Automated storage modules for diagnostic analyzer liquids and related systems and methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves to store a plurality of carriers having one or more containers of fluid for use in a diagnostic analysis;
a loading bay disposed along a side of the storage module, the loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers, the loading bay accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of one or more of the carriers;
a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module, the first carrier transporter to transfer one or more of the carriers between one or more of the shelves and a first transfer location;
a first track disposed along the side of the storage module between the storage module and the loading bay;
a second carrier transporter movable along the first track;
a diagnostic analyzer disposed adjacent the storage module;
a second track disposed along the diagnostic analyzer, the second track aligned with and coupled to the first track;
a third carrier transporter movable along the second track; and
a controller executing instructions to;
control the second carrier transporter to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay;
control the second carrier transporter to transfer a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location; and
control the third carrier transporter to transfer the second carrier between the second transfer location and a position to be used in the diagnostic analyzer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Example automated storage modules for analyzer liquids are described herein. An example apparatus includes a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves (to store a plurality of carriers) and a loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers. The loading bay is accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of the carriers. The example apparatus includes a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module to transfer the carriers between the shelves and a first transfer location and a second carrier transporter movable along a track connecting the storage module to an automated diagnostic analyzer. The second carrier transporter is to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay and a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location accessible by the automated diagnostic analyzer.
484 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves to store a plurality of carriers having one or more containers of fluid for use in a diagnostic analysis; a loading bay disposed along a side of the storage module, the loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers, the loading bay accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of one or more of the carriers; a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module, the first carrier transporter to transfer one or more of the carriers between one or more of the shelves and a first transfer location; a first track disposed along the side of the storage module between the storage module and the loading bay; a second carrier transporter movable along the first track; a diagnostic analyzer disposed adjacent the storage module; a second track disposed along the diagnostic analyzer, the second track aligned with and coupled to the first track; a third carrier transporter movable along the second track; and a controller executing instructions to; control the second carrier transporter to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay; control the second carrier transporter to transfer a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location; and control the third carrier transporter to transfer the second carrier between the second transfer location and a position to be used in the diagnostic analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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storing a plurality of carriers on a plurality of shelves in a storage module, the carriers having one or more containers of fluid for use in a diagnostic analysis; transporting a first carrier, via a first carrier transporter, from a first shelf of the plurality of shelves to a first transfer location; transporting the first carrier, via a second carrier transporter, from the first transfer location to a slot in a loading bay disposed along a first side of the storage module, the second carrier transporter movable along a first track disposed along the first side of the storage module between the storage module and the loading bay, the loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers, the loading bay accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of one or more of the carriers; transporting a second carrier, via the first carrier transporter, from the first shelf to the first transfer location; transporting the second carrier, via the second carrier transporter, from the first transfer location to a second transfer location disposed between the storage module and an automated diagnostic analyzer, the diagnostic analyzer disposed adjacent the storage module, a first side of the diagnostic analyzer facing a same direction as the first side of the storage module; and transporting the second carrier, via a third carrier transporter, from the second transfer location to a position to be used in the diagnostic analyzer, the third carrier transporter movable along a second track disposed along the first side of the diagnostic analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification