JP6778486B2 - Specimen transport sorting system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sample transport sorting system capable of transporting a sample after blood collection from a blood collection site to an automatic sorting device as it is for sorting.

Conventionally, in hospitals and the like, blood is collected from a patient into a blood collection tube in order to perform a blood test.
The number and type of blood collection tubes are determined by the type of examination, but since the type of examination differs from patient to patient, the number and type of blood collection tubes used for each patient are different. The blood collection blood vessels collected in the blood collection room are carried to a laboratory or the like, where they are sorted according to the type of examination.
The blood collection tube is automatically prepared for each patient by the so-called automatic blood collection tube preparation device (Patent Document 1), and the prepared blood collection tube is transported to the blood collection table by the automatic blood collection tube transfer device or manually to collect blood. When collecting blood on the table, the blood collection worker verifies whether the order from the doctor and the prepared blood collection tube match.
Then, the samples after blood collection are temporarily placed in the blood collection site, and are collectively inspected at an appropriate timing such as when the blood collection work is completed or when the number of samples after blood collection exceeds a certain number. They are transported to the room and sorted by inspection type in the inspection room.
The sorted samples are then set in each analyzer, and each analyzer automatically analyzes the sample.

Japanese Patent No. 30070522

As described above, since the sample after blood collection is temporarily placed in the blood collection site, there is a loss in the time from that time to sorting and setting in the analyzer. Preferably, it is desirable that the sample after blood collection can be sorted by a sorting device immediately thereafter.
In addition, the sample after blood collection is manually transported to the laboratory and sorted in the laboratory, but during this time, the sample may be lost due to the blood collection tube falling or the like.
In order to prevent the loss of the sample due to manual transportation of the sample and to enable the sample after blood collection to be sorted sequentially by the sorting device without loss of time, the sample after blood collection is automatically sorted. It is conceivable to provide a transport system that transports to the sorting device. Specifically, the configuration of this transport system includes a sample transport line that extends to the sorting device, an empty rack transport line that transports empty racks after being sorted by the sorting device, and a plurality of samples connected to the sample transport line. A transport system having a loading section and configured to transport racks on each line is conceivable.
In the transport system configured in this way, the sample cannot be loaded unless the sample loading section has an empty rack, so that the sample loading section must always be supplied with an empty rack. For this reason, it is necessary to supply an empty rack from the empty rack transport line to the sample loading section, but considering the positions of the empty rack transport line, the sample transport line, and the sample loading section, it is inevitable from the empty rack transport line to the sample loading section. The extending empty rack supply line intersects the sample transfer line directly. If the empty rack supply line and the sample transfer line intersect directly in this way, for example, while the sample transfer line is carrying the sample, the empty rack supply line must be stopped and the sample must wait for the sample to pass. There is a problem of having to. Conversely, if priority is given to the supply of empty racks, the sample transfer line may have to be stopped until the empty racks have passed. However, stopping the sample transfer line to supply an empty rack is not desirable because the sample transfer is delayed. On the contrary, if the supply of the empty rack is stopped for transporting the sample, there is a possibility that the empty rack of the sample loading section will be insufficient, and there will be a problem that the next blood collection tube cannot be loaded. The above-mentioned problem becomes a bigger problem as the number of sample input parts increases.
In order to solve the above problems, the number of empty racks used in the system can be increased, and a separate empty rack stock section can be provided in the sample loading section, or the line that can be used for empty rack stock can be lengthened. However, none of these methods are desirable because they increase the size of the entire system.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a sample transport sorting system capable of sending samples after blood collection to a sorting device one after another.

In order to achieve the above object, the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention may be used.
This is a sample transport sorting system that transports samples after blood collection to an automatic sorting device and sorts them according to test items in a blood collection room equipped with multiple blood collection tables.
Equipped with sample transfer lines and empty rack transfer lines arranged in parallel with each other,
The sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are arranged so as to be offset vertically.
Along the sample transfer line, at least two sample loading sections are provided upstream in the transport direction, and a sorting device is provided downstream in the transport direction of the sample loading section.
The sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are connected downstream from the sorting device in the transfer direction, and the empty rack after the samples transported by the sample transfer line are sorted is sent to the empty rack transfer line. Is configured as
The sample input section
An empty rack supply line that extends diagonally upward from the empty rack transfer line across the lower part of the sample transfer line in a direction orthogonal to the sample transfer line.
The sample input line connected to the empty rack supply line and
The sample delivery line connected to the sample input line is connected so as to form a single line.
A control device for controlling each line is provided.
When the sample is loaded into the empty rack of the sample loading line, the control device controls each line so that the rack containing the sample is sent to the automatic sorting device via the sample transport line.
In addition, the control device uses a line located upstream in the transport direction of the sample charging line in each sample charging section to stock an empty rack so that each sample loading section does not run out of empty racks. It is configured to control distribution to the input section,
It is characterized in that the entire system is arranged and used so that at least each of the sample charging parts is arranged along the blood collection table.

