TWI755968B - Processing device for specimen testing - Google Patents

Abstract

A processing device for specimen testing includes a work platform, a label reading device, and an electronic label. A test tube rack is placed in a work area of the work platform, and a signal transmission path is defined on the test tube rack. The label reading device is disposed on the work platform and includes a plurality of reading probes arranged facing the work area. The electronic label is attached to the test tube to store basic information about test of the specimen. Each one of the reading probes of the label reading device is electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label of the test tube through the signal transmission path, which can greatly increase the identification efficiency of the test tube.

Description

Processing equipment for specimen detection

The present invention relates to a sample detection device, in particular to a processing device and an identification method for sample detection.

As we all know, whether it is biochemical experiments or genetic experiments, samples must be collected for further testing. For example, medical institutions or research institutions must first draw blood to obtain a sample, put the blood sample in a reaction tube, and add reagents according to different testing projects to obtain the test results.

Today's detection methods are mainly achieved by manual cooperation with detection experimental equipment. Specifically, before the sample is added to the reagent for reaction, the sample and the reagent must be identified first, wherein the test tube used to store the sample is directly marked with a pen or other writing marks or pasted with a barcode (for example, a one-dimensional barcode). way as the identity of the test tube. The relevant information of the test tube is obtained by identifying the test tube with the naked eye or scanning the barcode, including the item to be tested and the identification data of the test subject. After the specimen is obtained, it is stored in the corresponding test tube, and the test tube is accommodated on the test tube rack. However, to accommodate high-throughput or automated testing, the test tubes must be accommodated in a test tube rack in a predetermined position. Since the test tubes are manually placed in the test tube rack and must be placed in the predetermined positions carefully, the required process not only takes time, but also greatly reduces the detection efficiency, and is more likely to increase the risk of misplacement due to manual operations. Once the position of the test tube in the test tube rack is incorrect, it will cause the instrument to fail to recognize or recognize the error, which will cause the system to stop working, and eventually produce invalid experimental results. plus testing or experimental costs. In addition, the traditional detection process is to identify each test tube one by one, which is time-consuming when the detection of a large number of specimens is required.

One object of the present invention is to provide a processing device for specimen detection, which can simultaneously identify the identities of multiple test tubes at one time, thereby effectively increasing the identification efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a processing method for sample detection, which can quickly and accurately identify the identity of the test tube, and avoid mistakes caused by human operation.

In order to achieve the aforementioned purpose, the present invention provides a processing device for specimen detection, the specimen is stored in a test tube, and the test tube is accommodated in an accommodating hole of a test tube rack, and the processing device includes: a working platform, including a an operation area, which is used to place the test tube rack, and an information transmission path is defined above the test tube rack; a label reading device is arranged on the operation platform, and includes a plurality of reading probes, which are respectively arranged toward the operation area; and an electronic label attached to the test tube to store the basic information about the detection of the specimen; wherein any of the plurality of reading probes of the label reading device are electromagnetically coupled to the electronic label of the test tube through the information transmission path .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processing equipment further includes a conveying device disposed in the working area of the working platform, the conveying device including a conveying belt and a roller assembly, wherein the conveying belt covers the roller. on the shaft assembly, and transport the test tube rack through the rotation of the roller assembly.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the label reading device further includes at least one connecting rod disposed on the working platform, and a guide arm connected to the connecting rod, the guide arm extending to two opposite sides of the working area. side, and is provided with a plurality of reading probes, the plurality of reading probes and the surface of the working area maintain a passing height, wherein the conveyor belt of the conveying device is located under the guide arm for conveying the test tube rack and the test tube passes through the passage height, and the information transmission path is located in the passage within the height.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the label reading device further includes at least one connecting rod disposed on the working platform, and a guide arm connected to the connecting rod, the guide arm is provided with the plurality of reading probes , wherein the guide arm can move above the working area according to a preset moving direction, the plurality of reading probes maintain a passing height with the surface of the working area in the preset moving direction, and the information transmission path is located at within the passing height.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the label reading device further includes at least one connecting rod disposed on the working platform and a guide arm, the guide arm being disposed on the working platform and including the plurality of reading probes , wherein one end of the connecting rod is provided with an extracting device, which includes a plurality of extracting elements for taking out the test tube from the test tube rack, and the connecting rod can move above the working area to a predetermined position according to a preset moving direction , wherein the information transmission path is located between the predetermined position and the plurality of reading probes.

The present invention further provides a processing method for specimen detection, which includes setting an electronic label on a test tube, and accommodating the test tube in an accommodating hole of a test tube rack, wherein the electronic label stores basic data related to the detection of the specimen ; Provide the processing equipment, which includes a working platform and a label reading device, wherein the working platform includes a working area for placing the test tube rack, and an information transmission path is defined above the test tube rack, and the label is read The device is set on the working platform, and includes a plurality of reading probes respectively set towards the working area; the test tube rack containing the test tube is moved towards the direction of the label reading device, or the label reading device is moved towards the direction of the label reading device. The direction of the test tube rack moves so that the information transmission path is close to the surroundings of the plurality of reading probes; and any of the plurality of reading probes is electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label of the test tube through the information transmission path.

The processing device of the present invention utilizes the cooperation of the electronic label of the test tube and the label reading device with multiple reading probes to transport the test tube rack through the conveying device, or through the movement of the reading probe, or first take out the test tube, and then move to the reading The probe makes the electromagnetic coupling between the reading probe and the electronic label of the test tube, and then completes the identification of the test tube. It can simultaneously perform the identification of multiple test tubes at one time, which not only greatly reduces the time required for the identification of test tubes, but also increases the identification efficiency. It can avoid mistakes caused by human operation.

100: Handling Equipment

1: Working platform

11: Work area

110: Specify the location

12: Conveying device

121: Conveyor belt

122: Roller assembly

2: Label identification device

20: Spacing adjustment element

21: Read Probe

211: Information Processing Elements

212: RF Antenna

22, 22a, 22b: connecting rod

23, 23a, 23b: Guide Arm

24: Extraction device

241: Extract components

3: Test tube

30: bottle cap

31: Tube body

4: Test tube rack

41: accommodating hole

5: Electronic label

51: Wafer

52: Built-in antenna

h1: pass height

P1: information transmission path

S10, S20, S30, S40: Steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of a processing device for specimen detection according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of the test tube rack of the processing apparatus of FIG. 1 moving to the label identification device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the structure of the processing apparatus of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the structure of the processing apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the test tube of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of another embodiment of the processing apparatus for specimen detection of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of another embodiment of the processing apparatus for specimen detection according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of the test tube rack of the processing apparatus of FIG. 7 moving to the label identification device.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the structure of the processing apparatus of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of another embodiment of the processing apparatus for specimen detection according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the processing apparatus of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the processing apparatus of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a method flow chart of an embodiment of an identification method for specimen detection according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a processing device for sample detection, in particular to a processing device that can quickly and accurately identify the position of a sample test tube in a test tube rack for biochemical experiments or genetic experiments. The processing device provided by the present invention has the advantage of being able to identify the identities of multiple test tubes at the same time, so as to improve the detection efficiency and reduce the human error in operation.

1 to 6 are the first embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a processing device for sample detection according to the present invention. The processing equipment 100 provided by the present invention includes a work platform 1 , a label reading device 2 , a test tube 3 and a test tube rack 4 . Before the specimen detection, the specimen to be detected (not shown) is obtained in advance, and the specimen is stored in the test tube 3 , and the test tube 3 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 41 of the test tube rack 4 . In one embodiment, the test tube rack 4 of the present invention can have 8 rows and 12 rows of holes, that is, 96 test tubes can be accommodated, but it is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 5 , the test tube 3 of the present invention includes a tube body 31 and a bottle cap 30 that can be sealed on the tube body 31 . An electronic label 5 is provided on the outer surface of the bottle cap 30 , that is, the top surface or the side surface. It is particularly noted that the capacity of the test tube 3 of the present invention is a small-capacity test tube of 1.5 ml to 2 ml, and in addition to the electronic label attached to the bottle cap 30, any part around the tube body 31 can also be attached to the electronic label. . The position where the electronic label 5 of the present invention is attached to the test tube only needs to consider whether it can achieve the purpose of information transmission with the label reading device 2 . the electricity The sub-tag 5 includes a chip 51 and a built-in antenna 52 electrically connected to the chip 51 . In this embodiment, the chip 51 is a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip covering various frequency bands, but other chips that can be used for near field communication are also applicable, for example, a near field communication chip (near field communication, NFC) or quick response matrix barcode (quick response, QR). That is, the electronic tag 5 of the present invention is an RFID tag.

The traditional one-dimensional barcode as the test tube identification has many disadvantages, especially the large size of the traditional one-dimensional barcode, it is not easy to be attached to the test tube or test tube cover in a circular configuration, and it is not easy to read, and the data capacity that can be stored is also comparable limited. In contrast, the present invention utilizes the RFID tag to store the basic data related to the detection of the specimen, which not only occupies a small attachment area of the test tube, but can be attached to the cap or the tube body of the test tube, and is easy to read, wherein the basic data Other identifying information such as the age and gender of the subject may be included.

Please refer to Fig. 1 for further reference together with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of the test tube rack of the processing apparatus of FIG. 1 moving to the label identification device 2 , and FIG. 3 is a lateral structural schematic diagram of the processing apparatus of FIG. 2 . The work platform 1 of the present invention includes a work area 11 on which a designated position 110 is set. In this embodiment, a conveying device 12 can be accommodated in the working area 11 , and the conveying device 12 includes a conveying belt 121 , a roller assembly 122 and a driving motor (not shown), wherein the conveying belt 121 is covered with on the roller assembly 122 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). The roller assembly 122 includes a plurality of parallel roller rods, which are driven by the driving motor to rotate, thereby driving the conveyor belt 121 to rotate around the roller assembly 122 . The operation principle of the conveyor belt 121 and the roller assembly 122 of the present invention is the same as the operation principle of generally using rollers, shafts or gears to drive the conveyor belt to rotate, so the detailed structure is not described in detail here. Please refer to FIG. 1 , the test tube rack 4 is placed on the conveyor belt 121 , and the test tube rack 4 can be conveyed by the rotation of the roller assembly 121 . In particular, an information transmission path P1 is defined above the test tube rack 4 (as shown in Fig. 3), and two or more test tube racks 4 can be placed on the conveyor belt 121 (as shown in FIG. 6 );

As shown in FIG. 1 , the label reading device 2 is disposed on the working platform 1 and includes a plurality of reading probes 21 , which are respectively disposed toward the working area 11 . Specifically, the label reading device 2 includes four reading probes 21 , a pair of connecting rods 22 disposed on the working platform 1 , and a guide arm 23 connected to the pair of connecting rods 22 . The guide arm 23 traverses and extends to two opposite sides of the work area 11 , that is, the conveyor belt 121 is located below the guide arm 23 . Four of the reading probes 21 are provided on the guide arm 23 . The four reading probes 21 are arranged in a row spaced apart from each other, and maintain a passing height h1 with the surface of the working area 11, which is used to ensure that the test tube rack 4 and the test tube 3 can pass under the reading probes 21, and the information transmission path P1 within the passing height h1. Each reading probe 21 includes an information processing element 211 and a radio frequency antenna 212 . That is, each reading probe 21 is used to read the information of the RFID tag or write the information to the RFID tag. The number of the reading probes 21 of the present invention is not limited to four, and may also be eight, depending on actual requirements. In addition, the label reading device 2 further includes a distance adjusting element 20 for adjusting the distance between the plurality of reading probes 21 , and the distance between the plurality of reading probes 21 is determined according to the distance between the test tubes 3 on the test tube rack 4 Certainly.

See Figures 1 through 4. When using the processing device 100 of the present embodiment, first place the test tubes 3 on the test tube rack 4 according to the arrangement of each row, and the test tubes 3 in each row can be placed adjacent to each other in sequence, or placed at an interval (as shown in FIG. 1 ). ). The test tube rack 4 is placed on the conveyor belt 121, and the test tube rack 4 is located at the designated position 110 of the working platform 1. The plurality of reading probes 21 of the label reading device 2 are adjusted according to the distance of the placed test tubes 3, wherein the designated position 110 The purpose is to make the position of the test tube rack 4 correspond to the label reading device 2 . The transfer device 12 is activated to move the test tube rack 4 in the direction of the label reading device 2 . When the test tube 3 on the test tube rack 4 moves with the test tube rack 4 to the position of the label reading device 2 Right below, the plurality of reading probes 21 of the label reading device 2 correspond to the test tube 3 below (as shown in FIG. 2 ), and are electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label 5 of the test tube 3 through the information transmission path P1 (as shown in FIG. 3 ). display), and then the radio frequency antenna 212 of each reading probe 21 can communicate with the built-in antenna 52 of the electronic tag 5, and the received information is decoded by the information processing element 211 of the reading probe 21, and then transmitted to the control system (not shown) processing. After the electronic label 5 is recognized by the label reading device 2 , the conveyor belt 121 returns the test tube rack 4 to the original position (as shown in FIG. 4 ), or transports it to the next detection station.

As described above, the processing device 100 of the present invention utilizes the cooperation of the electronic label 5 of the test tube 3 and the label reading device 2 having a plurality of reading probes 21 to transport the test tube through the conveying device 12, so that the reading probe 21 and the test tube 3 are in contact with each other. The electronic tag 5 is electromagnetically coupled to complete the identification of the test tube 3, which can simultaneously perform the identification of multiple test tubes at one time, which not only greatly reduces the time required for the identification of the test tube, but also increases the identification efficiency, and can also avoid the negligence caused by human operation.

In one embodiment, the processing device of the present invention can be connected to an external control system (not shown), such as a computer, tablet computer or smart mobile phone, through wired or wireless transmission, so as to control the operation of the processing device of the present invention. . In addition, the electronic tag of the present invention can also provide data reading by means of a data code or a web address (not shown), so as to improve the problem that the electronic tag can only store a small amount of data due to limited storage space. Specifically, after the reading probe of the present invention and the electronic label of the test tube are electromagnetically coupled to form mutual information transmission, the user can interpret the data code provided by the electronic label through the external control system (for example, a computer) or enter the data provided by the electronic label. It is not only not limited by the limited storage capacity of electronic tags, but also can be used for remote control operations, improving the convenience of detection and processing.

7 to 9 are a second embodiment of the processing apparatus of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of another embodiment of the processing apparatus for specimen detection according to the present invention. the truth The difference between the embodiment and the first embodiment is that the test tube rack 4 in this embodiment is fixed on the working platform, and the mobile label reading device 2 is used to achieve the purpose of electromagnetic coupling with the electronic label. As shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the processing apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a work platform 1 , a label reading device 2 , a test tube 3 and a test tube rack 4 . The label reading device 2 includes at least one connecting rod 22a disposed on the working platform 1, and a guiding arm 23a connected to the connecting rod 22a. The guiding arm 23a is provided with a plurality of reading probes 21, wherein the guiding arm 23a can move above the working area 11 according to a predetermined moving direction (ie, the direction toward the test tube rack 4). The plurality of reading probes 21 maintain a passing height h1 with the surface of the working area 11 in the preset moving direction, and an information transmission path P1 (as shown in FIG. 9 ) is defined above the test tube rack 4 , wherein the information The transmission path P1 is located within this passing height h1. In addition, same as the first embodiment, each reading probe 21 includes an information processing element 211 and a radio frequency antenna 212, and the electronic tag 5 includes a chip 51 and a built-in antenna 52 electrically connected to the chip 51 (as shown in FIG. 8 ). Show).

When this embodiment is used, the label reading device 2 is moved to just above the test tube rack 4, and the plurality of reading probes 21 of the label reading device 2 respectively correspond to the test tubes 3 below (as shown in FIG. 9 ), and pass through the test tube 3. The information transmission path P1 is electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label 5 of the test tube 3, and then the electronic label 5 is identified by the label reading device 2, and the effect achieved is the same as that of the first embodiment.

10 to 12 are a third embodiment of the processing apparatus of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 10 , which is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of another embodiment of the processing apparatus for specimen detection according to the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the reading probe of this embodiment is separately disposed on the working platform, and the test tube is removed first and then moved to the reading probe for identification. As shown in FIG. 10 , in this embodiment, the processing apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a work platform 1 , a label reading device 2 , a test tube 3 and a test tube rack 4 attached with an electronic label 5 . The test tube rack 4 is placed in the work area 11 of the working platform 1 , and an information transmission path P1 is defined above the test tube rack 4 (as shown in FIG. 11 ). The label reading device 2 includes at least one connecting rod 22b disposed on the working platform 1 and a guiding arm 23b. The guide arm 23 b is disposed on the working platform 1 , and includes a plurality of reading probes 21 disposed toward the working area 11 of the working platform 1 . One end of the connecting rod 22 b is provided with an extracting device 24 , which includes a plurality of extracting elements 241 for taking out a whole row of test tubes 3 from the test tube rack 4 at a time.

When using this embodiment, the connecting rod 22b is moved to the top of the test tube rack 4 first, and a whole row of test tubes 3 is taken out. Afterwards, the connecting rod 22b moves above the working area 11 to a predetermined position according to a preset moving direction, which is close to the plurality of reading probes 21 on the other side of the working platform 1, wherein the information transmission path P1 is located at between the predetermined position and the plurality of reading probes 21 . The extracted test tubes 3 are respectively close to the corresponding reading probes 21, and are electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label 5 of the test tube 3 through the information transmission path P1, and then use the reading probe 21 to identify the electronic label 5, the effect achieved. The same as the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

The present invention further provides a processing method for specimen detection. FIG. 13 is a method flow diagram of one embodiment of a processing method for specimen detection using the present invention. The processing method of the present invention includes the following steps: Step S10: setting an electronic label on the test tube, and accommodating the test tube in the accommodating hole of the test tube rack, wherein the electronic label stores basic information about the detection of the specimen; Step S20 : Provide a processing equipment, which includes a working platform and a label reading device, wherein the working platform includes a working area for placing the test tube rack, and an information transmission path is defined above the test tube rack, and the label is read. The device is set on the working platform, and includes a plurality of reading probes respectively set towards the working area; Step S30: Move the test tube rack containing the test tube toward the direction of the label reading device, or the label is identified. The reading device is moved toward the direction of the test tube rack, so that the information transmission path is close to the surroundings of the plurality of reading probes; and Step S40: any of the plurality of reading probes is electromagnetically coupled to the electronic label of the test tube through the information transmission path .

The above-mentioned processing method for specimen detection of the present invention can quickly and accurately identify the identity of the test tube, which not only greatly reduces the time required for test tube identification, but also effectively solves the problem that the traditional manual operation and identification of the test tube easily cause misidentification.

The above embodiments are used to illustrate the technical idea of the present invention, but not to limit the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims, and it should be interpreted that all technical ideas that are the same or equivalent to the above protection scope are included in the right scope of the present invention.

100: Handling Equipment

1: Working platform

11: Work area

110: Specify the location

12: Conveying device

121: Conveyor belt

122: Roller assembly

2: Label identification device

20: Spacing adjustment element

21: Read Probe

22: connecting rod

23: Guide Arm

3: Test tube

4: Test tube rack

41: accommodating hole

5: Electronic label

Claims (7)

A processing device for sample detection, the sample is stored in a test tube, and the test tube is accommodated in an accommodating hole of a test tube rack, the processing device includes: a working platform, including a working area, which is used for placing the a test tube rack, and an information transmission path is defined above the test tube rack; a label reading device is arranged on the operation platform, and includes a plurality of reading probes, which are respectively arranged towards the operation area, and at least one is arranged on the operation platform. a connecting rod, and a guide arm connected to the connecting rod, the guide arm extends to two opposite sides of the working area, and is provided with the plurality of reading probes; an electronic label is attached to the test tube for Store basic data about the specimen detection; and a conveying device, located in the working area of the working platform, the conveying device includes a conveying belt and a roller assembly, wherein the conveying belt is covered on the roller assembly , and transport the test tube rack through the rotation of the roller assembly; wherein any of the plurality of reading probes of the label reading device are electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label of the test tube through the information transmission path, and the plurality of reading probes are coupled with The surface of the working area maintains a passing height, the conveying belt of the conveying device is located under the guiding arm for transporting the test tube rack and the test tube through the passing height, and the information transmission path is located within the passing height. The processing equipment for specimen detection as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the test tube comprises a tube body and a bottle cap that can be closed on the tube body, the electronic label is provided on the outer surface of the bottle cap, and the The electronic tag includes a chip and a built-in antenna electrically connected to the chip. The processing equipment for specimen detection as described in claim 1, wherein the label reading device comprises at least four reading probes, which are arranged on the guide arm in a row spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the reading probes The pick-up probe includes an information processing element and a radio frequency antenna. A processing device for sample detection, the sample is stored in a test tube, and the test tube is accommodated in an accommodating hole of a test tube rack, the processing device includes: a working platform, including a working area, which is used for placing the a test tube rack, and an information transmission path is defined above the test tube rack; a label reading device, disposed on the operation platform, including a plurality of reading probes, respectively disposed toward the operation area; and an electronic label attached to the test tube above, for storing basic data about the detection of the specimen; wherein any one of the plurality of reading probes of the label reading device is electromagnetically coupled with the electronic label of the test tube through the information transmission path, and the label reading device It further includes a spacing adjusting element for adjusting the spacing between the plurality of reading probes. The processing device for specimen detection as described in claim 1, wherein the information transmission path is located just above each accommodating hole of the test tube rack. The processing equipment for specimen detection as described in item 1 of the scope of the application, wherein the label reading device further comprises at least one connecting rod disposed on the working platform, and a guide arm connected to the connecting rod, The guiding arm is provided with the plurality of reading probes, wherein the guiding arm can move above the working area according to a predetermined moving direction, and the plurality of reading probes are in the predetermined moving direction with the working area. The surface maintains a pass height, and the information transfer path is located within the pass height. The processing equipment for specimen detection as described in item 1 of the claimed scope, wherein the label reading device further comprises at least one connecting rod disposed on the working platform and a guide arm, the guide arm disposed on the working platform The working platform includes the plurality of reading probes, wherein one end of the connecting rod is provided with an extracting device, which includes a plurality of extracting elements for taking out the test tube from the test tube rack, and the connecting rod can be set according to a preset The moving direction moves above the working area to a predetermined position, wherein the information transmission path is located between the predetermined position and the plurality of reading probes.

Images