JP2834595B2 - Test tube preparation method and device for sample collection - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a test tube containing a sample liquid such as a blood collection tube or a test tube (hereinafter referred to as a test tube).
A test tube preparation method for automatically attaching a label on which information of a patient requiring the test tube is printed and accommodating the test tube after labeling for each patient, and an apparatus for performing the method About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a blood test in a hospital, even a single patient test requires a plurality of tests, and there are many types of information on patients, such as hospitalization / outpatients, names, genders, and medical departments. Over. Conventionally, such information is written on a label by handwriting or printing, and this is affixed to test tubes one by one.

However, in recent hospitals, labor saving has been promoted by computerizing various managements of the entire hospital or introducing at least a personal computer. Accordingly, there is an increasing tendency to convert the above-mentioned various information into barcodes and use them not only for examinations but also for management of specimens and calculation of payment windows at hospitals.

A bar code label printing apparatus of a type in which characters and bar codes are sequentially printed on a number of labels affixed to a roll mount based on information sent from a computer is known. The work of sticking to the test tube still had to be done manually. The test tubes used to collect the specimens are usually provided with the color of the cap or the like for each test item so that the test tube used for the test item can be identified at a glance at the time of the test. Since the shape (length, thickness, etc.) of the test tube has been changed, in order to manually apply such a label as described above, the operator needs to add the patient information printed on the label. After selecting the corresponding test tube, the label must be attached to the test tube, which is troublesome and troublesome, and the operator can mistake the type of test tube to which the label should be attached. There was a problem that there is. In this way, if the patient makes a mistake in the test tube to be affixed, the sample will be tested by an analyzer that performs a test different from the test that should be performed due to mistake of the sample, which may cause a test error, It is also a social problem.

For this reason, the present applicant has invented a bar code label attaching device for a test tube in which a label attaching device is combined with the known bar code label printing device as described above,
Patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-278935). By using such a bar code labeling device for test tubes, the operator is released from the work of attaching the label, and accordingly, selects the necessary test tubes from the test tubes classified by inspection items. Work, but the task of selecting and transporting test tubes to the sticking device is not eliminated, so it is not a fundamental solution to the problem of label sticking caused by human work. In addition, the work of arranging and arranging for each patient after attaching the printed barcode label still has to rely on human hands and eyes. There is a possibility of making a mistake, and the above-mentioned conventional problems are not completely solved.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and automatically selects a test tube into which a sample is to be injected, and displays patient information in characters and bar codes on the side of the test tube. A method for automatically printing on a label, automatically attaching the printed label to a test tube, and automatically accommodating the test tube after labeling for each patient, and a device for implementing the method. It is intended to provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for preparing a test tube for sample collection according to the present invention comprises a test tube containing at least two types of test tubes for each test item based on information on a patient. From the container, test tubes necessary for patient examination are automatically selected by the test tube transfer means and transferred to the labeling position, and the patient information is automatically printed by the label printing means based on the information on the patient. Then, the label on which the patient information is printed is automatically attached to the test tube transferred to the label attaching position by the label attaching means, and the test tube after the label is attached can be stored for each patient by the test tube transferring means. Automatically transferred to

[0008] In addition, a sample collection test tube preparation device according to the present invention for carrying out the above-described method includes a first storage unit that stores at least two types of test tubes for each test item, and a label on which information about the patient is stored. A label printing / pasting device that prints patient information based on the label and attaches it to a test tube, a second storage unit that stores the test tube after labeling, and a label printing / pasting device from the first storage unit, A transfer unit for transferring a test tube from the label printing / pasting device to the second storage unit;
Based on the information about the patient, the transfer means automatically selects a test tube required for patient examination and transfers the test tube to a label attaching position of a label printing / applying device. Patient information is printed on a label based on the information about, and, and a label on which the patient information corresponding to the test tube transferred to the labeling position is printed, and further, the transfer means, after the label is applied. Control means for transferring a test tube from the label printing / pasting device to the second storage section, and controlling at least the transfer means and the label printing / pasting apparatus so as to store the test tube after labeling in the second storage section for each patient. And characterized in that:

As a transfer device for moving test tubes, for example, a desired test tube is automatically selected from a first accommodating portion which arranges test tubes such as racks in a state where the test tubes are arranged in accordance with inspection items. A test tube gripper for gripping, the test tube gripper can be moved vertically and vertically, horizontally left and right, and front and rear horizontally so that the first rack can be moved to the labeling device and the labeling device can be moved to the second position. Of a type that moves test tubes to a rack of the same type can be used. Further, as another type of transfer device, for example, a desired test tube is selected from a first storage unit that arranges test tubes in a plurality of sections and stores the test tubes in a stacked state, and the belt conveyor and the net conveyor are selected. And the like, in which a test tube is moved from the first storage unit to the label attaching device and from the label applying device to the second storage unit.

[0010] Even in a test tube transfer device using a test tube gripper, if the shape of the gripper and the arrangement direction of the label sticking device are changed, the test tubes housed in a lying and stacked state can be automatically placed. Can be selected and transported. Conversely, using a test tube transfer device with an endless transport device, the cases containing test tubes one by one are arranged and stored in a standing state, and the test tubes are automatically selected and transferred together with the case. You can also.

As described above, the apparatus according to the present invention includes various embodiments, in which a test tube to which a barcode label is to be applied is automatically selected according to an inspection item, transferred to a labeling apparatus, and a labeling apparatus is applied. Organized test tubes by patient,
The purpose is to transfer to accommodate, and for that purpose, the test tube accommodating part (both first and second) and the test tube transfer device can be selected as required.

[0012] As a label sticking apparatus, a bar code label created by printing characters and bar codes in advance based on given information is attached to an automatically selected test tube transferred by a transfer device. Although it may be a device that merely performs the above-mentioned application, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
It is even more advantageous to use the 278935 “barcode label sticking device for test tubes”.

This device is a device that combines a pasting unit with a known printing unit of a type that sequentially prints characters and bar codes on a number of labels pasted on a roll mount based on information sent from a computer, A test tube is inserted in the test tube insertion opening, where the test unit can be inserted almost vertically into the sticking unit, on the upper surface near the peeling plate that peels the label printed on the printing unit from the backing sheet, An elevating table that moves the tube up and down from the insertion position to the label application position and from the label application position to the removal position in the upright position, and for rotation around the long axis of the test tube and pressure bonding of the label in the proximity of the label application position At least one test tube rotation drive roller is provided. Therefore, when the test tube supplied into the apparatus from the insertion port is lowered to the label attaching position by the elevating platform, at least one rotary drive roller in contact with the test tube rotates the test tube around the long axis. On the other hand, the printed label is partially peeled off by the bending direction of the backing sheet being bent by the peeling plate arranged near the insertion space, and is projected toward the test tube,
When the tip reaches the side of the test tube, it is wound onto a rotating test tube and affixed to its outer surface with the aid of other rollers or holding surfaces. When the label has been applied, the lifting platform rises, and the test tube with the label attached can be removed from the insertion port. The above-described bar code label sticking apparatus is an embodiment suitable for moving a test tube in an upright state, but other embodiments described later can be applied to a test tube moved in a lying state.

[0014]

Since the method and the apparatus of the present invention have the above-described configuration, the first storage section storing a plurality of test tubes of a type corresponding to at least two types of test items can be used to obtain a type necessary for a patient test. Is automatically selected and supplied by the transport means to the labeling device, where the patient information corresponding to the test tube is automatically labeled with letters and corresponding barcodes. The labeled test tube is transferred from the labeling device to the second storage unit by the transfer means, and stored in the second storage unit for each subject.

[0015] The operation of the transfer means and the operation of the label printing / pasting device for taking out the test tubes of the kind necessary for the examination of the patient from the first accommodating section and organizing and accommodating the test tubes after labeling in the second accommodating section. Is controlled by a control device such as a computer. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for preparing a test tube for specimen collection according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the automatic tube code labeling / transferring device for test tubes according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a test tube first storage unit 1, a label printing / pasting device 2, and a test tube second storage unit 3. , A test tube transfer device 4 and a control device (not shown). The test tube 1 is accommodated in the test tube first storage unit 1 in a manner that the test tubes 5 are accommodated in the vertical or horizontal rows and arranged according to the items to be inspected. Rubber stoppers or film stoppers which are color-coded for each color are provided. The label printing / pasting apparatus 2 is a test tube bar code label pasting apparatus according to the above-mentioned applicant's patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-278935).
The label 7 printed by this device is attached to the side surface of the test tube 5 inserted into the device from the test tube insertion port 8 of the device by the transfer device 4. The structure and operation of this device will be described later.

