Method for processing chemistry and coagulation test samples in a laboratory workcell
First Claim
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1. A method for operating an automated clinical sample workcell having a sample conveyor connecting two or more analyzers and at least one centrifuge operated by a first centrifuging protocol to a sample input station by:
- classifying samples at the input station in accord with the tests to be performed thereon and the associated centrifuging requirements;
transporting to the centrifuge only those samples that have centrifuging requirements that are the same as the first centrifuging protocol; and
, centrifuging the sample in accord with the first centrifuging protocol by the centrifuge.
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Abstract
A method for automatically providing for classification of samples at the input station of a clinical laboratory workcell and allowing only those samples that have centrifuging requirements which are satisfied by currently established centrifuge operating protocols to be processed by a centrifuge and by an analyzer associated with said workcell.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for operating an automated clinical sample workcell having a sample conveyor connecting two or more analyzers and at least one centrifuge operated by a first centrifuging protocol to a sample input station by:
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classifying samples at the input station in accord with the tests to be performed thereon and the associated centrifuging requirements;
transporting to the centrifuge only those samples that have centrifuging requirements that are the same as the first centrifuging protocol; and
,centrifuging the sample in accord with the first centrifuging protocol by the centrifuge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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7. A method for operating an automated clinical sample workcell having a sample conveyor connecting two or more analyzers and two or more centrifuges operated by a first centrifuging protocol to a sample input station by:
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classifying samples at the input station in accord with the tests to be performed thereon and the associated centrifuging requirements;
transporting to any one of the centrifuges only those samples that have centrifuging requirements that are the same as the first centrifuging protocol; and
,centrifuging the sample in accord with the first centrifuging protocol by the centrifuge.
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9. A method for operating an automated clinical sample workcell having a sample conveyor connecting two or more analyzers, a first centrifuge operated by a first centrifuging protocol and a second centrifuge operated by a second protocol to a sample input station by:
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classifying samples at the input station in accord with the tests to be performed thereon and the associated centrifuging requirements;
transporting to the first centrifuge only those samples that have centrifuging requirements that are the same as the first centrifuging protocol;
transporting to the second centrifuge only those samples that have centrifuging requirements that are the same as the second centrifuging protocol;
centrifuging the samples in accord with the first centrifuging protocol by the first centrifuge; and
,centrifuging the samples in accord with the second centrifuging protocol by the second centrifuge.
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10. An automated clinical sample workcell comprising:
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a sample container loading/unloading station;
at least one centrifuge having first and second centrifuging protocols;
at least two analyzers;
a conveyor adapted to transport sample containers from said sample container loading/unloading station to said centrifuge and from said centrifuge to said analyzers;
identification means for determining tests to be performed upon samples contained within said sample containers;
means for determining centrifuging requirements for the tests to be performed upon samples contained within said sample containers;
control means for determining if the centrifuging requirements match said first or second centrifuging protocols;
means for converting the centrifuge between said first and second centrifuging protocol to match said first or second centrifuging protocols. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An automated clinical sample workcell comprising:
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a sample container loading/unloading station;
a first centrifuge having a first centrifuging protocol;
a second centrifuge having a second centrifuging protocol;
at least two analyzers;
a conveyor adapted to transport sample containers from said sample container loading/unloading station to said centrifuge and from said centrifuge to said analyzers;
identification means for determining tests to be performed upon samples contained within said sample containers;
means for determining first and second centrifuging requirements for the tests to be performed upon samples contained within said sample containers;
control means for transporting samples having first centrifuging requirements to the first centrifuge and for transporting samples having second centrifuging requirements to the second centrifuge
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Specification