US 8,100,266 B2 · Laboratory storage and retrieval system and a method to handle laboratory sample tubes

Abstract

A laboratory storage and retrieval system and a method to handle laboratory sample tubes are disclosed. The laboratory storage and retrieval system for storing sample tubes and retrieving stored sample tubes comprises a rack handler section (12) and a storage section (14), the rack handler section (12) comprising a transport system and a determination unit, wherein the transport system receives and transports incoming primary racks (PR) containing sample tubes (S) to the determination unit for determining at least one given parameter of the sample tubes (S) relating to predetermined sort criteria in order to have the transport system unload the sample tubes from the analysed primary rack (PR) and resort the unloaded sample tubes into appropriate storage racks (SR) depending on the determined sample tubes' sort criteria parameter for storage in the storage section (14) in the storage racks.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A laboratory storage and retrieval system to store sample tubes and retrieve stored sample tubes, comprising:

a rack handler section (12) and
a storage section (14),
the rack handler section (12) comprising a transport system and a determination unit, wherein the transport system receives and transports incoming primary racks (PR) containing sample tubes (S) to the determination unit for determining at least one given parameter of the sample tubes (S) relating to predetermined sort criteria, the sort criteria comprising the sample tube (S) diameter;
wherein the transport system unloads the sample tubes from the analysed primary racks (PR) and resorts the unloaded sample tubes into appropriate storage racks (SR) depending on the sample tubes' sort criteria for storage of the storage racks in the storage section (14);
the storage racks (SR) comprising a first storage rack with openings of a first diameter to receive sample tubes (S) of a first diameter and a second storage rack with openings of a second diameter to receive sample tubes (S) of a second diameter.

2 more elements

A method for handling laboratory sample tubes in a laboratory storage and retrieval system for storing laboratory sample tubes and retrieving stored sample tubes, the laboratory storage and retrieval system comprising a rack handler section (12) and a refrigerating or storage section (14), the method comprising the steps of:

in the rack handler section (12), transferring an incoming primary rack (PR) containing sample tubes (S) to a determination unit by means of a first robotic arm (220) and determining at least one given parameter of the sample tubes (S) relating to predetermined sort criteria, the sort criteria comprising the sample tube (S) diameter;
unloading sample tubes (S) from the analysed primary rack (PR) by means of a second robotic arm (320) and resorting the sample tubes (S) into storage racks (SR) depending on the predetermined sort criteria, the storage racks (SR) being different from the primary racks (PR), and comprising a first storage rack with openings of a first diameter to receive sample tubes (S) of a first diameter and a second storage rack with openings of a second diameter to receive sample tubes (S) of a second diameter;
and
storing the storage racks (SR) in the refrigerating or storage section (14).

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Laboratory storage and retrieval system and a method to handle laboratory sample tubes

Life of this patent

Laboratory storage and retrieval system and a method to handle laboratory sample tubes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14