the cuvette on the rail or in a vehicle, the motion mechanism being used for bringing and transferring the cuvette gripped by the gripper mechanism to a measurement location of the reagent distribution and measurement node. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sample analysis system of claim 9, wherein the reagent distribution and measurement node further comprises a reagent storage module for storing analysis reagent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sample analysis system of claim 1, wherein each of the cuvettes is a container made of a solid material to serve as a carrier for sample and reagent distribution, transfer, and measurement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A control method for a sample analysis system for controlling the sample analysis system of claim 1, comprising steps of: acquiring a task type and status of nodes; determining a combination rule for the nodes based on the task type and the status of the nodes; and performing sample analysis based on the combination rule. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The control method for a sample analysis system of claim 12, wherein the step of performing sample analysis based on the combination rule comprises: planning a testing path including selection and combination of the nodes and rails based on the combination rule; and performing sample analysis based on the testing path. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A sample analysis method for the sample analysis system of claim 1, comprising the steps of: distributing, by the cuvette distribution node, cuvettes onto the rail device and conveying the cuvettes to the sample distribution node by way of the rail device communicating multiple nodes; distributing, by the sample distribution node, the samples to the cuvettes; conveying the cuvettes to the reagent distribution and measurement nodes through movement of the rail device; distributing, by the reagent distribution and measurement nodes, the analysis reagent to the cuvettes, and performing measurement and analysis on the sample-reagent mixture liquid in the cuvettes; and finishing analysis or repeating the above steps.