JP4422079B2 - Sample transport system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample transport system, and more particularly to a sample transport system suitable for automatically performing a sample test in the clinical laboratory field. In this specification, the sample means a container containing the sample.

  Specimen transportation system loads and samples specimens such as blood and urine collected from patients into racks suitable for the contents of examinations and container shapes, so that centrifuges, stoppers, dispensing, classification, transportation, and analysis can be performed. The process is automated. In particular, a sample that performs processing such as transferring a sample loaded in a rack to a target tray based on requested items and attribute information from a LIS (Laboratory Information System, hereinafter referred to as LIS). In the classification unit, the transfer process is executed to create an empty position in the rack, and the rack after the transfer process is transported.

  Further, in the conventional sample transport system, in order to load many types of samples in a suitable rack, it is necessary for the operator to manually check whether the rack is suitable for the type of sample, and this places a load on the operator. Further, by incorporating a unit for transferring a sample to a target rack based on information such as a request item from LIS and sample attributes, such as a sample distribution device represented by Patent Document 1, the load on the operator is reduced. Was mitigating.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-142232

  According to the prior art, when the sample transport system is configured in the order of the sample input unit, sample classification unit, centrifuge unit, and capping unit, the sample is loaded and input from the sample input unit to all positions in the rack. Even in this case, the sample may be transferred to the target tray by the sample classification unit. Then, since an empty position is created in the rack, the number of samples that can be transported in one rack after the transfer process is reduced, and the transport efficiency of the samples is reduced in a unit connected behind the sample classification unit. In addition, since a unit connected behind the sample classification unit performs processing for each rack, if there is an empty position in the rack, the processing efficiency is lowered. In addition, as the number of racks with empty positions in the rack increases in the sample transport system, a larger number of racks are required to process the same number of samples as compared to the situation where there are samples at all positions in the rack. As a result, the number of racks operating in the sample transport system increases, leading to a cause of rack congestion.

  Also, when using a sample sorting unit that transfers the sample loaded in the rack loaded into the sample transport system to the target rack based on the requested items and attribute information from the LIS, it is loaded from the sample loading unit. Since the rack and the transfer destination rack are transported to the rear unit of the sample distribution unit, the number of racks in operation in the sample transport system increases.

  In order to avoid this, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the empty position in the rack when the sample in the rack is transferred to the tray of the sample classification unit, and to improve the sample transport efficiency and the processing efficiency.

  The present invention provides a plurality of racks on which a plurality of samples having sample-specific sample identification codes can be loaded, a loading unit for sequentially loading the racks into a sample transport line, and a plurality of trays capable of holding a plurality of the samples. A mechanism for transferring the sample from the rack to the tray based on a request item from the experiment information system, and temporarily transferring the remaining sample in the rack when an empty position is created in the rack. The present invention relates to a sample transport system including a temporary tray that moves and a mechanism that transfers the remaining sample to the temporary tray.

  In other words, a temporary tray for temporarily holding the sample is provided in the sample classification unit of the sample transport system, and the remaining sample in the rack is transferred to the rack in which the transfer process is performed and the empty position is completed. Refill from the temporary tray. Here, the transfer of the remaining sample is a function of transferring the remaining sample to the temporary tray when the sample remains in the rack after the transfer process. The replenishment is a function for replenishing the sample in the temporary tray to the empty position of the rack when the rack after the transfer process has an empty position. With these two functions, an empty rack with no sample at all positions in the rack after the transfer process or a rack for holding the sample at all positions in the rack flows.

  In addition, empty racks without samples at all positions in the rack after transfer processing are transported directly to the rack storage unit without being stopped by the unit connected behind the sample classification unit, and connected to the rear of the sample classification unit. Only the rack in which the specimen is loaded is brought to the unit to prevent the processing efficiency of the unit from being lowered.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to pre-pack samples in a rack that were not available in the conventional sample transport system, and there is no empty position in the rack, so that the sample transport efficiency in the sample transport system is improved, and centrifugation and plug opening are performed. It also contributes to the improvement of processing efficiency such as dispensing. In addition, one unit has the function of transferring specimens that are not processed by the specimen transport system, such as blood tests and outsourcing tests, to the classification tray, and the function of prepacking specimens to be processed by the specimen transport system, such as biochemistry and immunity, in the rack. Since it can be implemented by the sample classification unit, there is no need for a dedicated transfer rack for blood tests and outsourcing tests, which eliminates the need for the operator to recognize the type of rack and sample, contributing to a reduction in the load on the operator.

  According to the present invention, the sample transfer efficiency of the sample transport system is improved, the processing efficiency of the entire system is improved, and the burden on the operator or the like is reduced.

  According to the present invention, the sample transfer efficiency after the transfer process in the sample transfer system is equal to that before the transfer process. In addition, since samples that do not require processing such as centrifugation and dispensing are transferred to the sorting tray immediately after the system is loaded, samples that do not require centrifugation or dispensing in the rack are eliminated, improving the processing efficiency of the entire system. Can be planned. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator for identifying the specimen and the rack that matches the specimen.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sample transport system showing an embodiment according to the present invention. The sample is loaded on the rack 1 a and temporarily installed in the sample loading unit 2. When the loading of the rack 1a is started, the sample barcode as the sample identification code affixed to the sample by the ID reading means and the rack barcode as the rack identification code affixed to the rack are read. Which sample is loaded at which position of 1a is registered in the controller 10. The controller 10 controls the transport and processing of the rack 1a based on the registered information.

  The present invention is implemented in the sample classification unit 3a shown in FIG. 1, and the controller 10 receives a request received from the LIS 11 when a sample that is not processed by the sample transport system, such as a blood test or an outsourcing test, is loaded on the loaded rack 1a. The sample classification unit 3a is instructed based on the item or attribute information, and the sample classification unit 3a transfers the corresponding sample of the rack 1a to the classification trays 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e.

  Further, the sample classification unit 3a transfers the sample remaining after the transfer process to the temporary tray 4a and empties the rack 1a. The emptied rack 1a is transported to the specimen storage unit 9 without stopping at the centrifugal buffer unit 5, the centrifugal separation unit 6, the opening unit 7 and the like which are rear units. After that, when the rack 1b performs the transfer process in the sample classification unit 3a and the rack 1b has an empty position, the sample held on the temporary tray 4a is loaded on the empty position of the rack 1b, and the rack 1b is empty. The rack 1b is transported to the rear unit with no position.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of sample transfer to the temporary tray 4a. The classification tray 14b of the sample classification unit 13a is a classification tray for transferring blood test samples. Among the samples loaded in the rack 1a, the samples loaded in the position 1b in the rack 1a, the position 13c in the rack 1a, and the position 13e in the rack 1a are blood test samples, and 14a, 14b, 14c. When this transfer process is completed, two samples loaded in the rack 1a position 13a and the rack 1a position 13d remain in the rack 1a. In the temporary tray 4a, two samples are held at the temporary tray position 15a and the temporary tray position 15b, and even if the samples on the temporary tray 4a are loaded on the rack 1a, the three empty positions of the rack 1a are not filled. Therefore, the two samples of the rack 1a position 13a and the rack 1a position 13d are transferred to the temporary tray position 15c and the temporary tray position 15d of the temporary tray 4a.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of replenishing the rack with the sample held on the temporary tray 4a. The sample loaded on the rack 1b is transferred to the position 16a in the rack 1b and the position 16b in the rack 1b to a position 14e in the classification tray 4b and a position 14f in the classification tray 4b. When this transfer process is completed, three samples of the rack 1b position 16c, the rack 1b position 16d, and the rack 1b position 16e remain in the rack 1b, and the rack 1b has two empty positions. Since four specimens are held in the temporary tray 4a, the temporary tray position 15a and the temporary tray position 15b are stacked on the position 16a in the rack 1b and the position 16b in the rack 1b to fill the empty position in the rack 1b. .

  In addition, since the function of transferring the samples to the classification trays 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e and the function of loading the samples of the temporary tray 4a onto the rack can be realized by one sample classification unit, the sample distribution unit or the like It is no longer necessary to incorporate a dedicated unit into the system. Furthermore, unlike the sample distribution unit, there is no need to distinguish between the sample loading rack and the empty rack set according to the purpose, and the rack 1a transfer processing and the rack 1b replenishment processing are realized by one type of rack. it can.

If the position 15c in the temporary tray 4a and the position 15d in the temporary tray 4a of the sample classification unit 3a are not loaded on the rack for a certain time, for example, 300 seconds, the sample classification unit 3a generates an alarm and alerts the operator. . The operator inserts an empty rack from the sample insertion unit 2 so that the empty rack stops at the sample classification unit 3a, and the samples in the third temporary tray 4a position 15c and the fourth temporary tray position 15d are empty racks. To load. For the purpose of transferring the sample in the temporary tray 4a to the rack only when an empty rack is loaded from the sample loading unit 2, the sample is loaded from the temporary tray 4a onto the rack even when an empty position is available in the rack. . Further, the time from when the sample is loaded on the temporary tray 4a to when the alarm is generated can be changed by the controller 10, and the first classification tray 4b, the second classification tray 4c, Adjustment is possible according to the number of samples to be transferred to the third classification tray 4d, the fourth classification tray 4e, the fifth classification tray 4f, and the operation status of each delivery facility.
The controller has a function of setting a time for holding the sample on the temporary tray. When the time is exceeded, an alarm can be output to notify the operator. Further, when the operator inserts an empty rack in which no sample is loaded into the sample transport system, an alarm can be notified that the sample held on the temporary tray can be loaded on the empty rack.

