Add-on and repetition aliquot testing with or without dilutions

A method of assigning an additional sample test to an existing aliquot sample tube of a sample or to a primary sample tube in a laboratory automation system, wherein the laboratory automation system comprises a workflow control unit of a laboratory middleware, a plurality of laboratory devices in communication with the workflow control unit, and a transportation system, the method comprising:

• receiving by the workflow control unit an additional sample test request for the existing aliquot sample tube after processing of the existing aliquot sample tube has started;
• determining if the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location;
• waiting until the existing aliquot sample tube reaches a retrievable target location via the transportation system if the existing aliquot sample tube is not at a retrievable target location;
• determining if an aliquot timeout has occurred once the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location;
• reassigning the addition sample test to the primary sample tube by the workflow control unit if an aliquot timeout has occurred;
• transporting the existing aliquot sample tube to at least one of the analytical laboratory device by the transportation system if no aliquot timeout has occurred;
• performing the additional sample test from the existing aliquot sample tube by the at least one of the analytical laboratory device;
• determining if adequate sample volume is left in the existing aliquot sample tube for the additional sample test once the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location and no aliquot timeout has occurred;
• reassigning the additional sample test to the primary sample tube if not enough sample volume is left in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform the additional sample test;
• transporting the existing aliquot sample tube to at least one of the analytical laboratory device by the transportation system if adequate sample volume is left in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform the additional sample test;
• and
• performing the additional sample test from the existing aliquot sample tube at least one of the analytical laboratory device.

A method of assigning an additional sample test to an existing aliquot sample tube of a sample or to a primary sample tube in a laboratory automation system, wherein the laboratory automation system comprises a workflow control unit of a laboratory middleware, a plurality of laboratory devices in communication with the workflow control unit, and a transportation system, the method comprising:

• receiving by the workflow control unit an additional sample test request for the existing aliquot sample tube after processing of the existing aliquot sample tube has started;
• determining if the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location;
• waiting until the existing aliquot sample tube reaches a retrievable target location via the transportation system if the existing aliquot sample tube is not at a retrievable target location;
• determining if an aliquot timeout has occurred once the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location;
• reassigning the addition sample test to the primary sample tube by the workflow control unit if an aliquot timeout has occurred;
• transporting the existing aliquot sample tube to at least one of the analytical laboratory device by the transportation system if no aliquot timeout has occurred;
• and
• performing the additional sample test from the existing aliquot sample tube by the at least one of the analytical laboratory device,
• wherein, if the additional sample test is reassigned to the primary sample tube, a new aliquot sample tube is created and the aliquot timeout is started by the workflow control unit.