A sample tube processing device and pipeline system

Abstract

The application discloses a sample tube processing device and a pipeline system. The sample tube processing device comprises a frame body, a first sample feeding assembly, a sample tube loading assembly and a mechanical arm assembly. The first sample feeding assembly is arranged in the accommodating space of the frame body. The sample tube loading assembly is arranged below the first sample feeding assembly along the height direction of the sample tube processing device, so that the volume of the sample tube processing device is reduced, the space in the sample tube processing device is efficiently utilized, and the floor space occupied by the sample tube processing device is reduced. The mechanical arm assembly is arranged at intervals with the first sample feeding assembly and the sample tube loading assembly, so as to move the sample tubes in the first sample feeding assembly to the sample racks in the sample tube loading assembly, realize automatic sample feeding and loading of the sample tubes, realize automation of sample tube loading, realize one machine with multiple uses of the sample tube processing device, reduce labor cost, and improve the convenience and practicality of the sample tube processing device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of sample tube supply, in particular to a sample tube processing device and a flow line system. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing sample pretreatment device applied to the sample analyzer flow line has a single function, and the instrument is simple in composition, which causes waste of internal space of the instrument. If sample tubes need to be sorted, type-identified, and loaded, the user needs to equip multiple instruments with different functions, which is high in cost and wastes laboratory space. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a sample pretreatment device that efficiently utilizes space and integrates multiple functions and sample feeding modes, to solve the problem of full-automatic processing of samples in the sample analysis flow line, improve the sample detection efficiency, and realize the automation and intelligentization of sample detection, and liberate the labor of detection personnel. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides a sample tube processing device to solve the above technical problems. The sample tube processing device is applied to provide a sample rack loaded with sample tubes for a sample analyzer, and the sample tube processing device comprises:

[0004] a rack body having a containing space;

[0005] a first sample feeding assembly arranged in the containing space and used for placing the sample tubes;

[0006] a sample tube loading assembly located in the containing space and arranged below the first sample feeding assembly in a first direction; wherein the first direction is a height direction of the sample tube processing device;

[0007] a mechanical arm assembly located in the containing space and arranged apart from the first sample feeding assembly and the sample tube loading assembly;

[0008] The sample tube processing device further comprises a processor, and the processor is used for:

[0009] controlling the mechanical arm assembly to clamp a sample tube in the first sample feeding assembly and move to the sample tube loading assembly to load the sample rack in the sample tube loading assembly with the sample tube.

[0010] The sample tube processing device further comprises a visual recognition assembly located in the containing space and arranged apart from the first sample feeding assembly;

[0011] The visual recognition assembly comprises at least one first scanning module, and the first scanning module is arranged on a side surface of the first sample feeding assembly or above the first sample feeding assembly in the first direction;

[0012] The processor is further used for:

[0013] The first scanning module is controlled to scan the first sample injection component to locate and / or identify the type of the sample tube on the first sample injection component, and the robotic arm component is controlled to grip the sample tube.

[0014] The first sample introduction component includes an emergency region for placing sample tubes with a first detection priority. The processor is further configured to:

[0015] Control the first scanning module to scan the emergency area;

[0016] In response to the presence of the sample tube in the emergency area, the robotic arm assembly is controlled to grip the sample tube and place it on the sample holder on the sample tube loading assembly.

[0017] The robotic arm assembly includes:

[0018] A first guide rail extends along a second direction and is positioned above the first sample inlet assembly along the first direction; wherein, the second direction is the length direction of the sample tube processing device;

[0019] The second guide rail has one end disposed on the first guide rail, extends along a third direction, and is located above the first sample injection component along a first direction; wherein, the third direction is the width direction of the sample tube processing device; wherein, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0020] A robotic arm is mounted on the second guide rail and has a third guide rail that extends along the first direction;

[0021] At least one sample tube gripper is connected to the robotic arm via the third guide rail, so that the sample tube gripper can move relative to the robotic arm along the first direction;

[0022] The processor is further configured to:

[0023] Control one end of the second guide rail to move along the first guide rail, so as to drive the robotic arm to move in the second direction;

[0024] Control the robotic arm to move along the second guide rail, and in response to the robotic arm being above the sample tube along the first direction, control the second guide rail and the robotic arm to stop moving;

[0025] The sample tube gripper is controlled to move along the third guide rail so that it moves in the first direction and grips the sample tube.

[0026] The robotic arm assembly also includes a second scanning module, which is spaced apart from the sample tube gripper.

[0027] The processor is further configured to:

[0028] The second scanning module is controlled to scan the sample tube to obtain the scanning information of the sample tube, wherein the scanning information includes the sample tube type;

[0029] The robotic arm is controlled to move, thereby moving the sample tube to the sample holder of the sample tube loading assembly. Based on the scanning information, the robotic arm assembly is controlled to load sample tubes of the same type onto the same sample holder.

[0030] The first injection component includes:

[0031] At least one sample tube support mechanism is disposed in the accommodating space and is located near the side wall of the frame, the sample tube support mechanism being used to place the sample tube;

[0032] A sliding guide rail extends along the length of the sample tube processing device. The first end of the sliding guide rail is disposed on the side wall of the frame. The sample tube support mechanism is disposed on the sliding guide rail and can move relative to the sliding guide rail.

[0033] The processor is further configured to:

[0034] The sample tube support mechanism is controlled to move relative to the second end away from the sliding guide rail, so that the sample tube support mechanism moves out of the accommodating space and the sample tube on the sample tube support mechanism is filled;

[0035] The sample tube support mechanism is controlled to move relative to the direction closer to the second end so that the sample tube support mechanism enters the receiving space, and the robotic arm assembly is controlled to move to the sample tube support mechanism to clamp the filled sample tube.

[0036] The sample tube processing device further includes a second sample injection component, which is disposed within the accommodating space;

[0037] The second injection component includes:

[0038] A sample tube compartment is disposed below the sample tube loading assembly along the first direction for placing the sample tubes;

[0039] The sample tube delivery module extends along the first direction, with its first end located in the sample tube compartment;

[0040] The third scanning module is located on the side of the sample tube loading assembly and above the sample tube loading assembly along the first direction. The second end of the sample tube delivery module is spaced apart from the third scanning module.

[0041] A sample tube storage tray, spaced apart from the third scanning module, includes a sample tube storage location for placing the sample tubes and is used to temporarily store the sample tubes.

[0042] The processor is further configured to:

[0043] The sample tube delivery module is controlled to deliver the sample tube located in the sample tube chamber to the third scanning module;

[0044] The third scanning module is controlled to scan the sample tube to obtain the scanning information of the sample tube, and the sample tube temporary storage disk is controlled to receive the scanned sample tube based on the scanning information;

[0045] The robotic arm assembly is controlled to grip the sample tube on the sample tube storage tray and move it to the sample tube loading assembly to load the sample tube onto the sample holder in the sample tube loading assembly.

[0046] The sample tube processing device further includes a quality control sample storage component, located within the accommodating space and above the sample tube loading component along the first direction. The quality control sample storage component is used to load quality control sample tubes.

[0047] The processor is further configured to:

[0048] The robotic arm assembly is controlled to move the quality control sample tube located in the first sample injection assembly to the quality control storage assembly for storage.

[0049] or,

[0050] The robotic arm assembly is controlled to move the quality control sample tube in the quality control sample storage assembly to the sample holder in the sample tube loading assembly.

[0051] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application also provides a production line system, including the sample tube processing device and the sample analyzer as described above. The sample tube processing device is connected to the sample analyzer to provide the sample analyzer with a sample holder containing sample tubes, and the sample analyzer performs sample testing on the samples in the sample tubes.

[0052] The assembly line system also includes a sample rack conveying assembly;

[0053] The first end of the sample rack conveying assembly is disposed within the accommodating space of the sample tube processing device frame, and is spaced apart from or connected to the sample tube loading assembly located in the accommodating space; the second end of the sample rack conveying assembly is spaced apart from or connected to the sample analyzer; the sample rack conveying assembly is used to receive the sample rack loaded with the sample tubes transmitted by the sample tube loading assembly, and to convey the sample rack to the sample analyzer.

[0054] The sample tube processing device further includes a sample tube unloading component, which is located within the accommodating space and is spaced apart from the sample tube loading component.

[0055] The first end of the sample rack conveying assembly is also spaced apart from or connected to the sample tube unloading assembly. The sample rack conveying assembly is also used to convey the sample rack loaded with the sample tube that has been tested to the sample tube unloading assembly from the sample analyzer.

[0056] The processor of the sample tube processing device is also used for:

[0057] The robotic arm assembly controlling the sample holder processing device unloads the sample tube that has completed testing in the sample tube unloading assembly, thereby obtaining the sample holder without the sample tube loaded.

[0058] The sample tube unloading assembly is controlled to move the sample holder to the sample tube loading assembly.

[0059] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Unlike existing technologies, the sample tube processing device of this application includes a frame, a first sample inlet assembly, a sample tube loading assembly, and a robotic arm assembly. The first sample inlet assembly is disposed within the accommodating space of the frame, and the sample tube loading assembly is disposed below the first sample inlet assembly along the height direction of the sample tube processing device, thereby reducing the volume of the sample tube processing device, efficiently utilizing the space within the sample tube processing device, and reducing the footprint of the sample tube processing device. The robotic arm assembly is spaced apart from the first sample inlet assembly and the sample tube loading assembly, thereby moving the sample tubes in the first sample inlet assembly to the sample holder in the sample tube loading assembly, realizing automatic sample inlet loading and automation of sample tube loading, realizing multi-functionality of the sample tube processing device, reducing labor costs, and improving the convenience and practicality of the sample tube processing device. Attached Figure Description

[0060] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0061] in:

[0062] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application;

[0063] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application;

[0064] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the first sample introduction component of this application;

[0065] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the first sample introduction component of this application;

[0066] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application;

[0067] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application.

[0068] Reference numerals: Sample tube processing device 1; frame 11; first sample inlet assembly 12; sample tube support mechanism 121; sliding guide rail 122; sample tube encoder 123; sample tube loading assembly 13; robotic arm assembly 14; first guide rail 141; second guide rail 142; robotic arm 143; third guide rail 144; sample tube gripper 145; second sample inlet assembly 15; sample tube compartment 151; sample tube conveying module 152; third scanning module 153; sample tube temporary storage disk 154; quality control product storage assembly 16; shell 17; first opening 171; second opening 172; third opening 173; sample tube unloading assembly 18; sample rack conveying assembly 2; first direction Z; second direction X; third direction Y. Detailed Implementation

[0069] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures, interfaces, and technologies are presented for illustrative purposes rather than for limiting purposes, in order to provide a thorough understanding of this application.

[0071] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0072] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. Furthermore, "many" in this application means two or more. Moreover, the term "at least one" in this application means any combination of at least two of any one or more of a plurality of objects. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C can mean including any one or more elements selected from the set consisting of A, B, and C. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" in this application are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features.

[0073] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application. The sample tube processing device 1 provided in this application embodiment is used to provide a sample rack loaded with sample tubes for a sample analyzer, including a rack body 11, a first sample inlet assembly 12, a sample tube loading assembly 13, a robotic arm assembly 14, and a processor.

[0074] The frame 11 has a accommodating space, within which a first sample inlet assembly 12 is disposed for placing sample tubes. Specifically, the first sample inlet assembly 12 is used to hold sample tubes to be loaded. A sample tube loading assembly 13 is located within the accommodating space and is positioned below the first sample inlet assembly 12 along a first direction Z, where the first direction Z is the height direction of the sample tube processing device 1. This design shortens the distance between the sample tube loading assembly 13 and the first sample inlet assembly 12, thereby reducing the volume of the sample tube processing device 1 and its occupied area, facilitating its installation in the sample analyzer production line.

[0075] The robotic arm assembly 14 is located within the accommodating space, spaced apart from the first sample injection assembly 12 and the sample tube loading assembly 13. It can be controlled by the processor to move to the first sample injection assembly 12, grip the sample tube from the assembly, and move it to the sample tube loading assembly 13 to load the sample tube onto the sample holder within the assembly. This achieves automatic loading of sample tubes in the sample tube processing device 1, reducing user intervention in sample tube processing before sample testing, avoiding errors caused by user intervention, improving the efficiency and accuracy of sample testing, and enhancing the practicality of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0076] Optionally, the sample tube processing device 1 also includes a visual recognition component (not shown), located within the accommodating space and spaced apart from the first sample injection component 12.

[0077] The visual recognition component includes at least one first scanning module. In one embodiment, the first scanning module can be a camera. The first scanning module is disposed on the side of the first sample injection component 12 or above the first sample injection component 12 along the first direction Z. In one embodiment, if the visual recognition component includes multiple first scanning modules, the multiple first scanning modules can be respectively disposed on the side of the first sample injection component 12 and above the first sample injection component 12 along the first direction Z.

[0078] Specifically, before the robotic arm assembly 14 moves to the first sample inlet assembly 12 to grip the sample tube, the processor can control the first scanning module to scan the first sample inlet assembly 12 to obtain an image of the first sample inlet assembly 12, locate the sample tube on the first sample inlet assembly 12, and obtain the coordinates of the sample tube on the first sample inlet assembly 12 (the processor can pre-store the coordinates in the first sample inlet assembly 12 and determine the location of the sample tube based on the image obtained by the first scanning module). Then, the processor controls the robotic arm assembly 14 to move to the position corresponding to the sample tube to grip the sample tube, thereby improving the gripping efficiency of the robotic arm assembly 14 on the sample tube.

[0079] In one embodiment, the sample tubes placed on the first sample injection component 12 may have different shapes of tube bodies or different colors of tube caps depending on the type of sample loaded in the sample tube. The first scanning module can also identify the type of sample tube based on the shape of the tube body or the color of the tube cap.

[0080] In another embodiment, when the visual recognition component includes multiple first scanning modules, the processor controls the multiple first scanning modules to scan the first sample injection component 12, and obtains images of the first sample injection component 12 from multiple different perspectives obtained by the multiple first scanning modules. Then, the processor integrates the multiple images to locate the sample tube and improve the accuracy of the visual recognition component in determining the position of the sample tube.

[0081] In other embodiments, the visual recognition component may include multiple first scanning modules. When the robotic arm component moves to a specific area on the first sample feeding component 12 to grip the sample tube, the processor controls a portion of the first scanning modules near that specific area to scan that specific area and obtain the position of the sample tube within that specific area. This avoids the processor simultaneously receiving and processing images obtained from all the first scanning modules, which could lead to slow sample tube position determination or excessive processing load, causing processor overload. This improves the efficiency of the visual recognition component in locating the sample tube, reduces the amount of data processed by the processor, and enhances the practicality of the sample tube processing device.

[0082] Optionally, as described above, the first sample introduction component 12 includes an emergency area for placing sample tubes with a first detection priority. The processor controls the first scanning module to scan the emergency area. When a sample tube is placed in the emergency area, that is, when a sample tube with a first detection priority needs to be detected immediately, the processor controls the robotic arm component 14 to move to the emergency area to pick up the sample tube with the first detection priority in the emergency area and place it on the sample rack on the sample tube loading component 13. Then, the sample tube with the first detection priority is loaded on the sample rack and moved to the sample analyzer for detection, thereby improving the response efficiency of the sample tube processing device 1 to the sample tube with the first detection priority.

[0083] In one embodiment, the processor can periodically control the first scanning module to scan the emergency area to promptly detect sample tubes with the first detection priority placed in the emergency area. In another embodiment, the processor can also control the first scanning module to perform real-time scanning of the emergency area, further improving the response efficiency to sample tubes with the first detection priority.

[0084] Optionally, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application. The robotic arm assembly 14 provided in this embodiment includes a first guide rail 141, a second guide rail 142, a robotic arm 143, and at least one sample tube gripper 145.

[0085] The first guide rail 141 extends along the second direction X and is positioned above the first sample injection component 12 along the first direction Z. Specifically, the first guide rail 141 can be located on the top of the frame 11. The second direction X is the length direction of the sample tube processing device 1. One end of the second guide rail 142 is disposed on the first guide rail 141, extends along the third direction Y, and is positioned above the first sample injection component 12 along the first direction Z. The third direction Y is the width direction of the sample tube processing device 1, and the first direction Z, the second direction X, and the third direction Y are all perpendicular to each other.

[0086] A robotic arm 143 is mounted on a second guide rail 142, allowing it to move along the second guide rail 142 in the third direction Y, and to move in the second direction X due to the movement of the second guide rail 142 on the first guide rail 141. The robotic arm 143 also has a third guide rail 144 extending along the first direction Z. At least one sample tube gripper 145 is connected to the robotic arm 143 via the third guide rail 144, allowing the sample tube gripper 145 to move relative to the robotic arm 143 along the first direction X.

[0087] Specifically, when the robotic arm assembly 14 needs to grasp a moving sample tube, the processor controls one end of the second guide rail 142 to move along the first guide rail 141, thereby driving the robotic arm 143 to move in the second direction X, and controls the robotic arm 143 to move along the second guide rail 142, that is, the robotic arm 143 moves in the third direction Y. When the processor responds to the robotic arm 143 being above the sample tube to be grasped along the first direction Z, the processor controls the second guide rail 142 and the robotic arm 143 to stop moving. It can be understood that the processor can simultaneously control the second guide rail 142 to move on the first guide rail 141 and control the robotic arm 143 to move on the second guide rail 142, or the processor can first control the second guide rail 142 to move on the first guide rail 141, and then control the robotic arm 143 to move on the second guide rail 142, or the processor can first control the robotic arm 143 to move on the second guide rail 142, and then control the second guide rail 142 to move on the first guide rail 141.

[0088] When the robotic arm 143 is positioned above the sample tube along the first direction Z, the processor further controls the sample tube gripper 145 to move along the third guide rail 144, so that the sample tube gripper 145 moves along the first direction Z and grips the sample tube. In one embodiment, the robotic arm 143 may be provided with two sample tube grippers 145, which are independent of each other. That is, the processor can control only one of the two sample tube grippers 145 to grip the sample tube, or simultaneously control the two sample tube grippers 145 to move different distances or the same distance along the first direction Z, or control the two sample tube grippers 145 to grip the sample tube sequentially, etc., thereby enabling the robotic arm assembly 14 to grip two sample tubes at once, improving the gripping and moving efficiency of the robotic arm assembly 14. In other embodiments, the robotic arm 143 may also be provided with other numbers of sample tube grippers 145, which is not limited in this application.

[0089] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the robotic arm assembly 14 may include two first guide rails 141, which are disposed on opposite sides of the frame 11. The two ends of the second guide rail 142 may be disposed on the two first guide rails 141 respectively, thereby improving the stability and safety of the second guide rail 142, and thus improving the safety of the robotic arm 143 moving on the second guide rail 142, and enhancing the safety of the sample tube processing device 1 in moving the sample tube.

[0090] Optionally, the robotic arm assembly 14 also includes a second scanning module, spaced apart from the sample tube gripper 145.

[0091] In this embodiment, after the sample tube gripper 145 grasps the sample tube, the processor can control the second scanning module to scan the sample tube and obtain its scanning information. This information includes the sample tube type and may also include other information such as patient information and sampling time; there are no limitations on this. In other words, after the sample tube gripper 145 grasps the sample tube, the processor controls the second scanning module to scan it to further obtain the sample tube type. In one embodiment, the sample tube gripper 145 can rotate to rotate the sample tube, allowing the second scanning module to scan the rotating sample tube. This avoids scanning failures caused by abnormalities in the barcode used for scanning on the sample tube (such as misalignment or edge lifting). This improves the scanning efficiency of the second scanning module.

[0092] After the second scanning module obtains the scanning information of the sample tube, the processor further controls the robotic arm 143 to move, so as to move the sample tube to the sample rack of the sample tube loading assembly 13. Based on the scanning information of the sample tube, the processor controls the robotic arm assembly 14 to load sample tubes of the same type onto the same rack, thereby supplying the sample analyzer with the sample rack loaded with sample tubes. This realizes that the sample tube processing device 1 can automatically sort and load sample tubes, reduce manual intervention in the sample tube processing process, and improve the convenience and practicality of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0093] Alternatively, please continue reading Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the first sample introduction component of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second embodiment of the first sample injection component of this application. The first sample injection component 12 provided in this application embodiment includes at least one sample tube support mechanism 121 and a sliding guide rail 122.

[0094] At least one sample tube support mechanism 121 is disposed within the accommodating space and near the side wall of the frame 11, for placing the sample tube. Figure 2 As shown, when the first sample injection assembly 12 includes multiple sample tube support mechanisms 121, the multiple sample tube support mechanisms 121 are arranged side by side along the second direction X. The sliding guide rail 122 is arranged along the extension direction of the sample tube support mechanism 121, that is, the sliding guide rail 122 also extends along the second direction X, and the first end of the sliding guide rail 122 is disposed on the side wall of the frame 11, the second end of the sliding guide rail 122 is located within the accommodating space, and the sample tube support mechanism 121 is disposed on the sliding guide rail 122 to move relative to the sliding guide rail 122 along the second direction X. In other embodiments, the sample tube support mechanism 121 and the sliding guide rail 122 may also extend along a third direction Y, without limitation.

[0095] Specifically, the processor can control the sample tube support mechanism 121 to move relative to the second end away from the sliding guide rail 122, that is, the sample tube support mechanism 121 moves away from the interior of the receiving space, so that the sample tube support mechanism 121 is moved out of the receiving space. The user can fill the sample tube on the sample tube support mechanism 121 to replenish the sample tube processing device 1, avoiding the situation where insufficient sample tubes affect subsequent operations and improving the operating efficiency of the sample tube processing device 1. In one embodiment, the user can also directly pull out the sample tube support mechanism 121 in the direction away from the receiving space. It can be understood that the user can move the sample tube support mechanism 121 out of the receiving space to put sample tubes into the sample tube support mechanism 121.

[0096] After the user has finished filling the sample tube, the processor controls or the user pushes the sample tube support mechanism 121 to move relative to the direction closer to the second end, so that the sample tube support mechanism 121 enters the accommodating space, and controls the robotic arm assembly 14 to move to the sample tube support mechanism 121 to pick up the filled sample tube.

[0097] As mentioned above, the first scanning module can be mounted on the frame 11 and aligned with the area of ​​the sample tube support mechanism 121 within the accommodating space. Alternatively, the first scanning module can be directly mounted on the sample tube support mechanism 121 to enable real-time scanning of the sample tube. This application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0098] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sample tube can be placed on the sample tube encoder 123. That is, when the user fills the sample tube into the sample tube support mechanism 121, he / she can directly replace the sample tube encoder 123 on the sample tube support mechanism 121. The user does not need to manually fill the sample tube, which saves labor costs and improves the convenience of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0099] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the area on the sample tube support mechanism 121 where the sample tube encoder 123 is placed can be provided with a groove and a fixing element to position and fix the sample tube encoder 123, making it convenient for the user to place the sample tube encoder 123 on the sample tube support mechanism 121, and ensuring that the sample tube encoder 123 is fixed on the sample tube support mechanism 121 during the movement of the sample tube support mechanism 121, preventing the sample tube encoder 123 from falling off the sample tube support mechanism 121, improving the safety of the sample tube filling process, enhancing the convenience of the user in filling the sample tube, and improving the practicality of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0100] Optionally, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the sample tube processing device of this application. The sample tube processing device 1 provided in this application embodiment also includes a housing 17, which seals the accommodating space to prevent external factors from affecting the operation of the device, such as accidental contact between the user and the device during operation, thereby improving the safety of the device operation and preventing injury to the user from contact with the device. This improves the safety of the sample tube processing device 1 and enhances the user experience.

[0101] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the housing 17 is provided with a first opening 171, which corresponds to one end of the sample tube support mechanism 121 located on the side wall of the frame 11. The processor can control the sample tube support mechanism 121 to move out of and into the accommodating space through the first opening 171. Alternatively, the user can move the sample tube support mechanism 121 out of and into the accommodating space through the first opening 171 to replace the sample tube encoder 123 on the sample tube support mechanism 121 and fill the sample tube, thereby improving the convenience of filling the sample tube for the user.

[0102] Optionally, please refer back to the previous section. Figure 2 The sample tube processing device 1 provided in this application embodiment further includes a second sample injection component 15, which is disposed in the accommodating space.

[0103] The second sample injection component 15 includes a sample tube compartment 151, a sample tube delivery module 152, a third scanning module 153, and a sample tube storage disk 154. The sample tube compartment 151 is positioned below the sample tube loading component 13 along the first direction Z and is used to hold sample tubes. The placement of the sample tube compartment 151 below the sample tube loading component 13 reduces the volume of the sample tube processing device 1 and effectively utilizes the space below the sample tube loading component 13, thereby improving the space utilization rate of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0104] The sample tube delivery module 152 extends along the first direction Z, with its first end located in the sample tube chamber 151 for transporting the sample tubes in the chamber. The third scanning module 153 is located on the side of the sample tube loading assembly 13 and above it along the first direction Z, facilitating the robotic arm assembly 14 to grasp the scanned sample tubes. The second end of the sample tube delivery module 152 is spaced apart from the third scanning module 153, allowing the sample tube delivery module 152 to transport the sample tubes from the sample tube chamber 151 to the third scanning module 153 for scanning, obtaining the scanning information of the sample tubes for classification.

[0105] The sample tube storage disk 154 and the third scanning module 153 are spaced apart, including a sample tube storage position for temporarily storing sample tubes. Specifically, the sample tube storage disk 154 is used to temporarily store scanned sample tubes, waiting for the robotic arm assembly 14 to grasp and move the scanned sample tubes. At the same time, it empties the sample tubes at the third scanning module 153, so that the third scanning module 153 can scan subsequent sample tubes, avoiding blockage of sample tubes at the third scanning module 153 and improving the scanning efficiency of the third scanning module 153.

[0106] Specifically, the processor controls the sample tube delivery module 152 to deliver the sample tubes in the sample tube bin 151 to the third scanning module 153, and controls the third scanning module 153 to scan the sample tubes to obtain the scanning information of the sample tubes. The processor also controls the sample tube temporary storage disk 154 to receive the scanned sample tubes based on the scanning information. For example, sample tubes of the same type are stored in adjacent sample tube storage positions so that the multiple sample tube grippers 145 of the robotic arm assembly 14 can simultaneously grasp multiple sample tubes, thereby improving the moving efficiency of the robotic arm assembly 14 on the sample tubes.

[0107] Then, the processor controls the robotic arm assembly 14 to pick up the sample tubes on the sample tube storage disk 154 and move them to the sample tube loading assembly 13 to load the sample tubes into the sample rack in the sample tube loading assembly 13, thereby realizing automatic sorting and loading of sample tubes in the sample tube processing device 1 and improving the convenience and practicality of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0108] The sample tube processing device 1 includes a first injection component 12 and a second injection component 15. The first injection component 12 is positioned above the sample tube loading component 13, and the sample tube compartment 151 of the second injection component 15 is positioned below the sample tube loading component 13, thereby maximizing the use of space in the sample tube processing device 1 and minimizing its footprint. Furthermore, the arrangement of the first injection component 12 and the second injection component 15 solves the problem of current sample pretreatment equipment having a single injection method, mostly limited to drawer injection (the first injection module 12 of this application). In this application, users can inject samples using either the first injection component 12 or the second injection component 15, or simultaneously using both components, improving the flexibility and practicality of the sample tube processing device 1 and enhancing the user experience.

[0109] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the housing 17 includes a second opening 172, and the opening of the sample tube chamber 151 is correspondingly provided with the second opening 172. Thus, the user can put the sample tube into the sample tube chamber 151 through the second opening 172 so that the sample tube processing device 1 can sort and load the sample tube.

[0110] Alternatively, please continue reading Figure 2The sample tube processing device 1 provided in this embodiment further includes a quality control sample storage component 16. The quality control sample storage component 16 is located within the accommodating space and is positioned above the sample tube loading component 13 along the first direction Z. It is used to load quality control sample tubes to facilitate the robotic arm component 14 in moving the quality control sample tubes in the quality control sample storage component 16 onto the sample holder of the sample tube loading component 13. The quality control sample storage component 16 being located above the sample tube loading component 13 can mean that the quality control sample storage component 16 is also located above the first injection component 12; or the quality control sample storage component 16 and the first injection component 12 are located on the same horizontal plane. When the quality control sample storage component 16 and the first injection component 12 are on the same horizontal plane, it is necessary to ensure that the gap between the quality control sample storage component 16 and the first injection component 12 is sufficient for the robotic arm component 14 to grasp and move the sample tube onto the sample tube loading component 13. This reduces the volume of the sample tube processing device 1, improves the space utilization of the sample tube processing device 1, and ensures the efficiency of the robotic arm component 14 in moving the sample tubes.

[0111] Specifically, the processor can control the robotic arm assembly 14 to move the quality control sample tube located in the first sample injection assembly 12 to the quality control sample storage assembly 16 for storage. Alternatively, the processor can control the robotic arm assembly 14 to move the quality control sample tube located in the sample tube temporary storage disk 154 to the quality control sample storage assembly 16 for storage. That is, in this embodiment of the application, the quality control sample tube can be injected through the first sample injection assembly 12 and the second sample injection assembly 15, improving the flexibility of the sample tube processing device 1 and enhancing the user's experience with the sample tube processing device 1.

[0112] When the sample analyzer needs to perform quality control tests, the processor can control the robotic arm assembly 14 to move the quality control sample tubes in the quality control sample storage assembly 16 to the sample holder in the sample tube loading assembly 13, thereby supplying the sample analyzer with the sample holder containing the quality control sample tubes. This enables the sample tube processing device 1 to automatically supply quality control sample tubes to the sample analyzer.

[0113] In summary, in the sample tube processing device 1 provided in this application embodiment, the user can inject samples into the sample tube through the first injection component 12 and / or the second injection component 15, thereby improving the flexibility of sample injection in the sample tube processing device 1. Furthermore, the first injection component 12 is disposed above the sample tube loading component 13, and the sample tube compartment 151 of the second injection component 15 is disposed below the sample tube loading component 13, which reduces the volume of the sample tube processing device 1 and improves the internal space utilization of the sample tube processing device 1. The third scanning module 153 of the second injection component 15 scans the sample tubes injected from the second injection component 15 to classify the sample tubes; the first scanning component of the robotic arm component 14 scans the sample tubes gripped by the first injection component 12 to classify the sample tubes injected from the first injection component 12, and can also scan the sample tubes gripped by the second injection component 15 to further verify the scanning and classification results of the third scanning module 153. The robotic arm component 14 moves the scanned sample tubes of the first injection component 12 and the second injection component 15 to the sample tube loading component 13 for loading, realizing automatic sorting and loading of sample tubes in the sample tube processing device 1, reducing manual intervention in the process, improving the efficiency of sample tube processing, and improving the convenience and practicality of the sample tube processing device 1.

[0114] Furthermore, the sample tube processing device 1 includes a vision recognition component for positioning the sample tubes on the first injection component 12, improving the efficiency of the robotic arm component 14 in gripping and moving the sample tubes. The sample tube processing device 1 also includes a quality control sample storage component 16. Quality control sample tubes can be injected through the first injection component 12 and the second injection component 15 and stored in the quality control sample storage component 16. When the sample analyzer needs to perform quality control testing, the processor of the sample tube processing device 1 can control the robotic arm component 14 to move the quality control sample tubes in the quality control sample storage component 16 for loading. This enables the sample tube processing device 1 to automatically supply quality control sample tubes to the sample analyzer, reducing manual intervention in the sample tube supply process, reducing labor costs, improving the practicality of the sample tube processing device 1, and enhancing the user experience.

[0115] This application also provides a production line system (not shown), including a sample tube processing device 1 and a sample analyzer. The sample tube processing device 1 is connected to the sample analyzer to provide the sample analyzer with a sample rack containing sample tubes, and the sample analyzer performs testing on the samples in the sample tubes.

[0116] Optionally, the production line system also includes a sample holder conveyor assembly 2.

[0117] Among them, such as Figure 5As shown, the first end of the sample rack conveying assembly 2 is disposed in the accommodating space of the frame 11 of the sample tube processing device 1, and is disposed at intervals or connected to the sample tube loading assembly 13 located in the accommodating space. The housing 17 includes a third opening 173, through which the sample rack conveying assembly 2 can enter the accommodating space and move the sample rack containing the sample tube in the sample tube loading assembly 13 out of the accommodating space and transport it to the sample analyzer.

[0118] In one embodiment, when the sample tube loading assembly 13 and the sample rack conveying assembly 2 are spaced apart, the sample tube processing device 1 may further include a sample rack pushing module to push the sample rack on the sample tube loading assembly 13 onto the sample rack conveying assembly 2. When the sample tube loading assembly 13 and the sample rack conveying assembly 2 are connected, the sample tube loading assembly 13 can directly move the sample rack onto the sample rack conveying assembly 2, and then the sample rack conveying assembly 2 transports the sample rack.

[0119] The second end of the sample rack conveying assembly 2 is spaced apart from or connected to the sample analyzer, so that the sample rack conveying assembly 2 receives the sample rack loaded with sample tubes transmitted by the sample tube loading assembly 13 and conveys the sample rack to the sample analyzer.

[0120] Optionally, the sample tube processing device 1 provided in this application embodiment further includes a sample tube unloading assembly 18, which is located within the accommodating space, and as... Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the sample tube processing device 1 of this application. The sample tube unloading assembly 18 and the sample tube loading assembly 13 are arranged at intervals.

[0121] The first end of the sample rack conveying component 2 is also spaced apart from or connected to the sample tube unloading component 18. The sample rack conveying component 2 is also used to convey the sample rack loaded with the sample tubes that have completed the test from the sample analyzer to the sample tube unloading component 18.

[0122] Furthermore, the processor of the sample tube processing device 1 controls the robotic arm assembly 14 to unload the sample tubes that have completed the inspection in the sample tube unloading assembly 18, obtain a sample rack without sample tubes, and control the sample tube unloading assembly 18 to move the sample rack without sample tubes to the sample tube loading assembly 13, thereby realizing the recycling of sample racks in the sample tube processing device 1, reducing the cost of sample racks, and improving the user's experience of using the sample tube processing device 1.

[0123] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A sample tube processing device, characterized by, A sample tube processing device is applied to provide a sample rack loaded with sample tubes for a sample analyzer, and the sample tube processing device comprises: a rack body having a receiving space; a first sample feeding assembly arranged in the receiving space and used for placing the sample tubes; a sample tube loading assembly arranged in the receiving space and below the first sample feeding assembly in a first direction, wherein the first direction is a height direction of the sample tube processing device; a mechanical arm assembly arranged in the receiving space and spaced apart from the first sample feeding assembly and the sample tube loading assembly; the sample tube processing device further comprises a processor configured to: control the mechanical arm assembly to pick up a sample tube in the first sample feeding assembly and move to the sample tube loading assembly to load the sample rack in the sample tube loading assembly with the sample tube; the sample tube processing device further comprises a visual recognition assembly arranged in the receiving space and spaced apart from the first sample feeding assembly; wherein the visual recognition assembly comprises at least one first scanning module arranged on a side of the first sample feeding assembly or above the first sample feeding assembly in the first direction; wherein the processor is further configured to: control the first scanning module to scan the first sample feeding assembly to locate and / or identify the type of the sample tube on the first sample feeding assembly, and control the mechanical arm assembly to pick up the sample tube; wherein the sample tube processing device further comprises a second sample feeding assembly arranged in the receiving space; the second sample feeding assembly comprises a sample tube bin arranged below the sample tube loading assembly in the first direction and used for placing the sample tubes.

2. The sample tube processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The first sample feeding assembly comprises an emergency area used for placing sample tubes of a first detection priority, and the processor is further configured to: control the first scanning module to scan the emergency area; in response to the sample tube being placed in the emergency area, control the mechanical arm assembly to pick up the sample tube and place the sample tube on the sample rack on the sample tube loading assembly.

