Sample preparation
AssigneeBeckman Coulter, Inc.
InventorsJuan Fernandez de Castro, Brahim Sahdala, Rajani Ravilisetty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sample preparation instrument for dispensing processed samples into output tubes is described. The instrument scans specimen-panel assignment barcodes. The instrument associates the output tubes with a panel selected for a specimen. The instrument operates a transfer station to dispense processed samples from the specimen into the output tubes based on the association of the output tubes with the panel.
Claims20
A sample preparation instrument for dispensing processed samples into output tubes, the sample preparation instrument comprising:
- an input station for receiving one or more specimen tubes;
- an output station for receiving a tube holder holding the output tubes, each output tube having an output tube label including a specimen-panel assignment barcode and human-readable information;
- a transfer station operating to move a probe to dispense the processed samples into the output tubes;
- and
- a sample preparation computer including one or more processing devices, and a system memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to:
- scan the specimen-panel assignment barcodes;
- associate the output tubes with a panel selected for the one or more specimen tubes;
- and
- operate the transfer station to dispense the processed samples into the output tubes based on the association of the output tubes with the panel.
A method of dispensing processed samples from a specimen into output tubes, the method comprising:
- scanning specimen-panel assignment barcodes attached to the output tubes, each of the specimen-panel assignment barcodes encoding data including at least a specimen ID, a panel code, and a tube number;
- associating the output tubes with a panel selected for the specimen based on the data encoded on the specimen-panel assignment barcodes;
- and
- dispensing the processed samples into the output tubes based on the association of the output tubes with the panel.
A sample preparation instrument for dispensing processed samples into output tubes, the sample preparation instrument comprising:
- a sample preparation computer including one or more processing devices, and a system memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to:
- scan specimen-panel assignment barcodes attached to the output tubes, each specimen-panel assignment barcode encoding data including at least a specimen ID, a panel code, and a tube number;
- associate the output tubes with a panel selected for a specimen based on the data encoded on the specimen-panel assignment barcodes;
- and
- dispense the processed samples into the output tubes based on the association of the output tubes with the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.