Laboratory automation system and method

Abstract

To provide a laboratory automation system having a compact horizontal system extension.SOLUTION: A laboratory automation system includes: a sample container carrier (2) for carrying a laboratory sample container (20); a lifting device (4) for vertically moving the sample container carrier (2); a code reader (5) for reading a readable code (22) of the laboratory sample container (20) while the lifting device (4) moves the sample container carrier (2) between a transport device (3) and an uplift carrier-position (UCP); a gripping device (6) for gripping the laboratory sample container (20) and returning the held laboratory sample container (20) to a top position (TP) relative to the sample container carrier (2) and to the sample container carrier (2); and a sensor apparatus (7) for detecting at least one property of the laboratory sample container (20) and / or of a sample (S).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laboratory automation system for testing laboratory sample containers and / or samples stored within the interior of laboratory sample containers. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for operating such a laboratory automation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, a laboratory automation system for testing laboratory sample containers and / or samples stored inside laboratory sample containers comprises several testing components, said testing components being arranged substantially horizontally relative to one another. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a laboratory automation system for testing laboratory sample containers and / or samples stored within the interior of the laboratory sample containers, and to provide methods for operating such laboratory automation systems, each having improved characteristics. In particular, a laboratory automation system having a particular compact horizontal system extension can be provided.

[0004] This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The laboratory automation system according to the present invention is adapted to test laboratory sample containers and / or samples stored in the interior of the laboratory sample containers. Thus, the laboratory automation system allows for the testing of laboratory sample containers and / or samples stored in the interior of the laboratory sample containers to be performed, particularly automatically. The laboratory automation system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is adapted to carry the laboratory sample container. In particular, the sample container carrier is adapted to receive the laboratory sample container at least partially or only partially, particularly axially. The laboratory sample container may be a sample tube. The sample stored in the interior of the laboratory sample container may be a sample liquid, e.g., a portion of a blood sample, particularly obtained from human blood.

[0006] The laboratory automation system comprises a transport device adapted to transport the sample container carrier horizontally, in particular only when the sample container carrier is placed on the transport device, in which case the sample container carrier can be drivingly coupled to the transport device for horizontal transport.

[0007] The laboratory automation system includes a lifting device adapted to vertically move the sample container carrier relative to the transport device to its uplift carrier position. In other words, the lifting device may be adapted to raise the sample container carrier from the transport device so that the sample container carrier is in its uplift carrier position. Furthermore, the lifting device is adapted to vertically move the sample container carrier back onto the transport device. Thus, when the sample container carrier is in its uplift carrier position, the lifting device may be adapted to move the sample container carrier back onto the transport device, particularly so that the laboratory sample container can then be transported horizontally from the lifting device by the transport device. When the sample container carrier is placed on the transport device, the sample container carrier may be in a low carrier position, particularly relative to gravity. The low carrier position may be the lowest position, relative to gravity, that the sample container carrier can potentially attain in the laboratory automation system. The lifting device may be adapted to move the sample container carrier from the low carrier position to the uplift carrier position and back to the low carrier position.

[0008] The laboratory automation system includes a code reader adapted to read a readable code on a laboratory sample container carried by a sample container carrier. The readable code may be a visually readable code, for example, in the form of a barcode, a QR code, or the like. The code reader is adapted to read the readable code while the lifting device moves the sample container carrier between the transport device and the uplift carrier position. In other words, the code reader can read the readable code on a laboratory sample container carried by the sample container carrier while the sample container carrier is being moved vertically by the lifting device.

[0009] The laboratory automation system includes a gripping device adapted to grip a laboratory sample container carried by a sample container carrier when the sample container carrier is in its uplift carrier position. In particular, a laboratory sample container gripped by the gripping device can only be within the gripping range of the gripping device when the sample container carrier is in the uplift carrier position. The gripping device is adapted to vertically move the gripped laboratory sample container to a position at the top of the laboratory sample container relative to the sample container carrier in the uplift carrier position. In other words, the sample container carrier may remain in the uplift carrier position while the gripped laboratory sample container is being vertically moved by the gripping device. Furthermore, the gripping device is adapted to vertically move the gripped laboratory sample container back to the sample container carrier in the uplift carrier position. Thus, the gripping device may be adapted to first separate the laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier, then secondly move the gripped laboratory sample container vertically upward from the sample container carrier to bring the gripped laboratory sample container to its top position, and then thirdly move the laboratory sample container back to the sample container carrier for recombination with the sample container carrier. After recombination, the sample container carrier may be returned vertically to the transport device by the lifting device.