The sample transport sorting system according to the present invention is a sample transport sorting system that transports a sample after blood collection to an automatic sorting device in a blood collection room provided with a plurality of blood collection tables and sorts the samples according to test items. The sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are provided in parallel with each other, and the sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are arranged so as to be vertically offset from each other, and at least two samples are arranged upstream in the transfer direction along the sample transfer line. A loading section is provided, a sorting device is provided downstream of the sample loading section in the transport direction, and the sample transport line and the empty rack transport line are connected downstream from the sorting device in the transport direction and transported by the sample transport line. The empty rack after the sorted samples are sorted is configured to be sent to the empty rack transport line, and the sample loading section crosses the lower part of the sample transport line from the empty rack transport line to transport the sample. An empty rack supply line extending diagonally upward in a direction orthogonal to the line, a sample input line connected to the empty rack supply line, and a sample delivery line connected to the sample input line are combined into one line. A control device is provided to control each line, and when the sample is loaded into an empty rack of the sample loading line, the rack containing the sample is automatically loaded via the sample transport line. Each line is controlled so as to be sent to the sorting device, and the control device uses a line located upstream in the transport direction of the sample loading line in each sample loading section so that each sample loading section does not run out of empty racks. The entire system is arranged and used so that the empty racks are distributed to each sample loading section so as to stock the empty racks, and at least each sample loading section is arranged along the blood collection table. Because it is configured to
After collecting blood, the blood collection worker simply puts the sample into the blood collection tube, that is, the empty rack in the sample loading line, and the sample is automatically sent to the automatic sorting device for sorting. For this reason, the sample after blood collection is carried to the automatic sorting device without loss of time, so that the loss of time from blood collection to analysis can be minimized, and the sample before sorting even though blood is collected. You can also solve problems such as losing the.
Further, in the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention, the sample transport line and the empty rack transport line are provided in parallel by shifting them up and down, and the empty rack after being transported to the automatic sorting device and sorted is used as the empty rack transport line. Since the empty rack can be fed and the empty rack can be supplied to a plurality of sample loading units without directly intersecting the sample transfer line from the empty rack transfer line, the sample transfer is for supplying the empty rack. Specimens to be loaded from multiple sample loading units with the minimum number of empty racks, without being hindered by, conversely, without delaying the supply of empty racks due to sample transport, and without complicated control. It has the effect of efficiently transporting to the automatic sorting device and evenly supplying empty racks to all the sample loading parts.
Further, according to the sample transport sorting system according to the invention, the samples after blood collection are sequentially transferred to the automatic sorting device, and the automatic sorting device records the arrival information of the samples. Therefore, the blood collection tube is automatically prepared. Based on the information on the blood collection tube prepared by the device and the arrival information of the sample recorded by the automatic sorting device, it becomes possible to surely know whether or not the blood collection tube is lost on the way.

