WO2011069889A1

WO2011069889A1 - System for storing, administering and transporting lab samples

Info

Publication number: WO2011069889A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/068784
Authority: WO
Inventors: André VON FRONREICH
Original assignee: Glp Systems Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-12-07
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: EP2339512A1

Abstract

For a system for storing, administering and transporting lab samples contained in sample vessels (P), comprising a plurality of transportable sample holders (10, 20) for receiving at least one sample vessel (P) and at least one identification station for identifying the sample holders (10, 20, the invention aims to create a possibility for identifying sample vessels arranged on a sample holder that is simple, reliable and also does not significantly impede the procedure in the analytical lab. For said purpose, the sample holders (10, 20) in a coding region, respectively, comprise a plurality of magnet receptacles (13, 23), which can be individually fitted with permanent magnets, in a geometric arrangement that is identical for all sample holders (10, 20). For each of the sample holders (10, 20,), the receptacles are fitted with permanent magnets in a different manner. In the identification station, a read region that is located opposite of the coding region when the sample holder (10, 20) is in the identification station contains magnet sensors (31) in a geometric arrangement that corresponds to the geometric arrangement of the magnet receptacles (13, 23).

Description

description

System for storage, management and transport of laboratory samples Technical field

The invention relates to a system for the storage, management and transport of laboratory samples contained in sample vessels according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

State of the art

In today's laboratory analysis technology, it is common practice that

It is necessary to analytically analyze and process a large number of samples within the shortest possible processing cycles. This is especially true in the field of medical laboratories, where sent to samples

Blood tests, urinalysis, cytological tissue examinations and the like. Must be performed. However, this also applies in the field of other laboratories, such as in food control. There, too, samples of production processes have to be set up with high frequency

Quality standards or potential contaminants are examined and analyzed.

In the laboratory technology are so far largely with the development

At the same time systems have also been developed for automated measurement and analysis apparatuses which simplify the required logistics. This concerns e.g. an automated transport of

Laboratory samples to individual analysis stations, an automated

Distribution, automated archiving and the like.

An essential aspect of the overall management and treatment of individual laboratory samples is the unambiguous assignment of the samples throughout logistics, i. E. the clear assignment of specific measurement and analysis results to the samples as well as the targeted guidance of the samples along the logistic chain in the course of the laboratory analysis.

In modern laboratory systems contained in sample vessels

Samples are usually arranged in Probenhalter- or -trägem in which they remain during further processing and analysis, possibly also be implemented at other distribution points of a first

Sample holder in another. The sample containers are for the required traceability is typically provided with an identification, such as a barcode attached thereto. In existing logistics systems for analytical laboratories, these markings or identification codes are read out on the sample vessels for the tracking and continual identification of the samples on the sample holders, for example corresponding ones

Barcode readers at crucial points in the

Logistics system can be arranged. The associated effort is significant, and it can lead to errors. In any case, the sample vessel is not necessarily oriented with the barcode in a certain direction, so that the corresponding reading device must be designed in order to be able to read barcodes over a large angle. But even then, in the case of an unfortunate orientation of the sample vessel, the barcode can not be reliably read out, so that read-out errors can occur. Finally, such readers are space consuming in the arrangement in the logistic system, such as a transport route.

Presentation of the invention

Here is to be remedied by the invention by a

simple, reliable and the process in the analytical laboratory largely not impeding possibility for the identification of arranged on a sample holder sample vessels is specified.

This object is achieved by a system for the storage, management and transport of laboratory samples contained in sample vessels having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of such a system according to the invention are mentioned in the dependent claims 2 to 9.

According to the invention, the sample holder are provided with an individualized identification or coding in order to recognize these automatically readable and clearly assignable. Unlike in the prior art, therefore, in the course of further treatment, no longer a label attached to the sample vessel for individualization of the laboratory sample therein is read, but it is on the Marking the sample holder used. This may seem cumbersome at first, as further assignment of the information is required. However, the system has the considerable advantage that a readout of an identifier on the sample holder can be made with much simpler equipment expense and also significantly more reliable. This is due to the fact that unlike the unpredictable arrangement of the sample vessel in the sample holder and thus the inaccurate alignment of the on the sample vessel

arranged identifier of the sample holder can be made so that the coding arranged thereon is mounted in a defined arrangement and position, which can always be read reliably in a correspondingly oriented reader.

The further aspect essential to the invention lies in the type of coding used here. For the coding of the sample holder, a magnetic coding is provided by in the sample holder in a given geometric arrangement (this can

for example, an arrangement along a circle, a matrix-like arrangement, an arrangement along a line, or the like)

Magnetic recordings are formed. These magnetic recordings are in the simplest case holes or blind holes, can be inserted into the corresponding permanent magnet and set therein. These magnetic recordings are arranged in coordination with the permanent magnets used so that they leave a sufficient distance to the individual detection of a magnet within a magnetic recording or to detect the absence of such a magnet by the magnetic recording oppositely arranged sensors. In other words, the magnetic recordings should not be so close to each other that it is here too

Overlaps of the magnetic fields between magnets arranged in adjacent positions come to result in a disturbance of the accurate detection. Further components of the system are also in identification stations, for example in a transport system in an area in front of a switch, in front of an analysis apparatus, in one Distribution station for distributing arranged in a plurality of holding positions equipped sample holder sample vessels or the like., Arranged magnetic sensors. These are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the geometrical arrangement of the magnetic recordings in the sample holders and in such a way that they are in in the

Identification station located sample holders the coding area, in which the magnetic receptacles are formed in the respective sample holder, opposite and each of the magnetic sensors of a

Magnetic recordings is assigned.

Depending on the configuration of the magnetic sensors, two or more states can now be detected: If the magnetic sensor is polsensitive, it can detect whether a magnet in the magnetic receptacle with the north pole facing the sensor, with the south pole facing the sensor, or but no magnet available. Thus, there are three possible states per magnetic recording, so that, given a number of n magnetic recordings, the overall possibility of variation of 3 ⁿ results in making the coding different. In practice, however, has proven a simpler system in which the

Magnetic recordings are fitted with magnets, all in the same polar orientation, ie. with the south pole facing outwards, and magnetic sensors are used which only detect a magnetic field in this orientation, e.g. to respond to the south pole of a magnet with a signal. If, on the other hand, no magnets are present (or if the magnets with the north pole point outwards), the sensor will not output a signal or a "zero signal." This results in a binary system in which each magnet recording contributes an information bit Magnetic recording results in the number of bits in the system

Magnetic recordings selected, this results in 16 bits and thus 65,536 different coding options (starting from a total of empty magnetic recordings, without any placement to full placement with magnets).

The system has another advantage since magnetic field sensors are not only very reliable, but also work very fast, so that one

Recognition of the sample holder even when the sample holder is moved

can be made. These may be appropriate

Trigger elements are provided to trigger the arrangement of magnetic sensors at the right time (i.e., the overlap with the magnetic receptacles) for detecting the respective magnets.

This type of simple and reliable determination of in

individualized coded sample carrier according to the invention is particularly well possible if the coding region is located on a

Use is arranged down-facing surface of the sample holder (see claim 2).

In particular, when the sample holder in different

Alignment in the system for storage, administration and the

Transport of sample containers e.g. in conveyor lines or on

Holding positions can be used, it is advantageous if the geometric arrangement of the magnetic recordings is rotationally symmetrical about at least one angle of rotation. Such a rotational symmetry (symmetry value 2) given by an angle of rotation permits overlapping of the magnetic recordings with the magnetic sensors aligned in accordance with the arrangement in two different ones

Drehausrichtungen the sample holder and thus gives a larger

Flexibility in handling such sample holders. This allowance of freedom in inserting the sample holder results in a symmetry with the value of 2 with respect to the coding a loss of a bit, since the individualization of a sample holder this two different configurations of the magnetic recordings must be assigned. With 16 magnetic recordings there are only 15 bits left, ie 32,768

Ways to encrypt the sample holder available.

If the sample holders have higher symmetry (eg a rotational symmetry of 90 ° each, ie a symmetry with the valency 4), four different configurations of the magnetic recordings are connected to a single individualized sample holder, there is a further loss of a bit. At 16 magnetic recordings are then still 14 Bit for encryption available, with which 16.384 different sample carriers can be customized. If another bit is used here for internal purposes, 16 bits still hold 13 bits for the individualization of the sample holder, whereby still 8,192 different sample holders can still be identified individually.

A particularly simple and rotationally symmetric shapable

Arrangement of the magnetic recordings results when this is formed like a matrix. In the case of 16 magnetic recordings per sample holder, this can be done, for example, in a column and line arrangement of magnetic recordings with four columns and four lines.

As a simple, robust, cost-effective and reliable magnetic sensors are particularly Hall sensors into consideration.

The magnetic sensors can be arranged with advantage in the identification station on a circuit board. This board also contributes

Supply and data lines for the electrical supply of and communication with the magnetic sensors. Such an arrangement of the sensors on a board has the advantage that the magnetic sensors are securely fixed in their geometric arrangement and can not move against each other. Thus, the reader formed by the magnetic sensors is particularly fail-safe and reliable.

Finally, the system according to the invention advantageously has one

Control on which cooperates with the magnetic sensors. The controller is advantageously connected to a memory in which the data of the individualized sample holder are stored and linked in their current assembly with certain samples. This control can therefore detect the presence of a sample placed on a particular sample holder due to the reading out of the sample

Recognize sample holder and e.g. at a switch in one

Transport route the right course setting for the correct

Further transport to a downstream analysis station or the like.

determine and trigger.

Brief description of the drawings Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

Fig. 1 in a perspective view of a first sample holder of a system according to the invention for storage, management and the

Transport of laboratory samples contained in sample vessels according to a

Embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a view of the sample holder of FIG. 1 obliquely from below to

Representation of the magnetic recordings;

3 is a view obliquely from below of a second sample holder of the system according to the invention with the magnetic recordings; and

Fig. 4 in a view obliquely from above a board with it in the

grid-like arrangement distributed magnetic field sensors.

Way (s) for carrying out the invention

In Fig. 1 is shown as part of a system according to the invention, a first sample holder 10 in a plan view obliquely from above. This

Sample holder 10 has a plurality of upwardly projecting from a base plate 1 1 columns 12, which each form a holding place for a tubular sample vessel P between them four. As far as this sample holder 10 is known and conventional sample holder formed with a plurality of holding positions or places for sample systems. It serves to transport a plurality of samples in common, around these e.g.

one after the other in an analysis station or to distribute them in a distribution station.

There, it can be seen how on the underside of the base plate 1 1 in a matrix-like arrangement Magnetaufnahmen 13 (16 in total in a 4x4 arrangement) are mounted.

These magnetic recordings 13 serve the individualized coding of the sample carrier 10. For this purpose, permanent magnets are inserted into individual, in all or in none of the magnetic recordings and fixed there. In this embodiment, the permanent magnets are always with a like pole, in particular the south pole, the Side of the sample holder 10 facing.

Due to the different components of the total of the 16th

Magnetic recordings with a magnet result in a total of 2 ¹⁶ , so 65,536 individual ways to provide an arrangement of magnets here or just do not provide. This corresponds to a coding of 16 bits.

In Fig. 3, an alternative sample holder 20 of a system according to the invention is shown. The view of Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional view obliquely from below. On its upper side, the sample holder 20 has a total of four support ribs 21, which form a receptacle for exactly one tube-shaped sample vessel P between them. The sample holder with one of its base approximately square-shaped base 22 is provided on the underside in a similar manner as well as the sample holder 10 with magnetic receptacles 23, here also 16 in number. These magnetic recordings 23 can also be equipped or released, as in the manner described above for coding the sample carrier 20 with permanent magnets that can be fixed there. Again, the assembly is to be seen so that the permanent magnets in the magnetic recording rest in the same polarity, pointing with the south pole out to the bottom of the base 22.

Another essential component of the system according to the invention is a board as shown in Fig. 4, on which correspond in one of the matrix-like arrangement of the magnetic recordings 13 and 23, respectively

geometric arrangement magnetic sensors in the form of Hall sensors 31 are fixed. This Hall sensors 31 are supplied via on the circuit board 30 also provided, not shown here lines with electrical energy and are arranged on more on the board 30 lines for data or signal transmission

connected.

In the system shown in the embodiment, the circuit board 30 and are the Hall sensors 31 with a not shown in detail

Control connected, in turn, with a memory in

Communication stands. Thus, when loading the sample holder with a sample

containing sample vessel P are read into the system. Furthermore, in an identification station in which the latter a circuit board 30 is arranged to detect the identification of the sample holder 10, 20 the sample holder 10, 20 is read out and assigned to the known sample. If the sample holder is one having a plurality of locations (sample holder 10), care must also be taken to ensure that the storage location or the holding position of the sample is also recorded and stored. In this way, the location of a particular sample is always assigned exactly to a sample holder 10,20 and possibly a parking position on the same.

The sample holder 10,20 can now be moved along a transport system, parked in distribution points, or logistically processed in any other way. Whenever a detection of the sample is important, a circuit board 30 is arranged in a corresponding identification station, which reads out the pattern of the loading of the magnetic recordings 13 or 23 with the Hall sensors 31 and thus the identification of the sample holder 10 or 20 recognizes. The control can now identify the latter via the stored sample assigned to this sample holder 10, 20 and decide on the further processing of this sample, set the course accordingly, set the analyzers and the like.

As can be seen, the sample holder 10 is provided with a rotational symmetry of valence 2, the sample holder 20 with a

Rotation symmetry of valence 4. That is, the sample holder 10 can be set rotated by 180 °, the sample holder 20 even rotated by 90 ° in each case. As a result, a sample holder equipped with quadrivalent symmetry has a total of four different ones

Placement options of the magnetic recordings 23 are assigned, the possibility of individualization is reduced accordingly. But this also results in a higher degree of freedom in the operation of the

inventive system. In a sample holder 10 to be equipped with a plurality of samples, shown in FIG

divalent symmetry may be via the reading of a corresponding Equipping the magnetic recording 23 at the same time information about its actual orientation are obtained, so that the pitches or holding positions of the individual sample containers P can still be tracked and detected according to the actual orientation of the sample holder 10.

The inventive system allows a fast, simple and robust identification and customization of the sample holder and thus with a corresponding assignment in a system detecting the currently held on the sample holders samples. This can also be done in motion, e.g. during the transport of a sample holder along a path, thus facilitating the largely automated operation of an analysis laboratory.

[0035] List of Reference Numerals

10 sample holder

[0037] 1 base plate

12 column

[0039] 13 magnetic recording

[0040] 20 sample holders

21 support rib

22 socket

23 magnetic recording

[0044] P sample vessel

Claims

claims

1. System for the storage, management and transport of in

Sample containers (P) containing laboratory samples with a plurality of transportable sample holders (10, 20) for receiving at least one sample vessel (P) and at least one identification station for identifying the sample holder (10, 20), characterized in that the sample holder (10, 20) respectively in a coding area a variety of individually with

Magnetic recordings (13, 23) which can be fitted with permanent magnets in a geometrical arrangement which is the same for all the sample holders (10, 20) and which is different for each of the sample holders (10, 20)

Permanent magnets are equipped and that in the identification station in a read range, the befindlichem in the identification station

Sample holder (10, 20) facing the coding region,

Magnetic sensors (31) in one of the geometric arrangement of

Magnetic recordings (13, 23) corresponding geometric arrangement are included.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Coding area on a down-facing in use surface of the sample holder (10, 20) are arranged.

3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometric arrangement of the magnetic recordings (13, 23)

is rotationally symmetrical about at least one angle of rotation.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometric arrangement of the magnetic recordings (13, 23) is formed like a matrix.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic recordings (13, 23) are each either equipped with a magnet or are unpopulated and that all magnets in the same

Pole direction, so with the same pole to the outside, in the

Magnetic recordings (13, 23) are arranged.

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the magnetic sensors (31) polsensitiv and the magnetic receptacles (13, 23) each with a north pole with its outward facing magnet or with one equipped with its south pole outward magnet or unpopulated.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by 16 magnetic recordings (13, 23) per sample holder (10, 20).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by Hall sensors as magnetic sensors (31).

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic sensors (31) on one in the identification station

arranged circuit board (30) are mounted, which also carries supply and data lines for the electrical supply and the communication with the magnetic sensors (31).

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a controller for cooperation with the magnetic sensors (31), wherein the controller is connected to the memory for storing the

Assignment of the individual samples in the sample vessels (P) on a specific sample holder (10, 20), possibly also to a specific holding position on the sample holder (10, 20).