US 12,282,036 B2 · Total lab automation system

Abstract

State-of-the-art analyzers in clinical laboratories require complex robotics, as well as daily human maintenance. In addition, a discrete analyzer is required for each analytic method, with two or more such analyzers containing expensive, redundant components. Accordingly, a total lab automation system is disclosed that is capable of combining the functions of all such analyzers using a compact superset of stations. In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of conveyors, arranged along an X-axis of a tabletop surface, and configured to move in both directions along a Y-axis, under the control of a controller. One or more stations may extend along the X-axis, to orthogonally span all of the conveyors, such that a tool of each station may move along the X-axis, and potentially along the Z-axis, to process items on the conveyors, under the control of the controller.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A total lab automation system comprising:

a tabletop surface within a first plane that contains an X-axis and a Y-axis that is orthogonal to the X-axis;
a plurality of conveyors mounted on the tabletop surface and arranged along the X-axis, wherein each of the plurality of conveyors extends along the Y-axis and is configured to move linearly and independently in two directions along the Y-axis, and wherein each of the plurality of conveyors comprises a top surface that is configured to hold a plurality of items;
one or more stations that each extends along the X-axis to orthogonally span all of the plurality of conveyors, wherein each of the one or more stations comprises a bridge that orthogonally spans over all of the plurality of conveyors, and wherein each of the one or more stations comprises at least one tool that is configured to move in two directions along the X-axis;
and
a controller configured to control movement of each of the plurality of conveyors along the Y-axis, independently of any others of the plurality of conveyors, and movement of the tool of each of the one or more stations along the X-axis.

2 more elements

A total lab automation system comprising:

a tabletop surface within a first plane that contains an X-axis and a Y-axis that is orthogonal to the X-axis;
a plurality of conveyors mounted on the tabletop surface and arranged along the X-axis, wherein each of the plurality of conveyors extends along the Y-axis and is configured to move linearly and independently in two directions along the Y-axis, wherein each of the plurality of conveyors comprises a top surface that is configured to hold a plurality of items, wherein each of the plurality of items is associated with a place-time identifier, and wherein the place-time identifier, for each of the plurality of items held on the top surface of one of the plurality of conveyors, comprises surface vector that identifies a relative location of the item on the top surface of the conveyor, and a time vector that identifies a time at which the item is at the relative location identified in the surface vector;
one or more stations that each extends along the X-axis to orthogonally span all of the plurality of conveyors, wherein each of the one or more stations comprises at least one tool that is configured to move in two directions along the X-axis;
and
a controller configured to control movement of each of the plurality of conveyors along the Y-axis, independently of any others of the plurality of conveyors, and movement of the tool of each of the one or more stations along the X-axis.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Total lab automation system

Life of this patent

Total lab automation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17