It is a schematic perspective view of the sample transport sorting system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic top view of the sample transport sorting system which shows the structure of the transport line in the sample transport sorting system shown in FIG. The blood collection table is also displayed in this figure. (A) is a schematic top view showing the configuration of each line of the unit 2c. (B) is a figure which shows the structure of the conveyor of the unit 2c. It is a schematic perspective view of the unit 2c. It is a schematic perspective view of the unit 2c with the housing removed. It is a schematic top view of the unit 2c corresponding to FIG. 3A showing another embodiment of the sample charging section.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the sample transport sorting system showing the configuration of a transport line in the sample transport sorting system shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the blood collection table is also displayed so that the positional relationship between the sample transport sorting system and the blood collection table can be understood.
Reference numeral 1 in the figure indicates the entire sample transport sorting system. In this figure, two automatic blood collection tube preparation devices A and one automatic sorting device B are arranged along the sample transport sorting system, and FIG. As shown in the above, the automatic sorting device B is arranged in the examination room (or in the vicinity of the examination room), and the other parts are arranged in the blood collection room.
The automatic blood collection tube preparation device A is a known device that accommodates a plurality of types of blood collection tubes, and based on blood collection order information from a doctor, selects, extracts, and extracts the blood collection tubes necessary for a patient's examination. A label with information about the patient printed with a barcode or a label with information about the patient stored in a wireless tag is attached to the blood vessel, and the blood collection tube after the label is attached is stored in a tray for each patient and output. It is configured.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sample transport sorting system 1 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) sample charging units 5 described later, and a plurality of blood collection units are provided so as to face the sample charging unit 5. Platform C is placed.
The tray prepared by the automatic blood collection device A is carried to each blood collection table C, and the blood collection operator collects blood from the corresponding patient using the blood collection tube placed in the tray.
The blood collection worker puts the sample after blood collection into the sample transport sorting system 1 according to the present invention, and the put sample is automatically transported to the automatic sorting device B. The automatic sorting device B reads information about the patient from the bar code or wireless tag of the label attached to the transported sample, and sorts the collected blood collection tubes based on the read information. In this embodiment, the automatic sorting device B is configured to sort the sample into eight. The automatic sorting device B records the arrival confirmation of the sample when reading the information about the patient from the blood collection tube.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the sample transport sorting system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The terms "downstream" and "upstream" used in the present specification are based on the traveling direction of the rack (empty rack and rack containing a sample), the front in the traveling direction is "downstream", and the rear in the traveling direction is "downstream". "Upstream".
As shown in the drawing, in this sample transfer sorting system 1, nine units 2a to 2i are connected in series, and two parallel sample transfer lines 3 (3a to 3i) and an empty rack transfer line 4 (4a) are connected. It is configured to form ~ 4i).
The leftmost unit 2a in FIG. 2 is configured to be able to move an empty rack from the parallel sample transfer line conveyor 3a to the empty rack transfer line conveyor 4a, whereby the sample transfer line 3 The empty rack that has been sent and the sample has been removed by the automatic sorting device B is sent to the empty rack transfer line 4. In this unit 2a, the sample transfer line 3 and the empty rack transfer line 4 have the same height.
The unit 2b provided next to the unit 2a includes a sample transfer line conveyor 3b and an empty rack transfer line conveyor 4b arranged in parallel. In the unit 2b, the conveyor 4b is inclined obliquely downward so as to descend downward from the unit 2a side toward the unit 2c side.
The unit 2c connected to the unit 2b includes a sample transfer line conveyor 3c and an empty rack transfer line conveyor 4c arranged in parallel. In this unit 2c, the empty rack transfer line 4 is arranged below the sample transfer line 3. The unit 2c is provided with a sample charging unit 5.
FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the unit 2c, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view (with a housing) of the unit 2c, and FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the unit 2c with the housing removed.
As shown in the drawing, the sample input unit 5
An empty rack supply line 5a extending diagonally upward from the empty rack transfer line 4 (4c) across the lower part of the sample transfer line 3 (3c) in a direction orthogonal to the sample transfer line 3.
An empty line stock line 5b that is connected to the empty rack supply line 5a and extends at least once in a zigzag pattern.
A sample input line 5c that is connected to the empty rack stock line 5b and extends in a U shape so as to surround the downstream end of the empty rack supply line 5a.
A sample delivery line 5c extending from the downstream end of the sample input line 5c to the sample transfer line 3 (3c),
Are connected so that they form a single line.
Specifically, the sample charging section 5 composed of the lines 5a to 5d is configured by combining seven conveyors 6a to 6g as shown in FIG. 3B, and conveys each conveyor 6a to 6g and an empty rack. A plurality of sensors 7a to 7o are provided on the conveyor 3c constituting the line 3 and the conveyor 4c forming the sample transport line 4. In order to make the drawings easier to see, the sensors 7a to 7o and the switching means described later are displayed in FIG. 3A. Further, in FIG. 3B, the operating direction of the conveyor (that is, the transfer direction of the rack) is indicated by an arrow.
The operations of the conveyors 6a to 6g and the conveyors 3c and 4c are controlled based on the outputs from the sensors 7a to 7o. The specific operation control method will be described later.
A switching means 8 for switching the traveling direction of the rack is provided at a connecting portion between the empty rack transport line 4 (conveyor 4c) and the empty rack supply line 5a (conveyor 6a) in the unit 2c.
Further, between the sample input line 5c and the sample delivery line 5d in the unit 2c, specifically, in the middle of the conveyor 6g, a sample-containing rack delivery means 9 for stopping an empty rack and sending out a sample-containing rack is provided. Has been done.
Further, at the connection portion between the sample delivery line 5d (conveyor 6g) and the sample transfer line 3 (conveyor 3c) in the unit 2c, a rack containing a sample sent from the upstream unit and a sample delivery line 5d are sent. A sample-containing rack delivery means l0 is provided for sequentially sending the coming sample-containing racks toward the downstream of the sample transfer line 3 (conveyor 3c).

