초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a method and automated loading mechanism for loading an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container).

The present invention is directed to a method and automated loading mechanism for loading an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of microorganism growth in a test sample, comprising: a housing enclosing an interior chamber; a holding structure having a plurality of wells for holding one or more specimen containers, wherein the holding structure further compr

1. An automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of microorganism growth in a test sample, comprising: a housing enclosing an interior chamber; a holding structure having a plurality of wells for holding one or more specimen containers, wherein the holding structure further comprises a retention feature operable to hold the specimen container in one of the plurality of wells, the retention feature comprising a canted coiled spring and a v-shaped holding plate, and wherein said holding structure further comprises an agitation assembly;a detection unit located within said interior chamber for the detection of microorganism growth in the specimen container;an automated loading mechanism for automated loading of said specimen container into said interior chamber, wherein said automated loading mechanism comprises a first end and a second end, said automated loading mechanism further comprising a container loading station located at said first end, a conveyor belt, one or more guide rails, and a container entrance location located at said second end, and wherein said conveyor belt is configured to transport said specimen container from said loading station to said container entrance location, and subsequently through said container entrance location, wherein said one or more guide rails guide the specimen container into a single file line at the second end of the automated loading mechanism;a container locator device located within said housing, said container locator device comprising a rotatable disk containing one or more locator wells each capable of holding a single specimen container and a pusher arm attached to a pusher motor via a pusher support structure, said rotatable disk configured to rotate in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis and thereby locate said specimen containers among a plurality of work-flow stations comprising a container imaging station, a container pick-up station, and a container transfer station , wherein the pusher arm rotates around a vertical axis through the pusher support structure to advance the single specimen container to a downstream instrument when the single specimen container reaches the container transfer station; and wherein said conveyor belt is configured to place one of said specimen containers into one of said locator wells. 2. The automated detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detection apparatus further comprises an automated transfer mechanism located within said interior chamber configured for the automated transfer of said specimen container from said container transfer station to within said interior chamber. 3. The automated detection apparatus of claim 2, wherein said automated transfer mechanism comprises a robotic transfer arm, said robotic transfer arm comprising a multi-axis robotic transfer arm. 4. The automated detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interior chamber comprises an incubation chamber, said incubation chamber comprising one or more heating elements to provide and/or maintain a climate-controlled interior chamber. 5. The automated detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first transport mechanism further comprises a backing board located underneath said conveyor belt. 6. The automated detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said automated loading mechanism further comprises a second transport mechanism for transporting said specimen container from said first transport mechanism to said container entrance location. 7. The automated detection apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second transport mechanism comprises a second conveyor belt, and wherein said second conveyor belt is located in a vertical plane above said first conveyor belt and operable in said vertical plane to provide said specimen container with clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation, thereby preventing two or more of said specimen containers from becoming trapped or jammed at said entrance location. 8. The automated detection apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second transport mechanism comprises a second conveyor belt, and wherein said second conveyor belt further comprises a plurality of paddles. 9. The automated detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a controller for operating said automated loading means. 10. The automated detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container entrance location comprises a rotating turntable for rotating the container within the entrance location to enable reading of a bar code label. 11. The automated detection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the robotic transfer arm further comprises: a horizontal slide supporting a robotic head and a gripper mechanism; anda pivot plate comprising a pivot plate guide rail, a pivot slot, and a pivot slot cam follower operable to allow the robotic head to slide along the horizontal slide,wherein the gripper mechanism is configured to pick up the specimen container at the container pick-up station,wherein the robotic head rotates from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation as the robotic head slides along the horizontal slide, andwherein the specimen container is transferred to one of the plurality of wells in the holding structure in the horizontal orientation. 12. A method for the automated loading of a specimen container into a detection system, the method comprising: providing a specimen container;providing said detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automated loading mechanism further comprises; a loading station located on said housing for receiving one or more of said specimen containers, andan entrance location in said housing, said entrance location comprising an opening in said housing for transport of a specimen container therethrough;depositing said specimen containers on said loading station; andtransporting said one or more specimen containers from said loading station to said entrance location, and subsequently through said opening in said housing and into said interior chamber using said conveyor belt, thereby automatically loading said specimen container into said detection apparatus. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said interior chamber comprises an incubation chamber said incubation chamber comprising one or more heating elements to provide and/or maintain a climate-controlled interior chamber for promoting and/or enhancing microorganism growth therein. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said method further comprises moving said specimen container among one or more work stations using said container locator device. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising moving said specimen container to a pick-up station using said container locator device, and up said specimen container from said pick-up station using an automated transfer mechanism and subsequently transferring said specimen container from said pick-up station to a holding structure contained within said interior chamber. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said detection apparatus further comprises a controller, and wherein said controller is operable to control one or more steps of said method.