Sample processing scheduling in laboratory diagnostic automation systems

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed directed to a laboratory diagnostic automation system comprising: interface circuitry; a track to receive and transport receptacles for biological samples; machine-readable instructions; and at least one processor circuit to be programmed by the machine-readable instructions to: determine a throughput state of a medical diagnostic system, determine a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation system as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation system based on the processing priority; and cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation system based on the throughput state.

Description

SAMPLE PROCESSING SCHEDULING IN LABORATORYDIAGNOSTIC AUTOMATION SYSTEMSRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 602,233, which was filed on November 22, 2023. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 602,233 is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 602,233 is hereby claimed.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to laboratory diagnostic automation systems and, more particularly, to sample processing scheduling in laboratory diagnostic automation systems.BACKGROUND

[0003] Healthcare diagnostics laboratories use diagnostic instruments for testing and analyzing biological samples. These analyzers typically include a pipetting mechanism that aspirates a sample from a sample container and dispenses the sample into one or more reaction vessels. A robotic device is utilized to transport sample containers to a region near the sample pipetting mechanism for aspiration.

[0004] Multiple diagnostic instruments may be interconnected to provide a laboratory diagnostic automation system. A laboratory' diagnostic automation system integrates the diagnostic instruments with each other via software solutions and a physical track to couple to each diagnostic instrument and peri-analytic modules.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 A is a block diagram of an example laboratory' diagnostic automation system.

[0006] FIG. IB is a schematic diagram of an example medrcal diagnostic analyzer of the laboratory diagnostic automation system of FIG. 1A.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the example scheduling circuitry of FIG. 1A.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions and / or example operations that may be executed, instantiated, and / or performed by example programmable circuitry to implement the scheduling circuitry of FIG. 2.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a flowchart representative of a use case diagram for routine sample management of samples to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation system of FIG. 1A.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a flowchart representative of a use case diagram for STAT sample management of samples to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation system of FIG. 1A.

[0011] FIGS. 6-10 is a flowchart representative of a decision tree for an example medical diagnostic analyzer when a test ordered for a sample is unavailable.

[0012] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example processing platform including programmable circuitry structured to execute, instantiate, and / or perform the example machine readable instructions and / or perform the example operations of FIGS. 3-10 to implement the scheduling circuitry of FIG. 2.

[0013] In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. The figures are not necessarily to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Laboratory diagnostic automation systems are used to coordinate the operation of multiple medical diagnostic instruments. The laboratory diagnostic automation systems employ the hardware of the multiple medical diagnostic instruments (hardware) to perform testing and / or support functions, software and / or firmware to drive the actions of the medical diagnostic instruments, and middleware to manage orders and results for the laboratory. In some examples, the laboratory diagnostic automation system includes a track to connect the different hardware process modules (described below) and / or medical diagnostic instruments. Example software in the laboratory diagnostic automation system includes multiple layers to drive logic and / or rules for the track workflow, determine a route plan, manage track components such as cars, which transport specimens or samples about the laboratory, and / or execute the route plan. In this disclosure, “cars” also may be referred to as “pucks.” In some examples, racks may be used to transport samples. Also, in this disclosure, “specimen(s)” and “sample(s)” are used interchangeably.

[0015] The medical diagnostic instruments are employed for testing and analyzing biological specimens or samples. Example medical diagnostic instruments or process modules include clinical chemistry analyzers, immunoassay analyzers, and / or hematology analyzers. Biological samples are analyzed to, for example, check for the presence or absence of an item or analyte of interest including a specific region of DNA, mitochondrial DNA, a specific region of RNA, messenger RNA, transfer RNA. mitochondrial RNA, a fragment, a complement, a peptide, a polypeptide, an enzy me, a prion, a protein, an antibody, an antigen, an allergen, a part of a biological entity such as a cell or a virion, a surface protein, and / or functional equivalent(s) of the above. Specimens such as a patient’s body fluids (e.g., serum, whole blood, urine, swabs, plasma, cerebra-spinal fluid, lymph fluids, tissue solids) can be analyzed using a number of different tests to provide information about the patient’s health.

[0016] Generally, analysis of a test sample involves the reaction of test samples with one or more reagents with respect to one or more analytes. The reaction mixtures are analyzed by an apparatus for one or more characteristics such as, for example, the presence and / or concentration of a certain analyte in the test sample. Use of automated medical diagnostic analyzers and a laboratory diagnostic automation system improves the efficiency of the laboratory procedures as the technician (e.g., an operator) has fewer tasks to perform and, thus, the potential for operator or technician error is reduced. In addition, automated medical diagnostic analyzers also provide results much more rapidly and with increased accuracy and repeatability.

[0017] Automated medical diagnostic analyzers use multiple pipettes to move liquids between storage containers (e g., receptacles such as open topped tubes) and containers in which the specimens are to be processed (e.g., reaction vessels). As used herein, the terms tube(s), container(s), receptacle(s), vessel(s), sample tube(s), cuvette(s), and / or sample holder(s) are used interchangeably to indicate a device that holds a sample in the analyzer. For example, a specimen may be contained in a tube that is loaded in a rack or car on an analyzer, and a head carrying a pipette moves the pipette into the tube where a vacuum is applied to extract a selected amount of the specimen from the tube into the pipette. The head retracts the pipette from the tube and moves the pipette to another tube or reaction vessel located at a processing station, depositing the extracted amount of the specimen from the pipette into the reaction vessel. A reagent is similarly acquired from a reagent supply.

[0018] In some examples, laboratory diagnostic automation systems are modular to provide customizable solutions tailored to the needs of a laboratory. By having process modules, or component building blocks with dedicated test functions, medical diagnostic analyzers are able to provide a variety of testing capabilities in a variety of sequences based ontest demand. In conjunction with being able to perform testing in a variety of sequences, medical diagnostic analyzers include hardware, software, and middleware that facilitate routing and dispatch operations associated with the biological samples and process modules. Depending on the configuration of the automated laboratory diagnostic automation system, the number and / or type of process modules may vary. Example process modules include a tube assessment module to detect tube characteristics (e.g.. cap color, tube weight, label), a bulk loader module to load non-rack based samples, a tube assessment center to detect sample tubes and / or determine sample weight, a centrifuge module to centrifuge samples, a decapper module to remove push and screw caps from incoming tubes, an aliquot module to create daughter tubes traceable back to a parent tube, a buffer module to act as a temporary sample storage unit, a recapper module to reapply caps to tubes for short-term storage, a screw cap module to reapply screw caps to daughter tubes for sample transport or long-term storage, an archive module to archive, store, retrieve, and / or dispose of samples throughout the analytical and post-analytical processes, or a remover module to remove recaps from parent sample tubes, an incubation module to incubate samples, a reagent storage module to store reagents, an optical scanner to take a reading from a sample holder, a wash module to wash sample holders, etc.

[0019] In some examples, laboratory diagnostic automation systems are operated at all times of day, depending on the clinical or laboratory setting in which the medical diagnostic analyzer is used. The uses and the throughput of the machine(s) can be characterized as during working hours or outside working hours. In some examples, during working hours indicates a relatively higher throughput. There may be more staff to operate the diagnostic analyzers during working hours. In some examples, outside working hours indicates a relatively reduced throughput and utilization during periods of time in which the analyzer or laboratory may not be as staffed, or as highly staffed, as compared to periods of time considered to be during working hours. For example, during working hours may include a first shift at a laboratory when the laboratory is fully staffed. In contrast, outside working hours may include a third shift (e.g., during overnight hours) where the laboratory' has less staff and operates at a limited capacity. In other examples, the medical diagnostic analyzer is operating outside working hours during weekends and / or holidays. Additionally, in some examples, if multiple staff members are unable to work (e.g., due to illness), a laboratory may choose to operate as the laboratory would if the laboratory were outside of working hours, despite the time of day being typically associated during working hours.

[0020] During operation in both working hours and outside working hours, a laboratory diagnostic automation system accounts for a processing priority' associated with an incomingsample. The processing priority is used to determine an order in which samples should be processed. In some examples, a sample to be analyzed may undergo routine processing or prioritized for STAT processing. Routine processing is performed as part of a regular procedure. STAT processing indicates a higher priority than routine processing. In some examples, STAT processing indicates an immediate, urgent, without delay, rush processing or otherwise a processing of greater importance than routine processing. In the clinical example of a hospital, a sample from an emergency patient may be allocated for STAT processing. In contrast, a sample from a patient being screened in an annual examination may be allocated for routine processing. In examples disclosed herein, STAT processing takes priority' over routine processing samples. For example, a sample allocated for STAT processing is processed before a sample allocated for routine processing that is introduced at approximately the same time and / or before a sample allocated for routine processing that is in queue for processing but for which processing has not yet begun.

[0021] Turning now to the figures, an example laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 is shown in FIG. 1A. In the illustrated example, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 includes multiple analyzers and process modules. The laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 includes an example track 103 that interconnects the analyzers and process modules. One or more cars 105 carrying samples are routed along the track 103 to the different analyzers and process modules. The laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 also includes an example server 119 that has example scheduling circuitry 200. The functionality of the scheduling circuitry 200 is disclosed in greater detail below. In the example of FIG. 1 A, the analyzers and process modules may be, for example, an automated medical diagnostic analyzer 100, a centrifuge module 107, a buffer module 109, a recapper module 111, a screw cap module 113, an archive module 1 15. a remover module 117 and / or other types of analyzers and process modules disclosed herein.

