US5735387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Specimen rack handling system
Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc
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Filing: 1995-07-14
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2015-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic conveyor system for transporting test samples in tubes disposed in a sample rack having a magnetic or magnetically attractive region is described. The magnetic conveyor system includes a drive system, a magnet coupled to the drive system and movable in response to the drive system and a tray having a first surface adapted to receive the sample rack. The magnet is spaced a predetermined distance from the first surface of the tray such that the magnet provides a magnetic force at the surface of the tray. The magnetic force engages the magnetically attractive region of the sample rack disposed on the tray to thereby move the sample rack along the first surface of the tray in response to movement of the drive system. When the tray reaches the end of the rack it is moved onto a processing queue tray where it is available for test purposes. A barcode reader reads a bar code on each test sample as it is placed on the process queue to identify one or more tests to perform. When all samples have received the individual tests the rack exits to an output queue for disposal. When a test must be made on an immediate basis out of normal processing order a sample rack can be inserted into the process queue via a priority rack feed. In the indicated manner, testing can continue without interruption as new racks are added and completed racks removed.
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Polaniec
- 👤 David J. Lapeus
- 👤 Mary Beth Whitesel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0474; G01N2035/0477; G01N35/026; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11; Y10T436/113332; Y10T436/114165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
An analyzer system for analysis of a sample disposed in a sample container held by a sample rack, said analyzer system comprising: an input queue having at least one entry point and a transfer point; a process queue having an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said input queue and a transfer point; an infeed apparatus for moving the sample rack from the transfer point of said entry queue to the entry point of said process queue; an output queue comprising an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said process queue; wherein a first one of said input queue, said process queue and said output queue includes: a tray having first and second opposing ends and first and second opposing surfaces; a magnet, proximate said tray and magnetically coupled to the sample rack; and a drive system comprising a first pulley, a second pulley, a belt disposed around said first and second pulleys, said magnet coupled to said belt, and a motor coupled to a first one of said first and second pulleys for driving said belt and said magnet about said pulleys for moving said magnet in first and second directions between the first and second ends of said tray, wherein movement of said magnet causes a corresponding movement of the sample rack; a first guide projecting from a first surface of said input queue along a first central portion of said input queue for engaging a recess region provided in a center portion of the sample rack; a second guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a first edge of said input queue for engaging a first end of the sample rack; and a third guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a second edge of said input queue for engaging a second end of the sample rack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
An analyzer system for analysis of a sample disposed in a sample container held by a sample rack, said analyzer system comprising: an input queue having at least one entry point and a transfer point; a process queue having an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said input queue and a transfer point; an infeed apparatus for moving the sample rack from the transfer point of said entry queue to the entry point of said process queue; an output queue comprising an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said process queue; wherein a first one of said input queue, said process queue and said output queue includes: a tray having first and second opposing ends and first and second opposing surfaces; a magnet, proximate said tray and magnetically coupled to the sample rack; and a drive system comprising a first pulley, a second pulley, a belt disposed around said first and second pulleys, said magnet coupled to said belt, and a motor coupled to a first one of said first and second pulleys for driving said belt and said magnet about said pulleys for moving said magnet in first and second directions between the first and second ends of said tray, wherein movement of said magnet causes a corresponding movement of the sample rack; a first guide projecting from a first surface of said input queue along a first central portion of said input queue for engaging a recess region provided in a center portion of the sample rack; a second guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a first edge of said input queue for engaging a first end of the sample rack; and a third guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a second edge of said input queue for engaging a second end of the sample rack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The analyzer system of claim 1 further comprising a bar code reader disposed proximate the entry queue and exit queue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The analyzer system of claim 1 further comprising exit means disposed proximate said process queue for moving the sample rack from said process queue to said output queue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The analyzer of claim 3 wherein said exit means comprises: a motor; and a push rod coupled to said motor wherein in response to said motor turning, said push rod moves and contacts a surface of the sample rack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The analyzer system of claim 1 further comprising a cover disposed about said process queue for inhibiting access to the sample rack disposed in said process queue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said input queue is provided having a guide adapted to engage a portion of the sample rack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The analyzer of claim 6 wherein said guide is provided as a boss provided on the first surface of said sample queue wherein said boss is adapted to engage a recess region provided in the sample rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein a first one of said input and output queues comprises: a stat entry point and a stat load point aligned with the entry point of said process queue; and a sensor, disposed on the first one of said input and output queues to provide and a signal in response to placement of the sample rack in the stat entry point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
The analyzer system of claim 1 wherein a second one of said input queue, said process queue and said output queue includes: a tray having first and second opposing ends and first and second opposing surfaces; a magnet, freely suspended proximate said tray and magnetically coupled to the sample rack; and a drive system comprising a first pulley, a second pulley, a belt disposed around said first and second pulleys, said magnet coupled to said belt, and a motor coupled to a first one of said first and second pulleys for driving said belt and said magnet about said pulleys for moving said magnet in first and second directions between the first and second ends of said tray wherein movement of said magnet causes a corresponding movement of the sample rack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
212 words
An analyzer system for analysis of a sample disposed in a sample container held by a sample rack, said analyzer system comprising: an input queue having at least one entry point and a transfer point, said input queue including means for magnetically moving the sample rack from the entry point to the transfer point of said input queue; a process queue having an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said input queue and a transfer point; an infeed apparatus for moving the sample rack from the transfer point of said entry queue to the entry point of said process queue; an output queue comprising an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said process queue; a first guide projecting from a first surface of said input queue along a first central portion of said input queue for engaging a recess region provided in a center portion of the sample rack; a second guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a first edge of said input queue for engaging a first end of the sample rack; and a third guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a second edge of said input queue for engaging a second end of the sample rack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
212 words
An analyzer system for analysis of a sample disposed in a sample container held by a sample rack, said analyzer system comprising: an input queue having at least one entry point and a transfer point, said input queue including means for magnetically moving the sample rack from the entry point to the transfer point of said input queue; a process queue having an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said input queue and a transfer point; an infeed apparatus for moving the sample rack from the transfer point of said entry queue to the entry point of said process queue; an output queue comprising an entry point aligned with the transfer point of said process queue; a first guide projecting from a first surface of said input queue along a first central portion of said input queue for engaging a recess region provided in a center portion of the sample rack; a second guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a first edge of said input queue for engaging a first end of the sample rack; and a third guide projecting from the first surface of said input queue along a second edge of said input queue for engaging a second end of the sample rack.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |