JP6840350B2 - 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 of a patient is collected in 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 tubes collected in the blood collection room are transported 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.
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 after blood collection.
Applicants, etc. have already established a sample transport sorting system that can transfer blood collection tubes one by one to an automatic sorting device using a single rack that can hold the blood collection tubes from which blood collection samples have been collected one by one. It has been proposed (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 30070522 Japanese Patent Application 2015-243487

The above-mentioned sample transport sorting system includes a sample transport conveyor and an empty rack transport conveyor arranged in parallel in a staggered manner, and an automatic sorting device connected to these conveyors. It is configured so that each book can be transported to the automatic sorting device one after another while standing on a rack, and the automatic sorting device is configured to automatically sort the sample-containing blood collection tubes according to the inspection items. There is.
FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of the automatic sorting device in the above-mentioned sample transport sorting system.
As shown in the drawing, this automatic sorting device comprises two sorting units arranged side by side along a sample transfer conveyor. Each sorting unit is provided with four sorting storage racks containing 30 pieces and one error rack containing 10 pieces. The sorting storage rack is, for example, a biochemical test rack, a blood glucose test rack, a blood count test rack, and other test racks.
This conventional automatic sorting device is configured to replace a single rack with a sorting storage rack by using a three-axis robot (not shown) to replace the blood collection tube transported by the sample transport conveyor.
Specifically, the sample transfer conveyor and the empty rack transfer conveyor are arranged side by side in parallel, and a pair of left and right sorting conveyors are arranged between these sample transfer conveyors and the empty rack transfer conveyor.
Then, the sample-containing collection blood vessels transported by the sample transfer conveyor in a single rack are sorted to either the left or right sorting conveyor by the sorting rotating body, and stand by on the sorting conveyor.
The sample-containing blood collection tubes placed in the single rack waiting on the sorting conveyor are replaced from the single rack to the sorting storage rack by a three-axis robot. The sorting destination of the sample-containing blood collection tube is read in advance by a barcode reader from the label attached to the sample blood collection tube.
The empty single rack from which the sample-containing blood collection tube has been taken out is sent to the empty rack transfer conveyor by the empty rack discharge rotating body provided on each sorting conveyor, and is used again for transporting the sample-containing blood collection tube. Will be done.
According to the above configuration, the sample-containing blood collection tubes carried one by one on the sample transfer conveyor can be sorted one by one by a three-axis robot, so that the sample-containing blood collection tubes after blood collection can be temporarily collected. It is more efficient than the conventional method of storing in the field.
However, since the conventional automatic sorting device described above is configured to replace the blood collection tube from one rack to the sorting storage rack using a three-axis robot, when the sample-containing blood collection tube is taken out from the sorting storage rack. However, there is a problem that the triaxial robot must be stopped once, and as a result, the processing capacity is reduced. It is conceivable to take out the blood collection tube from the sorting storage rack without stopping the triaxial robot so that the processing capacity does not decrease. It is not realistic because it is extremely dangerous.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a sample transport sorting system capable of sorting from a single rack to a sorting storage rack without replacing blood collection tubes.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention may be used.
It is a sample transport sorting system that transfers each sample after blood collection to an automatic sorting device and sorts it according to the test item in a blood collection room equipped with multiple blood collection tables.
A sample transfer system including a sample transfer conveyor and an empty rack transfer conveyor arranged in parallel with each other, and the empty rack transfer conveyor arranged below the sample transfer conveyor.
It consists of an automatic sorting device located downstream in the transport direction of the sample transport system.
The sample transfer conveyor of the sample transfer system is provided with at least one sample-containing blood collection tube inlet.
An empty rack that can hold the sample blood collection tubes one by one from the empty rack transport conveyor is supplied to the sample-containing blood collection tube inlet, and the user can collect the sample blood collection tubes one by one. In a sample transport sorting system configured so that when standing on this rack, the single rack containing a blood collection tube is transported to an automatic sorting device by a sample transfer conveyor.
The automatic sorting device
The sample transfer conveyor and the empty rack transfer conveyor connected to the sample transfer conveyor and the empty rack transfer conveyor of the sample transfer system, respectively.
At least having a length that is orthogonal to the sample transport direction of the sample transport conveyor, extends in a direction away from the empty rack transport conveyor, and has a length that allows the sample blood collection tube to be stocked in a single rack. Two stock conveyors and
It is equipped with an empty rack discharge conveyor that extends diagonally downward from the stock conveyor so as to connect to each stock conveyor and to cross below the sample transfer conveyor and connect to the empty rack transfer conveyor.
The automatic sorting device further
An identification information reader that reads sample identification information from a sample-filled blood collection tube transported by a sample transfer conveyor,
It is characterized by being provided with a sorting device for sorting sample-containing blood collection tubes into a corresponding stock conveyor based on the information read by the identification information reading device.

The sample transport sorting system according to the present invention is a sample transport sorting system in which samples after blood collection are transferred to an automatic sorting device one by one in a blood collection room provided with a plurality of blood collection tables and sorted according to test items. There,
A sample transfer system including a sample transfer conveyor and an empty rack transfer conveyor arranged in parallel with each other, and the empty rack transfer conveyor arranged below the sample transfer conveyor.
It consists of an automatic sorting device located downstream in the transport direction of the sample transport system.
The sample transfer conveyor of the sample transfer system is provided with at least one sample-containing blood collection tube inlet.
An empty rack that can hold the sample blood collection tubes one by one from the empty rack transport conveyor is supplied to the sample-containing blood collection tube inlet, and the user can collect the sample blood collection tubes one by one. In a sample transport sorting system configured so that when standing on this rack, the single rack containing a blood collection tube is transported to an automatic sorting device by a sample transfer conveyor.
The automatic sorting device
The sample transfer conveyor and the empty rack transfer conveyor connected to the sample transfer conveyor and the empty rack transfer conveyor of the sample transfer system, respectively.
At least having a length that is orthogonal to the sample transport direction of the sample transport conveyor, extends in a direction away from the empty rack transport conveyor, and has a length that allows the sample blood collection tube to be stocked in a single rack. Two stock conveyors and
It is equipped with an empty rack discharge conveyor that extends diagonally downward from the stock conveyor so as to connect to each stock conveyor and to cross below the sample transfer conveyor and connect to the empty rack transfer conveyor.
The automatic sorting device further
An identification information reader that reads sample identification information from a sample-filled blood collection tube transported by a sample transfer conveyor,
Since it is equipped with a sorting device that sorts the sample-containing blood collection tubes into the corresponding stock conveyors based on the information read by the identification information reading device.
The sample-containing blood collection tubes are sorted one after another on the stock conveyor by the sorting device while being erected on a single rack.
In this way, sorting can be performed from a single rack to the sorting storage rack without replacing the blood collection tubes, so that it is not necessary to provide a three-axis robot. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the automatic sorting device when taking out the blood collection tube from the stock conveyor. In this way, it is not necessary to replace the blood collection tube from the single rack to the sorting storage rack, so that the processing capacity is improved. Further, since it is not necessary to stop the automatic sorting device when taking out the sorted blood collection tubes, the processing capacity does not decrease due to the device stop.
Further, since the empty rack discharge conveyor is provided so as to be connected to each stock conveyor and to be connected to the empty rack transfer conveyor across the lower part of the sample transfer conveyor, it is empty after the sample-containing blood collection tube is taken out. Since one rack can be sent to the empty rack transfer conveyor one after another via the empty rack discharge conveyor, the single rack can be used efficiently. Further, by arranging the empty rack discharge conveyor so as to cross the lower part of the sample transfer conveyor, the layout of the conveyor becomes compact and the entire device can be miniaturized.
Further, since the empty rack discharge conveyor is provided so as to be inclined diagonally so as to cross the lower part of the sample transfer conveyor, the empty rack discharge conveyor and the sample transfer conveyor do not intersect on the same plane. There is no need to temporarily stop transporting or sorting samples for discharge.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a three-axis robot, the structure of the automatic sorting device is simplified, the device can be manufactured at low cost, and maintenance is also easy.

It is a schematic top view of the sample transport sorting system which concerns on this invention. The automatic blood collection device and blood collection table are also displayed in this figure. It is a schematic top view which shows the structure of the unit A2. It is a schematic perspective view of the unit A2. It is a schematic top view of the automatic sorting apparatus. It is an enlarged view of the part corresponding to the reading device 40 provided in the sample transport conveyor 18. It is an enlarged view of the 1st sorting member 43. It is a figure which shows the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing a blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 21. It is a figure which shows the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing a blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 23. It is a figure which shows the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing a blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 25. It is a figure which shows the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing a blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 27. It is a figure which shows the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing a blood collection tube is sorted on the error sorting stock conveyor 29. It is a figure which shows an example of the state after actually sorting one rack containing a certain amount of blood collection tubes. It is a schematic top view of the conventional automatic sorting apparatus.

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 top view of the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention.
As shown in the drawings, the sample transport sorting system according to the present invention is configured by connecting the sample transport system A and the automatic sorting device B.
FIG. 1 also displays an automatic blood collection tube preparation device C and a blood collection table D arranged along the sample transport system A.
As shown in the drawings, preferably, the sample transport system A is arranged in the blood collection chamber, and the automatic sorting device B is arranged in the examination room (or in the vicinity of the examination room), although it is not limited.
The sample transport system A is configured to be able to transport the sample-containing blood collection tubes after blood collection to the automatic sorting device B one by one by using a single rack that can hold the sample blood collection tubes one by one.
The automatic blood collection tube preparation device C is a known device that accommodates a plurality of types of blood collection tubes, selects and extracts a collection tube necessary for a patient's examination based on blood collection order information from a doctor, and takes out the collection. A label in which sample information associated with the information about the patient is printed with a barcode or a label in which the sample information is 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. Is configured to output.
The blood collection worker goes to the blood collection table D with the tray prepared by the blood collection tube automatic preparation device C, and calls the patient corresponding to the tray at the blood collection table D to collect blood.
Then, after blood collection, when the blood collection worker goes to the blood collection tube automatic preparation device C for the next blood collection tray, the blood collection tube containing the sample after blood collection is erected on an empty rack in the sample transfer system A. ..
As a result, there is no waste in the flow line of the blood collection worker at the time of blood collection, and the blood collection work proceeds smoothly.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the sample transport sorting system will be specifically described.
The sample transport sorting system according to the present invention is a system that transports and sorts sample-containing blood collection tubes using a single rack that can hold one blood collection tube at a time.
As described above, the sample transfer sorting system includes the sample transfer system A and the automatic sorting device B. In this embodiment, the sample transfer system A includes the sample transfer conveyor 1 and the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 from end to end. When a plurality of units A1 to A8 provided so as to extend in parallel are provided and all the units A1 to A8 are arranged side by side in an appropriate order, the sample transfer conveyor 1 and the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 of each of the units A1 to A8 are arranged. It is connected to form one sample transfer conveyor and one empty rack transfer conveyor. As is well shown in FIG. 3, the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 is arranged below the sample transfer conveyor 1.
In this embodiment, the same or corresponding components in the units A1 to A8 will be described with the same reference numerals.
In this embodiment, the units A2, A5, and A8 stock an empty rack that is distributed and supplied from the empty rack transfer conveyor 3, and the sample-containing blood collection tube is put into the empty rack, that is, it is erected. The sample charging unit 5 is configured to automatically send a single rack containing a blood collection tube to the sample transport conveyor 1.
The sample transfer conveyor 1 of the sample transfer system A automatically conveys a single rack containing a blood collection tube to the automatic sorting device B, and the automatic sorting device B keeps the single blood collection tube standing on the single rack in advance. Sort and stock according to the specified classification (for example, biochemistry, blood glucose, blood count, etc.). Then, when the blood collection tube is taken out from the sorted single rack containing the blood collection tube, the empty single rack is discharged from the automatic sorting device B and supplied to the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 in the sample transfer system A. It is configured to be supplied to the sample loading unit 5 as an empty single rack for setting up the sample-filled blood collection tube again.
The terms "downstream" and "upstream" used in the present specification are based on the traveling direction of one rack (one empty rack and one rack containing a blood collection tube), and the front in the traveling direction is "downstream". And the rear in the direction of travel is "upstream".

