CN112147354A

CN112147354A - Sample analysis system and sample analysis method

Info

Publication number: CN112147354A
Application number: CN201910579403.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张军伟
Original assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-28
Filing date: 2019-06-28
Publication date: 2020-12-29

Abstract

The invention discloses a sample analysis system and a sample analysis method. The loading platform is used for loading a sample rack for placing a sample container to be classified and an empty sample rack; the sample transfer device is arranged on the loading platform and used for transferring the sample container to be classified to an empty sample rack corresponding to the detection item of the sample container to be classified; the sample rack transport device has a transport track and is used for transporting the sample rack with the sorted sample containers placed on it to a corresponding blood cell analyzer and/or a third sample analyzer for testing. The invention can improve the efficiency of sample analysis.

Description

Sample analysis system and sample analysis method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of medical detection, in particular to a sample analysis system and a sample analysis method.

Background

In the field of medical diagnosis, with the increasing automation degree of a test laboratory, sample analysis equipment is used for detecting samples such as blood, and sample containers are generally arranged on a sample rack and transported by rails, belts and the like to realize streamlined detection operation. By associating a plurality of sample analysis instruments together through a pipeline, all samples can be uniformly managed and scheduled, and therefore the efficiency of sample analysis is improved.

In the existing in-line sample analysis system, sample containers on the same sample rack may need to be tested in various different ways, for example, the same sample container or different sample containers on one sample rack may need to be transported to different sample analyzers for testing, specifically, a first sample container on one sample rack needs to be transported to a first sample analyzer for testing, a second sample container needs to be transported to a second sample analyzer for testing, and a third sample container needs to be transported to both the first sample analyzer and the second sample analyzer for testing. And among the assembly line type sample analytic system, the sample container is placed and is carried in the sample frame, and a sample frame is carried to a sample analysis appearance and is detected corresponding sample container after, and this sample frame just can be carried to next sample analysis appearance and detect corresponding sample container, and this makes the sample frame detain easily and causes the traffic congestion on the transmission track, and sample analytic system's overall inefficiency moreover.

In addition, since the sample analysis speeds of different sample analyzers are different, a phenomenon that a sample rack stays on a conveying track to cause a traffic jam of a production line is more likely to occur before a sample analyzer with a slower analysis speed, such as a CRP (C-reaction protein) analyzer, a slide-stained or glycated hemoglobin analyzer, or the like.

In addition, the measurement principle of the glycated hemoglobin analyzer is High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). HPLC is a high-pressure liquid chromatography, is a gold standard for analysis of glycosylated hemoglobin, has accurate detection result and high speed, and is a preferred instrument for most high-end laboratories. However, HPLC uses a reagent to constantly maintain a high pressure system (pressure of several tens of kg) to achieve separation based on the difference in positive charges of different components, and thus once the measurement of glycated hemoglobin analysis is discontinued, it causes a waste of reagents in multiples, resulting in an increase in measurement cost.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is necessary to provide a sample analysis system and a sample analysis method that can improve the efficiency of sample analysis in view of the problems of the current pipeline sample analysis system.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sample analysis system, comprising a first blood cell analyzer, a second blood cell analyzer, a third sample analyzer, a sample rack transport device, a loading platform, and a sample transfer device;

the loading platform is used for loading a sample rack for placing a sample container to be classified and an empty sample rack;

the sample transfer device is arranged on the loading platform and used for transferring the sample container to be classified to an empty sample rack corresponding to the detection item of the sample container to be classified;

the sample rack transport device has a transport track and is used for transporting the sample rack with the sorted sample containers placed on it to a corresponding blood cell analyzer and/or a third sample analyzer for testing.

In a second aspect, a sample analysis method is provided, which is applied to a sample analysis system, the sample analysis system comprises a first blood cell analyzer, a second blood cell analyzer, a third sample analyzer, a sample rack transport device, a loading platform and a sample transfer device, wherein the loading platform is used for loading a sample rack with a sample container to be classified and an empty sample rack, and the sample transfer device is arranged on the loading platform;

the sample analysis method comprises the following steps:

the sample transfer device transfers the sample container to be classified to an empty sample rack corresponding to the detection item of the classified sample container;

the sample rack transport device transports the sample rack with the classified sample container to the corresponding blood cell analyzer and/or the third sample analyzer for detection.

According to the present invention, by providing the sample transfer device on the loading table, the sample containers transported to the sample rack on the transport track can be classified, for example, the sample containers that need only be transported to the third sample analyzer for detection are collected on the same sample rack, or the sample containers that need only be transported to the blood cell analyzer for detection are collected in the same sample rack, so that the retention time of the sample rack on the sample rack transport device can be reduced, the occurrence of "clogging" in the sample analysis system can be avoided, and the efficiency of the sample analysis system can be improved.

Drawings

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic structural views of a sample analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a sample transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the rotary drive mechanism and the grasping mechanism of the sample transfer device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the vertical drive mechanism of the sample transfer device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a sample rack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a sample analysis method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a sample analysis system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 1 shows a schematic structural view of the sample analysis system including a first blood cell analyzer 20, a second blood cell analyzer 30, a third sample analyzer 3004, a sample rack transport device, a loading platform 3003, and a sample transfer device 100.

The loading station 3003 is used to load sample racks in which sample containers to be sorted are placed and empty sample racks.

The sample transfer apparatus 100 is disposed on the loading stage 3003, and is used to transfer the sample container to be sorted to an empty sample rack corresponding to the test item of the sorted sample container.

The rack transport device has a transport track 110 and is used to transport the rack 40 with the sorted sample containers placed therein to the respective third sample analyzer 3004 and/or

hematology analyzer

20 or 30 for testing.

In fig. 1, a rectangular box represents a sample rack, such as sample rack 40, the open circles on the sample rack indicate that there are no sample containers in that position of the sample rack, and the filled circles on the sample rack indicate that there are sample containers in that position of the sample rack. The sample holders all having the hollow circles are empty sample holders.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the same sample container on one sample rack may need to be transported to different sample analyzers for testing or different sample containers on one sample rack need to be transported to a plurality of different sample analyzers for testing, and therefore, the sample transfer device 100 provided on the loading platform 3003 can transfer the sample container to be sorted (i.e. the sample container to be tested) to an empty sample rack corresponding to the testing item of the sample container to be sorted, which can reduce the retention time of the sample rack on the sample rack transport device, avoid "jamming" in the sample analysis system, and thereby improve the efficiency of the sample analysis system.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer device 100 can transfer the sample container to be sorted, which only needs to be subjected to the blood routine test (i.e. the test item is the blood routine), to the first type of empty sample rack. I.e. the sample containers to be sorted, which only need to be subjected to routine testing of blood, are collected on the same sample rack. The empty sample rack of the first type is typically the empty sample rack closest to the transport path.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer device 100 may transfer the sample container to be sorted, which needs to be subjected to the blood routine test and needs to be tested by the third analyzer (i.e. the test items are the blood routine test and the test items of the third analyzer), to the second type of empty sample rack. That is, the sample containers to be sorted, which need to be subjected to routine blood tests and to be tested by the third analyzer at the same time, are collected on the same sample rack.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer apparatus 100 may transfer the sample container to be sorted, which only needs to be detected by the third analyzer (i.e. the detection item is the detection of the third analyzer), to the third type empty sample rack. I.e. the sample containers to be sorted, which only need to be detected by the third analyzer, are collected on the same sample rack. The third type of empty sample rack is typically the empty sample rack furthest from the transport channel 110.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the sample rack transport device transports a first type of empty sample rack with classified sample containers to the first blood cell analyzer 20 for detection, and transports a second type of empty sample rack with classified sample containers to the second blood cell analyzer 30 and the third sample analyzer 3004 in sequence for detection; and/or the sample rack transport device transports the third type of empty sample rack with the sorted sample containers placed therein to the third sample analyzer 3004 for testing.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the strategies for classifying the sample containers are various, and the transportation strategies of the classified sample racks may also be various, and the method of the embodiment of the present invention may be adopted, or other classification methods may be adopted, which are not described herein again.

In the embodiment of the invention, the sample containers are classified and transferred to the corresponding empty sample racks according to the requirements, and are conveyed to the corresponding sample analyzers to be detected according to the requirements, so that the residence time of the sample containers in the sample analysis system can be reduced, and the efficiency of the sample analysis system is improved.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer apparatus 100 may further include a first identifier 4 (not shown in fig. 1) for identifying a sample container, and a sample transfer mechanism, as will be described in detail below, the first identifier 4 and the sample transfer mechanism move horizontally synchronously to identify the identity information of the sample container currently transferred by the sample transfer mechanism, and the sample transfer mechanism transfers the currently transferred sample container to be sorted to an empty sample rack corresponding to the identity information according to the identity information identified by the first identifier 4.

In the embodiment of the invention, the first recognizer 4 can synchronously and horizontally move with the sample transfer mechanism, so that the sample container can recognize the identity information in the transfer process, the sample container does not need to be transferred to a specific area for recognition, the time for recognizing the identity information is shortened, the classification efficiency of the sample transfer device can be improved, and the efficiency of a sample analysis system is further improved.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer device 100 may further include a second identifier 170 for identifying the identity information of the sample rack, and the second identifier is disposed on one side of the sample transfer device 100.

The second identifier 170 may be a bar code scanner and the second identifier 170 may be mounted in a position that may be bar coded on the side or front of the straight sample rack. Alternatively, the second identifier 170 may be an RFID tag identification device, in which case, the second identifier may be installed at a flexible position so as to differently sense the sample rack 40 transported on the transport rail 110.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer device 100 may further include a loading mechanism 1600 (not shown in fig. 1) for transferring the sample rack on the loading platform 3003 to the transfer rail 110, wherein the loading mechanism 1600 is described in detail below with reference to fig. 6.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer apparatus 100 may further include an in-position detection mechanism 180 for detecting whether the sample rack is transported from the loading stage 3003 to the transport rail 110. In one embodiment, the in-position detection mechanism 180 includes a contact and a detection optocoupler (not shown in FIG. 1). The contact is disposed on a side of the transfer rail 100 away from the loading platform 3003 and is rotatable so that an end of the contact enters or rotates out of the upper side of the transfer rail 110. The sample rack 40 moves from the loading station 3003 to the transfer track 110 and touches the end of the contact tip, which rotates and activates the detection optocoupler.

In one embodiment, the contact may be an arc-shaped hook structure.

In addition, the in-place detecting mechanism may further include a pushing mechanism for pushing the sample rack 40 on the transfer rail 110 toward the loading stage 3003. The pushing mechanism may be an electric push rod device to cooperate with the loading mechanism of the sample transfer device 100 to position the sample rack 40 on the transport track 110. Specifically, the pushing mechanism pushes the sample rack loading platform 3003 on the transmission track 110 to move in the direction, so that the in-place detection optocoupler is not blocked; and then the loading mechanism moves to the back of all the sample racks on the loading table, and all the sample racks are pushed to move from the last row of sample racks to the direction of the conveying track 110 until the sample racks on the conveying track 110 touch the in-place detection optocoupler and are triggered to be shielded.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the transport track 110 may be a bidirectional transport track for transporting the sample rack 40 in the first transport direction or in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. Therefore, the space occupied by the whole sample rack transmission device can be reduced, and the cost is reduced. Of course, in other embodiments, the sample rack transport device may also comprise additional transport rails for transporting the sample rack 40 in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample rack transport apparatus may further include a first loading buffer corresponding to the first blood cell analyzer 20, a first loading mechanism, a first feeding channel, a first unloading buffer, and a first unloading mechanism (not shown). Wherein the first loading buffer is located between the transfer track 110 and the first feeding channel and is used for storing the sample rack 40; the first loading mechanism is used for conveying the sample rack 40 on the transmission track 110 to the first loading buffer area for storage, or conveying the sample rack 40 stored in the first loading buffer area to the first feeding channel; the first feeding channel is parallel to the conveying track, and the first blood cell analyzer detects the sample rack conveyed to the first feeding channel; the first unloading buffer area is positioned between the conveying track and the first feeding channel and is used for storing the sample racks; the first unloading mechanism is used for conveying the sample rack 40 in the first feeding channel to the first unloading buffer area for storage, or conveying the sample rack 40 stored in the first unloading buffer area to the conveying track. Similarly, the sample rack transport apparatus may further include a second load buffer, a second load mechanism, a second feed channel, a second unload buffer, and a second unload mechanism (not shown) corresponding to the second blood cell analyzer 30, and a third load buffer, a second load mechanism, a third feed channel, a third unload buffer, and a third unload mechanism (not shown) corresponding to the third sample analyzer 3004.

Detailed structures of sample rack transport devices according to embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in PCT applications WO2017177466a1 and WO2019075704a1 of the present applicant, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. The sample rack transmission device of the embodiment of the invention can also be realized by adopting other structures with the same or similar functions, and the details are not repeated herein.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample analysis system may further include an unloading platform (not shown) disposed downstream of the third sample analyzer in the first transport direction of the transport track, the unloading platform being configured to receive a sample rack in which sample containers that have completed all the tests are placed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the third sample analyzer 3004 is not a blood cell analyzer, but may be a C-reactive protein analyzer, or a push-piece stainer, or a glycated hemoglobin analyzer.

In the prior art, the sample containers are placed in a plurality of test tube racks in a messy manner, and the sample containers must pass through the first blood cell analyzer 20, the second blood cell analyzer 30 and the third sample analyzer 3004 in sequence and are detected, so that the retention time of a test tube which only needs the first blood cell analyzer 20 or only needs the third sample analyzer 3004 to be detected in a sample analysis system is increased, and meanwhile, because the analysis time of the blood analyzer is short, and the analysis time of the C-reactive protein, the slide-push dyeing machine and the glycosylated hemoglobin analyzer is long, the sample analysis system is easy to block, so that a certain sample analyzer is in a huge load, and a certain sample analyzer is idle. In the embodiment of the present invention, the sample transfer device 100 is disposed on the loading platform 3003, the sample transfer device 100 can place a sample container requiring a blood routine in the test tube rack a, place a sample container requiring both a blood routine and a C-reactive protein detection in the test tube rack B, place a sample container requiring only a C-reactive protein detection in the test tube C, transport the test tube rack a to the first blood cell analyzer 20 for detection, transport the test tube B to the second blood cell analyzer 30 and the C-reactive protein analyzer in sequence for detection, and transport the test tube rack C to the C-reactive protein analyzer for detection. Therefore, the sample analysis system provided by the embodiment of the invention can reduce the residence time of the sample container in the sample analysis system, thereby improving the efficiency of the sample analysis system.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a sample analysis system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 2, a first-type empty sample rack 4001, in which sorted sample containers are placed, is indicated by oblique lines and is transported to a first blood cell analyzer 20; the second type empty sample rack 4002, on which the sorted sample containers are placed, is represented by a grid line, and is transported to the second blood cell analyzer 30; a third type of empty sample rack 4003, in which sorted sample containers are placed, is represented in dots, and is transported to a third sample analyzer 3004.

The sample analysis system provided by the embodiment of the invention can reduce the retention time of the sample container in the sample analysis system, thereby improving the efficiency of the sample analysis system.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a sample transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 3, the sample transfer mechanism of the sample transfer device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a grasping mechanism 201, a rotation driving mechanism 202, a horizontal driving mechanism 301, a vertical driving mechanism 302, a first identifier 4, and a first bracket 51. The sample rack 40 is used for loading the sample container 10 to be classified, and the sample container 10 to be classified is provided with a sample barcode 103. The grasping mechanism 201 is used to grasp the sample container 10 to be sorted from the sample rack 40. The rotary drive 202 is connected to the gripping mechanism 201 and serves to drive the gripping mechanism 201 in rotation about its vertical axis, in particular to drive the gripping mechanism 201 together with the sample container 10 to be sorted gripped by it in rotation about its vertical axis. The vertical driving mechanism 302 is connected to the gripping mechanism 201 and is used for driving the gripping mechanism 201 to move along the vertical direction Z together with the test tube to be sorted gripped by the gripping mechanism. The first identifier 4 is designed as a scanner, the first identifier 4 being arranged adjacent to the gripping means 201 and being used to scan and identify, in its scanning area, the sample barcode 103 of the sample container 10 to be sorted, which is gripped by the gripping means 201.

The sample container 10 includes a test tube body 101 and a test tube cap 102 that mate with each other. The sample barcode 103 is disposed on an outer side wall of the test tube body 101. The cuvette body 101 is used to contain a sample. The barcode information stored in the sample barcode 103 includes the detection type of the sample to be detected. Examples of the type of assay include, but are not limited to, a blood-routine assay, a C-reactive protein assay, a glycated hemoglobin assay, and the like. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the vial cap 102 is greater than the outer diameter of the vial body 101. The outer diameter and shape of the test tube cap 102 may be varied flexibly so that the grasping mechanism can more reliably grasp the sample container 10.

The first bracket 51 is used for mounting the grasping mechanism 201, the rotational drive mechanism 202, the vertical drive mechanism 302, and the first recognizer 4. The horizontal driving mechanism 301 is connected to the first carriage 51 and is used to drive the first carriage 51 to move in the horizontal direction X/Y together with the grasping mechanism 201, the rotational driving mechanism 202, the vertical driving mechanism 302, and the first identifier 4 mounted on the first carriage 51. A controller (not shown in fig. 6) is configured to be electrically connected to the grasping mechanism 201, the rotary driving mechanism 202, the horizontal driving mechanism 301, the vertical driving mechanism 302, and the first identifier 4, to control the actions of the grasping mechanism 201, the rotary driving mechanism 202, the horizontal driving mechanism 301, the vertical driving mechanism 302, and the first identifier 4. The controller is further configured to classify the sample container 10 to be classified according to the barcode information of the sample barcode 103 of the sample container 10 to be classified, which is identified by the first identifier 4.

Because the horizontal driving mechanism 301 can drive the first support 51 together with the grabbing mechanism 201, the rotary driving mechanism 202, the vertical driving mechanism 302 and the first identifier 4 mounted on the first support 51 to move along the horizontal direction, that is, the first identifier 4 can move horizontally in synchronization with the grabbing mechanism 201, the grabbing mechanism 201 does not need to move the sample container 10 to be classified along the horizontal direction to the scanner fixedly arranged at a specified position to perform scanning operation each time, but the grabbing mechanism 201 can carry the sample container 10 to be classified away from the sample rack 40 along the vertical direction Z and then immediately perform scanning operation by the first identifier 4 arranged beside the grabbing mechanism 201, so that the moving distance of the sample container 10 to be classified is shortened, the screening efficiency of the sample container 10 to be classified is improved, and the operation is convenient.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 3, the first recognizer 4 is fixedly mounted on the first support 51, the grasping mechanism 201 is movably mounted on the first support 51 along the vertical direction Z, and the first recognizer 4 is located on the same side of the first support 51 as the grasping mechanism 201. More preferably, the scanning area of the first identifier 4 is set on the path of movement of the grasping mechanism 201 in the vertical direction Z.

As shown in fig. 4, the gripping mechanism 201 may be configured as a pneumatic gripping mechanism 22, wherein the pneumatic gripping mechanism 22 includes a pneumatic claw and a pneumatic cylinder connected. The air cylinder is used for driving the air claw to clamp or release the sample container 10 to be classified.

It is understood that the grasping mechanism 201 may be configured as a mechanical grasping mechanism, an electric grasping mechanism, or a hydraulic grasping mechanism, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, at least one clamping jaw 21 may be respectively fixed on the first pneumatic gripper 223 and the second pneumatic gripper 224, and the air cylinder 222 is used for driving the first pneumatic gripper 223 and the second pneumatic gripper 224 to approach or move away from each other, so that the corresponding clamping jaw 21 fixed on the first pneumatic gripper 223 and the second pneumatic gripper 224 approaches or moves away from each other, so as to clamp or release the test tube 10 to be sorted. Each jaw 21 includes opposite free ends 211 and a connected end 212. In order to enhance the reliability of clamping jaws 21 in gripping test tube body 101, free end 211 of each clamping jaw 21 is provided with a chuck 213 for clamping test tube body 101, so as to realize the gripping operation of chuck 213 of clamping jaw 21 on test tube body 101. In some embodiments, each jaw 21 is substantially L-shaped to avoid interference of the jaw 21 with the tube cap 102.

As shown in fig. 4, in some embodiments, the rotary drive mechanism 202 may include a first motor 24 having a vertically extending first axis of rotation 241, with the grasping mechanism 201 being fixed to the first axis of rotation 241. The first motor 24 is used to drive the grasping mechanism 201 to rotate around the first rotating shaft 241, so that the sample barcode 103 of the sample container 10 to be sorted, which is clamped by the grasping mechanism 201, can be reliably scanned and identified by the first identifier 4. Wherein the axial direction of the first rotation shaft 241 is parallel to the vertical direction Z.

Further, the rotation drive mechanism 202 may further include a mounting frame 23 for fixing the first motor 24. The rotation drive mechanism 202 is fixed to the first bracket 51 by the mounting frame 23. The first motor 24 is fixed to the bottom of the mounting frame 23.

In some embodiments, the rotational drive mechanism 202 may further include a limit stop 25 for limiting the rotational travel of the motor 24. Specifically, in one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the motor 241 has a second rotation shaft 242 extending vertically opposite to the first rotation shaft 241. The limiting member 25 includes a rotation preventing block 251, a screw rod 252 and a nut 253. Wherein, the rotation-preventing block 251 is fixed on the mounting frame 23, the screw rod 252 is fixed on the second rotating shaft 242, and the axial direction of the screw rod 252 is collinear with the axial direction of the second rotating shaft 242.

The first motor 24 includes opposing first and second end faces 2401, 2402. The screw 252 includes opposing upper and lower end faces 2521 and 2522.

The nut 253 is sleeved on the screw rod 252 and movably clamped on the anti-rotation block 251 along the screw rod 252. The rotation preventing block 251 is configured to restrict the nut 253 from rotating about the lead screw 252 by the first motor 24, and the nut is movable between the upper end surface 2401 of the first motor 24 and the upper end surface 2521 of the lead screw 252 by the first motor 24.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 4, a protrusion 2511 is provided on a side of the rotation preventing block 251 close to the nut 253, and the nut 253 is provided with a groove 2531 which is engaged with the protrusion 2511 to limit the rotation of the nut 253 about the vertical direction Z.

When the first motor 24 rotates, the nut 253 moves in the vertical direction Z between the first end surface 2401 of the motor 24 and the upper end surface 2521 of the lead screw 252, and when the nut 253 moves to contact the first end surface 2401 of the first motor 24 or the upper end surface 2521 of the lead screw 252, the nut 253 stops moving, and the first motor 24 is locked.

In some embodiments, the rotary drive mechanism 202 further includes a positioning member 26. The positioning member 26 is used to determine the initial position of the nut 253 and thus the initial rotational angle of the gripper mechanism 201 about its vertical axis. Since the gripping mechanism 201 may affect the next test tube due to an improper angular position of the rotation about its vertical axis when gripping a certain test tube on the sample rack 40 or when placing a certain test tube on the sample rack 40, the gripping mechanism 201 needs to perform initialization of the rotational angular position before moving in the vertical direction above the sample rack 40.

Specifically, the positioning member 26 includes an optical coupler 261 electrically connected to the controller and an optical coupler stop 262 cooperating with the optical coupler 261. The optical coupler 261 is opposite to the initial position of the nut 253, and the optical coupler stopper 262 is fixed on the nut 253 and moves synchronously with the nut 253. The controller is configured to control the action of the rotary drive mechanism 202 according to the electric signal of the optical coupler 261. Wherein the optical coupler 261 is fixed on the mounting frame 23. In this embodiment, the initial position may refer to a preset position where the nut 253 is close to the upper end surface 2521 of the lead screw 252.

As shown in fig. 3, in some embodiments, the horizontal driving mechanism 301 includes a first horizontal driving mechanism 300 and a second bracket 31. The first horizontal driving mechanism 300 is electrically connected to the controller and is used for driving the first bracket 51, together with the gripping mechanism 201, the rotary driving mechanism 202, the vertical driving mechanism 302 and the first identifier 4 arranged thereon, to move horizontally in a first direction X perpendicular to the vertical direction Z under the control of the controller. The second bracket 31 is used to mount the first bracket 51 and the first horizontal driving mechanism 300.

