A clinical laboratory sample management device facilitating classification recognition

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of laboratory sample management devices of convenient classification identification belong to sample management technical field, including input tape and the sample rack and test tube placed in its top, the input tape is equipped with scanner, and input tape end is equipped with sorting component, and sorting component includes the lifting plate of vertical lifting and the push plate of horizontal movement;The side of input tape end is equipped with at least three layers of output tape arranged in vertical direction layer by layer, for conveying sample to different analysis equipment;The other side of input tape end is equipped with storage component, and storage component includes rotatable cylindrical storage box and the multiple storage compartments of being equipped with in its outer wall;The sorting component is configured to selectively transfer the sample rack to the target output tape or storage compartment.The utility model provides a kind of can automatically identify, intelligent judgment, and accurately sort sample to different analysis flow direction or storage location, and structure is reasonable, and the sample management device of efficient operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sample management technology, and in particular to a sample management device for clinical laboratories that facilitates classification and identification. Background Technology

[0002] In modern medical diagnostic activities, medical laboratories undertake the testing of a massive number of samples, including blood, urine, and body fluids. These samples are the key basis for clinicians to make accurate diagnoses. Before entering the analytical instruments for testing, the samples need to go through a series of preprocessing procedures, including receiving, checking, classifying, centrifuging, removing caps, and sorting.

[0003] Currently, many hospital laboratories still rely heavily on manual operation in the sample preprocessing stage. Staff need to manually check the information of each sample tube and the application form, and according to the different test items, take the tubes out of the original sample rack and then classify and place them into the specific sample racks that will be used on the machine. For samples that have been tested but need to be re-examined or archived, manual classification, numbering and storage are also required.

[0004] With the increasing number of outpatients and inpatients in hospitals, the number of samples that the laboratory needs to process every day can reach thousands or even tens of thousands. Purely manual sorting is slow, consumes a lot of human resources, and is difficult to cope with the sample processing pressure during peak periods, which may lead to sample backlog and prolong the time for issuing test reports. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample management device that can automatically identify, intelligently judge, and accurately sort samples to different analysis flows or storage locations, and has a reasonable structure and efficient operation.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a laboratory sample management device that facilitates classification and identification, comprising an input belt and sample racks and test tubes placed on top of it, wherein the input belt is equipped with a scanner and a sorting assembly is installed at the end of the input belt, the sorting assembly comprising a vertically lifting lifting plate and a horizontally moving push plate.

[0007] At least three layers of output tapes are arranged vertically on one side of the input tape end for transporting samples to different analytical devices;

[0008] A storage assembly is provided on the other side of the input belt end. The storage assembly includes a rotatable cylindrical storage box and multiple storage compartments on its outer wall.

[0009] The sorting assembly is configured to selectively transfer sample racks to target output belts or storage cells.

[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution: the sorting assembly includes a vertical tube and a horizontal tube, the vertical tube is provided with a first lead screw driven by a motor, the first lead screw is threaded with a first slider, and the lifting plate is fixed to the first slider.

[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution: the horizontal tube is fixed to the top of the lifting plate, and a second lead screw driven by a motor is provided inside it. A second slider is threaded onto the second lead screw, and the push plate is fixed to the second slider.

[0012] As a further description of the above technical solution: a placement plate is fixed to the bottom wall of the horizontal tube, and the placement plate is used to bridge the gap between the sorting component and the storage cell.

[0013] As a further description of the above technical solution: the storage component includes a support platform and a rotary motor fixed to its bottom, and the storage box is installed on the top of the support platform and coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary motor.

[0014] As a further description of the above technical solution: the storage cells are evenly distributed along the circumference of the storage box and the opening direction is radially outward, and the size of each storage cell matches the sample rack.

[0015] As a further description of the above technical solution: the moving direction of the pusher plate is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the input belt, and its stroke covers the entrance area of ​​the output belt and the storage component.

[0016] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] Through the coordinated operation of the input belt, scanner, sorting components, multi-layer output belts, and storage components, the entire process from sample reception, information identification, path determination to final sorting is automated. The central control system can determine the next destination of the sample based on the scanning information. It can transport the samples to be tested to different levels of output belts to connect with different analyzers, and automatically store samples that do not need to be tested immediately or need to be archived after testing into designated compartments in the storage box. The highly integrated functions improve the utilization rate of the equipment and the space efficiency of the site. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 This utility model is shown Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 3 A perspective view of the vertical tube of this utility model is shown;

[0021] Figure 4A perspective view of the horizontal tube of this utility model is shown;

[0022] Figure 5 A perspective view of the storage component of this utility model is shown.

[0023] Legend:

[0024] 10. Input belt; 11. Scanner; 12. Sample rack; 13. Test tube; 14. Vertical tube; 15. First lead screw; 16. First slider; 17. Lifting plate; 18. Horizontal tube; 19. Second lead screw; 20. Second slider; 21. Push plate; 22. Output belt; 23. Placement plate; 24. Support platform; 25. Rotary motor; 26. Storage box; 27. Storage compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0025] 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 skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] Please see Figures 1-5 This utility model provides a technical solution: a laboratory sample management device for easy classification and identification, including an input belt 10 as an inlet transport mechanism for samples. A scanner 11 is installed along the input belt 10 for automatic information identification. The input belt 10 carries and transports several sample racks 12, each containing several test tubes 13. To achieve preliminary classification, the operator places samples of the same type, such as blood samples or urine samples, in the same sample rack 12. Each test tube 13 is pre-attached with a barcode or QR code containing patient information, test items, and sample flow information. The scanner 11 obtains instructions by reading this code. The scanner 11 uses an industrial-grade two-dimensional imaging module such as Zebra DS9908HD-SR (or DS5502-LB).

[0027] At the end of the input belt 10, there is a sorting assembly. The sorting assembly includes a vertical tube 14, which serves as a frame for Z-axis movement. A first lead screw 15 driven by a motor is installed inside the vertical tube 14. A first slider 16 is threaded onto the first lead screw 15. The first slider 16 moves vertically up and down as the first lead screw 15 rotates. A lifting plate 17 is horizontally fixed on the first slider 16, serving as a vertical lifting platform for the sample rack 12.

[0028] The sorting assembly also includes a horizontal tube 18, which is fixed to the top of the lifting plate 17 and serves as a frame for Y-axis movement. A second lead screw 19 driven by a motor is installed inside the horizontal tube 18. A second slider 20 is threaded onto the second lead screw 19 and moves horizontally back and forth as the second lead screw 19 rotates. A push plate 21 is fixedly connected to the second slider 20 and serves as an actuator to push the sample rack 12 for horizontal transfer.

[0029] On both sides of the end of the input band 10, there are output bands 22 for subsequent processing and storage components for storage. Several output bands 22 are stacked in the vertical direction, and each layer of output bands 22 corresponds to different analytical devices, such as biochemical analyzers or blood routine analyzers.

[0030] The storage assembly includes a support platform 24 with a rotary motor 25 fixed at its bottom. A cylindrical storage box 26 is provided on the top of the support platform 24. The storage box 26 can rotate under the drive of the rotary motor 25. The outer wall of the storage box 26 is divided into several storage compartments 27 for independently storing sample racks 12.

[0031] To ensure that the sample rack 12 can be smoothly transferred from the end of the input belt 10 to the storage component, a placement plate 23 is fixed to the bottom wall of the horizontal tube 18. The placement plate 23 acts as a transition bridge to compensate for the physical gap between the sorting component operation area and the storage component.

[0032] The workflow of this device is mainly divided into two types: analysis sorting process and storage sorting process. The central control system (not shown) automatically selects and executes the corresponding process based on the information read by the scanner 11. The control system adopts a programmable logic controller.

[0033] In the analysis and sorting process, the sample rack 12 containing test tubes 13 is placed on the input belt 10 and conveyed along the belt. When it passes the scanner 11, the scanner 11 reads the barcode on the test tube 13 and identifies that the sample rack 12 is destined for a specific analyzer, such as the upper output belt 22 corresponding to a biochemical analyzer.

