Conveyance system, conveyance method, and program

Abstract

To provide a conveyance system for reducing a burden of conveyance work on an operator when a work place where a blood bag set is stored in a storage member and an installation place of a centrifugal separator that executes centrifugal separation processing for the blood bag set are away from each other.SOLUTION: A conveyance system 10 for conveying a plurality of blood bag sets 12 to a plurality of centrifugal separators 14 includes: a storage unit for storing a plurality of condition determination elements for determining a centrifugal separation condition according to the plurality of blood bag sets 12; a group creation unit for creating a group consisting of a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 on the basis of the plurality of condition determination elements stored in the storage unit; and a conveyance unit 16 for conveying a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that belong to the same group to the same centrifugal separator 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting a plurality of blood bag sets to a plurality of centrifuge devices, and a transport method and program associated with the transport system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a blood bag system (blood bag set), an insert unit (accommodating member), and a centrifugal separation and transfer device (centrifuge device). The accommodation member accommodates the blood bag set and is set in the centrifugal separation device.

[0003] The centrifuge performs a centrifugation process on the blood bag set in the set containing member, thereby producing a plurality of blood products based on the blood in the blood bag set. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-106012 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In some cases, the location where the blood bag set is accommodated in the accommodation member is separated from the location of the centrifugal separator that performs the centrifugal separation process on the blood bag set. In such cases, the worker must transport the accommodation member to the centrifugal separator. This transport work places a burden on the worker.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a transport system that transports a plurality of blood bag sets containing blood before it is centrifuged to a plurality of centrifuge devices, each of which has a predetermined number of mounting parts and performs the centrifugation process on the blood bag sets set on each of the predetermined number of mounting parts, and the transport system includes: a memory unit that stores a plurality of condition determination elements for determining centrifugation conditions for the centrifugation process in correspondence with the plurality of blood bag sets; a group creation unit that creates a group consisting of the predetermined number of blood bag sets that are centrifuged based on the same centrifugation conditions based on the plurality of condition determination elements stored in the memory unit; and a transport unit that transports the predetermined number of blood bag sets belonging to the same group to the same centrifuge device.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a transport method for transporting a plurality of blood bag sets containing blood before being subjected to a centrifugation process to a plurality of centrifuge devices using a computer and a transport unit controlled by the computer, the computer having a memory unit that stores a plurality of condition determination elements for determining centrifugation conditions for the centrifugation process corresponding to the plurality of blood bag sets, each of the plurality of centrifuge devices having a predetermined number of mounting units and performing the centrifugation process on the blood bag sets set on each of the predetermined number of mounting units, the transport method including: a group creation step in which the computer creates a group consisting of the predetermined number of the blood bag sets to be subjected to the centrifugation process based on the same centrifugation conditions based on the plurality of condition determination elements stored in the memory unit; and a first transport step in which the computer controls the transport unit to transport the predetermined number of the blood bag sets belonging to the same group to the same centrifuge device.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the conveying method according to the second aspect. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the burden on workers involved in carrying work is reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transport system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the centrifugal separator. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a control method according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transport system 10 according to an embodiment.

[0013] The transport system 10 is a system for transporting a plurality of blood bag sets 12 to a plurality of centrifuge devices 14. The transport system 10 and the plurality of centrifuge devices 14 are provided in, for example, a blood center.

[0014] The multiple blood bag set 12 includes, for example, multiple blood bags 121 and a preservation solution bag 122. Although not shown in the drawings, the multiple blood bags 121 and the preservation solution bag 122 are connected by multiple tubes. The multiple blood bags 121 are bags for storing multiple blood components obtained by centrifuging blood provided by a donor. Note that one of the multiple blood bags 121 may be used to store blood before the centrifugal separation process is performed. The preservation solution bag 122 stores a preservation solution such as a MAP solution.

[0015] The transport system 10 includes a transport section 16 and a control device 18 .

[0016] The transport unit 16 is a transport device group (transport device) that is controlled by a control device 18 and transports a plurality of blood bag sets 12 to a plurality of centrifuge devices 14. A more detailed description of the control device 18 will be given later. The transport unit 16 includes a plurality of conveyor devices 20 (201-203) and a plurality of robots 22 (221, 222).

[0017] The plurality of conveyor devices 20 are devices for transporting the blood bag set 12 or a predetermined containing member 24 that contains the blood bag set 12. The plurality of conveyor devices 20 each include a first transport conveyor 201, a second transport conveyor 202, and a recovery conveyor 203.

[0018] The first transport conveyor 201 is a conveyor device 20 disposed between the first area AR1 and the second area AR2. The transport direction D1 of the first transport conveyor 201 is a direction from the first area AR1 toward the second area AR2.

[0019] The first area AR1 is a predetermined area in the blood center. In the first area AR1, a plurality of storage members 24 storing blood bag sets 12 before being centrifuged are stocked. The first area AR1 may include a work place where an operator 46 stores the blood bag sets 12 in the storage members 24.

[0020] The second area AR2 is an area in which a plurality of centrifugal separators 14 are installed.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the centrifuge device 14.

[0022] Each of the plurality of centrifuge devices 14 is a device that performs a centrifugation process on the blood bag set 12 contained in the containing member 24, and separates the blood in the blood bag set 12 into a plurality of blood components. The centrifuge device 14 has a predetermined number of mounting parts 26. Each of the predetermined number of mounting parts 26 is a portion on which the containing member 24 containing the blood bag set 12 is set. Each of the predetermined number of mounting parts 26 has, for example, a concave shape capable of containing the containing member 24. The predetermined number of mounting parts 26 are arranged so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction at approximately equal intervals around the central axis (centrifugal central axis) A. For the sake of illustration, the centrifuge device 14 has six mounting parts 26.

[0023] The second transport conveyor 202 is a conveyor device 20 disposed between the second area AR2 and the third area AR3. The transport direction D2 of the second transport conveyor 202 is the direction from the second area AR2 toward the third area AR3. A plurality of second transport conveyors 202 may be installed depending on the number of types of blood components (blood products) required.

[0024] The third area AR3 is a predetermined area in the blood center. The third area AR3 is an area for stocking the plurality of blood bag sets 12 after the centrifugation process. The third area AR3 may include an area for subjecting the plurality of blood bag sets 12 to other processes after the centrifugation process. The other processes after the centrifugation process include, for example, weight measurement, visual inspection of the obtained blood product, labeling, etc.

[0025] The recovery conveyor 203 is a conveyor device 20 disposed between the first area AR1 and the second area AR2. The transport direction D3 of the recovery conveyor 203 is a direction from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1.

[0026] Each of the multiple robots 22 carries a plurality of storage members 24 in which the blood bag sets 12 are stored. Each of the multiple robots 22 includes, for example, an arm that holds the storage member 24. Each of the multiple robots 22 may be of a type that does not move or a type that can move.

[0027] The multiple robots 22 include multiple first robots 221 and a second robot 222. The multiple first robots 221 are arranged in the second area AR2. The second robot 222 is arranged in the first area AR1. A more detailed description of the operation of each robot 22 will be given later.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the control device 18 according to the embodiment.

[0029] The control device 18 is a computer that controls the transport unit 16. The control device 18 may be included in a server device that manages the blood center. The control device 18 includes a storage unit 28 and a calculation unit 30.

[0030] The storage unit 28 includes a storage circuit, which includes one or more memories such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM).

[0031] The storage unit 28 stores a transport control program 32 and a management table 34. The transport control program 32 is a program for causing the control device 18 to execute the transport method according to this embodiment. The management table 34 is a data table that stores various information related to each of the multiple blood bag sets 12. The management table 34 stores various information related to at least the blood bag set 12 before the centrifugation process.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the management table 34. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The first column (first identification information) of the management table 34 stores identification information of the multiple blood bag sets 12. The second column (second identification information) of the management table 34 stores identification information of the containing member 24 that contains each blood bag set 12. The third column (group information) stores information indicating the group to which each blood bag set 12 belongs. The group to which each blood bag set 12 belongs is created by a group creation unit 36 ​​described below.

[0034] The fourth column (location information) of the management table 34 stores information indicating the location of each blood bag set 12. For example, the location information indicates whether each blood bag set 12 has been delivered to a blood center. The location information may indicate in detail the location of the blood bag set 12 (such as a blood donation room in XX city) before it is delivered to the blood center. In this case, detailed location information of the blood bag set 12 before it is delivered to the blood center is appropriately transmitted to the control device 18 from, for example, blood donation rooms in various locations via a network.

[0035] A plurality of condition determination elements corresponding to each bag are stored in the fifth to tenth columns of the management table 34. Each of the plurality of condition determination elements is an element for determining the centrifugation conditions of the centrifugation process performed on each blood bag set 12. The centrifugation conditions include, for example, the magnitude of the centrifugal force applied to the blood bag set 12 during the centrifugation process. The plurality of condition determination elements include, for example, (1) the target preparation, (2) the blood collection date and time, (3) the hematocrit value, (4) the neutral fat concentration in the blood, (5) the need for a removal process, and (6) the weight.

[0036] (1) The target product indicates the type of blood product corresponding to the blood bag set 12. The types of blood products include, for example, red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. (2) The blood collection date and time indicates the date of collection of the blood stored in the blood bag set 12 and the time when the blood was collected. For example, a plurality of categories are determined in advance according to the elapsed time from the time when the blood contained in the blood bag set 12 was collected. Each blood bag set 12 belongs to one of the plurality of categories according to the elapsed time from the time when the blood contained in the blood bag set 12 was collected. The magnitude of the centrifugal force that the centrifuge device 14 applies to the blood bag set 12 differs according to the category to which the blood bag set 12 belongs. That is, the magnitude of the centrifugal force that the centrifuge device 14 applies to the blood bag set 12 differs according to the date and time when the blood was collected. The blood collection date and time may indicate the date of collection and the time zone when the blood was collected. In this case, each blood bag set 12 belongs to one of the plurality of categories according to the elapsed time from the time zone when the blood contained in the blood bag set 12 was collected. (3) Hematocrit value indicates the proportion of red blood cells in the blood stored in the blood bag set 12. (4) Blood triglyceride concentration indicates the proportion of lipids in the blood stored in the blood bag set 12. Blood with a hematocrit value or blood lipid level exceeding a predetermined value is distinguished from other blood as special blood. (5) Necessity of removal process indicates whether or not a process of removing white blood cells from the blood stored in the blood bag set 12 is necessary during or after the centrifugation process. (6) Weight indicates the weight of the blood bag set 12. The weight of the blood bag set 12 includes the weight of the contents of the blood bag set 12 (blood, preservative solution, etc.). The weight of the blood bag set 12 may further include the weight of the containing member 24 that contains the blood bag set 12.

[0037] Among the above (1) to (6), (1) the target preparation and (5) whether or not removal processing is required can be determined in advance according to the configuration of the blood bag set 12. In addition, (2) the blood collection date, (3) the hematocrit value, (4) the blood neutral fat concentration, and (6) the weight can be determined in advance for each blood bag set 12 as blood collection conditions. Therefore, all of the above (1) to (6) can be associated with the identification information of each blood bag set 12 before each blood bag set 12 is brought to the blood center. That is, the fifth to tenth columns of the management table 34 may store a plurality of condition determining elements corresponding to the blood bag set 12 before it is brought to the blood center.

[0038] The data stored in the storage unit 28 is not limited to the transport control program 32 and the management table 34. The storage unit 28 may store various types of data as necessary.

[0039] The arithmetic unit 30 includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes, for example, one or more processors. However, the processing circuit of the arithmetic unit 30 may include an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The processing circuit of the arithmetic unit 30 may also include a discrete device.

[0040] The calculation unit 30 includes a group creation unit 36, a condition determination unit 38, a transport destination determination unit 40, a judgment unit 42, and a transport control unit 44. The group creation unit 36, the condition determination unit 38, the transport destination determination unit 40, the judgment unit 42, and the transport control unit 44 are realized by the processor of the calculation unit 30 executing the transport control program 32. However, at least a part of the group creation unit 36, the condition determination unit 38, the transport destination determination unit 40, the judgment unit 42, and the transport control unit 44 may be realized by the above-mentioned integrated circuit, discrete device, etc.

[0041] The group creation unit 36 ​​creates groups, each consisting of a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that are centrifuged in the same centrifuge device 14, based on the above (1) to (6). Here, the group creation unit 36 ​​preferably creates groups taking into consideration all of the above (1) to (6), but may create groups taking into consideration one to five of the above (1) to (6).

[0042] For example, the group creation unit 36 ​​may separate the multiple blood bag sets 12 into groups of blood bag sets 12 that have the same target preparation and the same blood collection date.

[0043] The group creating unit 36 ​​may also separate the blood bag sets 12 into blood bag sets 12 whose hematocrit values ​​are equal to or greater than a predetermined value and blood bag sets 12 whose hematocrit values ​​are less than the predetermined value. Similarly, the group creating unit 36 ​​may separate the blood bag sets 12 into blood bag sets 12 whose blood neutral fat concentrations are equal to or greater than a predetermined value and blood bag sets 12 whose blood neutral fat concentrations are less than the predetermined value.

[0044] Furthermore, the group creating unit 36 ​​may separate the multiple blood bag sets 12 into blood bag sets 12 that require the white blood cell removal process and blood bag sets 12 that do not require the white blood cell removal process.

[0045] The group creating unit 36 ​​may divide the blood bag sets 12 based on the weight of each blood bag set 12. However, it is not essential that all the blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group have exactly the same weight. It is preferable that the group creating unit 36 ​​includes at least one pair of blood bag sets 12 whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range in the same group.

[0046] According to the group creating unit 36, one or more groups are created, each group consisting of a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that can be subjected to a centrifugation process based on the same centrifugation conditions.

[0047] The number (predetermined number) of blood bag sets 12 belonging to one group is the same as the number of mounting parts 26 of one centrifuge device 14. Therefore, one centrifuge device 14 can centrifuge the predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group in one operation.

[0048] The group creating unit 36 ​​stores in the third column of the management table 34 group information corresponding to the identification information of the blood bag set 12 belonging to each of the created groups.

[0049] The condition determination unit 38 determines the centrifugation conditions for the group based on a plurality of condition determination elements of the blood bag sets 12 belonging to the created group. The centrifugation conditions determined by the condition determination unit 38 are stored in the memory unit 28. For example, the condition determination unit 38 adds the determined centrifugation conditions to the management table 34 in association with the group information of the management table 34.

[0050] The destination determination unit 40 selects a centrifuge device 14 from among the multiple centrifuge devices 14 that will perform centrifugation processing on the created group, and associates it with the group. For example, an operating state is transmitted from each centrifuge device 14 to the control device 18. The operating state indicates whether the centrifuge device 14 is in the middle of performing centrifugation processing on another group, or is empty. The destination determination unit 40 selects one empty centrifuge device 14, and associates it with the group information of the created group. The centrifuge device 14 that the destination determination unit 40 associates with a group becomes the destination of the group.

[0051] The correspondence between the group information and the selected centrifuge device 14 is stored in the storage unit 28. For example, the destination determination unit 40 adds the selected centrifuge device 14 to the management table 34 in association with the group information of the management table 34.

[0052] Here, there may be cases where the centrifugation conditions set for the centrifugation device 14 corresponding to the created group differ from the centrifugation conditions determined by the condition determination unit 38. In consideration of this, the transport destination determination unit 40 may communicate with the centrifugation device 14 corresponding to the device identification information and set the centrifugation conditions determined by the condition determination unit 38 for that centrifugation device 14.

[0053] The determination unit 42 determines whether the created group includes both the blood bag sets 12 before being delivered to the blood center and the blood bag sets 12 that have already been delivered to the blood center. This determination can be made based on the location information of each blood bag set 12 belonging to the group.

[0054] When the created group is composed of only a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that have already been delivered to the blood center, the transport control unit 44 performs a first transport control which will be described next.

[0055] (First transport control) The transport control unit 44 controls the transport unit 16 to transport a predetermined number of storage members 24, each of which contains a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group, from the first area AR1 to the centrifuge device 14 selected as the destination.

[0056] The first transfer control may include the transfer control unit 44 controlling the second robot 222 to place the multiple storage members 24 stocked in the first area AR1 onto the first transfer conveyor 201.

[0057] As a result, the plurality of containing members 24 and the plurality of blood bag sets 12 contained in each of the plurality of containing members 24 are placed on the first transport conveyor 201 and transported to the second area AR2. Since the worker 46 does not need to place the plurality of containing members 24 on the first transport conveyor 201, the burden on the worker 46 is reduced.

