Automated sample processing system

Abstract

A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A workstation for automatic preparation of multiple containers containing specimens for analysis, the workstation operating in cooperation with a centrifuge and a controller, the centrifuge being capable of centrifuging multiple receptacles containing containers, at least some of the containers having a cap, each of the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the workstation comprising: 
 (a) a table;    (b) holders on the table for holding the containers in predetermined locations;    (c) receptacle positioners on the table for positioning receptacles;    (d) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia, the reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia to the controller;    (e) a receptacle balance system on the table for balancing the weight of receptacles containing containers for the centrifuge;    (f) a decapper on the table for selectively decapping centrifuged containers;    (g) an analyzer delivery site on the table for receiving centrifuged, decapped containers for analysis by the analyzer and an analyzer receiving site on the table for receiving analyzed samples from the analyzer; and    (h) a transport system on the table for (i) transporting containers to and from the centrifuge receptacles, the analyzer delivery and receiving sites, and the decapper, (ii) sorting containers for processing, and (iii) transporting receptacles to and from the receptacle balance system and the centrifuge, the transport mechanism having an input element in communication with the controller so that the controller can control the transport system.    
   
   
       22 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A workstation for automatic preparation of multiple containers containing specimens for analysis, the workstation operating in cooperation with a controller and at least one analyzer, the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the containers being held in holders, the workstation comprising: 
 (a) a table;    (b) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder on the table at the predetermined locations, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the controller;    (c) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia, the reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia to the controller;    (d) an analyzer delivery site on the table for placement of holders for analysis by the analyzer and an analyzer receiving site on the table for receiving analyzed samples from the analyzer; and    (e) a transport system on the table for (i) transporting containers to and from the analyzer delivery and receiving sites, and (ii) sorting containers for processing, the transport mechanism having an input element in communication with the controller so that the controller can control the transport system.    
   
   
       27 . The workstation of  claim 26 , wherein the transport system comprises a robotic arm on a longitudinal track, and the table includes a base, the base comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of rigid bulkheads;    (b) a pair of longitudinal beams connecting respective opposite sides of the bulkheads; and    (c) a longitudinal rail connecting respective column extremities of the bulkheads in vertically spaced relation between the beams, the track being supported on the rail.    
   
   
       28 . The workstation of  claim 27 , wherein the workstation further comprises a pneumatic subsystem for the transport system, the rail forming a reservoir of the pneumatic subsystem.  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A workstation for automatic preparation of multiple containers containing specimens for analysis, the workstation operating in cooperation with a centrifuge and a controller, the centrifuge being capable of centrifuging multiple receptacles containing containers, at least some of the containers having a cap, each of the containers having container identification indicia thereon, the containers being held in holders, the workstation comprising: 
 (a) a table;    (b) detectors for detecting the presence of a holder on the table, the detectors having an output element for signaling the presence of a holder to the controller;    (c) an indicia reader for reading the container identification indicia, the reader having an output element for providing the container identification indicia to the controller;    (d) a receptacle balance system on the table for balancing the weight of receptacles containing containers for the centrifuge; and    (e) a transport system on the table for (i) transporting containers to and from the centrifuge receptacles, (ii) sorting containers for processing, and (iii) transporting receptacles to and from the receptacle balance system and the centrifuge, the transport mechanism having an input element in communication with the controller so that the controller can control the transport system.    
   
   
       31 . The workstation of  claim 30 , comprising a decapper on the table for selectively decapping centrifuged containers, and wherein the transport system transports containers to and from the decapper.  
   
   
       32 . A system for automated analysis of specimens in containers comprising: 
 (a) a workstation for preparation of specimens for analysis, the workstation having a front, a rear, and opposed sides;    (b) a first analyzer for analysis of specimens prepared by the workstation, the analyzer having opposed sides, a front, a top, and a back, the top having analytical equipment thereon and being accessible from the front by a user; and    (c) a transport mechanism for automated transport of specimens from the workstation to the analyzer,    wherein the workstation is proximate to one of the sides of the analyzer without any obstruction of the front of the analyzer.    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , comprising a centrifuge, wherein the rear of the workstation is proximate to the analyzer, the transport mechanism transports specimens from the workstation to the centrifuge and from the centrifuge to the workstation, and the centrifuge is proximate to one of the sides of the workstation.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the centrifuge abuts against said side of the workstation.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the workstation abuts against said side of the analyzer.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 32 , comprising a second analyzer, the two analyzers having their backs proximate to each other, the transport mechanism transporting specimens to both analyzers, and the rear of the workstation is proximate to one of the sides of each analyzer.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36 , comprising a centrifuge, the transport mechanism transports specimens from the workstation to and from the centrifuge, and the centrifuge is proximate to one of the sides of the workstation.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises a robotic arm on the workstation, and a robotic arm on each of the analyzers.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises a robotic arm on the workstation and a robotic arm on the analyzer.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises a robotic arm on the analyzer.  
   
   
       41 . A system for automated analysis of specimens in containers comprising: 
 (a) a workstation for preparation of specimens for analysis, the workstation having a top, the top having a delivery site for placement of containers for analysis by the analyzer and a receiving site for receiving analyzed samples from the analyzer;    (b) an analyzer for analysis of specimens prepared by the workstation; and    (c) a robotic arm on the analyzer for automated transport of specimens from the workstation to the analyzer.    
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the delivery site and the receiving site are the same.  
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the workstation has an adjustment mechanism for aligning the delivery and receiving site with the robotic arm without moving either the analyzer or the workstation.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the delivery site and the receiving site are different sites.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the workstation has an adjustment mechanism for independently aligning the delivery site and the receiving site with the robotic arm without moving either the analyzer or the workstation.  
   
   
       46 . An analyzer for automated analysis of specimens in containers comprising: 
 (a) a base having opposed sides, a front, a top, and a back, the top having analytical equipment thereon and being accessible from the front by a user;    (b) a pedestal on the top of the base, the pedestal having a front work area and a roof; and    (c) a transport mechanism for automated transport of specimens from the workstation to the analyzer, the transport mechanism being on top of the roof.    
   
   
       47 . The analyzer of  claim 46 , wherein the transport mechanism has a rest position that does not obstruct the top of the base or the front work area of the pedestal.  
   
   
       48 . The analyzer of  claim 46 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises a robotic arm, a path along the entire width of the roof, and a drive for moving the robotic arm along the path.  
   
   
       49 . The analyzer of  claim 46 , wherein the robotic arm comprises a track engaging element, an extension arm extending from the track engaging element in the same direction the path extends, and grippers connected to the extension arm, the extension arm being sufficiently long that when the track engaging element is at the end of the path, the robotic arm does not obstruct the top of the base or the front work area of the pedestal.  
   
   
       50 . A decapper system for removing pressed-in caps from specimen containers, comprising: 
 (a) a receiver for clampingly holding a container;    (b) a yoke member movably mounted relative to the receiver and having means for holding a cap seated in the container; and    (c) a translator for laterally moving the yoke member between open and closed positions thereof; and    (d) an elevator for raising the yoke member, in the closed position thereof, relative to the receiver to thereby remove the cap.    
   
   
       51 . The decapper system of  claim 50 , further comprising: 
 (a) a collector for receiving caps from the yoke member; and    (b) an unloader for transferring removed caps from the yoke member to the collector.    
   
   
       52 . The decapper system of  claim 51 , for use with each cap having a shoulder surface extending outwardly from opposite sides an adjacent container portion, wherein the holding means comprises the yoke having an upwardly facing ledge portion for engaging the shoulder surface of a cap seated in the container, the ledge portion extending under the shoulder surface of the cap in the closed position.  
   
   
       53 . The decapper system of  claim 51 , wherein the unloader comprises a post fixedly located relative to the receiver, in combination with the translator and the elevator being programmed for lowering the yoke member for engagement of the cap with the post, thereby stripping the cap from the yoke member.  
   
   
       54 . The decapper system of  claim 51 , further comprising a guide for directing the stripped caps into the receiver.  
   
   
       55 . The decapper system of  claim 51 , further comprising a cap sensor for sensing and signaling passage of removed caps into the collector.  
   
   
       56 . The decapper system of  claim 50 , further comprising a drive for rotating the receiver, for removal of threaded caps from the container.  
   
   
       57 . The decapper system of  claim 56 , wherein the receiver comprises a bladder member for enclosing a portion of the container, the bladder member being confined by a rigid member and fluid-connected through a control valve to a pressure source for selectively gripping the container.  
   
   
       58 . The decapper system of  claim 56 , wherein the receiver comprises: 
 (a) a flexible sleeve within a rigid member for enclosing a bottom portion of the container, the sleeve having a closed end;    (b) a jaw member extending between the rigid member and the flexible sleeve; and    (c) an actuator for moving the jaw member forcibly against the sleeve, thereby the clamp the container relative to the rigid member.    
   
   
       59 - 68 . (canceled)