Sample distribution system and laboratory automation system

[0001] This application claims priority to EP 14162952.7 filed Mar. 31, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a sample distribution system and, in particular, to a sample distribution system comprising a number of sample container carriers, wherein each sample container carrier carries at least one sample container, and to a laboratory automation system comprising such a sample distribution system. The sample distribution system is intended for transporting samples in sample containers to a number of different stations of the laboratory automation system.

[0003] It has been found that with generic sample distribution systems there can be situations in which parts of a sample liquid can spill out of a sample container and potentially cause dirt on a transport surface. This can lead to sample container carriers subsequently moving over the polluted place, thereby becoming polluted themselves, and consequently the dirt spreading over the transport surface thus causing cross-contamination.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system that are improved with respect to the handling of dirt

[0005] According to the present disclosure, a sample distribution system is disclosed. The sample distribution system can comprise a plurality of sample container carriers. Each sample container carrier can carry at least one sample container. A transport surface can carry the plurality of sample container carriers. A plurality of electromagnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport surface can move a sample container carrier arranged on the transport surface by applying a magnetic force on the sample container carrier. A control device can activate the electromagnetic actuators such that a sample container carrier moves on the transport surface along a predefinable movement path. A dirt detection device detects dirt on the transport surface.

[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory automation system can comprise a plurality of pre-analytical, analytical and/or post-analytical stations that process sample containers and/or samples in the sample containers, and a sample distribution system for transporting the sample containers between the pre-analytical, analytical and/or post-analytical stations.

[0007] Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system that are improved with respect to the handling of dirt. Other features of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of the description of the disclosure embodied herein.

[0010] In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] A sample distribution system can comprise a plurality of sample container carriers to carry at least one sample container, a transport surface to carry the plurality of sample container carriers, a driver to move the sample container carriers on the transport surface, and a dirt detection device to detect dirt on the transport surface. Dirt on the transport surface can be detected so that a suitable reaction can follow.

[0012] The dirt detection device may detect parameters such as the location, extent, type, area, thickness and/or some other property of the dirt. Depending on this, it is possible for example for appropriate measures to be initiated in an adapted way.

[0013] According to an embodiment, in a sample distribution system, a sample container carrier can comprise at least one magnetically active element. The at least one magnetically active element can interact with a magnetic field generated by at least one electromagnetic actuator such that a driving force is applied to the sample container carrier. The driver can comprise a plurality of electromagnetic actuators. The plurality of electromagnetic actuators can be stationary arranged below the transport surface. The electromagnetic actuators can move a sample container carrier arranged on the transport surface by applying a magnetic force on the sample container carrier. The sample distribution system can comprise a control device. The control device can activate the electromagnetic actuators arranged below the transport surface such that a respective sample container carrier can move on the transport surface, in particular two-dimensionally, along a predefinable movement path. In this embodiment, the sample container carriers can be moved by electromagnetic actuators arranged below the transport surface such as, for example, electromagnets.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the driver can be a driving device in a sample container carrier. The sample distribution system can comprise a control device. The control device can activate the driving device of the sample container carrier so that the sample container carrier can move on the transport surface along a predefinable movement path. In this embodiment, the sample container carriers can be self-propelling. To receive moving commands, wireless communication may be used. The sample container carriers may, for example, comprise an electric motor and suitable controllers, in order to move independently over the transport surface.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the dirt detection device can comprise a plurality of sensor fields. The sensor fields can be distributed on or over the transport surface. Alternatively, the sensor fields may also be distributed under the transport surface. The sensor fields may be distributed uniformly over the (on/under/in the) transport surface. The sensor fields can select at which location on the transport surface dirt is present.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a sample container carrier can comprises a dirt sensor. The dirt sensors can be part of the dirt detection device. They may be provided as an alternative, or in addition, to components of the dirt detection device on the transport surface. The arrangement on the sample container carrier can allow a dirt sensor to emit a warning signal and initiate appropriate measures when dirt is only on the sample container carrier but has not yet reached the transport surface. Further instances of contamination can be prevented, for example, by stopping the sample container carrier.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the dirt detection device can comprise a capacitive touch-sensitive area. A capacitive touch-sensitive area can be understood to mean an area in which the effective capacitance changes in dependence on being touched or polluted. The capacitive area may be adapted such that a position or location where touching or polluting occurs can be determined. Instances of capacitance-changing polluting can be reliably detected by the capacitive touch-sensitive area. The touch-sensitive area may be arranged in particular on or under the transport surface. It may be divided into individual fields, in order to make possible a positional determination of the dirt.

[0018] According to one possible embodiment, the dirt detection device can have a first and a second (capacitor) plate, which can be respectively electrically conductive or electrically conductively coated. This can make possible simple and reliable detection of a change in capacitance on account of dirt. Such a combination of two plates may be provided both on the transport surface and on a sample container carrier.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the control device can be in signaling connection with the dirt detection device. The control device can control the movement of the sample container carriers in dependence on detected dirt. This can allow a suitable response to be made to detected dirt. If the dirt detection device is formed in a sample container carrier, a radio link may be provided, for example.

[0020] The dirt detection device may determine a position of dirt on the transport surface. The control device can define the movement path of a respective sample container carrier such that it does not run over the position of the dirt. In this way, spreading of the dirt and instances of cross-contamination can be effectively counteracted.

[0021] The dirt detection device may also determine parameters such as the location, extent, type, area, thickness and/or other properties of dirt. The control device can also be able to use such properties in a response to the dirt for controlling the movement of the sample container carriers on the transport surface.