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a part of the unit A2 and the units A1 and A3 provided with the sample charging unit 5, and FIG. 3 shows a plurality of empty single racks in which a plurality of empty racks are stocked. A perspective view of the unit A2 in which a blood collection tube for which blood has been collected is inserted is shown. Units A5 and A8 also have the same configuration as this unit A2.
As shown in the drawing, the sample feeding section 5 extends diagonally upward from the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 across the lower part of the sample transfer conveyor 1, reaches the same height as the sample transfer conveyor 1, and then is bent in a zigzag manner. After that, a plurality of conveyors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f and 5g are connected so as to form a passage connected to the sample transfer conveyor 1 by making a U-turn.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 5h indicates a sorting means for sending the empty single rack on the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 to the conveyor 5a of the sample charging unit 5 at an appropriate timing.
Further, reference numeral 5i indicates a locking means for locking the empty single rack on the conveyor 5g, and when the blood collection tube is put into the empty single rack, the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sent downstream. ing.
Reference numeral 5j is a sensor provided at a position corresponding to the locking means 5i, and detects whether or not a blood collection tube has been inserted into an empty rack.
The single rack containing the blood collection tube sent out by the locking means 5i is locked by the locking means 5k, and is sent out to the sample transfer conveyor 1 at an appropriate timing by the locking means 5k.
A plurality of proximity sensors (not shown) are provided on each of the conveyors 1, 3, 5a to 5g, depending on the stock amount and supply status of an empty single rack on each conveyor and the transport status of a single rack containing a blood collection tube. Therefore, the operations of the distribution means 5h and the locking means 5k and 5i are controlled.

As described above, the conveyor 5a directly connected to the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 in the sample loading section 5 extends below the sample transfer conveyor 1, and as a result, does not directly intersect the sample transfer conveyor 1. In order to supply the empty single rack to the sample loading unit 5, it is not necessary to stop the transport of the single rack containing the blood collection tube on the sample transfer conveyor 1. Similarly, the supply of an empty single rack does not stop due to the transportation of the single rack containing the blood collection tube.
Therefore, the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sequentially and efficiently transported to the automatic sorting device B without complicated operation control, and the empty single rack is sequentially and efficiently supplied to the sample loading section 5. Will be done.
In particular, since the supply of the empty single rack is not affected by the transportation of the single rack containing the blood collection tube, the empty single rack should be efficiently and evenly supplied to the sample loading section 5 of each unit A2, A5, A8. As a result, it is possible to minimize the number of empty single racks.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the conveyor 5a connected to the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 is configured to extend across the lower part of the sample transfer conveyor 1. Therefore, it is sufficient to secure the height of an empty single rack in the space above the conveyor 5a when crossing the sample transfer conveyor 1. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the vertical distance between the sample transfer conveyor 1 and the empty rack transfer conveyor 3.

Next, the configuration of the automatic sorting device B will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the automatic sorting device B.
The automatic sorting device B includes a sample transfer conveyor 18 and an empty rack transfer conveyor 20 connected to the sample transfer conveyor 1 and the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 of the sample transfer system A.
Further, the automatic sorting device B has four sorting stock conveyors 21, 23, 25 and 27, and one error stock conveyor 29.
The stock conveyors 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 each extend in a direction (downward in FIG. 4) orthogonal to the transport direction of the sample transfer conveyor 18 and away from the empty rack transfer conveyor 20, and then make a U-turn. Then, a plurality of conveyor members are laid out so as to extend toward the empty rack conveyor 20.
In this embodiment, for example, the stock conveyor 21 is for a biochemical test, the stock conveyor 23 is for a blood glucose test, the stock conveyor 25 is for a blood count test, and the stock conveyor 27 is for other tests.
Locking members 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a and 29a are provided in the middle of the conveyor portion extending toward the empty rack conveyor 20 in each of the stock conveyors 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29, and the locking members 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a and 29a are provided. The members 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a and 29a lock a single rack containing a blood collection tube.
When the blood collection tube is taken out from the single rack and the sensors 21b, 23b, 25b, 27b and 29b detect it, the locking members 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a and 29a operate to operate the empty single rack. To the downstream. The portion downstream of the locking members 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a and 29a in this conveyor portion constitutes the empty rack discharge conveyors 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 according to the present invention. These empty rack discharge conveyors 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 may be composed of the same conveyor members as the conveyor members constituting the stock conveyors 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29, or another conveyor. It may be composed of members.
The empty rack discharge conveyors 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 cross below the sample transfer conveyor 18 and diagonally downward so as to be connected to the empty rack transfer conveyor 20 arranged below the sample transfer conveyor 18. Arranged to extend toward.
Locking members 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a are provided at the downstream ends of the empty rack discharge conveyors 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30, and the empty rack is provided with the locking members 22a, 24a, 26a, It is locked by 28a and 30a and delivered to the empty rack transfer conveyor 20 at an appropriate timing.

