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Sample distribution apparatus/system

  • US 6,599,476 B1
  • Filed: 09/26/2000
  • Issued: 07/29/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A sample container handling apparatus for a pathology sample distribution system having a plurality of containers of different types of container configurations, and the containers each containing a sample for pathology analysis and having an identification indicator or identifying the sample and having one unique characteristic or a unique set of characteristics by which a container type can be identified, the apparatus comprises a container handling station located in a container transfer path of the containers and having a container handler arranged for receiving the containers sequentially, the handling station including a container type identification means arranged to capture a container image or images containing said one or set of characteristics of a container received at the handling station and to analyse the captured image or images for extracting the one characteristic or set of characteristics of the received container, and to identify the container type by comparing the extracted characteristic or set of characteristics with predetermined characteristics and sets of characteristics of known container types, wherein the container type is identified when the extracted characteristic or set of characteristics match or are within a predetermined range from matching one predetermined characteristic or one set of the predetermined characteristics for a known container type.

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