MULTIPLE PAYLOAD TYPE CARRIER
First Claim
1. An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics comprising:
- a track configured to provide one or more paths;
a plurality of payload carriers comprising a plurality of payload carrier types, one or more of the plurality of payload carrier types having a different payload carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type;
a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel, each of the plurality of carriers having a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types; and
a controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics includes a track configured to provide one or more paths and a plurality of payload carriers having payload carrier types. One or more of the plurality of payload carrier types has a different pay-load carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type. The system includes a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel. Each of the plurality of carriers has a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types. The system includes a controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of: (i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and (ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics comprising:
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a track configured to provide one or more paths; a plurality of payload carriers comprising a plurality of payload carrier types, one or more of the plurality of payload carrier types having a different payload carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type; a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel, each of the plurality of carriers having a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types; and a controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A carrier for transporting fluids in an in vitro diagnostics environment comprising:
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a carrier body configured to move along a track in a direction of travel, the carrier body having carrier dimensions comprising a carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and a mounting interface coupled to the carrier body and configured to hold either one of; (i) a first type of payload carrier having a first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel and a first payload carrier dimension perpendicular to the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and (ii) a second type of payload carrier having a second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel and a second payload carrier dimension perpendicular to the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel, wherein the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel and the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel are different. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating an in vitro diagnostics system, comprising:
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holding a plurality of payload carrier types having dimensions different from each other with a plurality of carriers having substantially the same carrier dimensions; moving the plurality of carriers along a track in a direction of travel; and navigating the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of;
(i) a carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) one or more of the payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification