Laboratory sample distribution system and corresponding method of operation
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorsMichael Heise, Hans Schneider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the container carriers and a number of electro-magnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier.
Claims30
A laboratory sample distribution system, the system comprising:
- a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises one magnetically active device and carries a sample container;
- a transport plane to carry the container carriers;
- and
- a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier, wherein the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators is arranged in rows and columns forming a grid, wherein adjacent rows and adjacent columns have different grid dimensions selected either from a first grid dimension (g1) or a second grid dimension (g2), wherein the grid dimensions specify a distance between adjacent electro-magnetic actuators in a given row or column, wherein the second grid dimension (g2) is larger than the first grid dimension (g1), and wherein the container carriers each have a stand, wherein the stand has a circular cross section having a diameter (D) that is equal to or less than the larger grid dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.