The automatic sorting device B configured as described above has the sorting stock conveyors 21, 23, 25, 27 or an error with the collecting blood vessels transported by the sample transport system A still in one rack. It is configured to sort on the sorting stock conveyor 29.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the reading device 40 provided on the sample transfer conveyor 18.
As shown in the drawing, the reading device 40 is arranged along the sample transport conveyor 18, and a holding means 41 for holding a single rack containing a blood collection tube is provided in front of the reading device 40. Further, below the reading device 40, a blood collection tube rotating member 42 in which an endless belt is hung between the two shafts is provided. As is clear from FIG. 5, the holding means 41 has a pair of arc-shaped recesses into which one rack can be fitted, and each arc-shaped recess has an outer circumference of the rack when the single rack is rotating. Bearings are provided to prevent the shavings from rubbing against the recesses.
The single rack containing the blood collection tube transported by the sample transfer conveyor 18 was rotated by the blood collection tube rotating member 42 while being held by the holding means 41, and the reading device 40 was attached to the blood collection tube during that time. Read the sample identification number of the sample from the barcode printed on the label.
As shown in FIG. 4, a first sorting member 43 and an error sorting member 44 are provided downstream of the reading device 40, and further, a first sorting conveyor 45 and a second sorting conveyor 45 along the sample transfer conveyor 18. A sorting conveyor 46 is provided. The first sorting member 43 is provided across the sample transfer conveyor 18 and the two sorting conveyors 45 and 46, and the first sorting member 43 is a single rack containing a blood collection tube based on the reading result by the reading device 40. The single rack containing the blood collection tube is distributed to either of the two sorting conveyors 45 and 46 by rotating while holding the above.
If the reading result by the reading device 40 is an error, the error sorting member 44 moves downward, and the first sorting member 43 sends a single rack containing a blood collection tube to the downstream of the sample transfer conveyor 18. As a result, the single rack containing blood collection is supplied to the error sorting stock conveyor 29.

One end of the first sorting conveyor 45 is connected to the sorting stock conveyor 21. Further, a third sorting conveyor 47 is provided along the first sorting conveyor 45, and one end of the third sorting conveyor 47 is connected to the sorting stock conveyor 23. Further, a second sorting member 48 is provided so as to straddle the first sorting conveyor 45 and the third sorting conveyor 47, and the reading device 49 and the holding member 50 are upstream of the second sorting member 48 in the first sorting conveyor 45. Is provided. A blood collection tube rotating member (not shown) shown in FIG. 5 is provided below the reading device 49, and the second sorting member 48 enters the blood collection tube based on the result of reading by the reading device 49. The single rack containing the blood collection tube is rotated while holding the single rack, and the single rack containing the blood collection tube is distributed to either the sorting stock conveyor 21 or the third sorting conveyor 47.