[0058] In addition, the first transport control may include the transport control unit 44 controlling at least one of the multiple first robots 221 to transport a predetermined number of storage members 24 belonging to the same group that have been transported to the second area AR2 to the destination centrifuge device 14.

[0059] As a result, a predetermined number of storage members 24, each storing a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group, are transported by the first robot 221 to the destination centrifuge device 14. Since the worker 46 does not need to transport the predetermined number of storage members 24 to the centrifuge device 14, the burden on the worker 46 is reduced.

[0060] It is preferable that the transport control unit 44 controls the multiple first robots 221 to perform the task of setting a predetermined number of storage members 24 in the centrifugal separator 14 at the transport destination.

[0061] By the first robot 221 setting the storage members 24 on each of the predetermined number of mounting units 26, the operator 46 does not need to set the predetermined number of storage members 24 in the centrifugal separator 14. Therefore, the workload of the operator 46 is further reduced.

[0062] Here, when a pair of blood bag sets 12 whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range is included in the group, it is more preferable that the transport control unit 44 controls the first robot 221 so that the pair is set point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis A of the centrifuge device 14 to be transported. The reason is as follows.

[0063] During the centrifugation process, each mounting part 26 rotates around the central axis A. If the weight difference between the two blood bag sets 12 arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis A is relatively large, the weight balance of the centrifuge device 14 deteriorates. As a result, the centrifugation process is adversely affected.

[0064] In this regard, by setting a pair of blood bag sets 12 whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis line A, it is possible to prevent the weight balance of the centrifugal separator 14 from becoming worse. As a result, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the centrifugal separation process.

[0065] The first transport control is described above. On the other hand, when the created group includes both the blood bag set 12 before being carried to the blood center and the blood bag set 12 that has already been carried to the blood center, the transport control unit 44 performs the second transport control described next.

[0066] (Second transport control) The transport control unit 44 suspends transport of the blood bag sets 12 already delivered to the blood center to the centrifuge device 14 until all blood bag sets 12 in the group are collected at the blood center. In addition, the transport control unit 44 controls the transport unit 16 to transport the blood bag sets 12 (containing members 24) whose transport to the centrifuge device 14 has been suspended to a predetermined storage location AR4.

[0067] The predetermined storage location AR4 is provided in the blood center. For example, a refrigerator 48 for refrigerating and storing a plurality of blood bag sets 12 is installed in the predetermined storage location AR4. The blood bag sets 12 transported to the predetermined storage location AR4 are stored in the refrigerator 48. The first area AR1, the second area AR2, or the third area AR3 may include the predetermined storage location AR4.

[0068] The blood bag set 12 is transported from the first area AR1 to the predetermined storage location AR4 by, for example, a self-propelled robot 22. A conveyor device 20 may be installed to transport the blood bag set 12 from the first area AR1 to the predetermined storage location AR4.

[0069] The blood bag set 12 stored in the predetermined storage location AR4 is transported to the corresponding centrifuge device 14 after all blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group as that blood bag set 12 have been carried into the blood center. Here, the transport control unit 44 causes, for example, a self-propelled robot 22 to transport the blood bag set 12 stored in the predetermined storage location AR4.

[0070] The centrifuge device 14 corresponding to the group to which the blood bag sets 12 stored in a given storage location AR4 belong may be used to centrifuge another group until all the blood bag sets 12 of that group are present at the blood center.

[0071] According to the second transport control, it is possible to prevent the centrifuge device 14 corresponding to the same group from being in a waiting state until all blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group are collected at the blood center. The second transport control has been described above.

[0072] In addition to the first transport control and the second transport control, it is more preferable that the transport control unit 44 controls a plurality of first robots 221 to remove a predetermined number of storage members 24 that have completed the centrifugation process from the centrifugal separator 14.

[0073] This eliminates the need for the operator 46 to remove a predetermined number of storage members 24 from the centrifugal separator 14, further reducing the workload of the operator 46.

[0074] The plurality of blood bags 121 after the centrifugal separation process are removed from the storage member 24 and placed on the second transport conveyor 202. As a result, the plurality of blood bags 121 after the centrifugal separation process are transported to the third area AR3. In this case, since the worker 46 does not need to transport the plurality of blood bags 121 to the third area AR3, the workload of the worker 46 is further reduced.

[0075] When multiple blood bags 121 are loaded separately onto multiple second transport conveyors 202, the tubes connecting the multiple blood bags 121 are appropriately cut and sealed. Here, the tubes may be sealed using a tool such as a tube sealer. Also, a working device (robot) that automatically cuts and seals the tubes may be installed in the second area AR2.

[0076] At least one of the multiple robots 22 may be arranged in the third area AR3. In this case, the transport control unit 44 may control the robot 22 arranged in the third area AR3 to perform an operation of unloading from the second transport conveyor 202 the multiple blood bags 121 that have been placed on the second transport conveyor 202 and transported to the third area AR3.

[0077] This eliminates the need for the worker 46 to unload the multiple blood bags 121 from the second transport conveyor 202, further reducing the workload of the worker 46.

[0078] In addition, a portion of the blood bag set 12 that is not required for processing after the centrifugation process may be discarded after the centrifugation process. For example, the preservation solution bag 122 may be discarded without being placed on the second transport conveyor 202. In that case, the tubes connecting the preservation solution bag 122 and the multiple blood bags 121 are appropriately cut and sealed using a tube sealer, a working device, or the like.

[0079] The storage member 24 removed from the centrifuge device 14 is separated from the blood bag set 12 and then placed on the recovery conveyor 203. As a result, the storage member 24 after the centrifugation process is transported to the first area AR1. In this case, since the worker 46 does not need to transport the storage member 24 to the first area AR1, the workload of the worker 46 is further reduced. The multiple storage members 24 transported on the recovery conveyor 203 can be reused in the first area AR1 to store multiple blood bag sets 12 before the centrifugation process.

[0080] Here, when multiple storage members 24 are placed on the recovery conveyor 203 and transported to the first area AR1, the transport control unit 44 may control the second robot 222 to perform the task of removing the multiple storage members 24 from the recovery conveyor 203.

[0081] This eliminates the need for the worker 46 to unload the multiple storage members 24 from the recovery conveyor 203, further reducing the workload of the worker 46.

[0082] According to the above-described transport system 10, the workload of the worker 46 at the blood center is reduced.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the conveying method according to the embodiment.

[0084] The transport system 10 can execute, for example, the transport method of Fig. 5. This transport method includes a group creation step S1, a condition determination step S2, a transport destination determination step S3, a first determination step S4, a second determination step S5, a first transport step S6, and a second transport step S7.

[0085] In the group creation step S1, the group creation unit 36 ​​creates groups each consisting of a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 to be centrifuged in the same centrifuge 14, based on a plurality of condition determination elements stored in the memory unit 28.

[0086] In the condition determination step S2, the condition determination unit 38 determines the centrifugation conditions for the created group based on a plurality of condition determination elements of the blood bag sets 12 belonging to that group.

[0087] In the transfer destination determination step S3, the transfer destination determination unit 40 determines the centrifuge device 14 that is to be the transfer destination of the created group.

[0088] In the first determination step S4, the determination unit 42 determines whether or not both the blood bag set 12 before being brought into the blood center and the blood bag set 12 already brought into the blood center are included in the created group.

[0089] If the group is made up of only the predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 before being carried into the blood center or only the predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 already carried into the blood center (S4: NO), the second judgment step S5 is executed. If the created group includes both the blood bag sets 12 before being carried into the blood center and the blood bag sets 12 already carried into the blood center (S4: YES), the second transport step S7 is executed.

[0090] In the second determination step S5, the determination unit 42 determines whether the group includes the predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 before being brought into the blood center, or the predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 already brought into the blood center.

[0091] If the group is composed of only a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that have already been delivered to the blood center, the first transport step S6 is executed. If the group is composed of only a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that have not yet been delivered to the blood center, the first transport step S6 is executed after waiting until all blood bag sets 12 of the group are delivered to the blood center (S8).

[0092] In the first transport step S6, the transport control unit 44 controls the transport unit 16 to transport a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group to the centrifuge device 14 as the transport destination.

[0093] In the second transport step S7, the transport control unit 44 controls the transport unit 16 to transport the blood bag sets 12 that have already been transported to the blood center, among the group including the blood bag sets 12 before being transported to the blood center, to a predetermined storage location AR4.

[0094] The blood bag set 12 transported to the specified storage location AR4 waits for the group to be carried in (S8), and then the first transport step S6 is executed, so that the blood bag set 12 is transported to the destination centrifuge device 14. That is, the blood bag set 12 transported to the specified storage location AR4 is transported to the destination centrifuge device 14 after other blood bag sets 12 belonging to the same group are carried in to the blood center.

[0095] When a group is waiting to be carried in (S8), the centrifuge device 14 to which the group is transported may be used to perform centrifugation processing on another group. Therefore, even when one group is waiting to be carried in, the transport control unit 44 may execute the first transport step S6 to transport another group.

[0096] According to the above-described transport method, the burden on the worker 46 involved in the transport work is reduced.

[0097] [Variations] Modifications of the above embodiment are described below. However, descriptions that overlap with the above embodiment are omitted as much as possible in the following description. Elements that have already been described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0098] (Variation 1) The multiple conveyor devices 20 may be omitted. In that case, multiple robots 22 may transport a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 (containing members 24) from the first area AR1 to the destination centrifuge device 14, for example. Also, multiple robots 22 may transport the containing members 24 after the centrifugation process from the second area AR2 to the first area AR1. Multiple robots 22 may transport the blood bag sets 12 after the centrifugation process from the second area AR2 to the third area AR3.

[0099] (Variation 2) The condition determining unit 38 may determine the centrifugation conditions for each blood bag set 12 based on a plurality of condition determining elements for each blood bag set 12 before the group creating unit 36 ​​creates the groups.

[0100] In this case, the group creation unit 36 ​​may create groups consisting of a predetermined number of blood bag sets 12 that can be centrifuged in the same centrifuge device 14 based on the centrifugation conditions of each blood bag set 12.

[0101] (Variation 3) The control device 18 may be formed of a plurality of computers that communicate with each other via a network. For example, the group creation unit 36, the condition determination unit 38, the transport destination determination unit 40, the judgment unit 42, and the transport control unit 44 may each be realized by a separate computer. In this case, the plurality of computers communicate with each other via the network.

[0102] At least a part of the storage unit 28 may be realized by an external storage device installed in a location separate from the control device 18. For example, the management table 34 may be stored in the external storage device. In this case, the control device 18 and the external storage device communicate with each other via a network.

[0103] (Variation 4) The number of second robots 222 may be more than one.

[0104] (Variation 5) There may be cases where a plurality of storage members 24 belonging to different groups are mixed on the first transport conveyor 201.

[0105] In consideration of this, the transport control unit 44 may transmit identification information of a predetermined number of storage members 24 corresponding to the group to be transported to the first robot 221 arranged near the centrifugal separator 14 of the transport destination. Also, each storage member 24 may be previously affixed with a barcode indicating the identification information of that storage member 24, or an electronic tag storing the identification information of that storage member 24. In this case, the first robot 221 is appropriately equipped with a reading device such as a barcode reader in order to read the identification information from the barcode or the like affixed to each of the multiple storage members 24 transported by the first transport conveyor 201.

[0106] According to this modified example, the first robot 221 can identify the group corresponding to each storage member 24 by comparing the identification information of the storage member 24 received from the transport control unit 44 with identification information read from a barcode or the like.

[0107] Therefore, even if multiple storage members 24 corresponding to different groups are mixed on the first transport conveyor 201, each of the multiple first robots 221 can accurately transport each storage member 24 to the corresponding centrifuge device 14.

[0108] The transport control unit 44 may compare the identification information of the storage member 24 received from the transport control unit 44 with identification information read from a barcode or the like of the storage member 24 transported to the first transport conveyor 201. In this case, each first robot 221 appropriately transmits the identification information read from a barcode or the like of the storage member 24 transported to the first transport conveyor 201 to the transport control unit 44.

[0109] (Variation 6) If a group contains only a certain number of blood bag sets 12 prior to being delivered to the blood center, the centrifuge 14 corresponding to that group may be used to centrifuge another group.

[0110] (Combination of multiple modifications) The above-described multiple modified examples may be combined as appropriate within a range that does not contradict each other.

[0111] [Inventions Obtained from the Embodiments] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0112] <First invention> The first invention is a transport system (10) that transports a plurality of blood bag sets (12) containing blood before it is centrifuged to a plurality of centrifuge devices (14), each of which has a predetermined number of mounting parts (26) and performs the centrifugation process on the blood bag sets set on each of the predetermined number of mounting parts, and the transport system includes a memory unit (28) that stores a plurality of condition determination elements for determining centrifugation conditions for the centrifugation process in correspondence with the plurality of blood bag sets, a group creation unit (36) that creates, based on the plurality of condition determination elements stored in the memory unit, a group consisting of the predetermined number of blood bag sets that are subjected to the centrifugation process based on the same centrifugation conditions, and a transport unit (16) that transports the predetermined number of blood bag sets belonging to the same group to the same centrifuge device.

[0113] This reduces the burden on workers involved in the transportation work.

[0114] The plurality of centrifuge devices and the transport unit are provided in a blood center, and the plurality of blood bag sets include the blood bag sets after blood collection and before being transported to the blood center, and the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center. The transport system further includes a determination unit (42) that determines whether the created group includes both the blood bag sets before being transported to the blood center and the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center, and a transport control unit (44) that, when the group includes both the blood bag sets before being transported to the blood center and the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center, suspends transport of the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center to the centrifuge devices until all the blood bag sets of the group are collected at the blood center. The transport control unit may control the transport unit to transport the blood bag sets that have been suspended from being transported to the centrifuge devices to a predetermined storage location (AR4). This prevents the centrifuge device from going into a waiting state.

[0115] The plurality of condition determining elements may include a type of blood product corresponding to the blood bag set, and the group creating unit may classify the plurality of blood bag sets into groups of blood bag sets each having the same type of blood product corresponding to the plurality of blood bag sets. Thus, the plurality of blood bag sets belonging to the same group correspond to the same type of blood product.

[0116] The plurality of condition determining elements may further include a blood collection date and time, each of the plurality of blood bag sets may belong to one of a plurality of categories predetermined based on the blood collection date and time, and the group creating unit may classify the plurality of blood bag sets into groups of the blood bag sets having the same category, whereby the plurality of blood bag sets belonging to the same group correspond to the same blood collection date.

[0117] The plurality of condition determining elements may further include at least one of a hematocrit value and a blood triglyceride concentration, and the group creating unit may divide the blood bag sets into those in which the hematocrit value or the blood triglyceride concentration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and those in which the hematocrit value or the blood triglyceride concentration is less than the predetermined value, thereby dividing the blood bag sets storing special blood and the blood bag sets storing non-special blood into different groups.

[0118] The plurality of condition determining elements may further include whether or not a process for removing white blood cells contained in the blood is necessary, and the group creating unit may separate the plurality of blood bag sets into the blood bag sets that require the process for removing white blood cells and the blood bag sets that do not require the process for removing white blood cells. This separates the blood bag sets that require the process for removing white blood cells during or after the centrifugation process from the blood bag sets that do not require the process for removing white blood cells into different groups.

[0119] The transport unit may have a first robot (221) that sets the group on the mounting unit of the centrifuge device to which the group is transported. This eliminates the need for an operator to set blood bag sets on each of a predetermined number of mounting units of the centrifuge device.

[0120] The plurality of condition determining elements may include the weight of the blood bag set, the group creating unit may include pairs of the blood bag sets whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range in the same group, and the first robot may set the groups on the mounting unit so that the pairs are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the centrifugal center axis (A) of the centrifugal separator. This prevents the weight balance of the centrifugal separator from becoming worse.

[0121] The transport section may further include an area (AR1) for stocking the blood bag sets before the centrifugal separation process, a conveyor device (201) installed between the plurality of centrifuge devices, and a second robot (222) arranged in the area for placing the group on the conveyor device, and the first robot may transport the group between the conveyor device and the centrifuge device at the transport destination. This eliminates the need for an operator to transport the blood bag sets to the plurality of centrifuge devices.

[0122] <Second Invention> A second invention is a transport method for transporting a plurality of blood bag sets (12) containing blood before being subjected to a centrifugation process to a plurality of centrifuge devices (14) using a computer and a transport unit (16) controlled by the computer, the computer having a memory unit (28) that stores a plurality of condition determination elements for determining centrifugation conditions for the centrifugation process corresponding to the plurality of blood bag sets, each of the plurality of centrifuge devices having a predetermined number of mounting units (26) and performing the centrifugation process on the blood bag sets set on each of the predetermined number of mounting units, the transport method including a group creation step (S1) in which the computer creates a group consisting of the predetermined number of blood bag sets to be subjected to the centrifugation process based on the same centrifugation conditions based on the plurality of condition determination elements stored in the memory unit, and a first transport step (S6) in which the computer controls the transport unit to transport the predetermined number of blood bag sets belonging to the same group to the same centrifuge device.

