System and process for transporting and automated handling of test tubes containing biological samples

Abstract

A system (1) for pneumatic transfer and automated handling of test tubes (T) containing biological samples comprises one or more pneumatic transfer tubes (10), a plurality of carriers (2) configured to be pneumatically transferred within the pneumatic transfer tubes (10), and one or more incoming / outgoing stations (8) each connected to the pneumatic transfer tubes (10) for loading and / or unloading test tubes (T) containing biological samples. Each carrier (2) is in the form of a hollow capsule and is equipped with a door (3) that can be opened in an automated manner for access to the inner chamber of the carrier (2). Each incoming / outgoing station (8) has a tubular structure (8A) having a station door (8B) that can be moved in an automated manner together with the door (3) of the carrier (2) arriving at the station (8) for access to the inner chamber of the carrier (2). Each carrier (2) can receive at least one test tube rack (4) having a plurality of positions (6) configured to detachably receive and hold a plurality of test tubes (T). The system (1) further includes an interface station (11) interposed between at least one of the incoming / outgoing stations (8) and an automatic line (9) or sample processing unit for transporting test tubes (T). At least one electronically controlled operating robot (R) provides for transporting test tubes between the automatic transport line (9) or the sample processing unit and a test tube rack (4) placed at the interface station (11). The operating robot (R) further provides for transporting a test tube rack (4) between the inner chamber of a carrier (2) arriving at the incoming / outgoing station (8) and a support surface (11B) of the interface station (11).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and process for the transfer and automatic handling of test tubes containing biological samples of the following types:

[0002] - One or more pneumatic transfer tubes,

[0003] - A plurality of carriers configured to be transported pneumatically within a pneumatic transfer tube, and

[0004] - One or more incoming / outgoing stations of carriers, each connected to a pneumatic transfer tube, for loading and / or unloading test tubes containing biological samples. Background Technology

[0005] Systems for pneumatic transfer of test tubes containing biological samples (i.e., blood and urine) to be processed in an analytical laboratory have already been proposed and used in the past. Solutions of this type are described, for example, in the literature US 6 062 398, WO 2014 / 081283 A1, US 10 562 719 B2, US 6 173 212, EP 3 483 612 A1.

[0006] However, to the applicant's knowledge, none of the solutions proposed to date have effectively solved the problem of pneumatically transporting and handling test tubes containing biological samples in an analytical laboratory in a fully automated manner.

[0007] In practice, achieving these goals involves solving a series of problems. First, it is necessary to ensure that the transfer and handling of test tubes containing biological samples are carried out without the risk of damage to the test tubes or loss of any part of their contents. Additionally, it is desirable to identify a solution with high flexibility that can adapt to the specific configuration of any analytical laboratory, so that test tubes containing biological samples can be handled, for example, from a collection center where test tubes containing samples are prepared, to one or more automated lines for transferring test tubes containing samples and / or one or more units for sample processing (which may be located on different floors of the laboratory structure).

[0008] Another problem to be solved is enabling the high-speed transport of test tubes containing samples without applying excessive deceleration or acceleration, in order to eliminate the risk of partial loss of the contents of the test tubes. Finally, it is necessary to implement a system that ensures the permanent traceability of samples in a complete and accurate manner through continuous monitoring of the location of each test tube containing a sample associated with unique identification data.

[0009] For example, a pneumatic transfer system for a carrier containing histological samples, usable in an anatomical pathology laboratory, has been proposed by the applicant in document EP 4 151 568 B1.

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to implement a system and process for the transfer and automatic handling of test tubes containing biological samples, which can optimally solve all the aforementioned problems.

[0011] In particular, one objective of the present invention is to implement a system and process for transferring and handling test tubes containing biological samples in a fully automated manner between different workstations of an analytical laboratory, while ensuring absolute safety against the risk of damage to the test tube itself or the risk of loss of any part of the contents, and at the same time ensuring the rapid transfer of the test tubes.

[0012] A further objective of the present invention is to implement a system of the indicated type that has high flexibility and can adapt to different applications and different laboratory configurations in a simple and rapid manner.

[0013] A further objective of the present invention is to implement a system of the indicated type in which complete and continuous traceability of each test tube, and thus each biological sample, is ensured during the processing process.

[0014] Finally, an additional objective of the present invention is to achieve all the aforementioned objectives by relatively simple and inexpensive means.

[0015] In order to achieve one or more of the aforementioned objectives,

[0016] The present invention relates to a system for the transfer and handling of test tubes containing biological samples:

[0017] - One or more pneumatic transfer tubes,

[0018] - A plurality of carriers configured to be transported pneumatically within a pneumatic transfer tube, and

[0019] - To load and / or unload test tubes containing biological samples, the system includes one or more loading / unloading stations of carriers each connected to a pneumatic transfer tube, and

[0020] - Each carrier is in the form of a substantially cylindrical hollow capsule having an inner chamber for transporting test tubes containing biological samples, having a door of the carrier having a hinge axis parallel to the main axis of the carrier, and capable of moving in an automated manner between a closed position for transporting test tubes containing biological samples via a pneumatic transfer tube and an open position for loading and / or unloading test tubes containing biological samples to and from an inbound / outbound station, and having an inner chamber for transporting test tubes containing biological samples.

[0021] - Each incoming / outgoing station is coaxially connected to a pneumatic transfer tube and has a tubular structure arranged to accommodate a carrier being incoming to or outgoing from the station, and the tubular structure of the station has a station door that is arranged in the station and can be moved in an automated manner between a closed position and an open position for access to the inner chamber of the carrier with the carrier door open, and

[0022] - Each carrier is associated with at least one test tube rack having a plurality of positions each configured to detachably accommodate and hold test tubes, and

[0023] - The test tube rack and the inner chamber of the carrier have mutually interlocking surfaces configured so that the test tube rack can be detachably accommodated and maintained within the inner chamber of the carrier, and

[0024] The above system is:

[0025] - Includes an interface station between at least one of the above-mentioned incoming / outgoing stations (8) and an automated line for test tube transfer or a sample processing unit, wherein the interface station is configured to support one or more test tube racks at a designated location, and

[0026] - Includes at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator positioned adjacent to the above-mentioned at least one incoming / outgoing station and the above-mentioned interface station, configured and programmed as follows;

[0027] The above at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator

[0028] - Transfer one or more test tubes from the above automatic transfer line or the above sample processing unit to each location of the test tube rack placed at the interface station, and

[0029] - After at least one of the locations in the test tube rack is filled with a test tube, the test tube rack is picked up from the interface station, and

[0030] - After both the station door and the carrier door are opened, the test tube rack is configured and programmed to be loaded into the inner chamber of the carrier that has reached the inbound / outbound station, along with the test tubes transported by it, and

[0031] The above at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator is:

[0032] - After both the station door and the carrier door are opened, pick up the test tube rack from the carrier that has reached the inbound / outbound station, and

[0033] - Place the lifted test tube rack at a determined location on the interface station, and

[0034] - It is configured and programmed to transfer test tubes from each location within the test tube rack placed in the interface station to the automatic transfer line or the sample processing unit.

[0035] As is evident, thanks to the above features, the system according to the present invention enables the fully automated handling of test tubes containing biological samples in the passage between the inlet / outlet station of the pneumatic transfer system and an automated line for test tube transfer or any sample processing unit that is part of an analytical laboratory and is intended for the processing of samples contained in test tubes.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, each test tube rack has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential side surface, and a position for the test tube is a cavity extending from the upper surface, and an elastic retaining device configured to hold each test tube detachably is provided, and the circumferential side surface of each test tube rack is configured to enable the gripping of the test tube rack by a gripping device carried by the at least one automatic manipulator.

[0037] Referring still to a preferred embodiment, each inlet / outlet station has the tubular structure oriented vertically and includes one or more switching stations capable of reversing the orientation of the carrier within the pneumatic transfer tube to allow each carrier to be oriented so that the test tube is oriented upward when introduced into the inlet / outlet station. The transfer system includes one or more switching stations of any known type capable of reversing the orientation of the carrier within the pneumatic transfer tube.

[0038] In a preferred example, the door (8B) of the tubular structure of each incoming / outgoing station has a hinge axis parallel to the axis of the tubular structure, and the incoming / outgoing station includes a first actuator for rotating a carrier placed within the station around the main axis of the carrier until the side door of the carrier is in an angular position substantially corresponding to the angular position of the door of the tubular structure of the station; and a second actuator for controlling joint rotation between the closed position and the open position of the door of the tubular structure of the station and the door of the carrier. The first and second actuators may be of any known type. In particular, the first and second actuators may be of the type described in EP 4 151 568 B1 of the same applicant.

[0039] Preferably, each incoming / outgoing station is associated with a device for decelerating carriers entering the incoming / outgoing station. The same measure is preferably provided for each switching station of the pneumatic transfer system.

[0040] The reduction gear may be of any known type. In particular, such a device may be of the type described in the same applicant’s document EP 4 151 568 B1.

[0041] According to an additional preferred feature, the interface station has at least one support surface configured to accommodate and support one or more test tube racks, and each test tube rack and the support surface of the interface station have mutual coupling elements for positioning each test tube rack at a determined position on the support surface of the interface station.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one automatic manipulator is a robot, and the robot has a work head movable in three mutually orthogonal axes by servo-controlled electric motors, and the work head has at least one first gripping device configured to grip a single test tube and a second gripping device configured to grip a test tube rack. It is also possible to provide an automatic manipulator configured to manipulate only a test tube and another automatic manipulator configured to manipulate only a test tube rack.

[0043] The system according to the present invention includes an electronic controller configured to control at least one automatic actuator and to store the actual location of each test tube rack within the interface station and the actual location of each test tube within each test tube rack located within the interface station.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, within an analytical laboratory, a circuit of pneumatic transfer tubes configured to connect a plurality of incoming / outgoing stations disposed on the same floor and / or different floors of the analytical laboratory is included, at least one incoming / outgoing station is disposed adjacent to a collection center and one or more incoming / outgoing stations are disposed adjacent to one or more automatic transfer lines and / or one or more sample processing units.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a process for the transfer and automatic handling of test tubes containing biological samples, performed by the system described above. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0046] Further features and advantages of the present invention will result from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings provided as non-limiting examples, wherein: FIGS. 1 to 4 are perspective views of an analytical laboratory using a transfer system for a test tube containing a biological sample according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating two incoming / outgoing stations of a system according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carrier transferable through a pneumatic transfer tube of a pneumatic transfer system configured to transfer a test tube containing a biological sample, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a group of test tubes containing a biological sample placed in a test tube rack configured to be transported within the carrier of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an additional perspective view of a carrier shown in a position where the test tube rack is partially removed, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of elastic retaining devices intended to be associated with the positions of a test tube rack to detachably retain a test tube within the aforementioned positions, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are a perspective view and a plan view of an inbound / outbound station and an interface station positioned adjacent to an automatic transfer line, and FIGS. 12 to 18 are perspective views illustrating different operating states of an automatic manipulator configured to handle test tube racks between an incoming / outgoing station and an interface station, and to handle test tubes between test tube racks placed within the interface station and an automatic transfer line. FIG. 19 is an additional schematic diagram illustrating the sliding of a carrier in a system according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0047] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate an analysis laboratory using a system (1) according to the present invention for pneumatic transfer and automatic handling of test tubes containing biological samples such as blood and urine.

[0048] In the laboratory, test tubes containing biological samples are transported between different workstations within the laboratory by a pneumatic transport system (1). In particular, the pneumatic transport system is preferably connected to a collection center with one or more units for processing biological samples and / or one or more automated lines for transporting test tubes containing samples.

[0049] Pneumatic transfer systems have long been known. Generally, they include a pneumatic transfer tube and one or more blowers capable of generating a flow of pressurized air within the pneumatic transfer tube to move one or more carriers in one direction or another within the pneumatic transfer tube.

[0050] Configuration details related to the pneumatic transfer system, transfer tubes, and blowers can be constructed in any known manner and are therefore not described or exemplified here. Removing these details from the drawings makes them faster and easier to understand.

[0051] In FIGS. 1 through 4, number (10) represents a tube of a pneumatic transport system (1) in which a carrier (2), containing a test tube filled with a biological sample and described in detail below, is transported. The tube (10) connects to each other an inlet / outlet station (8) of the carrier (2), which will also be described in detail below. At specific node points of the tube (10) network, there is a switching station (12), the function of which will also be described below. FIG. 3 illustrates a blower (P) equipped in the pneumatic transport system. According to known art, the blower (P) is configured to inject pressurized air into the tube (10) to which it is connected, or to suck air from the tube (10) to which it is connected, thereby moving the carrier (2) inside the tube in one direction or the other. Referring to FIG. 4, the network of tubes (10) also includes one or more buffer stations (B) where a certain number of carriers (2) can be temporarily parked while waiting to be routed toward their respective destination stations.

[0052] FIG. 5 schematically shows two incoming / outgoing stations (8) connected to two respective pneumatic transfer tubes (10), and these tubes are in turn connected to a third tube (10) by a switching station (12). As previously indicated, the function of the switching station (12) will be described in detail below. Of course, in a real-world scenario, the two stations (8) are far apart from each other and the tube (10) is extended to the required length.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a carrier (2) for transporting a test tube through a pneumatic transfer tube (10). The carrier (2) is in the form of a substantially cylindrical hollow capsule defining a main axis (2A) and is provided with a door (3), which is articulated to the body of the carrier (2) around a hinge axis (not shown in FIG. 6) parallel to the main axis (2A) and is movable in an automated manner (described in more detail below) between a closed position for transporting the carrier (2) through the pneumatic transfer tube (10) and an open position for accessing the inner chamber of the carrier (2).

[0054] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the inner chamber of the carrier (2) is provided with a base surface (2B) configured to support a first test tube rack (4) of the type illustrated in FIG. 7, and a shelf (2C) positioned at an intermediate height of the inner chamber of the carrier (2) to support a second test tube rack (4). Naturally, the carrier (2) can be configured in any manner suitable for transporting one or more test tube racks (4).

[0055] In order to securely hold the test tube during transport through the pneumatic transport tube (10), each test tube rack (4) and the inner chamber of each carrier (2) have interlocking surfaces that can hold the test tube in a stable position within the carrier (2).

[0056] Referring to the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the test tube rack (4) has an upper surface (4A), a lower surface (4B), and a circumferential side surface (4C), and is configured to enable the test tube rack (4) to be grasped by a gripping device of an automatic manipulator as described in more detail below.

[0057] In the example of FIG. 7, the circumferential surface (4C) defines a protrusion (5) of the test tube rack (4) on at least one side, and the side surface (5A) of the protrusion is formed to be gripped by two jaws of a gripper carried by an automatic manipulator as described below.

[0058] Referring again to FIG. 7, the test tube rack (4) has a plurality of positions (6), which are configured as cylindrical cavities extending from the upper surface (4A) and configured to accommodate and detachably hold a plurality of test tubes (T).

[0059] To retain each test tube (T) in a detachable manner within each position (6), each position (6) is provided with a known type of elastic retainer (7). FIG. 9 illustrates four identical elastic retainers provided for this purpose. Each retainer (7) is mounted within each position (6). In the example, each retainer (7) preferably has an upper collar (7A) made of metal, from which several elastic lamellae (7B) that are arched inward extend downward.

[0060] FIG. 8 again shows a carrier (2) with the door (3) in an open position and one of the two test tube racks (4) partially removed.

[0061] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an inbound / outbound station (8) of a pneumatic transfer system positioned adjacent to an automatic transfer line (9) for transferring test tubes. An interface station (11), which will be described in detail below, is positioned between the inbound / outbound station (8) and the automatic transfer line (9).

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 18, particularly FIG. 15, each incoming / outgoing station (8) forming part of the system according to the present invention has a tubular structure (8A), which, in the example illustrated herein, is oriented vertically at the end of a pneumatic transfer tube (10) forming part of the pneumatic transfer system (1) according to the present invention.

[0063] The tubular structure (8A) of the inbound / outbound station (8) has a door (8B), which is articulated to the tubular structure (8A) around a hinge axis (not shown in FIG. 15) parallel to the axis of the tubular structure (8A) itself and is movable in an automated manner between a closed position and an open position. The door (8B) is positioned to open when a carrier (2) is brought into the inbound / outbound station (8) and the door (3) of the carrier (2) is opened.

[0064] According to the art known by itself from the applicant’s prior document EP 4 151 568 B1, the station (8) includes a first actuator for transmitting rotation around its main axis (2A) to the carrier (2) until the door (3) of the carrier (2) is in a coupled state at an angle position substantially corresponding to the angle position of the door (8B) of the station (8) when the carrier reaches the station (8). Still according to the aforementioned prior art, the station (8) further includes a second actuator for controlling joint rotation between the closed and open positions of the doors (8B, 3) around their respective hinge axes.

[0065] Also, similar to what is known from document EP 4 151 568 B1, the incoming / outgoing station (8) is preferably associated with a device for decelerating a carrier (2) being brought into the station (8), in particular with a sensor located at a position spaced apart from the station (8) and configured to detect the passage of the carrier (2) being brought into the station (8). An electronic controller for managing the transfer system is configured to deactivate the blower (P) of the pneumatic transfer system (1) when the electronic controller receives a signal from the aforementioned sensor indicating the passage of the carrier (2) being brought into the station (8).

[0066] As indicated, the configuration details related to the aforementioned drive unit and reduction unit may be implemented in accordance with the teachings of Document EP 4 151 568 B1, so they are not described or illustrated here.

[0067] Clearly, since each incoming / outgoing station (8) is positioned vertically in a preferred embodiment, it is necessary for the test tube itself to be brought into each incoming / outgoing station (8) facing upward to ensure the stability of the test tube being transported and to ensure there is no risk of loss of any part of the contents of the test tube.

[0068] Consequently, each carrier (2) must be introduced into the station (8) in such an orientation that the test tube it transports faces upward. To this end, the system (1) according to the present invention includes one or more switching stations (12) (Figs. 4, 5) of any type known in itself that can reverse the orientation of the carrier (2) within the pneumatic transfer tube (10).

[0069] Generally, the switching station (12) includes at least one inlet configured to receive a carrier (2) transported by a first pneumatic transfer tube (10) connected to the switching station (12), and at least one outlet through which the carrier (2) can exit toward the second pneumatic transfer tube (10) after being moved from the aforementioned second tube to have the end that was the rear end before being brought into the switching station (12) as the front end (as previously mentioned, the two stations (8) can be far apart from each other and the tube (10) can be extended to the required length, as shown in FIG. 19). Of course, the possibility that the carrier (2) can move in one orientation or another at different times within the pneumatic transfer tube (10) network means that for each individual switching station (12), the inlet and outlet can be reversed depending on the situation.

[0070] As already indicated above, the tube (10) network also includes one or more buffer stations (B) (Fig. 4) where a certain number of carriers (2) can be temporarily parked while waiting to be routed toward their respective destination stations.

[0071] The configuration details of the switching station (12) and buffer station (B) can be implemented in any known manner and are therefore not described or illustrated herein. For example, each station may include a rotating cylinder capable of moving a carrier until the carrier is aligned with a specific inlet / outlet of the station.

[0072] Preferably, the carrier deceleration device described above and associated with each incoming / outgoing station (8) is also associated with each switching station (12) and each buffer station (B). In this way, a carrier (2) containing a test tube containing a biological sample can be transported at a relatively high speed, but can be appropriately slowed down before being transported to one of the aforementioned stations, which ensures that the test tube is not damaged during transport and that no part of the contents is lost during transport. In the vertical section of the pneumatic transfer tube (10), the test tube is transported always facing upward due to the possibility of orienting the carrier (2) to correspond at the switching station (12). In the horizontal section of the pneumatic transfer tube (10), the test tube is maintained in a horizontal position within each position of the test tube rack, which is sufficient to avoid the risk of any part of the test tube contents being lost since each test tube is closed by a cap (C) (Fig. 8). In particular, it should be noted that test tubes (T) contained in the same test tube rack (4) may have different sizes and / or different types or colors of caps (C), for example, and therefore do not necessarily have to be homogeneous.

[0073] FIG. 10 generally shows an incoming / outgoing station (8) positioned adjacent to an automatic transfer line (9) of a test tube (T), and an interface station (11) positioned between the incoming / outgoing station (8) and the automatic transfer line (9).

[0074] The automatic transfer line (9) may be of any known type and may be implemented, in particular, according to a known solution developed by the applicant. Such a solution provides an arrangement of one or more automatic conveyors (13) (Figs. 12-14) comprising a conveyor belt (not shown) suitable for the flow of a single test tube transfer device (14) guided along the conveyor (13). Each transfer device (14) may be made, for example, according to the teachings of the same applicant’s document EP 3 129 791 B1.

[0075] As can always be seen in FIGS. 12 through 14, the automatic conveyor (13) of the automatic transfer line (9) may have a main lane (13A) and an auxiliary lane (13B) arranged parallel thereto and capable of switching test tubes that must be brought into the in / out station (8) for transfer within the pneumatic transfer system (1). Even the switching device arranged to switch test tubes along the auxiliary lane (13B) may be of any known type. This may be, for example, a type that forms the gist of the same applicant's prior document EP 2 780 724 B1.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 18, the incoming / outgoing station (8) and the interface station (11) transport test tubes between the transfer device (14) of the automatic transfer line (9) and the test tube rack (4) located at the interface station (11), and are served by an automatic manipulator (R) configured and programmed to transport the test tube rack (4) between the interface station (11) and the inner chamber of the carrier (2) placed within the incoming / outgoing station (8) when the doors (8B, 3) of the station (8) and the carrier (2) are each opened.

[0077] In the example illustrated here, the aforementioned tasks are performed by a single automatic manipulator in the form of an orthogonal robot (R) having an operating head (H) movable along three mutually orthogonal axes by a servo-controlled electric motor. However, it is also possible to provide one or more manipulators for each interface station (11), as well as any other type of manipulator, so that, for example, while one manipulator transports the test tube rack (4) between the interface station (11) and the in / out station (8), another manipulator transports the test tube between the test tube rack (4) located at the interface station (11) and the transport device (14) located on the automatic transport line (9), particularly along the auxiliary lane (13B).

[0078] Referring to the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 18, the manipulator robot (R) is supported by a fixed gantry structure (15) comprising two columns (15A) connected by an upper crossbar (15B) oriented along an X-axis (Fig. 12) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the automatic transfer line (9). A carriage (16) (Fig. 17) is mounted so as to be slidable in the X-direction along the upper crossbar (15B), and this carriage supports a horizontal beam (18) (Fig. 13) oriented along a horizontal Y-axis orthogonal to the X-direction of the automatic transfer line (9) by a structure (17) protruding vertically downward from the carriage (16). A carriage (19) is mounted on the beam (18) so as to be slidable along the Y-direction, and this carriage carries an operating head (H) (Fig. 13), which can again be moved vertically along the Z-direction. The configuration details of the manipulator robot (R) can be implemented in any known manner and are therefore not further described or exemplified here. The same applies to the drive system for the movement of the manipulator robot (R) along the three axes X, Y, and Z.

[0079] Also, as previously indicated, the configuration of the manipulator robot (R) (or each manipulator robot intended to serve the in / out station (8) and the interface station (11)) can be anything. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the operating head (H) is provided with both a first gripping device (G1) (Fig. 13) configured to grip a single test tube (T) and a second gripping device (G2) (Fig. 16) configured to grip a test tube rack (4). In the example, the first gripping device (G1) includes a pair of grippers (20), each designed to grip a test tube, and the second gripping device (G2) includes a single gripper (21) (Fig. 16) having a jaw that can engage with the side surface (5A) of the protrusion (5) of the test tube rack (4).

[0080] Even the configuration details of the gripping devices (G1 and G2) may be of any known type and are therefore not described or exemplified herein. Generally, each gripper includes a device for driving gripper movement between open and closed states, which is electronically controlled by the control system of the robot (R) according to any predetermined program.

[0081] Now, referring particularly to FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 17, the interface station (11) includes a bench (11A) that carries plates defining a support surface (11B) for receiving and supporting a test tube rack (4). The support surface (11B) and the lower surface of the test tube rack (4) have interlocking elements that enable each test tube rack (4) to be referenced to a determined position on the support surface (11B) of the interface station (11).

[0082] In the example illustrated (Fig. 17), the surface (11B) includes a peg (22) protruding vertically upward, which is configured to engage within a complementary hole provided on the lower surface of each test tube rack (4).

[0083] FIGS. 13 to 18 illustrate a series of operations in an example of an execution of a process according to the present invention.

[0084] FIG. 13 illustrates the step of a manipulator robot (R) picking up two test tubes (T) from an automatic transfer line (9), specifically from an auxiliary lane (13B).

[0085] FIG. 14 illustrates a subsequent step in which a manipulator robot (R) places test tubes T(T) at two respective positions of a test tube rack (4) located at an interface station (11).

[0086] FIG. 15 illustrates a subsequent step in which a robot (R) is waiting with the door (3, 8B) open to allow access to the inner chamber of the carrier (2), which includes two stacked test tube racks (4) each loaded with test tubes (T).

[0087] FIG. 16 illustrates the step of a manipulator robot (R) picking up a test tube rack (4) from the upper compartment of the inner chamber of a carrier (2) to place the test tube rack (4) at a corresponding position on the interface station (11).

[0088] FIG. 17 illustrates a subsequent step in which a manipulator robot (R) transfers a test tube rack (4) from an interface station (11) to an inner chamber of a carrier (2) placed in an in / out station (8).

[0089] FIG. 18 shows a subsequent step in which a manipulator robot (R) picks up another test tube rack (4) from an interface station (11) and attempts to place it within the upper compartment of the inner chamber of a previously emptied carrier (2).

[0090] In a similar operation, the manipulator robot (R) can remove the test tube rack (4) located in the lower compartment of the inner chamber of the carrier (2) and place it on the interface station (11), and then pick up an additional test tube rack (4) from the interface station (11) and place it within the lower compartment of the inner chamber of the carrier (2). At this point, since the carrier (2) has received the load of test tubes coming from the automatic transfer line (9), the door (8B, 3) can be closed and the pneumatic transfer system can be activated to transfer the carrier (2) toward its destination. On the other hand, the pneumatic transfer system can be activated even if the carrier (2) does not necessarily contain both test tube racks (4), or based on accidental management logic and, in particular, based on the potential need to send samples along the pneumatic transfer system (1) with a specific urgency, even if it is not essential for all locations (6) within each test tube rack to hold test tubes.

[0091] It is evident that the manipulator robot (R) can be controlled to transfer test tubes (T), which are carried by the test tube rack (4) coming from the in / out station (8), to the automatic transfer line (9) in the reverse operation described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. At that time, the test tubes (T) contained in the transfer device (14) waiting on the automatic transfer line (9) can be pushed forward along the line toward their destination.

[0092] As described above, there is at least one incoming / outgoing station (8) adjacent to the collection center, which essentially represents an initial access point for biological samples just collected from patients within the tube network (10) of the pneumatic transport system (1).

[0093] Accordingly, the following operations are performed manually by an operator at this incoming / outgoing station (8): the step of filling the test tube rack (4) with test tubes (T), the subsequent step of inserting the latter into the carrier (2) to be sent into the pneumatic transfer system (1), and finally, the step of controlling the automatic closing of the door (3) of the carrier (2) and the door (8B) of the station (preferably by the operation on a button) in accordance with the method already described in the applicant’s document EP 4 151 568, in order to facilitate the introduction of samples just collected within the tube network (10).

[0094] As is clear from the above description, the system according to the present invention enables the rapid transfer and fully automated handling of test tubes containing biological samples in a safe and reliable manner.

[0095] The electronic management system of the transfer and handling system is configured to store the location of each test tube rack and the location of each test tube within the test tube rack at any given moment. Each test tube and each test tube rack possesses an information support, preferably an identification code, which can be electronically detected by any known detection system, thereby enabling the continuous identification and tracking of the path of each sample.

[0096] Naturally, without compromising the principles of the invention, embodiments and configuration details may vary extensively with respect to those described and illustrated without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A system for the transport and handling of test tubes containing biological samples comprises: - one or more pneumatic transport tubes (10); - a plurality of carriers configured to be transported pneumatically within the pneumatic transport tubes; and - one or more incoming / outgoing stations of the carriers, each connected to the pneumatic transport tubes, for loading and / or unloading test tubes containing biological samples; - each carrier is in the form of a substantially cylindrical hollow capsule having an inner chamber for transporting test tubes containing biological samples, having a door of the carrier having a hinge axis parallel to the main axis of the carrier, and capable of moving in an automated manner between a closed position for transporting test tubes containing biological samples through the pneumatic transport tubes and an open position for loading and / or unloading test tubes containing biological samples to / from the incoming / outgoing station; and - each incoming / outgoing station has a tubular structure connected coaxially to the pneumatic transport tube and arranged to receive a carrier to be transported to or taken out of the station, wherein the tubular structure of the station is arranged between the closed position and the open position for access to the inner chamber of the carrier with the carrier door open. The system has a station door that can be moved in an automated manner, - each carrier is associated with at least one test tube rack (4) having a plurality of positions each configured to detachably receive and hold test tubes, - the test tube rack and the inner chamber of the carrier have interlocking surfaces configured so that the test tube rack can detachably receive and hold within the inner chamber of the carrier, and the system comprises: - an interface station between at least one of the incoming / outgoing stations (8) and an automated line for test tube transfer or a sample processing unit, the interface station being configured to support one or more test tube racks at designated positions, and- A system comprising at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator positioned adjacent to the at least one incoming / outgoing station and the interface station and configured and programmed as follows; wherein the at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator is configured and programmed to: - transfer one or more test tubes from the automatic transfer line or the sample processing unit to each position of a test tube rack positioned at the interface station; - pick up a test tube rack from the interface station after at least one position of the test tube rack is filled with test tubes; - load the test tube rack, along with the test tubes transported thereby, into the inner chamber of a carrier that has reached the incoming / outgoing station after both the station door and the carrier door are opened; and wherein the at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator is configured and programmed to: - pick up a test tube rack from a carrier that has reached the incoming / outgoing station after both the station door and the carrier door are opened; - place the picked-up test tube rack at a determined position of the interface station; and - transfer test tubes from each position within the test tube rack positioned at the interface station to the automatic transfer line or the sample processing unit. Claim 2 A system according to claim 1, wherein - each test tube rack has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential side surface, - a position for the test tube is a cavity extending from the upper surface and is provided with an elastic retaining device configured to hold each test tube detachably, and - the circumferential side surface of each test tube rack is configured to enable the gripping of the test tube rack by a gripping device carried by the at least one automatic manipulator. Claim 3 A system according to claim 1, wherein each inlet / outlet station has the above-mentioned tubular structure oriented vertically, and includes one or more switching stations capable of reversing the orientation of the carrier within the pneumatic transfer tube so that each carrier can be oriented to be introduced into the inlet / outlet station with the test tube facing upward. Claim 4 In claim 1, - the door (8B) of the tubular structure of each incoming / outgoing station has a hinge axis parallel to the axis of the tubular structure, and the incoming / outgoing station comprises: - a first actuator for rotating a carrier placed within the station around the main axis of the carrier until the side door of the carrier is in a coupled state in which the side door of the carrier is in an angle position substantially corresponding to the angle position of the door of the tubular structure of the station; and - a second actuator for controlling joint rotation between the closed position and the open position of the door of the tubular structure of the station and the door of the carrier. Claim 5 A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one automatic actuator is a robot, and the robot has a work head movable along three mutually orthogonal axes by servo-controlled electric motors, and the work head has at least one first gripping device configured to grip a single test tube and a second gripping device configured to grip a test tube rack. Claim 6 A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface station has at least one support surface configured to accommodate and support one or more test tube racks, and each test tube rack and the support surface of the interface station have mutually coupling elements for positioning each test tube rack at a determined position on the support surface of the interface station. Claim 7 A system according to claim 1, comprising an electronic controller configured to control at least one automatic actuator and store the actual location of each test tube rack within the interface station and the actual location of each test tube within each test tube rack located within the interface station, and additionally, each test tube rack and each test tube supports an electronically detectable information support. Claim 8 A system according to claim 1, comprising a circuit of pneumatic transfer tubes configured to connect a plurality of incoming / outgoing stations disposed on the same floor and / or different floors of the analysis laboratory, wherein at least one incoming / outgoing station is disposed adjacent to a collection center and one or more incoming / outgoing stations are disposed adjacent to one or more automatic transfer lines and / or one or more sample processing units. Claim 9 In paragraph 1, each incoming / outgoing station is a system associated with a device for decelerating a carrier being brought into the incoming / outgoing station. Claim 10 In paragraph 3, each switching station is a system associated with a device for decelerating a carrier brought into the switching station. Claim 11 In a process for the transfer and handling of test tubes containing biological samples: a system for transfer and handling is arranged, said system comprises: - one or more pneumatic transfer tubes (10); - a plurality of carriers configured to be transferred pneumatically within the pneumatic transfer tubes; and - one or more incoming / outgoing stations of carriers each connected to the pneumatic transfer tubes for loading and / or unloading test tubes containing biological samples, said system comprises: - each carrier is in the form of a substantially cylindrical hollow capsule having an inner chamber for transferring test tubes containing biological samples, having a door of the carrier having a hinge axis parallel to the main axis of the carrier, and capable of moving in an automated manner between a closed position for transferring test tubes containing biological samples through the pneumatic transfer tubes and an open position for loading and / or unloading test tubes containing biological samples to / from the incoming / outgoing station; and - each incoming / outgoing station has a tubular structure connected coaxially to the pneumatic transfer tube and arranged to receive a carrier to be transferred to or transferred from the station, said tubular structure of the station is arranged at the station and the door of the carrier is open The system has a station door that can be moved in an automated manner between a closed position and an open position for access to the inner chamber of the carrier, - each carrier is associated with at least one test tube rack (4) having a plurality of positions each configured to detachably receive and hold test tubes, - the test tube rack and the inner chamber of the carrier have interlocking surfaces configured so that the test tube rack can be detachably received and held within the inner chamber of the carrier, and the system comprises: - an interface station between at least one of the incoming / outgoing stations (8) and an automated line for test tube transfer or a sample processing unit, said interface station is configured to support one or more test tube racks at a designated position, and- comprising at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator positioned adjacent to the at least one incoming / outgoing station and the interface station and configured and programmed as follows; the at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator is configured and programmed to: - transfer one or more test tubes from the automatic transfer line or the sample processing unit to each position of a test tube rack positioned at the interface station; - after at least one position of the test tube rack is filled with test tubes, pick up the test tube rack from the interface station; - after both the station door and the carrier door are opened, load the test tube rack together with the test tubes transported thereby into the inner chamber of the carrier that has reached the incoming / outgoing station; and the at least one electronically controlled automatic manipulator is configured and programmed to: - pick up the test tube rack from the carrier that has reached the incoming / outgoing station after both the station door and the carrier door are opened; - place the picked-up test tube rack at a determined position of the interface station; and - transfer test tubes from each position within the test tube rack positioned at the interface station to the automatic transfer line or the sample processing unit.

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