[0010] The laboratory automation system includes a sensor device adapted to detect at least one characteristic of a laboratory sample container and / or a sample stored within the interior of the laboratory sample container, particularly when the sample container is in its top position. Thus, while the gripped laboratory sample container is positioned in its top position, the sensor device can scan the laboratory sample container and / or the sample to detect the at least one characteristic.

[0011] The lifting device and the gripping device together with the arrangement of the code reading device and the sensor device relative to each other make it possible to carry out tests on laboratory sample containers and / or samples stored in the interior of the laboratory sample containers with particularly little space consumption in horizontal system constructions, thus achieving a particularly compact laboratory automation system in terms of its horizontal system expansion.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gripping device is adapted to rotate a gripped laboratory sample container relative to the sensor device. In particular, the gripping device may be adapted to rotate a gripped laboratory sample container relative to the sensor device while and / or independently of vertically moving the gripped laboratory sample container relative to the sample container carrier in the uplift carrier position. In other words, the gripping device may be adapted to simultaneously both rotate a gripped laboratory sample container while the sample container carrier remains in the uplift carrier position and vertically move the gripped laboratory sample container.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lifting device is adapted to rotate the sample container carrier carrying the laboratory sample container relative to the code reading device. In particular, the lifting device is adapted to rotate the sample container carrier carrying the laboratory sample container while and / or independently of the vertical movement of the sample container carrier relative to the transport device. In other words, the sample container carrier carrying the laboratory sample container may be rotated by the lifting device relative to the code reading device during and / or independently of the vertical movement of the laboratory sample container carrier relative to the transport device. In particular, the lifting device may be adapted to rotatably align the readable code of the laboratory sample container with a predetermined code orientation and / or with another predetermined code orientation relative to the code reading device. In particular, the predetermined code orientation and / or the other predetermined code orientation may be within a window of the sample container carrier. The window of the sample container carrier may be transparent and / or see-through and / or recessed and / or notched, and in particular, if the readable code is readable through the window, the laboratory sample container is in the predetermined code orientation. Another predetermined code orientation may be defined for reading the code at another system station of the laboratory automation system, said other station being arranged downstream with respect to the transport direction of the laboratory automation system.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor device comprises a camera device adapted to sense a sample stored in an interior of a laboratory sample container. In particular, the camera device is adapted to sense the sample in the interior of the laboratory sample container in order to perform a sample quality check. Additionally or alternatively, the camera device may be adapted to sense the color of the cap of the laboratory sample container.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor device comprises a liquid level detection device. The liquid level detection device may be a laser liquid level detection device. The liquid level detection device is adapted to sense at least one level of a liquid sample stored in an interior of a laboratory sample container. The level may correspond to a separating plane, particularly a horizontal plane, between two media forming the sample. The liquid level detection and / or the liquid level detection device may particularly at least partially correspond to the disclosure of WO 2015 / 049298.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the lifting device comprises an engagement part for engaging with a sample vessel carrier that is moved vertically relative to the transport device. The engagement part is drivable vertically relative to the transport device. In particular, the code reading device is attached to the engagement part. The code reading device may therefore be movable together with the engagement part relative to the transport device only in particular. When engaged with the engagement part, the sample vessel carrier may be rotatable relative to the engagement part and / or relative to the code reading device.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor apparatus comprises a laser sensor device, wherein the laser sensor device is adapted to sense at least one geometric property of a laboratory sample container.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the laboratory sample container has a cap for sealing the interior of the laboratory sample container, wherein the geometric characteristic is the shape of the cap and / or, in particular, the axial height of the cap.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the geometric characteristic is the height, in particular the axial height, of the laboratory sample container, wherein the height of the laboratory sample container may include or exclude the cap of the laboratory sample container.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the gripping device is controlled in response to at least one geometric characteristic of the laboratory sample container, wherein the at least one geometric characteristic can be sensed by a sensor device.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the gripping device is adapted to grip the laboratory sample container by its outer diameter. In particular, the outer diameter of the laboratory sample container is present in the cap of the laboratory sample container. In this regard, the gripping device may be adapted to sense and / or measure the outer diameter.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the uplift carrier position is between the transport device and the top position, in particular with respect to gravity.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the invention, the gripping device and said lifting device are arranged vertically in line and in particular their ranges of motion complement each other.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the transport device includes a transport component. The transport component may comprise a conveyor belt. Furthermore, the transport device includes a drive for driving the transport component. The drive may be adapted to drive the transport component horizontally and / or along a transport direction, in particular of a laboratory automation system.

[0025] A method according to the present invention is intended to operate the above-described laboratory automation system according to the present invention. According to step a), a sample container carrier carrying a laboratory sample container is moved vertically to an uplift carrier position. Furthermore, according to step a), while vertically moving the sample container carrier to the uplift carrier position, the sample container carrier is rotated in the direction of a predetermined code of the laboratory sample container, while, in particular simultaneously, at least one characteristic of the laboratory sample container is sensed. According to step b), a laboratory sample container is gripped and the gripped laboratory sample container is moved vertically to its top position. According to step c), the gripped laboratory sample container is rotated and at least one characteristic of the sample stored therein is detected. According to step d), the gripped laboratory sample container is moved vertically back to the sample container carrier in the uplift carrier position. According to a further step d), the gripped laboratory sample container is rotated in the direction of the same or another predetermined code while vertically moving the gripped laboratory sample container back onto the sample container carrier. According to step e), the sample container carrier carrying the laboratory sample container is moved vertically back onto the transport device. Preferably, the aforementioned steps of the method are consequently performed one after the other, i.e., in the order a), b), c), d), e).

[0026] The detection of at least one property of a sample stored in a laboratory sample container may in particular correspond at least in part to the analysis of a sample as described in EP-A-2246689.

[0027] In particular, the laboratory automation system may have a control unit, in which the control unit may be configured and / or programmed to control components of the laboratory automation system according to the method.

[0028] Further advantages and features of the present invention arise from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated by the claims and the drawings, in which the same reference signs refer to equivalent or similar or functionally equivalent components.

[0029] It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those described below can be used not only in the combinations described, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates, in an instantaneous front view snapshot, a laboratory automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention operating according to a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the laboratory automation system of FIG. 1 in another instantaneous front view snapshot. [Figure 3] 3 shows a schematic diagram of the laboratory automation system of FIGS. 1 and 2 in another momentary front view snapshot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The laboratory automation system 1 is adapted for testing a laboratory sample container 20 and / or a sample S stored within an interior 21 of the laboratory sample container 20. The laboratory sample container 20 may comprise a cap 23. The cap 23 may be adapted to seal the interior 21 of the laboratory sample container 20. The laboratory sample container 20 may be substantially tubular.

[0032] The laboratory automation system 1 comprises a plurality of sample vessel carriers 2. The sample vessel carriers 2 are adapted to carry laboratory sample vessels 20, for example in the form of sample tubes.

[0033] The laboratory automation system 1 comprises a transport device 3. The transport device 3 is adapted to transport the sample container carrier 2 horizontally when the sample container carrier 2 is placed on the transport device 3. The sample container carrier 2 placed on the transport device 3 is exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the transport device 3 comprises a transport component 13 and a drive device 15, the drive device being adapted to drive the transport component 13. For example, the transport component 13 may include a conveyor belt 14.

[0034] The laboratory automation system 1 comprises a lifting device 4 adapted to vertically move the sample container carrier 2 in / to an uplift carrier position UCP of the sample container carrier 2 relative to the transport device 3, wherein the lifting device 4 is also adapted to vertically move the sample container carrier 2 back onto the transport device 3.

[0035] When the sample container carrier 2 is arranged on the transport device 3, the sample container carrier 2 may be in a low carrier position LCP, in particular with respect to gravity G. Therein, the lifting device 4 may be adapted to move the sample container carrier 2 from the low carrier position LCP to an uplift carrier position UCP and back to the low carrier position LCP. The vertical range of movement of the lifting device 4 can be exemplarily derived from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2.

[0036] The laboratory automation system 1 includes a code reading device 5 adapted to read a readable code 22 on a laboratory sample container 20 carried by a sample container carrier 2. The code reading device 5 is adapted to read the readable code 22 while the lifting device 4 moves the sample container carrier 2 between the transport device 3 and the uplift carrier position UCP, for example, during the momentary snapshots of FIGS. 1 and 2 . The readable code 22 may be a bar code. The code reading device 5 may be a bar code reader.