On the other hand, one end of the second sorting conveyor 46 is connected to the sorting stock conveyor 27. A fourth sorting conveyor 51 is provided along the second sorting conveyor 46, and one end of the fourth sorting conveyor 51 is connected to the sorting stock conveyor 25. Further, a third sorting member 52 is provided so as to straddle the second sorting conveyor 46 and the fourth sorting conveyor 51, and the reading device 53 and the holding member 54 are upstream of the third sorting member 52 in the second sorting conveyor 46. Is provided. A blood collection tube rotating member (not shown) shown in FIG. 5 is provided below the reading device 53, and the third sorting member 52 enters the blood collection tube based on the result of reading by the reading device 53. The single rack containing the blood collection tube is rotated while holding the single rack, and the single rack containing the blood collection tube is distributed to either the sorting stock conveyor 27 or the fourth sorting conveyor 51.

6A and 6B are enlarged views of the first sorting member 43, in which FIG. 6A shows a state in which there is no single rack, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which there is a single rack. As shown in the drawing, the first sorting device 43 has an arcuate recess into which one rack can be fitted, and in this arcuate recess, a circumferential recess (a circumferential recess) formed on the outer periphery of the single rack. A protrusion that fits into (not shown) is formed. The second sorting member 48 and the third sorting member 52 have the same configuration.

7 to 11 show a state in which the automatic sorting device B configured as described above actually sorts a single rack containing a blood collection tube.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 21.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 23.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 25.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the movement of the single rack when the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sorted on the sorting stock conveyor 27.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the movement of the single rack and the single rack when the single rack containing the blood collection tube is sorted on the error sorting stock conveyor 29.
Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a state after actually sorting a single rack containing a fixed amount of blood collection tubes.
As shown in the drawing, the single rack containing the blood collection tube sorted into the stock conveyors 21, 23, 25 and 27 (or 29) for sorting is engaged by the locking members 21a, 23a, 25a and 27a (or 29a). It is stopped and stopped and collected on the stock conveyors 21, 23, 25 and 27 (or 29) for sorting.
When the user removes the blood collection tube from the single rack containing the blood collection tube stopped by the locking members 21a, 23a, 25a and 27a (or 29a), the sensors 21b, 23b, 25b and 27b (or 29b) take it out. Is detected, the locking members 21a, 23a, 25a and 27a (or 29a) are moved, and an empty rack is sent to the empty rack discharge conveyors 22, 24, 26 and 28 (or 30), and finally. It is sent to the empty rack transfer conveyor 3 of the sample transfer system A via the empty rack transfer conveyor 20.

Hereinafter, the sample transport sorting system configured as described above includes a control device 60, and the control device 60 is efficient and efficient so that the number of single racks mounted on the sample transport sorting system is as small as possible. The operation of each conveyor, distribution member 5h, and locking member 5k of the sample transfer system A is controlled so as to evenly supply an empty rack to each sample loading unit 5, and the sample is attached to the sample mounted on the rack. Specimen identification information unique to each sample is read from the attached label, and based on the sample identification information, the sample-containing collection blood vessels are continuously loaded in a single rack and stock conveyors 21 and 23 for appropriate sorting. , 25 and 27, and after taking out the sample-containing blood collection tube from the single rack, each part of the automatic sorting device B so as to continuously supply the empty single rack to the sample transfer system A. Control movement.

According to the automatic sorting device B configured as described above, sorting is performed with the blood collection tube containing the sample placed in one rack, so that the sorting is performed from one rack as in the conventional automatic sorting device. There is no need to transfer the blood collection tube to the containment rack, and therefore no need to install a triaxial robot.
Therefore, the user can take out the sorted blood collection tube from one rack without stopping the automatic sorting device B.
In this way, it is not necessary to transfer the blood collection tube from the single rack to the sorting storage rack, so that the efficiency of sample transportation and sorting processing is improved, and the processing capacity is improved. Further, since it is not necessary to stop the automatic sorting device when taking out the sorted blood collection tubes, the processing capacity does not decrease due to the device stop.
Further, since a three-axis robot is not required, the structure of the entire device can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced.
Further, according to the above embodiment, the empty rack discharge conveyors 22, 24, 26, 28 connected to the stock conveyors 21, 23, 25, 27 for sorting do not directly intersect with the sample transfer conveyor 18. Since the conveyors 22, 24, 26, and 28 are tilted diagonally downward so as to dive under the sample transfer conveyor 18, the entire device can be miniaturized, and the sample-containing blood collection tubes can be sorted and emptied. Since the discharge of one rack does not interfere with each other at all, it is possible to sort the blood collection tube containing the sample and discharge the empty single rack extremely efficiently.

