Method and apparatus for handling sample holders
First Claim
1. A sample handling apparatus for use with a processing apparatus that performs analytical processes on material in a plurality of sample holders, the sample handling apparatus comprising:
- a base constructed and arranged to support at least one carrier;
a reading apparatus that inputs information representing a machine readable identifier on individual sample holders containing a material to be used in analytical processes, the reading apparatus being arranged to input information representing the machine readable identifier on an individual sample holder before the sample holder is placed in a carrier;
at least one carrier, supported by the base, constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of individual sample holders at a plurality of unique locations, the at least one carrier including a machine readable identifier;
a carrier reader secured to the base to read the machine readable identifier on the carrier while the carrier is supported by the base;
a detector fixed relative to the base that detects the presence or absence of a sample holder at each location in a carrier supported by the base, wherein detection of the presence or absence of a sample holder is performed by the detector independently of reading a machine readable identifier on the sample holder; and
a control system that receives a signal from the reading apparatus corresponding to an identifier read from an individual sample holder and receives a signal from the detector corresponding to a unique location in the carrier after the sample holder is placed in the carrier, and correlates the sample holder with the unique location in the carrier so that results from analytical processes performed on sample material removed from the sample holder can be correlated with the sample holder.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample handling apparatus identifies sample holders and their location in a sample holder carrier. This information may be used to determine the identity of sample holders based only on location in the carrier during subsequent processing of material contained in the sample holders. Sample holder identity may be automatically read, and placement of holders in a carrier may be automatically determined and correlated with the holder identity. Such information may be stored, e.g., in a memory in the carrier so that sample holders can be easily identified later.
37 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sample handling apparatus for use with a processing apparatus that performs analytical processes on material in a plurality of sample holders, the sample handling apparatus comprising:
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a base constructed and arranged to support at least one carrier; a reading apparatus that inputs information representing a machine readable identifier on individual sample holders containing a material to be used in analytical processes, the reading apparatus being arranged to input information representing the machine readable identifier on an individual sample holder before the sample holder is placed in a carrier; at least one carrier, supported by the base, constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of individual sample holders at a plurality of unique locations, the at least one carrier including a machine readable identifier; a carrier reader secured to the base to read the machine readable identifier on the carrier while the carrier is supported by the base; a detector fixed relative to the base that detects the presence or absence of a sample holder at each location in a carrier supported by the base, wherein detection of the presence or absence of a sample holder is performed by the detector independently of reading a machine readable identifier on the sample holder; and a control system that receives a signal from the reading apparatus corresponding to an identifier read from an individual sample holder and receives a signal from the detector corresponding to a unique location in the carrier after the sample holder is placed in the carrier, and correlates the sample holder with the unique location in the carrier so that results from analytical processes performed on sample material removed from the sample holder can be correlated with the sample holder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for performing processes on material carried in sample holders, comprising:
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providing a plurality of sample holders, each sample holder carrying material; providing a carrier on a base; reading an identifier on each of the sample holders before the sample holders are placed in the carrier on the base; placing each of the sample holders in a corresponding location in a the carrier while the carrier is on the base; detecting the presence of each of the sample holders at the corresponding location in the carrier independently of reading an identifier on each of the sample holders; reading an identifier on the carrier while the carrier is on the base using a reader secured to the base; storing information regarding the correlation of the identifier read from each sample holder, the corresponding location of the sample holder in the carrier, and the identifier read from the carrier; and providing the carrier and sample holders to a processing apparatus for performing analytical processes on the material in the sample holders. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A sample handling apparatus for use with a processing apparatus that performs analytical processes on material in a plurality of sample holders, the sample handling apparatus comprising:
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a base constructed and arranged to support at least one carrier; a reading apparatus that inputs information representing a machine readable identifier on individual sample holders containing a material to be used in analytical processes, the reading apparatus being arranged to input information representing the machine readable identifier on an individual sample holder before the sample holder is placed in a carrier; at least one carrier, supported by the base constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of individual sample holders at a plurality of unique locations, the at least one carrier including a non-magnetic machine readable identifier; a carrier reader to read the machine readable identifier on the carrier; a detector fixed relative to the base that detects the presence or absence of a sample holder at each location in a carrier supported by the base, wherein the detection of the presence or absence of a sample holder is performed by the detector independently of reading a machine readable identifier on the sample holder; and a control system that receives a signal from the reading apparatus corresponding to an identifier read from an individual sample holder, and receives a signal from the detector corresponding to a unique location in the carrier after the sample holder is placed in the carrier, and correlates the sample holder with the unique location in the carrier so that results from analytical processes performed on sample material removed from the sample holder can be correlated with the sample holder.
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Specification