[0037] For example, the lifting device 4 is adapted to rotate the sample vessel carrier 2 while the sample vessel carrier 2 carries a laboratory sample vessel 20. Therein, the lifting device 4 is adapted to rotate the sample vessel carrier 2 relative to the code reading device 5. For example, the sample vessel carrier 2 may be rotated by the lifting device 4 during and / or independently of vertically moving the sample vessel carrier 2 relative to the transport device 3.

[0038] The lifting device 4 may be adapted to align, e.g., rotatably, the readable code 22 of the laboratory sample container 20 in a predetermined code orientation relative to the code reading device 5. Additionally or alternatively, the lifting device 4 may be adapted to align, e.g., rotatably, the readable code 22 of the laboratory sample container 20 in another predetermined code orientation, e.g., with respect to future code reading. For example, the alignment of the readable code 22 may be performed with reference to a window in the sample container carrier 2, through which the readable code 22 can be read.

[0039] For example, the lifting device 4 comprises an engagement part 11. The engagement part 11 may be adapted to engage with the sample vessel carrier 2 for vertical movement relative to the transport device 3. The engagement part 11 is drivable vertically relative to the transport device 3. For example, the code reading device 5 is attached to the engagement part 11. When engaged, the sample vessel carrier 2 may be able to rotate relative to the engagement part 11 and / or the code reading device 5 about a vertical spatial axis.

[0040] Furthermore, the laboratory automation system 1 comprises a gripping device 6, wherein the gripping device 6 is adapted to grip a laboratory sample container 20 carried by the sample container carrier 2 when the sample container carrier 2 is in its uplift carrier position UCP. In the instantaneous snapshot of Figure 2, the sample container carrier 2 is in its uplift carrier position and the laboratory sample container 20 is currently being gripped.

[0041] The gripping device 6 is further adapted to vertically move the gripped laboratory sample container 20 relative to the sample container carrier 2 to a top position TP of the laboratory sample container 20, while the sample container carrier 2 is in an uplift carrier position UCP. Therein, the gripping device 6 is also adapted to vertically move the gripped laboratory sample container 20 back to the sample container carrier 2 in the uplift carrier position UCP. The vertical range of movement of the gripping device 6 can be exemplarily seen from Figures 2 and 3. For example, the uplift carrier position UCP is between the transport device 3 and the top position TP, particularly with respect to gravity G.

[0042] The gripping device 6 and the lifting device 4 are, for example, arranged vertically side by side. This allows the gripping device 6 and the lifting device 4 to be arranged so that their operating ranges complement each other. In particular, the gripping device 6 and the lifting device 4 can be arranged so that their vertical operating ranges complement each other.

[0043] The gripping device 6 is adapted to grip the laboratory sample container 20, for example, by its outer diameter OD. The outer diameter OD may be present on the cap 23 of the laboratory sample container 20, in which the gripping device 6 may be adapted to sense the outer diameter OD while gripping. The outer diameter OD may correspond to an adjustable opening defined by at least two gripping fingers of the gripping device 6.

[0044] The laboratory automation system 1 further comprises a sensor device 7. The sensor device 7 is adapted to detect at least one characteristic of the laboratory sample container 20. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor device 7 may be adapted to detect at least one characteristic of a sample S stored in the interior 21 of the laboratory sample container 20. Either way, the sensor device 7 may be adapted, by way of example only, to detect the at least one characteristic when the laboratory sample container 20 is in its top position TP.

[0045] For example, the gripping device 6 is adapted to rotate the gripped laboratory sample container 20 relative to the sensor device 7. For example, the gripping device 6 may be adapted to rotate the gripped laboratory sample container 20 while moving the gripped laboratory sample container 20 vertically relative to and / or independently of the sample container carrier 2. While the gripped laboratory sample container 20 is being handled by the gripping device 6, the sample container carrier 2 preferably remains in its uplift carrier position UCP.

[0046] For example, the sensor device 7 comprises a camera device 8, wherein the camera device 8 is adapted to scan and / or sense a sample S stored in an interior 21 of a laboratory sample container 20. The camera device 8 may be adapted to sense the sample S for sample quality checks. Additionally or alternatively, the camera device 8 may be adapted to sense the color of a cap 23 of the laboratory sample container 20.

[0047] For example, the sensor device 7 comprises a liquid level detection device 9. The liquid level detection device 9 may be adapted to sense at least one level of a liquid sample S stored in the interior 21 of a laboratory sample container 20. The liquid level detection device 9 may be configured in the form of a laser liquid detection device 10.