In some embodiments, the first horizontal driving mechanism 300 includes a first linear guide 32, a first slider 33, and a first horizontal driving motor 34. Wherein the first linear guide 32 is fixed on the second bracket 31 and extends along the first direction X. The first slider 33 is slidably disposed on the first linear guide 32 and fixedly coupled to the first bracket 51. The first horizontal driving motor 34 is fixed on the second bracket 31 and connected to the first sliding block 33 to drive the first bracket 51 to move along the first linear guide rail 32, so as to realize the movement of the grabbing mechanism 201 and the first identifier 4 along the first direction X.

As shown in fig. 3, in some embodiments, the horizontal driving mechanism 301 further comprises a second horizontal driving mechanism 400 and a third bracket 41. The second horizontal driving mechanism 400 is electrically connected to the controller and is used to drive the second carriage 31 together with the first carriage 51 mounted thereon to move horizontally in a second direction Y perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and the first direction X under the control of the controller. The third bracket 41 is used for mounting the second bracket 31 and is horizontally movable in the second direction Y.

Specifically, the second horizontal driving mechanism 400 includes second

linear guides

42 and 43 and a second horizontal driving motor 44, one end of the third bracket 41 is fixedly connected with the second bracket 31 and the other end is slidably connected to the second

linear guides

42 and 43, and the second horizontal driving motor 44 is used for driving the third bracket 41 to horizontally move on the second

linear guides

42 and 43 in the second direction Y.

As shown in fig. 5, the vertical driving mechanism 302 includes a third linear guide 52 provided on the first bracket 51, a second slider 53 slidably coupled to the third linear guide 52, and a vertical driving motor 54 driving the second slider 53 to slide along the third linear guide 52. The extending direction of the third linear guide 52 is parallel to the vertical direction Z. The vertical driving mechanism 302 is connected with the mounting frame 23 of the rotary driving mechanism 202 through the second slider 53, so that the vertical driving motor 54 can drive the second slider 53 to drive the rotary driving mechanism 202 and the grabbing mechanism 201 to move on the third linear guide rail 52 along the vertical direction.

It is understood that the guiding and driving of the grasping mechanism 201 in the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction X, Y can be realized in various ways, and the present invention is not particularly limited.

According to the present invention, the first identifier 4 can only move along with the first support 51 in the horizontal direction, that is, the first identifier 4 can move along with the first support 51 in the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y, but the first identifier 4 does not move along with the rotary driving mechanism 202 and the grabbing mechanism 201 in the vertical direction Z, so that the moving distance of the sample container 10 to be sorted is shortened, the screening efficiency of the sample container 10 to be sorted is improved, and the operation is convenient.

The detailed structure of the sample sorting apparatus 100 is disclosed in the present applicant's chinese invention application filed on the same date, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the sample transfer device 100 of the present embodiment further comprises a loading mechanism 1600 for transporting the sample rack 40 on the loading platform 3003 to the transport track 110. In the embodiment of the present invention, the loading mechanism 1600 is disposed below the loading table 3003.

Specifically, the loading mechanism 1600 includes: a bracket 161 for supporting the loading mechanism 1600; a pusher claw 162 for sliding the sample rack 40 stored on the loading stage 3003 toward or away from the transfer rail 110; and the pawl driving device 163 is arranged on the bracket 161 and is used for driving the pawl 162 to execute the motion process.

The pusher jaw drive 163 of the loading mechanism 1600 includes a horizontal pusher assembly 1631, a pusher jaw mount 1632, and a lift assembly 1633. The horizontal pushing assembly 1631 is disposed on the bracket 161 and can move horizontally relative to the bracket 161. The pushing claw mounting seat 1632 is linked with the horizontal pushing component 1631, and the horizontal pushing component 1631 can drive the pushing claw mounting seat 1632 to move horizontally towards or away from the transmission track 110. The lifting assembly 1633 is disposed on the pawl mounting base 1632. Here, the lifting assembly 1633 is used to drive the pushing claw 162 to approach the sample rack 40, so that the pushing claw 162 and the sample rack 40 are in abutting linkage. The horizontal pushing assembly 1631 can drive the pushing claw mounting seat 1632 to move horizontally, so that the pushing claw 162 slides towards or away from the transmission rail 110.

As a preferred embodiment, the horizontal pushing assembly 1631 may be a motor synchronous belt driving structure, and a motor drives a synchronous belt to rotate, so as to drive the pushing claw mounting base 1632 to move horizontally. Of course, the horizontal pushing assembly 1631 may also be a linear motor, and the primary side of the linear motor drives the pushing jaw mounting block 1632 to perform a horizontal linear motion. In order to ensure stable operation of the pusher jaw mounting block 1632, a linear guide 164 may be mounted on the bracket 161, and the pusher jaw mounting block 1632 may be slidably mounted on the linear guide 164. The lifting assembly 1633 can select a lifting cylinder, fix the cylinder body of the lifting cylinder on the push pawl mounting base 1632, fixedly connect the push pawl 162 on the piston rod of the lifting cylinder, and drive the push pawl 162 to move up and down by controlling the piston rod of the lifting cylinder.