The units 2d, 2e and the units 2g, 2h are parallel to the conveyors 3d, 3e, 3g or 3h constituting the empty rack transfer line 3 and the conveyors 4d, 4e, 4g or 4h constituting the sample transfer line 4, respectively. It will be placed in.
The units 2f and 2i have the same configuration as the unit 2c, and each includes a sample input unit 5.

As described above, since the line constituting the sample loading section 5 does not directly intersect with the sample transport line 3, the sample transport does not stop due to the supply of the empty rack, and the sample transport Therefore, the supply of empty racks does not stop. Therefore, the specimens are sequentially and efficiently transported without complicated operation control, and the empty racks are also sequentially and efficiently supplied. In particular, since the supply of empty racks is not affected by the transport of samples, the empty racks are efficiently and evenly supplied to each sample loading unit 5, and as a result, the number of empty racks can be minimized. It will be possible.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the empty rack supply line 5a is configured to extend across the lower part of the sample transfer line 3. Here, since the empty rack supply line 5a is a line for transferring the empty rack, the required upper space is much smaller than that of the sample transfer line. Therefore, there is an effect that the vertical distance between the empty rack transport line 4 and the sample transport line 3 can be minimized.

The units 2a to 2i configured as described above are connected side by side so that the empty rack transfer line 4 and the sample transfer line 3 are connected to form one line, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each unit 2a to 2i is surrounded by a housing 11, and the units 2c, 2f and 2i are surrounded by a housing 12 in a portion other than the sample charging line 5b in the sample charging section 5. Has been.
As a result, the empty rack into which the blood collection worker puts the sample after blood collection becomes clear, and there is no problem that the sample is mistakenly put in the empty rack in the stock line.

Next, the operation control of the sample transport sorting system configured as described above will be described.
The sample transport sorting system 1 configured as described above includes the control device 20, and the control device 20 efficiently and evenly increases the number of empty racks mounted on the system 1 as much as possible. The operation of each conveyor and the switching means is controlled so as to supply the empty rack to the sample charging unit 5.
The switching means 8 and the sample-containing rack sending means 9 and 10 have a columnar shape having a notch capable of accommodating the rack on the outer periphery thereof, and are arranged on the conveyor so as to hinder the progress of the rack. Then, if necessary, the rack is accommodated in the notch and rotated, so that the rack accommodated in the notch is sent downstream thereof and the next rack is stopped on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
The control device 20 detects whether or not empty racks are accumulated in the empty rack transport line 4 based on a signal from a sensor (not shown) provided upstream of the switching means 8 in the empty rack transport line 4. If no empty racks are accumulated in the empty rack transfer line 4 of the unit 2c, 2f or 2i, the conveyor constituting the empty rack transfer line 4 is operated and the unit 2c or 2f on the downstream side is operated. The switching means 8 is rotated clockwise to send the empty rack housed in the notch of the switching means 8 to the downstream side of the empty rack transport line 4, and the empty rack is sent to the empty rack transport line 4 of the unit 2f or 2i located downstream. Supply.
The sensor 7a provided at the branch portion of the empty rack transport line 4 from the empty rack supply line 5a is an arrival sensor, and when the empty rack arrives at the arrival sensor 7a, the switching means 8 moves the empty rack to the downstream unit 2d. Alternatively, it operates to send to the empty rack supply line 5a.
The sensors 7b and 7c located downstream of the switching means 8 are passing sensors, and detect whether or not an empty rack whose course has been switched by the switching means 8 passes through.
Sensor 7d provided in the middle of the empty rack supply line 5a (conveyor 6a) in the sample charging unit 5,
Sensors 7e and 7f provided on the empty rack stock line 5b (conveyor 6c and 6e), and sensor 7g provided on the sample loading line 5c (conveyor 6f).
Are sensors that detect the amount of empty racks on each line and the passage of empty racks, respectively.
The control device 20 detects the amount of empty racks accumulated in the sample loading unit 5 based on the detection results from these sensors 7d to 7g, and makes the amount equal to each of the units 2c, 2f, and 2i. Each conveyor and switching means are controlled so as to supply an empty rack to the sample charging unit 5.
The sensor 7h provided on the sample loading line 5c (conveyor 6g) is an arrival sensor, which detects whether or not an empty rack has arrived at this position so that the empty rack always arrives at this position. Control each conveyor. Further, the sensor 7i provided at the position facing the sensor 7h is a sensor that detects whether or not the sample has been put into the empty rack, that is, whether or not the blood collection blood collection tube has been inserted into the empty rack and set up. When the sensor 7i detects the blood collection tube, the control device 20 operates the sample-containing rack sending means 9 to send the sample-containing rack to the sample sending line 5d. The sensor 7j provided on the sample delivery line 5d (conveyor 6g) is a passage sensor, and detects the passage of the sample-containing rack sent by the sample-containing rack delivery means 9. Further, the sensor 7k provided on the sample delivery line 5d (conveyor 6g) is a sensor that detects the accumulated state of the sample-containing rack and the passage of the sample-containing rack on the sample delivery line 5d, and this sensor 7k detects the sample-containing rack. If this continues, the control device 20 causes the sample-containing rack to stand by at the position of the sensor 7h without operating the sample-containing rack delivery 9.
The sample-containing rack sent to the sample delivery line 5d (conveyor 6 g) by the sample-containing rack delivery means 9 is conveyed to the sample-containing rack delivery means 10 by the conveyor 6 g.
The sensors 7l and 7m provided upstream of the sample-containing rack sending means 10 are arrival sensors, and the sample-containing rack sent from the sample sending line 5d is detected by the sensor 7l and sent from the upstream units 2f and 2i. The rack containing the sample that has been received is detected by the sensor 7 m. The sensor 7n provided downstream of the sample-containing rack sending means 10 is a passage sensor, and detects the passage of the sample-containing rack sent out by the sample-containing rack sending means 10. Further, the sensor 7o provided on the sample transport line 3 (conveyor 3c) is a sensor that detects the accumulated state of the blood collection tube in the sample delivery line 3, and the control device 20 detects the rack containing the sample by the sensor 7o. If this continues, the sample-containing rack sending means 10 is not operated, and the sample-containing rack is made to stand by at the positions of the sensor 7l and / or the sensor 7m.
Based on the detection signals from the sensors 7a to 7o, the control device 20 prioritizes the sample input line 5c, the empty rack stock line 5b, the empty rack supply line 5a, and the empty rack transfer line 3 (upstream of the switching means 8). , Each conveyor and the switching means 8 are operated so as to distribute and supply the empty rack to the sample charging unit 5 of each unit. As a result, the empty racks are evenly distributed to each sample charging unit 5 regardless of the number of sample charging units 5, and the number of empty racks can be minimized.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the unit provided with the sample charging section.
Since all the basic configurations are the same as those of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the same and equivalent configuration requirements are designated by the same reference numerals.
In this embodiment, the width of the sample input line 5c is wider than that of the examples of FIGS. 1 to 5, and therefore, the positions of the sensors 7h to 7k and the sample-containing rack delivery means 9 in FIG. 3 are located in FIGS. It is different from the embodiment of FIG. Further, in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 5, the housing 11 is provided in the sample charging section 5 so that only the sample loading line 5b is exposed. However, in this embodiment, the housing 12 of the sample loading section 5 is All lines of the sample charging section 5 (empty rack supply line 5a, empty rack stock line 5b, sample charging line 5c, and sample delivery line 5d) are provided so as to be exposed.
The method of operation control by the control device 20 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
As shown in the drawing, in this embodiment, since the sample input line 5c is widely secured, it is suitable for use in a ward or the like. That is, in the outpatient department, each time blood is collected from the patient on the blood collection table, the blood collection tube is inserted for each blood collection tube or for each patient, so that the number of blood collection tubes to be injected at one time is at most five. Therefore, the width of the sample input line 5c is sufficient in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
However, in a ward or the like, since blood is collected from an inpatient in each hospital room, a considerable number of blood collection tubes after blood collection may be collectively injected into the sample input line 5c. Therefore, by widening the sample charging line 5c and configuring the empty rack in the empty rack stock line 5b so that the blood collection tube can be charged, the work can be performed efficiently.

