Blood sample processing system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of medical examination equipment, and discloses a blood sample processing system which comprises a sample feeding and discharging mechanism; the centrifugal mechanism comprises an adapter transferring and caching assembly for adapting and balancing the sample tube and a centrifugal machine; a cover removing mechanism; the sample frame caching mechanism is used for transferring the sample tubes to be detected to the analyzer and transferring the detected sample tubes to the sample loading-out position; a film sealing mechanism; a quality control refrigeration mechanism; a film removing mechanism; and the mechanical arm assembly is used for identifying sample information of the sample tubes and transferring the sample tubes among the sample feeding and discharging mechanism, the centrifugal mechanism, the cover removing mechanism, the sample frame caching mechanism, the quality control refrigeration mechanism, the film sealing mechanism and the film removing mechanism. Closed-loop management of sample pretreatment, detection and recovery after sample film sealing is achieved, the detection efficiency is improved, the infection risk is reduced, the structure is compact, and the cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical testing technology, and more specifically, to a blood sample processing system. Background Technology

[0002] The pretreatment of blood samples mainly includes sample injection, centrifugation, and decapping. The processing methods mainly include manual processing and automated processing. Manual processing involves a large workload, high labor intensity, and poses a risk of infection to personnel. Automated processing requires a variety of equipment, is more expensive, and requires a large area.

[0003] In conclusion, how to provide a convenient, safe, and low-cost method for blood sample pretreatment is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a blood sample processing system that realizes closed-loop management of sample pretreatment, detection and sample sealing and recovery. It has a simple structure, low cost, improves sample processing efficiency and reduces infection risk.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A blood sample processing system, comprising:

[0007] Sample loading and unloading mechanism, used to hold trays for loading samples;

[0008] Centrifugation mechanism, including adapter transfer and buffer components for fitting and balancing sample tubes and centrifuge;

[0009] Cap removal mechanism, used to remove the cap from the sample tube;

[0010] The sample rack buffer mechanism is used to transfer the sample tube to be tested from the sample loading position to the analyzer, and to transfer the tested sample tube to the sample unloading position;

[0011] The sealing mechanism is used to seal the sample tubes after testing.

[0012] The quality control refrigeration unit is used to refrigerate sample tubes;

[0013] The membrane removal mechanism is used to remove the membrane from the sample tubes.

[0014] A robotic arm assembly is used to identify sample information of sample tubes and transfer sample tubes between the sample loading / unloading mechanism, the centrifugation mechanism, the capping mechanism, the sample rack buffer mechanism, the quality control refrigeration mechanism, the sealing mechanism, and the decapping mechanism.

[0015] Preferably, the robotic arm includes:

[0016] The first robotic arm is used to identify sample information of the sample tube and transfer the sample tube between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism and the adapter transfer and buffer assembly, between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism and the cap removal mechanism, between the sample rack buffer mechanism and the sealing mechanism, between the sample rack buffer mechanism and the film removal mechanism, and between the sealing mechanism and the sample inlet / outlet mechanism.

[0017] The second robotic arm is used to transfer sample tubes between the adapter transfer and buffer assembly and the centrifuge, and between the centrifuge and the capping mechanism;

[0018] A third robotic arm is used to transfer sample tubes between the capping mechanism and the sample rack buffer mechanism, and between the quality control refrigeration mechanism and the sample rack buffer mechanism.

[0019] Preferably, the first robotic arm is equipped with a tray recognizer for identifying tray information to determine the sample type and a first visual detection component for visually scanning the sample tubes to obtain sample tube information.

[0020] Preferably, the first visual detection component is located above the rotating gripper of the first robotic arm, and the detection port of the first visual detection component is positioned directly opposite the side wall of the sample tube. When the rotating gripper rotates in the vertical direction, the first visual detection component performs a visual scan of the sample tube.

[0021] Preferably, the adapter transfer and buffer assembly includes an adapter turntable assembly, a rotary power mechanism, and at least two sets of adapters. The adapters are evenly arranged along the circumference of the adapter turntable assembly. When the rotary power mechanism drives the adapter turntable assembly to rotate by a step angle α, one set of adapters moves from the sample inlet area to the sample outlet area, and the other set of adapters enters the sample inlet area from the sample outlet area.

[0022] Where α = 360 / n, and n is the number of adapter groups.

[0023] Preferably, the cap removal mechanism includes:

[0024] A second visual detection component located at the cap removal position is used to identify the serum quality inside the sample tube;

[0025] The cap removal assembly located at the cap removal position is used to remove the cap from the sample tube;

[0026] Aerosol filtration unit is used to filter aerosols from sample tubes and prevent cross-contamination of samples.

[0027] A detection component located at the loading position is used to identify whether the sample tube has been successfully decapped;

[0028] A cap removal drive assembly for transferring a sample tube between a loading position, the cap removal position, and the loading position.

[0029] Preferably, the cap removal transmission assembly includes a cap removal turntable assembly, a centrifuged sample injection position, an uncentrifuged sample injection position, a cap removal position, and a detection position are uniformly arranged along the circumferential direction of the cap removal turntable assembly, and the uncentrifuged sample injection position is provided with a high / low tube detection sensor, which is signal-connected to the cap removal assembly.

[0030] Preferably, the sample rack buffer mechanism includes:

[0031] Sample rack caching component, used to temporarily store sample racks for loading samples;

[0032] Three-dimensional motion trolley, used for transferring sample holders;

[0033] A first pusher assembly located on the loading track is used to transfer the sample holder to the three-dimensional motion trolley;

[0034] A second pusher assembly located on the loading track is used to transfer the sample holder from the three-dimensional motion trolley to the recovery gripping position of the robotic arm assembly.

[0035] Preferably, the loading track is equipped with a sample rack identifier for identifying sample rack information, so as to cooperate with the third robotic arm to perform barcode correction on the sample tubes after the caps have been removed.

[0036] Preferably, it also includes a bulk sample injection mechanism, which is arranged in parallel below the sample inlet / outlet mechanism.

[0037] During operation, the tray containing the samples is placed into the sample inlet / outlet mechanism. The robotic arm component identifies the sample information of the sample tubes, transferring the tubes that do not require centrifugation to the cap removal mechanism for cap removal, and transferring the tubes that require centrifugation to the centrifugation mechanism for centrifugation. The robotic arm component then transfers the centrifuged sample tubes to the cap removal mechanism for cap removal, and finally to the sample rack buffer mechanism. The sample rack buffer mechanism transfers the sample tubes to the analyzer for testing, and after testing, the sample tubes are transferred to the sealing mechanism for sealing. After sealing, the robotic arm component transfers the sample tubes that do not require quality control refrigeration to the tray of the sample inlet / outlet mechanism for subsequent sample retrieval; while for quality control samples, the robotic arm component transfers them to the quality control refrigeration mechanism for refrigeration.

[0038] When online quality inspection is required, the robotic arm assembly transfers the quality control samples to the defilm removal mechanism for defilm removal, and then transfers the defilmed quality control samples to the sample rack buffer mechanism, which then transfers the quality control samples into the analyzer for testing.

[0039] Therefore, the blood sample processing system provided by this utility model realizes the automatic loading and unloading of sample tubes, centrifugation, decapping, quality control refrigeration and desealing, and completes the automatic closed-loop management of sample pretreatment, detection, sample sealing, quality control refrigeration and sample retrieval. The automated process not only reduces the labor intensity of testing personnel, but also avoids the risk of personnel infection. Attached Figure Description

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model 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 embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the blood sample processing system provided by this utility model;

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sample loading platform.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first robotic arm;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the adapter transfer and buffer components of the centrifugal mechanism;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second and third robotic arms.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the cover removal mechanism and the sample rack buffer mechanism;

[0047] Figure 7 A top view of the cap removal mechanism and the sample rack buffer mechanism;

[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the sample rack buffer mechanism;

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing film removal mechanism;

[0050] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the quality control refrigeration unit.

[0051] Figures 1-10 middle:

[0052] 10-Sample loading / unloading mechanism; 101-Tray; 102-Error zone; 20-First robotic arm; 201-Rotating gripper; 202-Barcode reader; 203-First vision inspection component; 30-Centrifugation mechanism; 301-Adapter transfer and buffer component; 3011-Adapter turntable component; 3012-Adapter; 3013-Buffer area; 3014-Balancing tube; 302-Centrifuge; 40-Second robotic arm; 50-Cap removal mechanism; 501-Cap removal turntable component; 502-Second vision inspection component; 503-Cap removal component; 504- Aerosol filtration assembly; 505-Detection assembly; 506-Waste assembly; 507-High and low tube detection sensor; 60-Third robotic arm; 70-Sample rack buffer mechanism; 701-Loading track; 702-First pusher assembly; 703-Sample rack buffer assembly; 704-Three-dimensional motion trolley; 705-Loading track; 706-Second pusher assembly; 80-Removal sealing mechanism; 801-Sealing assembly; 802-Sealing transfer assembly; 803-Removal assembly; 804-Removal transfer assembly; 90-Quality control refrigeration mechanism; 100-Bulk sample injection mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0054] The core of this invention is to provide a blood sample processing system that realizes closed-loop management of sample pretreatment, detection, and sample sealing and recovery. It has a simple structure, low cost, improves sample processing efficiency, and reduces the risk of infection.

[0055] The blood sample processing system provided by this utility model includes:

[0056] The sample loading and unloading mechanism 10 is used to hold the tray 101 for loading samples;

[0057] The centrifugation mechanism 30 includes an adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301 for fitting and balancing sample tubes and a centrifuge 302;

[0058] Cap removal mechanism 50, used to remove the cap from the sample tube;

[0059] The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 is used to transfer the sample tube to be tested from the sample loading position to the analyzer, and to transfer the tested sample tube to the sample unloading position;

[0060] The sealing mechanism is used to seal the sample tubes after testing.

[0061] The quality control refrigeration unit 90 is used to refrigerate the sample tubes;

[0062] The membrane removal mechanism is used to remove the membrane from the sample tubes.

[0063] The sample loading and unloading mechanism 10 is used to load untested samples and unload tested samples. The sample loading and unloading mechanism 10 is provided with several trays 101 for loading samples. The trays 101 can hold both untested samples and tested samples. In order to prevent the robotic arm assembly from loading the tested samples into the centrifugation mechanism 30 or the capping mechanism 50, the sample loading and unloading mechanism 10 is preferably provided with an inlet area for holding untested samples and an outlet area for holding tested samples.

[0064] The robotic arm assembly can identify sample information of the sample tubes, such as the type of sample tube. The types of sample tubes mainly include ordinary sample tubes and emergency sample tubes classified by urgency, ordinary sample tubes and quality control products classified by whether quality control refrigeration is required, and centrifuged sample tubes and non-centrifuged sample tubes classified by processing procedures. Based on this, the sample tubes are transferred to the sample loading position of the corresponding institution.

[0065] For example, sample tubes that need to be centrifuged are transferred to centrifugation unit 30, and sample tubes that do not need to be centrifuged are transferred to capping unit 50; after sealing, ordinary sample tubes are transferred to sample inlet / outlet unit 10 for sample retrieval, and quality control samples are transferred to quality control refrigeration unit 90 for refrigeration; at the same time, emergency sample tubes are given priority to meet the needs of rapid emergency diagnosis.

[0066] Since the sample loading positions of mechanisms such as centrifugation mechanism 30 and capping mechanism 50 are usually at different heights, the robotic arm assembly is mostly set as a three-dimensional motion mechanism so that the robotic arm assembly can freely transfer the sample tube in the horizontal and vertical planes.

[0067] The robotic arm assembly can be configured as a single robotic arm or as two or more robotic arms. Different robotic arms are used to transfer sample tubes between various mechanisms of the blood sample processing system. For example, sample tubes entering and leaving centrifuge 302 are usually transferred by different robotic arms to improve the transport efficiency of the blood sample processing system.

[0068] The sample information in the sample tube can be in the form of graphic information such as QR codes and barcodes, or it can be text or image information; the specific structure and type of the sample information recognition device on the robotic arm assembly are determined based on the form of sample information in actual production and with reference to existing technologies.

[0069] Considering that sample information may be damaged or difficult to identify in actual production, the sample entry and exit mechanism 10 is also equipped with an error area 102, which is used to store unidentifiable sample tubes.

[0070] The centrifugation mechanism 30 is used to centrifuge sample tubes. It mainly includes an adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301 for fitting and balancing the sample tubes, and a centrifuge 302. To reduce the footprint of the blood sample processing system, the adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301, sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10, capping mechanism 50, and sealing mechanism can be located on the upper layer of the rack, while the centrifuge 302 is located on the lower layer of the rack. Figure 1 As shown.

[0071] Please refer to Figure 4 The first robotic arm 20 of the robotic arm assembly transfers the sample tubes to be centrifuged into the adapter 3012 so that smaller sample tubes can be loaded into the larger rotor of the centrifuge 302 through the adapter 3012. When the number of sample tubes is odd, in order to ensure the normal operation of the centrifuge 302, the balancing tube 3014 in the buffer area 3013 is used to balance the sample tubes. After balancing, the second robotic arm 40 of the robotic arm assembly transfers the adapter 3012 containing the sample tubes (and the balancing tube 3014) into the centrifuge 302 for centrifugation. After centrifugation, the second robotic arm 40 transfers the centrifuged sample tubes to the capping mechanism 50.

[0072] The cap removal mechanism 50 is used to remove the cap from the sample tube so that the analyzer can perform subsequent testing on the sample tube. For the specific types and structures of the cap removal mechanism 50, please refer to the existing technology, which will not be elaborated here.

[0073] The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 is used to place the capped sample tubes in the sample rack for buffering, transfer the sample tubes to be tested to the analyzer for testing, and after the test is completed, transfer the sample tubes to the sample loading position, which is also the recovery gripping position of the robotic arm assembly, so that the robotic arm assembly can transfer the tested sample tubes for quality control refrigeration or loading and recovery of the samples.

[0074] To improve the transfer efficiency of the robotic arm components, a third robotic arm 60 can be provided between the cap removal mechanism 50 and the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The specific types of the first robotic arm 20, the second robotic arm 40 and the third robotic arm 60 can be set according to actual production needs, and will not be elaborated here.

[0075] The quality control refrigeration unit 90 is used to refrigerate quality control products. It should be noted that, in order to prevent the quality control products from contaminating the environment of the quality control refrigeration unit 90 and causing cross-contamination between samples, the sample tubes must be sealed before being placed into the quality control refrigeration unit 90.

[0076] The film removal mechanism is used to remove the sealing film from sample tubes for subsequent online quality control. For ease of layout, the sealing and removal mechanisms are usually combined into a single film removal mechanism (80). Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 9 The desealing mechanism 80 includes a sealing assembly 801, a sealing transfer assembly 802, a desealing assembly 803, and a desealing transfer assembly 804. The sealing assembly 801 and the desealing assembly 802 are used to seal and remove the sample tube, respectively. The sealing transfer assembly 802 is used to transfer the sample tube between the sealing transfer position and the sealing position. The desealing transfer assembly 804 is used to transfer the sample tube between the desealing transfer position and the desealing position.

[0077] During operation, the sample tray 101 containing the samples is placed into the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10. The robotic arm component identifies the sample information of the sample tubes, transfers the sample tubes that do not require centrifugation to the cap removal mechanism 50 for cap removal, and transfers the sample tubes that require centrifugation to the centrifugation mechanism 30 for centrifugation. The robotic arm component then transfers the centrifuged sample tubes to the cap removal mechanism 50 for cap removal, and then to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 transfers the sample tubes to the analyzer for testing, and after testing, transfers the sample tubes to the sealing mechanism for sealing. After sealing, the robotic arm component transfers the sample tubes that do not require quality control refrigeration to the tray 101 of the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10 for subsequent sample retrieval. For quality control samples, the robotic arm component transfers them to the quality control refrigeration mechanism 90 for refrigeration.

[0078] When online quality inspection is required, the robotic arm assembly transfers the quality control sample to the defilm removal mechanism for defilm removal, and then transfers the defilmed quality control sample to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 then transfers the quality control sample into the analyzer for testing.

[0079] In this embodiment, the blood sample processing system realizes the automatic loading and unloading of sample tubes, centrifugation, decapping, quality control refrigeration, and desealing. It completes the automatic closed-loop management of sample pretreatment, detection, sample sealing, quality control refrigeration, and sample retrieval. The automated process not only reduces the labor intensity of testing personnel, but also avoids the risk of personnel infection.

[0080] In addition, the blood sample processing system may also be equipped with a bulk sample injection mechanism 100, which is arranged in parallel below the sample inlet and outlet mechanism 10 to enable bulk sample injection and improve the adaptability of the blood sample processing system.

