US 7,141,213 B1Granted

Automated sample processing system

AssigneeBeckman Coulter, Inc.

InventorsWing S. Pang, Mark Gross, Hendra Tanumihardja, Ruediger F. Rauskolb, G. Andrea Pedrazzini, Santiago F. Allen

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Abstract

A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A system for automatically processing multiple containers containing specimens, each of the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the containers being held in a holder having holder indicia thereon, the system comprising:

(a) a central controller comprising (i) memory storage and (ii) a data input element for inputting processing instructions for the processing of each container according to the container identification indicia, the processing instructions being stored in memory;
(b) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder in the system, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the central controller memory storage;
(c) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia and the holder identification indicia, the indicia reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia and the holder identification indicia to the central controller memory storage, wherein the indicia reader is mounted on a vertically and horizontally rotatable robotic arm that permits scanning of both vertically and horizontally oriented indicia, wherein the indicia reader scans vertically and horizontally, wherein the robotic arm has a gripper head;
and
(d) a container sorting system comprising (i) a data input element in communication with the central controller for receiving instructions from the central controller for sorting containers for selective processing according to the processing instructions stored in the central controller memory storage, and (ii) a plurality of sort sites for placement of containers according to their processing instructions.

2 more elements

(a) a table;
(b) holder positioners on the table for positioning the holders in predetermined locations;
(c) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder on the table at the predetermined locations, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the controller;
(d) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia, the reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia to the controller, wherein the indicia reader is mounted on a vertically and horizontally rotatable robotic arm that permits scanning of both vertically and horizontally oriented indicia, wherein the indicia reader scans vertically and horizontally, wherein the robotic arm has a gripper head;
and
(e) a transport system on the table for sorting containers for processing according to indicia on the containers, the transport mechanism having an input element in communication with the controller so that the controller can control the transport system.

3 more elements

A workstation for automatic sorting of multiple containers containing specimens for analysis, the workstation operating in cooperation with a controller, each of the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the containers being held in holders, the workstation further operating in cooperation with a centrifuge, the centrifuge being capable of centrifuging multiple receptacles containing the containers, at least some of the containers having a cap, the workstation comprising:

(a) a table;
(b) holder positioners on the table for positioning the holders in predetermined locations;
(c) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder on the table at the predetermined locations, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the controller;
(d) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia, the reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia to the controller, wherein the indicia reader is mounted on a vertically and horizontally rotatable robotic arm that permits scanning of both vertically and horizontally oriented indicia, wherein the robotic arm has a gripper head;
(e) a transport system on the table for sorting containers for processing according to indicia on the containers, the transport mechanism having an input element in communication with the controller so that the controller can control the transport system;
(f) receptacle positioners on the table for positioning receptacles;
(g) a receptacle balance system on the table for balancing the weight of receptacles containing containers for the centrifuge;
(h) a decapper on the table for selectively decapping centrifuged containers;
and
(i) a delivery site on the table for placement of holders containing centrifuged, decapped containers for analysis by the analyzer and a receiving site on the table for receiving analyzed samples from the analyzer,
wherein the transport system additionally transports the containers to and from the centrifuge receptacles, the delivery and receiving sites, and the decapper and the transport system also transports receptacles to and from the receptacle balance system and the centrifuge.

8 more elements

A method for automatically processing multiple containers containing specimens, at least some of the containers having a cap, each of the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the containers being held in a holder, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a system comprising:
(i) a central controller comprising memory storage, and a data input element for inputting processing instructions for the processing of each container according to the container identification indicia, the processing instructions being stored in memory;
(ii) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder in the system, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the central controller memory storage;
(iii) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia and the holder identification indicia, the indicia reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia and the holder identification indicia to the central controller memory storage;
and
(iv) a container sorting system comprising a data input element in communication with the central controller for receiving instructions from the central controller for sorting containers for selective processing according to the processing instructions stored in the central controller memory storage, and a plurality of sort sites for placement of containers according to their processing instructions;
(b) detecting the presence of the holder in the system and signaling the presence of the holder to the controller;
(c) reading the container identification indicia and signaling the container identification indicia to the controller;
(d) selectively transporting the containers by a robotic arm into the plurality of sort sites according to corresponding processing instructions associated with the respective container indicia;
(e) centrifuging selected specimens by the steps of:
(i) selectively transporting and loading the containers into multiple centrifuge receptacles by the robotic arm according to the corresponding processing instructions;
(ii) balancing the weight of the loaded receptacles;
(iii) placing balanced receptacles in a centrifuge by the robotic arm;
(iv) simultaneously centrifuging multiple receptacles in response to instructions from the controller;
(v) unloading the centrifuge by stopping the centrifuge, indexing the centrifuge to selected unloading positions, and removing receptacles from the centrifuge by the robotic arm in response to signals from the controller;
(f) selectively decapping centrifuged containers by transporting centrifuged containers to a decapper with the robotic arm and decapping;
and
(g) selectively analyzing the specimens by transporting selected containers to an analyzer in accordance with instructions from the controller and analyzing the specimens with the analyzer, and reporting the analysis results to the controller.

15 more elements

A method for automatically processing multiple containers containing specimens, each of the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the containers being held in a holder, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a system comprising:
(i) a central controller comprising memory storage, and a data input element for inputting processing instructions for the processing of each container according to the container identification indicia, the processing instructions being stored in memory;
(ii) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder in the system, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the central controller memory storage;
(iii) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia and the holder identification indicia, the indicia reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia and the holder identification indicia to the central controller memory storage;
and
(iv) a container sorting system comprising a data input element in communication with the central controller for receiving instructions from the central controller for sorting containers for selective processing according to the processing instructions stored in the central controller memory storage, and a plurality of sort sites for placement of containers according to their processing instructions;
(b) storing in the memory storage of the controller processing instructions for the processing of each container according to the container identification indicia;
(c) reading the container identification indicia and signaling the container identification indicia to the controller;
and
(d) centrifuging selected specimens by the steps of:
(i) selectively transporting the containers to multiple centrifuge receptacles and loading the receptacles by a robotic arm according to processing instructions from the controller;
(ii) balancing the receptacles;
(iii) placing balanced receptacles in a centrifuge with the robotic arm, the centrifuge having a lid with a closed position and an open position;
(iv) simultaneously centrifuging multiple receptacles in response to instructions from the controller, and
(v) unloading the centrifuge by stopping the centrifuge, opening the lid, indexing the centrifuge to selected unloading positions, and removing receptacles from the centrifuge with the robotic arm in response to signals from the controller.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/561,627Filed 2 May 2000 · division
Priority: 5 Jul 1996
Granted: 28 Nov 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

G01N 35/0099
Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor:…
G01N 35/0095
Scheduling: introducing urgent samples with priority, e.g. Short Turn Around Time Samples [STATS]
B04B 2011/046
Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor: loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers
G01N 2035/00495
Separating and mixing arrangements: centrifuges

Family

Application08/675,901Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 5 Jul 1996
Application08/887,601Parent of this division · filed 3 Jul 1997
US 6,060,022 AParent of this division
Application08/887,601Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,141,213 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.