Further, the loading platform 3003 includes a panel (not shown) for carrying the sample rack 40, and the panel is opened with a long hole extending from the loading platform 3003 to the transport rail 110. The lifting assembly 1633 drives the pushing claw 162 to ascend, so that at least a portion of the pushing claw 162 penetrates through the long hole and is linked with the bottom of the sample holder 40 in a matching manner.

Further, in order to position the moving position of the pusher jaw 162, a position sensor 165 is provided at each end of the bracket 161 near the inner side of the transfer rail 110 and the loading table 3003, and the position sensor 165 can cooperate with the pusher jaw mount 1632 or the pusher jaw 162 to allow the system controller to obtain the moving position of the pusher jaw 162. Position sensor 165 is preferably an opto-coupler, and a light coupling piece is arranged on pusher dog mount 1632, and when pusher dog mount 1632 moves to a position close to transmission channel 110, the light coupling piece and the opto-coupler act with each other to enable the opto-coupler to send out an induction signal, so that the position of pusher dog 162 can be judged by the system controller.

The pushing claw 162 is disposed on the lifting component 1633, and the lifting component 1633 drives the pushing claw 162 to ascend, so that at least a portion of the pushing claw 162 penetrates through a long hole formed in the loading platform 3003 along the Y direction and is matched with the bottom of the sample rack 40.

While the structure of one embodiment of the loading mechanism 1600 of the sample analysis system of the present invention has been described above, it is to be understood that the loading mechanism 1600 may also be a robotic structure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a sample rack according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the sample rack 40 has a structure capable of cooperating with the pushing claws 162, as shown in fig. 7, bottom grooves 401 are formed at intervals on the bottom of the sample rack 40, and when the pushing claws 162 extend upward from the long holes 142 on the loading platform 3003, the bottom grooves 401 can be inserted into the bottom of the sample rack 40, so as to drive the sample rack 40 to move synchronously. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, guide sidewalls may be disposed on both sides of the panel of the loading platform 3003, the two guide sidewalls form a placing opening with an upward opening, the placing opening enables the sample rack to be directly placed on the panel from top to bottom, and the guide sidewalls may limit the sample rack from both ends. Meanwhile, the height of the push claw 162 is set to be just abutted against the bottom of the sample rack 40, so that the sample rack is not easy to topple in the moving process. Of course, the pusher claw 162 may push the sample rack 40 to slide on the loading platform 3003 from the front and back sides of the bottom of the sample rack 40.

In addition, the invention also provides a sample analysis method which is applied to a sample analysis system, in particular to the sample analysis system shown in fig. 1 to 7.

In the embodiments of the present invention, functional modules with the same reference numerals have the same or similar structures or functions, and are not described herein again.

The sample classification method is applied to a sample analysis system, the sample analysis system comprises a first blood cell analyzer, a second blood cell analyzer, a third sample analyzer, a sample rack transmission device, a loading table and a sample transfer device, a sample rack and an empty sample rack, wherein a sample container to be classified is placed on the loading table, and the sample transfer device is arranged on the loading table.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sample analysis method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 8, the method includes:

step 810, the sample transferring device transfers the sample container to be classified to an empty sample rack corresponding to the detection item of the classified sample container.

And 820, conveying the sample rack with the classified sample container to a corresponding blood corpuscle analyzer and/or a third sample analyzer for detection by the sample rack conveying device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include: the sample transfer device transfers sample containers to be classified, which only need to be subjected to blood routine detection, to a first type of empty sample rack; and/or the sample transfer device transfers the sample container to be classified, which needs to be subjected to blood routine detection and needs to be detected by the third analyzer at the same time, to a second type of empty sample rack; and/or the sample transfer device transfers sample containers to be sorted that need only be detected by the third analyzer onto a third type of empty sample rack.

In the embodiment of the present invention, correspondingly, the method may further include: the sample rack conveying device conveys a first type of empty sample rack provided with classified sample containers to the first blood cell analyzer for detection, and conveys a second type of empty sample rack provided with classified sample containers to the second blood cell analyzer and the third sample analyzer in sequence for detection; and/or the sample rack transport device transports the third type of empty sample rack with the classified sample containers to the third sample analyzer for detection.

The sample analysis method provided by the embodiment of the invention can reduce the residence time of the sample rack and the sample container in the sample analysis system, and reduce the blockage in the sample analysis system, thereby improving the efficiency of the sample analysis system.

It is noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second," and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

The features mentioned above in the description, the drawing and the claims can be combined with one another in any desired manner, as far as they are of interest within the invention. The features and advantages described for the sample analysis system according to the invention apply in a corresponding manner to the sample classification method according to the invention and vice versa.