[0081] Based on the above embodiments, in order to improve the transfer efficiency of the robotic arm assembly, the robotic arm assembly includes:

[0082] The first robotic arm 20 is used to identify the sample information of the sample tube and transfer the sample tube between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10 and the adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301, between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10 and the cap removal mechanism 50, between the sample rack buffer mechanism 70 and the sealing mechanism, between the sample rack buffer mechanism 70 and the decapping mechanism, and between the sealing mechanism and the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10.

[0083] The second robotic arm 40 is used to transfer sample tubes between the adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301 and the centrifuge 302, and between the centrifuge 302 and the capping mechanism 50.

[0084] The third robotic arm 60 is used to transfer sample tubes between the capping mechanism 50 and the sample rack buffer mechanism 70, and between the quality control refrigeration mechanism 90 and the sample rack buffer mechanism 70.

[0085] Considering that the first robotic arm 20 is the first to contact and transfer the sample tube, it is preferable to place the sample information identification device of the robotic arm component on the first robotic arm 20;

[0086] Considering the accuracy and precision of sample information recognition, preferably, the first robotic arm 20 can be equipped with a tray recognizer for recognizing tray information to determine the sample type and a first visual detection component 203 for visually scanning the sample tube to obtain sample information. The tray recognizer is usually set as a barcode recognizer 202 to recognize the QR code information of the tray 101, while the first visual detection component 203 is usually set as a camera or video camera with high precision and variable zoom.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 3 Preferably, the first visual detection component 203 is located above the rotating gripper 201 of the first robotic arm 20, and the detection port of the first visual detection component 203 is set facing the side wall of the sample tube. When the rotating gripper 201 rotates in the vertical direction, the first visual detection component 203 performs multi-directional visual scanning of the sample tube.

[0088] For ordinary sample tubes that do not require quality control refrigeration, the tray 101 containing the sample is placed into the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10. The first robotic arm 20 identifies the sample information of the sample tube and transfers the sample tubes that do not require centrifugation to the cap removal mechanism 50 for cap removal, and transfers the sample tubes that require centrifugation to the centrifugation mechanism 30 for centrifugation. The second robotic arm 40 transfers the centrifuged sample tubes to the cap removal mechanism 50 for cap removal. The third robotic arm 60 transfers the capped sample tubes to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 transfers the sample tubes to the analyzer for testing, and after testing, transfers the sample tubes to the sealing mechanism for sealing. Finally, the first robotic arm 20 transfers the sealed sample tubes back into the tray 101 of the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10.

[0089] For quality control products that require refrigeration, the tray 101 containing the quality control products is placed into the sample inlet / outlet mechanism 10. The first robotic arm 20 identifies the sample information of the quality control products. If the quality control products need to be tested when they are first put online, the first robotic arm 20 transfers the sample tubes that do not need to be centrifuged to the cap removal mechanism 50 for cap removal, and transfers the quality control products that need to be centrifuged to the centrifugation mechanism 30 for centrifugation. The second robotic arm 40 transfers the centrifuged quality control products to the cap removal mechanism 50 for cap removal. The third robotic arm 60 transfers the capped quality control products to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 transfers the sample tubes to the analyzer for testing. After the testing is completed, the quality control products are transferred to the sealing mechanism for sealing. After sealing, the first robotic arm 20 transfers the sealed quality control products to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70, and then the third robotic arm 60 transfers them to the quality control refrigeration mechanism 90 for storage.

[0090] If the quality control samples require subsequent testing, the third robotic arm 60 transfers the samples to be tested from the quality control refrigeration mechanism 90 to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The first robotic arm 20 picks up and mixes the samples to be tested, and then transfers them to the film removal mechanism to remove the aluminum foil or other sealing films. After film removal, the first robotic arm 20 transfers the samples to the cap removal mechanism 50, where the detection component 505 checks whether the film removal was successful. Once successful film removal is confirmed, the third robotic arm 60 transfers the samples to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. The sample rack buffer mechanism 70 transfers the sample tubes to the analyzer for testing, and after testing, the samples are transferred to the sealing mechanism for sealing. After sealing, the first robotic arm 20 transfers the sealed samples to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70, and then the third robotic arm 60 transfers them to the quality control refrigeration mechanism 90 for storage.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first robotic arm 20, the second robotic arm 40, and the third robotic arm 60 can simultaneously transfer sample tubes, avoiding the problem of low transfer efficiency caused by a single robotic arm transferring sample tubes, reducing the waiting time for sample tube transfer, improving sample tube transfer efficiency, and thus improving blood sample processing efficiency.

[0092] Based on the above embodiments, the structure of the adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301 is defined. The adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301 includes an adapter turntable assembly 3011, a rotary power mechanism, and at least two sets of adapters 3012. The adapters 3012 are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the adapter turntable assembly 3011. When the rotary power mechanism drives the adapter turntable assembly 3011 to rotate by a step angle α, one set of adapters 3012 moves from the sample inlet area to the sample outlet area, and the other set of adapters 3012 enters the sample inlet area from the sample outlet area.

[0093] Where α = 360 / n, and n is the number of adapter 3012 groups.

[0094] The number of adapter 3012 groups can be determined according to the number of first robotic arms 20 and second robotic arms 40 in actual production, so that the sample throughput of adapter transfer and buffer component 301 matches the transfer efficiency of front and rear robotic arms.

[0095] To reduce equipment costs and overall size, blood sample processing systems typically only have one first robotic arm 20 and one second robotic arm 40. Therefore, the number of adapters 3012 is correspondingly set to two sets, such as... Figure 4 As stated above.

[0096] The rotary power mechanism includes a rotary motor, which can directly drive the rotation of the shaft of the adapter turntable assembly 3011, or it can be driven by... Figure 4 The gear and belt mechanism shown is connected to the rotating shaft of the adapter turntable assembly 3011.

[0097] In this embodiment, the design of the adapter turntable assembly 3011 and at least two sets of adapters 3012 can simultaneously meet the requirements of the first robotic arm 20 loading samples and the second robotic arm 40 unloading samples, which is beneficial to improving the sample throughput of the adapter transfer and buffer assembly 301, thereby improving the overall centrifugation efficiency of the centrifugation mechanism 30.

[0098] Meanwhile, the rotational motion of the adapter turntable assembly 3011, compared to the translational motion of the linear motion assembly, occupies less space, which helps to reduce the volume of the centrifuge mechanism 30 and makes the structure of the blood sample processing system more compact.

[0099] Based on the above embodiments, the structure of the cap removal mechanism 50 is further defined, and the cap removal mechanism 50 includes:

[0100] A second visual detection component 502 located at the cap removal position is used to identify the serum quality inside the sample tube;

[0101] The cap removal assembly 503, located at the cap removal position, is used to remove the cap from the sample tube.

[0102] Aerosol filtration assembly 504 is used for aerosol filtration of sample tubes to avoid cross-contamination of samples;

[0103] The detection component 505 located at the loading position is used to identify whether the sample tube has been successfully capped.

[0104] The cap removal drive assembly is used to transfer sample tubes between the loading position, the cap removal position, and the loading position.

[0105] The cap removal transmission assembly is used to transfer sample tubes between the working positions of the cap removal mechanism 50. It can be set as a linear motion assembly such as a guide rail slider assembly, but it is preferred to be set as a cap removal turntable assembly 501, which occupies a relatively small area and helps to reduce the volume of the cap removal mechanism 50.

[0106] The second visual detection component 502 and the cap removal component 503 are both located at the cap removal position of the cap removal mechanism 50. The second visual detection component 502 can detect the serum quality in the sample tube by means of image comparison and other methods. When the serum quality is qualified, the cap removal component 503 removes the cap from the sample tube to reduce the risk of sample contamination caused by abnormal serum such as deterioration.

[0107] To avoid cross-contamination between samples, an aerosol filter assembly 504 is installed near the cap removal area. The aerosol filter assembly 504 can extract air from the cap removal area by negative pressure and perform aerosol filtration.

[0108] The detection component 505 is located at the detection position to detect whether the sample tube has been successfully decapped. If the sample tube has been successfully decapped, the third robotic arm 60 grabs the sample tube and transfers it to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70. Otherwise, if the sample tube has not been successfully decapped, the decapping transmission component will transfer the sample tube back to the decapping position for decapping.

[0109] In addition, considering the recycling and disposal of waste pipe caps, a waste component 506 is usually provided for holding waste pipe caps. When the desealing mechanism 80 is set close to the cap removal mechanism 50, the waste component 506 can also be used to hold waste sealing film at the same time.