[0022] The track 103 is physically connected to the different analyzers and process modules 100, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117. Additionally, the track 103 is communicatively coupled to the server 119. For example, the track 103 can be coupled to the server 1 19 via a network connection such as a local area network, wi-fi or other wireless network, and / or a cloud network. The server 1 19 may be implemented by any computer server, data facility, cloud service, etc. capable of storing and transmitting software and otherwise communicating with other computing devices.

[0023] In operation, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 receives a sample to be processed and an order indicative of the type of processing to be performed on the sample.The sample is loaded onto the car or puck 105 on the track 103. The middleware, which is outside the boundary of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101, manages the order through software and a driver 121. The software associated with the middleware keeps track of the order and any associated results for the laboratory. The driver 121 conforms to specifications of a track workflow manager (TWM) and communicates patient information, sample information, and / or test information.

[0024] Once a sample is loaded onto the car or puck 105, the TWM drives the logic and / or rules for the track workflow and determines the route plan for the sample, such as, for example, centrifugation, decapping, instruments to run ordered tests, etc. A track sample manager software manages the cars and the track components and provides a status of the associated functionality to a user of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101. Respective ones of the analyzers and / or modules 100, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117 include an interface, software, and firmware to drive the actions of the respective analyzer and / or module to control the cars in the module or the module interface.

[0025] FIG. IB illustrates an example of the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 of FIG. 1A. Details related to the operation of the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 are provided to show an example of a module in the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101. Other modules in the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 have different functionality. The laboratory diagnostic automation system 101. the track 103, and / or the scheduling circuitry 200 can operate as disclosed herein without regard to the internal operations of the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 and / or other modules in the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101.

[0026] In this example, the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 includes an example first carousel 102 and an example second carousel 104. The analyzer 100 may be used, for example, to perform immunoassays, clinical chemistry tests, or any other diagnostics tests. The first carousel 102 and the second carousel 104 are rotatably coupled to an example base station 106 independent of each other. The base station 106 houses different subassemblies and other components used for testing (e.g., performing diagnostic analyses) such as, for example, wash liquid, bulk reagents, a vacuum source, a pressure source, a refrigeration system, temperature sensors, a processor, motors, etc.

[0027] In the example shown, the second carousel 104 is vertically distanced (e.g., spaced) above the first carousel 102 and at least a portion of the second carousel 104 is disposed above and over the first carousel 102. In other examples, the first carousel 102 and the second carousel 104 are disposed next to each other (e.g.. coplanar) or may be arranged to be concentric with each other.

[0028] In the illustrated example of FIG. IB, the first carousel 102 is a reagent carousel and the second carousel 104 is a reaction vessel carousel. However, in other examples, the first and second carousels 102, 104 may hold reagents, samples, reaction vessels or any combination thereof. In the illustrated examples, the first carousel 102 includes a plurality of reagent containers (including, for example, liquids having microparticles) arranged annularly around the carousel. In some examples, the first carousel 102 has an inner annular array of reagent containers and outer annular array of reagent containers, concentric with the inner annular array of containers. In the example shown, the second carousel 104 is a plate having a plurality of example reaction vessels 108 a- / ? disposed around an outer circumference of the plate. In some examples, the reaction vessels 108a- / ? are reusable cuvettes (e.g., washable glass cuvettes). After a test has been completed in a reaction vessel, the vessel is cleaned (e.g., sterilized) and the vessel may be used for another test. However, in other examples, the reaction vessels 108a- / ? are disposable cuvettes (e.g., plastic cuvettes) that are discarded after one or more tests. In operation, the second carousel 104 rotates as one or more assay tests are carried out in the reaction vessels I08a-«. A plurality of different modules or instruments may be disposed around the second carousel 104 to, for example, dispense reagents, mix the contents of the reaction vessels, incubate the contents of the reaction vessels, analyze the contents, wash the reaction vessels, etc.

[0029] The example medical diagnostic analyzer 100 also includes one or more pipetting mechanisms (e.g., probe arms, automated pipettes, pipettes, etc.) to aspirate and dispense liquids within the reaction vessels 108a-w on the second carousel 104. In the illustrated example shown in FIGS. 1A and IB, the analyzer 100 includes an example pipetting mechanism 110 (e.g., a sample pipette) that is coupled (e.g., mounted) to the base station 106. The pipetting mechanism 110 has multiple degrees of freedom. In the example shown, the pipetting mechanism 110 has an example path of travel 112 (e.g., an arc path, a horizontal arc path, a radius of travel, an operating range), such that the pipetting mechanism 110 can aspirate (e.g., draw liquid) from or dispense liquid to containers located along the path of travel 112. As shown, the pipetting mechanism 110 is positioned to have access to one of the reaction vessels 108a-n on the second carousel 104 at point A. In some examples, the pipetting mechanism 110 has an axis of rotation and rotates a probe arm with a pipette disposed at the distal end of the probe arm. The pipetting mechanism 110 is also movable in the Z direction (e.g., the vertical direction).

[0030] In the example shown, the pipetting mechanism 110 is disposed outside of the first carousel 102 and outside of the second carousel 104, for example, coupled to the base 106 in a position at a distance from the center of the first carousel 102 and the center of the secondcarousel 104 that is greater than either a first diameter of the first carousel 102 or a second diameter of the second carousel 104. However, in other examples, the pipetting mechanism 110 is disposed above and over the first carousel 102 and / or adjacent the second carousel 104. In such examples, the pipetting mechanism 110 may be mounted to a platform that is disposed between the first carousel 102 and the second carousel 104. In still other examples, the pipetting mechanism 110 may be disposed over the first carousel 102 and over the second carousel 104.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. IB, the example analyzer 100 has a first side 114 (e.g., a front side) and a second side 116 (e.g., a back side, a rear side) opposite the first side 114. The pipetting mechanism 110 is disposed near (e.g., adjacent, along, next to, closer to, bordering) the second side 116 of the analyzer 100. The analyzer 100 also includes an example random sample handler (RSH) 1 18 (e.g., a loading bay) on the first side 114 of the analyzer 100 for accepting and retaining carriers having samples and / or reagents that are to be used for diagnostic testing. In the example shown, the RSH 118 includes an example loading rack 120 having a plurality of example slots 122a- / ? for receiving containers, carriers and / or trays of carriers. In the example shown, a plurality’ of example carriers 124a- / ? have been inserted into the slots 122a- / ? in the loading rack 120. The carriers 124a- / ? may hold one or more containers (e.g., a tube, a vessel, an open top container, a vial, a cup, etc.). The containers may include samples, reagents, calibrations, control liquids, etc., used by the analyzer 100 for assaydiagnostic testing. In some examples, an operator (e.g., a laboratory technician) loads the carriers 124a- / ? individually or in trays into the loading rack 120 of the RSH 118. In other examples, an automated track system transports the carriers 124a- / ? to the RSH 118 and loads the carriers 124a- / ? into respective ones of the slots 122a- / ?, for example, via a robotic mechanism.

[0032] In FIG. IB. a number of carriers 124a- / ? have been shown as inserted into different slots 122a- / ?. In the example shown, each of the carriers 124a- / ? is holding six containers. However, in other examples, the carriers 124a- / ? can be configured to hold more or fewer containers depending on the analyzer, the RSH design parameters and / or the carrier layout. The carriers 124a- / ? are held in the slots 122a- / ? until selected for testing or retesting.

[0033] In the example shown, the RSH 118 includes an example positioner 126, which may be a robotic device, to transport the carriers 124a- / ? and containers coupled thereto to and from the loading rack 120. The positioner 126 is movable along an example positioner track 128 disposed along the length of the loading rack 120 and the first side 114 of the analyzer 100. The positioner 126 has an example arm 130 to engage the carriers 124a- / ? loaded in the RSH 1 18. The positioner 126 and the arm 130 operate to remove the carriers 124a- / ? from theirrespective slots 122a- / ? and transport the carriers 124a- / ? to different locations along the positioner track 128.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. IB, the example analyzer 100 also includes an example first carrier shuttle 134 (e.g., a transporter) and an example second carrier shuttle 136 that are disposed near (e.g., along, adjacent, next to, bordering) a third side 138 (e.g., the left side of FIG. IB) of the analyzer 100, opposite a fourth side 140 (e.g., the right side of FIG. IB) of the analyzer 100. In the example shown, the first side 114, the second side 1 16, the third side 138 and the fourth side 140 define the outer boundaries of the analyzer 100. In the example shown, the analyzer 100 has a rectangular cross-section or footprint. However, in other examples, the analyzer 100 has a square cross-section, a circular cross-section, or any other shaped cross-section or footprint.

[0035] In the example shown, the positioner 126 transports the carriers 124a- / ? to and from the first carrier shuttle 134 and / or the second carrier shuttle 136. For example, in FIG. IB, the positioner 126 engages the first carrier 124a in the loading rack 120 of RSH 118. The positioner 126 transports the first carrier 124a to, in this example, the first shuttle 134, where the positioner 126 releases or otherwise transfers the first carrier 124a onto the first carrier shuttle 134. The positioner 126 is controlled by a programmable computer for moving the carriers 124a- / ? as needed and / or desired (e.g., according to scheduling protocols or timetables) for testing. The RSH 118 provides random access to the carriers 124a- / / on the loading rack 120. The analyzer 100 includes software that allows users to flexibly configure rules or criteria for testing samples. The software may be programmed into and / or operated from an example processor of the programmable computer.

[0036] In some examples, the positioner 126 includes a label reader such as, for example, a barcode reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and / or other type of reader, to read carrier and container information. The label reader reads the labels attached to the carriers, the sample tubes and / or reagent tubes as the positioner 126 passes the carriers by the reader.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the first and second earner shuttles 134, 136 operate to move carriers (e.g., the carriers 124a- / ?) and / or containers between a first position near the first side 114 of the analyzer 100 (e.g., adjacent the rack 120 or the RSH 118) and a second position near the second side 116 of the analyzer 100 (e.g., near the pipetting mechanism 110). Specifically, the first and second carrier shuttles 134, 136 operate to transport carriers 124a- / ? to a position within the path of travel 112 of the pipetting mechanism 1 10, such that liquid (e.g., a sample, a specimen) within the containers on the carriers 124a- / ? can be aspirated from thecontainers via the pipetting mechanism 110. The pipetting mechanism 110 may then dispense the liquid at point A into one or more of the reaction vessels 108a- / ? on the second carousel 104 for testing.

[0038] In the example shown, the first carrier shuttle 134 includes a first example track 142 and the second carrier shuttle 136 includes a second example track 144. In some examples, the first track 142 and the second track 144 are conveyor belts that move to transport carriers placed on the respective tracks 142, 144 from one position to another position along the first and second tracks 142, 144. In other examples, the first and second tracks 142, 144 include other track devices such as, for example, a belt, a chain, a carriage, a lead screw, an air cylinder, and / or a linear motor or combinations thereof. In some examples, the first carrier shuttle 134 and the second carrier shuttle 136 comprise different types of tracks. In the example shown, the first carrier shuttle 134 includes a first example motor 146 (e.g., an electric motor, a servo motor, a stepper motor, etc.) to drive the first track 142, and the second carrier shuttle 136 includes a second example motor 148 to drive the second track 144. In this example, the first and second tracks 142. 144 are operated independently of each other. In other examples, the operations of the first and second tracks 142, 144 are coordinated. The first and second motors 146, 148 may be used to rotate one or more pulleys or gears, which, in turn, move the tracks 142, 144. In the example shown, the first and second motors 146, 148 are rotatable in either direction to move the first and second tracks 142, 144, respectively, in either direction.

[0039] In the example shown, the first and second motors 146, 148 are located closer to the second side 116 of the analyzer 100. In the example shown, the first and second carrier shuttles 134, 136 also include respective example sensors 150, 152 such as, for example, a linear encoder and / or a transducer. The first and second sensors 150, 152 are located adjacent the first and second tracks 142. 144 to sense a position / movement of the respective tracks 142, 144. Thus, the first and second sensors 150, 152 provide feedback to the first and second motors 146, 148 to indicate whether the first and second tracks 142, 144 are actually moving when the first and second motors 146, 148 are operating. In the example shown, the first and second sensors 150, 152 are positioned on the first and second carrier shuttles 134, 136 opposite the first and second motors 146, 148 as a safety feature to ensure that the tracks 142, 144 are moving when the motors 146, 148 are operating. In some instances, the first and / or second tracks 142, 144 may become dislodged, misaligned or otherwise inoperative and, thus, will not properly transport the carriers. In such an instances, the first and second motors 146, 148 may continue to operate (e.g., spin, rotate, etc.) according to a programmed testing protocol. If the sensors 150, 152 were located adjacent the first and second motors 146, 148, the continued operation ofthe motors 146, 148 could interfere with the readings of the sensors 146, 148, and cause the sensors 150, 152 to erroneously indicate that the tracks 142. 144 were operating normally. By locating the sensors 150, 152 at the opposite end of the carrier shuttles 134, 136 than the motors 146, 148, the sensors 150, 152 can ensure the tracks 134, 136 are actually moving in accordance with the programming of the first and second motors 146, 148. In some examples, the motors 146, 148 are disposed at. near or closer to the second side 116 of the analyzer 100, and the sensors 150, 152 are at, near or closer to the first side 114 of the analyzer 100. In other examples, this configuration may be switched, such that the motors 146, 148 are disposed at, near or closer to the first side 114 of the analyzer 100, and the sensors 150, 152 are disposed at, near or closer to the second side 116 of the analyzer 100. In some examples, the positioner 126, the first track 142, the second track 144. the first motor 146, the second motor 148 and other components are controlled in response to commands from the programmable computer.

[0040] As show n in FIG. 1 A, the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 is integrated with the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 via the track 103. The TWM software routes cars 105 carrying samples to the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 when an order calls for processing by the medical diagnostic analyzer 100. The medical diagnostic analyzer 100 processes the samples. The medical diagnostic analyzer 100 returns the processed samples on the cars 105 to the track 103 of the laboratory diagnostic automation system for additional routing of the sample to other modules and / or storage.

[0041] In some examples, test orders are programmed by an operator or downloaded via a lab information system or any network. A test order may require a plurality' of assays. Once a sample is loaded, the scheduling circuitry 200 of the server 119 of FIG. 1A determines the order (e.g., scheduling, protocols) of the different sample tests based on factors including, for example, number of tests to be conducted, types of reagents to be used, number of reagents to be used, expiration dates reagents and other inventory considerations of different analyzers, an incubation period, scheduled priority', work queues of the different analyzers for load balancing, and / or other factors.

[0042] In some examples, the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 is coupled to the track 103 of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 via an example laboratory automated system (LAS) 154. The LAS 154 has an example main track 156 and a first example subtrack or spur 158, which is disposed along the second side 116 of the analyzer 100. In some examples, the LAS includes a system of tracks and robotic positioners to move carriers from one instrument to another.

[0043] In the example shown, the LAS 154 transports carriers (e.g.. sample carriers) or containers to a position near the analyzer 100 and. more specifically, to a position within the first path of travel 112 of the pipetting mechanism 110. For illustrative purposes, a carrier 124c is depicted on the first subtrack or spur 158. In operation, the carrier 124c is transported along the main track 156 of the LAS 154 and when the carrier 124c arrives at the first spur 158, the carrier 124c may continue down the main track 156 or may be diverted to the first spur 158 to be sent to the position adjacent the pipetting mechanism 110. As shown, the path of travel 112 of the pipetting mechanism 110 extends beyond the second side 116 of the analyzer 110. In the example shown, the pipetting mechanism 110 may aspirate a liquid (e.g., a sample) from a container on the carrier at the first spur 158 at point D. In the example shown, the main track 156 and the spur 158 of the LAS 154 are substantially parallel to the second side 116 of the analyzer 100 and are substantially perpendicular to the first and second carrier shuttles 134, 136. The example of FIG. IB shows a rack 124c positioned on the LAS 156. In other examples, one of the cars 105 may be used to bring a sample to the medical diagnostic analy zer 100 from the track 103.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 1 A to perform sample tube dispatching functions for controlling the movement of sample tubes throughout the laboratory7diagnostic automation system 101 according to an operating schedule. The scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2 may be instantiated (e.g.. creating an instance of. bring into being for any length of time, materialize, implement, etc.) by programmable circuitry such as a Central Processor Unit (CPU) executing first instructions. Additionally or alternatively, the scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2 may be instantiated (e.g.. creating an instance of, bring into being for any length of time, materialize, implement, etc.) by (i) an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and / or (ii) a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) structured and / or configured in response to execution of second instructions to perform operations corresponding to the first instructions. It should be understood that some or all of the circuitry of FIG. 2 may, thus, be instantiated at the same or different times. Some or all of the circuitry of FIG. 2 may be instantiated, for example, in one or more threads executing concurrently on hardw are and / or in series on hardware. Moreover, in some examples, some or all of the circuitry of FIG. 2 may be implemented by microprocessor circuitry7executing instructions and / or FPGA circuitry7performing operations to implement one or more virtual machines and / or containers.

[0045] The example scheduling circuitry' 200 includes example state determination circuitry 202, example priority determination circuitry 204, an example communication interface 206, an example data storage 208, and example sample dispatch circuitry 210.

[0046] The example state determination circuitry 202 is circuitry that functions to determine the throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101. The throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 may be scheduled based on a time of day. For example, the throughput state of the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 may be set at a first throughput or capacity during daytime working hours of a laboratory supporting the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101. The throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 may be set to a second throughput or capacity’ during hours outside of the daytime working hours of the laboratory. In examples disclosed herein, the period of time outside of typical daytime working hours is referred to as outsideworking hours or OWH. In some examples, the first throughput or capacity' is higher than the second throughput or capacity such that a higher number of samples are processed during daytime working hours of the laboratory. In this example, the second throughput or OWH capacity enables the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 to continue to process samples throughout the evening and overnight. This increases the overall processing throughput of the laboratory’ diagnostic automation system 101. In some examples, the throughput state is set and changes automatically based on a clock (i.e., the time of day). Additionally or alternatively, the throughput state may be set and / or changed manually. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the throughput state may be based on one or more of a day of the week, a month, a holiday, etc. In some examples, the state determination circuitry' 202 is instantiated by programmable circuitry' executing state determination instructions and / or configured to perform operations such as those represented by the flowchart(s) of FIGs. 3-10.

[0047] The example priority determination circuitry 204 is circuitry' that determines a priority' level of a biological sample. For example, a biological sample may be determined to be a routine sample or STAT sample, as disclosed above. The determination can be performed based on a location of introduction for the biological sample. For example, a machine may be configured to have two sample input tracks or bulk loaders so that one track or bulk loader is designated for introducing routine processing samples, and the other track or bulk loader is designated for introducing STAT samples. In some examples, the priority' determination circuitry 204 determines the priority level of the biological sample by reading a label on the vessel or receptacle holding the sample. For example, an optical scanner may read a label, and the priority determination circuitry' 204 identifies the priority level based on the read. In someexamples, the label includes a machine readable code such as, for example, a QR code, a barcode, etc. In some examples, the priority determination circuitry 204 determines the priority level of the biological sample by interpreting user input associated with the biological sample. The interpretation of user input is to associate the input data with a unique identifier of the sample tube (e.g. a serial number, a name and date of birth combination, etc.) so that the input data is known when the tube is processed. For example, a priority could be entered by a user for a patient’s biological sample. The data is tabulated and stored in data storage 208, which can be retrieved when a unique identifier of the tube is processed. In this example, when the medical diagnostic analyzer routes the tube and scans the patient’s last name, first name, and / or date of birth, the priority associated with that data is found by retrieving the data from data storage 208. The priority associated with the tube, along with the state of the machine, dictates the routing for the tube. In some examples, the priority determination circuitry 204 is instantiated by programmable circuitry executing priority determination instructions and / or configured to perform operations such as those represented by the flowchart(s) of FIGs. 3-10.

[0048] The example data storage 208 is memory’ allocated to store digital information such as files, documents, properties, databases and / or any other electronic data. In the example of FIG. 2, data such as throughput state schedules, sample priorities, and / or other information is stored in and accessed through the data storage 208. The data storage 208 can be physical or virtual, and includes storage devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives, cloud storage services, or other types of data repositories. The data stored in the data storage 208 can be accessed and retrieved on demand. In some examples, the data storage 208 is instantiated by programmable circuitry executing data storage instructions and / or configured to perform operations such as those represented by the flowchart(s) of FIGs. 3-10.

[0049] The example sample dispatch circuitry is configured and structured to prepare instructions for the actuating components to move a biological sample to a process module based on at least one of the determined machine state and / or the determined biological sample priority. In some examples, the sample dispatch circuitry 210 is instantiated by programmable circuitry executing sample dispatch instructions and / or configured to perform operations such as those represented by the flowchart(s) of FIGs. 3-10.

[0050] The example communication interface 206 communicates with components external to the scheduling circuitry 200, such as, for example, a user interface to deliver or receive information from a user, and / or one or more actuators (e.g., robots) to move the sample throughout the medical diagnostic analyzer 100. other process modules, and / or through the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 overall. In some examples, the communicationinterface 206 is instantiated by programmable circuitry executing communication instructions and / or configured to perform operations such as those represented by the flowchart(s) of FIGs. 3-10.

[0051] In some examples, a user may provide input to the medical diagnostic analyzer 100 via the communication interface 206. For example, the user can input the priority of the biological sample. In other examples, the example communication interface 206 communicates with an automated tool such as, for example, a barcode scanner or an RFID scanner to read a label associated with the biological sample. In this example, the data associated with the label of the biological sample is read and transmitted to the priority determination circuitry' 204. The example priority determination circuitry 204 interprets the data to determine if the biological sample has the first priority or the second priority associated with the biological sample.

[0052] In some examples, the scheduling circuitry’ 200 includes means for dispatching the biological sample to a process module. For example, the means for determining and dispatching may be implemented by the sample dispatch circuitry 210. In some examples, the sample dispatch circuitry 210 may be instantiated by programmable circuitry such as the example programmable circuitry 1 112 of FIG. 11 executing machine executable instructions such as those implemented by at least blocks 304, 306, 318 of FIG. 3. Additionally or alternatively, the sample dispatch circuitry 210 may be instantiated by any other combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. For example, the sample dispatch circuitry 210 may be implemented by at least one or more hardware circuits (e.g., processor circuitry, discrete and / or integrated analog and / or digital circuitry’, an FPGA, an ASIC, an XPU, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit, etc.) configured and / or structured to execute some or all of the machine readable instructions and / or to perform some or all of the operations corresponding to the machine readable instructions without executing software or firmware, but other structures are likewise appropriate.

[0053] While an example manner of implementing the scheduling circuitry’ 200 of FIG. 1A is illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more of the elements, processes, and / or devices illustrated in FIG. 2 may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated, and / or implemented in any other way. Further, the example state determination circuitry 202, the example priority' determination circuitry’ 204, the example communication interface 206, the example data storage 208, the example sample dispatch circuitry’ 210, and / or, more generally, the example scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2, may be implemented by hardware alone or by hardware in combination with software and / or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the example state determination circuitry 202, the example priority determination circuitry' 204, the example communicationinterface 206, the example data storage 208, the example sample dispatch circuitry 210, and / or, more generally, the example scheduling circuitry 200. could be implemented by programmable circuitry in combination with machine readable instructions (e.g., firmware or software), processor circuitry, analog circuit(s), digital circuit(s), logic circuit(s), programmable processor(s), programmable microcontroller(s), graphics processing unit(s) (GPU(s)), digital signal processor(s) (DSP(s)), ASIC(s). programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), and / or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)) such as FPGAs. Further still, the example scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2 may include one or more elements, processes, and / or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG. 2, and / or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

[0054] A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions, which may be executed by programmable circuitry to implement and / or instantiate the scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2 and / or representative of example operations which may be performed by programmable circuitry to implement and / or instantiate the scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2, is shown in FIG. 3. The machine readable instructions may be one or more executable programs or portion(s) of one or more executable programs for execution by programmable circuitry such as the programmable circuitry 1112 shown in the example processor platform 1100 discussed below in connection with FIG. 11 and / or may be one or more function(s) or portion(s) of functions to be performed by the example programmable circuitry’ (e.g., an FPGA). In some examples, the machine readable instructions cause an operation, a task, etc., to be carried out and / or performed in an automated manner in the real world. As used herein, '‘automated” means without human involvement.

[0055] The program may be embodied in instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on one or more non-transitory computer readable and / or machine readable storage medium such as cache memory, a magnetic-storage device or disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), etc.), an optical-storage device or disk (e.g., a Blu-ray disk, a Compact Disk (CD), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), etc ), a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), a register, ROM. a solid-state drive (SSD), SSD memory, non-volatile memory (e.g.. electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory', etc.), volatile memory (e.g., Random Access Memory’ (RAM) of any' type, etc.), and / or any other storage device or storage disk. The instructions of the non-transitory’ computer readable and / or machine readable medium may program and / or be executed by programmable circuitry located in one or more hardware devices, but the entire program and / or parts thereof could alternatively be executed and / or instantiated by one or more hardware devices other than the programmable circuitry’and / or embodied in dedicated hardware. The machine readable instructions may be distributed across multiple hardware devices and / or executed by two or more hardware devices (e.g., a server and a client hardware device). For example, the client hardware device may be implemented by an endpoint client hardware device (e.g., a hardware device associated with a human and / or machine user) or an intermediate client hardw are device gateway (e.g., a radio access network (RAN)) that may facilitate communication between a server and an endpoint client hardware device. Similarly, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may include one or more mediums. Further, although the example program is described with reference to the flowchart(s) illustrated in FIG. 3, many other methods of implementing the example scheduling circuitry 200 may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks of the flowchart(s) may be changed, and / or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all of the blocks of the flow chart may be implemented by one or more hardw are circuits (e.g., processor circuitry, discrete and / or integrated analog and / or digital circuitry, an FPGA, an ASIC, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit, etc.) structured to perform the corresponding operation without executing software or firmware. The programmable circuitry may be distributed in different network locations and / or local to one or more hardware devices (e.g., a single-core processor (e.g., a single core CPU), a multi-core processor (e.g., a multi-core CPU. an XPU, etc.)). For example, the programmable circuitry may be a CPU and / or an FPGA located in the same package (e.g., the same integrated circuit (1C) package or in two or more separate housings), one or more processors in a single machine, multiple processors distributed across multiple servers of a server rack, multiple processors distributed across one or more server racks, etc., and / or any combination(s) thereof.

[0056] The machine readable instructions described herein may be stored in one or more of a compressed format, an encrypted format, a fragmented format, a compiled format, an executable format, a packaged format, etc. Machine readable instructions as described herein may be stored as data (e.g., computer-readable data, machine-readable data, one or more bits (e.g., one or more computer-readable bits, one or more machine-readable bits, etc.), a bitstream (e.g.. a computer-readable bitstream, a machine-readable bitstream, etc.), etc.) or a data structure (e.g., as portion(s) of instructions, code, representations of code, etc.) that may be utilized to create, manufacture, and / or produce machine executable instructions. For example, the machine readable instructions may be fragmented and stored on one or more storage devices, disks and / or computing devices (e.g.. servers) located at the same or different locations of a network or collection of networks (e.g., in the cloud, in edge devices, etc.). The machine readableinstructions may require one or more of installation, modification, adaptation, updating, combining, supplementing, configuring, decryption, decompression, unpacking, distribution, reassignment, compilation, etc., in order to make them directly readable, interpretable, and / or executable by a computing device and / or other machine. For example, the machine readable instructions may be stored in multiple parts, which are individually compressed, encrypted, and / or stored on separate computing devices, wherein the parts when decrypted, decompressed, and / or combined form a set of computer-executable and / or machine executable instructions that implement one or more functions and / or operations that may together form a program such as that described herein.

[0057] In another example, the machine readable instructions may be stored in a state in which they may be read by programmable circuitry, but require addition of a library (e.g., a dynamic link library (DLL)), a software development kit (SDK), an application programming interface (API), etc., in order to execute the machine-readable instructions on a particular computing device or other device. In another example, the machine readable instructions may need to be configured (e.g., settings stored, data input, network addresses recorded, etc.) before the machine readable instructions and / or the corresponding program(s) can be executed in whole or in part. Thus, machine readable, computer readable and / or machine readable media, as used herein, may include instructions and / or program(s) regardless of the particular format or state of the machine readable instructions and / or program(s).

[0058] The machine readable instructions described herein can be represented by any past, present, or future instruction language, scripting language, programming language, etc. For example, the machine readable instructions may be represented using any of the following languages: C, C++, Java. C#, Perl, Python, JavaScript, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Structured Query Language (SQL), Swift, etc.

[0059] As mentioned above, the example operations of FIG. 3 may be implemented using executable instructions (e.g., computer readable and / or machine readable instructions) stored on one or more non-transitory computer readable and / or machine readable media. As used herein, the terms non-transitory computer readable medium, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, non-transitory machine readable medium, and / or non-transitory machine readable storage medium are expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and / or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Examples of such non-transitory computer readable medium, non- transitory computer readable storage medium, non-transitory machine readable medium, and / or non-transitory machine readable storage medium include optical storage devices, magneticstorage devices, an HDD, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a CD, a DVD, a cache, a RAM of any type, a register, and / or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and / or for caching of the information). As used herein, the terms “non-transitory computer readable storage device” and “non-transitory machine readable storage device” are defined to include any physical (mechanical, magnetic and / or electrical) hardware to retain information for a time period, but to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable storage devices and / or non-transitory machine readable storage devices include random access memory of any type, read only memory of any type, solid state memory, flash memory, optical discs, magnetic disks, disk drives, and / or redundant array of independent disks (RAID) systems. As used herein, the term "‘device” refers to physical structure such as mechanical and / or electrical equipment, hardware, and / or circuitry that may or may not be configured by computer readable instructions, machine readable instructions, etc., and / or manufactured to execute computer-readable instructions, machine-readable instructions, etc.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions and / or example operations 300 that may be executed, instantiated, and / or performed by programmable circuitry' to cause the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 to cause dispatch of the biological sample. The machine-readable instructions and / or the operations 300 of FIG. 3 begin at block 302, at which the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 receives the biological sample. The state determination circuitry 202 determines the throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 (block 304).

[0061] The throughput state is indicative of the processing capacity of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101. In some examples, the throughput state is a pre-determined throughput capacity associated with the working-hour demands of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 or a reduced throughput capacity associated with a time period outside the working-hour demand of the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 (i.e. , the OWH capacity). As disclosed above, the OWH state may be scheduled based on a time of day wherein a first time of day is associated with a state represented as the working-hour demands of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 and a second time of day is associated with the OWH state. In this example, the second time of day has a throughput capacity of the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 that is lower than a throughput capacity of the first time of day. In other words, the OWH state has a lower throughput capacity than the non-OWH (i.e., routine) state.

[0062] In other examples, as disclosed herein, the OWH state may be enabled manually based on a reduced throughput capacity during working hours. For example, if a laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 does not have sufficient staff to run all medical diagnostic machines in the laboratory, the OWH state may be manually enabled. In still other examples, the OWH state may be a preferred state and manually enabled.

[0063] When the OWH state is enabled (block 304: YES), the priority’ determination circuitry 204 determines the priority associated with the received biological sample (block 306). In some examples, the example priority determination circuitry 204 determines the priority to be a first processing priority or a second processing priority' of the example biological sample based on input from the communication interface 206. In some examples, the first priority is greater or higher than the second processing priority. For example, the first priority may indicate that the sample is to be processed with STAT processing, i.e., a STAT sample.

[0064] If the example biological sample is determined not to be STAT (e.g., having the second priority that is lower than the first priority) (block 306: NO), the example sample dispatch circuitry 210 sends instructions through the communication interface 206 to cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage or another module. In some examples, the sample dispatch circuitry 210 sends instructions to dispatch the biological sample to a centrifuge process module (block 308) before storage. At the centrifuge process module (block 308), the centrifuge process module centrifuges the biological sample for stability during storage (block 310).

[0065] Once stabilized by a centrifuge process of the centrifuge process module, the example biological sample is ready for archiving. The sample dispatch circuitry 210 sends the instructions to route the biological sample to an archive process module, where the biological sample is archived (block 312). Other examples include sending the biological sample to storage or other module without centrifugation.

[0066] The example state determination circuitry 202 determines the state of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 (block 314). The biological sample remains in the archive process module until the OWH state ends either manually or automatically (block 314: NO). If OWH has ended (block 314: YES), the sample dispatch circuitry 210 sends the instructions to retrieve the biological sample from the archive process module. The sample dispatch circuitry 210 then causes dispatch of the biological sample for processing (block 318).

[0067] If the priority7determination circuitry’ 204 determines the biological sample is STAT (block 306: YES), the sample dispatch circuitry 210 causes dispatch of the STAT biological sample for processing (block 318).

[0068] In the instance that the state determination circuitry 202 determines that OWH state is not enabled (block 304: NO), the sample dispatch circuitry 210 causes dispatch of the biological sample for processing (block 318).

[0069] When the sample dispatch circuitry 210 causes dispatch of the biological sample for processing (block 318), the biological sample routes through actuating components and tube tracks to a first process module, where the first process module processes the biological sample (block 320). A plurality of sequential processing modules may process the biological sample before the process ends.

[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates an example use case of the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 with the scheduling circuitry 200 wherein the OWH state is enabled, and the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 is handling a biological sample (referred to as a tube) with a second priority (e.g., a routine priority). In this example, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 includes example middleware 402, an example track workflow manager (TWM) 404, an example track sample manager (TSM) 406, and an example track 408 that is used to move samples through a laboratory. In this example, the track 408 is labeled as a GLPtrack 408. In this example, the middleware 402 operates to integrate the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 (including TWM 404, TSM 406, and GLP track 408) with the analyzer 100.

[0071] In the illustrated example, routine sample orders are received at 9AM on a first day (block 410). The middleware 402 sends the new and updated orders to the TWM 404. The TWM 404 creates corresponding routine sample orders in a database (e.g., a database contained within the data storage 208 of scheduling circuitry 200) (block 412). Subsequently, the routine tubes corresponding to the routine sample orders received are loaded at an input / output module (a process module for the receiving of tubes) between the working hours of 9AM and 7PM (block 414). The TSM 406 facilitates the management of the loaded routine tubes and sends messages indicating new samples are received to the TWM 404. The TWM 404 generates the processing routes to process the tubes at the process modules (block 416) and sends the routes to the TSM 406. Accordingly, the tubes continue routing for processing at the process modules (block 418). This processing is considered to be “normal” processing during working hours (e.g., applies to all biological samples, both STAT and non-STAT, not during an OWH state). In other words, this processing occurs during a first processing state associated with the working-hours of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 for tubes having both a second priority and a higher-priority first priority.

[0072] When the TWM 404 enables OWH based on a time of day (7 PM in this instance) (block 420), the active tubes that are on the track 103 or the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 continue processing (e.g., active tubes complete the current process of the current process module and move to subsequent process modules for subsequent processing) (block 422).

[0073] In this use case of FIG. 4, any tubes having a second priority’ (e.g., routine tubes) that are loaded at the input / output module (IOM) (block 424) cause new sample messages to the TWM 404. The TWM 404 generates the centrifuge routes (block 426), which the sample dispatch circuitry 210 sends to the TSM 406. The TSM causes the GLPtrack 408 to send the tubes to a centrifuge process module, where the tubes are centrifuged (block 428). The centrifuged tubes signal the TSM 406. and in turn the TWM 404. that the samples have been centrifuged. The TWM 404 uses the sample dispatch circuitry 210 to route the tubes to a recapper process module and / or storage (block 430), meaning the TSM 406 sends recapped tubes to an archive process module (block 432). The tubes remain in storage until the OWH state is disabled.

[0074] In the use case of FIG. 4, a user disables the OWH state at 9 AM of the day following the first day. In some examples, the OWH state is disabled automatically. The state determination circuitry 202 recognizes the state change and communicates the state change through the communication interface 206 to the sample dispatch circuitry 210. The sample dispatch circuitry 210 causes dispatch through the TWM 404 to route the archived tubes to the remover. This dispatch instruction is sent to the TSM 406, which requests the tubes from storage (which is the archive process module) (block 436) via the GLPtrack 408. While the tubes are restored and recognized by the TSM 406, the TWM 404 generates the routes for the archived samples with pending tests (block 438). Subsequently, all routine tubes resume routing for '‘normal” processing (block 440).

[0075] FIG. 5 illustrates an example use case of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 with scheduling circuitry’ 200 wherein the OWH state is enabled and the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 handles a biological sample (referred to as a tube) with a first priority (referred to as STAT). Similar to the use case of FIG. 4, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 includes the middleware 402, the TWM 404, the TSM 406, and the GLPtrack 408. In this example, the middleware 402 operates to integrate the software applications TWM 404 and TSM 406 with the physical equipment (represented as GLPtrack 408).

[0076] In this example, routine sample orders are received at 9AM on a first day (block 510). The middleware 402 sends the new and updated orders to the TWM 404. The TWM 404 creates corresponding routine sample orders in a database (e.g., a database contained within the data storage 208 of scheduling circuitry 200) (block 512). Subsequently, the routine tubes corresponding to the routine sample orders received are loaded at an input / output module (a process module for the receiving of tubes) between the working hours of 9 AM and 7PM (block 514). The TSM 406 facilitates the management of the loaded routine tubes and sends messages indicating new samples are received to the TWM 404. The TWM 404 subsequently generates the processing routes to process all tubes at the process modules (block 516) and sends the routes to the TSM 406. Accordingly, the tubes continue routing for processing at the process modules (block 518). This processing is considered to be "‘normal” processing during working hours (e g., applies to all biological samples, both STAT and non-STAT, not during an OWH state). In other words, this processing occurs during a first processing state associated with the working-hours of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 for tubes having both a second priority and a higher-priority first priority.

[0077] When the TWM 404 enables OWH based on a time of day (7 PM in this instance) (block 520), the active tubes that are on the track 103 of the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 continue processing (e.g., active tubes complete the current process of the current process module and move to subsequent process modules for subsequent processing) (block 522).

[0078] Next, tubes are loaded into an input / output module (IOM) when the OWH state is enabled (e.g., after 7 PM) (block 524). The priority7determination circuitry7204 determines the priority associated with the tubes. In the example use case of FIG. 5, the tubes loaded at the IOM are STAT tubes (e.g., first priority). The TSM 404 sends new sample messages to the TWM 402. The TWM then continues processing instructions to route the STAT tubes for processing (block 526). The STAT tubes then route for processing (block 528).

[0079] FIGs. 6-10 illustrate an example decision tree 600 of an example situation in which the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 receives a new order to process a biological sample but a process module and / or a test is disabled (block 602). A process module and / or test may be disabled for a variety^ of reasons, such as, for example, a reagent is unavailable, a reagent is expired, a module is undergoing or needs to undergo maintenance, and / or a module is being updated. The decision tree 600 includes a determination of whether the aliquot before first analysis is enabled (where additional aliquots or daughter tubes are created before performing an analysis) (block 604).

[0080] If the aliquot before first analysis is disabled (block 604: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 begins test routing, where the sample is allocated to a module for testing (block 610). If the aliquot before first analysis is enabled (block 604: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if the aliquot test is pending and yet to be performed (block 606).

[0081] If the aliquot test is pending (block 606: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the biological sample to the aliquot module (block 608). If the aliquot test is not pending (block 606: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 begins test routing (block 610).

[0082] After test routing (block 610), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if there is a pending analyzer or aliquot test (block 702). If no test is pending (block 702: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if the tubes need to be sorted and / or output to an output area (block 704). If the tubes have been sorted and output (block 704: NO), final actions of laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 are performed (block 708). If the tubes need to be sorted and output (block 704: YES), the tubes are routed to a sort process module and an output area (block 706).

[0083] If a test is still pending for a sample (block 702: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if a test next in sequence is available (block 710).

[0084] If a test next in sequence is available (block 710: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the biological sample to an analyzer process module (block 802) to analyze the sample. Subsequently, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if the fluid ty pe wait time is configured (block 804).

[0085] If the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 determines that a test next in sequence is unavailable (block 710: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 analyzes whether the test has been unavailable more than once (block 712). Some example operations do not consider if the test has been unavailable more than once.

[0086] If the test is unavailable for the first time (block 712: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 processes any available pending tests (block 803). The laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 then determines if the fluid type wait time is configured (block 804).

[0087] If the test is still unavailable (i.e., unavailable more than once) (block 712: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 again determines whether the test is available (block 902). The discussion of the continuation decision tree 600 post block 902 is discussed below.

[0088] If the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 determines that the wait time associated with the fluid type is not configured (block 804: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 returns to the determination of whether there is a pending analyzer and / or aliquot test to be performed (block 702). If the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines that the wait time associated with the fluid type is configured (block 804: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the biological sample to a buffer process module for the wait time associated with the fluid type (block 806).

[0089] The laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if the analyzer test from block 802 is resulted before the configured wait time expires (block 808).

[0090] If the test is resulted before the w ait time expires (block 808: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 cancels the remaining buffer time (block 810) before returning to block 702 to determine if there are remaining analyzer / aliquot tests to be performed. Some examples do not cancel the buffer time.

[0091] If the test is not resulted before the wait time expires (block 808: NO), the w ait time expires before the test results (block 812). At this stage, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the tube to an incomplete output area (block 814).

[0092] Returning to the determination at block 712, a determination is made as to whether a test has been unavailable more than once (block 712). If a test is not available (block 710: NO) and the test has been unavailable more than once (block 712: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 checks again whether the test is available (block 902). as discussed above.

[0093] If the test becomes available, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the sample to the analyzer for the remaining test (block 802) and subsequent processing.

[0094] If the test remains unavailable (block 902: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if the aliquot before disabled test archive is enabled (block 904).

[0095] If the “aliquot before disabled test archive'’ is enabled (block 904: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if an aliquot test is still pending (block 906).

[0096] If an aliquot test is still pending (block 906: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the biological sample to the aliquot process module (block 908).

[0097] If there are no aliquot tests still pending (block 906: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the biological sample to the archive process module (block 910).

[0098] If the “aliquot before disabled test archive'’ is enabled (block 904: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 routes the biological sample to the archive process module (block 910).

[0099] Upon routing a tube to the archive process module (block 910), the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 makes a plurality of determinations. For example, the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 monitors to determine whether the remaining test becomes available before the tube arrives at the archive process module (block 912). Some examples do not determine if a test becomes available before the tube is archived

[0100] If the remaining test becomes available before the tube arrives at the archive process module (block 912: YES), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 cancels the tube routing to the archive process module (block 914) and routes the tube to the analyzer process module (block 802) where the process returns to the flow as described above.

[0101] If the remaining test does not become available before the tube arrives at the archive process module (block 912: NO), the sample is stored in the archive process module. The laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 determines if the remaining test is enabled, if another test has been added to the order, and / or if a test needs to be rerun (block 916). Some examples do not determine if there are now enabled tests, additional tests, and / or tests to be rerun.

[0102] If no additional testing is required for the biological sample (block 916: NO), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 requests the biological sample from the archive process module (block 918). The tube is then routed to the error area (block 920).

[0103] In the instance where additional testing is required (block 916: YES), the laboratory' diagnostic automation system 101 leverages the scheduling circuitry 200 and more specifically, the state determination circuitry’ 202 to determine if the OWH state is enabled (block 1002).

[0104] At block 1002, the state determination circuitry 202 determines if the OWH state is enabled. If the OWH state is not enabled (e.g., the analyzer is being operated during “normal” hours), the laboratory diagnostic automation system 101 requests the biological sample from the archive process module (block 1004). Once the sample is requested from the archive (block 1004), the sample is routed to the analyzer process module (block 802) for processing in continuation with the decisions and actions outlined above.

[0105] If the state determination circuitry 202 determines that the OWH state is enabled (block 1002: YES), the priority determination circuitry 1004 determines if the sample has a first priority7(e g. STAT priority) or a second priority' (e.g., “routine” priority).

[0106] If the state determination circuitry 202 determines that the sample has a STAT priority (block 1006: YES), the tube is requested from the archive process module (block 1004) and then routed to the analyzer process module (block 802) for processing in accordance with the decisions and actions outlined above.

[0107] If the state determination circuitry' 202 determines that the sample has a routine priority (block 1006: NO), the sample remains in the archive until the OWH state ends (block 1008), as determined by the state determiner circuitry 202. Once the OWH state ends, the sample is the routed to the analyzer process module (block 802) for further processing in accordance with the decisions and actions outlined above. Some examples determine both whether the OWH state is enabled and whether the sample has STAT priority. Other examples determine one of whether the OWH state is enabled and whether the sample has STAT priority’.

[0108] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example programmable circuitry platform 1100 structured to execute and / or instantiate the example machine-readable instructions and / or the example operations of FIG. 3 to implement the scheduling circuitry 200 of FIG. 2.

