WO2022160153A1 - 样本架操纵装置、检测系统和送检方法及计算机可读介质 - Google Patents

样本架操纵装置、检测系统和送检方法及计算机可读介质 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022160153A1
WO2022160153A1 PCT/CN2021/074071 CN2021074071W WO2022160153A1 WO 2022160153 A1 WO2022160153 A1 WO 2022160153A1 CN 2021074071 W CN2021074071 W CN 2021074071W WO 2022160153 A1 WO2022160153 A1 WO 2022160153A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sample
sampling
rack
area
tested
Prior art date
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PCT/CN2021/074071
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
吉智
林川
徐存刚
山本哲也
朱伟东
Original Assignee
贝克曼库尔特实验系统（苏州）有限公司
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Application filed by 贝克曼库尔特实验系统（苏州）有限公司 filed Critical 贝克曼库尔特实验系统（苏州）有限公司
Priority to EP21921773.4A priority Critical patent/EP4286856A1/en
Priority to PCT/CN2021/074071 priority patent/WO2022160153A1/zh
Priority to US18/274,844 priority patent/US20240103031A1/en
Publication of WO2022160153A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022160153A1/zh

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
    • G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
    • G01N35/00732—Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/026—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
    • B01L9/06—Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
    • G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
    • G01N35/00732—Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
    • G01N2035/00792—Type of components bearing the codes, other than sample carriers
    • G01N2035/00801—Holders for sample carriers, e.g. trays, caroussel, racks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0412—Block or rack elements with a single row of samples
    • G01N2035/0415—Block or rack elements with a single row of samples moving in two dimensions in a horizontal plane
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/046—General conveyor features
    • G01N2035/0462—Buffers [FIFO] or stacks [LIFO] for holding carriers between operations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/046—General conveyor features
    • G01N2035/0465—Loading or unloading the conveyor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of medical technology, and more particularly, to a sample rack manipulation device, a sample detection system and a sample detection method using the sample rack manipulation device, and a computer-readable medium allowing the sample detection method to be implemented.
  • the medical field especially clinical medicine and laboratory medicine, are inseparable from various analytical testing instruments for testing samples in test tubes or cups.
  • sample volume When the sample volume is large, this requires the processing capacity of the biochemical detection instrument.
  • Fully automatic biochemical analysis and testing equipment has become an essential testing equipment for modern medical institutions because it does not require manual operation and has a fast detection speed.
  • the prior art fully automatic biochemical analysis and detection equipment capable of batch processing is usually closed, including a loading port, a sample rack manipulation device, a sampling part, a detection part and an unloading port.
  • the operator need only load one or more sample racks carrying test tubes (or cups) containing samples from the load port into the detection device to activate the detection device.
  • the sample rack manipulation device of the detection device can transfer a single sample rack to the sampling part in the loading sequence, and perform sampling and detection on the samples contained in one or more test tubes carried on the sample rack respectively.
  • the sample rack manipulation device transfers the sample rack that has been sampled to the unloading port, and at the same time transfers the next sample rack from the loading port to the sampling unit for sampling detection.
  • sample rack manipulator cannot allocate sample racks on demand and due to differences in the detection time of a single sample by different detection devices, it is difficult to integrate different detection devices into a system to share the sample rack manipulation device.
  • the present invention is proposed.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a novel sample rack manipulation device that allows a reasonable determination of the inspection order of the sample racks based on the detection priorities of a plurality of loaded sample racks.
  • Another object of the present invention is to further improve the sample rack handling device of the detection system so as to realize a doubling of the working capacity of the detection system without increasing the size of the sample rack handling device.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sample rack manipulation device with good compatibility that allows combining two detection devices with different detection rates.
  • the object of the present invention is also a detection system and a detection method using the sample rack handling device and a computer readable medium allowing the implementation of the sample detection method.
  • a sample rack handling apparatus for an automatic detection apparatus, the sample rack handling apparatus comprising: a loading/unloading area configured to be able to arrange a plurality of sample racks side by side , the sample rack is used to carry one or more sample containers containing samples; a sampling area, in the sampling area, the sample in each of the sample containers on the sample rack is tested by the automatic detection equipment sampling; and a docking device for transferring the sample racks between the loading/unloading area and the sampling area, wherein the docking device is configured to remove the sample racks in any order Loading/unloading the sample racks to be tested loaded in the area and transporting the taken out sample racks to be tested to the sampling area for sampling.
  • the docking device configured as described above allows flexible access to sample racks for sampling on command or in a set order.
  • the docking device may be configured to transfer sample racks to be tested loaded in the same batch in the loading/unloading zone to the sampling zone in order from left to right.
  • an emergency passage may be provided in the loading/unloading area, and the connecting device preferentially transfers the sample racks to be tested loaded in the emergency passage to the sampling area.
  • the sampling area is in the form of a conveyor belt that can move back and forth in its direction of extension in a continuous or stepwise fashion.
  • the loading/unloading area includes a separately provided loading area and an unloading area, to which the tested sample racks are conveyed by the conveyor belt.
  • the load/unload area includes a common load area and unload area.
  • the sampling area is provided with two adjacent rack accommodating sections, the sample rack is loaded in one of the rack accommodating sections to receive sampling, and the other rack accommodating section segment provides alternate sampling locations.
  • the docking device is configured to: use the idle time of the sampling cycle of the detection device to complete the loading of the next rack of samples to be tested in the other rack accommodation section; and use the detection
  • the sampling period of the device is empty, the unloading of the tested sample rack from the one rack accommodating section and the displacement of the next sample rack to be tested from the standby sampling position to the sampling position are completed, thereby realizing the detection equipment. Continuous sampling without interruption.
  • the sample rack handling device further includes a buffer zone and a transfer zone.
  • a label reader is provided in the transfer area and/or the buffer area, and the label reader is used to read the label carried on the sample rack and/or the sample container to obtain information related to the sample rack.
  • rack identification information and/or sample identification information are provided in the transfer area and/or the buffer area, and the label reader is used to read the label carried on the sample rack and/or the sample container to obtain information related to the sample rack.
  • the sample rack manipulation device may further include a controller, which can determine the respective detection priorities of the plurality of sample racks to be tested according to the read information, and then determine the plurality of sample racks.
  • the inspection order of sample racks to be tested wherein the connecting device is configured to transfer the plurality of sample racks to be inspected in the buffer area to the sampling area for sampling according to the determined inspection order.
  • the loading/unloading zone and the buffer zone can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the transfer zone and can be configured to have the same sample rack loading capacity.
  • the loading/unloading area may include a first rack tray defining a corresponding plurality of channels for receiving a plurality of sample racks; and the buffer area may include a second rack tray A rack tray, the second rack tray defining a corresponding plurality of channels for accommodating a plurality of sample racks.
  • the first rack tray may be provided with one or more emergency aisles on the leftmost side
  • the docking device may be configured to preferentially transport sample racks to be tested loaded in the emergency aisles The information is read from the transfer area and/or the buffer area, and the controller defaults to the sample rack to be tested that comes from the emergency aisle and carries emergency samples with the highest testing priority.
  • the controller may determine the inspection order according to the time when these sample racks enter the buffer.
  • the controller according to the above aspect may further determine the empty space on each sample rack where the sample container is not placed according to the sample identification information, so as to skip the empty space during sampling, and/or identify according to the sample The information prioritizes detection of multiple sample containers on each sample rack for sequential sampling.
  • a detection system comprising a sample rack handler including a label reader as described above; and an automatic detection apparatus capable of accessing the sample rack handler from the sample rack handler The sample container located at the sampling position in the sampling area is sampled and detected.
  • the sample rack handling device includes a first sampling area and a second sampling area located on both sides
  • the automatic detection device includes a first detection device sampling from the first sampling area and a sample from the first sampling area.
  • the second detection device for sampling in the second sampling area.
  • the first detection device is a clinical chemistry detection device and the second detection device is an immunoassay detection device.
  • the sampling period of the first detection device is different from the sampling period of the second detection device.
  • a sample submission method for automatic testing equipment which includes the following steps: loading a plurality of sample racks to be tested, the sample racks carrying one or more sample containers containing samples; Read rack identification information and sample identification information related to each sample rack to be tested; send the sample rack to be tested to a buffer, which is a work area shared with the loading/unloading area of the sample rack or a A separately set working area that is different from the loading/unloading area of the sample rack; the detection priority of the corresponding sample rack to be detected is determined according to the read information, and then the multiple samples to be detected in the buffer area are determined sending the racks for inspection; and sending the plurality of sample racks to be tested in the buffer zone for inspection according to the determined inspection order.
  • the sample submission method may further include: further determining, according to the sample identification information, a space on each sample rack where no sample container is placed, so as to skip the space during sampling and/or perform a The detection priorities of multiple sample containers on a sample rack are prioritized for sequential sampling.
  • reading rack identification information and sample identification information may include reading tags in the form of RFID tags, barcodes, or QR codes carried on the sample racks and/or the sample containers.
  • sample racks to be tested that can be loaded in the emergency aisle by default have the highest testing priority.
  • the inspection order may be determined according to the time sequence of the sample racks entering the buffer.
  • the testing priority and inspection order of the sample rack in the multiple testing items can be determined respectively, and the sample racks can be sent in order according to the order in which the inspection submission time arrives. check.
  • the sample submission method may further include: using the empty time of the sampling period of the detection device to load the next sample rack to be inspected in the standby sampling position; and using the empty time of the sampling period of the detection device to load the tested sample The rack is unloaded from the sampling position and the next sample rack to be tested is moved to the sampling position.
  • a computer-readable medium is provided, and a program is stored on the computer-readable medium, and when the program is executed by a processor, the above-described sample detection method is implemented.
  • the inspection order of the sample racks can be planned according to the needs, the compatibility is strong, and the increased working capacity can be realized while reducing the flexibility and complexity of the random movement route of the sample racks,
  • the flexibility of the detection system is improved, the requirements of the integrated design of the detection equipment are met, the energy efficiency and applicability of the detection system are greatly improved, and the invention has broad application prospects.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a detection system including a sample holder manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an exemplary configuration of a detection apparatus that can be used in conjunction with a sample rack handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a sample holder manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 4a to 4c are plan views similar to Figure 3, showing the transfer process of the sample rack to be tested for inspection;
  • 5a to 5f are plan views similar to FIG. 3, showing the loading and unloading process of the sample holder to be tested and the tested sample holder;
  • FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 shows an example of a tag reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a sample rack handling device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a detection system 1 using the same are described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • the detection system 1 includes a housing (not shown), a first detection device 20 and a second detection device 30 accommodated in the housing, and located between the first detection device 20 and the second detection device 30
  • the sample rack handler 10, the controller 40 in communication with the detection apparatus 20, 30 and the sample rack handler 10, and the sample rack 50 carrying the samples, cooperate to enable the detection system 1 to automatically perform clinical chemistry of multiple samples. , immunological or genetic testing analysis.
  • the sample rack 50 is used to receive, support, align and hold one or more sample containers 51 containing samples, and the sample containers 51 are arranged in a row on the sample rack 50 .
  • the number of sample containers 51 that can be carried on one sample rack 50 is generally 6 to 10, and 7 is shown in the figure. The number can be comprehensively considered based on factors such as the size of the equipment and the waiting time for the next sample rack to be injected. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to this number. However, the number of actually filled sample containers 51 on the sample rack 50 can be determined according to the actual situation. As clearly shown in FIG. 3 , the solid circles on the sample rack 50 represent the filled sample containers 51 , and the hollow circles represent the filled sample containers 51 . The location is not filled with the sample container.
  • the sample holder 50 may be a sample holder common to commonly used sample containers, such as test tubes or cups, available from Beckman Coulter, Inc.
  • Each sample rack 50 and each sample container 51 on the rack carry an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification, not shown in the figure) tag.
  • the RFID tag on the sample rack 50 may contain rack identification information associated with the sample rack, and the RFID tag on the sample container 51 may contain sample identification information associated with the sample in the sample container.
  • the RFID tag is placed near the bottom of the sample rack so that when the sample rack 50 passes through an RFID tag reader (to be described later), the rack identification information and the sample identification information on the RFID tag can be automatically read and identified.
  • the transmit power of the RFID antenna can be adjusted so that adjacent RFID tags are not accidentally read at the same time.
  • the first detection device 20 and the second detection device 30 may be any suitable conventional automatic detection device for testing or processing biological samples or other chemical samples.
  • the first detection device 20 may be a clinical chemistry (CC, clinical chemistry) detection device
  • the second detection device 30 may be an immunoassay (IA, immunoassay) detection device.
  • CC clinical chemistry
  • IA immunoassay
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of a typical CC detection device 20 .
  • the CC detection device 20 may include, for example, a reagent storage 21 , a reagent distributor 22 , a sample distributor 23 , a reaction table 24 , a mixing device 25 , an optical analysis instrument 26 , a cleaning mechanism 27 , and the like.
  • the reagent storage 21 may be one or more circular holders on which a plurality of reagent containers storing reagents are arranged in the circumferential direction.
  • the reagent reservoir 21 can be rotated by, for example, a motor drive to convey the reagent container in the circumferential direction.
  • a thermostatic bath (not shown) for cooling the reagent may be arranged below the reagent storage 21 .
  • the reaction table 22 can also be a circular holder, a plurality of reaction containers are arranged on the holder along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of samples to be tested and reagents can respectively perform desired chemical reactions in the corresponding plurality of reaction containers.
  • the reaction stage 22 may be rotated by, for example, a motor drive, which may be different from a motor that drives the reagent reservoir 21, to move the reaction vessel in the circumferential direction.
  • a thermostatic bath (not shown) for heating the reaction stage 22 to accelerate the reaction between the sample and the reagent.
  • the reaction platform can also be a device for performing other processing on the sample for detection and analysis.
  • the sample dispenser 23 includes a support rod 231 , an arm portion 232 extending from an upper end of the support rod 231 , and a sampling needle 233 provided at a free end of the arm portion 232 .
  • the arm portion 232 can move in a straight line with the support rod 231, rotate with the support rod 231 as an axis, and ascend and descend in the vertical direction through the support rod 231, so as to move the sampling needle 233 between the sampling position and the sampling position.
  • the sampling needle 233 draws an appropriate amount of sample from the sample container 51 moved to the sampling position by the sample holder manipulator 10 (to be described later); in the discharge position, the sample drawn by the sampling needle 233 is discharged into the reaction container.
  • the reagent dispenser 22 may have a similar structure to the sample dispenser 23, or both may be in any suitable form of other dispensers used in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.
  • the sample and the reagent are distributed to the reaction vessel from the respective distributors, they are uniformly mixed and reacted in the reaction vessel by the mixing device 25 . Then, the liquid in the reaction vessel obtained by the reaction between the reagent and the sample is optically analyzed by the optical analyzer 26 and the analysis result is output to the controller 40 .
  • the cleaning mechanism 27 includes a portion for cleaning the sampling needle 233 of the sample dispenser 23, a portion for cleaning the sampling needle of the reagent dispenser 22, and a portion for cleaning the reaction vessel, so as to avoid cross-contamination caused by The measurement result is not accurate.
  • the IA detection device 30 Similar to the CC detection device 20, the IA detection device 30 also communicates with the sample holder manipulation device 10 via the sampling position to transfer the samples.
  • the detection device of the present invention is not limited to the CC detection device and the IA detection device described above, and the first detection device 20 and the second detection device 30 may be different detection devices, or may be the same detection device, It suffices that the detection device can be used in combination with a sample rack handling device that supplies the sample to be tested in the manner of a sample rack.
  • the sample rack handling device 10 includes a housing 11 and a generally rectangular inner space S enclosed by the housing 11 .
  • the length direction of the rectangle is defined as the longitudinal direction (the y-axis direction in the transfer area shown in FIG. 3 )
  • the width direction of the rectangle is defined as the lateral direction (the x-axis direction in the transfer area shown in FIG. 3 ).
  • the inner space S of the sample holder handling device 10 is divided into five areas, namely, the sampling areas TD and TE extending in the longitudinal direction, and the loading/unloading area TA sandwiched between the sampling areas TD and TE, the middle Transit zone TB and buffer zone TC.
  • the casing 11 may include a top wall made of an opaque or translucent plastic panel, which may be fixed to the side walls of the casing 11 by screws or the like to facilitate maintenance of the above-mentioned different areas of the inner space S.
  • the sample racks to be tested are first loaded in the loading/unloading area TA, and then enter the transfer area TB to read the information on the RFID tag and be transferred to the buffer area TC, and then transfer from the buffer area TC through the transfer area TB to the two sides respectively.
  • Sampling detection is performed in the sampling areas TD and TE where the first detection device 20 and the second detection device 30 are docked.
  • the tested sample racks are returned to the buffer zone TC through the transfer area TB again to wait for the test results. If there is no new round of testing requirements, they will eventually return to the loading/unloading area TA for unloading. It is sent to the sampling area TD or TE for sampling detection.
  • the tested sample rack can be returned directly from the sampling area TD or TE to the loading/unloading area TA via the transfer area TB.
  • the loading/unloading area TA is provided at the front of the inner space S of the sample holder handling device 10 as a rectangular area provided immediately adjacent to the front wall 111 of the housing 11, the rectangular area being sized to allow side-by-side arrangement in the lateral direction A plurality (12 are shown in the figure) of sample holders 50 .
  • the first rack tray 112 is disposed in the loading/unloading area TA and defines a corresponding plurality of channels (lanes 1-12) in which the plurality of sample racks 50 are placed.
  • a door 110 is provided on the front wall 111 of the housing 11 at a position corresponding to the loading/unloading area TA, and the door 110 is pivotally connected to the front wall 111 of the housing 11 at the bottom thereof, whereby the door 110 can go around Its bottom is pivoted outward to a horizontal position flush with the bottom of the first rack tray 112, so that the operator can conveniently load the sample rack 50 carrying the sample container 51 into the first rack tray 112 of the loading/unloading area TA into the channel of the first bracket tray 112 or extracted from the channel of the first support tray 112 .
  • a sensor for detecting whether a sample rack is loaded in the channel is provided in each channel area at the bottom of the first rack tray 112 .
  • LED indicators 109 corresponding to each channel are provided on the top surface of the door 110.
  • Each LED indicator 109 can display a different color in response to the loading and detection of the sample rack in its corresponding channel.
  • the LED indicator 109 faces the operator, and the operator can determine the loading and detection conditions of the sample racks in the channel according to the color of the LED indicator 109 corresponding to each channel, including the unloaded sample rack, Loading sample racks to be tested and loading of tested sample racks.
  • a buffer area TC is provided at the rear of the internal space S of the sample rack handling device 10 for temporarily storing the sample racks to be tested whose information has been read.
  • the size and configuration of the buffer area TC is substantially the same as that of the load/unload area TA, except that no LED indicators are provided for operator viewing.
  • a second rack tray 113 is provided in the buffer area TC, and the second rack tray 113 defines the same number of channels as in the loading/unloading area TA to allow the same number of multiple sample racks to be arranged side by side in the lateral direction 50.
  • the first bracket tray 112 and the second bracket tray 113 may be integrally formed with the housing 11 , or may be separately formed and fixed to the housing 11 .
  • the dimension of the transfer area TB in the longitudinal direction is set to be slightly larger than the longitudinal length of the sample rack 50 to allow the sample rack 50 to freely pass in the x-axis direction in the transfer area TB. It should be noted that, in the whole detection process, that is, in the sample holder manipulation device 10, the sample holder 50 is always in an orientation in which the longitudinal direction is consistent with the y-axis direction.
  • a docking device 114 is provided in the transfer area TB.
  • the docking device 114 is controlled by separate x-axis, y-axis and vertical motors. Through the driving of these motors, the translation of the docking device 114 in the x-axis direction in the transfer area TB, the extension and retraction of the operation rod and thus the sample holder 50 in the y-axis direction, and the vertical movement of the operation rod perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis can be realized. lift in the direction.
  • the docking device 114 can extract the sample rack 50 from the channel of the loading/unloading area TA or the buffer area TC and keep it fixed on the docking device 114, which can carry the sample rack 50 in the transfer area TB along the x-axis Moving back and forth in the direction, the loaded sample rack 50 can be inserted into the channel of the loading/unloading area TA or the buffer area TC, and the loaded sample rack 50 can be unloaded in the sampling areas TD and TE on both sides, thereby realizing the sample rack 50 Transfer between the 5 working areas of the rack handler 10 .
  • the docking device 114 may transfer the sample racks to be tested in the loading/unloading area TA to the buffer TC for testing.
  • the process is shown in FIG. 4a.
  • the sample rack 50 to be tested is transferred from the loading/unloading area TA to the transfer area TB by the connecting device 114 of the transfer area TB, and is read by the RFID tag reader in the transfer area TB.
  • the rack identification information and the sample identification information are then transferred by the docking device 114 by moving in the x-axis direction in the transfer area TB to transfer the carried sample rack 50 to be tested to the unloaded channel of the buffer area TC and insert it into the channel , to complete the transfer of the sample rack to be tested from the loading/unloading area TA to the buffer area TC.
  • the loading of the sample racks to be tested in the loading/unloading area TA may be arranged in order or out of order. Regardless of whether it is placed in sequence or out of sequence, for the sample racks 50 loaded in the same batch, the connecting device 114 transfers from the loading/unloading area TA in the order from left to right (from lane 1 to lane 12) in the figure. To the buffer area TC; for the sample racks 50 loaded in different batches, the connecting device 114 will also transfer from the loading/unloading area TA to the buffer area TC in batches in a sequence from left to right. In order to avoid that the sample rack with the loading batch at the front but the loading channel on the right side cannot be transferred to the buffer TC in time for detection.
  • an RFID tag reader may be integrated on the docking device 114 .
  • the docking device 114 lifts the sample rack 50 out of the channel of the loading/unloading area TA and loads it on the docking device 114 , the sample rack 50 is first pulled to the tag on which the RFID tag reader is placed to read it.
  • the sample holder 50 passes through the tag reading starting position in a step-by-step manner to read the information on each RFID tag one by one, and transmit the read information to the controller 40 . Integrating the label reader on the docking device and allowing direct reading of the sample racks loaded on the docking device enables a compact, streamlined spatial layout of the sample rack handling device 10 .
  • the tag reading also ends when the sample rack 50 is completely transferred from the loading/unloading area TA to the docking device 114 of the transfer area TB.
  • the docking device 114 moves along the x-axis direction and transfers the sample rack 50 to an unloaded channel of the buffer zone TC in close proximity, and then inserts the sample rack 50 into the channel.
  • the RFID tag reader 501 may be provided at a position adjacent to the transfer area TB and the buffer area TC. In this way, when the docking device 114 unloads the sample rack 50 from the docking device 114 to the channel of the buffer zone TC, the sample rack 50 is first pulled to the tag reading starting position where the RFID tag reader 501 is placed, Then, the sample holder 50 is made to pass through the tag reading starting position in a stepping manner to read the information on each RFID tag one by one, and transmit the read information to the controller 40 .
  • the sample rack 50 After reading the information on the labels of the sample rack 50 and each sample container 51, the sample rack 50 is loaded onto the docking device 114, and the docking device 114 then transports the sample rack 50 to another part of the buffer zone TC. A channel is not loaded waiting to be sampled. It should be understood that the location of the tag reader 501 is not limited to the specific example shown in the figure, for example, it may be completely located in the transfer area TB or completely located in the buffer area TC.
  • the controller 40 determines the detection priority of the current sample rack 50 according to the rack identification information and the sample identification information received from the RFID tag reader, and accordingly determines all the determined sample racks 50 loaded in the buffer TC.
  • the order of submission in the sample rack 50 by priority can be determined into four levels from low to high, and the high-level sample racks can be sent for inspection first. Sorting, thereby determining the inspection order of the plurality of sample racks to be inspected.
  • the above four levels of division are only exemplary, and the number of levels may be appropriately determined according to, for example, the capacity of the buffer to be tested sample racks and the difficulty of level division.
  • the number of ranks may be any natural number greater than or equal to 2.
  • the controller 40 can also determine the detection priority of the sample rack to be tested according to any other suitable criteria, which are easily thought by those skilled in the art according to actual needs after reading the present disclosure, and therefore all fall within the scope of within the scope of the present invention.
  • 1 to 2 lanes can also be designated as emergency lanes in the loading/unloading area TA, and the connecting device 114 can preferentially transport the sample racks to be tested loaded in the emergency lanes and read the information.
  • the controller 40 defaults that the to-be-tested sample rack from the emergency aisle and carrying the emergency samples has the highest detection priority.
  • the emergency aisle may even be used only for processing emergency samples.
  • the controller 40 may directly determine it as having the highest detection priority and rank it first for testing without needing to Consider further its rack identification information and sample identification information. Since the access device 114 takes the sample racks to be tested from the loading/unloading area TA in the order from left to right, usually the leftmost lane 1 and/or 2 of the loading/unloading area are used as emergency access.
  • the controller 40 sends an instruction to the connecting device 114 according to the inspection order and the inspection content to inform the next sample to be sent
  • the buffer channel number channel 1 to 12
  • the connecting device 114 transports the designated sample rack to the target sampling area according to the instruction.
  • the transfer process is as shown in Figure 4b. line arrows. Since the structures and functions of the sampling area TD and the sampling area TE are similar, the following description only takes the sampling area TD as the target sampling area, and the situation of the sampling area TE is similar.
  • the designated sample rack 50 is taken out from the buffer area TC to the connecting device 114 in the transfer area TB, and the designated sample rack 50 is transported by the connecting device 114 to the target sampling area TD, and the sample rack 50 is transferred in the sampling area TD. Sampling to the sampling position P.
  • sampling areas TD and TE are arranged on both sides in the lateral direction of the loading/unloading area TA, the transfer area TB, and the buffer area TC, which are arranged side by side, respectively.
  • the sampling areas TD and TE are in the form of conveyor belts extending in the longitudinal direction, the lateral width of the conveyor belts is set to allow only one sample rack to be accommodated, and the conveyor belts can advance in the y-axis direction in a continuous manner or in a stepwise manner. back.
  • the conveyor belt moves up to transfer the sample rack 50 to the sampling position P.
  • the sample is aspirated from the sample container 51 located at the sampling position P on the sample holder 50 by the sampling needle 233 of the sample dispenser 23 of the CC detection apparatus 20, and then the aspirated sample is Transfer to the first detection device 20 for CC detection. That is, the sampling position P becomes the interface with which the rack handling device 10 is associated with the detection devices 20 and 30 .
  • the conveyor belt is shifted in a stepwise manner, each time moving the interval distance of two adjacent sample containers, thereby simplifying the positioning operation by means of the sensor.
  • the conveyor belt moves the tested sample racks down to the interface 115 (see FIG. 3 ) between the transfer area TB and the sampling area TD, and then the connecting device 114 will The tested sample rack is transported away, and sent back to the unloaded channel of the buffer TC via the transfer area TB to wait for the test result, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 4c.
  • the connecting device 114 transfers the tested sample racks in the buffer zone TC to the loading/unloading area TA for unloading; if a new round of testing is required (which can be the same CC testing , it can also be a different IA detection), then the detected sample rack after one round of detection waits in the buffer TC to be sent to the sampling area TD or TE again for the next round of sampling detection. In the case where repeated testing is not required, the tested sample rack can alternatively be returned directly from the sampling area TD or TE to the loading/unloading area TA via the transfer area TB, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figure 4c.
  • the conveyor belt is Two upper and lower rack accommodating sections 107 and 108 are continuously formed at the middle position, so as to provide a spare position for the next sample rack to be tested. Only if the upper rack receiving section 107 or the lower rack receiving section 108 is aligned with the interface 115, the conveyor belt allows the receipt of sample racks 50 from the docking device 114 of the transfer area TB or the return of the tested sample racks 50 to the transfer area TB The docking device 114.
  • the sampling area TD there are 2# sample racks in the upper rack accommodating section 107 being sampled, the lower rack accommodating section 108 is in an unloaded state and the samples in the buffer TC are in an unloaded state. 1# sample rack is the next sample rack to be tested.
  • the sample rack 1# is removed from the buffer zone TC by the connecting device 114 and transferred to the interface 115.
  • the lower rack accommodating section 108 When the 2# sample rack completes sampling and enters the detection period, the lower rack accommodating section 108 is moved to the position facing the interface 115 , and the 1# sample rack is loaded into the lower rack accommodating section 108 by the connecting device 114 .
  • the conveyor belt moves down to align the upper rack accommodating section 107 with the interface 115 , and the connecting device 114 removes the 2# sample rack from the upper rack accommodating section 107 and transports it back to the buffer area TC.
  • the conveyor belt moves up to send the 1# sample rack in the lower rack accommodating section 108 to the sampling position for sampling.
  • the sampling area TD there are 2# sample racks in the lower rack accommodating section 108 being sampled, the upper rack accommodating section 107 is in an unloaded state and the buffer area TC is in the unloaded state.
  • the 1# sample rack is the next sample rack to be tested.
  • the sample rack #1 is removed from the buffer TC by the connecting device 114 and transferred to the interface 115 .
  • the upper rack accommodating section 107 is moved to the position facing the interface 115 , and the 1# sample rack is loaded into the upper rack accommodating section 107 by the connecting device 114 .
  • the conveyor belt is moved up to align the lower rack accommodating section 108 with the interface 115, and the connecting device 114 removes the 2# sample rack from the lower rack accommodating section 108 and transports it back to the buffer area TC.
  • the conveyor belt sends the 1# sample rack in the upper rack accommodating section 107 to a suitable sampling position for sampling.
  • the next sample rack to be tested is transported to the interface 115 in advance, and after the sampling of the previous sample rack is all completed and enters the detection cycle, another unloading rack accommodating section is moved to the interface 115 for loading Waiting for the next sample rack to be tested, after which the tested sample rack is unloaded.
  • the transportation of the next sample rack to be tested from the buffer TC to the interface 115 of the sampling area TD and the transfer area TB can be performed simultaneously with the sampling of the previous sample rack, and the return of the tested sample rack can be performed with the next sample rack to be tested.
  • the sampling is carried out at the same time, which greatly shortens the waiting time for the next sample rack to be tested.
  • the docking device 114 is also further designed to meet the operating time requirements for the loading/unloading. Thereby, uninterrupted continuous operation of the detection device is achieved.
  • the sampling position P is usually selected to start the sampling of the first sample of the sample rack 50 from the sample container located in the middle position of the sample rack 50 , rather than starting the first sample of the sample rack 50 from the sample containers located at both ends of the sample rack 50 sampling. Thereby, the moving distance of the sample rack can be reduced, and the waiting time for the next sample rack to be injected can be shortened.
  • the sampling position P can be appropriately determined according to the number of the sample containers 51 carried on the sample rack 50 or the longitudinal dimension of the conveyor belt, or the like.
  • the present invention can at least achieve the following outstanding beneficial effects.
  • the respective detection priorities of the multiple sample racks to be tested can be determined according to the rack identification information and/or the sample identification information of the multiple sample racks to be tested, and then the inspection order of the multiple sample racks to be tested can be determined according to the detection priorities.
  • the controller may also sort the detection priorities of the plurality of sample containers on the sample rack according to the sample identification information, so that the samples submitted for inspection can be sorted by the controller according to the sample identification information. When sampling the samples on the rack, the samples are sampled in order of the detection priority of each sample container.
  • the sample rack handling device 10 not only allows the sample racks to be sequentially submitted for inspection according to the detection priority of the sample racks, but also allows further inspection of the sample racks according to the detection priority of each sample on the sample rack. Sequential sampling, thereby greatly improving the flexibility and applicability of the detection system, shortening the waiting time for emergency samples, and improving user experience.
  • the controller may also determine, according to the sample identification information, a vacant position on each sample rack where the sample container is not placed, so as to skip the vacant position for sampling during sampling. That is, the sample rack to be tested may be partially loaded. For example, in the example where the sample rack can carry 7 sample containers, the sample rack to be tested is allowed to carry 1-7 sample containers.
  • the loading/unloading area TA and the buffer area TC are each equipped with 12 sample rack loading channels, so that the loading capacity of the entire sample rack handling device 10 reaches 24 sample racks.
  • the sample rack handling device 10 of the present invention has a doubled loading capacity of the sample rack, so the efficacy of the entire detection system is greatly improved, and Can save labor.
  • the operator can unload the tested sample racks in the loading/unloading area TA individually or in batches according to the prompt of the LED indicator 109, and load the new sample racks to be tested, as long as the sample racks of the whole device are The number of loading does not exceed 24.
  • the system can prompt the operator when the system reaches the maximum loading capacity according to the signals provided by the sensors at each station, and the system is fully loaded.
  • the docking device can transfer the newly loaded racks of samples to be tested from the loading/unloading area TA to the transfer area TB, where the rack identification information and samples are read by the tag reader in the transfer area TB The identification information is then returned to the loading/unloading area TA.
  • the information of the sample rack to be tested and its location have been stored in the controller 40, and can participate in sorting and waiting for testing. This route is particularly advantageous for designs with emergency access.
  • the next sample rack to be tested sent for sampling may come from the loading/unloading area TA.
  • the sample racks that have undergone one round of testing can be sent back to the buffer TC to wait for the test results.
  • the sample racks wait in the buffer TC for the next round of inspection, otherwise they will be transferred to the loading/unloading area TA for unloading.
  • the sample rack will participate in the ordering of the two tests and the first-come-first-test is performed. After the first test is completed, the sample rack will is returned to the buffer TC to wait for the second detection, as indicated by the solid arrows in Figures 4c, 5b, 5e.
  • the tested sample racks can simply be transferred directly from the sampling area TD or TE to the loading/unloading area TA for unloading, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figures 4c, 5b and 5e .
  • the sample rack manipulation device 10 has good compatibility, and can integrate different detection equipment in one system to share the loading/unloading area, the transfer area and the buffer area .
  • the sampling period and the length of the detection period of different detection equipment are different. Taking the two detection devices in the embodiment as an example, the sampling period of a single sample detected by CC is, for example, about 9 seconds, and the sampling period of a single sample detected by IA is slightly longer, for example, about 36 seconds.
  • Conventional sample rack handling devices employ simple sequential transport making it difficult to achieve integration and integration of different detection equipment.
  • the sample rack manipulation device 10 of the present invention as long as the detection equipment that can realize sample transfer in the sampling area can be combined.
  • a microcomputer is used as the controller 40 of the detection system 1 .
  • the controller 40 includes a control unit, an input unit, a first detection result analysis unit for the first detection device, a second detection result analysis unit for the second detection device, and a test order determination unit for the sample rack handling device , storage and output.
  • the control part is connected to the detection equipment, the sample rack manipulation device, and other parts of the controller, and controls the operation thereof.
  • the detection result analysis unit and the inspection order determination unit execute specific algorithms and programs based on data from the input unit, various sensors, analytical instruments, label readers, etc. to realize the analysis of the inspection results and the determination of the inspection order, and
  • the analysis report and the determination result are output through a display, a printer, etc. as an output unit.
  • the storage section is used to store various required programs and data.
  • the sample detection method shown in FIG. 6 can be performed by the detection system 1 described in the above-described embodiment.
  • a plurality of sample racks to be tested are loaded in the loading/unloading area of the sample rack handling device (step S1).
  • the rack identification information and/or sample identification information of each sample rack to be tested is read by the label reader, and the sample rack to be tested whose information has been read is transferred to the buffer area by the connecting device (step S2).
  • the controller determines the detection priority of the corresponding sample rack to be tested according to the read rack identification information and/or the sample identification information, and then determines the inspection order of the multiple sample racks to be tested in the buffer (step S3 ).
  • the connecting device in the transfer area will transfer the plurality of sample racks to be tested in the buffer area to the sampling area according to the inspection order determined by the controller to be sampled and tested by the testing equipment (step S4 ).
  • the two sides of the sample holder handling device 10 are respectively combined with the first detection device 20 and the second detection device 30 .
  • the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sample holder manipulation device 10 of the present invention may be combined with the detection device only on one side. In this case, accordingly, the sample holder handling device 10 may be provided with only one sampling area TD.
  • the loading area and the unloading area of the sample rack are not provided separately, but their functions are realized through a shared loading/unloading area.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and a separate unloading area may be additionally provided in the downstream area of the conveyor belt opposite to the upstream loading area.
  • the loading/unloading area and the buffer area of the sample rack handling device are generally symmetrically arranged, but the buffer area may have a different sample rack capacity than the loading/unloading area depending on the actual situation.
  • the information reading tags are in the form of RFID tags, but any suitable tag forms that allow automatic identification and reading of information, such as two-dimensional codes, barcodes, etc., may be used.

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Abstract

样本架操纵装置（10）、使用该样本架操纵装置（10）的检测系统（1）和检测方法以及实现该检测方法的计算机可读介质。样本架操纵装置（10）包括：加载/卸载区（TA），其中能够并排布置多个承载装有样本的样本容器（51）的样本架（50）；采样区（TD,TE），其中由自动检测设备对样本架（50）上的每个样本容器（51）中的样本进行采样；以及接驳装置（114），接驳装置（114）用于在加载/卸载区（TA）与采样区（TD,TE）之间转运样本架（50）。接驳装置（114）配置成能够按任意顺序取出加载/卸载区（TA）中加载的待检测样本架（50）并将所取出的待检测样本架转运（50）至采样区（TD,TE）进行采样。

Description

样本架操纵装置、检测系统和送检方法及计算机可读介质 技术领域
本发明涉及医学技术领域，更具体地，涉及样本架操纵装置、使用该样本架操纵装置的样本检测系统和样本检测方法以及允许实现该样本检测方法的计算机可读介质。
背景技术
本部分的内容仅提供了与本发明相关的背景信息，其可能并不构成现有技术。
医学领域、特别是临床医学和检验医学都离不开用于对试管或杯中的样本进行检测的各种分析检测仪器。当样本量很多时，这就对生化检测仪器的处理量有要求。全自动生化分析检测设备由于不需要人工操作，并且检测速度快而成为现代医疗机构必备的检测设备。
现有技术的、能够进行批量处理的全自动生化分析检测设备通常都是封闭式的，包括加载端口、样本架操纵装置、采样部、检测部和卸载端口。使用中，操作者只需要将一个或更多个承载有包含样本的试管(或杯)的样本架从加载端口载入检测设备中启动检测设备即可。此时，检测设备的样本架操纵装置能够按加载顺序将单个样本架传送至采样部，对该样本架上承载的一个或多个试管中盛装的样本分别进行采样检测。待该样本架上的全部试管的采样都完成之后，样本架操纵装置将完成采样的样本架传送至卸载端口，与此同时将下一个样本架从加载端口传送至采样部进行采样检测。
发明内容
要解决的技术问题
如上所述的全自动检测设备由于只能够按顺序先加载先测试，因此在处理突发状况例如需要优先处理后加载的样本时往往显得束手无策，只能排队等候。为此，提出了在检测设备中设置急诊样本插入功能以优先安排急诊样本检测的方案。此方案需要另外设置急诊样本插入端口，导致设备复杂化。另外，由于急诊样本插入端口的处理量有限，因此只适用于个别样本的优先处理，显然不能从根本上解决问题。
此外，由于样本架操纵装置不能按需分配样本架且由于不同检测设备对单份样本的检测时间存在差异，还导致难以将不同检测设备集成在一个系统中共享样本架操纵装置。
鉴于常规的全自动检测设备采用无选择性的顺序传送方案因而不能根据样本架检测的优先级来合理规划样本架的送检顺序并且简单的顺序传送的工作流程使得不同检测设备之间难以进行优化组合，提出了本发明。
本发明的一个目的在于提供一种新型的、允许基于所加载的多个样本架的检测优先级合理确定样本架的送检顺序的样本架操纵装置。
本发明的另一个目的在于对检测系统的样本架操纵装置做出进一步的改进从而在不增大样本架操纵装置尺寸的情况下实现检测系统工作容量的倍增。
本发明的又一个目的在于提供一种允许结合检测速率不同的两种检测设备的、兼容性良好的样本架操纵装置。
本发明的目的还在于使用该样本架操纵装置的检测系统和检测方法以及允许实现该样本检测方法的计算机可读介质。
解决问题的手段
根据本发明的一个方面，提供了一种用于自动检测设备的样本架操纵装置，所述样本架操纵装置包括：加载/卸载区，所述加载/卸载区配置成能够并排布置多个样本架，所述样本架用于承载一个或多个盛装样本的样本容器；采样区，在所述采样区中由所述自动检测设备对所述样本架上的每个所述样本容器中的样本进行采样；以及接驳装置，所述接驳装置用于在所述加载/卸载区与所述采样区之间转运所述样本架，其中，所述接驳装置配置成能够按任意顺序取出所述加载/卸载区中加载的待检测样本架并将所取出的待检测样本架转运至所述采样区进行采样。通过根据如上所述进行配置的接驳装置，允许根据指令或者按照所设定的顺序灵活调取样本架进行采样。
在一些实施方式中，所述接驳装置可以配置成按从左至右的顺序将所述加载/卸载区中同一批次加载的待检测样本架转运至所述采样区。
在一些实施方式中，所述加载/卸载区中可以设置有急诊通道，所述接驳装置优先将加载在所述急诊通道中的待检测样本架转运至所述采样区。
在一些实施方式中，所述采样区为传送带的形式，所述传送带能够以连续或步进的方式在其延伸方向上来回移动。
在一些实施方式中，所述加载/卸载区包括单独设置的加载区和卸载区，已检测样本架由所述传送带传送至所述卸载区。
在一些实施方式中，所述加载/卸载区包括共用的加载区和卸载区。
在一些实施方式中，所述采样区中设置有紧邻的两个架容置部段，所述样本架装载在其中一个所述架容置部段中接受采样，另一个所述架容置部段提供备用采样位置。
在一些实施方式中，所述接驳装置配置成：利用所述检测设备的采样周期的空当完成下一个待检测样本架在所述另一个架容置部段中的装载；并且利用所述检测设备的采样周期的空当完成已检测样本架从所述一个架容置部段的卸载和所述下一个待检测样本架从所述备用采样位置到采样位置的移位，由此实现检测设备的无中断连续采样。
在一些实施方式中，所述样本架操纵装置还包括缓冲区和转运区。所述转运区和/或所述缓冲区中设置有标签读取器，所述标签读取器用于读取所述样本架和/或所述样本容器上携带的标签以获取与该样本架有关的架识别信息和/或样本识别信息。
在一些实施方式中，所述样本架操纵装置还可以包括控制器，所述控制器能够根据所读取的信息确定所述多个待检测样本架各自的检测优先级，进而确定所述多个待检测样本架的送检顺序，其中，所述接驳装置配置成按照所确定的送检顺序将所述缓冲区中的所述多个待检测样本架转运至所述采样区进行采样。
在一些实施方式中，所述加载/卸载区和所述缓冲区可以关于所述转运区对称地布置并且可以配置成具有相同的样本架装载容量。
在一些实施方式中，所述加载/卸载区可以包括第一支架托盘，所述第一支架托盘限定用于容置多个样本架的对应的多个通道；并且所述缓冲区可以包括第二支架托盘，所述第二支架托盘限定用于容置多个样本架的对应的多个通道。
在一些实施方式中，所述第一支架托盘可以在最左侧设置有一个或更多个急诊通道，所述接驳装置可以配置成优先将加载在所述急诊通道中的待检 测样本架转运至所述转运区和/或所述缓冲区读取信息，并且所述控制器默认来自所述急诊通道且承载有急诊样本的待检测样本架具有最高检测优先级。
在一些实施方式中，对于具有相同检测优先级的样本架，所述控制器可以按照这些样本架进入所述缓冲区的时间先后确定所述送检顺序。
在一些实施方式中，根据上述方面的控制器可以进一步根据所述样本识别信息确定每个样本架上未放置样本容器的空位以便在采样时跳过所述空位，和/或根据所述样本识别信息对每个样本架上的多个样本容器的检测优先级进行排序以便按顺序进行采样。
根据本发明的另一方面，提供了一种检测系统，其包括如上所述的包括标签读取器的样本架操纵装置；以及自动检测设备，所述自动检测设备能够从所述样本架操纵装置的所述采样区中的位于采样位置的样本容器中采样并进行检测。
在一些实施方式中，所述样本架操纵装置包括位于两侧的第一采样区和第二采样区，并且所述自动检测设备包括从所述第一采样区采样的第一检测设备和从所述第二采样区采样的第二检测设备。
在一些实施方式中，所述第一检测设备为临床化学检测设备，并且所述第二检测设备为免疫测定检测设备。
在一些实施方式中，所述第一检测设备的采样周期与所述第二检测设备的采样周期不同。
根据本发明的又一方面，提供了用于自动检测设备的样本送检方法，其包括以下步骤：加载多个待检测样本架，所述样本架上承载一个或多个盛装样本的样本容器；读取与每个待检测样本架有关的架识别信息和样本识别信 息；将所述待检测样本架送至缓冲区，所述缓冲区是与样本架的加载/卸载区共用的工作区或者是单独设置的、不同于样本架的加载/卸载区的工作区；根据所读取的信息确定相应的所述待检测样本架的检测优先级，进而确定所述缓冲区中的多个待检测样本架的送检顺序；以及按照所确定的送检顺序将所述缓冲区中的所述多个待检测样本架送检。
在一些实施方式中，所述样本送检方法还可以包括：进一步根据所述样本识别信息确定每个样本架上未放置样本容器的空位以便在采样时跳过所述空位和/或对每个样本架上的多个样本容器的检测优先级进行排序以便按顺序进行采样。
在一些实施方式中，读取架识别信息和样本识别信息可以包括读取所述样本架和/或所述样本容器上携带的RFID标签、条形码或二维码形式的标签。
在一些实施方式中，可以默认加载在急诊通道中的待检测样本架具有最高检测优先级。
在一些实施方式中，对于具有相同检测优先级的样本架，可以按照这些样本架进入所述缓冲区的时间先后确定所述送检顺序。
在一些实施方式中，对于涉及多个检测项目的样本架，可以分别确定该样本架在所述多个检测项目中的检测优先级和送检顺序，并按照送检时间到来的先后顺序依次送检。
在一些实施方式中，所述样本送检方法还可以包括：利用检测设备的采样周期的空当将下一个待检测样本架装载在备用采样位置；以及利用检测设备的采样周期的空当将已检测样本架从采样位置卸载并将所述下一个待检测样本架移动至采样位置。
根据本发明的再一方面，提供了一种计算机可读介质，所述计算机可读介质上存储有程序，所述程序被处理器执行时实现如上所述的样本检测方法。
技术效果
通过使用根据本发明的样本架操纵装置，允许根据需要规划样本架的送检顺序，兼容性强，并且可以在降低样本架的随意移动路线的灵活性和复杂性的同时实现提高的工作容量，提高了检测系统的灵活性，满足了检测设备一体化设计的要求，大大提高了检测系统的能效和适用性，具有广泛的应用前景。
附图说明
下面将参照附图描述本发明的示例性实施方式的特征、优点及技术和工业意义，在附图中相同的附图标记表示相同的元件，并且在附图中：
图1示意性地示出了包括根据本发明实施方式的样本架操纵装置的检测系统的构造；
图2是示出了能够与根据本发明实施方式的样本架操纵装置结合使用的检测设备的示例性构造的平面图；
图3是根据本发明实施方式的样本架操纵装置的示意性平面图；
图4a至图4c是与图3类似的平面图，示出了待检测样本架送检的转运过程；
图5a至图5f是与图3类似的平面图，示出了待检测样本架和已检测样本架的装卸过程；
图6示出了根据本发明实施方式的检测方法的流程图；以及
图7示出了根据本发明实施方式的标签读取器的一个示例。
具体实施方式
以下的描述在本质上只是示例性的而非意在限制本发明及其应用或使用。应当理解的是，附图仅是示意性的且不一定按比例绘制。
下面参照图1至图3描述根据本发明实施方式的样本架操纵装置10和使用该样本架操纵装置10的检测系统1。
如图1所示，检测系统1包括壳体(未示出)、容置在壳体中的第一检测设备20和第二检测设备30、位于第一检测设备20与第二检测设备30之间的样本架操纵装置10、与检测设备20、30和样本架操纵装置10通信的控制器40以及承载样本的样本架50，它们的配合使得检测系统1能够自动地执行多个样本的临床化学、免疫学或遗传学的检测分析。
样本架
样本架50用于接收、支承、对齐和保持一个或多个盛装样本的样本容器51，样本容器51在样本架50上布置成一列。一个样本架50上可以承载的样本容器51的数量一般为6个到10个，图中示出为7个。该数量可以根据设备的大小、下一样本架的等待进样时间等因素综合考虑。可以理解，本发明对该数量没有限制。但是，样本架50上实际填充的样本容器51的数量可以根据实际情况而定，如图3清楚示出的，样本架50上的实心圆表示填充的样本容器51，空心圆表示该样本容器填充位置没有填充样本容器。
样本架50可以是对于诸如试管或杯等常用的样本容器通用的样本架，该通用样本架50可以由贝克曼库尔特公司(Beckman Coulter,Inc)购得。
每个样本架50和架上的每个样本容器51上都携带RFID(Radio Frequency Identification，图中未示出)标签。样本架50上的RFID标签可以 包含与该样本架相关的架识别信息，样本容器51上的RFID标签可以包含与该样本容器中的样本相关的样本识别信息。RFID标签靠近样本架的底部放置，使得当样本架50通过RFID标签读取器(稍后将描述)时，可以自动读取和识别RFID标签上的架识别信息和样本识别信息。可以通过调节RFID天线的发射功率使得相邻的RFID标签不会意外地同时被读取。
检测设备
第一检测设备20和第二检测设备30可以是任何适合的用于对生物样本或其他化学样本进行测试或处理的常用自动检测设备。例如，第一检测设备20可以是临床化学(CC，clinical chemistry)检测设备，第二检测设备30可以是免疫测定(IA，immunoassay)检测设备。
图2示出了一种典型的CC检测设备20的示例。该CC检测设备20例如可以包括试剂存储器21、试剂分配器22、样本分配器23、反应台24、混合装置25、光学分析仪器26和清洗机构27等。
试剂存储器21可以是一个或更多个圆形的保持架，存储试剂的多个试剂容器沿圆周方向布置在该保持架上。试剂存储器21可以通过例如马达驱动进行旋转以在圆周方向上传送试剂容器。试剂存储器21的下方可以布置用于冷却试剂的恒温槽(未示出)。
反应台22也可以是圆形的保持架，多个反应容器沿圆周方向布置在该保持架上，多个待测样本和试剂可以分别在相应的多个反应容器中进行所需的化学反应。反应台22可以通过例如马达驱动进行旋转以在圆周方向上移动反应容器，该马达可以是不同于驱动试剂存储器21的马达。在反应台22的下方可以布置用于将反应台22加热到使样本和试剂之间的反应加速的恒温 槽(未示出)。可以理解，该反应台也可以是对样本进行其他处理以便进行检测分析的装置。
样本分配器23包括支撑杆231、从支撑杆231的上端伸出的臂部232和设置于臂部232的自由端处的采样针233。臂部232能够随支撑杆231沿直线移动、以支撑杆231为轴旋转以及通过支撑杆231沿竖向方向升降，以在采样位置和排样位置之间移动采样针233，在采样位置处，采样针233从通过样本架操纵装置10移动至采样位置的样本容器51中吸取适量的样本(稍后将描述)；在排样位置，将采样针233吸取的样本排出到反应容器中。
试剂分配器22可以与样本分配器23具有类似的结构，或者二者可以为现有技术中使用的任意适合的其他分配器形式，此处不再详述。
待样本和试剂由各自的分配器分送到反应容器之后，通过混合装置25使二者在反应容器中均匀地混合和反应。然后，由光学分析仪器26对反应容器中的、通过试剂和样本之间发生反应而获得的液体进行光学分析并将分析结果输出至控制器40。
清洗机构27包括用于对样本分配器23的采样针233进行清洁的部分、用于对试剂分配器22的采样针进行清洁的部分和用于对反应容器进行清洁的部分，以避免交叉污染导致测量结果不准确。
和CC检测设备20类似，IA检测设备30也是经由采样位置与样本架操纵装置10发生联系，进行样本的传递。
但是，可以理解，本发明的检测设备不限于以上描述的CC检测设备和IA检测设备，并且第一检测设备20和第二检测设备30可以是不同的检测设备，也可以是相同的检测设备，只要该检测设备能够与以样本架的方式供给 待检测样本的样本架操纵装置结合使用即可。
样本架操纵装置
如图1所示，样本架操纵装置10包括壳体11和由壳体11封围的大体矩形的内部空间S。为便于描述，将矩形的长度方向定义为纵向方向(图3所示转运区中的y轴方向)，将矩形的宽度方向定义为横向方向(图3所示转运区中的x轴方向)。参见图3，样本架操纵装置10的内部空间S被划分为五个区，即，沿纵向方向延伸的采样区TD和TE以及夹在采样区TD和TE之间的加载/卸载区TA、中间转运区TB和缓冲区TC。壳体11可以包括由不透明或半透明的塑料面板制成的顶壁，该顶壁可以通过螺钉等固定至壳体11的侧壁，以便于对内部空间S的上述不同区域进行维护。
待检测样本架首先被加载在加载/卸载区TA，然后进入转运区TB读取RFID标签上的信息并被转运至缓冲区TC，再从缓冲区TC经由转运区TB转运至两侧的分别与第一检测设备20和第二检测设备30对接的采样区TD和TE进行采样检测。已检测样本架再次经由转运区TB返回至缓冲区TC等待检测结果，若无新一轮的检测需求则最终返回至加载/卸载区TA进行卸载，若有新一轮的检测需求则等待再次被送入采样区TD或TE进行采样检测。可选地，已检测样本架可以直接从采样区TD或TE经由转运区TB返回至加载/卸载区TA。
下面对以上五个区的配置进行详细描述。
加载/卸载区TA设置在样本架操纵装置10的内部空间S的前部处，为紧邻壳体11的前壁111设置的矩形区域，该矩形区域的尺寸设定为允许在横向方向上并排布置多个(图中示出为12个)样本支架50。第一支架托盘112 设置在加载/卸载区TA中并限定放置多个样本支架50的相应的多个通道(1-12道)。
在壳体11的前壁111上与加载/卸载区TA对应的位置处设置有门110，门110在其底部处可枢转地连接至壳体11的前壁111，由此门110可以绕其底部向外侧枢转至与第一支架托盘112的底部齐平的水平位置，使得操作者可以方便地将承载着样本容器51的样本架50加载到加载/卸载区TA的第一支架托盘112的通道中或者从第一支架托盘112的通道中抽出。
在第一支架托盘112底部的各个通道区域中设置有用于检测该通道中是否加载有样本架的传感器。在门110的顶表面上设置有分别于各通道相对应的LED指示灯109。每个LED指示灯109能够响应于其所对应的通道中的样本架的加载和检测情况显示不同的颜色。当门110处于关闭状态时，LED指示灯109面向操作者，操作者能够根据每个通道对应的LED指示灯109的颜色来确定该通道中样本架的加载和检测情况，包括未加载样本架、加载待检测样本架和加载已检测样本架的情况。
与加载/卸载区TA相对应地，在样本架操纵装置10的内部空间S的后部处设置缓冲区TC，用于暂时存放读取过信息的待检测样本架。除不用设置供操作者察看的LED指示灯之外，缓冲区TC的尺寸和配置与加载/卸载区TA大体相同。在缓冲区TC中设置有第二支架托盘113，第二支架托盘113限定与加载/卸载区TA中的通道数目相同的多个通道，以允许在横向方向上并排布置同样数目的多个样本架50。
第一支架托盘112和第二支架托盘113可以与壳体11一体成型，也可以单独形成并固定至壳体11。
在加载/卸载区TA与缓冲区TC之间的是转运区TB。转运区TB在纵向方向上的尺寸设定为略大于样本架50的纵向长度，以允许样本架50在转运区TB中沿x轴方向自由通行。需要说明的是，在整个检测过程中，即在样本架操纵装置10中，样本架50始终处于纵长方向与y轴方向保持一致的取向。
在转运区TB中设置有接驳装置114。接驳装置114由单独设置的x轴马达、y轴马达和竖向马达控制。通过这些马达的驱动，可以实现接驳装置114在转运区TB中沿x轴方向的平移、操作杆进而样本架50在y轴方向上的伸缩以及操作杆在垂直于x轴和y轴的竖向方向上的升降。由此，接驳装置114可以将样本架50从加载/卸载区TA或缓冲区TC的通道中抽出并保持固定在接驳装置114上，可以承载着样本架50在转运区TB中沿x轴方向来回移动，可以将承载的样本架50插入到加载/卸载区TA或缓冲区TC的通道中，并且可以将承载的样本架50卸载在两侧的采样区TD和TE，从而实现样本架50在样本架操纵装置10的5个工作区之间的转运。
当缓冲区TC未满载时，接驳装置114可以将加载/卸载区TA中的待检测样本架转移至缓冲区TC等待检测。其过程如图4a所示，先由转运区TB的接驳装置114将待检测样本架50从加载/卸载区TA转移到转运区TB中，在转运区TB中通过RFID标签读取器读取架识别信息和样本识别信息，然后由接驳装置114通过在转运区TB中沿x轴方向移动而将所携带的待检测样本架50转移至缓冲区TC的无装载通道并将其插入通道中，完成待检测样本架从加载/卸载区TA至缓冲区TC的转运。
待检测样本架在加载/卸载区TA中的加载可以是按顺序摆放的，也可以是无序摆放的。无论是按顺序摆放还是无序摆放，对于同一批次加载的样本 架50，接驳装置114按图中从左至右(从1道至12道)的顺序自加载/卸载区TA转运至缓冲区TC；对于不同批次加载的样本架50，接驳装置114也会分批次按从左至右的顺序自加载/卸载区TA转运至缓冲区TC。以免加载批次靠前但加载通道靠右侧的样本架不能及时地被转移至缓冲区TC等待检测。
根据本发明的实施方式，RFID标签读取器可以集成在接驳装置114上。当接驳装置114将样本架50从加载/卸载区TA的通道中抬出并装载在接驳装置114上的过程中，样本架50先被拉至安放RFID标签读取器的标签读取起始位置，然后使样本架50以步进的方式通过该标签读取起始位置，以逐个地读取每个RFID标签上的信息，并将读取到的信息传送至控制器40。将标签读取器集成在接驳装置上并允许直接读取装载在接驳装置上的样本架使得样本架操纵装置10的紧凑、流畅的空间布局成为可能。
当样本架50完全从加载/卸载区TA被转移至转运区TB的接驳装置114上时，标签读取也结束。接驳装置114沿着x轴方向移动并就近将样本架50转移至缓冲区TC的一个无装载通道，之后将该样本架50插入到该通道中。
根据图7所示的替代实施方式，RFID标签读取器501可以设置在转运区TB与缓冲区TC相邻的位置处。这样，当接驳装置114将样本架50从接驳装置114上卸载至缓冲区TC的通道的过程中，样本架50先被拉至安放RFID标签读取器501的标签读取起始位置，然后使样本架50以步进的方式通过该标签读取起始位置，以逐个地读取每个RFID标签上的信息，并将读取到的信息传送至控制器40。在读取完样本架50与各个样本容器51的标签上的信息之后，再将该样本架50加载至接驳装置114上，接驳装置114然后将该样本架50输送至缓冲区TC的另一无装载通道以等待采样。应理解的是，标签读 取器501的位置不局限于图中所示的具体示例，例如，可以完全位于转运区TB中或完全位于缓冲区TC中。
控制器40根据接收到的来自RFID标签读取器的架识别信息和样本识别信息来确定当前样本架50的检测优先级，并据此确定该样本架50在缓冲区TC中装载的所有确定过优先级的样本架50中的送检顺序。例如，可以将样本架的检测优先级从低到高确定为四个等级，等级高的优先送检，对于同一等级的样本架则可以进一步基于加载批次甚至同一批次的加载时间的先后进行排序，由此确定多个待检测样本架的送检顺序。当然，以上四个等级的划分仅仅是示例性的，可以根据例如缓冲区的待检测样本架的容量和等级划分的难易程度适当地确定等级数。例如，等级数可以是大于等于2的任意自然数。
除上述方法之外，控制器40还可依据其他任意适合的标准来确定待检测样本架的检测优先级，这些都是本领域技术人员通过阅读本发明根据实际需要容易想到的，因此都落入本发明的范围内。例如，还可以在加载/卸载区TA中划出1到2个通道作为急诊通道，接驳装置114可优先转运加载在急诊通道中的待检测样本架并读取信息，当读取到的样本识别信息表明来自急诊通道的该待检测样本架承载有急诊样本时，控制器40将默认来自急诊通道且承载有急诊样本的该待检测样本架具有最高检测优先级。在一些示例中，急诊通道甚至可以仅用于处理急诊样本，对于急诊通道中的待检测样本架，控制器40可以直接将其确定为具有最高检测优先级并排在第一位送检，而无需进一步考虑其架识别信息和样本识别信息。鉴于接驳装置114是按从左至右的顺序从加载/卸载区TA取用待检测样本架，通常将加载/卸载区最左侧的1 道和/或2道作为急诊通道。
当需要将下一个待检测样本架从缓冲区TC转移至采样区TD或采样区TE进行采样检测时，控制器40根据送检顺序和检测内容向接驳装置114发送指令，告知下一个要送检的样本架所在的缓冲区通道编号(1道至12道)和目标采样区，并由接驳装置114根据指令将指定的样本架运送至目标采样区，其转运过程如图4b中的实线箭头所示。由于采样区TD和采样区TE的结构和功能类似，下文仅以采样区TD作为目标采样区进行描述，采样区TE的情况类似。先将指定样本架50从缓冲区TC取出至转运区TB的接驳装置114上，由接驳装置114将该指定样本架50运送至目标采样区TD，在采样区TD中样本架50被移送至采样位置P进行采样。
采样区TD和TE分别布置在并排设置的加载/卸载区TA、转运区TB和缓冲区TC的横向方向上的两侧。采样区TD和TE为沿纵向方向延伸的传送带的形式，传送带的横向宽度设定为仅允许容纳一个样本架的宽度，并且传送带可以以连续的方式或步进的方式在y轴方向上前进和后退。
当待检测样本架50由接驳装置114从缓冲区TC转移至采样区TD时，传送带上移将样本架50传送至采样位置P处。如上文所述，在采样位置P处，由CC检测设备20的样本分配器23的采样针233从样本架50上的位于采样位置P处的样本容器51中吸采样本，然后将吸取的样本转移至第一检测设备20中进行CC检测。也就是说，采样位置P成为样本架操纵装置10与检测设备20和30关联的接口。在逐一对样本架50上的样本容器51进行采样时，传送带以步进的方式移位，每次移动两个相邻样本容器的间隔距离，由此能够简化借助于传感器的定位操作。
当一个样本架50上的全部样本的采样都完成之后，传送带将已检测样本架下移至转运区TB与采样区TD之间的接口115(参见图3)处，再由接驳装置114将已检测样本架搬运走，经由转运区TB送回到缓冲区TC的无装载通道等待检测结果，如图4c中的实线箭头所示。若无新一轮的检测需求，则接驳装置114将缓冲区TC中的已检测样本架转运至加载/卸载区TA进行卸载；若还需要进行新一轮的检测(可以是相同的CC检测，也可以是不同的IA检测)，则经过一轮检测的该已检测样本架在缓冲区TC中等待再次被送入采样区TD或TE进行下一轮的采样检测。在不需要重复检测的情况下，可选地，已检测样本架可以直接从采样区TD或TE经由转运区TB返回至加载/卸载区TA，如图4c中的虚线箭头所示。
此外，出于设计空间紧凑性的需要，接驳装置114及其传输路径都是单向的，为了满足检测设备的检测速度吞吐量要求，提高样本架流转效率，根据本发明实施方式的传送带在中间位置处连续地形成有上下两个架容置部段107和108，以提供下一个待检测样本架的备用位置。只有在上架容置部段107或下架容置部段108与接口115对准时，传送带允许从转运区TB的接驳装置114接收样本架50或将已检测样本架50送回至转运区TB的接驳装置114。在这种情况下，想到了利用检测设备在采样完成之后的检测周期的短暂空当完成已检测样本架和下一个待检测样本架的更迭，以实现检测设备的连续运行。具体操作，参见图5a至5f。
首先参见图5a至5c所示的过程，其中采样区TD中的上架容置部段107中有2#样本架正在进行采样，下架容置部段108处于无装载状态且缓冲区TC中的1#样本架为下一个待检测样本架。在此情况下，如图5a所示，在2#样 本架即将完成采样操作时，由接驳装置114将1#样本架从缓冲区TC移出并转运至接口115。当2#样本架完成采样进入检测空当期时将下架容置部段108移动至正对接口115的位置处并由接驳装置114将1#样本架装载到下架容置部段108。接着，如图5b所示，传送带下移将上架容置部段107与接口115对正，由接驳装置114将2#样本架从上架容置部段107撤下并运送回缓冲区TC。与此同时，如图5c所示，传送带上移将处于下架容置部段108中的1#样本架送到采样位置接受采样。
接下来参见图5d至5f所示的过程，其中采样区TD中的下架容置部段108中有2#样本架正在进行采样，上架容置部段107处于无装载状态且缓冲区TC中的1#样本架为下一个待检测样本架。在此情况下，如图5d所示，在2#样本架即将完成采样操作时，由接驳装置114将1#样本架从缓冲区TC移出并转运至接口115。当2#样本架完成采样进入检测空当期时将上架容置部段107移动至正对接口115的位置处并由接驳装置114将1#样本架装载到上架容置部段107。接着，如图5e所示，传送带上移将下架容置部段108与接口115对正，由接驳装置114将2#样本架从下架容置部段108撤下并运送回缓冲区TC。与此同时，如图5f所示，传送带将处于上架容置部段107中的1#样本架送到适合的采样位置接受采样。
在以上的过程中，预先将下一个待检测样本架输送至接口115处，在上一个样本架的采样全部结束进入检测周期之后，将另一个无装载架容置部段移动至接口115处装载等待的下一个待检测样本架，之后卸载已检测样本架。这样下一个待检测样本架从缓冲区TC至采样区TD与转运区TB的接口115的运输可以与上一个样本架的采样同时进行，并且已检测样本架的返回可以 与下一个待检测样本架的采样同时进行，由此大大缩短了下一个待检测样本架的等待进样时间。相应地，接驳装置114也进一步设计为满足该装载/卸载的操作时间要求。由此，实现检测设备的无中断连续运行。
采样位置P通常选定成从样本架50的偏中间位置的样本容器开始该样本架的第一个样本的采样，而不是从位于样本架50两端的样本容器开始该样本架的第一个样本的采样。由此，能够减少样本架的移动距离并缩短下一样本架的等待进样时间。采样位置P可以根据样本架50上所承载的样本容器51的数量或者传送带的纵向尺寸等来适当地确定。
可以看出，通过上文描述的样本架操纵装置10的实施方式，本发明至少能够实现以下突出的有益效果。
(1)能够根据多个待检测样本架的架识别信息和/或样本识别信息确定他们各自的检测优先级，进而根据检测优先级确定多个待检测样本架的送检顺序。此外，在上文所述的样本架检测优先级的确认过程中，还可以由控制器根据样本识别信息对样本架上的多个样本容器的检测优先级进行排序，使得在对送检的样本架上的样本进行采样时，按各个样本容器的检测优先级顺序地采样。换而言之，根据本发明实施方式的样本架操纵装置10不但允许按照样本架的检测优先级来顺序地送检样本架，而且允许进一步按照送检样本架上的各个样本的检测优先级来顺序地采样，由此极大地提高了检测系统的灵活性和适用性，缩短了紧急样本的等待时间从而有利于提升用户体验。另外，控制器还可以根据样本识别信息确定每个样本架上未放置样本容器的空位以便在采样时跳过空位进行采样。也就是说，待检测样本架可以是非满载的。例如，在样本架可以承载7个样本容器的示例中，允许待检测样本架装 载1-7个样本容器。
(2)在该实施方式中，加载/卸载区TA和缓冲区TC各配备有12个样本架装载通道，因此整个样本架操纵装置10的样本架装载容量达到24个。相较于加载区和卸载区单独设置而不具有缓冲区的样本架操纵装置，本发明的样本架操纵装置10具有成倍增加的样本架装载容量，因此整个检测系统的功效得到大幅提升，并且能够节约劳动力。在检测系统1操作期间，操作者可以根据LED指示灯109的提示单个地或批量地卸载加载/卸载区TA中的已检测样本架，并加载新的待检测样本架，只要整个装置的样本架装载数量不超过24个即可。系统可以根据各个工位的传感器提供的信号，在系统达到最大装载容量时提示操作者，系统已经满载。
(3)在装载容量提升的同时，允许灵活的路线设计。尽管上文中描述了基本的转运路线，但本发明的设计理念允许更为复杂的随意路线设计。例如，当缓冲区满载时，接驳装置可以将新加载的待检测样本架从加载/卸载区TA转移到转运区TB中，在转运区TB中通过标签读取器读取架识别信息和样本识别信息，然后将该待检测样本架送回加载/卸载区TA。此时，该待检测样本架的信息及其定位已经存储在控制器40，可以参加排序等待检测。该路线对于设置有急诊通道的设计特别有利。在这种情况下，如图4b、5a和5d中的虚线箭头所示，送去采样的下一个待检测样本架可以来自于加载/卸载区TA。另外，如上文提及的，可以将经过一轮检测的样本架送回到缓冲区TC中等待检测结果，当判定样本架上的样本还需要进行新一轮或更多轮相同的或者不同的检测时，样本架在缓冲区TC中等待下一轮送检，否则将被转运至加载/卸载区TA进行卸载。例如，当同一样本架需要完成本实施方式中的CC 检测和IA检测时，该样本架将分别参加两项检测的排序并且先到的先检，在第一项检测完成后，该样本架将被返回至缓冲区TC等待第二项检测，如图4c、5b、5e中的实线箭头所示。但是，在不需要多轮检测的情况下，可以简单地将已检测样本架直接从采样区TD或TE转运至加载/卸载区TA进行卸载，如图4c、5b和5e中的虚线箭头所示。
(4)通过缓冲区和两个独立的采样区的设置，使得样本架操纵装置10具有良好的兼容性，能够将不同的检测设备集成在一个系统中共享加载/卸载区、转运区和缓冲区。众所周知，不同检测设备的采样周期和检测周期长短各异。以实施方式中的两种检测设备为例，CC检测的单个样本的采样周期例如为9秒左右，IA检测的单个样本的采样周期稍长，例如为36秒左右。常规的样本架操纵装置采用简单的顺序传送使得难以实现不同检测设备的集成和一体化。而对于本发明的样本架操纵装置10，只要能够在采样区实现样本传递的检测设备都可以实现组合。
控制器
使用微型计算机作为检测系统1的控制器40。控制器40包括控制部、输入部、用于第一检测设备的第一检测结果分析部、用于第二检测设备的第二检测结果分析部、用于样本架操纵装置的送检顺序确定部、存储部和输出部。控制部与检测设备、样本架操纵装置以及控制器的其他各部连接并控制其操作。检测结果分析部和送检顺序确定部基于来自输入部、各种传感器、分析仪器、标签读取器等的数据执行特定的算法和程序来实现检测结果的分析和送检顺序的确定功能，并且将分析报告和确定结果通过作为输出部的显示器、打印机等输出。存储部用于存储所需的各种程序和数据。
通过上述实施方式中描述的检测系统1能够执行图6所示的样本检测方法。首先，在样本架操纵装置的加载/卸载区加载多个待检测样本架(步骤S1)。接着，在转运区中，通过标签读取器读取每个待检测样本架的架识别信息和/或样本识别信息，并且通过接驳装置将读取过信息的待检测样本架转运至缓冲区(步骤S2)。控制器则根据所读取的架识别信息和/或样本识别信息确定相应的待检测样本架的检测优先级进而确定缓冲区中的多个待检测样本架的送检顺序(步骤S3)。于是，转运区中的接驳装置将按照控制器确定的送检顺序将缓冲区中的所述多个待检测样本架转运至采样区由检测设备进行采样检测(步骤S4)。
尽管在给出的实施方式中，样本架操纵装置10的两侧分别结合了第一检测设备20和第二检测设备30。但是本发明不限于此，本发明的样本架操纵装置10可以仅在一侧结合检测设备。在这种情况下，相应地，样本架操纵装置10可以仅设置一个采样区TD。
在给出的实施方式中，样本架的加载区和卸载区不是单独设置的，而是通过共用的加载/卸载区实现其功能。但是本发明不限于此，也可以在传送带的与上游加载区相反的下游区域另外设置单独的卸载区。
在给出的实施方式中，样本架操纵装置的加载/卸载区和缓冲区大体对称地设置，但是根据实际情况缓冲区可以具有不同于加载/卸载区的样本架容量。
在给出的实施方式中，信息读取标签为RFID标签的形式，但是可以使用任意适合的允许自动识别并读取信息的标签形式，比如二维码、条形码等。
上文已经具体描述了本发明的各种实施方式和变型，但是本领域技术人 员应该理解，本发明并不局限于上述具体的实施方式和变型而是可以包括其他各种可能的组合和结合。在不偏离本发明的实质和范围的情况下可由本领域的技术人员实现其他的变型和变体。所有这些变型和变体都落入本发明的范围内。而且，所有在此描述的构件都可以由其他技术性上等同的构件来代替。

Claims (21)

  1. 一种用于自动检测设备(20、30)的样本架操纵装置(10)，所述样本架操纵装置包括：
    加载/卸载区(TA)，所述加载/卸载区配置成能够并排布置多个样本架(50)，所述样本架用于承载一个或多个盛装样本的样本容器(51)；
    采样区(TD、TE)，在所述采样区中由所述自动检测设备对所述样本架上的每个所述样本容器中的样本进行采样；以及
    接驳装置(114)，所述接驳装置用于在所述加载/卸载区与所述采样区之间转运所述样本架，
    其中，所述接驳装置配置成能够按任意顺序取出所述加载/卸载区中加载的待检测样本架并将所取出的待检测样本架转运至所述采样区进行采样。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，所述接驳装置配置成按从左至右的顺序将所述加载/卸载区中同一批次加载的待检测样本架转运至所述采样区。
  3. 根据权利要求2所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，所述加载/卸载区中设置有急诊通道，所述接驳装置优先将加载在所述急诊通道中的待检测样本架转运至所述采样区。
  4. 根据权利要求1至3中的任一项所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，所述采样区为传送带的形式，所述传送带能够以连续或步进的方式在其延伸方向 上来回移动。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，所述采样区中设置有紧邻的两个架容置部段(107、108)，所述样本架装载在其中一个所述架容置部段中接受采样，另一个所述架容置部段提供备用采样位置。
  6. 根据权利要求5所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，所述接驳装置配置成：利用所述检测设备的采样周期的空当完成下一个待检测样本架在所述另一个架容置部段中的装载；并且利用所述检测设备的采样周期的空当完成已检测样本架从所述一个架容置部段的卸载和所述下一个待检测样本架从所述备用采样位置到采样位置的移位，由此实现检测设备的无中断连续采样。
  7. 根据权利要求1所述的样本架操纵装置(10)，还包括缓冲区(TC)和转运区(TB)，
    其中，所述转运区和/或所述缓冲区中设置有标签读取器，所述标签读取器用于读取所述样本架和/或所述样本容器上携带的标签以获取与该样本架有关的架识别信息和/或样本识别信息。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的样本架操纵装置，还包括：
    控制器(40)，所述控制器能够根据所读取的信息确定所述多个待检测样本架各自的检测优先级，进而确定所述多个待检测样本架的送检顺序，
    其中，所述接驳装置配置成按照所确定的送检顺序将所述缓冲区中的所 述多个待检测样本架转运至所述采样区进行采样。
  9. 根据权利要求8所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，
    所述加载/卸载区包括支架托盘(112)，所述支架托盘限定用于容置多个样本架的对应的多个通道；并且
    所述第一支架托盘的最左侧设置有一个或更多个急诊通道，所述接驳装置配置成优先将加载在所述急诊通道中的待检测样本架转运至所述转运区和/或所述缓冲区读取信息，并且所述控制器默认来自所述急诊通道且承载有急诊样本的待检测样本架具有最高检测优先级。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，对于具有相同检测优先级的样本架，所述控制器按照这些样本架进入所述缓冲区的时间先后确定所述送检顺序。
  11. 根据权利要求8或9所述的样本架操纵装置，其中，所述控制器能够进一步根据所述样本识别信息确定每个样本架上未放置样本容器的空位以便在采样时跳过所述空位，和/或根据所述样本识别信息对每个样本架上的多个样本容器的检测优先级进行排序以便按顺序进行采样。
  12. 一种检测系统(1)，包括：
    根据权利要求1-11中的任一项所述的样本架操纵装置；以及
    自动检测设备，所述自动检测设备能够从所述样本架操纵装置的所述采 样区中的位于采样位置的样本容器中采样并进行检测。
  13. 根据权利要求12所述的检测系统，其中，
    所述样本架操纵装置包括位于两侧的第一采样区和第二采样区，并且
    所述自动检测设备包括从所述第一采样区采样的第一检测设备和从所述第二采样区采样的第二检测设备。
  14. 根据权利要求13所述的检测系统，其中，所述第一检测设备为临床化学检测设备，并且所述第二检测设备为免疫测定检测设备。
  15. 一种用于自动检测设备的样本送检方法，包括以下步骤：
    加载多个待检测样本架，所述样本架用于承载一个或多个盛装样本的样本容器；
    读取与每个待检测样本架有关的架识别信息和样本识别信息；
    将所述待检测样本架送至缓冲区，所述缓冲区是与样本架的加载/卸载区共用的工作区或者是单独设置的、不同于样本架的加载/卸载区的工作区；
    根据所读取的信息确定相应的所述待检测样本架的检测优先级，进而确定所述缓冲区中的多个待检测样本架的送检顺序；以及
    按照所确定的送检顺序将所述缓冲区中的所述多个待检测样本架送检。
  16. 根据权利要求15所述的样本送检方法，还包括：进一步根据所述样本识别信息确定每个样本架上未放置样本容器的空位以便在采样时跳过所述 空位和/或对每个样本架上的多个样本容器的检测优先级进行排序以便按顺序进行采样。
  17. 根据权利要求15或16所述的样本送检方法，其中，默认加载在急诊通道中的待检测样本架具有最高检测优先级。
  18. 根据权利要求17所述的样本送检方法，其中，对于具有相同检测优先级的样本架，按照这些样本架进入所述缓冲区的时间先后确定所述送检顺序。
  19. 根据权利要求15或16所述的样本送检方法，其中，对于涉及多个检测项目的样本架，分别确定该样本架在所述多个检测项目中的检测优先级和送检顺序，并按照送检时间到来的先后顺序依次送检。
  20. 根据权利要求15或16所述的样本送检方法，还包括：
    利用检测设备的采样周期的空当将下一个待检测样本架装载在备用采样位置；以及
    利用检测设备的采样周期的空当将已检测样本架从采样位置卸载并将所述下一个待检测样本架移动至采样位置。
  21. 一种计算机可读介质，所述计算机可读介质上存储有程序，所述程序被处理器执行时实现如权利要求15-20中的任一项所述的样本检测方法。
PCT/CN2021/074071 2021-01-28 2021-01-28 样本架操纵装置、检测系统和送检方法及计算机可读介质 WO2022160153A1 (zh)

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