[0110] In this embodiment, the cap removal mechanism 50 realizes automatic serum quality identification, cap removal, and cap removal detection of the sample, ensuring the cap removal quality of the cap removal mechanism 50 and preventing uncapped sample tubes from entering the analyzer.

[0111] During operation, the first robotic arm 20 or the second robotic arm 40 of the robotic arm assembly transfers the sample tube to the loading position of the cap removal mechanism 50. The cap removal transmission assembly drives the sample tube to the cap removal position. When the second visual detection assembly 502 detects that the serum quality in the sample tube is qualified, the cap removal assembly 503 removes the cap from the sample tube. Then, the cap removal transmission assembly drives the sample tube to the unloading position. When the detection assembly 505 detects that the sample tube has no cap, the third robotic arm 60 of the robotic arm assembly transfers the capped sample tube to the sample rack buffer mechanism 70.

[0112] Considering that in actual testing, there are at least two types of sample tubes that do not require centrifugation: long tubes and short tubes, preferably, in order to reduce the volume of the capping mechanism 50 and facilitate the layout of each component, the capping transmission component includes a capping turntable assembly 501. The centrifuged sample inlet position, the uncentrifuged sample inlet position, the capping position, and the detection position are evenly arranged along the circumference of the capping turntable assembly 501. The uncentrifuged sample inlet position is equipped with a high / low tube detection sensor 507, which is signal-connected to the capping assembly 503 so as to adjust the movement trajectory of the actuator of the capping assembly 503.

[0113] Based on the above embodiments, the structure of the sample rack buffer mechanism 70 is further defined, and the sample rack buffer mechanism 70 includes:

[0114] Sample rack cache component 703 is used to temporarily store sample racks for loading samples;

[0115] 704 three-dimensional motion trolley, used for transferring sample holders;

[0116] The first pusher assembly 702, located on the loading track 701, is used to transfer the sample holder to the three-dimensional motion trolley 704;

[0117] The second pusher assembly 706, located on the loading track 705, is used to transfer the sample holder from the three-dimensional motion trolley 704 to the recovery gripping position of the robotic arm assembly.

[0118] The first pusher assembly 702 moves along the loading track 701, and the second pusher assembly 706 moves along the loading track 705. The first pusher assembly 702 and the loading track 701, as well as the second pusher assembly 706 and the loading track 705, can be connected by sliding pairs, gear pairs, etc.

[0119] During operation, the third robotic arm 60 of the robotic arm assembly places the capped sample tube into the sample rack of the loading track 701. The first pusher assembly 702 pushes the sample rack loaded with samples to the sample rack loading position of the three-dimensional motion trolley 704. Then, the three-dimensional motion trolley 704 transfers the sample rack to the sample rack buffer assembly 703 for temporary storage. When the analyzer is not full, the sample rack is transferred into the analyzer for testing.

[0120] After the test is completed, the three-dimensional motion trolley 704 transfers the sample rack loaded with the sample to the sample rack unloading position. The second pusher assembly 706 pushes the sample rack loaded with the sample along the loading track 705 to the recovery gripping position. The first robotic arm 20 of the robotic arm assembly grips the sample tube and transfers it to the sealing mechanism.

[0121] Preferably, the loading track 701 is equipped with a sample rack identifier for identifying sample rack information. The sample identifier is often set as a barcode identifier so as to cooperate with the third robotic arm 60 to perform barcode correction on the sample tubes after the caps are removed, thereby ensuring that the sample information is correctly matched with the test results of the analyzer.

[0122] In this embodiment, the sample rack buffering mechanism 70 realizes automatic buffering and transfer of sample racks, so that the transfer speed of sample racks matches the detection throughput of the analyzer, avoiding a large number of sample racks remaining outside the analyzer.

[0123] It should be noted that the first, second, and third robotic arms 20, 40, and 60, the first vision detection component 203 and the second vision detection component 502, and the first pusher component 702 and the second pusher component 706 mentioned in this application are only used to distinguish different positions and do not contain any limitation on the order.

[0124] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0125] The blood sample processing system provided by this utility model has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to this utility model without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A blood sample processing system, characterized in that, include: Sample loading and unloading mechanism (10) for holding a tray (101) for loading samples. The centrifugation mechanism (30) includes an adapter transfer and buffer assembly (301) for fitting and balancing sample tubes and a centrifuge (302). Cap removal mechanism (50) for removing the cap from the sample tube; The sample rack buffer mechanism (70) is used to transfer the sample tube to be tested from the sample loading position to the analyzer, and to transfer the tested sample tube to the sample unloading position; The sealing mechanism is used to seal the sample tubes after testing. The quality control refrigeration unit (90) is used to refrigerate the sample tubes; The membrane removal mechanism is used to remove the membrane from the sample tubes. A robotic arm assembly is used to identify sample information of sample tubes and transfer sample tubes between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism (10), the centrifugation mechanism (30), the cap removal mechanism (50), the sample rack buffer mechanism (70), the quality control refrigeration mechanism (90), the sealing mechanism, and the decapping mechanism.

2. The blood sample processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm assembly includes: The first robotic arm (20) is used to identify the sample information of the sample tube and transfer the sample tube between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism (10) and the adapter transfer and buffer assembly (301), between the sample inlet / outlet mechanism (10) and the cap removal mechanism (50), between the sample rack buffer mechanism (70) and the sealing mechanism, between the sample rack buffer mechanism (70) and the decapping mechanism, and between the sealing mechanism and the sample inlet / outlet mechanism (10); The second robotic arm (40) is used to transfer sample tubes between the adapter transfer and buffer assembly (301) and the centrifuge (302), and between the centrifuge (302) and the capping mechanism (50); A third robotic arm (60) is used to transfer sample tubes between the capping mechanism (50) and the sample rack buffer mechanism (70), and between the quality control refrigeration mechanism (90) and the sample rack buffer mechanism (70).

3. The blood sample processing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first robotic arm (20) is equipped with a tray recognizer for identifying tray information to determine the sample type and a first visual detection component (203) for visually scanning the sample tubes to obtain sample tube information.

4. The blood sample processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first visual detection component (203) is located above the rotating gripper (201) of the first robotic arm (20), and the detection port of the first visual detection component (203) is set facing the side wall of the sample tube. When the rotating gripper (201) rotates in the vertical direction, the first visual detection component (203) performs visual scanning on the sample tube.

5. The blood sample processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter transfer and buffer assembly (301) includes an adapter turntable assembly (3011), a rotary power mechanism, and at least two sets of adapters (3012). The adapters (3012) are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the adapter turntable assembly (3011). When the rotary power mechanism drives the adapter turntable assembly (3011) to rotate by a step angle α, one set of adapters (3012) moves from the sample inlet area to the sample outlet area, and the other set of adapters (3012) enters the sample inlet area from the sample outlet area. Where α = 360 / n, and n is the number of groups of the adapter (3012).

6. The blood sample processing system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The cap removal mechanism (50) includes: A second visual detection component (502) located at the cap removal position is used to identify the serum quality in the sample tube; The cap removal assembly (503) located at the cap removal position is used to remove the cap from the sample tube; Aerosol filtration assembly (504) is used to filter aerosols in sample tubes and prevent cross-contamination of samples; A detection component (505) located at the loading position is used to identify whether the sample tube has been successfully decapped; A cap removal drive assembly for transferring a sample tube between a loading position, the cap removal position, and the loading position.

7. The blood sample processing system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cap removal transmission assembly includes a cap removal turntable assembly (501), a centrifuged sample injection position, an uncentrifuged sample injection position, a cap removal position, and a detection position are uniformly arranged along the circumferential direction of the cap removal turntable assembly (501), and the uncentrifuged sample injection position is provided with a high / low tube detection sensor (507), which is signal-connected to the cap removal assembly (503).

8. The blood sample processing system according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The sample rack buffer mechanism (70) includes: Sample rack cache component (703) for temporarily storing sample racks used to load samples; Three-dimensional motion trolley (704) for transferring sample holders; A first pusher assembly (702) is provided on the loading track (701) for transferring the sample holder to the three-dimensional motion trolley (704). A second pusher assembly (706) located on the loading track (705) is used to transfer the sample holder from the three-dimensional motion trolley (704) to the recovery gripping position of the robotic arm assembly.

9. The blood sample processing system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The loading track (701) is equipped with a sample rack identifier for identifying sample rack information, so as to cooperate with the third robotic arm (60) to perform barcode correction on the sample tubes after the caps are removed.

10. The blood sample processing system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It also includes a bulk sample inlet mechanism (100), which is arranged in parallel below the sample inlet / outlet mechanism (10).

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