[0022] For example, an exclusion area, for example, a circle with a specific radius or a square with a specific edge length, may be established around the position of the dirt. No sample container carrier can move into this exclusion area until the dirt has been removed.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the control device may stop possible movement of sample container carriers, which may be located at the position of the dirt, or at a predefined distance from it, after detection of the dirt. In this way, it can prevent a sample container carrier located directly alongside the dirt, and with a high degree of probability will consequently be contaminated with the dirt, from continuing to move on the transport surface, and thereby spreading the dirt on the transport surface. For example, all sample container carriers within the exclusion area may be stopped. This exclusion area may also be used separately for the purpose of stopping sample container carriers.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the control device can stop or halt all the sample container carriers when dirt is detected. In this way, particularly reliable prevention of the spreading of the dirt can be achieved. Furthermore, this embodiment can be applied in particular whenever the dirt detection device is not adapted for detecting the position of dirt on the transport surface.

[0025] The laboratory automation system can comprises a plurality (for example, between two and twenty) of pre-analytical and/or analytical and/or post-analytical stations, which can work on or can process sample containers and/or samples contained in the sample containers. The working or processing may, for example, comprise reading a barcode, removing a cap on the tube, centrifuging the sample, aliquoting the sample, analyzing the sample, and the like. The laboratory automation system can also comprise a sample distribution system for transporting the sample containers between the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stations.

[0026] The pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stations may, for example, comprise at least one station from the list of following stations: a cap-removing station for removing caps or closures on sample tubes, a cap-positioning station for placing caps or closures in position on sample tubes, an aliquoting station for aliquoting samples, a centrifugal station for centrifuging samples, an archiving station for archiving samples, a pipetting station for pipetting, a sorting station for sorting samples or sample tubes, a sample-tube-type determining station for determining a type of sample tube and a sample-quality determining station for determining a sample quality.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a sample distribution system 100. The sample distribution system 100 can comprise a transport surface 110, on which a plurality of sample container carriers 140 can be placed. Here, only one sample container carrier 140 is shown by way of example, with a sample container 145 contained therein in the form of a sample tube.

[0028] Formed on the transport surface 110 can be a dirt detection device 111 having a capacitive touch-sensitive area 112, which can be formed by two plates. Each of the two plates can have an electrically conductive coating. In this way, a change in capacitance that can be caused by dirt 160 on the dirt detection device 111 can be detected by suitable measuring devices.

[0029] The area 112 can be divided into a multiplicity of fields 115. Each field 115 can be measured with regard to its capacitance individually and independently of the other fields 115. This can make it possible not only to detect dirt 160 on the transport surface 110, but also to ascertain its precise location.

[0030] Arranged under the area 112 can be a plurality of electromagnetic actuators in the form of electromagnets 120 with respective cores 125. In the sample container carrier 140, there can be a permanent magnet, so that a force can be exerted on the sample container carrier 140 by suitable activation of the electromagnets 120. In this way, the sample container carrier 140 can be moved over the transport surface 110.

[0031] In order to detect a position of a sample container carrier 140 on the transport surface 110, a plurality of Hall sensors 130 can be arranged on the transport surface 110.

[0032] As shown, each of the fields 115 can either be assigned an electromagnet 120 or not assigned an electromagnet. The fields 115 can, in each case, be substantially square and can be distributed uniformly over the transport surface 110 alongside one another.

[0033] Dirt 160 on the transport surface 110 is shown by way of example. The dirt detection device 111 can detect by the capacitive touch-sensitive area 112 on the corresponding field 115 on which the dirt 160 may be located a change in the capacitance between the two plates. In this way, the dirt 160 can be detected and its position can be located.

[0034] For monitoring the dirt detection device 111 and for controlling respective power supplies to the magnets 120, a control device 150 can be provided. The control device 150 can detect and ascertain the precise location of dirt 160 on the basis of the signals sent from the dirt detection device 111, i.e. from the area 112 or the fields 115 thereof. As shown, the sample container carrier 140 can be located directly alongside the dirt 160. Here, the control device 150 can be adapted such that, in such a case, it can stop the movement of the sample container carrier 140. In this way, spreading of the dirt 160 over the transport surface 110 by the sample container carrier 140 can be prevented.

[0035] The sample container carrier 140 furthermore can have a surface 142, which can be formed as a dirt detection sensor or dirt sensor. The dirt detection sensors of all the sample container carriers can be parts of the dirt detection device 111.

[0036] The surface or the dirt detection sensor 142 may be formed as a capacitive sensor having two plates with a electrically conductive coating. Spilling at least partially of the liquid sample contained in the sample tube 145 can be detected by the dirt detection sensor before ingredients of the sample pollute the transport surface 110.

[0037] The sample container carrier 140 may have a wireless data transmission device for transmitting information concerning detected dirt to the control device 150. In this event, the movement of the sample container carrier 140 may be stopped or halted immediately, in order to avoid further spreading of the dirt.

[0038] The control device 150 can further move sample container carriers 140, which are moving on the transport surface 110, around detected dirt 160. For this purpose, predefinable movement paths can be suitably recalculated.

[0039] The sample distribution system 100 can be part of a laboratory automation system comprising a number of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stations that are arranged alongside the transport surface 110. The sample distribution system 100 can serve for transporting the sample containers between these stations.

[0040] It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed embodiments. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] For the purposes of describing and defining the present disclosure, it is noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

[0042] Having described the present disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the disclosure.