Clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval automation

Abstract

The application provides a clinical sample storage and quick retrieval automation device, which comprises a box body, a test tube sample sending assembly is arranged on one side of the box body, a lifting type sampling assembly and a movable test tube placing plate are arranged in the box body, the test tube sample sending assembly is placed on the movable test tube placing plate by the lifting type sampling assembly, a plurality of electronic tags are correspondingly arranged on the movable test tube placing plate, a card reader is arranged on the lifting type sampling assembly, and the card reader is inductive connection with the plurality of electronic tags. The test tube is automatically placed and taken by the test tube sample sending assembly, the lifting type sampling assembly and the movable test tube placing plate, information extraction and modification are realized by the electronic tags and the card reader, and finally, the data recorded by the controller can be quickly found.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sample storage technology, and mainly to automated devices for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval. Background Technology

[0002] As a core support department for clinical diagnosis and treatment, hospital laboratories receive, process, and store large quantities of clinical samples, including blood, urine, body fluids, and tissues, daily, often ranging from hundreds to thousands of samples. Currently, clinical sample storage and retrieval largely rely on manual management, which presents several pain points: First, storage is chaotic; samples are often stacked in refrigerated cabinets according to collection time, lacking precise zoning, making sample misplacement and omissions common. Second, retrieval efficiency is low; manually searching for a target sample requires checking labels one by one, with each search typically taking 5-10 minutes, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment when emergency samples are urgently needed. Third, sample quality is difficult to guarantee; manual storage is prone to problems such as temperature fluctuations, sample collisions, and failure to dispose of expired samples, leading to sample deterioration and invalidation. Fourth, traceability is difficult; manual recording is prone to errors, making it impossible to accurately track sample storage location, flow trajectory, and expiration date, failing to meet clinical laboratory quality control standards. Fifth, labor costs are high; the entry, sorting, retrieval, and disposal of batches of samples require significant medical staff and are susceptible to human error.

[0003] The existing sample storage box has multiple placement holes. The box is opened manually, the sample is placed in the placement hole, and a label is affixed. The time is then identified based on the label.

[0004] However, due to the large sample size, the existing storage boxes require manual searching of the corresponding test tubes based on the labels, which is a time-consuming and inefficient technical problem. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval to solve the technical problem mentioned in the background art: due to the large sample volume in existing storage boxes, it is time-consuming and inefficient to manually search for the corresponding test tubes based on the labels.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval, comprising a housing, a test tube delivery component disposed on one side of the housing, a lifting sampling component and a movable test tube placement plate disposed inside the housing, the lifting sampling component placing test tubes from the test tube delivery component onto the movable test tube placement plate, and the movable test tube placement plate correspondingly being provided with multiple electronic tags, the lifting sampling component being provided with a card reader, the card reader being connected to the multiple electronic tags.

[0007] Furthermore, the test tube sample delivery assembly includes a first connecting plate, a first sliding groove is provided on one side of the housing, the first connecting plate is detachably connected to one side of the first sliding groove, and a bearing connects a first lead screw and a first sliding rod on the first connecting plate, and a first drive motor is provided on the first connecting plate, the drive shaft of the first drive motor is connected to the first lead screw, the first lead screw and the first sliding rod are rotatably connected to a second connecting plate, and the second connecting plate is provided with multiple test tube holes, and multiple test tubes are respectively placed in the corresponding test tube holes.

[0008] Furthermore, the second connecting plate is L-shaped, and the side of the second connecting plate is slidably connected to the first groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the lifting sampling component includes a third connecting plate, on which two first connecting blocks are symmetrically arranged. The two first connecting blocks are detachably connected to a longitudinal moving component, and a clamping component is provided on one side of the third connecting plate to clamp the test tube.

[0010] Furthermore, the longitudinal movement component includes a second lead screw and a second slide rod, the second lead screw and the second slide rod being rotatably connected to two of the first connecting blocks respectively, and a second drive motor is provided inside the housing, the drive shaft of the second drive motor being connected to the second lead screw.

[0011] Furthermore, the clamping assembly includes a fourth connecting plate. A second sliding groove is provided on one side of the third connecting plate. A third drive motor is located within the second sliding groove. The drive shaft of the third drive motor is connected to a third lead screw. A fourth sliding rod is located within the second sliding groove. The third lead screw and the fourth sliding rod are rotatably connected to the fourth connecting plate. The fourth connecting plate is slidably connected to the second sliding groove. Two third sliding grooves are symmetrically provided on one side of the fourth connecting plate. A fourth drive motor is located within each of the two third sliding grooves. The drive shaft of the fourth drive motor is connected to a fourth lead screw. The fourth lead screw is rotatably connected to a support plate. A first arc-shaped plate is located at one end of each of the two support plates. An electric telescopic rod is located at one end of each of the two first arc-shaped plates. Two second arc-shaped plates are detachably connected to one end of each of the two electric telescopic rods. The two first arc-shaped plates and the two second arc-shaped plates clamp the test tube. The third connecting plate is equipped with a miniature air pump. The inner openings of the first arc-shaped plate and the two second arc-shaped plates are all provided with a third sliding groove. An airbag is provided in the third sliding groove. The miniature air pump is detachably connected to the airbag through a hose.

[0012] Furthermore, the movable test tube placement plate includes a placement plate with two second connecting blocks symmetrically arranged at both ends. Two fourth sliding grooves are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the housing. A fifth lead screw and a third sliding rod are respectively installed in the two fourth sliding grooves, and a fourth drive motor is installed within each fourth sliding groove. The drive shaft of the fourth drive motor is connected to the fifth lead screw. The fifth lead screw and the third sliding rod are rotatably connected to the two second connecting blocks. An annular groove is provided on the placement plate, and a bearing at the bottom of the annular groove connects to two transmission shafts. Two transmission gears are connected to a transmission chain. An annular rubber plate is provided above the transmission chain, and the annular rubber plate has multiple test tube holes. A fifth drive motor is provided on the placement plate, and the drive shaft of the fifth drive motor is connected to one side of the transmission shaft.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention features a test tube delivery assembly installed on the outside of the box. Test tubes are placed manually on the test tube delivery assembly, which then moves to transport the test tubes into the box. Then, the lifting sampling component moves to grip the test tube, and the movable test tube placement plate moves, with the corresponding lifting sampling component placing the gripped test tube in the corresponding position. Since the movable test tube placement plate is equipped with multiple electronic tags, and the lifting sampling component is equipped with a card reader, the card reader senses and connects to multiple electronic tags. After placement, the card reader senses and connects with the electronic tags, records the corresponding information, and saves it. When searching later, the test tube can be found more accurately and quickly by directly searching for the corresponding number. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the test tube sample delivery assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal moving component structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping component structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the movable test tube placement plate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the transmission chain connection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Box body; 11. First slide rail; 2. Test tube feeding assembly; 21. First connecting plate; 22. First lead screw; 23. First slide bar; 24. First drive motor; 25. Second connecting plate; 26. Test tube hole; 3. Lifting sampling assembly; 31. Third connecting plate; 32. First connecting block; 33. Longitudinal moving assembly; 331. Second lead screw; 332. Second slide bar; 333. Second drive motor; 34. Clamping assembly; 341. Fourth connecting plate; 342. Third drive motor; 343. Third lead screw; 343a. Fourth slide bar; 344. 3. Slide groove; 345. Fourth drive motor; 346. Fourth lead screw; 347. Support plate; 348. First arc plate; 348a. Electric telescopic rod; 349. Second arc plate; 349a. Third slide groove; 349bb. Airbag; 4. Movable test tube placement plate; 41. Placement plate; 411. Fifth drive motor; 42. Second connecting block; 43. Fifth lead screw; 44. Third slide rod; 45. Fourth drive motor; 46. Annular groove; 47. Drive shaft; 48. Drive chain; 49. Annular rubber plate; 491. Test tube hole; 5. Electronic tag; 6. Card reader. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0018] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0019] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" and "second" are mentioned, this is only for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms installation, connection, and linking should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0021] The invention patent title according to embodiments of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Reference Figure 1-6 An automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval includes a housing 1, a test tube delivery component 2 on one side of the housing 1, a lifting sampling component 3 and a movable test tube placement plate 4 inside the housing 1. The lifting sampling component 3 places the test tubes on the test tube delivery component 2 onto the movable test tube placement plate 4, and the movable test tube placement plate 4 is equipped with multiple electronic tags 5. The lifting sampling component 3 is equipped with a card reader 6, which senses and connects to the multiple electronic tags 5. In this embodiment, the test tube is fed into or taken out of the box 1 by the test tube delivery component 2. After the test tube enters the box 1, it is adjusted to the designated position by the lifting sampling component 3. The position is then determined by the card reader 6 and the electronic tag 5. The test tube is then placed on the movable test tube placement plate 4.

[0023] The test tube sample delivery assembly 2 includes a first connecting plate 21. A first sliding groove 11 is provided on one side of the housing 1. The first connecting plate 21 is detachably connected to one side of the first sliding groove 11. A bearing connects a first lead screw 22 and a first sliding rod 23 to the first connecting plate 21. A first drive motor 24 is provided on the first connecting plate 21. The drive shaft of the first drive motor 24 is connected to the first lead screw 22. The first lead screw 22 and the first sliding rod 23 are rotatably connected to a second connecting plate 25. The second connecting plate 25 is provided with multiple test tube holes 26. Multiple test tubes are placed in the corresponding test tube holes 26. The second connecting plate 25 is L-shaped and its side is slidably connected to the first sliding groove 11.

[0024] In this example, the test tube is manually placed on the second connecting plate 25 and inserted into the test tube hole 26. Then, the first drive motor 24 rotates, driving the first lead screw 22 to rotate. With the rotation of the first lead screw and the first slide bar 23, the second connecting plate 25 moves laterally, thereby moving the test tube into the box 1. Then, the lifting sampling component 3 takes it away and returns it to its original position, or the box 1 is moved out, and the test tube that needs to be taken out of the box 1 is taken out of the box 1.

[0025] The lifting sampling component 3 includes a third connecting plate 31, two first connecting blocks 32 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the third connecting plate 31, the two first connecting blocks 32 are detachably connected to the longitudinal moving component 33, and a clamping component 34 is provided on one side of the third connecting plate 31 to clamp the test tube.

[0026] The longitudinal moving component 33 includes a second lead screw 331 and a second slide bar 332. The second lead screw 331 and the second slide bar 332 are rotatably connected to two first connecting blocks 32 respectively. A second drive motor 333 is provided inside the housing 1. The drive shaft of the second drive motor 333 is connected to the second lead screw 331.

[0027] The clamping assembly 34 includes a fourth connecting plate 341. A second sliding groove 35 is provided on one side of the third connecting plate 31. A third drive motor 342 is housed within the second sliding groove 35. The drive shaft of the third drive motor 342 is connected to a third lead screw 343. A fourth sliding rod 343a is also provided within the second sliding groove 35. The third lead screw 343 and the fourth sliding rod 343a are rotatably connected to the fourth connecting plate 341. The fourth connecting plate 341 is slidably connected to the second sliding groove 35. Two third sliding grooves 344 are symmetrically provided on one side of the fourth connecting plate 341. Each of the third slide grooves 344 is equipped with a fourth drive motor 345. The drive shaft of the fourth drive motor 345 is connected to a fourth lead screw 346. The fourth lead screw 346 is rotatably connected to a support plate 347. Each of the two support plates 347 has a first arc plate 348 at one end. Each of the two first arc plates 348 has an electric telescopic rod 348a at one end. Each of the two electric telescopic rods 348a is detachably connected to two second arc plates 349. The two first arc plates 348 and the two second arc plates 349 clamp the test tube.

[0028] The third connecting plate 31 is equipped with a miniature air pump 36. The inner openings of the first arc plate 348 and the two second arc plates 349 are all provided with a third sliding groove 349a. An airbag 349b is provided in the third sliding groove 349a. The miniature air pump 36 is detachably connected to the airbag 349b through a hose.

[0029] In this embodiment, the lifting sampling component 3 is driven by the second drive motor 333 to rotate the second lead screw 331. Under the action of the second lead screw 331 and the second slide bar 332, the third connecting plate 31 moves longitudinally. When it moves longitudinally, the corresponding third drive motor 342 drives the third lead screw 343 to rotate. Under the action of the third lead screw 343 and the fourth slide bar 343a, the corresponding fourth connecting plate 341 adjusts its lateral position. Upon reaching the designated position, the fourth drive motor 345 rotates, driving the fourth lead screw to rotate, thereby causing the two support plates 347 to move laterally. After reaching the designated position, the two electric telescopic rods 348a retract, thereby clamping the test tube with the two first arc plates 348 and the second arc plate 349. After clamping, the second drive motor 333 rotates, thereby moving longitudinally, and the corresponding test tube delivery component 2 is retrieved to the designated position, thus completing the clamping of the test tube by the longitudinal movement component 33 and the connection of the test tube delivery component 2. The clamping component 34 uses the same method to place the test tube onto the movable test tube placement plate 4 in subsequent steps.

[0030] The movable test tube placement plate 4 includes a placement plate 41. Two second connecting blocks 42 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the placement plate 41. Two fourth sliding grooves 12 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the housing 1. A fifth lead screw 43 and a third sliding rod 44 are respectively installed in the two fourth sliding grooves 12. A fourth drive motor 45 is installed in the fourth sliding groove 12. The drive shaft of the fourth drive motor 45 is connected to the fifth lead screw 43. The fifth lead screw 43 and the third sliding rod 44 are rotatably connected to the two second connecting blocks 42. An annular groove 46 is provided on the placement plate 41. Two transmission shafts 47 are connected to the bottom bearing of the annular groove 46. The two transmission shafts 47 are connected to a transmission chain 48 by gears. An annular rubber plate 49 is provided above the transmission chain 48. Multiple test tube holes 491 are provided on the annular rubber plate 49. A fifth drive motor 411 is provided on the plate 41, and the drive shaft of the fifth drive motor 411 is connected to a transmission shaft 47 on one side. In this embodiment, the empty movable test tube placement plate 4 is driven by the fourth drive motor 45 to rotate the third wire 43. At the same time, under the action of the third slide rod 44, the placement plate 41 moves laterally. After reaching the designated position, the drive shaft of the fourth drive motor 411 is connected to the transmission shaft 47. The rotation of the transmission shaft 47 drives the transmission chain 48 to rotate. The rotation of the transmission chain 48 drives the annular rubber plate 49 to rotate, sending the corresponding empty test tube hole 491 to the outside. Then, since the annular rubber plate 49 is provided with electronic tags 5, each electronic tag 5 is located on the outside of the empty test tube hole 491, which facilitates the capture and numbering of the hole.

[0031] The longitudinal moving component 33 places the test tube into the test tube well 491. Operating principle: The test tube is manually placed on the second connecting plate 25 and inserted into the test tube hole 26. Then, the first drive motor 24 rotates, driving the first lead screw 22 to rotate. With the rotation of the first lead screw and the first slide bar 23, the second connecting plate 25 moves laterally. When it moves to the designated position; The lifting sampling component 3 is driven by the second drive motor 333 to rotate the second lead screw 331. Under the action of the second lead screw 331 and the second slide bar 332, the third connecting plate 31 moves longitudinally. When it moves longitudinally, the corresponding third drive motor 342 drives the third lead screw 343 to rotate. Under the action of the third lead screw 343 and the fourth slide bar 343a, the corresponding fourth connecting plate 341 adjusts its lateral position.

[0032] Once the designated position is reached, the fourth drive motor 345 rotates, driving the fourth lead screw to rotate, thereby causing the two support plates 347 to move laterally. After reaching the designated position, the two electric telescopic rods 348a retract, thereby clamping the test tube with the two first arc plates 348 and the second arc plate 349. After clamping, the second drive motor rotates, thereby moving longitudinally, and the corresponding test tube delivery assembly 2 is returned to the designated position.

[0033] Finally, the empty movable test tube placement plate 4 is driven by the fourth drive motor 45 to rotate the third wire 43, and at the same time, under the action of the third slide rod 44, the placement plate 41 moves laterally. After reaching the designated position, the fourth drive motor 411 drives the shaft connected to the transmission shaft 47. The rotation of the transmission shaft 47 drives the transmission chain 48 to rotate, and the rotation of the transmission chain 48 drives the annular rubber plate 49 to rotate, sending the corresponding empty test tube hole 491 to the outside. Then, the longitudinal moving component 33 places the test tube in the test tube hole 491.