The test tube second storage section 3 accommodates the labeled test tubes 6 taken out from the insertion port 8 of the printing / pasting device 2 by the transfer device 4 in a vertical or horizontal row for each patient. It is for doing. As described above, the transfer device 4 transfers the test tube 5 from the first storage section 1 to the insertion port 8 of the label printing / pasting apparatus 2, and transfers the test tube 6 with the label from the insertion port 8 to the second storage section 3. The test tube gripper 9 picks up the test tube 5 or 6 from a certain position,
Movement in the vertical and vertical directions (Z-axis direction) for lowering to a certain position, horizontal movement parallel to the horizontal rows of the first storage unit 1 and the second storage unit 3 for moving the picked-up test tube to a certain position In the direction (X-axis direction) and in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the vertical rows. The control device (not shown) is a computer that controls the operation of the test tube gripping tool 9 of the transfer device 4 and the printing and sticking operation as described later on the label printing and sticking device 2. A separate microcomputer may be used for operating the gripper 9.

The structure and operation of the label printing / sticking device 2 are as follows (see FIG. 3). The test tube 5 inserted almost vertically from the insertion port 8 into the insertion space 5 'is inserted into the insertion space 5'.
When it is lowered to a predetermined label attaching position (determined by the length of the test tube and the size of the label) by an elevator (not shown) at the lower part of the device, the operation of printing and attaching by this device is started. .

First, when the cam 10 of the label applying unit rotates clockwise, the cam follower 11 engaged with the cam 10 rotates.
3 moves upward and to the left in FIG. 3 while rotating on the plate 12 on which the plate is placed, so that the plate 12 is rotated clockwise by the spring 14 about the support shaft 13 and the pressing roller 15 The test tube 5 at the position is fixed to the test tube rotation drive roller 16 and the guide roller 17 by pressure bonding. When the test tube 5 is fixed, the test tube rotation drive roller 15 starts rotating counterclockwise, and rotates the test tube 5 clockwise.

On the other hand, in the printing unit, when the test tube 5 is fixed, the mount winding roller 18 and the printing ribbon winding roller 19 start rotating, and the label mount 20 in which a large number of labels 7 are adhered to the roll mount, Platen roller 21
And the print head 22, the traveling direction is sharply changed by the label peeling plate 23, and only the mount 24 passes between the platen roller 21 and the back roller,
It is taken up by a take-up roller 18. The print ribbon 25 is moved by the rotation of the take-up roller 19 to rotate the print head 22.
And between the label mount 20 and the take-up roller 19. On the label 7 that moves between the platen roller 21 and the printing head 22, information on the examination items and the patient supplied by the computer is printed as characters and corresponding bar codes (the printing head 22).
A thermal transfer head or a thermal head is used for this. The label printed here is the test tube (label width, label width) supplied next to the currently rotated test tube 5 '.
It should be attached to the next test tube (depending on the interval of label attachment to the backing paper and the distance from the print head 22 to the release plate 23).

While the next label 7 is being printed, the label 7 printed in the previous operation cycle is separated from the backing sheet 24 by changing the traveling direction of the backing sheet 24 with the release plate 23 as described above. Test tube 5 being peeled off slowly and rotating
, Only the label 7 protrudes. When the tip reaches the side surface of the test tube 5, the rotation of the test tube 5 causes the label 7 to be completely peeled off from the backing sheet 24, and is wrapped between the test tube 5 and the three rollers 15, 16, 17 so that the test tube 5 5 is completely attached to a predetermined position on the side surface.

When the application of the label 7 is completed, the operation of the test tube rotation driving roller 16, the mount winding roller 18, the printing ribbon winding roller 19 and the printing head 22 is stopped, and then the cam 10 rotates counterclockwise. By the rotation, the pressing roller 15 is returned from the pressure fixing position to the release position. When the labeled test tube 6 is released, the elevating platform rises, and the test tube 6 can be removed from the insertion port 8.

In the above-described embodiment, the test tubes are handled in a vertical position during the entire operation, while the other embodiment shown in FIG. 4 handles the test tubes in a substantially horizontal position. It is of a kind suitable for The automatic test tube bar code label sticking / transferring device of this embodiment includes a test tube first storage unit 101, a label printing / pasting device 102, a test tube second storage unit 103, and a test tube transfer device 104, as in the above embodiment. , 104 ′ and a control device (not shown).

The test tube first accommodating section 101 includes a test tube 105
The plurality of partitions 101A, 1A, 1B, 1A
01B,... Are provided. Label printing / pasting device 1
For 02, the same apparatus as that used in the above embodiment can be used by changing the installation direction.

The test tube second storage section 103 has a label
The test tube 106 with the label attached by the attaching device 102 is
In order to accommodate the patient in a lying position, the first
A plurality of partitions 103A partitioned in the same manner as the storage unit 101;
103B,... The transfer device 104 includes the test tube 10.
5 from the first storage unit 101 to the label printing / pasting device 102
The conveyor 104 and the transfer device 104 ′ transfer the labeled test tube 106 to the label printing / pasting device 102.
Is a belt conveyor which is transferred from the second storage section 103 to the second storage section 103. As a control device (not shown), a computer as in the above embodiment can be used.

The operation in this embodiment is performed as follows. The test tubes 105 are divided according to inspection items, and are respectively divided into sections 101A, 101B,.
To be housed. The section 101B in which the desired test tube 105 is placed is automatically selected from these, in accordance with an instruction of the control device, and the lower side of the section 101B has the test tube height opposite to the belt conveyor 104 (the first side in FIG. 4). Accommodation unit 101
A pusher (not shown) provided at the rear of the apparatus moves to push a desired test tube onto the belt conveyor 104 from the side. The extruded test tube 105 is transported to the right in FIG. 4 by the belt conveyor 104, falls down at its end, and is provided at a position facing the test tube insertion opening 108 of the label printing / pasting device 102. It is placed on a test tube pedestal 109.

Next, the test tube on the test tube receiving stand 109 is inserted into the insertion opening 10 by a pusher (not shown) provided on the side opposite to the insertion opening 108 (in FIG. 4, on the front side of the receiving stand 109).
8 is inserted. In this embodiment, label printing / sticking is performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment (FIG. 3).
Instead of a test tube elevator, a disk is pushed out of the insertion opening 108 by a spring coil, and a test tube inserted by a pusher pushes the disk into the device 102 against the force of the spring coil. It is pushed in and locked at a predetermined label sticking position by a stopper. After the label is attached, the test tube 106 with the label attached is pushed out onto the pedestal 109 by the force of the spring coil by releasing the stopper.

Test tube 10 with label attached on cradle 109
6 is dropped on the belt conveyor 104 'by rotating the receiving table 109 in the direction of the arrow, and is transferred in the direction of the arrow by the belt conveyor 104'. The test tube 106 with the label affixed thereto is the first test tube 106
Is transferred to the position corresponding to the section 103A of
The pusher provided on the side opposite to the storage section (in FIG. 4, the front side of the belt conveyor 104 ′) is pushed out across the belt conveyor 104 ′, and the second storage section 103.
In the section 103A.

Instead of using a pusher, gravity can be used to supply the test tube 105 from the first storage section onto the belt conveyor 104. For example, the first storage unit 1
01 is inclined toward the belt conveyor, and a lid corresponding to the cross-sectional height of one test tube at the bottom of the section in which the desired test tube 105 is accommodated is opened to select the desired test selected. Tubes are provided on belt conveyor 104. Gravity can also be used to supply the labeled test tube 106 from the belt conveyor 104 ′ into the compartment of the second storage section 103. In this case, for example, the belt surface of the belt conveyor 104 ′ is And a number of stoppers are continuously provided on the lower side edge of the belt conveyor to allow the test tube 106 to be accommodated in the second accommodating portion 103.
When it is transferred to a position corresponding to the section 103A, the stopper supporting the test tube 106 is opened.

In order to insert the test tube 105 from the test tube receiving stand 109 into the insertion port 108 of the label printing / pasting apparatus 102, for example, the label printing / pasting apparatus 102 is provided with the insertion port 108 similarly to the above embodiment. The test tube 105 is placed so that the surface faces the upper surface,
08. In this case, a lifting platform can be used, and the test tube 1 with the label attached
In order to take out the test tube 06, raise the elevating table to the vicinity of the insertion port 108 and return the test tube 106 while returning the inclination of the receiving table 109 to the original position.
Should be received.

In addition to these, the embodiment using the test tube gripper 9 and the embodiment using the continuous conveying devices 104 and 104 'may take various modified embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention. Can be. Also, it is natural that a device other than the device described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-278935 can be used as the label printing / pasting device 2, 102. In addition, a barcode label printed by another printing machine is supplied. A label sticking device for sticking this may be used.

[0032]

Since the method and apparatus for preparing a test tube for specimen collection according to the present invention have the above-described configuration and operation, patient information is simply printed on a barcode label, and the label is printed on the test tube. Not only has the work of pasting automated,
A test tube of items required for patient examination is automatically selected and taken out from the first test tube containing test tubes arranged and stored for each test item, supplied to a labeling device, and a label on which patient information is printed. Is automatically attached to the selected test tube, and thereafter, the test tube after labeling can be completely automatically arranged and accommodated in the test tube second accommodation unit for each patient. As a result, a great effect is obtained in that it is possible to completely prevent a subsequent inspection error or the like due to a label sticking error caused by an operator's intervention. Also, by fully automating the preparation of test tubes for sample collection, significant labor savings can be achieved, and by automating, sample collection is always accurate at the same speed, unlike when humans work. Test tubes can be prepared for each patient, and the use of such a method and apparatus also has the effect of speeding up sample collection work in hospitals and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a test tube preparation device for specimen collection according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a procedure of transferring a test tube and attaching a barcode label according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the label printing / pasting device included in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the test tube preparation device for specimen collection according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 Test tube 1st accommodating part 2,102 Label printing / pasting apparatus 3,103 Test tube 2nd accommodating part 4, Transfer device by test tube gripper 104,104 'Belt conveyor for test tube transfer 5,105 Label Test tube to which is to be attached 6, 106 Labeled test tube 7 Label 8, 108 Test tube insertion port 9 Test tube gripper 109 Test tube holder 10 Cam 11 Cam follower 12 Plate 13 Support shaft 14 Spring 15 Pressing roller 16 Test tube rotation drive roller 17 Guide roller 18 Mount take-up roller 19 Print ribbon take-up roller 20 Label mount 21 Platen roller 22 Print head 23 Label peeling plate 24 Mount 25 Print ribbon

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masahiko Iguchi 1215-1, Mizonokuchi, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Technomedica Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-59-52729 (JP, A) JP-A-63-191735 (JP, A) Shokai 63-141458 (JP, U) Shokai 1-115769 (JP, U) Shokai 2-129009 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶⁾ , DB name) B65C 1/00-11/06 G01N 1/00-1/34 G01N 35/00-35/06

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A test tube necessary for a patient test is automatically selected by a test tube transfer unit from a test tube storage unit containing at least two types of test tubes for each test item based on information on a patient. While transferring to the label attaching position, the patient information is automatically printed by the label printing means based on the information on the patient, and the label with the patient information printed on the test tube transferred to the label attaching position is attached to the label attaching means. A test tube preparation method for specimen collection, wherein the test tube after labeling is automatically transferred to a storage section capable of storing by patient by a test tube transfer means. 2. A first container for accommodating at least two types of test tubes for each test item, a label printing / pasting device for printing patient information on a label based on patient information and attaching the test tube to the test tube, and a label. A second storage unit that stores the test tube after the application, and a transfer unit that transfers the test tube from the first storage unit to the label printing / pasting device, and from the label printing / pasting device to the second storage unit, Based on the information on the patient, the transfer means automatically selects a test tube required for the examination of the patient and transfers the test tube to the label application position of the label printing / applying device. The patient information is printed on a label based on the information about the patient, and a label on which the patient information is printed is attached to the test tube transferred to the label attaching position. In the step, the test tube after label application is transferred from the label printing / applying device to the second storage unit, and at least the transfer unit and the label printing / transfer unit are configured to store the test tube after label application in the second storage unit for each patient. A test tube preparation device for inspection, comprising: control means for controlling an attaching device. 3. The test tube preparation apparatus for inspection according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means has a test tube gripper movable in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. 4. The test tube preparation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means has one or more endless conveyors. 5. The test tube preparation apparatus for inspection according to claim 4, wherein the first storage section has at least two storage sections capable of storing test tubes for each test item.