Transport device, sample distribution system and laboratory automation system

• US 9,791,468 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Riether, Christian, Sinz, Achim
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Sean E
• Assistant Examiner(s): KRCHA, MATTHEW D
• Application Number:
  US14/665,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20150276777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/12 combined with sampling devices for measuring temperatures of samples of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00445 Other cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0477 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence

Abstract

A transport device for receiving a sample container and for transporting the sample container on a transport surface, the transport device being capable of being moved magnetically over the transport surface and, further, having a cooling device is presented. A sample distribution system comprising such a transport device and to a laboratory automation system is also presented.

Claims

1. A laboratory automation system, the laboratory automation system comprising:

a plurality of pre-analytic, analytic and/or post-analytic stations to process sample containers and/or samples being contained in the sample containers; and

a sample distribution system to distribute the sample containers between the pre-analytic, analytic and/or post-analytic stations, the sample distribution system comprising,

a plurality of transport devices, wherein each transport device is configured to receive a sample container and to transport the received sample container between the pre-analytic, analytic and/or post-analytic stations, each transport device comprising,

at least one magnetically active element to interact with a magnetic field generated by at least one electromagnetic actuator, and

a cooling device configured to cool a sample container received by the transport device,

a transport surface configured to carry the plurality of transport devices,

a plurality of electromagnetic actuators arranged under the transport surface, wherein the electromagnetic actuators are configured to move a transport device arranged on the transport surface by applying a magnetic force to the transport device; and

a control device configured to activate the electromagnetic actuators such that a transport device moves along a predeterminable movement path on the transport surface, wherein the control device of the sample distribution system is configured to determine a waiting time until a respective sample container and/or a sample contained in the respective sample container can be treated by a station, wherein the cooling device is configured to cool the sample container if the waiting time exceeds a threshold value.

2. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises a container for receiving a substance.

3. The laboratory automation system according to claim 2, wherein the substance, upon reaction, is configured to absorb heat and cool the sample container.

4. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device has a latent-heat store.

5. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device has a container for receiving a cryogenic liquid.

6. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device has a Peltier element and an associated energy supply unit.

7. The laboratory automation system according to claim 6, wherein the energy supply unit has an energy absorption unit which is designed to absorb energy transmitted wirelessly.

8. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, further comprises, a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the received sample container and/or measure a temperature of a sample contained in the received sample container.

9. The laboratory automation system according to claim 8, further comprises, a data transmitter to wirelessly transmit the measured temperature to a control device of a sample distribution system.

10. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, further comprises, a cooling chamber to receive transport devices and to cool the received transport devices and/or the cooling devices contained in the received transport devices.

11. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, further comprises, an energy transmission unit to transmit energy to a transport device wirelessly.

12. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, further comprises a data transmitter to wirelessly receive measured temperatures from the transport devices.

13. The laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device of a transport device is configured to cool the sample container if the received measured temperature exceeds a threshold value.