Transfer sample pipe rack information acquisition device and automatic processing system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a circulating sample pipe rack information acquisition device and an automatic processing system, which belong to medical instruments and information intelligent equipment and comprise a sample pipe rack input circulating part, a sample pipe rack output circulating part and a sample pipe rack lifting part capable of being aligned with one of the sample pipe rack input circulating part and the sample pipe rack output circulating part. A sample tube scanning part is arranged at a first position of the sample tube frame input circulation part, a sample tube frame scanning part is arranged at a second position which is a preset distance away from the sample tube frame input circulation part, and the sample tube frame scanning part is arranged on the downstream side of the sample tube scanning part according to the circulation direction of the sample tube frame. The circulating sample tube rack information acquisition device and the automatic processing system can effectively solve the problems that an information acquisition device of a batch sample tube processing system in the prior art is specific in circulating type, limited in processing speed and difficult in information tracing; and meanwhile, the special requirements on the bar code pasting state and the placement position of the sample tube in the sample tube rack are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical instruments and information intelligent equipment, and in particular to a device for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks and an automatic processing system. Background Art

[0002] Biological sample processing has very wide applications in fields such as molecular biology and medical diagnosis. For example, in molecular biology, vector design, gene therapy, vaccine design, industrial strain design and verification require specific steps to complete the processing of biological samples; in medical diagnosis, it includes immunoassay technology based on the principle of antigen-antibody immune binding and molecular diagnostic technology with nucleic acid sequences as the analysis object. These technologies also involve various types of processing of biological samples; in recent years, with the development of in vitro diagnostics and gene sequencing technology, these technologies are also playing a more important role in the diagnosis of more types of diseases. Therefore, biological samples represented by various swab preservation fluids such as blood, sputum, feces, tissue preservation fluids and nasal / pharyngeal swabs have also demonstrated an increasing diagnostic and treatment status. Huge amounts of biological samples are usually contained in various sample tubes. How to efficiently and accurately execute the flow of sample tubes and obtain corresponding information is very important for subsequent accurate diagnosis and treatment and intelligent management such as sample traceability. Different manufacturers have also conducted different explorations. In the relatively early U.S. patent application US8864030B2 filed by Sysmex Corporation, a method is disclosed that utilizes multiple moving rollers to utilize the friction of relative motion to cause the sample tube to generate self-rotation motion, which is then scanned and identified by a barcode recognition device during the self-rotation motion to complete the automatic reading of the sample tube barcode. This method is not limited to the placement of the sample tube and can perform relatively accurate scanning of barcodes of different states attached to different positions on the sample tube, and can be applied to streamlined or batch sample tube processing systems; the content disclosed in Japanese invention patent JP6898252B2 combines the optimal matching speed of rotational scanning with multiple scanning schemes, and proposes a device that can more accurately scan sample tube codes; the domestic manufacturer Antuo Bio's WO2023125326A1 patent application also discloses a similar code scanning and recognition scheme, and sets a sample tube opening device at the upstream position of the sample tube flow direction, thus configuring a composite functional module that can automatically open the cap and scan the code.

[0003] The above solution is very convenient to use in a single sample tube automatic flow system, and many manufacturers have adopted this design. In fact, in a batch automation system, sample tubes are basically added in batches quickly. In order to ensure that the sample tube scanning operation is quickly performed during the addition of the sample tube rack, CN112198331A, WO2016164473 and CN109564230A patents disclose basically similar scanning and recognition solutions, which combine a scanning device with a mirror arranged at a 45° angle, and use the principle that the mirror has equal-size imaging to ensure that the sample tube racks at different positions can have a similar optical path to the scanning device, so that the sample tube barcodes at different positions can be covered by basically the same field of view in the scanning device, which makes it easier to identify the sample tube shape and more convenient to retrieve whether the barcode information corresponds accurately to the sample tube, and also solves the problem of insufficient space for adjustment of the scanning device; US10719677B2 and US10146973B2 adopt Similar barcode scanning device layouts, the former is protected from the perspective of efficient reading and application of barcodes on multiple sample tube racks, and the latter discloses a solution in which the distance between the sample tube barcode scanning device and the mirror can be automatically adjusted according to the different distances between the sample tube racks and the sample tube barcode reading, thereby solving the problem of different focal lengths corresponding to the sample tube barcodes input from sample tube racks at different positions; although the above solution can improve the sample tube processing speed to a certain extent, the premise of such rapid processing is the consistency of the sample tube barcode pasting status and the limitation of the sample tube placement position. In actual operation, many blood collection tubes are barcoded on-site by the operator before drawing blood. The rapid pasting by the blood collector makes the pasting status of the barcode very different, and in order to increase the loading speed, the operator usually places the sample tubes in the sample tube rack at will. The batch scanning operation in the public loading process may cause the barcode to be covered, or the barcode may be tilted, or the pasted part may be blocked, resulting in recognition failure. There are many problems, which require the operator to readjust.

[0004] From the above analysis, it can be seen that some of the information acquisition devices currently designed for batch sample tube processing systems have problems such as specific flow types, certain limitations on processing speed, and difficulty in information tracing, while others have specific requirements for the barcode pasting status and the placement of sample tubes in the sample tube rack. Therefore, it is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently to design a device that can adapt to batch and rapid loading of sample tubes and can perform sample tube barcode scanning and sample tube rack barcode scanning in subsequent flows to achieve reliable information acquisition and accurate and intelligent correlation matching operations. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is: to address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a circulating sample tube rack information acquisition device and an automatic processing system, by respectively arranging a sample tube scanning part and a sample tube rack scanning part at different positions including a sample tube rack input circulation part, the sample tube rack can perform dual scanning of the sample tube and the sample tube rack during the circulation transfer process, and adding sample tubes only requires batch routine operations, which ensures the convenience of system operation. At the same time, the dual scanning can also make the system run more intelligently and with stronger traceability, solving the problems of the information acquisition device of the prior art batch sample tube processing system, such as specific circulation type, certain limitations on processing speed, and difficulty in information tracing; at the same time, there are specific requirements for the barcode pasting status and specific requirements for the placement position of the sample tube in the sample tube rack.

[0006] The technical solutions adopted in this utility model are as follows:

[0007] A device for acquiring information about circulating sample tube racks comprises a sample tube rack input circulation portion, a sample tube rack output circulation portion, and a sample tube rack lifting portion capable of being aligned with either the sample tube rack input circulation portion or the sample tube rack output circulation portion; a sample tube scanning portion is provided at a first position of the sample tube rack input circulation portion, and a sample tube rack scanning portion is provided at a second position spaced a preset distance therefrom; the sample tube rack scanning portion is arranged downstream of the sample tube scanning portion in accordance with the sample tube rack circulation direction.

[0008] Furthermore, a scanning auxiliary device is provided at the first position of the sample tube rack input circulation part; the scanning auxiliary device includes a tubular clamping unit and a clamping and lifting drive mechanism; the clamping and lifting drive mechanism can drive the tubular clamping unit to perform lifting and lowering movements; the tubular clamping unit can pick up a sample tube from the sample tube rack on the sample tube rack input circulation part, lift the picked up sample tube to a preset distance and cooperate with the sample tube scanning part to perform barcode scanning operations on all sample tubes in the sample tube rack.

[0009] Furthermore, the clamping and lifting drive mechanism includes a clamping drive motor, whose output is connected to a clamping transmission screw; the clamping transmission screw is threadedly connected to a clamping connection block; the clamping connection block is directly or indirectly connected to the tubular clamping unit, thereby converting the clockwise or counterclockwise rotational motion of the clamping drive motor into driving the tubular clamping unit to slide up or down along the clamping slide rail.

[0010] Furthermore, the sample tube rack lifting part is driven to lift by a lifting drive motor; the output end of the lifting drive motor is connected to a lifting transmission screw; the lifting transmission screw is connected to a lifting transmission block through threaded cooperation; the lifting transmission block is also connected to the sample tube rack lifting part; the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation movement of the lifting drive motor can drive the sample tube rack lifting part to align with one of the sample tube rack input circulation part or the sample tube rack output circulation part.

[0011] Furthermore, the sample tube rack input flow section also includes a sample tube rack transfer mechanism; the sample tube rack transfer mechanism includes a tube rack transfer unit; the tube rack transfer unit includes a tube rack transfer tentacle and a tentacle driving mechanism that drives the tube rack transfer tentacle to contact or move away from the sample tube rack; and also includes a transfer motion drive motor; the transfer motion drive motor can drive the tube rack transfer unit to move within a preset stroke range.

[0012] Furthermore, the sample tubes in the sample tube rack on the sample tube rack input circulation part can perform sample tube barcode scanning at a first position, and the tube rack transfer unit can drive the sample tube rack to move a preset distance, and other sample tubes in the sample tube rack perform sample tube barcode scanning at the first position, and the barcode scanning of all sample tubes in the sample tube rack is repeated in this way.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes an extended buffer part; the extended buffer part includes an input extended buffer part with a height substantially consistent with the sample tube rack input circulation part, and an output extended buffer part with a height substantially consistent with the sample tube rack output circulation part.

[0014] Furthermore, the sample tube rack input circulation part includes a plurality of input circulation units; the sample tube rack output circulation part includes a plurality of output circulation units; and the number of the input circulation units is greater than the number of the output circulation units.

[0015] Furthermore, the sample tube rack input circulation part includes a plurality of input circulation units, at least one of which is an unpowered circulation unit.

[0016] An automatic processing system includes the above-mentioned circulating sample tube rack information acquisition device.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0018] 1. The present invention configures a circulation device to include a sample tube rack input circulation portion, a sample tube rack output circulation portion, and a sample tube rack lifting portion that can be aligned with one of the sample tube rack input circulation portion or the sample tube rack output circulation portion, thereby enabling the sample tube rack to drive the sample tubes it carries to circulate in a closed loop. A sample tube scanning portion and a sample tube rack scanning portion are provided at two different positions of the sample tube rack input circulation portion to timely acquire and associate various types of information. The operator does not need to pay attention to the placement of the sample tubes or the distinction between the sample tube types, thereby enabling efficient processing of large quantities of sample tubes.

[0019] 2. By setting up a tubular clamping unit that can move up and down, the sample tube is driven to rotate at a specific position to achieve a full range of code scanning and recognition operations, so that sample tubes at different positions of the sample tube rack can be rotated at the same position to perform code scanning operations. In this way, the recognition focus of the sample tube scanning part is relatively constant, and the recognition success rate and efficiency are also higher.

[0020] 3. The transmission connection of the sample tube rack lifting part through the screw slider makes the lifting position of the sample tube rack lifting part more accurate. The sample tube rack lifting part is aligned with one of the sample tube rack input circulation part or the sample tube rack output circulation part, and can store or output the sample tube rack. When it is aligned with the sample tube rack input circulation part, the cover can be opened and closed, thereby automatically performing pipetting.

[0021] 4. The sample tube rack input circulation part also includes a sample tube rack transfer mechanism, which can drive the sample tube rack to move within the preset travel range of the input circulation part through the transfer motion driving motor, and the transfer mechanism can cooperate with the sample tube rack to drive the sample tube rack to move a preset distance after completing the barcode scanning of one sample tube, and perform the barcode scanning operation of other sample tubes, and repeatedly complete the barcode scanning of all sample tubes in the sample tube rack. The precision of such motion drive can also ensure the reliability of sample tube barcode scanning.

[0022] 5. The sample tube rack input circulation section includes a plurality of input circulation units, and the sample tube rack output circulation section includes a plurality of output circulation units, and the number of the input circulation units is greater than the number of the output circulation units. More preferably, one of the input circulation units is an unpowered circulation unit, so that buffer storage of multiple sample tube racks can be achieved in the input circulation section, and the unpowered circulation unit can also adjust the circulation spacing between the sample tube racks, so that the sample tube racks can circulate independently and reliably.

[0023] 6. The device also includes an extended buffer section, which includes an input extended buffer section that is substantially the same height as the sample tube rack input circulation section, and an output extended buffer section that is substantially the same height as the sample tube rack output circulation section. This enables the sample tube rack circulation operation to be further expanded, achieving a more efficient and faster sample tube processing speed.

[0024] 7. The present invention also discloses an automatic processing system and information acquisition method, which are suitable for rapid batch processing of sample tubes and can establish a reliable and accurate sample traceability mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one of the apparatuses for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is another schematic diagram of the configuration of the sample tube rack information acquisition device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sample tube rack input circulation part of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the output flow portion of the sample tube rack of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the power input flow unit of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first stage of the sample tube rack transfer process in which the sample tube rack transfer mechanism cooperates with different code scanning units to execute information acquisition and sample tube rack transfer;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the two-stage process of the sample tube rack transfer mechanism of the present invention cooperating with different code scanning units to execute information acquisition and sample tube rack transfer;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the three-stage process of the sample tube rack transfer mechanism of the present invention cooperating with different code scanning units to execute information acquisition and sample tube rack transfer;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the four-stage process of the sample tube rack transfer mechanism of the present invention cooperating with different code scanning units to execute information acquisition and sample tube rack transfer;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of the lifting portion of the sample tube rack of the utility model from one perspective;

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic structural diagram of the lifting portion of the sample tube rack of the utility model from another perspective;

[0036] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the first stage of the process in which the lifting portion of the sample tube rack of the utility model drives the sample tube to descend to a position aligned with the output portion of the sample tube rack;

[0037] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the second stage of the process in which the lifting portion of the sample tube rack of the utility model drives the sample tube to a position aligned with the output portion of the sample tube rack;

[0038] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the sample tube rack information acquisition device of the utility model executing the first direction sample tube code scanning state;

[0039] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the sample tube rack information acquisition device of the utility model executing the second direction sample tube code scanning state;

[0040] In the accompanying drawings: 100-sample tube rack; 1001-sample tube; 101-sample tube scanning unit; 102-sample tube rack scanning unit; 11-tubular clamping unit; 111-clamping drive motor; 112-clamping transmission screw; 113-clamping connecting block; 114-clamping slide rail; 115-limit sensor; 201-tentacle drive motor; 202-tube rack transfer tentacle; 203-transfer connecting block; 204-transfer motion drive motor; 2001-input flow position sensor; 21-sample tube rack input flow unit; 211-first input flow unit; 212-second input flow unit; 213-third input flow unit; 2131- Circulation belt; 2132-circulation driven wheel; 2133-circulation drive roller; 22-sample tube rack lifting part; 221-lifting and circulation drive motor; 222-lifting drive roller; 223-lifting slide rail; 224-lifting drive motor; 225-lifting transmission screw; 226-lifting transmission block; 23-extension buffer part; 231-input extension buffer part; 232-output extension buffer part; 24-sample tube rack output circulation part; 241-first sample tube rack output circulation unit; 242-second sample tube rack output circulation unit; 251-circulation partition door; 252-partition door drive motor; 253-partition door drive gear; 254-partition door drive rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0043] As analyzed in the background technology, there are currently two types of barcode information scanning devices that are widely used in batch processing of sample tubes. The first type is a single sample tube flow solution, in which a rotating drive structure such as a three-wheel assembly is set in the flow path. Although adding sample tubes is relatively simple, the sample tube flow efficiency is low, and other types of information tracing such as abnormal sample tube tracing are difficult; the other type is to set an improved high-efficiency barcode scanning part in the sample tube rack receiving part. By matching the focal length of the barcode scanning part with the adding position of different sample tube racks, the system can complete the corresponding various steps of all sample tubes during the sample tube adding process. However, this solution requires the operator to place the sample tube in the sample tube rack in a certain direction, and has relatively high requirements for the barcode affixed status of the sample tube, otherwise it will lead to problems of unrecognition or recognition errors. The flow sample tube rack information acquisition device proposed in the utility model inherits the advantage of accurate scanning in the flow of a single sample tube, and sets a sample tube rack scanning unit in the flow, which can timely obtain the information of the sample tube and the corresponding tube rack, so that the system's flow information can be timely associated to ensure subsequent intelligent and accurate tracking, and has a higher efficiency and simpler flow control method than the single sample tube flow solution.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] Figure 1The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of one of the apparatuses for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks. The circulating apparatus includes a sample tube rack input and circulation section 21, which may be composed of a plurality of input and circulation units. Three input and circulation units are shown here, namely a first input and circulation unit 211, a second input and circulation unit 212, and a third input and circulation unit 213. The sample tube rack 100 is driven to circulate from the first input and circulation unit 211 to the third input and circulation unit 213. A sample tube scanning section 101 is provided at a first position upstream of the sample tube rack input and circulation section 21. Here, the sample tube scanning section 101 is optimally positioned near the input port of the sample tube rack input and circulation section 21. A scanning auxiliary device is further provided at the first position of the sample tube rack input and circulation section 21. The scanning auxiliary device includes a tube clamping unit 11 having opposing jaws that can be driven toward each other and a rotation drive mechanism that can drive the opposing jaws to rotate, thereby driving the clamped sample tube 1001 to rotate. The scanning auxiliary device also includes a clamping and lifting drive mechanism, which includes a clamping drive motor 111, which can be set as a DC brushless motor or a stepping motor, etc. Its output is connected to the clamping transmission screw 112, and the clamping transmission screw 112 is threadedly connected to the clamping connection block 113. The clamping connection block 113 is also directly or indirectly connected to the tubular clamping unit 11, thereby converting the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the clamping drive motor 111 into driving the tubular clamping unit 11 to slide up or down along the clamping slide rail 114. In this way, the clamping and lifting drive mechanism can drive the tubular clamping unit 11 to move up and down. A limit sensor 115 is also provided on the clamping and lifting drive mechanism, which can control the tubular clamping unit 11 to be positioned more accurately. The tubular clamping unit 11 can be driven close to the sample tube rack input flow section 21 and can pick up the sample tube 1001 from the sample tube rack 100 on the sample tube rack input flow section 21. Here, the tubular clamping unit 11 can clamp the sample tube cap or at least part of the upper half of the sample tube 1001 containing the sample tube cap, while the lower half of the sample tube 1001 with the barcode affixed is in an undisturbed and unobstructed state. Then the tubular clamping unit 11 is driven to rise a preset distance so that the sample tube 1001 is basically in the field of view of the sample tube scanning unit 101, and optimally enables the sample tube scanning unit 101 to focus on the outer wall of the sample tube 1001. Then the tubular clamping unit 11 drives the sample tube 1001 to rotate around its axis, so that the sample tube scanning unit 101 obtains relevant information about the sample tube 1001 during the rotation of the sample tube 1001, which may include the type information of the sample tube 1001 (such as the volume of the sample tube 1001, the color of the sample tube 1001 cap, the model of the sample tube 1001, etc.), and also includes sample information (such as sample type blood or other tissue preservation fluid, etc., detection item information enzyme immunoassay, molecular or other detection, sample detection priority information, etc.).After obtaining the relevant information of the sample tube 1001, the tube clamping unit 11 can be driven down to place the sample tube 1001 back to the corresponding position of the sample tube rack 100. Finally, the tube clamping unit 11 cooperates with the sample tube scanning unit 101 to perform the barcode scanning operation of all sample tubes 1001 in the sample tube rack 100. A sample rack scanning unit 102 is further provided at a second position of the sample rack input circulation unit 21. The sample rack scanning unit 102 is located downstream of the first position of the sample tube scanning unit 101 along the flow direction of the sample rack 100. To efficiently and quickly scan the sample rack 100, an information acquisition groove is provided on the sample rack input circulation unit 21. The sample rack scanning unit 102 is configured to focus on the position of the groove. The sample rack scanning unit 102 is configured such that its field of view axis is perpendicular to the flow direction of the sample rack 100. In this way, the sample rack scanning unit 102 can always focus on the information acquisition groove passing through the sample rack input circulation unit 21 to efficiently and quickly acquire information related to the sample rack 100. The information acquisition groove can be provided on the second input circulation unit 212. In this embodiment, the sample tube scanning unit 101 and the sample rack scanning unit 102 are provided at different positions of the sample rack input circulation unit 21, respectively. This allows for rapid acquisition and association of relevant information over a shorter travel distance, thereby facilitating subsequent information tracking. An input circulation part output port is also provided downstream of the sample tube rack input circulation part 21, which includes a circulation partition door 251. The circulation partition door 251 can be driven by the partition door driving motor 252 through the partition door driving gear 253 connected to its output shaft and the partition door transmission rack 254 connected to the partition door, so as to realize the state switching of the flow partition door 251 to be closed or opened. The circulation device is further provided with a sample tube rack lifting portion 22, and a sample tube rack output circulation portion 24 is further provided at a position lower than the sample tube rack input circulation portion 21 (of course, the vertical relative position relationship of the sample tube rack input circulation portion 21 and the sample tube rack output circulation portion 24 can also be arranged in the opposite direction). The sample tube rack lifting portion 22 can be driven to align with one of the sample tube rack input circulation portion 21 or the sample tube rack output circulation portion 24. Here, when the sample tube rack lifting portion 22 is aligned with the sample tube rack input circulation portion 21, it can receive the sample tube rack 100 that has completed scanning and transferred from the input circulation portion. At this position, it can cooperate with the cover opening and closing mechanism to perform the cover opening and closing operation of the sample tube rack 100. The cover opening and closing mechanism and other functional mechanisms used in conjunction are not described in detail. After the cover opening and closing operation is completed, the sample tube rack lifting portion 22 can drive the received sample tube rack 100 to descend and align with the sample tube rack output circulation portion 24, and transfer the sample tube rack 100 out. A circulation partition door 251 is also provided between the two. The circulation device further includes an extended buffer section 23 , which includes an input extended buffer section 231 having a substantially identical height to the sample tube rack input circulation section 21 , and an output extended buffer section 232 having a substantially identical height to the sample tube rack output circulation section 24 . Figure 2 and Figure 1 The layout is essentially the same as that of the embodiment of the present invention. In comparison, the circulation device herein does not include an expansion buffer 23. The expansion buffer 23 allows for functional expansion, and the incorporation of another portion having a sample tube rack lifting portion 22 into the circulation device enables faster lid opening and closing, sample liquid transfer, and other operations. The specific principles are not further described here. With the present invention's circulation sample tube rack information acquisition device, the sample tube scanning portion 101 and the sample tube rack scanning portion 102 are located at different locations within the sample tube rack input circulation portion 21. This eliminates the need for operators to perform special operations when adding sample tubes 1001, and the sampling operator does not need to pay extra attention to the location and status of label attachment. Sample tubes 1001 can also be added in batches without prior notice. During the circulation process, operations such as acquiring and associating information related to sample tubes 1001 and sample tube racks 100 are automated, resulting in more efficient information acquisition and timely association. This device is also suitable for rapid, large-scale processing of sample tubes 1001, and accurate and timely information tracking.

[0046] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the sample tube rack input circulation unit 21 of the present invention; the sample tube rack input circulation unit 21 is a segmented type, including three sample tube rack input circulation units, wherein the first input circulation unit 211 is arranged near the input port closest to the sample tube rack input circulation unit 21, and a sample tube scanning unit 101 is arranged near the input port, and an information acquisition groove is opened on the second input circulation unit 212 at a preset interval, through which the sample tube rack scanning unit 102 can focus on the sample tube rack 10 being transferred. 0, the sample tube scanning unit 101 is arranged at a position higher than the sample tube rack scanning unit 102, so that there will be no problems such as incorrect recognition and repeated recognition of two different types of barcodes. Here, the barcode of the sample tube 1001 in the sample tube rack 100 is optimally blocked by most of the tube rack bearing position. The third input flow unit 213 is arranged near the output port of the sample tube rack input flow unit 21. In order to achieve precise positioning of the sample tube rack 100, the sample tube rack input flow unit 21 is also provided with multiple input flow position sensors 2001. Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sample tube rack output circulation section 24 of the present invention; the sample tube rack output circulation unit here includes two units, a first sample tube rack output circulation unit 241 and a second sample tube rack output circulation unit 242. In this device, the number of sample tube rack input circulation units is greater than the number of sample tube rack output circulation units. In this way, as many sample tube racks 100 to be processed as possible can be cached in the sample tube rack input circulation section 21, and the goal of independent and non-continuous output of individual sample tube racks 100 can be achieved, ensuring higher reliability of subsequent operations. Multiple output circulation position sensors are also provided on the sample tube rack output circulation section 24.

[0047] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powered input circulation unit of the present invention; it includes a circulation drive motor, whose output shaft is connected to the circulation drive roller 2133, the circulation drive roller 2133 is connected to the circulation belt 2131, and the circulation belt 2131 is tensioned by a plurality of circulation driven wheels 2132. In this way, the rotation energy of the circulation drive roller 2133 is converted into the rotation of the circulation belt 2131, realizing a powered transmission belt transfer unit, so that the sample tube rack 100 received thereon can be driven to circulate and transfer in a specific direction. Of course, some input circulation units are unpowered circulation units, and the circulation belt 2131 only needs to be tensioned by a number of circulation driven wheels 2132. The sample tube rack output circulation unit has a similar structure to the power-driven sample tube rack input circulation unit. Similarly, the sample tube rack lifting part 22 also includes a similar powered transmission belt structure. In this way, reliable circulation of the sample tube rack 100 can be achieved. The extended buffer part 23 also adopts a similar transmission, making the components of the circulation device more versatile, which can improve the unit operation quality and the reliability of the circulation device while also reducing costs.

[0048] Figure 6-Figure 920. The sample tube rack input and transfer unit 21 further includes a sample tube rack transfer mechanism, which includes a tube rack transfer unit. The tube rack transfer unit includes a tube rack transfer tentacle 202 and a tentacle drive mechanism for driving the tube rack transfer tentacle 202 to contact or move away from the sample tube rack 100. The tentacle drive motor 201 can be driven by the tentacle drive mechanism to make the tube rack transfer tentacle 202 contact and insert into a specific position of the sample tube rack 100. The transfer movement drive mechanism also includes a transfer movement drive motor 204. The transfer movement drive motor 204 can drive the transfer connection block 203 to slide through the transfer movement drive mechanism, thereby driving the connected tube rack transfer unit to move within a preset stroke range. In this embodiment, the first input flow unit 211 and the third input flow unit 213 adjacent to the input port of the sample tube rack input and transfer unit 21 are powered, while the second input flow unit 212 is unpowered. During operation, the sample tube rack 100 is transferred from the input port, and the first input flow unit 211 is driven to operate to achieve smooth and rapid reception of the sample tube rack 100. An input flow position sensor 2001 can be provided near the input port to detect whether the sample tube rack 100 is correctly transferred. When correct transfer is detected, the first input flow unit 211 stops operating, and the sample tube rack transfer mechanism operates and brings the sample tube rack transfer unit close to the transferred sample tube rack 100. When the rack transfer tentacle 202 is in place, it is driven to insert into a specific position of the sample tube rack 100, and the tubular clamping unit 11 of the scanning auxiliary device is driven according to the position. The method described above picks up the sample tube 1001 at the first position of the sample tube rack 100 and performs a barcode scan of the sample tube 1001 at the first position. After the scan is completed, the sample tube 1001 is placed back to the previous storage position. The tube rack transfer unit can drive the sample tube rack 100 to move a preset distance. Then, the other sample tubes 1001 in the sample tube rack 100 perform a barcode scan of the sample tube 1001 at the first position. This process is repeated to complete the barcode scanning of all sample tubes 1001 in the sample tube rack 100. The sample tube rack 100 that has completed the scan can be driven by the tube rack transfer unit to move to the second or third input flow transfer unit downstream and cached. Figure 6-Figure 9The diagram illustrates the entire process of buffering three sample racks 100 in the sample rack input and transfer section 21. This allows the sample rack input and transfer section 21 to efficiently and quickly acquire information about more sample racks 100 within a longer timeframe, allowing subsequent operations to rapidly and continuously retrieve sample racks 100 to be processed from the sample rack input and transfer section 21. During processing, since the second input and transfer unit 212 is an unpowered section, while the third input and transfer unit 213 is a powered section, the third input and transfer unit 213 can immediately deliver the sample rack 100 it carries to the sample rack elevator 22 while subsequent sample racks 100 remain stationary. This ensures discontinuous transfer of sample racks 100, allowing subsequent operations to be blocked by the transfer door 251, ensuring operational independence. The rack transfer unit then cooperates with the sample rack input and transfer unit to achieve transfer, circulation, and scanning and replenishment of sample racks 100. The sample tube rack 100 that has completed operations such as opening and closing the cover and pipetting can be transferred to the sample tube rack output circulation unit 24 to complete the recycling and circulation process.

[0049] Figure 10 and Figure 11 22, and the sample tube rack 100 is moved to the lifting position 2131. The closed lid is then transferred back into the sample tube rack 100, and this process is repeated until the lid opening, closing, and pipetting operations have been completed for all sample tubes 1001 in the sample tube rack 100. The sample tube rack lifting portion 22 includes a lifting drive motor 224, the output of which is connected to a lifting transmission screw 225, which is threadedly connected to a lifting transmission block 226, and the lifting transmission block 226 is also connected to the sample tube rack lifting portion 22. The clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the lifting drive motor 224 can drive the sample tube rack lifting portion 22 to move along the vertically arranged lifting slide rail 223, thereby aligning the sample tube rack lifting portion 22 with one of the sample tube rack input circulation portion 21 or the sample tube rack output circulation portion 24. The use of a screw slider threaded transmission structure here can ensure the reliability of the lifting drive and can also enable the lifting position of the sample tube rack lifting portion 22 to be more accurately controlled.

[0050] Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is a process diagram of the sample tube rack lifting part 22 of the present invention driving the sample tube 1001 down to a position aligned with the sample tube rack output part; after completing the cover opening and closing and pipetting operations of all sample tubes 1001 in the sample tube rack 100, the sample tube rack lifting part 22 drives the loaded sample tube rack 100 to move downward until it is aligned with the sample tube rack output flow transfer part 24. In order to ensure the accuracy of the alignment position, a lifting position sensor can be provided here. After alignment, the sample tube rack lifting part 22 can output the sample tube rack it carries to the sample tube rack output flow transfer part 24. The sample tube rack 100 is transferred to the sample tube rack output transfer unit 24 and recovered. Of course, in special circumstances, if the sample tube rack 100 information is incorrect or the system does not have the corresponding analysis reagent, the sample tube rack lifting unit 22 can directly drive the sample tube rack 100 to descend to achieve rapid recovery of the incorrect sample tube rack 100. When the sample tube rack lifting unit 22 is aligned with the sample tube rack output transfer unit 24, it can also act as a relay to transfer the sample tube rack 100 cached on the output extension buffer unit 232 to the sample tube rack output transfer unit 24. In this way, the extension unit can also achieve closed-loop transfer of the sample tube rack 100.

[0051] Figure 14 and Figure 15This is a schematic diagram of the sample tube scanning state of the sample tube rack information acquisition device of the present invention. The two figures here are the scanning state diagrams obtained from the front and back directions; the sample tube rack input circulation part 21 has an input port to receive the sample tube rack 100, and the tubular clamping unit 11 in the scanning auxiliary device picks up the sample tube 1001 in the sample tube rack 100. The sample tube scanning unit 101 at the first position performs the scanning operation. After the completion, the tube rack transfer unit can drive it to move a preset distance, thereby realizing the precise control of the transfer position of the sample tube rack 100 without using a transmission belt. Driving it to move can avoid problems such as frequent driving and unreliable slipping of the transmission belt, which may cause the problem of being unable to accurately execute the code scanning of the sample tube 1001. The sample tube rack 100 that has completed the code scanning of all sample tubes 1001 can be driven and transferred to other sample tube rack input flow transfer units. The multi-stage arrangement of the sample tube rack input flow transfer unit 21 enables the sample tube rack 100 to be output independently, and there will be no continuous output causing the sample tube rack 100 code scanning error or the flow partition door 251 cannot be accurately closed, causing possible contamination and other flow conflicts. The tube rack 100 can be buffered to the maximum extent in the sample tube rack input circulation unit 21. The sample tube rack scanning unit 102 at the second position can perform a rapid scan during the sample tube rack 100 circulation movement, similar to the scanning scheme during the insertion of the sample tube rack 100 in the prior art. Since the scanning object here is only the barcode of the sample tube rack 100, and the focal length of the sample tube rack scanning unit 102 is basically the same, the entire scanning process can be performed efficiently and reliably. The sample tube rack transfer mechanism here can also perform reverse movement to scan the sample tube rack 100 multiple times, overcoming the problem of To solve the problem of single scanning failure, the subsequent sample tube rack lifting unit 22 can independently and undisturbedly perform the reception and relay of the sample tube rack 100, and then can drive the sample tube rack 100 that has completed the operation to be lowered and output to the alignment position of the sample tube rack output circulation unit 24, thereby realizing the closed-loop input and output of all sample tube racks 100, and setting the sample tube scanning unit 101 and the sample tube rack scanning unit 102 at different positions in the circulation path, so that the reliability of the system code scanning is higher, and the two scanning units can also realize self-correction of the scanning results, and the efficiency and operation reliability of the entire device are higher.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] Thus, the present invention also discloses an automatic processing system, including the aforementioned circulation sample tube rack information acquisition device. The automatic processing system is simple to operate. The operator can place the sample tubes 1001 at will and input multiple sample tube racks 100 in batches at one time. Using the sample tube rack 100 as the circulation unit can make the processing efficiency of the automatic processing system higher, and the sample tubes 1001 and the sample tube rack 100 in the circulation device can be timely associated with each other, ensuring that the system has a stronger information traceability capability.

