초록 ▼

A pathology distribution system 10 is provided for automated sample container 14, 15 distribution. The system 10 comprises a loading station 500 for loading samples in primary containers 14 of different types, a sample handling station 16 for receiving the containers 14 and identifying the container

A pathology distribution system 10 is provided for automated sample container 14, 15 distribution. The system 10 comprises a loading station 500 for loading samples in primary containers 14 of different types, a sample handling station 16 for receiving the containers 14 and identifying the container types and samples therein, and a container distribution station 38 for distributing the containers in areas or racks in the distribution station 38 marked for analyzing processes prescribed for the samples therein.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A sample container handling apparatus for a pathology sample distribution system having a plurality of containers and the containers each being arranged to contain a sample for pathology analysis, the apparatus including container sealing means for sealing each of said

The invention claimed is: 1. A sample container handling apparatus for a pathology sample distribution system having a plurality of containers and the containers each being arranged to contain a sample for pathology analysis, the apparatus including container sealing means for sealing each of said containers with samples dispensed therein, the container sealing means having a source of heat sensitive lamination tape, means for punching the tape to form a cap seal for each said container, said punching means having a set of punches of different diameters and a punch actuator being controllably movable to actuate any of the punches for punching cap seals of a selected diameter, means for placing said cap seal over a top of each said container and means for heating the cap seal over the top of each said container to cause the cap seal to seal each said container. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container sealing means has a rotatable pay out reel around which the source of heat sensitive tape is wound and the tape is transferred along a tape travel path to a rotatable take up reel for receiving the tape with cap seals punched therefrom. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the container sealing means further has a tape tensioner arranged to apply tension to the tape for controlling acceleration of the tape along the tape travel path. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for placing has having a vacuum line adapted to hold the punched out cap seal and a transport device adapted to controllably place the vacuum line so that the cap seal is positioned over the top of each said container. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a rotatable actuator is arranged to rotate the cap seal for heat scaling by the heating means. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a low tape supply detector is associated with the pay out reel for providing an indication when the tape around the pay out reel is low. 7. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a motor is arranged to rotate the take up reel, and the motor is associated with an indexing means for controlling the motor to move the tape at an indexed distance along the travel path. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of containers are of different types and the apparatus further includes a container handling station arranged for receiving the containers in turn, the handling station including a container identification means for obtaining one or more characteristics of a container presented for identification and identifying the container type by comparing the obtained characteristic or characteristics with predetermined characteristics of the container types, wherein a container type is identified when the obtained characteristic or characteristics match or are within a predetermined range from matching one predetermined characteristic or one set of the predetermined characteristic for the container type. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the handling station includes a sample identification means for identifying the sample by obtaining the identification indicator on the presented container and the obtained sample identification is used for the pathology analysis prescribed for the sample. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the sample identification means is a bar code scanner and the sample identification indicator is a bar coded label fixed to the container. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the container identification means is an image analyzer for capturing an image or images containing the one or more characteristics of the presented container and a light source for illuminating the presented container, said one or more characteristics including at least one of a dimension or dimensions of the presented container, one or more areas of the presented container and the color or colors of the cap of the container. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the image analyzer is arranged to detect the level and/or volume of the sample or component of the sample for analysis and the handling station is provided with a controller which controls a rotatable container receiving means for positioning the presented container so that a window in the container allowing the sample to be visible externally is positioned before the image analyzer. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the sample identification means produces a signal to the controller when the sample identification indicator is detected and the controller in turn stops the presented container at a predetermined position so that the window is before the analyzer. 14. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the apparatus comprises processing means having a storage device for storing said predetermined characteristic or set of characteristics relating to each container type. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the processing means is arranged to access information relating to analysis prescribed for each sample online from a remote computer or from the storage device. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus utilises the sample information for the determination of whether or not aspiration of the sample in an identified container is required, and if required the volume to be dispensed in one or each secondary container. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus utilises the sample information for the determination of placement for the containers and/or secondary containers in a container distribution station. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said containers has a cap and the apparatus includes a container distributor having a cap removal and replacement means including a container holder movable with respect to a rotatable cap engagement member, the holder being arranged to hold a capped container positioned thereat and to controllably move towards the cap engagement member for engaging therewith the cap of the capped container, and the cap removal and replacement means being arranged to rotate the engaged cap as the holder is controlled to move away from the cap engagement member thereby uncapping the capped container. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the cap removal and replacement means is further arranged so that the holder can be controlled to move the uncapped container, sealed or open, towards the cap which is engaged with the cap engagement member, and the cap engagement is adapted to rotate the engaged cap as the holder is controlled to move the uncapped container towards the cap engaged with the cap engagement member for replacement of the cap onto the uncapped container. 20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the cap engagement member has jaw parts arranged to grip onto the cap and the cap removal and replacement means is adapted to rotate the jaw parts as the holder is control led to move away from to the cap engagement member for uncapping the capped container. 21. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the cap engagement member has jaw parts arranged to grip onto the cap and the cap removal and replacement means is adapted to rotate the jaw parts as the holder is controlled to move away from to the cap engagement member for uncapping the capped container, and to rotate the engaged cap for replacement of the cap onto the uncapped container as the uncapped container is pushed onto the cap while the holder is controlled to move towards the cap engagement member. 22. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a container distributor having sample aspiration and/or dispensing means for aspirating and/or dispensing volumetrically a predetermined portion of the sample in or to at least one of the containers, the sample aspiration and/or dispensing means includes a pipette tip holder for holding a plurality of pipette tips, a pipette probe, an articulated arm arranged for removing a pipette tip from the holder and place the pipette tip onto the probe, and a pipette tip removing means arranged to remove the pipette tip from the probe for deposition in a disposal receptacle. 23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus includes a blockage detection means for detecting blockage of flow in a sample aspiration means including a pipette tip for aspirating volumetrically a predetermined portion of a sample in a container, a pipette tip controller is arranged to move the tip towards the sample in the container, the blockage detection means including a pressure sensitive module having a pump for aspiration of the sample through the tip, the blockage detection means being arranged to detect blockage in the tip and thereby to provide a warning signal and to cause the operation of the sample aspiration means to be arrested until the blockage has been resolved. 24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the apparatus further includes a sample level detection means having a low pressure generating means for applying low pressure to the aspiration means, pressure sensor means for sensing the pressure in the aspiration means and an actuator for moving the tip towards the sample, the sample level being detected when the pressure as sensed by the sensor means exceeds a predetermined margin from said low pressure. 25. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus includes automatic labeling means for the application of an adhesive label to each said container with samples dispensed therein, the automatic labeling means includes one or more spools of adhesive labels, means for providing a sample identification indicator for identifying a dispensed sample on one of said adhesive labels, sample identification means for verifying that the applied indicator on said one label corresponds to the indicator of a container from which the sample is aspirated, and means for detecting errors in the indicators on the labeled container or the absence of a label. 26. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus includes hopper means for receiving and delivering one or more of the containers, and container alignment means arranged for aligning the containers from a substantially horizontal position to a vertical position with the open ends positioned to receive samples when the containers are delivered from said hopper means. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the container alignment means includes a rotary magazine having circumferentially located compartments to hold substantially horizontally positioned containers, a sideways plunger member arranged in co-operation with the magazine and a guide positioned beneath the magazine to change the position of the containers released from the magazine from the horizontal to the vertical position, in operation the plunger member pushes a closed end of a container so that the displaced container released from the magazine falls into the guide in the vertical position, said co-operating plunger member when not in contact with a closed end, does not push a container which when released, falls into the guide in the vertical position. 28. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus includes a loading station having a conveyor arrangement for conveying the containers in position to be loaded onto a tube handling station, the conveyor arrangement having a movable conveyor surface on which carriers for carrying said containers can be placed, the conveyor surface having a first section arranged with a barrier dividing said first section into a buffer zone and a by-pass passage for the carriers, the buffer zone having an entrance and a diversion part is arranged adjacent to the entrance, in operation the diversion part diverts the carriers carrying containers into the buffer zone and empty carriers are allowed to continue to move into the by-pass passage. 29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the diversion part is arranged so that when the buffer zone is full of carriers with tubes, other carriers with or without tubes continue to move into the by-pass passage. 30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the buffer zone has a controllably actuable member positioned opposite to said entrance and the actuable member is controlled to push a carrier out of the buffer zone after the container on said carrier has been loaded onto the handling station or a rejected tube is placed on said carrier in the buffer zone. 31. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the conveyor surface has a second section arranged with another barrier dividing said second section into a reject zone for receiving carriers with rejected containers and a by-pass passage for other carriers, the reject zone having a diversion part arranged to divert the carriers carrying rejected containers into the reject zone and to allow empty carriers to continue to move into the by-pass passage. 32. A pathology sample distribution system having a plurality of containers of different types and the containers each containing a sample for pathology analysis a pathology specimen, the system comprising a loading station for loading said containers, a container handling station arranged to receive the containers in turn from the loading station, and a distribution station with areas or distribution holders marked for specific analyzing processes, the handling station including container sealing means for sealing each of said containers with samples dispensed therein, the container sealing means having a source of heat sensitive lamination tape, means for punching the tape to form a cap seal for each said container, means for placing said cap seal over a top of each said container and means for heating the can seal over each said container to cause the cap seal to seal each said container.