Sample bearing piece conveying device

Abstract

A sample carrier transport device (116) for transporting a sample carrier (110) to a workstation (112) for sample processing is disclosed. The sample carrier transport device (116) includes a surface (128) having a plurality of sample carrier holder portions (130). Each of the sample carrier holder portions (130) is configured to removably hold at least one sample carrier (110) during transport of the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112). The surface (128) is configured for movement for transporting the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112). The sample carrier transport device (116) includes at least one lifting mechanism configured for moving the surface (128) to at least one transport position and to at least one transfer position. The transport position and the transfer position refer to different heights of the surface (128). The lifting mechanism is configured to hold the surface (128) in the transport position during transport of the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112). The sample carrier transport device (116) is configured for transferring the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112) in the transfer position and for receiving the sample carrier (110) from the workstation (112).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample carrier transporting device for transporting a sample carrier to a workstation for sample processing, an analysis system, and a method for transporting a sample carrier to a plurality of workstations of an analysis system. The method and device can be specifically used in the field of medical or chemical laboratories. However, other application fields of the present invention are also possible. Background Art

[0002] In the field of medical or chemical laboratories, sample carrier transporting devices are used to distribute sample carriers, such as glass slides, to travel back and forth between a plurality of workstations, such as in one or more instruments of an analysis system. The traditional way of moving sample carriers within an instrument involves, for example, a vacuum gripper with many actuators. Due to the limited space within the instrument and the complex processing sequence, this type of internal slide transportation is a limiting factor for the performance and reliability of the entire instrument.

[0003] US 5,225,266 A describes a specimen slide in the form of a strip of glass plate. To improve the production and processing of the slide, all sides of the glass plate are surrounded by a plastic frame.

[0004] US2004 / 0191128 A1 describes a microscope slide staining machine that includes a platform for supporting a plurality of microscope slides. The platform includes a surface area heated by a resistive heater under the microscope slides. A liquid dispenser is located above the platform, and the dispenser and the platform are adapted to move relative to each other. The dispenser distributes a liquid reagent onto the slides carrying biological samples.

[0005] WO 2011 / 161353 A1 describes a fluid dispensing device that includes: at least one rotary tool holder equipped with an injection device provided with a plurality of fluid injection members; a space for receiving a rotary collector, wherein the tool holder is rotatably mounted so that each injection member can enter an injection preparation position; and an actuator that can actuate at least one injection member when the injection member is in its injection preparation position, wherein the actuator can also move up and down, so that the injection member can be actuated when the injection member is in its injection preparation position. The rotational axes of the collector and the tool holder are parallel to the up and down movement axis of the actuator. The tool holder is also provided with clamping members.

[0006] WO 2007 / 139892 A2 describes a fluid dispensing device that includes a fluid reservoir and a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes a housing that defines a metering chamber and a deformable member, and the metering chamber is configured to receive a predetermined volume of fluid from the fluid reservoir. The deformable member deforms from a rest position to an ejection position, and the deformation causes a change in the volume of the metering chamber, which in turn causes a change in the fluid pressure within the metering chamber. An increase in the fluid pressure within the metering chamber causes a predetermined volume of fluid within the metering chamber to be ejected, and a decrease in the fluid pressure within the metering chamber causes fluid to be drawn into the metering chamber from the reservoir.

[0007] CN104655851A describes an antibody chip kit that includes an antibody chip, a receptor standard mixture, a biotin-labeled detection antibody mixture, and streptavidin labeled with Cy3 fluorescent dye. A standard tissue slide coated with active amino groups is selected as the surface carrier of the antibody chip, and various antigen-specific antibodies are firmly adsorbed on the slide surface by a non-contact spotting robot, and sixteen microarrays are formed. Then, by using a plastic frame and a latex sealing frame with 2*8 holes that match each other and are detachable, the sixteen microarrays are separated into non-interfering small areas. Each capture antibody has four replicate spots in each antibody microarray.

[0008] US2014 / 161150 A1 describes mixing a material to be analyzed by an analyzer with a flux in a sample holder supported by a movable platform within a furnace. An inclined member having a plurality of stations is provided. Each station has an upright pin that is offset from the center point of the station in different directions. The platform is indexed relative to the inclined member such that the sample holder is aligned with each station in sequence. When the sample holder is aligned with each station, the platform moves towards the inclined member such that the pin of the aligned station abuts the sample holder and causes the sample holder to tilt in different directions. The repeated tilting of the sample holder in different directions mixes the material with the flux. The contents of the sample holder can also be agitated by rapidly moving the platform back and forth and suddenly stopping.

[0009] Problems to be Solved

[0010] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods and devices that at least partially address the above-described technical challenges of known methods and devices of similar types. Specifically, methods and devices should be proposed that allow for improving the performance and reliability of an internal slide transport device within an analysis system. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This problem is solved by a sample carrier transporting device for transporting a sample carrier to a workstation for sample processing, an analysis system, and a method for transporting a sample carrier to a plurality of workstations of an analysis system, which have the features of the independent claims. In the dependent claims and throughout the specification, advantageous embodiments are listed that can be implemented individually or in any combination.

[0012] As used hereinafter, the terms "having", "comprising", or "including" or any grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive manner. Thus, these terms can refer both to the case where no other features are present in the entity described in this context except for the features introduced by these terms, and to the case where one or more other features are present. As an example, the expressions "A has B", "A includes B", and "A comprises B" can refer both to the case where no other elements are present in A except for B (i.e., the case where A consists of B alone and uniquely); and to the case where one or more other elements (such as element C, elements C and D, or even other elements) are present in entity A in addition to B.

[0013] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one", "one or more", or similar expressions indicating that a feature or element can be present once or more than once are generally used only once when introducing the corresponding feature or element. Hereinafter, in most cases, when referring to the corresponding feature or element, the expressions "at least one" or "one or more" will not be reused, even though the corresponding feature or element may be present only once or multiple times.

[0014] Furthermore, as used hereinafter, the terms "preferably", "more preferably", "in particular", "more particularly", "specifically", "more specifically", or similar terms are used in conjunction with optional features without restricting the possibility of alternatives. Thus, the features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the present invention can be carried out by using alternative features. Similarly, the features introduced by "in an embodiment of the present invention" or similar expressions are intended to be optional features, without any limitation to alternative embodiments of the present invention, without any limitation to the scope of the present invention, and without any limitation to the possibility of combining the features introduced in this way with other optional or non-optional features of the present invention.

[0015] In a first aspect of the present invention, a sample carrier transporting device for transporting a sample carrier to a workstation for sample processing is disclosed.

[0016] As used herein, the term "sample" is a broad term and is given its ordinary and customary meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, an aliquot of a substance such as a chemical or biological compound. Specifically, a sample can be or can include at least one biological specimen, such as one or more of the following: a tissue sample; blood; serum; plasma; urine; saliva. Additionally or alternatively, a sample can be or can include a chemical substance or compound and / or a reagent. The biological specimens disclosed herein can include one or more biological samples, which can be one or more tissue samples (e.g., any collection of cells) taken from a subject. A tissue sample can be a collection of interconnected cells that perform a similar function within a living organism. A biological sample can also be any solid or fluid sample obtained, excreted, or secreted from any living organism, including but not limited to single-celled organisms (such as bacteria, yeast, protozoa, and amoeba), multi-cellular organisms (e.g., plants or animals), including samples from healthy or apparently healthy human subjects or human patients affected by a condition or disease to be diagnosed or studied, such as cancer. For example, a sample can include a tissue section, an organ, a tumor section, a smear, a frozen section, a cytological preparation, or a cell line. A sample can be obtained using incisional biopsy, core biopsy, excisional biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, open biopsy, or surgical biopsy.

[0017] As used herein, the term "sample carrier" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a support structure configured to support, such as hold, store, and / or transport one or more of the samples. A sample carrier can be a slide, such as a specimen slide. A sample carrier can be bar-shaped or disc-shaped. For example, the sample carrier is a glass slide, such as a washable and reusable glass disc or glass arm. A sample carrier can be disposable, e.g., made of glass or plastic, and / or reusable, e.g., made of glass. For example, the sample carrier can be washable.

[0018] The sample carrier may include at least one frame. As used herein, the term "frame" is a broad term and should be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and should not be limited to a special or custom meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a structure surrounding the sample carrier that is configured to support, protect, stabilize one or more of the sample carriers. The frame may include an outer structure and a container for receiving the sample carrier. The frame and the sample carrier may be shaped according to the key-lock principle. The sample carrier may be detachably inserted into the frame or may be inseparably connected to the frame. The frame may be a disposable or reusable frame. The frame may be a rigid frame, for example made of one or more of the following materials: polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), aluminum, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyoxymethylene (POM-C), polypropylene (PP). For example, at least one of the following materials may be used for a disposable frame: polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). For example, at least one of the following materials may be used for a reusable frame: aluminum, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyoxymethylene (POM-C), polypropylene (PP).

[0019] The sample carrier may include at least one identifier directly attached to the sample carrier and / or attached to the frame of the sample carrier. The sample carrier may be identified by an identification system or by a human (in plain text). The identification system may be a camera system or an optical sensor and scanner that identifies one or more of any optical signatures on the sample carrier, such as barcodes, QR codes, or another type of code. The identification system may be an element of a workstation or a separate element of an analysis system including the workstation. For example, the sample carrier may be a slide without a marked area. The sample carrier may be placed in the frame, for example automatically, by a gripper, which provides a unique ID to ensure traceability.

[0020] As used herein, the term "workstation" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, a location within an analysis system, such as within a laboratory instrument, that is configured to perform a predefined function on a sample and / or a sample carrier. A workstation can be configured for sample processing. Sample processing can include one or more of sample-specific steps such as printing, smearing, staining, heating, drying, cooling, separating, mixing, washing, eluting, diluting, chemical reaction, aliquoting, imaging, scanning, etc. Each of the workstations can include at least one workstation selected from the group consisting of: a printing workstation, a staining workstation, a waste station, an analysis station, an imaging station, a waste station, an imaging station, a labeling station, an intermediate storage station, a reprocessing station, a handover station for further manual inspection. A workstation can be an element of an analysis system, such as a laboratory instrument of an analysis system. An analysis system, such as a laboratory instrument, can include a plurality of workstations. A sample carrier transport device can be configured to transport a sample carrier from one workstation to another workstation. A sample carrier transport device can be configured to transport a sample carrier between workstations.

[0021] As used herein, the term "system" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, any set of interacting or interdependent components that form a whole. Specifically, the components can interact with each other to achieve at least one common function. A system can include at least two components, where the at least two components can be processed independently, or can be coupled or connectable.

[0022] As used herein, the term "analysis system" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, a system that includes at least one laboratory instrument. An analysis system can be at least one analysis system selected from the group consisting of: a hematology blood analysis system, a tissue analysis system, a urine sediment analysis system.

[0023] As used herein, the term "laboratory instrument" is a broad term and is given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any device configured to perform at least one sample processing step, such as multiple processing steps such as a predefined workflow. For example, a laboratory instrument can be a clinical diagnostic analyzer. A laboratory instrument can be one or more of the following: a pre-analytical instrument, an analytical instrument, or a post-analytical instrument, or a combined laboratory instrument. A pre-analytical instrument can generally be used for the preliminary processing of a sample. A pre-analytical instrument can include a workstation, such as for heating, printing, staining, drying, cooling, pipetting, separating, mixing, cleaning, eluting, diluting, chemical reactions, aliquoting, sample and / or reagent preservation, detection, such as at least one sample quality check. An analytical instrument, also referred to as an analyzer, can be designed, for example, to use a sample or a portion of the sample and a reagent to generate a measurable signal, based on which it can be determined whether an analyte is present and, if desired, its concentration and quality. An analytical instrument can be operable to determine parameter values of a sample or its components via various chemical, biological, physical, optical, or other technical procedures. An analytical instrument can be operable to measure the parameters of a sample or at least one analyte and return the obtained measurement values, such as analytical results. For example, possible analytical results returned by an analytical instrument can be the concentration of an analyte in a sample, etc. An analytical instrument can include at least one workstation, such as at least one analysis station, such as for imaging, scanning, result determination, etc. A post-analytical instrument can generally be used for the post-processing of a sample, such as archiving and / or discarding of the sample. A post-analytical instrument can include a handover station for further manual inspection.

[0024] A workstation can include at least one head. As used herein, the term "head" is a broad term and will be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, one or more elements configured to perform one or more processing steps to be carried out at the corresponding workstation on a sample. The head can be movable, for example, by using at least one movable arm.

[0025] A workstation can include a seal configured to prevent leakage from a sample carrier during processing (such as staining, cleaning). For example, the seal can include at least one axial sealing lip. For example, the axial sealing lip can be used to press the head of the workstation against the sample carrier. This can ensure prevention of leakage during sample processing. The axial sealing lip can prevent contamination and / or cross-contamination (from sample to sample) from the instrument to the sample.

[0026] The sample carrier transport device includes a surface having a plurality of sample carrier holder portions. Each of the sample carrier holder portions is configured to removably hold at least one sample carrier during the transport of the sample carrier to a workstation. The surface is configured to perform a movement for transporting the sample carrier to the workstation. The sample carrier transport device includes at least one lifting mechanism configured to move the surface to at least one transport position and to at least one transfer position. The transport position and the transfer position refer to different heights of the surface. The lifting mechanism is configured to hold the surface in the transport position during the transport of the sample carrier to the workstation. The sample carrier transport device is configured to transfer the sample carrier to the workstation at the transfer position and to receive the sample carrier from the workstation.

[0027] As used herein, the term "sample carrier transport device" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a device configured to transport a sample carrier from an initial position to a target workstation and / or from one workstation to another workstation. For example, an analysis system can include a plurality of workstations. The analysis system can be configured to perform a predefined workflow of sample processing steps at different workstations. The sample carrier transport device can be configured to continuously transport the sample carrier to the corresponding workstation to perform the workflow.

[0028] The sample carrier transport device can be configured to transport the sample carrier to a plurality of workstations. As used herein, the term "transport" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, the relative movement of the sample carrier transport device (e.g., the surface of the sample carrier transport device) relative to the workstation. For example, the transport can include a rotational movement about a rotational axis. However, the movement of the surface of the sample carrier transport device is not limited to rotational motion. Additionally or alternatively, a linear motion along the x-axis and / or y-axis can be implemented.

[0029] For example, the sample carrier transport device is a rotor. The surface can be a circular surface. The rotor can be configured to perform a rotational movement of 360° or less than 360° about the rotational axis of the rotor. However, even a movement of more than 360° can be possible. Thus, the sample carrier transport device can include a sample carrier rotor having sample carrier holder portions for transporting the sample carrier from one workstation to another workstation. The sample carrier transport device can include at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the rotational movement of the surface. Such drive mechanisms are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Other embodiments of the sample carrier transport device are feasible. For example, the sample carrier transport device may be or may include at least one arm, such as made of aluminum.

[0031] For example, the sample carrier transport device is a linear stage. The surface may be an elongated surface along at least one direction, such as the x-direction or the y-direction. Workstations may be arranged separately, for example, at equal intervals at different x-positions or y-positions. The linear stage may be configured to perform linear step movements corresponding to the distance between two workstations or a multiple of the distance between two workstations. Thus, the sample carrier transport device may include a linear sample carrier having sample carrier holder portions that are linearly spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the distance between two consecutive workstations for transporting the sample carrier from workstation to workstation. The sample carrier transport device may include at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the linear movement of the surface. Such drive mechanisms are generally known to those skilled in the art. The sample carrier transport device may additionally include a bending member configured to change the direction, for example, to change the linear movement to a curvilinear movement, and may be configured to perform a linear movement in a loop, where workstations are arranged at different positions along the loop. Additionally or alternatively, the direction of the linear movement may be reversed in the opposite direction. Additionally, the linear stage may be configured to move along both the x- and y-directions, and several workstations may be arranged along both the x- and y-directions, and the distance between the workstations may be arbitrary.

[0032] As used herein, the term "sample carrier holder portion" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, an element configured to removably hold the surface of at least one sample carrier during transportation of the sample carrier to a work station. The sample carrier holder portion can be configured to movably position the sample carrier on a sample carrier transport device. For example, the sample carrier holder portion can be configured to receive and hold the sample carrier and / or the frame of the sample carrier. The sample carrier holder portion can be a container configured to receive and hold the sample carrier and / or the frame of the sample carrier. The sample carrier holder portion can be designed as a recess in a surface and / or at least one attachment, for example, for a mechanical connection between the sample carrier holder portion and the sample carrier. The sample carrier holder portion, such as an attachment, can be designed such that the attachment provides a distance between the sample carrier and the sample carrier transport device. The sample carrier holder portion, such as an attachment, can be designed such that the sample carrier does not come into direct contact with the sample carrier transport device. For example, the attachment can be a frame. The sample carrier holder portion can be configured to circumferentially surround the sample carrier. The sample carrier holder portion can be configured to hold the sample carrier by using one or more of suction, evacuated vacuum, form fit, and press fit connections.

[0033] The sample carrier transport system can include at least one gripper configured to load a sample carrier onto a surface. Once the sample carrier is loaded onto the rotor by the gripper, the rotor can transport the sample carrier to a first work station by rotation.

[0034] As used herein, the term "gripper" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a device designed to grip a sample carrier. As used herein, the term "grip" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, temporarily connecting a sample carrier to a gripper such that the sample carrier can be lifted or otherwise moved with the gripper. Gripping can include using one or more of suction, evacuated vacuum, form fit gripping, and press fit gripping.

[0035] Multiple sample carrier holder parts can be arranged on the surface of the sample carrier transport device. The presence of multiple sample carrier holder parts can have multiple sample carriers on the sample carrier transport device. Thus, it may be possible to process multiple sample carriers in parallel at different workstations. Multiple workstations allow parallel operations to be performed independently of each other at different workstations. Parallel operations at different workstations can include, for example, printing, staining, imaging, etc. For example, the sample carrier holder parts can be evenly distributed on the surface. For example, the sample carrier holder parts can be arranged on the surface relative to the distance between the respective workstations.

[0036] The present invention proposes a special mechanism for the interaction between the sample carrier and the workstation. Specifically, the present invention proposes a lifting mechanism.

[0037] As used herein, the term "lifting mechanism" is a broad term and will be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any mechanism configured to set the height of a surface. The lifting mechanism can be configured to perform at least one lifting movement. The lifting mechanism can be configured to set the height of the surface to at least two different positions. The lifting mechanism can be configured to set the height of the surface to a transfer position and a transport position. The lifting mechanism is configured to move, for example lift, the surface from a first position (e.g., one of the transfer position and the transport position) to a second position (e.g., the other of the transfer position and the transport position). The lifting mechanism is configured to move, for example lower, the surface from the second position to the first position. For example, the lifting mechanism can include at least one lifting stage. The lifting mechanism can include at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the lifting movement of the surface. Such drive mechanisms are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0038] As used herein, the term "transport position" is a broad term and will be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, the height of the surface during the transport of the sample carrier to the workstation. As used herein, the term "transfer position" is a broad term and will be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, the height of the surface during the handover of the sample carrier to the workstation and the receipt of the sample carrier from the workstation. The transport position and the transfer position refer to different heights of the surface.

[0039] As used herein, the term "hand over" to the workstation is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, the process of releasing the sample carrier from the surface of the sample carrier transport device and transferring the sample carrier to the workstation for processing. Handing over the sample carrier at the transfer position can include providing access to the sample carrier from the workstation. Each of the sample carrier holding part can include at least one opening. The opening can be configured to provide access to the sample carrier from the workstation by one or more of engagement, suction, evacuation of vacuum, form-fit clamping, press-fit clamping.

[0040] The workstation can include a stage configured to move the handed-over sample carrier along the x-axis and / or y-axis to a processing position. As used herein, the term "stage" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, a movable element configured to receive the sample carrier and move the sample carrier to a processing position within the workstation. The stage of a particular workstation can be configured to move the sample carrier, for example, along the x-axis and / or y-axis to a desired processing position. The movement of the surface of the sample carrier transport device and the stage of the workstation can be described in a Cartesian coordinate system. The movement of the surface can be along the z-axis, where the x-axis and y-axis are perpendicular to the z-axis. In addition to or alternatively to the stage moving along the x-axis and / or y-axis, the stage can be configured to move the sample carrier along the z-axis. As outlined above, the workstation can include a head. The head can be configured to move to the processing position along the z-axis.

[0041] In the analysis system, the workstation and the sample carrier transport device are arranged relative to each other such that at the transfer position, the sample carrier can be handed over from the sample carrier transport device to the workstation and the sample carrier can be received from the workstation by the sample carrier transport device.

[0042] For example, the transport position is above the transfer position. The lifting mechanism can be configured to lift the surface from the transfer position to the transport position to receive the sample carrier from the workstation and transport the sample carrier, and to lower the surface from the transport position to the transfer position to hand over the sample carrier to the workstation.

[0043] For example, the transport position is below the transfer position. The lifting mechanism can be configured to lower the surface from the transfer position to the transport position to receive the sample carrier from the workstation and transport the sample carrier, and to lift the surface from the transport position to the transfer position to hand over the sample carrier to the workstation.

[0044] The transfer of the sample carrier can include placing the sample carrier on the stage of the workstation by moving a surface to a transfer position. The workstation can include at least one gripper configured to hold the sample carrier when the sample carrier is transferred to the workstation. For example, the gripper can be configured to hold the sample carrier by one or more of suction, evacuating a vacuum, form - fit gripping, press - fit gripping. The gripper can be configured to lift the sample carrier from the surface of the sample carrier transporting device to the stage of the workstation.

[0045] Each of the sample carrier holding part can include at least one sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism can be configured to provide the sample carrier in the transfer position by sliding the sample carrier from the sample carrier holding part into the workstation. As used herein, the term "slide" is a broad term and shall be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and shall not be limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, frictional movement between two contacting surfaces, such as the surface of the sample carrier and the surface of the sample carrier holding part and / or the surface of the sample carrier and the surface of the stage of the workstation.

[0046] Each of the sample carrier holding part can include at least one flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism can be configured to provide the sample carrier in the transfer position by flipping the sample carrier from the sample carrier holding part into the workstation. As used herein, the term "flip" is a broad term, and shall be given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, the movement of ejecting and / or rotating and / or ejecting the sample carrier from the sample carrier holding part.

[0047] The transfer can be performed as follows. The lifting mechanism can lower the surface and can place the sample carrier on the stage of one of the workstations. Once the sample carrier is placed on the stage of the workstation, the vacuum evacuator can immediately hold the sample carrier tightly. An x - y tilt of the sample carrier may not be required. The stage of the workstation can move the sample carrier (along the x - axis and / or y - axis) to the desired processing position. Thereafter, the head of the workstation can move (e.g., along the z - axis) to the desired processing position. The process, such as printing, staining, imaging, etc., can be started.

[0048] It is possible to perform steps opposite to handing over to a workstation by receiving a sample carrier from the workstation through the sample carrier holder part. For example, after the processing at the corresponding workstation is completed, the stage of the workstation can move the sample carrier back to the initial handover position. The gripper can lift the sample carrier from the stage back to the sample carrier holder part. The gripper (such as a vacuum evacuator) can end the vacuum. After that, the surface of the sample carrier transport device can transport the sample carrier to the next workstation. At the next workstation, the sample carrier can be processed again. At the end of the sample processing, that is, after passing through all the workstations that the sample carrier is to approach according to the predefined workflow, the sample carrier can be, for example, automatically discarded or can be prepared for further manual inspection.

[0049] As outlined above, the conventional way of moving a glass slide in an instrument involves, for example, a vacuum gripper with many actuators. Due to the limited space inside the instrument and the complex processing sequence, this type of internal slide transport is a limiting factor for the performance and reliability of the entire instrument. The proposed processing of the sample carrier has the following advantages: The sample carrier can be transported in a careful and reliable manner by the sample carrier transport device (such as a rotor), so that almost no glass breakage will occur. The proposed concept can achieve a space-saving sample transport design in the instrument.

[0050] US2014 / 161150 A1 describes an internal turntable that moves inside a preheating furnace and is used to generate a uniform sample mixture inside a sample holder. Such an internal turntable is not suitable for transporting the sample carrier to any workstation, but involves an internal turntable inside the workstation. In addition, the lifting is not configured to move the surface to at least one transport position and to at least one transfer position.

[0051] In a further aspect of the present invention, an analysis system is disclosed. The analysis system includes a plurality of workstations for sample processing and at least one sample carrier transport device according to the present invention. The workstations and the sample carrier transport device are arranged relative to each other such that at the transfer position, the sample carrier can be handed over from the sample carrier transport device to the workstation and the sample carrier can be received from the workstation by the sample carrier transport device.

[0052] Regarding the definition and embodiments of the analysis system, reference is made to the definition and embodiments of the sample carrier transport device (such as any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below).

[0053] The analysis system may include at least one control unit for controlling a sample carrier transport device. The control unit may be configured to control the transfer of the sample carrier between the sample carrier transport device and the workstations. For example, the control unit may be configured to control one or more of the movement of the surface of the sample carrier transport device, the lifting mechanism, the transfer of the sample carrier to and from the workstations (e.g., the gripper), the processes at the workstations (e.g., the movement of the stage and / or the head), and the processing steps. As used herein, the term "control unit" is a broad term and is given the ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, any device suitable for performing control and processing, preferably by using at least one data processing device, and more preferably by using at least one processor and / or at least one application specific integrated circuit. Thus, by way of example, the control unit may include one or more programmable devices, such as one or more computers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other devices configured to perform control and / or processing. Thus, by way of example, the control unit may include at least one data processing device having software code stored thereon, the software code including a plurality of computer commands. The control unit may provide one or more hardware elements for performing one or more of the specified operations, and / or may provide software for running on one or more processors for performing one or more of the specified operations.

[0054] In a further aspect of the invention, a method for transporting a sample carrier to a plurality of workstations of an analysis system according to the invention is disclosed.

[0055] The method includes the method steps given in the corresponding independent claims and listed below. These method steps may be performed in the given order. However, other orders of these method steps are also possible. Additionally, one or more of these method steps may be performed in parallel and / or in a time-overlapped manner. Additionally, one or more of these method steps may be repeated. Additionally, there may be additional method steps not listed.

[0056] The method includes the following steps:

[0057] a) Providing a sample carrier to a sample carrier holding part of the surface of the sample carrier transport device;

[0058] b) Transporting the sample carrier to the corresponding workstation by performing the movement of the surface, wherein each of the sample carrier holding parts detachably holds the sample carrier during the transport, and wherein the surface is held in the transport position by a lifting mechanism during the transport;

[0059] c) transferring the sample carrier from the sample carrier transport device to the corresponding workstation by using a lifting mechanism, wherein the surface is moved from the transport position to the transfer position so that the workstation can access the sample carrier.

[0060] Regarding the definition and embodiments of the method, reference is made to the definition and embodiments of the sample carrier transport device and the analysis system (such as any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below).

[0061] The method may further include processing the sample at the workstation.

[0062] The method may further include receiving the sample carrier from the workstation in the transfer position by the sample carrier transport device, and moving the surface from the transfer position to the transport position to further transport the sample carrier.

[0063] The method can be performed automatically. As used herein, the term "automatically" is a broad term and will be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, a process performed entirely by means of at least one computer and / or computer network and / or machine, in particular, without manual operation and / or interaction with the user.

[0064] The method can be computer-implemented. As used herein, the term "computer-implemented" is a broad term and is given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited to a special or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, a process implemented in whole or in part by using a data processing device (such as a data processing device including at least one processor (in particular a processing unit)). Thus, the term "computer" generally refers to a device having at least one data processing device (such as at least one processor), or to a combination or network of devices. Additionally, a computer may include one or more other components (such as at least one of a data storage device, an electronic interface, or a human-machine interface).

[0065] A computer program is further disclosed and proposed herein, which includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a computer or computer network, are used to perform the method according to the present invention in one or more of the embodiments appended hereto. Specifically, the computer program may be stored on a computer-readable data carrier and / or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0066] As used herein, the terms "computer-readable data carrier" and "computer-readable storage medium" may specifically refer to non-transitory data storage devices, such as hardware storage media having computer-executable instructions stored thereon. The computer-readable data carrier or storage medium may specifically be or may include storage media such as random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM).

[0067] Accordingly, specifically, steps a) to c) above, one, more than one, or even all of the methods may be performed by using a computer or a computer network, preferably by using a computer program.

[0068] A computer program product having program code means is further disclosed and proposed herein for performing the method according to the present invention in one or more of the embodiments appended hereto when the program is executed on a computer or a computer network. Specifically, the program code means may be stored on a computer-readable data carrier and / or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0069] A data carrier is further disclosed and proposed herein having a data structure stored thereon, which, after being loaded into a computer or a computer network, such as after being loaded into the working memory or main memory of a computer or a computer network, may perform the method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0070] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is further disclosed and proposed herein, which includes instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the method according to the present invention.

[0071] A computer program product having program code means stored on a machine-readable carrier is further disclosed and proposed herein for performing the method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein when the program is executed on a computer or a computer network. As used herein, a computer program product refers to a program as a tradable product. The product may generally exist in any format (such as in a paper format) or exist on a computer-readable data carrier and / or a computer-readable storage medium. Specifically, the computer program product may be distributed over a data network.

[0072] A modulated data signal including instructions readable by a computer system or a computer network is further disclosed and proposed herein for performing the method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0073] Referring to the computer-implemented aspects of the present invention, one or more method steps or even all method steps of the methods according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein can be carried out by using a computer or a computer network. Thus, generally speaking, any method step including providing and / or manipulating data can be carried out by using a computer or a computer network. Generally speaking, these method steps can include any method steps other than those that generally require manual operations (such as providing samples and / or certain aspects of performing actual measurements).

[0074] Specifically, the following is further disclosed herein:

[0075] - A computer or a computer network, which includes at least one processor, wherein the processor is adapted to carry out a method according to one of the embodiments described in this specification,

[0076] - A computer-loadable data structure, which is adapted to carry out a method according to one of the embodiments described in this specification when the data structure is executed on a computer,

[0077] - A computer program, wherein the computer program is adapted to carry out a method according to one of the embodiments described in this specification when the program is carried out on a computer,

[0078] - A computer program, which includes program means for carrying out a method according to one of the embodiments described in this specification when the computer program is executed on a computer or on a computer network,

[0079] - A computer program, the computer program including the program means according to the foregoing embodiments,

[0080] wherein the program means is stored on a computer-readable storage medium,

[0081] - A storage medium, wherein the data structure is stored on the storage medium and wherein the data structure is adapted to carry out a method according to one of the embodiments described in this specification after being loaded into the main memory and / or working memory of a computer or a computer network, and

[0082] - A computer program product, which has program code means, wherein the program code means can be stored or is stored on a storage medium for carrying out a method according to one of the embodiments described in this specification if the program code means is executed on a computer or a computer network.

[0083] Summarizing and without excluding other possible embodiments, the following embodiments can be envisaged:

[0084] Example 1. A sample carrier transporting device for transporting a sample carrier to a workstation for sample processing,

[0085] wherein the sample carrier transporting device includes a surface having a plurality of sample carrier holding part, and each of the sample carrier holding parts is configured to removably hold at least one sample carrier during transporting the sample carrier to the workstation, and the surface is configured to perform a movement for transporting the sample carrier to the workstation.

[0086] wherein the sample carrier transporting device includes at least one lifting mechanism configured to move the surface to at least one transporting position and at least one transfer position, the transporting position and the transfer position refer to different heights of the surface, the lifting mechanism is configured to hold the surface in the transporting position during transporting the sample carrier to the workstation, and the sample carrier transporting device is configured to hand over the sample carrier to the workstation and receive the sample carrier from the workstation at the transfer position.

[0087] Example 2. The sample carrier transporting device according to the foregoing embodiment, wherein handing over the sample carrier at the transfer position includes providing access to the sample carrier from the workstation.

[0088] Example 3. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein handing over the sample carrier includes placing the sample carrier on the stage of the workstation by moving the surface to the transfer position.

[0089] Example 4. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein each of the sample carrier holding parts includes at least one opening, and the opening is configured to provide access to the sample carrier from the workstation by one or more of engagement, suction, evacuation of vacuum, form - fit clamping, press - fit clamping.

[0090] Example 5. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein each of the sample carrier holding parts includes at least one sliding mechanism, and the sliding mechanism is configured to provide the sample carrier in the transfer position by sliding the sample carrier from the sample carrier holding part into the workstation.

[0091] Example 6. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein each of the sample carrier holding parts includes at least one flipping mechanism, and the flipping mechanism is configured to provide the sample carrier in the transfer position by flipping the sample carrier from the sample carrier holding part to the workstation.

[0092] Example 7. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport position is above the transfer position, and wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the surface from the transfer position to the transport position to receive the sample carrier from the workstation and transport the sample carrier, and to lower the surface from the transport position to the transfer position to transfer the sample carrier to the workstation; or

[0093] wherein the transport position is below the transfer position, and wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lower the surface from the transfer position to the transport position to receive the sample carrier from the workstation and transport the sample carrier, and to lift the surface from the transport position to the transfer position to transfer the sample carrier to the workstation.

[0094] Example 8. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier holder part is configured to circumferentially surround the sample carrier.

[0095] Example 9. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier holder part is configured to hold the sample carrier by using suction, evacuated vacuum, form fit and / or press fit connection.

[0096] Example 10. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier transporting device is configured to transport the sample carrier to a plurality of workstations, and wherein the sample carrier holder part is arranged on the surface relative to the distances between the respective workstations.

[0097] Example 11. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier transporting device is a rotor and the surface is a circular surface.

[0098] Example 12. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the rotor is configured to perform a rotational movement of 360° or less than 360° about the axis of rotation of the rotor.

[0099] Example 13. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier transporting device is or includes at least one arm.

[0100] Example 14. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier transporting device is configured to perform a linear movement along the x-axis and / or along the y-axis.

[0101] Example 15. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sample carrier is a glass slide, such as a washable and reusable glass plate or glass arm.

[0102] Example 16. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the sample carrier is disposable and / or reusable.

[0103] Example 17. The sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the sample carrier includes at least one identifier directly attached to the sample carrier and / or attached to the sample carrier by using a disposable or reusable frame.

[0104] Example 18. An analysis system, comprising a plurality of workstations for sample processing and at least one sample carrier transporting device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the workstations and the sample carrier transporting device are arranged relative to each other such that at a transfer position, the sample carrier can be transferred from the sample carrier transporting device to the workstation and the sample carrier can be received from the workstation by the sample carrier transporting device.

[0105] Example 19. The analysis system according to the foregoing embodiment, wherein the workstation includes a stage configured to move the transferred sample carrier to a processing position along the x-axis and / or y-axis.

[0106] Example 20. The analysis system according to the foregoing embodiment, wherein the workstation includes a head configured to move to a processing position along the z-axis.

[0107] Example 21. The analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments relating to an analysis system, wherein each of the workstations includes at least one workstation selected from the group consisting of: a printing workstation, a staining workstation, an analysis station, an imaging station, a waste station, a labeling station, an intermediate storage station, a reprocessing station, a handover station for further manual inspection.

[0108] Example 22. The analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments relating to an analysis system, wherein the workstation includes at least one sample carrier gripper configured to hold the sample carrier when the sample carrier is transferred to the workstation.

[0109] Example 23. The analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments relating to an analysis system, wherein the workstation includes a seal configured to prevent leakage of the sample carrier during processing.

[0110] Example 24. The analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments related to an analysis system, wherein the sample carrier transporting system includes at least one gripper configured to load the sample carrier onto a surface.

[0111] Example 25. The analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments related to an analysis system, wherein the analysis system includes at least one control unit for controlling a sample carrier transporting device, and the control unit is configured to control the transfer of a sample carrier between the sample carrier transporting device and a workstation.

[0112] Example 26. The analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments related to an analysis system, wherein the analysis system is at least one analysis system selected from the group consisting of: a hematology blood analysis system, a tissue analysis system, and a urine sediment analysis system.

[0113] Example 27. A method for transporting a sample carrier to a plurality of workstations of an analysis system according to any one of the foregoing embodiments related to an analysis system, wherein the method includes the following steps:

[0114] a) Providing a sample carrier to a sample carrier holding part on the surface of the sample carrier transporting device;

[0115] b) Transporting the sample carrier to a corresponding workstation by performing a movement of the surface, wherein each of the sample carrier holding parts detachably holds the sample carrier during transportation, and the surface is held in a transportation position by a lifting mechanism during transportation;

[0116] c) Handing over the sample carrier from the sample carrier transporting device to a corresponding workstation by using the lifting mechanism, wherein the surface moves from the transportation position to a transfer position so that the workstation can access the sample carrier.

[0117] Example 28. The method according to the foregoing embodiment, wherein the method further includes processing the sample at the workstation.

[0118] Example 29. The method according to any one of the foregoing two embodiments, wherein the method further includes receiving the sample carrier from the workstation by the sample carrier transporting device in the transfer position, and moving the surface from the transfer position to the transportation position to further transport the sample carrier. Description of the Drawings

[0119] Other optional features and embodiments will be disclosed in more detail in the following description of embodiments, preferably in combination with the dependent claims. Among them, as those skilled in the art will recognize, each optional feature can be implemented separately and in any feasible combination. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are schematically depicted in the drawings. Among them, the same reference numerals in these drawings refer to the same or functionally equivalent elements.