[0048] For example, the sensor instrument 7 comprises a laser sensor device 12. Therein, the laser sensor device 12 is adapted to sense at least one geometric characteristic of the laboratory sample container 20. The geometric characteristic may be the shape of the cap 23 of the laboratory sample container 20. Additionally or alternatively, the geometric characteristic may be the height H1 of the cap 23. Additionally or alternatively, the geometric characteristic may be the height H2 of the laboratory sample container 20, for example, with or without the cap 23.

[0049] For example, the gripping device 6 is controlled in response to at least one geometric property of the laboratory sample container 20, wherein the at least one geometric property can be sensed by the sensor device 7.

[0050] As indicated above, Figures 1 to 3 may be understood as momentary snapshots of the laboratory automation system 1 while a method for operating the laboratory automation system 1 to automatically test, in particular, a laboratory sample container 20 and / or a sample S, is being performed.

[0051] The laboratory automation system 1 may have a control unit CPU, which may be configured and / or programmed to control the components of the laboratory automation system 1 according to the present methods.

[0052] When operating according to the method, the laboratory automation system 1 may change its state from that of Figure 1 to that of Figure 2 to that of Figure 3 to that of Figure 2 to that of Figure 1. The state changes may correspond to steps of the method as described below, in which the numbering of the steps may correspond to their chronological order.

[0053] According to a first step of the method, a sample container carrier 2 carrying a laboratory sample container 20 is moved vertically to an uplift carrier position UCP, wherein, during vertical movement of the sample container carrier 2 to the uplift carrier position UCP, the sample container carrier 2 is rotated in the direction of a predetermined code of the laboratory sample container 20 while at least one characteristic of the laboratory sample container 20 is sensed.

[0054] According to a second step of the method, the laboratory sample container 20 is grasped and moved vertically to its top position TP. Then, according to a third step of the method, the grasped laboratory sample container 20 is rotated and at least one characteristic of the sample S stored in the interior 21 of the laboratory sample container 20 is detected.

[0055] According to a fourth step of the method, the gripped laboratory sample container 20 is moved vertically back to the sample container carrier 2, which is still in the uplift carrier position UCP. Therein, while moving the gripped laboratory sample container 20 back to the sample container carrier 2, the gripped laboratory sample container 20 is rotated in particular in the direction of the same or another predetermined code relative to the sample container carrier 2. In this way, it can be ensured that the readable code 22 is in a known position relative to the sample container carrier 2. This can be beneficial for further processing of the sample S and / or laboratory sample container 20, in particular if the laboratory sample container 20 and / or the sample S needs to be re-identified.

[0056] This also allows the laboratory sample container 20 to be placed in the lowest possible position on the sample container carrier 2. Since the type of laboratory sample container 20 is known and the height of the laboratory sample container 20 relative to the sample container carrier 2 is measured, the laboratory sample container 20 can be placed in an optimal position on the sample container carrier 2. With reference to the example of the drawings, this may mean that the type of tube is known and the height of the tube relative to the sample container carrier 2 is measured, so the container 20 can be placed in an optimal position on the carrier 2. This may allow more reliable and safe handling of the container 20 in the following steps in the laboratory.

[0057] According to a fifth step of the method, the sample container carrier 2 carrying the laboratory sample container 20 is moved vertically from its uplift carrier position UCP back down onto the transport device 3. The sample container carrier 2 can then be transported horizontally by the transport device 3 away from the lifting device 4.

[0058] The method may be performed repeatedly to eventually test several laboratory sample containers 20 and / or samples S.

Claims

1. A laboratory automation system (1) for testing a sample (S) stored in a laboratory sample container (20) and / or in an interior (21) of said laboratory sample container (20), comprising: a sample container carrier (2) adapted to carry a laboratory sample container (20); a transport device (3) adapted to transport the sample vessel carrier (2) horizontally when the sample vessel carrier (2) is placed on the transport device (3); a lifting device (4) adapted to move the sample vessel carrier (2) vertically relative to the transport device (3) to an uplift carrier position (UCP) of the sample vessel carrier (2) and back onto the transport device (3); a code reading device (5) adapted to read a readable code (22) of a laboratory sample container (20) carried by the sample container carrier (2) while the lifting device (4) moves the sample container carrier (2) between the transport device (3) and the uplift carrier position (UCP); a gripping device (6) adapted to grip the laboratory sample container (20) carried by the sample container carrier (2) when the sample container carrier (2) is in its uplift carrier position (UCP), and adapted to move the gripped laboratory sample container (20) vertically relative to the sample container carrier (2) in the uplift carrier position (UCP) to a top position (TP) of the laboratory sample container (20) and back to the sample container carrier (2) in the uplift carrier position (UCP); and a sensor device (7) adapted to detect at least one characteristic of the laboratory sample container (20) and / or the sample (S) stored in the interior (21) of the laboratory sample container (20) when the laboratory sample container (20) is in its top position (TP); A laboratory automation system (1) comprising:

2. 2. The laboratory automation system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping device (6) is adapted to rotate the gripped laboratory sample container (20) relative to the sensor device (7), in particular to rotate the gripped laboratory sample container (20) while and / or independently of moving the gripped laboratory sample container (20) vertically relative to the sample container carrier (2) in the uplift carrier position (UCP).

3. the lifting device (4) is adapted to rotate the sample vessel carrier (2) carrying the laboratory sample vessel (20) relative to the code reading device (5), in particular during and / or independently of the vertical movement of the sample vessel carrier (2) relative to the transport device (3), 3. The laboratory automation system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting device (4) is adapted to align, in particular rotationally, the readable code (22) of the laboratory sample container (20) in a predetermined code orientation relative to the code reading device (5) and / or in the orientation of another predetermined code, in particular inside a window of the sample container carrier (2).

4. 4. The laboratory automation system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device (7) comprises a camera device (8) adapted to sense the sample (S) stored in the interior (21) of the laboratory sample container (20), in particular for checking the quality of the sample, and / or the camera device (8) is adapted to sense the color of the cap (23) of the laboratory sample container (20).

5. 5. The laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensor device (7) comprises a liquid level detection device (9), in particular in the form of a laser liquid level detection device (10), which is adapted to sense at least one level of a liquid sample (S) stored in the interior (21) of the laboratory sample container (20).

6. the lifting device (4) comprises an engagement portion (11) for engaging with the sample vessel carrier (2) which is moved vertically relative to the transport device (3); The engaging portion (11) is drivable vertically relative to the conveying device (3), Laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in particular the code reading device (5) is attached to the engagement part (11).

7. 7. The laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor equipment (7) comprises a laser sensor device (12), which is adapted to sense at least one geometric characteristic of the laboratory sample container (20).

8. 8. The laboratory automation system (1) of claim 7, wherein the laboratory sample container (20) has a cap (23) for sealing the interior (21) of the laboratory sample container (20), and the geometric characteristic is the shape of the cap (23) and / or the height (H1) of the cap (23).

9. 9. The laboratory automation system (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the geometric characteristic is the height (H2) of the laboratory sample container (20), in particular the height (H2) including or excluding the cap (23) of the laboratory sample container (20).

10. 10. The laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the gripping device (6) is controlled depending on at least one geometric characteristic of the laboratory sample container (20), in particular the at least one geometric characteristic sensed by the sensor device (7).

11. the gripping device (6) is adapted to grip the laboratory sample container (20) at its outer diameter (OD), in particular at the cap (23) of the laboratory sample container (20); Laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in particular said gripping device (6) is adapted to sense said outer diameter (OD).

12. 12. The laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the uplift carrier position (UCP) is located between the transport device (3) and the top position (TP), in particular with respect to gravity (G).

13. 13. The laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the gripping device (6) and the lifting device (4) are arranged vertically in a line and in particular complement each other in their range of motion.

14. 14. The laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the transport device (3) comprises a transport component (13), in particular in the form of a conveyor belt (14), and a drive device (15) for driving the transport component (13).

15. 15. A method for operating a laboratory automation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said method comprising the following steps, in particular ordered consecutively: a) vertically moving the sample container carrier (2) carrying a laboratory sample container (20) to the uplift carrier position (UCP) while rotating the sample container carrier (2) in the direction of a predetermined code of the laboratory sample container (20) and while sensing at least one characteristic of the laboratory sample container (20); b) gripping the laboratory sample container (20) and vertically moving the gripped laboratory sample container (20) to its top position (TP); c) rotating the gripped laboratory sample container (20) and detecting at least one characteristic of the sample (S) stored in the interior (21) of the laboratory sample container (20); d) vertically moving the gripped laboratory sample container (20) back to the sample container carrier (2) in the uplift carrier position (UCP) while rotating the gripped laboratory sample container (20) in the same or another predetermined chord direction; and e) vertically moving the sample container carrier (2) carrying the laboratory sample container (20) back onto the transport device (3); A method comprising:

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