[0123] This reduces the burden on workers involved in the transportation work.

[0124] The plurality of centrifuge devices and the transport unit are provided in a blood center, and the plurality of blood bag sets include the blood bag sets after blood collection and before being transported to the blood center, and the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center. The transport method further includes a determination step (S4) in which the computer determines whether the created group includes both the blood bag sets before being transported to the blood center and the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center, and a second transport step (S7) that is executed when the group includes both the blood bag sets before being transported to the blood center and the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center, and the computer controls the transport unit to transport the blood bag sets of the group that have been transported to the blood center to a predetermined storage location (AR4). The first transport step may be executed when the group consists of the predetermined number of the blood bag sets already transported to the blood center. This prevents the centrifuge device from going into a waiting state.

[0125] The plurality of condition determining elements may include types of blood products corresponding to the blood bag sets, and in the group creating step, the plurality of blood bag sets may be divided into blood bag sets each having the same type of blood product corresponding thereto, whereby the plurality of blood bag sets belonging to the same group correspond to the same type of blood product.

[0126] The plurality of condition determining elements may further include a blood collection date and time, each of the plurality of blood bag sets may belong to one of a plurality of categories that are predetermined based on the blood collection date and time, and in the group creating step, the plurality of blood bag sets may be divided into groups of the blood bag sets having the same category, whereby the plurality of blood bag sets belonging to the same group correspond to the same blood collection date.

[0127] The plurality of condition determining elements may further include at least one of a hematocrit value and a blood triglyceride concentration, and in the group creating step, the plurality of blood bag sets may be divided into blood bag sets whose hematocrit value or blood triglyceride concentration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and blood bag sets whose hematocrit value or blood triglyceride concentration is less than the predetermined value, whereby blood bag sets storing special blood and blood bag sets storing non-special blood are divided into different groups.

[0128] The plurality of condition determining elements may further include whether or not a process for removing white blood cells contained in the blood is necessary, and in the group creating step, the plurality of blood bag sets may be divided into the blood bag sets that require the process for removing white blood cells and the blood bag sets that do not require the process for removing white blood cells during or after centrifugation, thereby dividing the blood bag sets that require the process for removing white blood cells during or after centrifugation into different groups from the blood bag sets that do not require the process for removing white blood cells.

[0129] The transport unit may have a first robot (221) that sets the group on the mounting unit of the centrifuge device to which the group is to be transported, and in the first transport step, the computer may control at least the first robot. This eliminates the need for an operator to set blood bag sets on each of a predetermined number of mounting units of the centrifuge device.

[0130] The plurality of condition determining elements may include the weight of the blood bag set, and in the group creating step, the computer may control the first robot so that pairs of blood bag sets whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range are included in the same group, and in the first transport step, the pairs are set on the two mounting parts arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the centrifugal center axis (A) of the centrifugal separator. This prevents the weight balance of the centrifugal separator from becoming worse.

[0131] The transport section further includes an area (AR1) for stocking the blood bag sets before the centrifugal separation process, a conveyor device (201) installed between the centrifuge devices, and a second robot (222) arranged in the area for placing the group on the conveyor device, and in the first transport step, the computer may control the second robot to place the group on the conveyor device and the computer may control the first robot to transport the group between the centrifuge device at the transport destination. This eliminates the need for an operator to transport the blood bag sets to the centrifuge devices.

[0132] <Third Invention> A third invention is a program (32) for causing the computer to execute the conveying method according to the second invention.

[0133] This reduces the burden on workers involved in the transportation work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 10...Transport system 12...Blood bag set 14... Centrifugal separator 16... Conveyor 20 (201-203)...Conveyor device 22 (221, 222)...Robot 26: Mounting section 28: Memory section 32...Transport control program (program) 36...Group creation section 42: Determination unit 44: Transport control unit 46...Worker A...Center axis (centrifugal center axis) AR1: Area (1st area) AR4: Designated storage area

Claims

1. A transport system for transporting a plurality of blood bag sets containing blood before being subjected to a centrifugation process to a plurality of centrifuge devices, comprising: Each of the plurality of centrifuge devices has a predetermined number of mounting parts, and performs the centrifugation process on the blood bag sets set on each of the predetermined number of mounting parts; The transport system includes: A storage unit that stores a plurality of condition determination elements for determining a centrifugation condition of the centrifugation process in accordance with the plurality of blood bag sets; a group creation unit that creates a group consisting of the predetermined number of blood bag sets that are subjected to the centrifugation process based on the same centrifugation conditions based on a plurality of the condition determination elements stored in the storage unit; a transport unit that transports the predetermined number of blood bag sets belonging to the same group to the same centrifuge device; A transport system comprising:

2. 2. The transport system according to claim 1, The plurality of centrifuge devices and the transport unit are provided in a blood center, The plurality of blood bag sets include the blood bag set after blood collection and before being carried to the blood center, and the blood bag set that has been carried to the blood center, The transport system includes: a determination unit for determining whether the created group includes both the blood bag sets before being delivered to the blood center and the blood bag sets that have already been delivered to the blood center; a transport control unit that, when the group includes both the blood bag set before being transported to the blood center and the blood bag set already transported to the blood center, suspends transport of the blood bag set already transported to the blood center to the centrifuge device until all the blood bag sets of the group are gathered at the blood center; Further equipped with The transport control unit controls the transport unit to transport the blood bag set that has been reserved for transport to the centrifuge device to a predetermined storage location.

3. 3. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of condition determining elements include a type of blood product corresponding to the blood bag set, The group creation unit separates the multiple blood bag sets into blood bag sets each containing the same type of corresponding blood product.

4. 4. The transport system according to claim 3, The plurality of condition determining elements further includes a blood collection date and time of the blood, Each of the plurality of blood bag sets belongs to one of a plurality of categories that are predetermined based on the blood collection date and time, The group creation unit separates the plurality of blood bag sets into groups of blood bag sets each having the same classification.

5. 5. The transport system according to claim 3 or 4, The plurality of condition determining elements further include at least one of a hematocrit value and a neutral fat concentration in blood; The group creation unit separates the blood bag sets into those in which the hematocrit value or the neutral fat concentration in the blood is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and those in which the hematocrit value or the neutral fat concentration in the blood is less than the predetermined value.

6. The conveying system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The plurality of condition determining elements further include whether or not a process for removing white blood cells contained in the blood is necessary; The group creation unit separates the plurality of blood bag sets into the blood bag sets that require the removal processing and the blood bag sets that do not require the removal processing.

7. The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The transport unit has a first robot that sets the group on the mounting unit of the centrifugal separator as a destination.

8. 8. The transport system according to claim 7, the plurality of condition determining factors includes a weight of the blood bag set; The group creation unit includes the pair of blood bag sets whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range in the same group, A transfer system in which the first robot sets the group on the mounting portion so that the pairs are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a centrifugal central axis of the centrifugal separator.

9. A transport system according to claim 7 or 8, The conveying unit is a conveyor device disposed between an area for storing the blood bag sets before the centrifugal separation process and the centrifugal separation devices; a second robot disposed in the area and configured to place the group onto the conveyor device; and The first robot transports the group between the conveyor device and the destination centrifuge device.

10. A method for transporting a plurality of blood bag sets, each containing blood before being subjected to a centrifugation process, to a plurality of centrifuge devices, using a computer and a transport unit controlled by the computer, comprising: The computer includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of condition determination elements for determining centrifugation conditions for the centrifugation process in accordance with the plurality of blood bag sets, Each of the plurality of centrifuge devices has a predetermined number of mounting parts, and performs the centrifugation process on the blood bag sets set on each of the predetermined number of mounting parts; The conveying method includes: a group creation step in which the computer creates a group consisting of the predetermined number of blood bag sets to be centrifuged based on the centrifugation conditions based on a plurality of the condition determination elements stored in the storage unit; a first transport step in which the computer controls the transport unit to transport the predetermined number of blood bag sets belonging to the same group to the same centrifuge device; A transportation method comprising:

11. The conveying method according to claim 10, The plurality of centrifuge devices and the transport unit are provided in a blood center, The plurality of blood bag sets include the blood bag set after blood collection and before being carried to the blood center, and the blood bag set that has been carried to the blood center, The conveying method includes: A determination step in which the computer determines whether the created group includes both the blood bag set before being delivered to the blood center and the blood bag set that has already been delivered to the blood center; a second transport step, which is executed when the group includes both the blood bag set before being delivered to the blood center and the blood bag set already delivered to the blood center, in which the computer controls the transport unit to transport the blood bag set of the group that has already been delivered to the blood center to a predetermined storage location; Further comprising: The transport method, wherein the first transport step is executed when the group consists of the predetermined number of blood bag sets that have already been transported to the blood center.

12. The conveying method according to claim 10 or 11, The plurality of condition determining elements include a type of blood product corresponding to the blood bag set, A transportation method, wherein in the group creation step, the plurality of blood bag sets are divided into blood bag sets each containing the same type of corresponding blood product.

13. The conveying method according to claim 12, The plurality of condition determining elements further includes a blood collection date and time of the blood, Each of the plurality of blood bag sets belongs to one of a plurality of categories that are predetermined based on the blood collection date and time, In the group creating step, the plurality of blood bag sets are divided into groups of blood bag sets each having the same classification.

14. The conveying method according to claim 12 or 13, The plurality of condition determining elements further include at least one of a hematocrit value and a neutral fat concentration in blood; In the group creation step, the blood bag sets are divided into those having the hematocrit value or the blood triglyceride concentration equal to or higher than a predetermined value and those having the hematocrit value or the blood triglyceride concentration lower than the predetermined value.

15. The conveying method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, The plurality of condition determining elements further include whether or not a process for removing white blood cells contained in the blood is necessary; In the group creating step, the plurality of blood bag sets are divided into the blood bag sets that require the removal treatment and the blood bag sets that do not require the removal treatment.

16. The conveying method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, the transport unit has a first robot that sets the group on the mounting unit of the centrifugal separator as a transport destination, A transfer method, wherein in the first transfer step, the computer controls at least the first robot.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: the plurality of condition determining factors includes a weight of the blood bag set; In the group creation step, the pair of blood bag sets whose weight difference falls within a predetermined range are included in the same group, A transfer method, wherein in the first transfer step, the computer controls the first robot so that the pair is set on two mounting sections arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a centrifugal central axis of the centrifugal separator.

18. 18. The method of claim 16 or 17, further comprising the steps of: The conveying unit is a conveyor device disposed between an area for storing the blood bag sets before the centrifugal separation process and the centrifugal separation devices; a second robot disposed in the area and configured to place the group onto the conveyor device; and In the first transport step, the computer controls the second robot to place the group on the conveyor device, and the computer controls the first robot to transport the group between the conveyor device and the centrifuge device that is the destination.

19. A program causing the computer to execute the conveying method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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