Sample container carrier, laboratory sample distribution system and laboratory automation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12044689-B2
Application number	US-201916714907-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 16, 2019
Priority date	Dec 21, 2018
Publication date	Jul 23, 2024
Grant date	Jul 23, 2024

Abstract

A sample container carrier for holding a laboratory sample container and for transporting the held laboratory sample container in a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a first holding element and a second holding element. The first holding element and the second holding element are rotationally displaceable towards and/or away from each other for holding the laboratory sample container. The sample container carrier comprises a coupler. The coupler is connected to the first holding element and to the second holding element such that the coupler couples rotational displacements of the first holding element and the second holding element with each other. The coupler comprises a ring-segment shape for inserting the laboratory sample container to be held by the coupler.

First claim

I claim:

1. A sample container carrier for holding a laboratory sample container and for transporting the held laboratory sample container in a laboratory sample distribution system, the sample container carrier comprising:
a first holding element;
a second holding element, wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are rotationally displaceable towards and away from each other for holding the laboratory sample container and horizontally displaceable orthogonal to a symmetrical central axis of the sample container carrier; and
a coupler that is rotationally moveable around the central axis of the sample container carrier and is connected to the first holding element and to the second holding element such that the coupler couples by its rotational movement the rotational displacements of the first holding element and the second holding element with each other and wherein the coupler comprises a ring-segment shape and a bottom part that cooperate with one another to define a holding region such that upon insertion of the laboratory sample container therein, the laboratory sample container is at least partially positioned within the holding region of the coupler to be surrounded thereby, wherein each of the first holding element and the second holding element are mounted to the coupler by a pin and to a base body by another pin, wherein the coupler is rotationally moveable and translationally fixed relative to the base body while the first holding element and the second holding element comprise a jaw with insertion support for holding the laboratory sample container upon rotational displacement of the first holding element and the second holding element, the first holding element and the second holding element being rotationally moveable relative to the coupler and the base body and either:
(i) translationally moveable relative to the base body such that the first holding element and the second holding element form a lever arm, or
(ii) translationally fixed relative to the base body and translationally moveable relative to the coupler.

2. The sample container carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the first holding element and the second holding element, the base body or the coupler comprise a plurality of guiding grooves and wherein the plurality of guiding grooves is configured to guide the translational movement of at least one of the first holding element and the second holding element.

3. The sample container carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are moveably secured to at least one of the base body and the coupler through a hinged connection to form the lever arm.

4. The sample container carrier according to claim 3 , wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are mounted to the base body farther outward of the coupler.

5. The sample container carrier according to claim 3 , wherein the coupler is tapered in an insertion direction (−z) for supporting the inserted laboratory sample container.

6. The sample container carrier according to claim 3 , wherein the first holding element and the second holding element comprise a plurality of jaws for holding the laboratory sample container.

7. The sample container carrier according to claim 6 , wherein each lever arm comprises a curved shape and wherein each jaw of the plurality of jaws is arranged at each lever arm such that each lever arm is not in contact with the laboratory sample container when the laboratory sample container is inserted into, held by or removed from the sample container carrier.

8. The sample container carrier according to claim 1 , further comprising a retaining element applying a force to at least one of the first holding element, the second holding element and the coupler such that the first holding element and the second holding element are force-loaded towards each other for holding the laboratory sample container.

9. The sample container carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises an outside top cover.

10. The sample container carrier according to claim 1 , further comprising a magnetically active element, wherein the magnetically active element is configured to interact with a magnetic field generated by a drive element such that a driving force is applied to the sample container carrier.

11. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
a plurality of sample container carriers according to claim 1 ;
a transport plane, wherein the transport plane is configured to support the plurality of sample container carriers;
a plurality of drive elements, wherein the plurality of drive elements is configured to move the plurality of sample container carriers on the transport plane; and

a control device, wherein the control device is configured to control the plurality of drive elements such that the plurality of sample container carriers moves on the transport plane along corresponding transport paths.

12. The laboratory sample distribution system according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of drive elements comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators and wherein the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators is stationary arranged below the transport plane and is configured to generate a magnetic field to move the plurality of sample container carriers on the transport plane.

13. The laboratory sample distribution system according to claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of sample container carriers comprises a magnetically active element and wherein the magnetically active element is configured to interact with the magnetic field generated by the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators such that a driving force is applied to the sample container carrier.

14. The laboratory sample distribution system according to claim 12 , wherein the control device is configured to control the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators such that the plurality of sample container carriers moves on the transport plane along corresponding transport paths.

15. A laboratory automation system, the laboratory automation system comprising:
a plurality of laboratory stations; and
a laboratory sample distribution system according to claim 11 , wherein the laboratory sample distribution system is configured to distribute the plurality of sample container carriers and laboratory sample containers between the laboratory stations.

16. The sample container carrier according to claim 1 , whereupon insertion of the laboratory sample container into the holding region, the bottom part of the coupler is in direct contact with the bottom of the laboratory sample container to limit an insertion depth of the laboratory sample container into the holding region.

Assignees

• Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc

Inventors

• Durco Rudolf

Classifications

• B01L9/00 Primary

  Supporting devices; Holding devices · CPC title

• A47G23/02

  Glass or bottle holders {(serving trays with openings for carrying glasses or bottles A47G23/0641; bottle racks A47B73/00; for feeding-bottles A61J9/06; in vehicles B60N3/10)} · CPC title

• B65G29/00

  Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones (mechanical projectors B65G31/00; screw or rotary spiral conveyors B65G33/00) · CPC title

• G01N35/00

  Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor · CPC title

• B67C3/24

  Devices for supporting or handling bottles (transport or storing devices in general B65G) · CPC title