Systems and methods for performing additional and repeat testing on pre-existing aliquots in a laboratory automation system

Abstract

The present disclosure presents a system and method for performing additional and repeat testing on pre-existing aliquots in a laboratory automation system. The laboratory automation system includes a workflow control unit of laboratory middleware and a plurality of analytical laboratory devices in communication with the workflow control unit. The method includes: receiving an additional sample test request for an existing aliquot sample tube after processing of the existing aliquot sample tube has already started; determining whether the existing aliquot sample tube is at an accessible target location; if not at the accessible target location, waiting until the existing aliquot sample tube reaches the accessible target location; upon the existing aliquot sample tube being at the accessible target location, determining whether an aliquot timeout has occurred; if the aliquot timeout has occurred, reassigning the additional sample test to the original sample tube; otherwise, performing the additional sample test from the existing aliquot sample tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for performing additional and repeated tests on pre-existing aliquots in laboratory automation systems. Background Technology

[0002] There are several reasons for creating aliquots in laboratory automation systems, such as reducing time, preventing cross-contamination, sending sample tubes out of the system, freezing samples, regulatory reasons, and customer preferences, to name a few. However, currently, after requesting additional / additional tests (repeat or chain) on already created sample tubes, it can be difficult to decide whether to perform additional tests on the original sample tube or from the existing aliquot sample tubes.

[0003] Currently, laboratory middleware solutions typically lack the ability to control how additional tests are repeated through the laboratory middleware's workflow engine. This can lead to problems, as samples sometimes need to be retested under different laboratory conditions and / or using different analytical laboratory equipment and / or with or without dilution.

[0004] Furthermore, typical workflow engines in typical laboratory middleware are often inflexible, unable to adapt to requests for new additional tests on aliquoted sample tubes after aliquoting has occurred and the workflow has begun. Currently, this new test request can specify whether a new aliquot should be prepared from the original tube, or whether the new test request should be processed directly from the original tube instead of using an existing aliquot. In other words, even if an aliquot might be readily available in the laboratory automation system, additional test requests are typically executed from the original tube. In some cases, new aliquots are created even when an existing aliquot is available. This can lead to laboratory economic and performance issues, as well as additional associated costs for the laboratory automation system.

[0005] Another common problem may arise: test duplicate requests are not being adequately processed (with or without dilution), leading to poor performance of the laboratory automation system because the laboratory middleware workflow may make incorrect decisions.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to use pre-existing aliquot sample tubes that can be readily used for additional testing requests for the sample, in order to avoid wasting laboratory time and money by using the original sample tubes or creating additional new aliquot sample tubes.

[0007] U.S. Publication No. 2018 / 0340949 discloses a method for determining the workflow of a sample based, in particular, the test request associated with the sample, the sample's history, and the status of instruments and general systems in the laboratory. However, this disclosure does not disclose how to select one of several possible sample containers to perform the requested test.

[0008] US Patent 9,958,466 discloses a method for implementing a rule set that bases a determination of whether a second chain test should be performed based on the results of a first test on a set of samples. The first and second test runs are performed on the same sample container.

[0009] U.S. Patent 9,804,065 discloses a method for creating equidistant specimens with flexible volume and determining which requested equidistant specimens to create when the material of the original container is insufficient to create all requested equidistant specimens.

[0010] U.S. Patent 7,754,149 discloses the automatic determination of dilution rates and the automatic correction of these dilution rates to handle situations where there is not enough sample material available for analytical measurements.

[0011] U.S. Patent 7,647,190 discloses a series of measurements for samples requiring different dilutions that can be managed, and an instrument that can receive requested dilutions and diluted sample materials during transfer from the sample container to the measurement container. Summary of the Invention

[0012] One object of this disclosure is to use pre-existing aliquot sample tubes that can be readily used for additional testing requests for the test sample, thereby avoiding the need to use the original sample tubes or create additional new aliquot sample tubes from the original tubes, thus making more efficient use of laboratory time and money.

[0013] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method is presented for allocating additional sample testing to an existing aliquot sample tube or an original sample tube in a laboratory automation system. The laboratory automation system includes a workflow control unit of a laboratory middleware, multiple analytical laboratory devices communicating with the workflow control unit, and a transport system. The method includes: receiving an additional sample testing request for the existing aliquot sample tube after processing of the existing aliquot sample tube has commenced; determining whether the existing aliquot sample tube is at an accessible target location; if the existing aliquot sample tube is not at an accessible target location, waiting until the existing aliquot sample tube reaches the accessible target location via the transport system; once the existing aliquot sample tube is at the accessible target location, determining whether aliquot timeout has occurred; if aliquot timeout has occurred, reassigning the additional sample testing to the original sample tube by the workflow control unit; if no aliquot timeout has occurred, transporting the existing aliquot sample tube to at least one of the analytical laboratory devices by the transport system; and performing the additional sample testing from the existing aliquot sample tube by at least one of the analytical laboratory devices.

[0014] The method may further include: once the existing aliquot sample tube is at an accessible target location and no aliquot timeout has occurred, determining whether there is sufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube for an additional sample test request; if there is insufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform the requested additional sample test, reassigning the requested additional sample test to the original sample tube; if there is sufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube, transporting the existing aliquot sample tube to at least one in an analytical laboratory apparatus by a transport system to perform the additional sample test; and performing the additional sample test from the existing aliquot sample tube by at least one in the analytical laboratory apparatus.

[0015] The method may further include discarding the existing aliquot sample tube if there is insufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform additional sample testing.

[0016] The method may further include discarding low-priority test requests if there is insufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tubes to perform additional sample testing.

[0017] The method may further include providing an error message back to the workflow control unit if there is not enough sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tubes to perform additional sample testing.

[0018] The method may further include: determining the location of the original sample tube if the additional sample test is to be reassigned to the original sample tube; and completing the reassignment of the additional sample test to the original sample tube if the original sample tube is at an accessible target location.

[0019] The aliquot test timeout is time-based and is restarted by the workflow control unit after an additional sample test is assigned to an existing aliquot test tube.

[0020] The aliquot timeout is message-based, and the workflow control unit restarts the aliquot timeout after receiving a message about the existence of existing aliquot sample tubes.

[0021] If the additional sample test is reassigned to the original sample tube, a new aliquot sample tube is created and the aliquot timeout is initiated by the workflow control unit.

[0022] Additional sample testing includes repeat testing, rerunning testing, and / or chain testing.

[0023] The test was rerun manually or by dilution using the analytical laboratory equipment.

[0024] Additional sample tests are determined based on previous test results from this sample.

[0025] The method may further include: analyzing the configuration allocation of laboratory equipment based on the laboratory automation system to perform additional sample testing.

[0026] The method may further include: notifying the operator of the laboratory automation system which analytical laboratory unit has been assigned to the additional sample test.

[0027] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory automation system may include: laboratory middleware including a workflow control unit configured to assign additional sample testing requests to either the original sample tube or an existing aliquot sample tube of the sample; multiple analytical laboratory devices communicating with the workflow control unit and configured to perform tests on samples in the original sample tube and the existing aliquot sample tube; and a transport system configured to transport samples in the original sample tube and the existing aliquot sample tube to the multiple analytical laboratory devices. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same structures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and in the drawings: Figure 1A typical laboratory automation system according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 2 A illustrates the end of the lifetime of the aliquot sample due to the passage of time since the test request was received, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2 B illustrates the end of the aliquot lifetime due to a missed incoming message indicating that the aliquot still exists, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a method for assigning additional tests to test samples according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description, and specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced are shown in an illustrative rather than limiting manner. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] As used below, the terms “have,” “include,” or “contain,” or any grammatical variation thereof, are used in a non-exclusive manner. Thus, these terms can refer either to a situation where no other features exist in the entity described in this context besides those introduced by these terms, or to a situation where one or more other features exist. For example, the statements “A has B,” “A contains B,” and “A includes B” can all refer to a situation where no other elements exist in A besides B (i.e., A is solely and uniquely composed of B), and to a situation where entity A contains one or more other elements besides B, such as element C, elements C and D, or even other elements.

[0034] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one," "one or more," or similar expressions indicating that a feature or element may exist once or more are generally used only once when the corresponding feature or element is introduced. In the following text, in most cases, when referring to the corresponding feature or element, the expressions "at least one" or "one or more" will not be used repeatedly, even though the corresponding feature or element may exist only once or more.

[0035] The elements and components of the embodiments described herein may be described using the terms "an" or "a kind." This is done merely for convenience and to provide a general understanding of the concept of the invention. This interpretation should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular includes the plural unless it clearly has a different meaning.

[0036] As used herein, the terms “sample” or “test sample” are broad terms and may be given a common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and may not be limited to a specific or customary meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, aliquots of substances such as chemical or biological compounds. Specifically, a sample may be or may include at least one biological specimen, such as one or more of the following: blood; serum; plasma; urine; saliva. Additionally or alternatively, a test sample may be or may include chemical substances or compounds and / or reagents. A sample may specifically be a liquid sample, such as aliquots of fluid substances, such as chemical or biological compounds. For example, a liquid sample may be or may include at least one pure liquid, such as a liquid substance and / or a solution containing one or more liquid substances, which contains at least one chemical and / or biological substance. As another example, a liquid sample may be or may include liquid mixtures, such as suspensions, emulsions, and / or dispersions of one or more chemical and / or biological substances. However, other samples may also be possible, particularly non-liquid samples. For example, the container may be a reagent container. Other sample types may be, for example, tissues, homogenized materials, and calibrated or monitored containers that may be processing bodies.

[0037] As used herein, the term "sample tube" can be a broad term and can be given a common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and may not be limited to a specific or customary meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, a container that can be configured to perform one or more of the following: containment, storage, and / or transfer of samples, particularly liquid samples. Further, the sample tube can be configured for processing in a sample handling system. Specifically, the sample tube can be used in medical and / or chemical laboratory fields. For example, the sample tube can be selected from the group consisting of: containers, vials, syringes, cartridges, ampoules, or containers. For example, the sample tube may include a sample tube body for containing a sample, and a sample tube closure, such as a cap for sealing the sample tube. Hereinafter, without limiting further possibilities, the selection of sample tubes will be described as an example, wherein the sample tube can be positioned in a sample holder with the open end facing upwards.

[0038] As used herein, the term "sample tube carrier" can refer to any type of holder configured to receive one or more sample tubes and configured for transporting sample tubes. Sample tube carriers can be of two main types: single holders and sample racks.

[0039] A "single retainer" can be a type of sample tube carrier configured to receive and transport a single sample tube. Typically, a single retainer can be provided in the form of a disc, i.e., a flat cylindrical object with an opening to receive and hold a single sample tube.

[0040] A "sample holder" can be a type of sample tube carrier, typically made of plastic and / or metal, suitable for receiving, holding, and transporting multiple sample tubes, such as five or more, arranged in one or more rows. Orifices, windows, or slits may be present to allow for visual or optical inspection or reading of the sample tubes or samples within them, or labels (such as barcodes) present on the sample tubes held in the sample holder.

[0041] As used herein, the terms “laboratory instrument” or “laboratory equipment” can include any operable instrument or instrument component that performs and / or causes one or more processing steps / workflow steps on one or more biological samples and / or one or more reagents. Therefore, the term “processing step” can refer to physically performed processing steps such as centrifugation, aliquoting, sample analysis, etc. The terms “instrument” or “device” can encompass pre-analytical instruments / devices, post-analytical instruments / devices, analytical instruments / devices, and laboratory intermediates.

[0042] As used in this specification, the term "laboratory middleware" can refer to any physical or virtual processing device configurable to control laboratory instruments / devices or systems comprising one or more laboratory instruments / devices, in such a way that workflows and workflow steps can be performed by the laboratory instruments / systems. The laboratory middleware can, for example, issue instructions to the laboratory instruments / systems to perform pre-analytical, post-analytical, and analytical workflow / workflow steps. The laboratory middleware can receive information from a data management unit regarding which steps need to be performed on a particular test sample. In some embodiments, the laboratory middleware may be integrated with a data management unit, may consist of a server computer, and / or be part of a single laboratory instrument / device, or even distributed across multiple instruments / devices in a laboratory automation system. The laboratory middleware may, for example, be implemented as a programmable logic controller running a computer-readable program configured with instructions to perform operations.

[0043] As used herein, the term "workflow control unit" can be a broad term and can be given a common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and may not be limited to a specific or customary meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, an electronic device configured, specifically by hardware and / or by software programming, for controlling the function of a sample processing system within a laboratory middleware. The workflow control unit may be further configured for exchanging data with at least one monitoring system and / or at least one cloud server. Specifically, the workflow control unit may be or may include a computing device within the laboratory middleware, such as at least one processor configured to receive electronic signals (such as at least one information item) from at least one monitoring system and / or at least one cloud server and configured to further evaluate the received signals. Further, the workflow control unit may be configured to control functions based on the received and evaluated signals, for example, based on at least one information item.

[0044] A "data storage unit" or "database" can be a computing unit used to store and manage data, such as a memory, hard drive, or cloud storage. This may involve data about biological / medical test samples processed by an automated system. The data management unit may be connected to a LIS (Laboratory Information System) and / or a HIS (Hospital Information System). The data management unit may be a unit within a laboratory instrument / device or a unit co-located with a laboratory instrument. It may be part of laboratory middleware. Alternatively, the database may be a remotely located unit. For example, it may be embodied in a computer connected via a communication network.

[0045] As used herein, the term "communication network" can include any type of wireless network (such as WiFi™, GSM™, UMTS, or other wireless digital networks) or cable-based network (such as Ethernet™). Specifically, a communication network may implement the Internet Protocol (IP). For example, a communication network may include a combination of wired and wireless networks.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "remote system" or "server" can include any physical machine or virtual machine having a physical or virtual processor capable of receiving, processing, and sending data. A server can run on any computer, including dedicated computers, which may also be referred to individually as "servers" or as shared resources such as virtual servers. In many cases, a computer may provide several services and have several servers running. Therefore, the term "server" can encompass any computerized device that shares resources with one or more client processes. Furthermore, the terms "remote system" or "server" can include data transmission and processing systems distributed across data networks, such as cloud environments.

[0047] As used herein, the term "transportation system" is a broad term and may be given a common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and may not be limited to a specific or customary meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, any system configured to move and / or transport and / or transfer and / or carry objects from one location to another. Specifically, a transport system may be configured to move multiple sample tube carriers through a test sample transport system, such as from a laboratory loading device of a test sample transport system to another laboratory device. The other laboratory device may be an analytical station. As an example, a transport system may include at least one conveying element selected from the group consisting of: conveyors, such as belt conveyors or chain conveyors; or vehicle systems, such as electronic vehicle systems. A transport system may be or may include a multi-channel transport system with multiple transport elements. A transport system may be or may include multiple parallel transport elements. The conveying devices may be arranged in a common plane and / or in different planes (e.g., positioned above each other).

[0048] As used herein, the term "moving" multiple sample tube carriers can be a broad term and can be given a common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and may not be limited to a specific or customary meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, the act of transporting and / or transferring and / or carrying sample tube carriers using a transport system. Specifically, the transport system can be configured to move sample tube carriers individually. For example, each sample tube carrier can move in at least one separate direction, specifically independently of each other. For example, the movement of a sample tube carrier can be a one-dimensional movement along the transport system in one direction. As another example, the movement of a sample tube carrier can be a two-dimensional movement along the transport system in two directions. Additionally or alternatively, the sample tube carriers can be moved by the transport system along a third direction by means of a height difference across the sample handling system. Further, the transport system can be configured to move multiple sample tube carriers in a bidirectional manner.

[0049] Referring first to Figure 1, Figure 1 illustrates a typical laboratory automation system setup 100. In this typical laboratory automation system 100, multiple different laboratory devices (e.g., pre-analytical laboratory device 130, analytical laboratory devices 115, 140, and post-analytical laboratory device 120) can be connected together via a transport system 110. The pre-analytical laboratory device 130 is typically used to pre-process samples 165 into raw sample tubes and aliquot sample tubes. The analytical laboratory device 140 can, for example, be designed to use samples from raw sample tubes or aliquot sample tubes or portions of samples, along with test reagents, to generate a measurable signal based on which the presence of an analyte can be determined, and if necessary, its concentration. The post-analytical laboratory device 120 can be used for post-processing of samples or sample tubes, such as archiving of sample or sample tube carriers.

[0050] The transport system 110 can be used to transport sample tube carriers 160, including test samples in raw sample tubes and / or aliquot sample tubes, between multiple different laboratory devices 120, 130, and 140. The movement of the sample tube carriers 160 between the multiple laboratory devices 120, 130, and 140 can be controlled by a workflow control unit of the laboratory intermediary 150. The laboratory workflow control unit can communicate with the multiple laboratory devices 120, 130, and 140 and the transport system 110 to manage the flow of sample tubes through the laboratory automation system 100.

[0051] According to this disclosure, a laboratory operator via laboratory middleware 150 may need to request additional testing of test samples located in post-analytical laboratory apparatus 120 (e.g., a refrigerator). Test samples may be present in the original sample tube, aliquot sample tubes, or both. Depending on the workflow constraints of laboratory middleware 150, additional testing may be assigned only to the original sample tube, only to the aliquot sample tubes, or only to both the original and aliquot sample tubes.

[0052] When assigning additional tests, the laboratory automation system can check for two different timeout scenarios, as shown in Figures 2A through 2B. Figure 2A illustrates the end of the aliquot lifetime due to the elapsed time since the test request was received. Figure 2B illustrates the end of the aliquot lifetime due to a missed incoming message indicating that the aliquot still exists. If neither of the two timeouts is exceeded during sample processing, the additional test is assigned to the original sample tube by default.

[0053] Referring to Figure 2A, amplification timeout begins when the amplification sample tube is initially created. In the example of Figure 2A, the timeout is shown as 100 minutes, but any reasonable amplification timeout is acceptable. Amplification timeout restarts when an additional test request is received by the laboratory middleware 150 and assigned to an existing amplification sample tube, thus extending the lifespan of the amplification sample tube. In embodiments where the amplification sample tube is not created by the laboratory automation system (i.e., external amplification), amplification timeout also restarts when an external amplification sample tube enters the laboratory automation system. When an amplification sample tube exceeds its timeout period, for example, after more than 100 minutes, the laboratory automation system discards the amplification sample tube.

[0054] In Figure 2B, the aliquot message timeout also begins when the aliquot sample tube is initially created. In the message-based timeout scenario, the aliquot message timeout is restarted each time the laboratory middleware 150 receives a message (e.g., a c8k query) indicating that the aliquot sample tube still exists in the laboratory automation system. If the aliquot sample tube is subsequently missed by the laboratory automation system, the aliquot message timeout is never restarted.

[0055] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for assigning additional tests to test samples. In one embodiment, if the laboratory middleware receives a request for additional testing of a sample from a Hospital Information System (HIS) or Laboratory Information System (LIS), the workflow control unit of the laboratory middleware calculates and executes the workflow for that additional test. If aliquot testing is required, aliquot sample tubes are typically created from the original sample tube.

[0056] However, in step 200, if the laboratory middleware receives a request to perform additional or supplementary testing on a sample that already has a gritted sample tube, the laboratory middleware's workflow control unit will determine whether the existing gritted sample tube can be used.

[0057] In step 210, the location of the existing aliquot sample tube is determined. If the existing aliquot sample tube is located at an accessible target location—that is, a location where the existing aliquot sample tube can be automatically retrieved and transported to the analytical laboratory apparatus by the laboratory automation system—the existing aliquot sample tube will be retrieved from that accessible target location to the analytical laboratory apparatus in step 220 to perform the requested additional tests. Examples of accessible target locations could be temporary buffer locations or storage devices on a transport system, such as refrigerators.

[0058] In step 240, the laboratory middleware determines whether the acquired aliquot sample tube has timed out (time or message timeout) or whether there is still sufficient remaining sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform the requested additional test. If the existing aliquot sample tube has not timed out and there is still sufficient remaining sample volume, the existing aliquot sample tube will be sent to the appropriate analytical laboratory apparatus for the requested additional test. Then, in step 230, the results of the requested additional test performed by the appropriate analytical laboratory apparatus will be sent to the laboratory middleware.

[0059] In one embodiment of the laboratory automation system that does not track the sample volume of aliquot sample tubes, the existing aliquot sample tubes will immediately become invalid if a laboratory operator attempts to perform additional testing on an existing aliquot sample tube that does not have sufficient sample volume. In this embodiment, laboratory middleware 150 receives a sample volume error from analytical laboratory device 140 that is attempting to perform additional testing on an existing aliquot sample tube with insufficient sample volume. Laboratory middleware 150 then assigns the requested additional test to the original sample tube. If the original sample tube requires aliquoting, aliquot sample tubes are then created.

[0060] In another embodiment, modules of the analytical laboratory apparatus 140 and / or the transport system 110 continuously monitor the sample volume in existing aliquot sample tubes. If the sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tubes is insufficient for a planned additional test, the insufficient sample volume can be detected before the existing aliquot sample tubes are transported to the analytical laboratory apparatus 140 by the laboratory middleware. If there is insufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tubes to perform the additional sample test, an error message is provided from the existing aliquot sample tubes to the workflow control unit of the laboratory middleware. In this case, the laboratory middleware can provide one of the following solutions: - Reduce the number of additional tests assigned to existing aliquot sample tubes and perform any remaining tests using the original sample tubes.

[0061] - Reduce the number of additional tests assigned to existing aliquot sample tubes, and create another aliquot sample tube for any remaining tests.

[0062] - Discard the existing aliquot sample tubes and use the original sample tubes for all remaining open tests.

[0063] - Discard any low-priority tests assigned to existing aliquot sample tubes.

[0064] Monitoring the sample volume in aliquot sample tubes can provide greater flexibility and better turnaround time (TAT) for laboratory automation systems because insufficient sample volume can be detected before the analytical laboratory apparatus attempts to remove the sample from an existing aliquot sample tube. Therefore, the steps of acquiring the original sample tube, reallocating additional tests, and creating new aliquot sample tubes can be completed more quickly.

[0065] Returning to Figure 3, however, if the remaining sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube is insufficient or the time or message timeout has occurred (step 235), the existing aliquot sample tube will be discarded, and the requested additional test will be reassigned to the original sample tube in step 245.

[0066] If, in step 210, it is found that the existing aliquot sample tube is located at an unreachable target location on the transport system, i.e., it is already located in the analytical laboratory apparatus, then in step 215 the laboratory automation system will wait until the existing aliquot sample tube is located at the unreachable target location.

[0067] In step 225, it can be determined that the results have been received from the analytical laboratory device by the laboratory intermediate (step 205). Furthermore, if it is determined in step 225 that the timeout period for the existing aliquot sample tubes has expired, the method proceeds to step 235. Finally, if the existing aliquot sample tubes have reached an accessible target location, the method can proceed to step 220.

[0068] In step 250, the location of the original sample tube is determined by the laboratory middleware. If the original sample tube is found to be located at an unreachable target location on the transport system (e.g., at the analytical laboratory apparatus), the laboratory automation system will wait until the laboratory middleware receives the test results of the original sample tube from the analytical laboratory apparatus and the original sample tube reaches an accessible target location. At that point, the method proceeds to step 260. However, if the original sample tube fails to reach an accessible target location or a timeout occurs, an additional test request will fail in step 255.

[0069] If the original sample tube is at an accessible target location, then in step 260, the original sample tube will be retrieved and transported to the appropriate analytical laboratory apparatus to perform the requested additional tests.

[0070] The above methods can help laboratory automation systems support repetitive sample testing with or without dilution, rerun sample testing with manual and instrumental dilution, and chained sample testing, where different sample tests are performed based on previous sample test results. Furthermore, the laboratory middleware will determine which analytical laboratory unit 140 will perform the repetitive sample test and will notify the laboratory operator which analytical laboratory unit to assign the sample test to.

[0071] Therefore, the laboratory automation system provides laboratory operators with the means to select which analytical laboratory apparatus 140 can or cannot perform repeat sample testing. The laboratory workflow control unit can perform repeat sample testing on specific aliquots and / or original sample tubes on certain specific analytical laboratory apparatuses based on the configuration of the analytical laboratory apparatus and / or the laboratory automation system.

[0072] Further disclosed is a computer program product including computer-executable instructions for performing the disclosed methods in one or more of the embodiments appended herein when the program is executed on a computer or computer network. Specifically, the computer program may be stored on a computer-readable data carrier or a server computer. Thus, specifically, one, more than one, or even all of the method steps indicated above can be performed by using a computer or computer network, preferably by using a computer program.

[0073] As used herein, a computer program product refers to a program that is a tradable product. This product can typically exist in any format (such as paper format), or on a local computer-readable data carrier or at a remote location. Specifically, computer program products can be distributed across data networks (such as cloud environments). Furthermore, not only computer program products, but also the hardware executing them can be located locally or in a cloud environment.

[0074] Further disclosed and proposed is a computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a computer system, enable a laboratory automation system to perform the method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0075] Further disclosed and proposed is a modulated data signal containing instructions that, when executed by a computer system, enable a laboratory automation system to perform the method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0076] Referring to the computer implementation aspects of the methods disclosed herein, one or more method steps, or even all method steps, of the methods according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein can be performed using a computer or computer network. Therefore, in general, any method steps, including providing and / or processing data, can be performed using a computer or computer network. Generally, these method steps may include any method steps other than those typically requiring manual operation (such as providing samples and / or performing certain aspects of actual measurements).

[0077] It should be noted that terms such as “preferredly,” “generally,” and “usually” are not used herein to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed embodiments. Rather, these terms are intended only to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be used in specific embodiments of this disclosure.

[0078] This disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, and it will be apparent that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of this disclosure have been identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that this disclosure is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects.

Claims

1. A method for assigning additional sample testing to an existing aliquot or original sample tube of a sample in a laboratory automation system (100), wherein the laboratory automation system (100) comprises: The method includes a laboratory intermediate workflow control unit, multiple laboratory devices (120, 130, 140) communicating with the workflow control unit, and a transport system (110), comprising: After the processing of the existing aliquot sample tubes has begun, the workflow control unit receives additional sample testing requests for the existing aliquot sample tubes. Determine whether the existing equally spaced sample tube is at the available target location (120); If the existing equal-divided sample tube is not at the available target location (120), wait until the existing equal-divided sample tube reaches the available target location (120) via the transport system (110). Once the existing aliquot sample tube is at the available target location (120), it is determined whether an aliquot sample timeout has occurred, wherein the aliquot sample timeout indicates the end of the aliquot sample lifecycle due to the elapsed time since the test request was received or due to the missed incoming message that the aliquot sample still exists. If the timeout for the aliquoted sample has occurred, the workflow control unit will reassign the additional sample test to the original sample tube. If no aliquot timeout has occurred, the existing aliquot sample tubes are transported via the transport system (110) to at least one (140) in the analytical laboratory apparatus; and The additional sample test is performed from the existing aliquot sample tube by at least one (140) in the analytical laboratory apparatus.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Once the existing aliquot sample tube is at the available target location (120) and no aliquot timeout has occurred, it is determined whether there is sufficient sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube for the additional sample test. If there is not enough sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform the additional sample test, the additional sample test is redistributed to the original sample tube. If sufficient sample volume is reserved in the existing aliquot sample tube to perform the additional sample test, the existing aliquot sample tube is transported by the transport system (110) to at least one (140) in the analytical laboratory apparatus. as well as The additional sample test is performed from the existing aliquot sample tube by at least one (140) of the analytical laboratory apparatus.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: If the existing aliquot sample tube does not contain sufficient sample volume to perform the additional sample test, the existing aliquot sample tube is discarded.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: If there is not enough sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tubes to perform the additional sample test, the low-priority test is discarded.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: If there is not enough sample volume in the existing aliquot sample tubes to perform the additional sample test, an error message is provided to the workflow control unit of the laboratory intermediate.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: If the additional sample test is reassigned to the original sample tube, the location of the original sample tube is determined; as well as If the original sample tube is at the accessible target location (120), the additional sample test is reassigned to the original sample tube.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, After the additional sample test is assigned to the existing aliquot sample tube, the workflow control unit restarts the aliquot sample timeout.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, Upon receiving the incoming message, the workflow control unit restarts the timeout process for the equally spaced samples.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein if the additional sample test is reassigned to the original sample tube, a new aliquot sample tube is created and the aliquot timeout is initiated by the workflow control unit.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the additional sample test is a repeat test, a rerun test, and / or a multi-step chain test.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sample is diluted manually or by the analytical laboratory apparatus (140) during the rerun of the test.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional sample test is determined based on previous test results from the sample.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Based on the configuration of the laboratory automation system (100), at least one analytical laboratory device (140) is assigned to perform the additional sample test.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The operator of the laboratory automation system (100) is notified which analytical laboratory unit (140) has been assigned the additional sample test.

15. A laboratory automation system (100), the laboratory automation system (100) comprising: Laboratory middleware, comprising a workflow control unit configured to assign additional sample testing requests to the original sample tube or an existing aliquot sample tube of the sample. Multiple laboratory units (120, 130, 140) that communicate with the workflow control unit, including a pre-analytical laboratory unit, a post-analytical laboratory unit, and an analytical laboratory unit; as well as A transport system (110) configured to transport samples from the original sample tube and the existing aliquot sample tube to the analytical laboratory apparatus (140) for testing: The workflow control unit is configured as follows: After the processing of the existing aliquot sample tubes has begun, a request for additional sample testing of the existing aliquot sample tubes is received. Determine whether the existing equally spaced sample tube is at the available target location (120); If the existing equal-divided sample tube is not at the available target location (120), wait until the existing equal-divided sample tube reaches the available target location (120) via the transport system (110). Once the existing aliquot sample tube is at the available target location (120), it is determined whether an aliquot sample timeout has occurred, wherein the aliquot sample timeout indicates the end of the aliquot sample lifecycle due to the elapsed time since the test request was received or due to the missed incoming message that the aliquot sample still exists. If the timeout of the aliquot test has occurred, the additional sample test shall be reassigned to the original sample tube. If no aliquot timeout has occurred, the existing aliquot sample tube is transported via the transport system (110) to at least one (140) in the analytical laboratory apparatus. as well as The additional sample test is performed from the existing aliquot sample tube by at least one (140) in the analytical laboratory apparatus.

16. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer system, cause a laboratory automation system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-14.

17. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed on a computer or a computer network, are used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-14.

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