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that: A test tube delivery assembly (2) is provided on one side of the box (1). Inside the box (1) are a lifting sampling assembly (3) and a movable test tube placement plate (4). The lifting sampling assembly (3) places the test tubes on the test tube delivery assembly (2) onto the movable test tube placement plate (4). The movable test tube placement plate (4) is provided with multiple electronic tags (5). A card reader (6) is provided on the lifting sampling assembly (3). The card reader (6) senses and connects to the multiple electronic tags (5).

2. The automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test tube delivery assembly (2) includes a first connecting plate (21). A first sliding groove (11) is provided on one side of the box (1). The first connecting plate (21) is detachably connected to one side of the first sliding groove (11). A first lead screw (22) and a first sliding rod (23) are connected to the first connecting plate (21) by a bearing. A first drive motor (24) is provided on the first connecting plate (21). The drive shaft of the first drive motor (24) is connected to the first lead screw (22). The first lead screw (22) and the first sliding rod (23) are rotatably connected to a second connecting plate (25). A plurality of test tube holes (26) are provided on the second connecting plate (25). A plurality of test tubes are placed in the corresponding test tube holes (26).

3. The automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second connecting plate (25) is L-shaped, and the side of the second connecting plate (25) is slidably connected to the first groove (11).

4. The automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting sampling component (3) includes a third connecting plate (31), two first connecting blocks (32) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the third connecting plate (31), the two first connecting blocks (32) are detachably connected to the longitudinal moving component (33), and a clamping component (34) is provided on one side of the third connecting plate (31) to clamp the test tube.

5. The automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval according to claim 4, characterized in that: The longitudinal moving component (33) includes a second lead screw (331) and a second slide bar (332). The second lead screw (331) and the second slide bar (332) are rotatably connected to two first connecting blocks (32), and a second drive motor (333) is provided inside the housing (1). The drive shaft of the second drive motor (333) is connected to the second lead screw (331).

6. The automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval according to claim 4, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (34) includes a fourth connecting plate (341). A second sliding groove (35) is provided on one side of the third connecting plate (31). A third drive motor (342) is provided in the second sliding groove (35). The drive shaft of the third drive motor (342) is connected to a third lead screw (343). A fourth sliding rod (343a) is provided in the second sliding groove (35). The third lead screw (343) and the fourth sliding rod (343a) are rotatably connected to the fourth connecting plate (341). The fourth connecting plate (341) is slidably connected to the second sliding groove (35). Two third sliding grooves are symmetrically provided on one side of the fourth connecting plate (341). (344) Each of the two third slide grooves (344) is provided with a fourth drive motor (345). The drive shaft of the fourth drive motor (345) is connected to a fourth lead screw (346). The fourth lead screw (346) is rotatably connected to a support plate (347). One end of each of the two support plates (347) is provided with a first arc plate (348). One end of each of the two first arc plates (348) is provided with an electric telescopic rod (348a). One end of each of the two electric telescopic rods (348a) is detachably connected to two second arc plates (349). The two first arc plates (348) and the two second arc plates (349) clamp the test tube.

7. The automated clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The third connecting plate (31) is provided with a micro air pump (36). The inner openings of the first arc plate (348) and the two second arc plates (349) are provided with a third groove (349a). An air bag (349b) is provided in the third groove (349a). The micro air pump (36) is detachably connected to the air bag (349b) through a hose.

8. The automated device for clinical sample storage and rapid retrieval according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable test tube placement plate (4) includes a placement plate (41). Two second connecting blocks (42) are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the placement plate (41). Two fourth sliding grooves (12) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the box body (1). A fifth lead screw (43) and a third sliding rod (44) are respectively arranged in the two fourth sliding grooves (12). A fourth drive motor (45) is arranged in the fourth sliding groove (12). The drive shaft of the fourth drive motor (45) is connected to the fifth lead screw (43). The fifth lead screw (43) and the third sliding rod (44) rotate respectively. Two second connecting blocks (42) are connected, and an annular groove (46) is provided on the placement plate (41). The bottom bearing of the annular groove (46) is connected to two transmission shafts (47). The two transmission pullers (47) are connected to the transmission chain (48). An annular rubber plate (49) is provided above the transmission chain (48). The annular rubber plate (49) is provided with multiple test tube holes (491). A fifth drive motor (411) is provided on the placement plate (41). The drive shaft of the fifth drive motor (411) is connected to one side of the transmission shaft (47).

Images