[0120] In the drawings:

[0121] Figures 1A to 1C An embodiment of a method and an analysis system for transporting a sample carrier to a plurality of workstations of an analysis system according to the present invention is shown. Detailed description

[0122] Figures 1A to 1C An embodiment of a method and an analysis system 114 for transporting a sample carrier 110 to a plurality of workstations 112 of an analysis system 114 according to the present invention is shown.

[0123] As Figure 1A shown, an analysis system 114 is shown, which includes a plurality of workstations 112 for sample processing and further includes at least one sample carrier transport device 116. The analysis system 114 can be, by way of example, a hematology blood analysis system 118.

[0124] The workstations 112 can be configured for sample processing. Sample processing can include one or more of sample-specific steps such as printing, smearing, staining, heating, drying, cooling, separating, mixing, cleaning, eluting, diluting, chemical reactions, aliquoting, imaging, scanning, etc. As Figure 1A shown, the analysis system can include an imaging workstation 120, a staining workstation 122, and a printing workstation 124.

[0125] The workstations 112 can each include at least one head 126. The head 126 can be configured to perform one or more processing steps on the sample to occur at the corresponding workstation 122. The head 126 can be movable.

[0126] The workstations 112 and the sample carrier transport device 116 are arranged relative to each other such that at a transfer position, the sample carrier 110 can be transferred from the sample carrier transport device 116 to one of the workstations 112 and the sample carrier can be received from one of the workstations 112 by the sample carrier transport device 116.

[0127] The sample carrier transport device 116 includes a surface 128 having a plurality of sample carrier holding part 130. For example, the sample carrier transport device 116 is a rotor 132. The surface 128 may be a circular surface 134. The rotor 132 may be configured to perform a rotational movement of 360° or less than 360° about the rotational axis 136 of the rotor 132. However, even a movement of more than 360° may be possible. Thus, the sample carrier transport device 116 may include a sample carrier rotor 138 having a sample carrier holding part 130 for transporting the sample carrier 110 from the workstation 112 to the workstation 112. The sample carrier transport device 116 may include at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the rotational movement of the surface 128.

[0128] Each of the sample carrier holding part 130 is configured to removably hold at least one sample carrier 110 during transporting the sample carrier 110 to the workstation 112. The sample carrier 110 may be a slide 140, such as a specimen slide 142. The sample carrier 110 may be bar-shaped or disc-shaped. For example, the sample carrier 110 is a glass slide 144.

[0129] The sample carrier holding part 130 may be a container 146 configured to receive and hold the sample carrier 110 and / or a frame 148 of the sample carrier 110. The sample carrier holding part 130 may be designed as a recess 150 in the surface 128. The sample carrier holding part 130 may be configured to circumferentially surround the sample carrier 110. The sample carrier holding part 130 may be configured to hold the sample carrier 110 by using one or more of suction, evacuation vacuum, form-fit, and press-fit connections.

[0130] The sample carrier holding part 130 may be used as a holder 152 for the sample carrier 110 during transportation. The sample carrier 110 may be movable but precisely positioned in the sample carrier holding part 130 on the surface 128 and may be circumferentially held in the frame 148. The frame 148 and the sample carrier 110 may be shaped according to the key-lock principle. The sample carrier 110 may be separately inserted into the frame 148 or may be inseparably connected to the frame 148.

[0131] It is possible to ensure the simple placement and removal of the sample carrier 110 on the sample carrier transport device 116. At each of the sample carrier holding part 130 on the sample carrier transport device 116, there may be an opening 154, which allows access to the sample carrier 110 from the workstation 112. The opening 154 may be configured to provide access to the sample carrier 110 from the workstation 112 by one or more of engagement, suction, evacuation of vacuum, form-fit clamping, press-fit clamping.

[0132] As Figure 1A shown, the sample carrier 110 is provided to the sample carrier holding part 130 of the surface 128 of the sample carrier transport device 116. Exemplarily, the analysis system 110 may include at least one gripper ( Figures 1A to 1C not shown in the figure) configured to load the sample carrier 110 onto the surface 128.

[0133] The sample carrier transport device 116 includes at least one lifting mechanism configured to move the surface to at least one transport position and to at least one transfer position. The transport position and the transfer position refer to different heights of the surface 128. The lifting mechanism is configured to hold the surface 128 in the transport position during the transport of the sample carrier 110 to the workstation 112.

[0134] As Figure 1A further shown, the sample carrier 110 is transported to the corresponding workstation 112 by performing the movement of the surface 128, wherein each of the sample carrier holding parts 130 detachably holds the sample carrier 110 during the transport, and wherein the surface 128 is held in the transport position by the lifting mechanism during the transport.

[0135] The surface 128 is configured to perform the movement for transporting the sample carrier 110 to the workstation 112. Once the sample carrier 110 is loaded onto the rotor 132 by the gripper, the rotor 132 can transport the sample carrier 110 to the first workstation by rotation. This rotation is Figure 1A shown by the arrow 158 in the figure.

[0136] The sample carrier transport device 116 is configured to transfer the sample carrier 110 to the workstation 112 at the transfer position and to receive the sample carrier 110 from the workstation 112.

[0137] As Figure 1B shown, the sample carrier 110 is transferred from the sample carrier transport device 116 to the corresponding workstation 112 by using the lifting mechanism, wherein the surface 128 moves from the transport position to the transfer position so that the workstation 112 can access the sample carrier 110.

[0138] The rotor 132 can be lowered, such as Figure 1B as indicated by arrow 160 in the figure, and the sample carrier 110 can be placed on the stage 162 of the work station 112. The stage 162 can be configured to move the transferred sample carrier 110 along the x-axis and / or y-axis to a processing position. The stage 162 of a specific work station 112 can be configured to move the sample carrier 110, for example, along the x-axis and / or y-axis to a desired processing position. The head 126 can be configured to move to the processing position along the z-axis.

[0139] Once the sample carrier 110 is placed on the stage 162 of the work station 112, the vacuum evacuator 168 can immediately hold the sample carrier 110 tightly. An x-y tilt of the sample carrier 110 may not be required.

[0140] As Figure 1C shown, the stage 162 of a specific work station 112 can move the sample carrier 110 specifically along the x-y axis (such as indicated by arrow 164) to a desired processing position. Thereafter, the head 126 of the specific work station 112 can move specifically along the z-axis (such as indicated by arrow 166) to a desired processing position. After that, the process can be started, such as printing, staining, imaging.

[0141] The sample carrier holder portion 130 on the rotor 132 that can be located between the staining work station 122 and the imaging work station 120 can be configured to dry the printed sample carrier by free air convection.

[0142] At the staining work station 122, the head 126 of the staining work station 122 can press against the sample carrier 110 using at least one axial sealing lip, specifically ensuring that no leakage occurs during the staining process.

[0143] After the process is completed, the stage 162 of the work station 112 can move the sample carrier 110 back to the initial rotor transfer position.

[0144] The vacuum evacuator 168 can end the vacuum. The rotor 132 can transfer the sample carrier 110 by lifting.

[0145] Thereafter, the rotor 132 can transport the sample carrier 110 to the next work station 112. The sample carrier 110 can be processed again. Once the result is determined, the sample carrier 110 may be automatically discarded or can be prepared for further manual inspection.

[0146] Typically, the sample carrier 110 can be transported by the rotor 132 in a careful and reliable manner such that little to no glass dust is created. The sample carrier rotor concept enables a space-saving sample transport design in the analysis system 114.

[0147] List of reference numerals

[0148] 110 Sample carrier

[0149] 112 Workstation

[0150] 114 Analysis system

[0151] 116 Sample carrier transport device

[0152] 118 Hematology blood analysis system

[0153] 120 Imaging workstation

[0154] 122 Staining workstation

[0155] 124 Printing workstation

[0156] 126 Head

[0157] 128 Surface

[0158] 130 Sample carrier holding part

[0159] 132 Rotor

[0160] 134 Circular surface

[0161] 136 Axis of rotation

[0162] 138 Sample carrier rotor

[0163] 140 Slide

[0164] 142 Specimen slide

[0165] 144 Glass slide

[0166] 146 Container

[0167] 148 Frame

[0168] 150 Recess

[0169] 152 Bracket

[0170] 154 Opening

[0171] 158 Arrow "Rotation of the sample carrier transport device"

[0172] 160 Arrow "Z - direction of the sample carrier transport device"

[0173] 162 Stage

[0174] 164 Arrows "x-, y-, stage directions"

[0175] 166 Arrow "z-direction of the head"

[0176] 168 Vacuum exhaust machine

Claims

1. A sample carrier transporting device (116) for transporting a sample carrier (110) to a plurality of workstations (112) for sample processing, wherein the sample carrier transporting device (116) includes a surface (128) having a plurality of sample carrier holder portions (130), wherein each of the sample carrier holder portions (130) is configured to removably hold at least one sample carrier (110) during transporting the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112), wherein the surface (128) is configured to perform a movement for transporting the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112), wherein the sample carrier transporting device (116) includes at least one lifting mechanism configured to move the surface (128) to at least one transporting position and to at least one transfer position, wherein the transporting position and the transfer position refer to different heights of the surface (128), wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to hold the surface (128) at the transporting position during transporting the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112), and wherein the sample carrier transporting device (116) is configured to hand over the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112) at the transfer position and to receive the sample carrier (110) from the workstation (112).

2. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein handing over the sample carrier (110) at the transfer position includes providing access to the sample carrier (110) from the workstation (112).

3. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein handing over the sample carrier (110) includes placing the sample carrier (110) on a stage (162) of a corresponding workstation (112) by moving the surface (128) to the transfer position.

4. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the sample carrier holder portions (130) includes at least one opening (154), and wherein the opening (154) is configured to provide access to the sample carrier from the workstation (112) by one or more of: engagement, suction, evacuation, form - fit clamping, press - fit clamping.

5. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transporting position is above the transfer position, and wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the surface (128) from the transfer position to the transporting position for receiving the sample carrier (110) from the workstation (112) and transporting the sample carrier (110), and is configured to lower the surface (128) from the transporting position to the transfer position for handing over the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112), or wherein the transporting position is below the transfer position, and wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lower the surface (128) from the transfer position to the transporting position for receiving the sample carrier (110) from the workstation (112) and transporting the sample carrier (110), and is configured to lift the surface (128) from the transporting position to the transfer position for handing over the sample carrier (110) to the workstation (112).

6. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample carrier holder part (130) is configured to hold the sample carrier (110) by using suction, vacuum, form - fit, and / or press - fit connection.

7. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample carrier holder part (130) is arranged on the surface (128) relative to the distance between the respective workstations (112).

8. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample carrier transporting device (116) is a rotor (132), and wherein the surface (128) is a circular surface (134).

9. The sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the rotor (132) is configured to perform a rotational movement of 360° or less than 360° about the axis of rotation (136) of the rotor (132).

10. An analysis system (114) comprising a plurality of workstations (112) for sample processing and at least one sample carrier transporting device (116) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the workstations (112) and the sample carrier transporting device (116) are arranged relative to each other such that at the transfer position, the sample carrier (110) can be handed over from the sample carrier transporting device (116) to the workstation (112) and can be received from the workstation (112) by the sample carrier transporting device.

11. The analysis system (114) according to any one of the preceding claims relating to the analysis system (114), wherein each of the workstations (112) comprises at least one workstation (112) selected from the group consisting of: a printing workstation (124), a staining workstation (122), an analysis station, an imaging station (120), a waste station, a labeling station, an intermediate storage station, a reprocessing station, a handover station for further manual inspection.

12. The analysis system (114) according to any one of the preceding claims relating to the analysis system (114), wherein the analysis system (114) is at least one analysis system (114) selected from the group consisting of: a hematology blood analysis system (118), a tissue analysis system, a urinary sediment analysis system.

13. A method for transporting a sample carrier (110) to a plurality of workstations (112) of an analysis system (114) according to any one of the preceding claims relating to the analysis system (114), wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) providing the sample carrier (110) to the sample carrier holder portion (130) of the surface (128) of the sample carrier transport device (116); b) transporting the sample carrier (110) to a corresponding workstation (112) by moving the surface (128), wherein each of the sample carrier holder portions (130) detachably holds the sample carrier (110) during the transport, and wherein the surface (128) is held in a transport position by the lifting mechanism during the transport; c) transferring the sample carrier (110) from the sample carrier transport device (116) to the corresponding workstation (112) by using the lifting mechanism, wherein the surface (128) is moved from the transport position to the transfer position such that the workstation (112) can access the sample carrier.

14. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises processing the sample at the workstation (112).

15. The method according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the method further comprises receiving the sample carrier (110) from the workstation (112) at the transfer position by the sample carrier transport device (116), and moving the surface (128) from the transfer position to the transport position for further transporting the sample carrier (110).

Images