System and method for processing samples
First Claim
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1. A method of handling a sample container within a laboratory automation system, comprising:
- gripping a sample container positioned in an input module for transport from said input module to a distribution area with a first gripper;
detecting information about the sample container with an instrument associated with the first gripper, which information includes determining a level of one or more liquids of a sample in said sample container and capturing an image of said sample container; and
transporting with the first gripper the sample container from said input module to said distribution area;
gripping the sample container positioned in the distribution area with a second gripper;
transporting with the second gripper the sample container from the distribution area to at least one of a centrifuge adapter, a carrier on a conveyance system, and an error area;
requesting a sample schedule associated with the sample in the sample container, wherein the sample schedule is requested from a scheduling system based on;
data obtained by detecting information step, andtest information associated with the sample; and
determining, by the scheduling system, a time when the sample container containing the sample should be removed from the distribution area for further processing;
determining whether an error is associated with the sample;
when an error is associated with the sample, transporting the sample container to an error area; and
when no error is associated with the sample, transporting the sample container, based on the obtained sample schedule, via a second gripper, from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module in the laboratory automation system at the time determined by the scheduling system, wherein;
when the subsequent processing module is a centrifuge unit having a centrifuge rotor, placing the sample container by said second gripper into an adapter of a centrifuge based upon calculated estimate of a total sample container weight for balance of the centrifuge rotor and/or based on a sample priority; and
when the subsequent processing module is not a centrifuge unit, transporting the sample container, by said second gripper, into a carrier on a conveyance system.
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Abstract
An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. The system includes a manager unit, as well as an aliquotter unit and a centrifuge unit.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of handling a sample container within a laboratory automation system, comprising:
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gripping a sample container positioned in an input module for transport from said input module to a distribution area with a first gripper; detecting information about the sample container with an instrument associated with the first gripper, which information includes determining a level of one or more liquids of a sample in said sample container and capturing an image of said sample container; and transporting with the first gripper the sample container from said input module to said distribution area; gripping the sample container positioned in the distribution area with a second gripper; transporting with the second gripper the sample container from the distribution area to at least one of a centrifuge adapter, a carrier on a conveyance system, and an error area; requesting a sample schedule associated with the sample in the sample container, wherein the sample schedule is requested from a scheduling system based on; data obtained by detecting information step, and test information associated with the sample; and determining, by the scheduling system, a time when the sample container containing the sample should be removed from the distribution area for further processing; determining whether an error is associated with the sample; when an error is associated with the sample, transporting the sample container to an error area; and when no error is associated with the sample, transporting the sample container, based on the obtained sample schedule, via a second gripper, from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module in the laboratory automation system at the time determined by the scheduling system, wherein; when the subsequent processing module is a centrifuge unit having a centrifuge rotor, placing the sample container by said second gripper into an adapter of a centrifuge based upon calculated estimate of a total sample container weight for balance of the centrifuge rotor and/or based on a sample priority; and when the subsequent processing module is not a centrifuge unit, transporting the sample container, by said second gripper, into a carrier on a conveyance system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A laboratory automation system for handling sample containers, comprising:
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an input module configured to receive sample containers into the laboratory automation system; a distribution area, configured as a holding area for the sample containers; a first gripper, for gripping the sample container from the input module and transporting a sample container to the distribution area; an instrument associated with said first gripper for detecting information about the sample container, wherein the information includes one or more liquid levels of a sample contained in the sample container and an image of the sample container; a conveyance system; an error area; at least one centrifuge adapter; a scheduling system for determining a sample schedule associated with the sample, wherein the sample schedule is based at least in part on; the information obtained by the instrument for detecting information, and test information associated with the sample; and a second gripper, configured to transport the sample container from the distribution area to at least one of the centrifuge adapter, a carrier on the conveyance system, and the error area, wherein the second gripper transports the sample container at a time determined using the sample schedule. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification