Multiple payload type carrier

• US 9,671,418 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2014
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mellars, Colin, Yagci, Baris, Pollack, Benjamin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wecker, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US14/760,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20150355211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/002 comprising load carriers resting on the traction element
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/146 Carousel systems, i.e. rotating rack systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00207 Handling bulk quantities of analyte
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00801 Holders for sample carriers, e.g. trays, caroussel, racks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0401 Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0406 Individual bottles or tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0412 Block or rack elements with a single row of samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/042 moved independently, e.g. by fork manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0422 carried on a linear conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0467 Switching points ("aiguillages")
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0493 Locating samples; identifying different tube sizes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00 Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/02 using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack

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 payload 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.

Claims

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;

carrier exclusion zones, each carrier exclusion zone comprising an area having;

(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and

(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;

(i) based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel; 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;

further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;

(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

(ii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

further based on the exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;

wherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by the controller.

2. The automation system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of carriers is configured to move along a single lane of the track in the direction of travel.

3. The automation system of claim 1, wherein each corresponding exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is based on each corresponding effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel, and

the controller is further configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on the corresponding exclusion zone length dimensions in the direction of travel.

4. The automation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on minimum distances between the one or more carriers, the minimum distances determined by at least one of (i) a speed of the one or more carriers, (ii) a velocity of the one or more carriers, (iii) a mass of the one or more carriers;

(iv) a maximum breaking force provided by the track; and

(v) a maximum breaking force provided by the one or more carriers.

5. The automation system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors configured to sense:

(i) the carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

(ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel.

6. The automation system of claim 5, wherein at least one carrier of the plurality of carriers comprises the one or more sensors.

7. The automation system of claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors is configured to observe (i) the carrier dimension in the direction of travel;

and (ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel.

8. The automation system of claim 1, wherein at least one carrier of the plurality of carriers comprises an onboard processor.

9. The automation system of claim 8, wherein the at least one carrier further comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the onboard processor and the controller.

10. The automation system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of electromagnetic coils in at least one of the track and the plurality of carriers; and

a plurality of magnets in at least one of the other of the track and the plurality of carriers,

wherein the plurality of electromagnetic coils and the plurality of magnets are configured to propel the plurality of carriers along the track.

11. A carrier for transporting fluids in an in vitro diagnostics environment comprising:

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;

wherein an onboard processor is configured to navigate the carrier body along the track based on at least one of;

(i) the carrier dimension in the direction of travel;

(ii) the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

(iii) the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel;

further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;

(i) the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel;

(ii) the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

(iii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

further based on an exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;

wherein a carrier exclusion zone comprises an area having;

(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and

(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;

(i) based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

wherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by the onboard processor.

12. The carrier of claim 11, further comprising one or more sensors configured to sense:

(i) another carrier body dimension in the direction of travel; and

(ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel.

13. The carrier of claim 11, further comprising a communications system configured to receive routing instructions to navigate the carrier body along the track.

14. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the carrier is configured to be propelled along the track via magnetic forces.

15. A method for operating an in vitro diagnostics system, comprising:

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;

determining carrier exclusion zone dimensions in the direction of travel adjacent to the plurality of carriers based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel, each carrier exclusion zone comprising an area having;

(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and

(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;

(i) based on the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the 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;

further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;

(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

(ii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and

further based on the exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;

wherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by a controller.