[0054] Example 3

[0055] The circulating sample tube rack information acquisition device of the present invention also discloses an information acquisition method. Using the aforementioned circulating sample tube rack information acquisition device, a sample tube scanning unit 101 is used at a first position to acquire information related to all sample tubes 1001 in a sample tube rack 100. A sample tube rack scanning unit 102 is used at a second position to acquire information related to the sample tube rack 100. A control unit of the processing module is capable of associating the information related to the sample tubes 1001 with the information related to the sample tube rack 100. This method differs from existing information acquisition methods in that it distinguishes between information related to the sample tubes 1001 and information related to the sample tube rack 100. The two types of information are automatically acquired at different positions in the circulation device, making the processing objects of the two scanning units relatively fixed. The two types of information can then be associated with each other by the processing module. This not only facilitates subsequent information tracking, but also serves as a basis for mutual correction to ensure timely and accurate association between the two. Even if there is a scanning error, the rack transfer unit can promptly perform reverse and repeated scanning, making the possibility of information failure or acquisition error almost zero, thereby ensuring the reliable operation of the device and method.

[0056] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only intended to help understand the method and core concept of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention, and such improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

[0057] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientation or position relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0058] It should also be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A device for acquiring information about circulating sample tube racks, characterized by: The invention comprises a sample tube rack input circulation part (21), a sample tube rack output circulation part (24), and a sample tube rack lifting part (22) capable of being aligned with one of the sample tube rack input circulation part (21) or the sample tube rack output circulation part (24); a sample tube scanning part (101) is provided at a first position of the sample tube rack input circulation part (21), and a sample tube rack scanning part (102) is provided at a second position with a preset distance therefrom; and the sample tube rack scanning part (102) is arranged on the downstream side of the sample tube scanning part (101) according to the sample tube rack circulation direction.

2. The device for acquiring circulating sample tube rack information according to claim 1, characterized in that: A scanning auxiliary device is also provided at the first position of the sample tube rack input circulation section (21); the scanning auxiliary device comprises a tubular clamping unit (11) and a clamping and lifting driving mechanism; the clamping and lifting driving mechanism can drive the tubular clamping unit (11) to perform lifting movements; the tubular clamping unit (11) can take a sample tube (1001) from the sample tube rack (100) on the sample tube rack input circulation section (21), lift the taken sample tube (1001) to a preset distance and cooperate with the sample tube scanning section (101) to perform a barcode scanning operation on all sample tubes (1001) in the sample tube rack (100).

3. The device for acquiring circulating sample tube rack information according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping and lifting drive mechanism comprises a clamping drive motor (111), the output of which is connected to a clamping transmission screw (112); the clamping transmission screw (112) is threadedly connected to a clamping connection block (113); the clamping connection block (113) is directly or indirectly connected to the tubular clamping unit (11), thereby being able to convert the clockwise or counterclockwise rotational motion of the clamping drive motor (111) into driving the tubular clamping unit (11) to slide upward or downward along a clamping slide rail (114).

4. The device for acquiring circulating sample tube rack information according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample tube rack lifting portion (22) is driven to move up and down by a lifting drive motor (224); the output end of the lifting drive motor (224) is connected to a lifting transmission screw (225); the lifting transmission screw (225) is connected to a lifting transmission block (226) through threaded engagement; the lifting transmission block (226) is also connected to the sample tube rack lifting portion (22); the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the lifting drive motor (224) can drive the sample tube rack lifting portion (22) to align with one of the sample tube rack input circulation portion (21) or the sample tube rack output circulation portion (24).

5. The device for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample tube rack input flow transfer section (21) further includes a sample tube rack transfer mechanism; the sample tube rack transfer mechanism includes a tube rack transfer unit; the tube rack transfer unit includes a tube rack transfer tentacle (202) and a tentacle drive mechanism for driving the tube rack transfer tentacle (202) to contact or move away from the sample tube rack (100); and further includes a transfer motion drive motor (204); the transfer motion drive motor (204) can drive the tube rack transfer unit to move within a preset travel range.

6. The device for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sample tube (1001) in the sample tube rack (100) on the sample tube rack input circulation part (21) can perform sample tube barcode scanning at a first position, and the tube rack transfer unit can drive the sample tube rack to move a preset distance, and the other sample tubes (1001) in the sample tube rack (100) perform sample tube barcode scanning at the first position, and the barcode scanning of all sample tubes (1001) in the sample tube rack (100) is repeated in this way.

7. The device for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also includes an extended buffer section (23); the extended buffer section (23) includes an input extended buffer section (231) having a height substantially consistent with that of the sample tube rack input circulation section (21), and an output extended buffer section (232) having a height substantially consistent with that of the sample tube rack output circulation section (24).

8. The device for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample tube rack input circulation part (21) includes a plurality of input circulation units; the sample tube rack output circulation part (24) includes a plurality of output circulation units; the number of the input circulation units is greater than the number of the output circulation units.

9. The device for acquiring information of circulating sample tube racks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample tube rack input circulation part (21) includes a plurality of input circulation units, at least one of which is a non-powered circulation unit.

10. An automatic processing system, characterized in that: It comprises the circulating sample tube rack information acquisition device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images