[0109] The programmable circuitry platform 1100 of the illustrated example includes programmable circuitry 1112. The programmable circuitry 1112 of the illustrated example is hardware. For example, the programmable circuitry 1112 can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, logic circuits, FPGAs, microprocessors, CPUs, GPUs, DSPs, and / or microcontrollers from any desired family or manufacturer. The programmable circuitry 1112 may be implemented by one or more semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) devices. In this example, the programmable circuitry 11 12 implements the scheduling circuitry' 200, and more specifically, the state determination circuitry' 202, the priority' determination circuitry' 204, the communication interface 206, and the sample dispatch circuitry 210.

[0110] The programmable circuitry 1112 of the illustrated example includes a local memory 1113 (e.g., a cache, registers, etc.). The programmable circuitry 1112 of the illustrated example is in communication with main memory 1114, 1116, which includes a volatile memory 1114 and a non-volatile memory 1116, by a bus 1118. The volatile memory' 1114 may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). RAMBUS® Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM®), and / or any' other type of RAM device. The non-volatile memory' 1116 may be implemented by flash memory' and / or any other desired type of memory' device. Access to the main memory' 1114, 1116 of the illustrated example is controlled by a memory controller 1117. In some examples, the memory controller 1117 may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, logiccircuits, microcontrollers from any desired family or manufacturer, or any other type of circuitry to manage the flow of data going to and from the main memory 1114, 1116.

[0111] The programmable circuitry platform 1100 of the illustrated example also includes interface circuitry' 1120. The interface circuitry 1120 may be implemented by hardware in accordance with any ty pe of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Bluetooth® interface, a near field communication (NFC) interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface, and / or a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface.

[0112] In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1122 are connected to the interface circuitry’ 1120. The input device(s) 1122 permit(s) a user (e.g., a human user, a machine user, etc.) to enter data and / or commands into the programmable circuitry 1112. The input device(s) 1 122 can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, a trackpad, a trackball, an isopoint device, and / or a voice recognition system.

[0113] One or more output devices 1124 are also connected to the interface circuitry 1120 of the illustrated example. The output device(s) 1 124 can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, an in-place switching (IPS) display, a touchscreen, etc.), a tactile output device, a printer, and / or speaker. The interface circuitry 1120 of the illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip, and / or graphics processor circuitry such as a GPU.

[0114] The interface circuitry’ 1120 of the illustrated example also includes a communication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, a modem, a residential gateway, a wireless access point, and / or a network interface to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) by a network 1126. The communication can be by, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, a satellite system, a beyond- line-of-sight wireless system, a line-of-sight wireless system, a cellular telephone system, an optical connection, etc.

[0115] The programmable circuitry platform 1100 of the illustrated example also includes one or more mass storage discs or devices 1128 to store firmware, software, and / or data. Examples of such mass storage discs or devices 1128 include magnetic storage devices (e.g., floppy disk, drives. HDDs. etc.), optical storage devices (e.g.. Blu-ray disks, CDs, DVDs,etc.), RAID systems, and / or solid-state storage discs or devices such as flash memoiy devices and / or SSDs.

[0116] The machine readable instructions 1132, which may be implemented by the machine readable instructions of FIG. 3, may be stored in the mass storage device 1128, in the volatile memory 1114, in the non-volatile memory' 1116, and / or on at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD which may be removable.

[0117] "Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation of any kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc., may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including” are open ended. The term “and / or” when used, for example, in a form such as A, B, and / or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B. C such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B. (5) A with C, (6) B with C, or (7) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and / or things, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and / or things, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, etc., the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B. or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, etc., the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0118] As used herein, singular references (e.g.. “a”, “an”, “first”, “second”, etc.) do not exclude a plurality. The term “a” or “an” object, as used herein, refers to one or more of that object. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements, or actions may be implemented by, e.g.. the same entity or object. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different examples or claims, these may possibly be combined, and theinclusion in different examples or claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous.

[0119] Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as '‘first,” '‘second,” “third,” etc., are used herein without imputing or otherwise indicating any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and / or ordering in any way, but are merely used as labels and / or arbitrary names to distinguish elements for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor '‘first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as “second” or “third.” In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for identifying those elements distinctly within the context of the discussion (e.g., within a claim) in which the elements might, for example, otherwise share a same name.

[0120] As used herein, the phrase “in communication,” including variations thereof, encompasses direct communication and / or indirect communication through one or more intermediary components, and does not require direct physical (e.g., wired) communication and / or constant communication, but rather additionally includes selective communication at periodic intervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and / or one-time events.

[0121] As used herein, “programmable circuitry” is defined to include (i) one or more special purpose electrical circuits (e.g., an application specific circuit (ASIC)) structured to perform specific operation(s) and including one or more semiconductor-based logic devices (e.g.. electrical hardware implemented by one or more transistors), and / or (ii) one or more general purpose semiconductor-based electrical circuits programmable with instructions to perform specific functions(s) and / or operation(s) and including one or more semiconductorbased logic devices (e.g., electrical hardware implemented by one or more transistors). Examples of programmable circuitry include programmable microprocessors such as Central Processor Units (CPUs) that may execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that may be programmed with second instructions to cause configuration and / or structuring of the FPGAs to instantiate one or more operations and / or functions corresponding to the first instructions, Graphics Processor Units (GPUs) that may execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions. Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) that may execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions, XPUs, Netw ork Processing Units (NPUs) one or more microcontrollers that may execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions and / or integrated circuits such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). For example, an XPU may be implemented by a heterogeneous computing system includingmultiple types of programmable circuitry (e.g., one or more FPGAs, one or more CPUs, one or more GPUs, one or more NPUs. one or more DSPs, etc., and / or any combination(s) thereof), and orchestration technology (e g., application programming interface(s) (API(s)) that may assign computing task(s) to whichever one(s) of the multiple types of programmable circuitry is / are suited and available to perform the computing task(s).

[0122] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods have been disclosed that enable a second operating state of a laboratory diagnostic automation system including diagnostic medical analyzer by allowing for the scheduling and toggling of the state through dispatching biological samples based on a state determination and a determination of a priority associated with the biological samples. Disclosed systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods improve the efficiency of using a computing device by determining the priority associated with a biological sample and sending biological samples for processing or for storage depending on a priority associated with each sample. Disclosed systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are accordingly directed to one or more improvement(s) in the operation of a machine such as a computer or other electronic and / or mechanical device by reducing the need for refrigeration space by processing samples that do not need to be stored and resulting in an overall higher throughput as opposed to shutting down a machine overnight. Additionally, disclosed systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are directed to sample prioritization so that there is a reduced need for multiple machines (e.g. using one machine for STAT samples and another for routine samples during outside working hours periods). Furthermore, machines are capable of continuing processing of samples in periods of time defined as outside of working hours, which previously w as not possible, as laboratory staff had to cease processing of samples hours prior to the end of a desired shift.

[0123] Example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to enable a second operating state of a laboratory diagnostic automation system including diagnostic medical analyzer by allowing for the scheduling and toggling of the state through dispatching biological samples based on a state determination and a determination of a priority associated with the biological samples are disclosed herein. Further examples and combinations thereof include the following:

[0124] Example 1 includes a laboratory7diagnostic automation system including: interface circuitry; a track to receive and transport receptacles for biological samples; machine- readable instructions; and at least one processor circuit to be programmed by the machine- readable instructions to: determine a throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation,the throughput state having a first throughput capacity or a second throughput capacity, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity; determine a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority’, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority ; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation based on the processing prioritybeing the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation based on the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

[0125] Example 2 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation system of example 1, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to send the biological sample to a centrifuge before the storage.

[0126] Example 3 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding example, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation, one or more of the at least one processor circuit to cause the laboratory diagnostic automation to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the throughput state changes from having the first throughput capacity to having the second throughput capacity- regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

[0127] Example 4 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding example, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the throughput state changes from having the second throughput capacity to the first throughput capacity.

[0128] Example 5 includes the laboratory- diagnostic automation sy stem of any preceding example, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to: determine that the biological sample is to be processed by a process module that is unavailable; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the process module being unavailable.

[0129] Example 6 includes the laboratory- diagnostic automation system of any- preceding example, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to: determine that the process module is available; cause retrieval of the biological sample from storage based on the process module being available and the throughput state having the first throughput capacityand regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause retrieval of the biological sample from storge based on the process module being available and the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state.

[0130] Example 7 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding example, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit determines the throughput state based on a time of day.

[0131] Example 8 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding example, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit determines the throughput state based on a day of the week.

[0132] Example 9 includes at least one machine-readable medium including machine- readable instructions to cause at least one processor circuit to at least: determine a throughput state of a medical diagnostic laboratory, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity' or a second throughput capacity, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity; determine a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the medical diagnostic laboratory as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic laboratory when the processing priority is the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the medical diagnostic laboratory; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic laboratory when the throughput state has the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage when the processing priority is the second processing priority and the throughput state has the second throughput capacity.

[0133] Example 10 includes the at least one machine-readable medium of example 9, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to send the biological sample to a centrifuge before the storage.

[0134] Example 11 includes the at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding example, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the medical diagnostic laboratory, the machine-readable instructions to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to cause the medical diagnostic laboratory' to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the throughput state changes from having the first throughput capacity to having the second throughput capacity regardless of the processing priority’ of any of the plurality of biological samples.