  1 to 3, 12a is a first sample transport line, 12b is a second sample transport line, 12c is a third sample transport line, 13a is a position in the first rack 1a, and 13b is a second rack. A position 1a and 13c are positions in the third rack 1a. 13d is a position in the fourth rack 1a, 13e is a position in the fifth rack 1a, 14a is a position in the tenth classification tray 4b, 14b is a position in the eleventh classification tray 4b, and 14c is a twelfth classification. This is the position in the tray 4b. Further, 14d is a position in the 20th sorting tray 4b, 14e is a position in the 13th sorting tray 4b, 14f is a position in the 14th sorting tray 4b, 15a is a 4a position in the first temporary tray, and 15b is a second position. 4a position in the temporary tray, 15c is the 4a position in the third temporary tray, 15d is the 4a position in the fourth temporary tray, and 15e is the 4a position in the 20th temporary tray. 16a is a position in the first rack 1b, 16b is a position in the second rack 1b, 16c is a position in the third rack 1b, 16d is a position in the fourth rack 1b, and 16e is in a fifth rack 1b. It is a position.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for determining whether the sample classification unit transfers samples to the temporary tray or loads samples from the temporary tray to the rack. The controller performs these determinations. The sample classification unit receives transfer processing instruction information from the controller when the rack arrives. If there are samples in the rack, the number of empty positions after the transfer process is calculated and compared with the number of samples held in the temporary tray. If the number of samples in the temporary tray is smaller than the number of empty positions after the transfer process, the remaining samples in the rack are transferred to the temporary tray.

  On the other hand, if the number of samples in the temporary tray is equal to or greater than the number of empty positions after the transfer process, the samples are loaded from the temporary tray to the empty positions. If the rack that has reached the sample classification unit is empty according to the flowchart determination 18a, the process of transferring the sample on the temporary tray in the flowchart process 17e to the rack is executed.

  In FIG. 4, 17a is a transfer process instruction reception, 17b is an empty position calculation after the transfer process, 17c is the number of samples in the temporary tray 4a, 17d is transferring the remaining samples in the rack to the temporary tray 4a, and 17e is Samples in the temporary tray 4a are loaded on the rack, 18a determines whether or not there are samples in the rack, and 18b compares the number of samples in the temporary tray and the number of empty positions in the rack.

  Furthermore, in FIG. 1, in order to extract a sample to be subjected to a blood test in the sample classification unit 3a and transfer it to the classification trays 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, etc., the centrifuge unit 6, the opening unit 7, In addition, since the blood test sample that does not need to be processed does not flow in the online dispensing unit 8 and the sample is present at all positions in the rack, the processing capacity of the entire sample transport system is improved. In addition, there is no need for a dedicated unit for transferring samples from rack to rack as in the conventional sample sorting unit, so the installation space can be reduced, and the rack for the sample sorting unit is no longer required, simplifying operations. Leading to

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a sample transport system including a method for classifying and allocating blood and urine samples in clinical examinations and a device having the function.

The conceptual diagram of the sample conveyance system which shows one Example by this invention. The top view of the sample classification unit for showing transfer of a sample. The top view of the sample classification unit for showing the loading of the sample of the temporary tray to the rack. The flowchart figure for performing transfer of a sample.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a ... Rack to be loaded first, 1b ... Rack to be loaded second, 2 ... Sample loading unit, 3a ... First sample sorting unit, 3b ... Second sample sorting unit, 4a ... Temporary tray, 4b ... First 1 classification tray, 4c: second classification tray, 4d: third classification tray, 4e: fourth classification tray, 4f: fifth classification tray, 5: centrifuge buffer unit, 6: centrifuge unit, 7 ... Opening unit, 8 ... Online dispensing unit, 9 ... Sample storage unit, 10 ... Controller, 11 ... Experimental information system LIS.

Claims (3)

A plurality of racks in which a plurality of specimens having specimen-specific specimen identification codes can be loaded;
A loading section for sequentially loading the rack into the sample transport line;
A mechanism for installing a plurality of trays capable of holding a plurality of the specimens;
A mechanism for transferring the specimen from the rack to the tray based on a request item from an experiment information system;
A temporary tray for temporarily transferring the remaining sample in the rack when an empty position is created in the rack;
A mechanism for transferring the remaining sample to the temporary tray ;
Means for comparing the number of empty positions after the transfer process and the number of samples held on the temporary tray when there are samples in the rack;
A controller for controlling the remaining samples in the rack to be transferred to the temporary tray when the number of samples on the temporary tray is smaller than the number of empty positions after the transfer processing by the comparison means;
Specimen transport system comprising the. The sample transport according to claim 1 , wherein the controller has a function of setting a time for holding a sample on the temporary tray, and outputs an alarm to notify an operator when the time is exceeded. system.   2. The alarm notification that a sample held on the temporary tray can be loaded on the empty rack when an operator inputs an empty rack into which no sample is loaded into the sample transport system. Specimen transport system.

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