In the above-described embodiment, the sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are each composed of one line, a plurality of sample input units 5 are provided in the middle of these lines, and the sample delivery line of each sample input unit 5 is used as a sample. The empty rack supply line that is directly connected to the transport line and supplies empty racks to each sample loading unit 5 is directly connected to the empty rack transport line, and the empty rack supply line is configured so as not to directly intersect the sample transport line. Therefore, the transport of the sample and the supply of the empty rack do not interfere with each other at all, and therefore, the transport of the sample and the supply of the empty rack can be performed extremely efficiently.
Since the supply of empty racks is not affected by the transport of the sample as described above, it is possible to transport the sample without running out of empty racks even if the number of empty racks is minimized. ..
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the empty rack transport line for transporting the sorted empty racks is also used for stocking the empty racks without providing an independent line for stocking the empty racks, and the sample is used. An empty rack stock line is provided in the remaining part of the sample loading section provided for loading, and the empty rack supply line, the empty rack stock line, the sample loading line, and the sample delivery line are composed of one continuous line. Therefore, it is possible to stock empty racks without increasing the size of the system.
In addition, since the empty rack supply line, the empty rack stock line, the sample input line, and the sample delivery line are composed of one continuous line without providing an independent loop-shaped stock line, there is no complicated control. , It becomes possible to evenly supply empty racks to a plurality of sample charging units.

The shape of the empty rack stock line is not limited to this embodiment, and may be any shape.
Further, other lines may be used for stocking empty racks without actively providing empty rack stock lines.
Further, the number and arrangement of the conveyors and sensors constituting the sample charging unit are not limited to this embodiment, and any number and arrangement may be used, and the switching means may be configured arbitrarily.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, three sample charging units are provided, but the number of the sample charging units is not limited to this embodiment and can be arbitrarily changed according to the scale of the facility.
Further, in this embodiment, one automatic sorting device B is provided upstream, but the type and number of processing devices are not limited to this embodiment, and any number of processing devices of any type is provided. It is possible.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sample transfer line 3 and the empty rack transfer line 4 are formed in a straight line, but the configuration and length are not limited to this embodiment, for example, at right angles in the middle. It may be configured to bend.

A Automatic blood collection tube preparation device B Automatic sorting device
C Blood collection table


1 Specimen transfer sorting system 2a unit (downstream end: connecting the sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line)
2b unit (empty rack transport line goes down diagonally)
2c unit (with sample input section)
2d unit (for connection)
2e unit (for connection)
2f unit (with sample input section)
2g unit (for connection)
2h unit (for connection)
2i unit (with sample input section)
3 Specimen transfer line 3a to 3i Conveyor 4 Empty rack transfer line 4a to 4i Conveyor 5 Specimen input section 5a Empty rack supply line 5b Empty rack stock line 5c Specimen transfer line 5d Specimen delivery line 6a to 6g Conveyor 7a to 7o Sensor 8 Switching means (Empty rack transfer line → Empty rack supply line)
9 Specimen-filled rack delivery means (sample input line → sample delivery line)
10 Rack delivery means containing samples (sample delivery line → sample transfer line)
11 Housing (sample input section)
20 Control device

Claims (3)

This is a sample transport sorting system that transports samples after blood collection to an automatic sorting device and sorts them according to test items in a blood collection room equipped with multiple blood collection tables.
It is equipped with a sample transfer line and an empty rack transfer line that are arranged in parallel with each other and transport in opposite directions.
The sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are arranged so as to be offset vertically.
Along the sample transfer line, at least two sample loading sections are provided upstream in the transport direction, and a sorting device is provided downstream in the transport direction of the sample loading section.
The sample transfer line and the empty rack transfer line are connected downstream from the sorting device in the transfer direction, and the empty rack after the samples transported by the sample transfer line are sorted is sent to the empty rack transfer line. Is configured as
The sample input section
An empty rack supply line that extends diagonally upward from the empty rack transfer line across the lower part of the sample transfer line in a direction orthogonal to the sample transfer line.
The sample input line connected to the empty rack supply line and
The sample delivery line connected to the sample input line is connected so as to form a single line.
A control device for controlling each line is provided.
When the sample is loaded into the empty rack of the sample loading line, the control device controls each line so that the rack containing the sample is sent to the automatic sorting device via the sample transport line.
In addition, the control device uses a line located upstream in the transport direction of the sample charging line in each sample charging section to stock an empty rack so that each sample loading section does not run out of empty racks. It is configured to control distribution to the input section,
A sample transport sorting system characterized in that the entire system is arranged and used so that at least each of the sample input units is arranged along the blood collection table. The sample transport sorting system according to claim 1, wherein an empty rack stock line is provided between the empty rack supply line and the sample input line. The sample transport sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the automatic sorting device records arrival information of a blood collection tube .