Culture bottle loading and unloading management device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a culture bottle loading and unloading management device, including Y to sample feed conveying mechanism, X to sample feed conveying mechanism, load out mechanism, weighing assembly, code scanning subassembly and swing arm mechanism, Y to sample feed conveying mechanism has Y to conveyer belt, X to sample feed conveying mechanism has X to conveyer belt, and weighing assembly, code scanning subassembly and swing arm mechanism set up at one side of X to conveyer belt, and swing arm mechanism makes culture bottle move between X to sample feed conveying mechanism, weighing assembly, load out mechanism includes poking assembly, Y to load out subassembly and guide piece, and the positive or anonymous culture bottle of poking assembly poking is along guide piece and enters Y to load out conveyer belt. The utility model discloses utilize poking assembly to send the positive culture bottle after detection to Y to load out conveyer belt, and the guide piece provides the direction for culture bottle in this process, makes culture bottle enter Y to load out conveyer belt successfully, avoids the overflow of microorganism, reduces biological harm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to blood culture equipment, and more particularly to a culture flask loading and unloading management device. Background Technology

[0002] Blood culture is an important clinical testing method. It involves inoculating a blood sample into one or more culture flasks (or tubes) and culturing it for a certain period before testing. This method is of significant clinical importance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of infectious diseases. Currently, with the rapid development of the medical field and computer information technology, blood culture methods have evolved from manual to automated, information-controlled testing, leading to the development of automated blood culture instruments.

[0003] The culture flask management device is an important component of a fully automated blood bacterial culture instrument, responsible for collecting information from both the loaded and unloaded culture flasks. Existing management devices have the following drawbacks in actual operation: First, the culture flask unloading method uses a lever and a tilting slide, making the flasks prone to collisions and even breakage during retrieval, and also generating significant noise. Furthermore, the retrieved culture flasks are positive culture flasks, indicating bacterial exposure and posing a significant biohazard. Second, existing management devices suffer from low culture flask reading and recognition rates during information loading, resulting in a limited field of view for the acquired images and affecting image stitching quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes a culture flask loading and unloading management device, which can not only realize the safe recycling of positive culture flasks, avoid leakage, and reduce biological hazards, but also improve the culture flask recognition rate and recognition field of view, and ensure complete image stitching.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] The culture flask loading and unloading management device of this utility model includes a Y-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism, an X-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism, an unloading mechanism, a weighing component for weighing culture flasks, a barcode scanning component for scanning and photographing the culture flasks, and a swing arm mechanism. The Y-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism has a Y-axis conveyor belt, and the X-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism has an X-axis conveyor belt connected to the output end of the Y-axis conveyor belt. The weighing component, barcode scanning component, and swing arm mechanism are disposed on one side of the X-axis conveyor belt. The swing arm mechanism moves the culture flasks between the X-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism and the weighing component. The unloading mechanism includes a toggle component disposed at the output end of the X-axis conveyor belt, a Y-axis unloading component connected to the output end of the X-axis conveyor belt, and a guide member for guiding the culture flasks. The toggle component has a toggle motor and a lever driven by the toggle motor. The Y-axis unloading component has a Y-axis unloading conveyor belt. The lever toggle positive or anonymous culture flasks along the guide member into the Y-axis unloading conveyor belt. The beneficial effects are: This utility model uses a toggle component to move the tested positive culture bottles onto the Y-direction outgoing conveyor belt. During this process, the guide component provides guidance for the culture bottles (including positive and anonymous culture bottles), so that the culture bottles can smoothly enter the Y-direction outgoing conveyor belt, avoiding the spillage of microorganisms from the culture bottles, improving safety, and reducing biological hazards.

[0007] Preferably, the loading mechanism further includes a limiting member located on one side of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt, and a guide member disposed on the other side of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt and arranged parallel to the limiting member. The end of the guide member has a guide bevel extending above the Y-direction loading conveyor belt.

[0008] Preferably, the scanning component includes a mounting bracket and a scanner fixed to the mounting bracket.

[0009] Preferably, the mounting bracket is disposed on one side of the Y-direction loading assembly, and a sensor for detecting positive culture bottles is disposed on the mounting bracket at the position corresponding to the output end of the Y-direction loading assembly. The sensor is used to detect whether there is a positive culture bottle output from the output end of the Y-direction loading assembly.

[0010] More preferably, the scanning component and the scanning and imaging position of the X-axis sample conveyor are positioned directly opposite each other, with a depth of field of 136±5mm and a height difference of 70±5mm between the scanning component and the X-axis sample conveyor belt. The beneficial effects are: by reasonably adjusting the position of the scanning component, this invention provides a wider and more comprehensive scanning and imaging field of view, which is beneficial for obtaining the culture bottle ID information and ensuring the integrity of image stitching, making it more convenient for users to trace their sample information.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0012] This invention utilizes a toggle assembly to move the tested positive culture bottles onto the Y-axis conveyor belt. During this process, a guide provides guidance for the culture bottles (including positive and anonymous culture bottles), allowing them to smoothly enter the Y-axis conveyor belt, preventing the spillage of microorganisms from the culture bottles, improving safety, and reducing biohazards. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the workflow of this utility model (sample injection into a culture flask). Detailed Implementation

[0015] The embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are implemented based on the technical solution of this utility model and provide detailed implementation methods and specific operation processes. However, the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0016] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0017] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0018] like Figure 1-2 As shown, this utility model proposes a culture flask loading and unloading management device, including a Y-axis sample feeding and conveying mechanism 1, an X-axis sample feeding and conveying mechanism 2, an unloading mechanism, a weighing component 4 for weighing culture flasks, a barcode scanning component 5 for scanning and photographing culture flasks, and a swing arm mechanism 6, which causes the culture flasks on the X-axis sample feeding and conveying mechanism 2 to move between the X-axis conveyor belt 2.1 and the weighing component 4.

[0019] The Y-axis sample feeding and conveying mechanism 1 includes a Y-axis power source 1.2 (in this embodiment, a motor-driven belt conveyor is used, i.e., a belt drive mechanism; if the installation space allows, only a motor can be used, and the motor and the pulley of the Y-axis conveyor belt 1.1 can be directly connected) and a Y-axis conveyor belt 1.1 driven by the Y-axis power source 1.2. The X-axis sample feeding and conveying mechanism 2 includes an X-axis power source (which can be a motor or a belt drive mechanism) and an X-axis conveyor belt 2.1 driven by the X-axis power source. The input end of the X-axis conveyor belt 2.1 is connected to the output end of the Y-axis conveyor belt 1.1. During operation, the Y-axis sample feeding and conveying mechanism 1 can feed the sample onto the Y-axis conveyor belt 1.1. The culture bottle (with blood sample added) is fed into the X-axis conveyor belt 2.1. The X-axis conveyor belt 2.1 has a barcode scanning and photo taking position F. The weighing component 4 and the barcode scanning component 5 are installed on one side of the barcode scanning and photo taking position F. The culture bottle can be moved onto the weighing component 4 (which can be a weight sensor) using the swing arm mechanism 6. The weighing component 4 is used to weigh the culture bottle to ensure the amount of blood added. After weighing, the culture bottle is moved back onto the X-axis conveyor belt 2.1 using the swing arm mechanism 6. Then, the barcode scanning component 5 is used to scan and take a photo of the culture bottle and record the information. After the information is recorded, the mechanical gripper of the blood bacterial culture instrument picks it up from the barcode scanning and photo taking position F for subsequent incubation and testing.

[0020] The loading mechanism includes a toggle assembly 3.1 disposed at the output end of the X-direction conveyor belt 2.1, a Y-direction loading assembly 3.2 connected to the output end of the X-direction conveyor belt 2.1, and a guide member 3.3 (i.e., guide plate) for guiding the culture bottles. The toggle assembly 3.1 has a toggle motor 3.1a and a lever 3.1b driven by the toggle motor 3.1a. The toggle motor 3.1a is vertically mounted and can drive the lever 3.1b to rotate horizontally, thereby toggleing the culture bottles (positive culture bottles and anonymous culture bottles) on the X-direction conveyor belt 2.1 onto the Y-direction loading assembly 3.2. During this process, the guide member 3.3 provides guidance for the culture bottles.

[0021] The Y-direction loading assembly 3.2 has a Y-direction loading power source and a Y-direction loading conveyor belt driven by the Y-direction loading power source. A lever 3.1b moves positive or anonymous culture bottles along the guide 3.3 into the Y-direction loading conveyor belt, where they are loaded into a designated positive bottle hopper. This invention utilizes the lever 3.1 and a Y-direction loading conveyor belt of a certain width to achieve stable transport and recovery of positive and anonymous culture bottles, thus avoiding biohazards.

[0022] Combination Figure 1It is known that the loading mechanism also includes a limiting member 3.4, which is located on one side of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt. The guide member 3.3 is located on the other side of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt and is arranged parallel to the limiting member 3.4. The combination of the two can limit the two sides of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt. The end of the guide member 3.3 has a guide bevel 3.3a extending to the top of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt, so that the culture bottle can smoothly enter the Y-direction loading conveyor belt.

[0023] In actual installation, the barcode scanning component 5 includes a mounting bracket 5.1 and a barcode scanner 5.2 fixed on the mounting bracket 5.1. The barcode scanner 5.2 faces the scanning and imaging position F of the X-axis sample conveyor, with a depth of field of 136±5 mm. The height difference between the barcode scanner 5.2 and the X-axis sample conveyor belt is 70±5 mm, which can obtain a wider and more complete scanning and imaging field of the culture bottle, which is conducive to reading the ID barcode information, improving the barcode information recognition rate, and also facilitates the imaging of the culture bottle, which is conducive to the complete stitching of the captured images and facilitates the user's traceability of sample information.

[0024] In actual installation, mounting bracket 5.1 is installed on one side of the Y-direction discharge conveyor belt. A sensor 7 for detecting positive culture bottles is installed on mounting bracket 5.1 at the output end of the Y-direction discharge conveyor belt. This sensor 7 is used to detect whether a positive culture bottle is being output from the output end of the Y-direction discharge conveyor belt. The results are shown in [the table below]. Figure 1 .

[0025] The specific management process of this utility model is as follows:

[0026] The culture bottle containing the blood sample (pre-filled with a certain amount of reagent) is placed on the Y-direction conveyor belt 1.1 (i.e., sample injection). When the control system of the blood bacterial culture instrument detects that there is a culture bottle on the Y-direction conveyor belt 1.1, it sends an action command to the Y-direction sample injection conveyor 1 and the X-direction sample injection conveyor 2. The Y-direction conveyor belt 1.1 and the X-direction conveyor belt 2.1 work simultaneously, so that the culture bottle enters the X-direction conveyor belt 2.1 from the Y-direction conveyor belt 1.1.

[0027] When several culture flasks are placed on the Y-axis conveyor belt 1.1 and there is no blockage or tipping of the flasks on the Y-axis conveyor belt 1.1 and the X-axis conveyor belt 2.1, the culture flasks are weighed, scanned, and photographed. Specifically: when the culture flask passes the scanning and photographing position F, the swing arm mechanism 6 moves it to the weighing component 4 for weighing. The weighing component 4 transmits the weight signal to the control system. The control system determines the amount of blood sample to be added to the culture flask based on the weight signal and the known amount of reagent, thus completing the blood volume information entry for the culture flask.

[0028] After weighing, the swing arm mechanism 6 moves the culture bottle to the barcode scanning and photography position F. The barcode scanner 5.2 scans the barcode and then takes a picture. During this process, multi-angle barcode scanning (the culture bottle has a sample ID barcode and a culture bottle ID barcode, which are scanned separately by the barcode scanner 5.2 to obtain the barcode information) and multi-angle photography can be performed. The barcode scanner 5.2 transmits the information to the control system, realizing the entry of blood sample, culture bottle ID information, and liquid level. In actual photography, to increase the probability of the blood culture bottle liquid level being photographed and to improve the image stitching effect (retaining more information), the number of photos should be at least four, such as taking one photo every 90° rotation of the culture bottle, four photos for one full rotation. After the information is entered, the mechanical gripper of the blood bacterial culture instrument picks up the culture bottle for subsequent incubation, culture, and testing, completing the sample injection of the culture bottle. See details below. Figure 2 ;

[0029] In actual operation, repeating the above steps enables continuous sample injection into the culture bottles. During loading, if a bottle becomes blocked or tipped over, the client for the blood / bacterial culture bottle will issue a blockage or tipping warning, and the instrument will stop sample injection. If there is no culture bottle at the scanning position, it is considered a lost bottle, the client will issue a lost bottle warning, and the sample injection operation will stop. When a bottle tipps over, both the X-axis and Y-axis conveyor belts will move backward and then stop. During scanning, if the culture bottle is an anonymous bottle, it will be directly discharged using the ejection mechanism.

[0030] After testing, the mechanical gripper of the blood culture instrument picks up the positive culture bottle and places it at the barcode scanning and photo taking position F. The control system sends a release command to the swing arm mechanism 6, causing the positive culture bottle to continue moving to the right on the X-axis conveyor belt 2.1. When it reaches the actuating component 3.1, the actuating motor 3.1a operates and moves the positive culture bottle onto the Y-axis loading conveyor belt. The Y-axis loading conveyor belt then outputs the positive culture bottle to the positive sample bin area of ​​the blood culture instrument, completing the loading process. Of course, anonymous culture bottles that are directly discharged during the loading process can be loaded directly into the positive sample bin using the same loading method as positive culture bottles.

[0031] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A culture flask loading and unloading management device, comprising a Y-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism, an X-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism, an unloading mechanism, a weighing component for weighing culture flasks, a barcode scanning component for scanning and photographing the culture flasks, and a swing arm mechanism, wherein the Y-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism has a Y-axis conveyor belt, the X-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism has an X-axis conveyor belt connected to the output end of the Y-axis conveyor belt, the weighing component, the barcode scanning component, and the swing arm mechanism are disposed on one side of the X-axis conveyor belt, and the swing arm mechanism causes the culture flasks to move between the X-axis sample inlet conveyor mechanism and the weighing component; characterized in that: The discharge mechanism includes a toggle assembly disposed at the output end of the X-direction conveyor belt, a Y-direction discharge assembly connected to the output end of the X-direction conveyor belt, and a guide for guiding culture flasks. The toggle assembly has a toggle motor and a lever driven by the toggle motor. The Y-direction discharge assembly has a Y-direction discharge conveyor belt. The lever toggle positive culture flasks or anonymous culture flasks along the guide and into the Y-direction discharge conveyor belt.

2. The culture flask loading and unloading management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading mechanism also includes a limiting member located on one side of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt, and a guide member disposed on the other side of the Y-direction loading conveyor belt and arranged parallel to the limiting member. The end of the guide member has a guide bevel extending above the Y-direction loading conveyor belt.

3. The culture flask loading and unloading management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode scanning assembly includes a mounting bracket and a barcode scanner fixed to the mounting bracket.

4. The culture flask loading and unloading management device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting bracket is located on one side of the Y-direction loading assembly, and a sensor for detecting positive culture bottles is provided on the mounting bracket at the location corresponding to the output end of the Y-direction loading assembly.

5. The culture flask loading and unloading management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scanning component and the scanning and photographing position of the X-axis sample feeding conveyor are set opposite each other, with a depth of field of 136±5mm and a height difference of 70±5mm between the scanning component and the X-axis sample feeding conveyor.

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