Laboratory sample distribution system, laboratory system and method of operating
First Claim
1. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carriers comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container containing a sample;
a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers;
a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators moves a container carrier on top of the transport plane from a start location to a designation location by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier; and
at least one transfer device arranged to transfer a sample item between the transport plane and a laboratory station adjacent to the destination location,wherein the laboratory station is a pre-analytical, an analytical and/or a post-analytical station and wherein the sample container containing the sample is fed into the laboratory sample distribution system and moved to and processed by laboratory stations determined to be the processing laboratory stations for the sample contained in the sample container.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the multiple container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The system also comprises at least one transfer device to transfer a sample item, wherein the sample item is a container carrier, a sample container, part of the sample and/or the complete sample, between the transport plane and a laboratory station such as, for example, a pre-analytical, an analytical and/or a post-analytical station.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carriers comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container containing a sample; a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers; a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators moves a container carrier on top of the transport plane from a start location to a designation location by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier; and at least one transfer device arranged to transfer a sample item between the transport plane and a laboratory station adjacent to the destination location, wherein the laboratory station is a pre-analytical, an analytical and/or a post-analytical station and wherein the sample container containing the sample is fed into the laboratory sample distribution system and moved to and processed by laboratory stations determined to be the processing laboratory stations for the sample contained in the sample container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification