An automated sample management and distribution system and apparatus

Abstract

This invention discloses an automated sample management and distribution system and apparatus in the field of pathological research technology, comprising: a transmission device and a preparation component and a dispensing component sequentially arranged on the transmission device along the transmission direction; the preparation component includes two first baffles and a control component disposed on the first baffles; the dispensing component includes two second baffles and a second driving component for driving the two second baffles to move; this invention manages serum samples through the control component of the preparation component, ensuring that serum samples enter the dispensing component one by one, and the second driving component drives the two second baffles to move, changing the transmission area corresponding to the transmission end of the two second baffles, so that serum samples between the two second baffles can enter different transmission areas, realizing intelligent diversion of serum samples, effectively avoiding the problem of sample accumulation in the transmission area, and improving detection efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pathological research, and more specifically to an automated sample management and allocation system and device. Background Technology

[0002] In pathological experimental research, the use of serum samples is crucial. They not only help researchers understand the occurrence and development of diseases, but also provide a scientific basis for diagnosis and treatment. Examples include white blood cell (WBC) count and differential, red blood cell (RBC) count and red blood cell index, and platelet (PLT) count in routine blood tests, and triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHO), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in lipid tests.

[0003] Serum sample testing typically involves multiple steps, including receiving, registration, preprocessing, testing, and archiving. Currently, most laboratories still rely on manual or semi-automated methods to complete sample transfer and distribution. In particular, the lack of an efficient automated distribution mechanism during the transfer of samples from the receiving area to the testing area leads to sample accumulation, delays, and even errors in the transfer area, seriously affecting testing efficiency and the timeliness of results. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated sample management and distribution system and apparatus, which solves the problem that the lack of an efficient automated distribution mechanism in the process of existing samples flowing from the receiving area to the detection area leads to the accumulation, delay or even omission of samples in the transmission area.

[0005] The present invention achieves the above objectives through the following technical solution: an automated sample management and distribution device, comprising: a transmission device and a material preparation component and a material distribution component arranged sequentially on the transmission device along the transmission direction;

[0006] The material preparation assembly includes two first baffles and a control assembly disposed on the first baffles;

[0007] The material distribution assembly includes two second baffles and a second driving member for moving the two second baffles.

[0008] The control component is used to transfer serum samples between the first baffles one by one to the two second baffles. The second driving component is used to drive the two second baffles to move, so as to change the transmission area corresponding to the transmission end of the two second baffles and distribute the serum samples to different transmission areas.

[0009] Preferably, the material distribution assembly further includes a bracket mounted on the conveying device, two rotating rods rotatably mounted on the bracket and respectively connected to two second baffles, and a connecting rod hinged between the two second baffles, wherein the moving end of the second driving member is hinged to one of the second baffles.

[0010] Preferably, the second baffle is slidably provided with a movable plate and a fifth driving member for driving the movable plate to move at the end away from the first baffle.

[0011] Preferably, one of the second baffles is provided with a second limiting plate and a first limiting plate arranged sequentially along the transmission direction of the transmission device, and a third driving member for driving the second limiting plate and the first limiting plate to rotate, wherein the second limiting plate and the first limiting plate are located between the two second baffles.

[0012] Preferably, the second baffle is provided with a fourth driving member to drive the third driving member connected to the second limiting plate to move along the transmission direction of the transmission device.

[0013] Preferably, the control component includes a first detector disposed on the first baffle, a first drive member, and a clamp disposed on the moving end of the first drive member, and the control component further includes a second detector disposed on the second baffle.

[0014] Preferably, both the second detector and the first detector include a mounting frame and a photoelectric sensor mounted on the mounting frame.

[0015] Preferably, an automated sample management and allocation system includes a serum sample identification module, a serum sample detection module, a control module, an allocation module, and a transmission module. The allocation module is the aforementioned automated sample management and allocation device, and the transmission module includes several transmission units.

[0016] The serum sample identification module is used to detect the transmission category of the serum sample to be transmitted and transmit it to the control module. The serum sample detection module is used to detect whether there is a serum sample on the transmission module and transmit it to the control module. The control module is used to analyze the information detected by the serum sample identification module and the serum sample detection module, plan the transmission path of the serum sample to be transmitted, and control the allocation module to transmit the serum sample to be transmitted to the corresponding transmission unit.

[0017] Preferably, the plurality of transmission units include a main transmission unit, a backup transmission unit, and an expedited transmission unit;

[0018] If the serum sample identification module detects that the serum sample is an urgent sample, and the serum sample detection module detects that there is no serum sample at the inlet of the urgent transmission unit, the allocation module will transmit the serum sample to the urgent transmission unit. If there is a serum sample at the inlet of the urgent transmission unit at this time, the allocation module will control the serum sample to stop transmission. If the serum sample identification module detects that the serum sample is a normal sample, the allocation module will transmit the serum sample to the main transmission unit or the backup transmission unit according to the information detected by the serum sample detection module.

[0019] Preferably, the distribution system further includes a limiting module, which includes a plurality of limiting components, which are sequentially and spaced apart along the transmission direction on the main transmission unit, the backup transmission unit and the expedited transmission unit.

[0020] The serum sample detection module includes several sensors that correspond one-to-one with several limiting components. These sensors are sequentially and spaced apart along the transmission direction on the main transmission unit, the backup transmission unit, and the expedited transmission unit.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0022] 1. The serum samples are controlled by the control component of the preparation component, so that the serum samples enter the dispensing component one by one. The second driving component drives the two second baffles to move, changing the transmission area corresponding to the transmission end of the two second baffles. This allows the serum samples between the two second baffles to enter different transmission areas, realizing intelligent diversion of serum samples, effectively avoiding the problem of sample accumulation in the transmission area, and improving detection efficiency.

[0023] 2. When the second driving component drives the second baffle to move and tilt, it is used to extend the overall length of the second baffle to ensure the restriction and guidance effect of the second baffle on the serum sample, so that when the two second baffles change the corresponding transmission area, the serum sample can be normally transmitted to the corresponding transmission area.

[0024] 3. The serum sample identification module identifies the transmission category of the serum sample to be transmitted, determines whether it is an urgent sample, and, in conjunction with the serum sample detection module, monitors the sample status on the transmission module in real time. The control module plans the transmission path of the serum sample to be transmitted and controls the allocation module to transmit the serum sample to the corresponding transmission unit, ensuring the orderly transmission of serum samples. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sample automated management and allocation device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the second baffle and the second driving component of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first detector of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sample automated management and allocation system of the present invention.

[0030] In the diagram: 1. Transmission equipment; 2. First baffle; 3. Material distribution assembly; 301. Second baffle; 302. Second driving component; 303. Bracket; 304. Rotating rod; 305. Second detector; 306. Second limiting plate; 307. Third driving component; 308. Fourth driving component; 309. Connecting rod; 310. Moving plate; 311. Fifth driving component; 312. First limiting plate; 4. Clamping plate; 5. First driving component; 6. First detector; 601. Mounting bracket; 602. Photoelectric sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] Please see Figure 1 An automated sample management and distribution device includes: a transmission device 1 (such as a belt conveyor), on which a material preparation component and a material distribution component 3 are provided, and the material preparation component and the material distribution component 3 are distributed sequentially along the transmission direction of the transmission device 1;

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 The preparation component includes two first baffles 2 and a control component; the two first baffles 2 are symmetrically arranged on the frame of the transmission device 1, and the two first baffles 2 are located above the transmission area of ​​the transmission device 1. The two first baffles 2 are used to restrict and guide the serum samples transmitted on the transmission device 1, and the control component is used to transmit the serum samples between the two first baffles 2 one by one to the two second baffles 301.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2The dispensing component 3 includes two second baffles 301 and a second driving member 302 (such as an electric telescopic rod) for moving the two second baffles 301. The second driving member 302 is used to move the two second baffles 301 to change the transmission area corresponding to the transmission end of the two second baffles 301 (the end of the second baffle 301 away from the first baffle 2), so that serum samples between the two second baffles 301 can enter different transmission areas (the transmitted serum samples can be composed of a test tube rack and test tubes inserted on the test tube rack, with serum samples inside the test tubes. The width of the test tube rack is slightly smaller than the distance between the two second baffles 301, so that the serum samples can still be normally transmitted between the two second baffles 301 when the second baffles 301 are rotated to adjust the corresponding transmission unit). This is used to achieve the distribution of serum samples, ensure the orderly transmission of serum samples, reduce the accumulation of serum samples in the transmission area, and improve detection efficiency.

[0036] In this embodiment, as a further optimization, please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The material distribution assembly 3 also includes a support 303, rotating rods 304, and connecting rods 309. The support 303 is mounted on the frame of the conveying device 1. There are two rotating rods 304, both of which are rotatably mounted on the support 303 (rotating rods 304 rotate around their own axes). The ends of the two rotating rods 304 away from the support 303 are respectively connected to the ends of the two second baffles 301 near the first baffle 2. The two ends of the connecting rod 309 are respectively hinged to the ends of the two second baffles 301 away from the first baffle 2. The fixed end of the second driving member 302 is hinged to the frame of the conveying device 1, and the moving end of the second driving member 302 is connected to a... The second baffle 301 is hinged; when the second driving member 302 extends or shortens, it will cause the two second baffles 301 to rotate around the rotating rod 304 as the center, driving the end of the second baffle 301 away from the first baffle 2 to move, so that the outlet between the two second baffles 301 corresponds to different transmission areas. Due to the restriction of the rotating rod 304 on the second baffle 301, the end of the second baffle 301 close to the first baffle 2 will not move, and will still face the outlet between the two first baffles 2, ensuring that the serum sample between the two first baffles 2 can enter the two second baffles 301 normally, without being affected by the movement of the second baffle 301.

[0037] In this embodiment, as a further optimization, please refer to... Figure 2A movable plate 310 is slidably provided at the end of the second baffle 301 away from the first baffle 2 (the movable plate 310 moves along the length extension direction of the second baffle 301). A fifth driving member 311 (such as an electric telescopic rod) is provided on the second baffle 301. The moving end of the fifth driving member 311 is connected to the movable plate 310. Both second baffles 301 have movable plates 310 and fifth driving members 311. When the second driving member 302 moves and tilts the second baffle 301, the fifth driving member 311 drives the movable plate 310 to move away from the second baffle 301 to extend the overall length of the second baffle 301. This ensures that the second baffle 301 restricts and guides the serum sample, so that when the two second baffles 301 change their corresponding transmission areas, the serum sample will not accidentally move to other areas during transmission between the two baffles 301, and the serum sample will be normally transmitted to the corresponding transmission area.

[0038] It should be noted that, with Figure 2 Taking direction as an example, when the second drive member 302 moves forward with the second baffle 301, the fifth drive member 311 on the front side drives the front moving plate 310 to move by a greater margin than the fifth drive member 311 on the rear side drives the rear moving plate 310 to move by a greater margin. As the forward movement of the second baffle 301 increases, the movement of the moving plate 310 also increases. When the second drive member 302 moves backward with the two second baffles 301, the fifth drive member 311 on the front side drives the front moving plate 310 to move by a smaller margin than the fifth drive member 311 on the rear moving plate 310 to move by a less margin. Both the second drive member 302 and the fifth drive member 311 are intelligently controlled by the PLC controller to move their positions. When the PLC controller controls the second drive member 302 to move the two second baffles 301 to the corresponding transmission area, the PLC controller will adjust the movement distance of the fifth drive member 311 carrying the moving plate 310 according to the transmission area corresponding to the second baffle 301.

[0039] In this embodiment, as a further optimization, please refer to... Figure 2Two third driving components 307 (such as motors) are provided on a second baffle 301. The two third driving components 307 are arranged alternately along the transmission direction of the transmission device 1. A second limiting plate 306 and a first limiting plate 312 are respectively provided on the output shaft of the two third driving components 307 (the second limiting plate 306 is closer to the first baffle 2, and the first limiting plate 312 is closer to the transmission area). The second limiting plate 306 and the first limiting plate 312 are located between the two second baffles 301. The first limiting plate 312 and the second limiting plate 306 are only installed on one On the second baffle 301, the two second baffles 301 are not obstructed by the first limiting plate 312 and the second limiting plate 306 when rotating; the third driving member 307 drives the first limiting plate 312 and the second limiting plate 306 to rotate downward, which is used to intercept the serum sample between the two second baffles 301 and prevent it from continuing to be transmitted; when the third driving member 307 drives the first limiting plate 312 and the second limiting plate 306 to rotate to the horizontal or upward, the interception effect of the first limiting plate 312 and the second limiting plate 306 on the serum sample disappears.

[0040] In this embodiment, as a further optimization, please refer to... Figure 2 The second baffle 301 is provided with a fourth driving member 308 (such as an electric telescopic rod). The moving end of the fourth driving member 308 is connected to the third driving member 307 near the side of the first baffle 2. When the third driving member 307 drives the first limiting plate 312 and the second limiting plate 306 to rotate downward, the fourth driving member 308 works, driving the third driving member 307 connected to the second limiting plate 306 to move, so that the second limiting plate 306 moves closer to the first baffle 2, so that the two serum samples between the two second baffles 301 can maintain a certain distance, ensuring that the two do not enter the same transmission area at the same time.

[0041] In this embodiment, as a further optimization, please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The control assembly includes a first detector 6, a second detector 305, a first drive element 5 (such as an electric telescopic rod), and clamping plates 4. The first detector 6 is located on one end of the first baffle 2 near the second baffle 301. There are two first drive elements 5, which are respectively installed on the side walls of the two first baffles 2. There are two clamping plates 4, which are respectively installed on the moving ends of the two first drive elements 5 and are located between the two first baffles 2. The second detector 305 is located on the second baffle 301 away from the first baffle 2. Both the second detector 305 and the first detector 6 include a mounting frame 601 and a photoelectric sensor 602 mounted on the mounting frame 601. The transmission device 1 drives the serum sample to be transferred between the two first baffles 2. When the serum sample moves to the end of the first baffle 2, the photoelectric sensor 602 on the first detector 6 detects the sample. At this point, under the action of the PLC controller, the first driving component 5 drives the clamping plate 4 to move, so that the two clamping plates 4 move closer together to clamp the next serum sample (if there is no serum sample between the two clamping plates 4 at this time, the two clamping plates 4 moving closer together can prevent other serum samples from moving closer to the first detector 6), thus preventing subsequent serum samples from entering the first detector 6; while the serum sample at the first detector 6 continues to be transmitted and enters between the two second baffles 301 until the photoelectric sensor 602 on the second detector 305 detects the serum sample. Under the action of the PLC controller, the first driving component 5 controls the clamping plate 4 to move in the opposite direction, releasing the restriction on the serum sample between the first baffles 2. Then the above operation is repeated so that the serum samples enter between the two second baffles 301 one by one, ensuring the orderly transmission of serum samples.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] As a further optimization of Example 1, please refer to Figure 5 An automated sample management and distribution system includes a serum sample identification module (such as a camera), a serum sample detection module, a control module (such as a PLC controller), a distribution module, and a transmission module. The distribution module is the aforementioned automated sample management and distribution device. The transmission module includes a main transmission unit, a backup transmission unit, and an expedited transmission unit.

[0044] It should be noted that the serum sample identification module is used to detect the transmission category of the serum sample to be transmitted and transmit it to the control module (i.e., the serum sample identification module detects the label on the serum sample to identify whether there is an urgent mark), and the control module determines whether the serum sample is an urgent serum sample; the serum sample detection module is used to detect whether there is a serum sample at the inlet of the transmission module and transmit it to the control module. The control module analyzes the information detected by the serum sample identification module and the serum sample detection module, plans the transmission path of the serum sample to be transmitted, and controls the allocation module to transmit the serum sample to be transmitted to the corresponding transmission unit (specifically, if the serum sample is an urgent sample...). If there is no serum sample at the inlet of the expedited transfer unit, the serum sample will be transferred to the expedited transfer unit. If there is a serum sample at the inlet of the expedited transfer unit, the serum sample will be transferred to the expedited transfer unit after the serum sample at the inlet of the expedited transfer unit has been transferred. If the serum sample is a regular sample, the serum sample will be transferred to the main transfer unit or the backup transfer unit. This process requires checking whether there is a serum sample at the inlet of the main transfer unit and the backup transfer unit. The serum sample will be guided to the transfer area without serum samples. When there is a sample at the inlet of the transfer area, the control module will control the distribution module to stop distribution, thus controlling the serum sample.

[0045] It should also be noted that, in order to improve detection efficiency, multiple transmission units correspond to multiple detection areas, enabling synchronous detection.

[0046] In this embodiment, as a further optimization, please refer to... Figure 5 The distribution system also includes a limit module, which comprises several limit components (the limit components can be composed of an electric cylinder and a baffle; the electric cylinder is mounted on the transmission module, and the baffle is mounted on the moving end of the electric cylinder). These limit components are sequentially spaced along the transmission direction on the main transmission unit, the backup transmission unit, and the expedited transmission unit. The serum sample detection module includes several sensors, each corresponding one-to-one with one of the limit components (each sensor corresponds to one limit component; one sensor and one limit component are installed in one area of ​​the transmission module; the sensor is located downstream of the limit component and can be a photoelectric sensor). These sensors are sequentially spaced along the transmission direction on the main transmission unit, the backup transmission unit, and the expedited transmission unit. When a sensor detects a serum sample, the limit component at that location is activated (the sensor's detection information is transmitted to the control module, which controls the operating state of the limit component) to intercept subsequent serum samples. This process continues until the sensor in that area no longer detects a serum sample, at which point the limit component is reset, and the operation is repeated. This ensures that serum samples are transmitted sequentially on the transmission module, guaranteeing the orderly transmission of serum samples.

[0047] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sample automated management and distribution device, characterized by, include: The transmission device (1) and the material preparation component and the material distribution component (3) are arranged sequentially on the transmission device (1) along the transmission direction. The material preparation assembly includes two first baffles (2) and a control assembly disposed on the first baffles (2); The material distribution assembly (3) includes two second baffles (301) and a second driving member (302) for driving the two second baffles (301) to move. The control component is used to transfer the serum samples between the first baffles (2) one by one to the two second baffles (301), and the second drive (302) is used to drive the two second baffles (301) to move, so as to change the transmission area corresponding to the transmission end of the two second baffles (301) and distribute the serum samples to different transmission areas. The material distribution assembly (3) further includes a bracket (303) mounted on the conveying device (1), two rotating rods (304) rotatably mounted on the bracket (303) and respectively connected to two second baffles (301), and a connecting rod (309) hinged between the two second baffles (301). The moving end of the second driving member (302) is hinged to one of the second baffles (301). The second baffle (301) has a movable plate (310) and a fifth driving member (311) for driving the movable plate (310) to move at the end away from the first baffle (2). The control component includes a first detector (6) and a first drive member (5) disposed on the first baffle (2) and a clamping plate (4) disposed on the moving end of the first drive member (5). The control component also includes a second detector (305) disposed on the second baffle (301). Both the second detector (305) and the first detector (6) include a mounting bracket (601) and a photoelectric sensor (602) mounted on the mounting bracket (601). A second baffle (301) is provided with a second limiting plate (306) and a first limiting plate (312) arranged sequentially along the transmission direction of the transmission device (1), and a third driving member (307) for driving the second limiting plate (306) and the first limiting plate (312) to rotate. The second limiting plate (306) and the first limiting plate (312) are located between the two second baffles (301).

2. The sample automated management and allocation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second baffle (301) is provided with a fourth driving member (308) to drive the third driving member (307) connected to the second limiting plate (306) to move along the transmission direction of the transmission device (1).

3. An automated sample management and distribution system, comprising a serum sample identification module, a serum sample detection module, a control module, a distribution module, and a transmission module, characterized in that: The allocation module is an automated sample management and allocation device according to any one of claims 1-2, and the transmission module includes a plurality of transmission units; The serum sample identification module is used to detect the transmission category of the serum sample to be transmitted and transmit it to the control module. The serum sample detection module is used to detect whether there is a serum sample on the transmission module and transmit it to the control module. The control module is used to analyze the information detected by the serum sample identification module and the serum sample detection module, plan the transmission path of the serum sample to be transmitted, and control the allocation module to transmit the serum sample to be transmitted to the corresponding transmission unit.

4. The sample automated management and allocation system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of transmission units include a main transmission unit, a backup transmission unit, and an expedited transmission unit; If the serum sample identification module detects that the serum sample is an urgent sample, and the serum sample detection module detects that there is no serum sample at the inlet of the urgent transmission unit, the allocation module will transmit the serum sample to the urgent transmission unit. If there is a serum sample at the inlet of the urgent transmission unit at this time, the allocation module will control the serum sample to stop transmission. If the serum sample identification module detects that the serum sample is a normal sample, the allocation module will transmit the serum sample to the main transmission unit or the backup transmission unit according to the information detected by the serum sample detection module.

5. The sample automated management and allocation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The distribution system also includes a limiting module, which includes several limiting components, which are sequentially and spaced apart along the transmission direction on the main transmission unit, the backup transmission unit and the expedited transmission unit. The serum sample detection module includes several sensors that correspond one-to-one with several limiting components. These sensors are sequentially and spaced apart along the transmission direction on the main transmission unit, the backup transmission unit, and the expedited transmission unit.

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