3. The sample tube processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The mechanical arm assembly comprises: a first guide rail extending in a second direction and above the first sample feeding assembly in the first direction, wherein the second direction is a length direction of the sample tube processing device; a second guide rail having one end arranged on the first guide rail, extending in a third direction and above the first sample feeding assembly in the first direction, wherein the third direction is a width direction of the sample tube processing device; and wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other; a mechanical arm arranged on the second guide rail and having a third guide rail extending in the first direction; at least one sample tube gripper connected to the mechanical arm through the third guide rail so that the sample tube gripper can move relative to the mechanical arm in the first direction; wherein the processor is further configured to: control one end of the second guide rail to move along the first guide rail to drive the movement of the mechanical arm in the second direction. controlling the mechanical arm to move along the second guide rail, and in response to the mechanical arm being located above the sample tube along the first direction, controlling the second guide rail and the mechanical arm to stop moving; controlling the sample tube gripper to move along the third guide rail so as to move the sample tube gripper along the first direction and grab the sample tube.

4. The sample tube processing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The mechanical arm assembly further comprises a second scanning module, which is arranged in a spaced manner with the sample tube gripper; The processor is further configured to: control the second scanning module to scan the sample tube and obtain scanning information of the sample tube, wherein the scanning information comprises a sample tube type of the sample tube; control the mechanical arm to move so as to drive the sample tube to move to the sample rack of the sample tube loading assembly, and based on the scanning information, control the mechanical arm assembly to load the sample tubes of the same sample tube type on the same sample rack.

5. The sample tube processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The first sample tube loading assembly comprises: at least one sample tube supporting mechanism, which is arranged in the accommodation space and close to the side wall of the frame body, and is used to place the sample tube; a sliding guide rail, which is arranged along the length direction of the sample tube processing device, and a first end of the sliding guide rail is arranged on the side wall of the frame body, and the sample tube supporting mechanism is arranged on the sliding guide rail so as to move relative to the sliding guide rail; The processor is further configured to: control the sample tube supporting mechanism to move relative to a direction away from a second end of the sliding guide rail, so as to move the sample tube supporting mechanism out of the accommodation space and fill the sample tube on the sample tube supporting mechanism; control the sample tube supporting mechanism to move relative to a direction close to the second end, so as to make the sample tube supporting mechanism enter the accommodation space, and control the mechanical arm assembly to move to the sample tube supporting mechanism to grab the filled sample tube.

6. The sample tube processing device according to claim 1, wherein The second sample tube loading assembly further comprises: a sample tube conveying module, which is arranged along the first direction and a first end of which is located in the sample tube storage bin; a third scanning module, which is located on a side of the sample tube loading assembly and above the sample tube loading assembly along the first direction, and a second end of the sample tube conveying module is arranged in a spaced manner with the third scanning module; a sample tube temporary storage disc, which is arranged in a spaced manner with the third scanning module and comprises sample tube storage positions for placing the sample tubes and temporarily storing the sample tubes; The processor is further configured to: control the sample tube conveying module to convey the sample tubes in the sample tube storage bin to the third scanning module; control the third scanning module to scan the sample tubes and obtain scanning information of the sample tubes, and control the sample tube temporary storage disc to receive the scanned sample tubes based on the scanning information; control the mechanical arm assembly to grab the sample tubes on the sample tube temporary storage disc and move to the sample tube loading assembly to load the sample tubes in the sample tube loading assembly.

7. The sample tube processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The sample tube processing device further comprises a quality control sample storage assembly, which is located in the accommodation space and above the sample tube loading assembly along the first direction, and is used to load quality control sample tubes. The processor is further configured to: control the mechanical arm assembly to move the quality control sample tube in the first sample tube loading assembly to the quality control storage assembly to store the quality control sample tube; or, control the mechanical arm assembly to move the quality control sample tube in the quality control storage assembly to the sample rack in the sample tube loading assembly.

8. A pipelined system characterized by, A sample tube processing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 is connected to a sample analyzer to provide the sample analyzer with a sample rack loaded with sample tubes, and the sample analyzer performs sample detection on samples in the sample tubes.

9. The pipelined system of claim 8, wherein, The pipeline system further comprises a sample rack conveying assembly; The first end of the sample rack conveying assembly is disposed in the accommodation space of the rack body of the sample tube processing device, and is spaced apart from or connected to the sample tube loading assembly in the accommodation space; the second end of the sample rack conveying assembly is spaced apart from or connected to the sample analyzer; the sample rack conveying assembly is configured to receive the sample rack loaded with the sample tubes transmitted by the sample tube loading assembly, and convey the sample rack to the sample analyzer.

10. The pipelined system of claim 9, wherein, The sample tube processing device further comprises a sample tube unloading assembly disposed in the accommodation space and spaced apart from the sample tube loading assembly; The first end of the sample rack conveying assembly is further spaced apart from or connected to the sample tube unloading assembly, and the sample rack conveying assembly is further configured to convey the sample rack loaded with the sample tubes after detection from the sample analyzer to the sample tube unloading assembly; The processor of the sample tube processing device is further configured to: control the mechanical arm assembly of the sample tube processing device to unload the sample tubes after detection from the sample tube unloading assembly, to obtain the sample rack without the sample tubes; control the sample tube unloading assembly to move the sample rack to the sample tube loading assembly.

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