A Specimen transfer system A1 to A8 unit 1 Specimen transfer conveyor 3 Empty rack transfer conveyor 5 Specimen input section 5a to 5g Conveyor 5h Sorting means 5i Locking means 5j Sensor 5k Locking means

B Automatic sorting device 18 Specimen transfer conveyor 20 Empty rack transfer conveyor 21 Sorting stock conveyor 21a Locking member 21b Sensor 22 Empty rack discharge conveyor 22a Locking member 23 Sorting stock conveyor 23a Locking member 23b Sensor 24 Empty rack discharge conveyor 24a Locking member 25 Sorting stock conveyor 25a Locking member 25b Sensor 26 Empty rack discharge conveyor 26a Locking member 27 Sorting stock conveyor 27a Locking member 27b Sensor 28 Empty rack discharge conveyor 28a Locking member 29 Error sorting stock conveyor 29a Locking member 29b Sensor 30 Empty rack discharge conveyor 30a Locking member 40 Reading device 41 Holding means 42 Blood collection tube rotating member 43 First sorting member 44 Error sorting member 45 First sorting conveyor 46 Second sorting conveyor 47 Third sorting conveyor 48 Second sorting member 49 Reading device 50 Holding means 51 Fourth sorting conveyor 52 Third sorting member 53 Reading device 54 Holding member 60 Control device

C Automatic blood collection tube preparation device
D Blood collection table

Claims (1)

It is a sample transport sorting system that transfers each sample after blood collection to an automatic sorting device and sorts it according to the test item in a blood collection room equipped with multiple blood collection tables.
A sample transfer system including a sample transfer conveyor and an empty rack transfer conveyor arranged in parallel with each other, and the empty rack transfer conveyor arranged below the sample transfer conveyor.
It consists of an automatic sorting device located downstream in the transport direction of the sample transport system.
The sample transfer conveyor of the sample transfer system is provided with at least one sample-containing blood collection tube inlet.
An empty rack that can hold the sample blood collection tubes upright one by one is supplied to the sample-containing blood collection tube inlet from the empty rack conveyor, and the user can collect the sample blood collection tubes one by one. In a sample transport sorting system configured so that when standing on this rack, the single rack containing a blood collection tube is transported to an automatic sorting device by a sample transfer conveyor.
The automatic sorting device
The sample transfer conveyor for the automatic sorting device and the empty rack transfer conveyor for the automatic sorting device, which are connected to the sample transfer conveyor and the empty rack transfer conveyor of the sample transfer system, respectively.
A state in which the sample transporting conveyor for the automatic sorting device is orthogonal to the sample transporting direction and extends in a direction away from the empty rack transporting conveyor for the automatic sorting device , and the sample-containing blood collection tube is kept upright in a single rack. With at least two stock conveyors that have a stockable length,
An empty rack that extends diagonally downward from the stock conveyor so as to be connected to each stock conveyor and to be connected to the empty rack transport conveyor for the automatic sorting device across the lower part of the sample transport conveyor for the automatic sorting device. Equipped with a discharge conveyor
At the portion where the stock conveyor and the empty rack discharge conveyor are connected, the presence or absence of a locking member for locking the single rack containing the blood collection tube and the presence or absence of the blood collection tube in the single rack containing the blood collection tube locked by the locking member. When a sensor for detecting is provided and the sensor detects that the blood collection tube has been taken out from one rack, the locking member releases the empty rack and the empty rack is transferred to the empty rack discharge conveyor. Configured to be transported,
The automatic sorting device further
An identification information reader that reads sample identification information from a sample-filled blood collection tube transported by a sample transfer conveyor,
A sample transport sorting system including a sorting device for sorting sample-containing blood collection tubes into a corresponding stock conveyor based on the information read by the identification information reading device.