The foregoing are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which enable those skilled in the art to understand or practice the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A sample analysis system is characterized by comprising a first blood cell analyzer, a second blood cell analyzer, a third sample analyzer, a sample rack transmission device, a loading platform and a sample transfer device;

2. The sample analysis system of claim 1, wherein the sample transfer device transfers sample containers to be sorted that require only routine testing of blood onto a first type of empty sample rack; and/or

The sample transfer device transfers the sample container to be classified, which needs to be subjected to routine blood detection and needs to be detected by the third analyzer, to a second type of empty sample rack; and/or

The sample transfer device transfers sample containers to be sorted that need only be detected by the third analyzer onto a third type of empty sample rack.

3. The sample analysis system according to claim 2, wherein the sample rack transport device transports a first type of empty sample rack with sorted sample containers placed therein to the first blood cell analyzer for testing, and transports a second type of empty sample rack with sorted sample containers placed therein to the second blood cell analyzer and the third sample analyzer in sequence for testing, and/or

The sample rack transport device transports a third type of empty sample rack with the sorted sample containers placed therein to the third sample analyzer for detection.

4. The sample analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sample transfer device further comprises a first identifier for identifying a sample container and a sample transfer mechanism, the first identifier moves horizontally in synchronization with the sample transfer mechanism to identify the identity information of the sample container to be sorted currently transferred by the sample transfer mechanism, and the sample transfer mechanism transfers the currently transferred sample container to be sorted to an empty sample rack corresponding to the identity information according to the identity information identified by the first identifier.

5. The sample analysis system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sample transfer device further comprises a second identifier for identifying sample rack identity information.

6. The sample analysis system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sample transfer device further comprises a loading mechanism for transporting the sample rack on the loading station onto the transport track.

7. The sample analysis system of claim 6, wherein the loading mechanism comprises:

a support for supporting the loading mechanism;

the push claw is used for driving the sample rack stored on the loading platform to slide towards or away from the transmission track;

and the push claw driving device is arranged on the bracket and used for driving the push claws to execute the motion process.

8. The sample analysis system of claim 4, wherein the sample transfer mechanism comprises:

the grabbing mechanism is used for grabbing and moving the sample container to be classified from the sample rack;

a rotary drive mechanism connected with the gripping mechanism and used for driving the gripping mechanism to rotate around a vertical axis thereof together with the sample container to be classified gripped by the gripping mechanism;

the vertical driving mechanism is connected with the grabbing mechanism and is used for driving the grabbing mechanism to move along the vertical direction together with the sample container to be classified grabbed by the grabbing mechanism;

a first bracket for mounting the grasping mechanism, the rotational driving mechanism, the vertical driving mechanism, and the first recognizer;

a horizontal driving mechanism connected with the first support and used for driving the first support to move along a horizontal direction together with the grabbing mechanism, the rotary driving mechanism, the vertical driving mechanism and the first identifier which are installed on the first support, so that the grabbing mechanism can move to the position above the sample container to be classified;

the first recognizer is a scanner arranged adjacent to the grabbing mechanism and used for scanning and recognizing the identity bar code of the sample container to be classified grabbed by the grabbing mechanism in the scanning area of the first recognizer.

9. The sample analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sample transfer device further comprises an in-position detection mechanism for detecting whether a sample rack is transported from the loading station onto the transport track.

10. The sample analysis system of claim 9, wherein the in-place detection mechanism comprises a contact and a detection optocoupler;

the contact is arranged on one side of the conveying track, which is far away from the loading table, and can rotate, so that the end part of the contact enters or rotates out of the upper part of the conveying track;

the sample rack moves from the loading platform to the transmission track and is in contact with the end part of the contact, and the contact rotates and touches the detection optocoupler.

11. The sample analysis system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the in-place detection mechanism further comprises a pushing mechanism for pushing the sample rack on the transport track towards the loading station.

12. The sample analysis system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the third sample analyzer is a C-reactive protein analyzer, or a push-piece stainer, or a glycated hemoglobin analyzer.

13. A sample classification method is characterized by being applied to a sample analysis system, wherein the sample analysis system comprises a first blood cell analyzer, a second blood cell analyzer, a third sample analyzer, a sample rack conveying device, a loading platform and a sample transfer device, wherein the loading platform is used for loading a sample rack provided with a sample container to be classified and an empty sample rack, and the sample transfer device is arranged on the loading platform;

the sample analysis method comprises the following steps:

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

the sample transfer device transfers sample containers to be classified, which only need to be subjected to blood routine detection, to a first type of empty sample rack; and/or

The sample transfer device transfers the classified sample container which needs to be subjected to the routine blood detection and needs to be detected by the third analyzer to a second type empty sample rack; and/or

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the sample rack transport device transports a first type of empty sample rack having the sorted sample containers placed therein to the first hematology analyzer for testing, and transports a second type of empty sample rack having the sorted sample containers placed therein to the second hematology analyzer and the third sample analyzer in sequence for testing; and/or

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, applied to a sample analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.