Magnetic conveyor system

• US 5,720,377 A
• Filed: 07/14/1995
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Chiron Diagnostics Corp (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Lapeus, David J., Ballash, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US08/502,653
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 198/346.1, 198/346.2, 198/465.1, 198/465.2, 198/619, 198/803.01, 198/341
• US Class Current: 198/346.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0467 Switching points ("aiguillages")
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0477 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/026 having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence

Abstract

A magnetic conveyor system for transporting test samples in tubes disposed in a sample rack having a magnetic or magnetically attractive region is described. The magnetic conveyor system includes a drive system, a magnet coupled to the drive system and movable in response to the drive system and a tray having a first surface adapted to receive the sample rack. The magnet is spaced a predetermined distance from the first surface of the tray such that the magnet provides a magnetic force at the surface of the tray. The magnetic force engages the magnetically attractive region of the sample rack disposed on the tray to thereby move the sample rack along the first surface of the tray in response to movement of the drive system. When the tray reaches the end of the rack it is moved onto a processing queue tray where it is available for test purposes. A barcode reader reads a bar code on each test sample as it is placed on the process queue to identify one or more tests to perform. When all samples have received the individual tests the rack exits to an output queue for disposal. When a test must be made on an immediate basis out of normal processing order a sample rack can be inserted into the process queue via a priority rack feed. In the indicated manner, testing can continue without interruption as new racks are added and completed racks removed.

Claims

1. A sample transport system for moving a sample rack having a magnetically attractive region, the transport system comprising:

a drive system comprising

first and second pulleys spaced by a predetermined distance,

at least one belt disposed about said first and second pulleys, and

a motor coupled to at least one of said first and second pulleys, said motor adapted for moving said belt in first and second opposite directions;

at least one magnet coupled to said at least one belt of said drive system for motion of said at least one magnet by said drive system;

a stationary tray having a first end, a second end and a first surface adapted to receive the sample rack;

wherein the first surface of said tray is disposed proximate and spaced a predetermined distance from a first surface of said magnet such that a magnetic force provided by said magnet is present above the first surface of said tray and enables movement of said sample rack in a generally linear direction across said tray with motion of said magnet;

a housing in which said magnet is disposed, said housing for securing said magnet coupled to said belt through a profile on said belt attached to one end of the housing for extending the motion of the magnet under the first surface of said tray beyond said at least one pulley to enable movement of said sample rack in a generally linear direction across said tray to an end point, a first end of said tray defining a load station at said end point to which a sample rack is adapted to be moved by said at least one magnet; and

a controller for causing said at least one magnet to move a sample rack located adjacent said load station away from a sample rack located in said load station to permit relative motion between said sample racks.

2. The sample transport system of claim 1 wherein the first surface of said tray is disposed over the first surface of said magnet.

3. The sample transport system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor disposed proximate the second end of said tray for detecting when the sample rack has reached the second end of said tray.

4. The transport system of claim 1 wherein two belts are positioned adjacent said tray, each belt having plural magnets and associated housings aligned side by side and magnetically coupled by a path of magnetic susceptibility.

5. The transport system of claim 1 wherein the first surface of said tray is provided having a guide disposed thereon, said guide having a shape selected to engage the sample rack.

6. A sample rack for holding a specimen sample container, the sample rack comprising:

a unitary base having a top surface, a bottom surface including a recess, a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side;

the top surface of said unitary base including a plurality of openings each adapted to hold the specimen sample container;

a magnetically attractive member disposed in the recess of the bottom surface of said base, said magnetically attractive member selected from the group consisting of;

a magnetically attractable metal plate having a first end and a second end wherein the second end of said plate forms an angle with respect to a plane defined by at least a portion of the bottom surface of said base, and

a magnetically attractable metal plate having a first end and a second end wherein the second end of said plate is provided having a thickness which is less than the thickness of the first end of said metal plate; and

means for securing the specimen sample container within one of the plurality of openings.

7. The rack of claim 6 wherein said base comprises:

a first sidewall projecting from the first side of said base;

a second sidewall projecting from a second side of said base wherein the second sidewall is provided having an aperture provided therein;

a plurality of cross walls coupled between said first and second sidewalls defining the plurality of openings adapted to hold a specimen sample container.

8. The sample rack of claim 7 wherein said means comprises:

a spring coupled to the first one of said first sidewall, said second sidewall and said plurality of cross walls, such that when the specimen sample container is disposed in one of the plurality of openings, said spring contacts a first surface of the sample specimen container and urges a second surface of the sample specimen container against one of said first sidewall, said second sidewall and said plurality of cross walls which define the opening.

9. The sample rack of claim 6 wherein said magnetically attractive member is provided as a magnet.

10. The sample rack of claim 6 wherein the bottom surface of said base has first and second rails projecting therefrom.

11. The sample rack of claim 6 further comprising a pin for indicating to a sensor when the rack has reached the sensor.

12. The sample rack of claim 6 wherein said means comprises a slot provided in a surface of said base in one of the plurality of openings.

13. The sample rack of claim 6 wherein the bottom surface of said base is provided having a second plurality of openings therein, at least one of said openings having a magnetically attractive member disposed therein.

14. A sample transport system for moving a sample rack having a magnetically attractive region, the transport system comprising:

a drive system comprising;

first and second pulleys spaced by a predetermined distance;

at least one belt disposed about said first and second pulleys; and

a motor coupled to at least one of said first and second pulleys, said motor adapted for moving said belt in first and second opposite directions;

at least one magnet coupled to said at least one belt of said drive system for motion of said at least one magnet by said drive system;

a tray having a first end, a second end and a first surface adapted to receive the sample rack wherein the first surface of said tray is disposed proximate and spaced a predetermined distance from a first surface of said magnet such that a magnetic force provided by said magnet is present above the first surface of said tray and which magnetic force moves across said tray with motion of said magnet;

a housing in which said magnet is disposed, said housing for securing said magnet coupled to said belt through a profile on said belt attached to one end of the housing for increasing the motion of the magnet under the first surface of said tray beyond said at least one pulley to move said sample rack on said tray to and end point;

an end of said tray defining a load station at said end point to which a sample rack is adapted to be moved by said at least one magnet; and

a controller for causing said at least one magnet to move a sample rack adjacent said load station away from a sample rack in said load station to permit relative motion between said sample racks.

15. A sample rack for holding a specimen sample container, the sample rack comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface including a recess, a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side;

a magnetically attractable metal plate disposed in the recess in the bottom surface of said base, said metal plate having a first end and a second end wherein the second end of said plate is provided having a shape such that the second end of said plate forms an angle with respect to a plane defined by at least a portion of the bottom surface of said base; and

means for coupling the specimen sample container to said base.

16. A sample rack for holding a specimen sample container, the sample rack comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface having a recess, a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side;

a magnetically attractive member disposed in the recess of the bottom surface of said base wherein said magnetically attractive member is provided as a magnetically attractable metal plate having a first end and a second end wherein the second end of said plate is provided having a thickness which is less than the thickness of the first end of said metal plate; and

means for coupling the specimen sample container to said base.