[0135] Example 12 includes the at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding example, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the throughput state changes from having the second throughput capacity to having the first throughput capacity'.

[0136] Example 13 includes the at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding example, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to: identify an operating status of a process module to act upon the biological sample; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the operating status of the process module.

[0137] Example 14 includes the at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding example, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to: identity7an operating status of a process module to act upon the biological sample; cause retrieval of the biological sample from storage based on the operating status of the process module and the throughput state having the first throughput capacity’ and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause retrieval of the biological sample from storge based on the operating status of the process module being available and the processing priority being the first processing priority’ and regardless of the throughput state.

[0138] Example 15 includes a method including: determining a throughput state of a medical diagnostic system based on a time of day, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity7at a first time of day or a second throughput capacity’ at a second time of day, the second throughput capacity' lower than the first throughput capacity, the second time of day different than the first time of day; determining a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the medical diagnostic system as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority; causing dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic system based on the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the medical diagnostic system: causing dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic system based on the throughput state having the first throughput capacity7and regardless of the processing priority7of the biological sample; and causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

[0139] Example 16 includes the method of example 15, further including causing dispatch of the biological sample to a centrifuge process prior to storage when causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage.

[0140] Example 17 includes the method of any preceding example, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the medical diagnostic system, the medical diagnostic system to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the time of day changes from the first time of day to the second time of day regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

[0141] Example 18 includes the method of any preceding example, wherein the medical diagnostic system is to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the time of day changes from the second time of day to the first time of day.

[0142] Example 19 includes the method of any preceding example, further including: determining that the biological sample is to be processed by a process module that is unavailable; causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the process module being unavailable; subsequently determining that the process module is available; and causing retrieval of the biological sample from storage based on the process module being available and the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample.

[0143] Example 20 includes the method of any preceding example, further including: determining that the biological sample is to be processed by a process module that is unavailable; causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the process module being unavailable; subsequently determining that the process module is available; and causing retrieval of the biological sample from storge based on the process module being available and the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state.

[0144] Example 21 includes a laboratory diagnostic automation system comprising interface circuitry', a track to receive and transport receptacles for biological samples, machine readable instructions, and programmable circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to determine a throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation based on a time of day, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity at a first time of day or a second throughput capacity' at a second time of day, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity, the second time of day different than the first time of day, determine a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation as either a first processing priority or a secondprocessing priority, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority, cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation based on the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation, and cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation based on the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample, cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

[0145] Example 22 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation of example 21, wherein the instructions cause the programmable circuitry to send the biological sample to a centrifuge before the storage.

[0146] Example 23 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation of example 21, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation, the instructions to cause the programmable circuitry to cause the laboratory diagnostic automation to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the time of day changes from the first time of day to the second time of day regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

[0147] Example 24 includes the laboratory diagnostic automation of example 21. wherein the instructions cause the programmable circuitry to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the time of day changes from the second time of day to the first time of day.

[0148] Example 25 includes a non-transitory machine readable storage medium comprising instructions to cause programmable circuitry to at least determine a throughput state of a medical diagnostic laboratory based on a time of day, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity at a first time of day or a second throughput capacity' at a second time of day, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity, the second time of day different than the first time of day, determine a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the medical diagnostic laboratory as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority', the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority, cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic laboratory based on the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the medical diagnostic machine, cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic laboratory based on the throughputstate having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample, and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

[0149] Example 26 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage medium of example 25, wherein the instructions cause the programmable circuitry to send the biological sample to a centrifuge before the storage.

[0150] Example 27 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage medium of example 25, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the medical diagnostic laboratory, the instructions to cause the programmable circuitry to cause the medical diagnostic laboratory to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the time of day changes from the first time of day to the second time of day regardless of the processing priority' of any of the plurality of biological samples.

[0151] Example 28 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage medium of example 25, wherein the instructions cause the programmable circuitry to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the time of day changes from the second time of day to the first time of day.

[0152] Example 29 includes a method comprising determining a throughput state of a medical diagnostic system based on a time of day. the throughput state having a first throughput capacity at a first time of day or a second throughput capacity at a second time of day, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity', the second time of day different than the first time of day, determining a processing priority' associated with a biological sample to be processed by the medical diagnostic system as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority', causing dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic system based on the processing priority' being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the medical diagnostic system, causing dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic system based on the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample, and causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority' being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

[0153] Example 30 includes the method of example 29, further including causing dispatch of the biological sample to a centrifuge process prior to storage when causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage.

[0154] Example 31 includes the method of example 29, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the medical diagnostic system, the medical diagnostic system to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the time of day changes from the first time of day to the second time of day regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

[0155] Example 32 includes the method of example 29, wherein the medical diagnostic system is to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the time of day changes from the second time of day to the first time of day.

[0156] The following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference. Although certain example systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary’, this patent covers all systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A laboratory diagnostic automation system comprising: interface circuitry ; a track to receive and transport receptacles for biological samples; machine-readable instructions; and at least one processor circuit to be programmed by the machine-readable instructions to: determine a throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity or a second throughput capacity, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity ; determine a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority, the first processing priority' greater than the second processing priority; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation based on the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the laboratory diagnostic automation; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the laboratory diagnostic automation based on the throughput state having the first throughput capacity' and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

2. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to send the biological sample to a centrifuge before the storage.

3. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding claim, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the laboratory diagnostic automation, one or more of the at least one processor circuit to cause the laboratory diagnostic automation to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the throughput state changes from having the first throughput capacity to having the second throughput capacity regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

4. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the throughput state changes from having the second throughput capacity to the first throughput capacity.

5. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to: determine that the biological sample is to be processed by a process module that is unavailable; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the process module being unavailable.

6. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit is to: determine that the process module is available; cause retrieval of the biological sample from storage based on the process module being available and the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause retrieval of the biological sample from storge based on the process module being available and the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state.

7. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit determines the throughput state based on a time of day.

8. The laboratory diagnostic automation system of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least one processor circuit determines the throughput state based on a day of the week.

9. At least one machine readable storage medium comprising instructions to cause at least one processor circuit to at least:determine a throughput state of a medical diagnostic laboratory, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity or a second throughput capacity, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity; determine a processing priority' associated with a biological sample to be processed by the medical diagnostic laboratory as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic laboratory when the processing priority is the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the medical diagnostic laboratory'; cause dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic laboratory when the throughput state has the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage when the processing priority is the second processing priority and the throughput state has the second throughput capacity.

10. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to send the biological sample to a centrifuge before the storage.

11. The at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding claim, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the medical diagnostic laboratory, the machine-readable instructions to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to cause the medical diagnostic laboratory to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the throughput state changes from having the first throughput capacity to having the second throughput capacity regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

12. The at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding claim, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the throughput state changes from having the second throughput capacity to having the first throughput capacity.

13. The at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding claim, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to:identify an operating status of a process module to act upon the biological sample; and cause dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the operating status of the process module.

14. The at least one machine readable storage medium of any preceding claim, wherein the machine-readable instructions are to cause one or more of the at least one processor circuit to: identify an operating status of a process module to act upon the biological sample; cause retrieval of the biological sample from storage based on the operating status of the process module and the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and cause retrieval of the biological sample from storge based on the operating status of the process module being available and the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state.

15. A method comprising: determining a throughput state of a medical diagnostic system based on a time of day, the throughput state having a first throughput capacity at a first time of day or a second throughput capacity at a second time of day, the second throughput capacity lower than the first throughput capacity, the second time of day different than the first time of day; determining a processing priority associated with a biological sample to be processed by the medical diagnostic system as either a first processing priority or a second processing priority, the first processing priority greater than the second processing priority; causing dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic system based on the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state of the medical diagnostic system; causing dispatch of the biological sample for processing by the medical diagnostic system based on the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample; and causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the processing priority being the second processing priority and the throughput state having the second throughput capacity.

16. The method of claim 15, further including causing dispatch of the biological sample to a centrifuge process prior to storage when causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage.

17. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the biological sample is a first biological sample in a queue of a plurality of biological samples to be processed by the medical diagnostic system, the medical diagnostic system to process the plurality of biological samples in the queue when the time of day changes from the first time of day to the second time of day regardless of the processing priority of any of the plurality of biological samples.

18. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the medical diagnostic system is to cause retrieval of the biological sample from the storage when the time of day changes from the second time of day to the first time of day.

19. The method of any preceding claim, further including: determining that the biological sample is to be processed by a process module that is unavailable; causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the process module being unavailable; subsequently determining that the process module is available; and causing retrieval of the biological sample from storage based on the process module being available and the throughput state having the first throughput capacity and regardless of the processing priority of the biological sample.

20. The method of any preceding claim, further including: determining that the biological sample is to be processed by a process module that is unavailable; causing dispatch of the biological sample to storage based on the process module being unavailable; subsequently determining that the process module is available; and causing retrieval of the biological sample from storge based on the process module being available and the processing priority being the first processing priority and regardless of the throughput state.

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