Sample basket, sample loading system and sample loading method

Abstract

The present application relates to a sample basket, a sample loading system, and a sample loading method. The sample loading system includes: a sample loading system body, which is used to sequentially transport arranged sample racks for testing or to recycle the tested sample racks; a sample basket, which is mounted at the loading entrance of the sample loading system body; a sample basket frame, the bottom of which has a sample arrangement slot for accommodating rows of sample racks, and handles at both ends for holding; and a sample rack limiting mechanism on one side of the sample basket frame, which is used to lock or unlock the sample racks in the sample arrangement slot. The solution of the present invention can improve the convenience and efficiency of operators loading sample racks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of medical device technology, and in particular relates to a sample basket, a sample loading system, and a sample loading method. Background Art

[0002] Among several common in vitro diagnostic instruments, the operating process can be roughly divided into loading samples from the sample loading unit → loading reagents from the reagent management unit → incubation or centrifugation unit reaction → result interpretation by the interpretation unit. The instrument structure is also mainly composed of the above four major components combined with other system components such as electronic control and liquid circuit. Therefore, the efficiency, stability, functionality, etc. of the sample management unit greatly affect the performance of the entire diagnostic instrument. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Common sample management units can be divided into the following two types based on their installation locations:

[0004] 1) Sample management unit external to the instrument;

[0005] 2) Sample management unit installed inside the instrument;

[0006] The sample management unit, which is external to the instrument, is often used to connect multiple diagnostic instruments. Its main features are: It is a separate unit located outside the diagnostic instrument, connected in series with the instrument via a sample transmission channel. Because it is located externally, it offers more usable space. Typically, this type of sample management unit is equipped with a sample basket, which the operator can take to the outside of the instrument, load with samples in batches, and then place the entire basket into the sample management unit.

[0007] Internally installed sample management units are primarily used in single diagnostic instruments. Their key features include: They reside within the instrument as a small component, limited by the instrument's available space, limited functionality, and lack a sample basket. Samples must be placed one by one into the sample management unit during loading.

[0008] The sample management unit installed inside the instrument has obvious defects during user use because it does not have a sample basket:

[0009] 1) Low sample loading efficiency. Samples can only be loaded into the sample management unit manually one by one by the operator, and batch operation is not possible;

[0010] 2) Sample loading is inconvenient. Usually, after the sample management unit is installed inside the instrument, it will be completely covered inside the instrument shell, leaving only a loading port directly above the sample management unit. Therefore, when loading samples, you need to hold the sample rack, insert it into the reserved loading port, and then place the sample rack in the designated position. Due to the small operating space and high operation frequency, it is common for the sample rack to be placed incorrectly or knocked over by hand, causing the sample to leak into the instrument and cause contamination;

[0011] In view of the above situation, the present invention proposes a sample loading system with a sample basket structure to better solve the above problems.

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sample basket, a sample loading system and a sample loading method in order to solve the problem of inconvenience in sample loading in the prior art.

[0013] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0014] A sample basket includes a sample basket frame, wherein the bottom of the sample basket frame has a sample arrangement slot for accommodating rows of sample racks, and handles are provided at both ends for holding; a sample rack limiting mechanism is provided on one side of the sample basket frame for locking or unlocking the sample racks in the sample arrangement slot;

[0015] A limiting guide strip is provided at the bottom of the sample arrangement slot, and the limiting guide strip is used to cooperate with the T-slot or dovetail slot at the bottom of the sample rack to guide the sample rack. The maximum width of the limiting guide strip does not exceed the opening width of the T-slot or dovetail slot at the bottom of the sample rack.

[0016] A sample loading system comprising:

[0017] The sample loading system is used to sequentially transfer the arranged sample racks for testing or to recycle the tested sample racks;

[0018] The sample basket is installed at the loading inlet of the sample loading system body.

[0019] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, the sample rack limiting mechanism comprises:

[0020] a rotating shaft, arranged on one side of the sample basket frame along the direction in which the sample racks are arranged;

[0021] A spring diaphragm is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft and is also arranged along the direction in which the sample racks are arranged; one side of the spring diaphragm extends into one side of the sample arrangement slot, and the other side is located outside the sample arrangement slot;

[0022] a diaphragm extrusion assembly, mounted on the outside of the sample arrangement slot, for squeezing the spring diaphragm to cause it to rotate;

[0023] The spring diaphragm has two states before and after rotation. In the first state, one side of the spring diaphragm is extended into the sample arrangement groove and protrudes to press against the sample rack, so that the T-slot or dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample rack is clamped with the limiting guide strip. In the second state, the one side of the spring diaphragm is retracted after extending into the sample arrangement groove, so that the T-slot or dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample rack is loosened from the limiting guide strip.

[0024] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, the diaphragm extrusion assembly comprises:

[0025] a cam pin fixing frame, fixed to the outside of the sample arrangement slot;

[0026] A cam pin is retractably mounted on the cam pin fixing frame; the cam pin has two positions before and after extension and contraction: a first position in which the top of the cam pin presses against the side of the spring diaphragm located outside the sample arrangement slot, causing the spring diaphragm to rotate to the first position; and a second position in which the top of the cam pin moves away from the side of the spring diaphragm located outside the sample arrangement slot, allowing the spring diaphragm to return to the second position.

[0027] a compression spring sleeved on the cam pin, with one end of the compression spring abutting against the cam pin fixing frame and the other end abutting against the washer on the compression spring to push the cam pin to the first position;

[0028] When the cam pin is in the first position, the bottom of the cam pin extends out, and after the bottom of the cam pin falls to the ground, it can be pushed up to make the cam pin be in the second position.

[0029] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, a torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft, and the torsion spring is in contact with the spring diaphragm, and is used to turn the side of the spring diaphragm extending into the sample arrangement slot to be close to the side wall of the sample arrangement slot when the cam pin is in the second position.

[0030] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, a limiting baffle is provided on a side of the inner wall of the sample arrangement slot close to the sample rack limiting mechanism, and a top of the limiting baffle is provided with an inclined surface.

[0031] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, the sample rack limiting mechanism is wrapped with a protective cover on the outside, and one side of the protective cover is fixedly connected to the sample basket frame.

[0032] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, the side of the spring diaphragm extending into the sample arrangement slot is composed of a plurality of sheet structures equidistant from each other. When a sample rack is loaded, the sample rack can only contact one or two of the sheets.

[0033] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, a scraper is provided in the sample loading system body, the scraper is connected to a conveyor belt, and the scraper can move the sample rack from the sample basket under the drive of the conveyor belt.

[0034] Preferably, in the sample loading system of the present invention, a sample rack guide bar is provided on the sample loading system body, and one end of the sample rack guide bar is docked with one end of the limiting guide bar, so that the bottom of the sample rack in the sample arrangement groove can be transferred from the limiting guide bar to the sample rack guide bar.

[0035] A sample loading method, using the above-mentioned sample loading system, comprises the following steps:

[0036] S1, place the sample basket on the table;

[0037] S2, inserting the sample rack containing the sample to be tested into the sample basket;

[0038] S3, placing the sample basket into the sample loading system body from the loading inlet and positioning it using the positioning pins;

[0039] S4, starting the sample conveyor belt at the entry end to convey the sample rack in the sample basket to the detection mechanism. During this period, the bottom latch of the sample rack is separated from the limiting guide strip of the sample basket and is engaged with the sample rack guide strip at the entry end.

[0040] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0041] 1) Using a sample basket can load multiple samples at a time, improving efficiency;

[0042] 2) When loading samples, use the sample basket as a whole. The operator can hold the handle on the sample basket, and no longer needs to hold the sample rack into the instrument. This is convenient and stable, and the sample is not likely to fall over.

[0043] 3) The sample basket can automatically lock the sample rack, and the sample rack in the sample basket will not fall over during circulation;

[0044] 4) When inside the instrument, the sample basket can automatically loosen the sample rack, leaving the sample rack in a loosened and unlocked state without affecting the automatic flow of the sample rack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The technical solution of the present application is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0046] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the sample basket structure of an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall state of the sample basket when held in hand according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom state of the sample basket when held in hand according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall state of the sample basket when placed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom state of the sample basket when placed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the spring diaphragm in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a sample loading system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the sample flow process of the sample loading system of an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] The reference numerals in the figures are:

[0055] 010 Sample basket frame;

[0056] 011 sample arrangement slot;

[0057] 012 handle;

[0058] 030 limit guide strip;

[0059] 040 limit baffle;

[0060] 050 shaft;

[0061] 060 spring diaphragm;

[0062] 070 torsion spring;

[0063] 080 Cam pin retainer;

[0064] 090 cam pin;

[0065] 100 compression spring;

[0066] 110 protective cover;

[0067] 120 sample racks;

[0068] 130 sample loading system body;

[0069] 131 conveyor belt;

[0070] 132 sample rack guide strip;

[0071] 140 sample baskets. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] It should be noted that, unless there is any conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0073] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0074] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0075] The technical solution of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0076] This embodiment provides a sample basket, including a sample basket frame 010,

[0077] The bottom of the sample basket frame 010 has a sample arrangement slot 011 for accommodating rows of sample racks, and handles 012 are provided at both ends for holding. A sample rack limiting mechanism is provided on one side of the sample basket frame 010 for locking or unlocking the sample racks in the sample arrangement slot 011.

[0078] A limiting guide strip 030 is provided at the bottom of the sample arrangement slot 011. The limiting guide strip 030 is used to cooperate with the T-slot or dovetail slot at the bottom of the sample rack to guide the sample rack. The maximum width of the limiting guide strip 030 does not exceed the opening width of the T-slot or dovetail slot at the bottom of the sample rack.

[0079] The sample basket 140 of this embodiment can hold multiple rows of sample racks 120 in the sample arrangement slot 011. The handle 012 allows the operator to easily lift and place the sample basket 140 in the sample loading system. The sample rack limiting mechanism can lock or unlock the sample rack in the sample arrangement slot 011. Figure 2 、 3 As shown in FIG, the sample basket is in the handheld state, and the limiting guide bar 030 is clamped with the T-slot at the bottom of the sample rack by the action of the sample rack limiting mechanism. At this time, the sample rack in the sample basket cannot be moved; Figure 4 、 5 As shown, the sample basket is placed (on the ground), and the limiting guide strip 030 is no longer affected by the sample rack limiting mechanism and is separated from the T-slot at the bottom of the sample rack. At this time, the sample rack in the sample basket is movable.

[0080] Preferably, the sample basket of this embodiment, such as Figure 1-5 As shown, the sample rack limiting mechanism includes:

[0081] The rotating shaft 050 is arranged on one side of the sample basket frame 010 along the direction in which the sample racks are arranged;

[0082] The spring diaphragm 060 is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 050 and is also arranged along the direction in which the sample racks are arranged. One side of the spring diaphragm 060 extends into one side of the sample arrangement slot 011, and the other side is located outside the sample arrangement slot 011.

[0083] A diaphragm extrusion assembly is installed on the outside of the sample arrangement slot 011 and is used to squeeze the spring diaphragm 060 to rotate it;

[0084] The spring diaphragm 060 has two states before and after rotation. The first state is: one side of the spring diaphragm 060 is extended into the sample arrangement slot 011 to press against the sample rack, so that the T-slot or dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample rack is clamped with the limiting guide strip 030. The second state is: one side of the spring diaphragm 060 is retracted after extending into the sample arrangement slot 011, so that the T-slot or dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample rack is loosened from the limiting guide strip 030.

[0085] Preferably, the sample basket of this embodiment, such as Figure 2 、 4 As shown, the diaphragm extrusion assembly includes:

[0086] A cam pin fixing frame 080 is fixed to the outside of the sample arrangement slot 011;

[0087] The cam pin 090 is retractably mounted on the cam pin fixing frame 080. The cam pin 090 has two positions before and after extension. In the first position, the top of the cam pin 090 presses against the side of the spring diaphragm 060 located outside the sample arrangement slot 011, causing the spring diaphragm 060 to rotate to the first position. In the second position, the top of the cam pin 090 moves away from the side of the spring diaphragm 060 located outside the sample arrangement slot 011, allowing the spring diaphragm 060 to return to the second position.

[0088] A compression spring 100 is sleeved on the cam pin 090 , with one end of the compression spring 100 abutting against the cam pin fixing frame 080 and the other end abutting against the gasket on the compression spring 100 to push the cam pin 090 to the first position;

[0089] When the cam pin 090 is in the first position, the bottom of the cam pin 090 extends out, and after the bottom of the cam pin 090 falls to the ground, it can be pushed up to make the cam pin 090 be in the second position.

[0090] Preferably, the sample basket of this embodiment, such as Figure 2 、 4 As shown, a torsion spring 070 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 050, and the torsion spring 070 is in contact with the spring diaphragm 060, and is used to turn the side of the spring diaphragm 060 extending into the sample arrangement slot 011 to be close to the side wall of the sample arrangement slot 011 when the cam pin 090 is in the second position.

[0091] Preferably, the sample basket of this embodiment, such as Figure 2 、 6 As shown, a stop plate 040 is installed on the inner wall of the sample arrangement slot 011 near the sample rack stop mechanism. The top of the stop plate 040 has an inclined surface. The function of the stop plate 040 is to raise the inner wall of the sample arrangement slot 011 so that the spring diaphragm 060, when located within the sample arrangement slot 011, is in close contact with the inner wall. This ensures that the side of the sample rack does not contact the spring diaphragm 060 but rests against the side of the stop plate 040.

[0092] Preferably, the sample basket of this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sample rack limiting mechanism is wrapped with a protective cover 110, and one side of the protective cover 110 is fixedly connected to the sample basket frame 010. The protective cover 110 can better protect the sample rack limiting mechanism.

[0093] Preferably, if Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the sample basket, described as a spring diaphragm 060, extends into one side of the sample arrangement slot 011 and is composed of several equidistantly spaced sheet-like structures. When a sample rack is inserted, it can only contact one or two of the sheets. This structure is designed to prevent poor locking due to manufacturing tolerances of the sample racks 120. For example, if one sample rack in the sample arrangement slot 011 is 200.2 mm wide and the other sample racks are 200.0 mm wide, then using a single block of spring diaphragms would result in insufficient squeezing force on the other sample racks. Using separate sheet-like structures can avoid this problem.

[0094] This embodiment provides a sample loading system, such as Figure 7 Shown, including:

[0095] The sample loading system body 130 is used to sequentially transfer the arranged sample racks for testing or to recycle the tested sample racks;

[0096] The sample basket 140 is also included and is installed at the loading inlet of the sample loading system body 130 .

[0097] In the sample loading system of this embodiment, a scraper is provided in the sample loading system body 130, and the scraper is connected to a conveyor belt 131. The scraper can move the sample rack from the sample basket 140 under the drive of the conveyor belt. Figure 7 、 8 For example, the sample rack in the sample basket 140 shown on the lower side moves to the left and enters the detection station, and the sample basket 140 shown on the upper side receives the sample rack sent from the detection station.

[0098] Preferably, the sample loading system of this embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, a sample rack guide bar 132 is provided on the sample loading system body 130, and one end of the sample rack guide bar 132 is docked with one end of the limiting guide bar 030, so that the bottom of the sample rack in the sample arrangement slot 011 can be transferred from the limiting guide bar 030 to the sample rack guide bar 132.

[0099] This embodiment provides a sample loading method using the above-mentioned sample loading system, including the following steps:

[0100] S1, placing the sample basket 140 on the table;

[0101] S2, inserting the sample rack containing the sample to be tested into the sample basket 140;

[0102] S3, placing the sample basket 140 into the sample loading system body 130 from the loading inlet and positioning it using the positioning pins;

[0103] S4, start the entry end sample conveyor belt to convey the sample rack 120 in the sample basket 140 to the detection mechanism. During this period, the bottom latch of the sample rack 120 disengages from the limiting guide bar 030 of the sample basket and engages with the entry end sample rack guide bar.

[0104] Also includes:

[0105] S5, the sample racks 120 in the sample basket 140 are delivered to their positions, and the sample rack separation device delivers the first sample rack 120 at the front end to the scanning position;

[0106] S6, the barcode scanner works to read the sample information;

[0107] S7, after the code scanning is completed, the sample rack 120 is pushed to the sampling position by the transverse sample pushing mechanism;

[0108] S8, sampling is completed, and the sample pushing mechanism pushes the sample rack 120 to the unloading position;

[0109] S9, the unloading sample pushing mechanism pushes the sample rack 120 from the unloading position to the sample conveying belt at the unloading end, during which the sample rack latch is engaged with the sample guide strip latch at the unloading end;

[0110] S10, the sample conveying belt at the unloading end is running to convey the sample into the unloading sample basket 140, during which the sample rack latch is separated from the unloading end sample guide bar latch and is engaged with the limit guide bar 030 of the unloading end sample basket;

[0111] S11, taking away the unloading end sample basket 140 containing the sample rack.

[0112] Based on the above-mentioned ideal embodiments of this application, and in accordance with the above description, relevant personnel can make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the technical concept of this application. The technical scope of this application is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample basket, characterized in that: include: A sample basket frame (010), wherein the bottom of the sample basket frame (010) is provided with a sample arrangement slot (011) for accommodating rows of sample racks, and handles (012) are provided at both ends for holding; a sample rack limiting mechanism is provided on one side of the sample basket frame (010) for locking or unlocking the sample rack in the sample arrangement slot (011); A limiting guide strip (030) is provided at the bottom of the sample arrangement slot (011), and the limiting guide strip (030) is used to cooperate with the T-slot or dovetail slot at the bottom of the sample rack to guide the sample rack, and the maximum width of the limiting guide strip (030) does not exceed the opening width of the T-slot or dovetail slot at the bottom of the sample rack; The sample rack limiting mechanism includes: A rotating shaft (050) is arranged on one side of the sample basket frame (010) along the direction in which the sample racks are arranged; The spring diaphragm (060) is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft (050) and is also arranged along the direction of arrangement of the sample rack; one side of the spring diaphragm (060) extends into one side of the sample arrangement groove (011), and the other side is located outside the sample arrangement groove (011); A diaphragm extrusion assembly, mounted on the outside of the sample arrangement slot (011), for extruding the spring diaphragm (060) to cause it to rotate; The spring diaphragm (060) is in two states before and after rotation. The first state is: one side of the spring diaphragm (060) is extended into the sample arrangement slot (011) to press against the sample rack, so that the T-slot or dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample rack is clamped with the limiting guide strip (030). The second state is: one side of the spring diaphragm (060) is extended into the sample arrangement slot (011) to retract, so that the T-slot or dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample rack and the limiting guide strip (030) are loosened. The diaphragm extrusion assembly comprises: A cam pin fixing frame (080) is fixed on the outside of the sample arrangement slot (011); A cam pin (090) is retractably mounted on the cam pin fixing frame (080); the cam pin (090) has two positions before and after retraction, wherein the first position is: the top of the cam pin (090) presses the side of the spring diaphragm (060) located outside the sample arrangement slot (011), so that the spring diaphragm (060) rotates to the first position; and the second position is: the top of the cam pin (090) is away from the side of the spring diaphragm (060) located outside the sample arrangement slot (011), so that the spring diaphragm (060) can return to the second position. A compression spring (100) is sleeved on the cam pin (090), one end of the compression spring (100) abuts against the cam pin fixing frame (080) and the other end abuts against the gasket on the compression spring (100), so as to push the cam pin (090) to the first position; When the cam pin (090) is in the first position, the bottom of the cam pin (090) extends out, and after the bottom of the cam pin (090) falls to the ground, it can be pushed up so that the cam pin (090) is in the second position.

2. A sample loading system, characterized in that: include: The sample loading system body (130) is used to sequentially transfer the arranged sample racks for testing or to recycle the tested sample racks; The sample basket (140) of claim 1 is installed at the loading inlet of the sample loading system body (130); A sample rack guide bar (132) is provided on the sample loading system body (130), and one end of the sample rack guide bar (132) is docked with one end of the limiting guide bar (030) so that the bottom of the sample rack in the sample arrangement slot (011) can be transferred from the limiting guide bar (030) to the sample rack guide bar (132).

3. The sample loading system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A torsion spring (070) is sleeved on the rotating shaft (050), and the torsion spring (070) contacts the spring diaphragm (060) and is used to turn the side of the spring diaphragm (060) extending into the sample arrangement slot (011) to a side wall close to the sample arrangement slot (011) when the cam pin (090) is in the second position.

4. The sample loading system according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that: A limiting baffle (040) is provided on one side of the inner wall of the sample arrangement slot (011) close to the sample rack limiting mechanism, and a top of the limiting baffle (040) is provided with an inclined surface.

5. The sample loading system according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that: The spring diaphragm (060) extends into one side of the sample arrangement groove (011) and is composed of a plurality of sheet-like structures that are equidistant from each other. When a sample rack is installed, the sample rack can only contact one or two of the sheets.

6. The sample loading system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A scraper is provided in the sample loading system body (130), and the scraper is connected to a conveyor belt (131). Driven by the conveyor belt, the scraper can move the sample rack from the sample basket (140).

7. A method for sample loading, characterized in that: Using the sample loading system according to any one of claims 2 to 6 comprises the following steps: S1, placing the sample basket (140) on the table; S2, inserting the sample rack containing the sample to be tested into the sample basket (140); S3, placing the sample basket (140) into the sample loading system body (130) from the loading inlet and positioning it with the positioning pins; S4, starting the entry end sample conveyor belt, conveying the sample rack (120) in the sample basket (140) to the detection mechanism, during which the bottom latch of the sample rack (120) is separated from the limiting guide strip (030) of the sample basket and is latched into the entry end sample rack guide strip.

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