Systems and Methods for Automated Analysis

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods. According to certain embodiments, provided is an integrated analysis system that includes a first module including a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system. The integrated analysis system further includes a second module including a second internal container conveyor system. The first and second modules are positioned adjacent each other such that the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module. Also provided are methods of analyzing and preparing samples (e.g., blood and body fluid samples), as well as components that find use within the analysis systems of the present disclosure.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 analyzing a sample in a first module comprising a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system; and   conveying the sample in a sample container from the first module to a second module comprising a second internal container conveyor system,   wherein the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein conveying the sample to the second module is based on the analysis of the sample in the first module. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein a sample preparation process, a type of sample analysis, or both, in the second module is based on the analysis of the sample in the first sample analysis module. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sample is present in a sample container, and wherein conveying the sample comprises conveying the sample container in a container rack. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , comprising tracking the container rack during the conveying. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the tracking is carried out using an optical emitter and an optical detector. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the tracking comprises detecting one or more apertures adapted to permit optical communication between the optical emitter and the optical detector when the container rack is positioned between the optical emitter and the optical detector. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second modules are independently selected from the group consisting of: a hematology analysis system, a slide preparation system, a cell morphology imaging system, a slide preparation and cell morphology imaging system, a erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analysis system, a blood coagulation analysis system, a real-time nucleic acid amplification system, an immunoassay system, and a clinical chemistry system. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sample is a blood sample. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein analyzing a sample in the first module comprises performing an analysis selected from the group consisting of: a red blood cell (RBC) analysis, a platelet (PLT) analysis, a hemoglobin (HGB) analysis, a white blood cell (WBC) analysis, a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) analysis, a mean platelet volume (MPV) analysis, a white blood cell differential (WBC diff) analysis, a nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) analysis, a reticulocyte (RETC) analysis, a coagulation analysis, a nucleic acid analysis, an immunoassay, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 .- 76 . (canceled)