[0034] The control system instructs the pusher plate 21 of the sorting component to move in advance to the side away from the output belt 22, that is, the side closer to the storage component, in preparation for the pushing action; when the target sample rack 12 stops at the end of the input belt 10, the pusher plate 21 moves towards the output belt 22, and smoothly pushes the sample rack 12 onto the lifting plate 17 for temporary placement.

[0035] The motor inside the vertical tube 14 starts, driving the first lead screw 15 to rotate, causing the first slider 16 and the lifting plate 17 to rise as a whole until the top surface of the lifting plate 17 is flush with the conveying plane of the target output belt 22.

[0036] The motor inside the horizontal tube 18 starts, driving the second lead screw 19 to rotate, causing the push plate 21 to move again toward the output belt 22, pushing the sample holder 12 on the lifting plate 17 onto the target output belt 22. Subsequently, the output belt 22 starts, sending the sample holder 12 to the corresponding analytical instrument.

[0037] In the storage and sorting process, the sample rack 12 passes through the scanner 11. The system recognizes that its instruction is to store, for example, non-urgent samples or samples that have been tested and are waiting to be reviewed. The control system instructs the rotary motor 25 of the storage component to start, driving the cylindrical storage box 26 to rotate, so that a designated empty storage cell 27 is aligned with the end of the input belt 10.

[0038] Meanwhile, the pusher plate 21 of the sorting component is pre-moved to the side near the output belt 22 to prepare for reverse pushing. When the target sample rack 12 stops at the end of the input belt 10, the pusher plate 21 starts and moves towards the storage component. The pusher plate 21 pushes the sample rack 12 away from the input belt 10, allowing it to slide onto the top of the placement plate 23, which serves as a transition bridge. As needed, the motor in the vertical tube 14 is activated, causing the horizontal tube 18 and the placement plate 23 to rise and fall together. When the target height is reached, the rising and falling stops, and the pusher plate 21 continues to move, completely pushing the sample rack 12 from the placement plate 23 into the designated storage cell 27, completing the warehousing operation. The control system records the storage cell 27 number where the sample rack 12 is located for subsequent retrieval.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A laboratory sample management device for facilitating triage, comprising an input belt (10) and sample holders (12) and test tubes (13) placed on top thereof, characterized in that: The input belt (10) is equipped with a scanner (11), and a sorting assembly is installed at the end of the input belt (10). The sorting assembly includes a vertically lifting plate (17) and a horizontally moving push plate (21). The input band (10) has at least three layers of output bands (22) stacked vertically on one side for transporting samples to different analytical devices; A storage component is provided on the other side of the end of the input belt (10). The storage component includes a rotatable storage box (26) and multiple storage compartments (27) on its outer wall. The sorting assembly is configured to selectively transfer the sample rack (12) to the target output belt (22) or storage cell (27).

2. The laboratory sample management device of claim 1, wherein: The sorting assembly includes a vertical tube (14) and a horizontal tube (18). The vertical tube (14) is provided with a first lead screw (15) driven by a motor. A first slider (16) is threaded onto the first lead screw (15). The lifting plate (17) is fixed to the first slider (16).

3. The laboratory sample management device of claim 2, wherein: The horizontal tube (18) is fixed to the top of the lifting plate (17), and a second lead screw (19) driven by a motor is provided inside it. A second slider (20) is threaded onto the second lead screw (19), and the push plate (21) is fixed to the second slider (20).

4. The laboratory sample management device of claim 3, wherein: The bottom wall of the horizontal tube (18) is fixed with a placement plate (23), which is used to bridge the gap between the sorting assembly and the storage cell (27).

5. The laboratory sample management device of claim 1, wherein: The storage assembly includes a support platform (24) and a rotary motor (25) fixed to its bottom. The storage box (26) is mounted on the top of the support platform (24) and coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary motor (25).

6. The laboratory sample management device of claim 5, wherein: The storage compartments (27) are evenly distributed around the storage box (26) and the opening direction is radially outward. The size of each storage compartment (27) matches that of the sample rack (12).

7. The laboratory sample management device of claim 1, wherein: The pusher plate (21) moves in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the input belt (10), and its travel covers the inlet area of ​​the output belt (22) and the storage component.

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