Tube characterization station

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9927450-B2
Application number	US-201414773222-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 7, 2014
Priority date	Mar 8, 2013
Publication date	Mar 27, 2018
Grant date	Mar 27, 2018

Abstract

Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting may include an automation track, a plurality of carriers configured to carry a plurality of sample vessels along the automation track, and a characterization station including a plurality of optical devices. A processor, in communication with the characterization station, can be configured to analyze images to automatically characterize physical attributes related to each carrier and/or sample vessel. A method may include receiving a plurality of images from a plurality of optical devices of a characterization station, wherein the plurality of images comprise images from a plurality of perspectives of a sample vessel being transported by a carrier, automatically analyzing the plurality of images, using a processor, to determine certain characteristics of the sample vessel, and automatically associating the characteristics of the sample vessel with the carrier in a database.

First claim

We claim:

1. An automation system for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting comprising:
an automation track;
a plurality of carriers each configured to carry one or more sample vessels along the automation track;
a characterization station placed along the automation track comprising a plurality of cameras that capture a plurality of images, each camera configured to provide one or more images of each of the plurality of carriers from one of a plurality of perspectives while each carrier is at a predetermined location on the automation track such that the perspectives capture all sides of each carrier; and
a processor, in communication with the characterization station, configured to analyze the plurality of images to automatically characterize at least one physical attribute of each carrier, including at least an orientation between the one or more sample tubes and each carrier.

2. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a linear offset or rotational offset relative to a nominal position.

3. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises physical dimensions of at least one sample vessel carried by each carrier.

4. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification of a type of sample vessel carried by each carrier.

5. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification of a type of each carrier.

6. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification of the shape of the bottom of a sample vessel carried by each carrier.

7. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises a determination of whether a sample vessel carried by each carrier is properly seated.

8. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises a temperature of a sample vessel carried by each carrier.

9. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises at least one of a fluid level or fluid volume of a fluid contained in a sample vessel carried by each carrier.

10. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises a determination of the presence of at least one of the following within a blood sample carried by at least one carrier: a gel barrier, clotting, hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia.

11. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification whether a cap is placed on a sample vessel carried by each carrier.

12. The automation system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification of at least one of a color and a type of the cap.

13. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification of whether a tube-top cup is placed on a sample vessel carried by each carrier.

14. The automation system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one physical attribute comprises an identification of a type of the tube-top cup.

15. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to read barcode information encoded on at least one of a sample vessel, carried by each carrier, and each carrier.

16. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras of the characterization station includes a plurality of cameras placed at different positions and angles relative to an imaging location of each carrier.

17. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras of the characterization station includes at least one camera and one or more mirrors placed in an image plane of the at least one camera to provide different perspectives of each carrier.

18. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cameras comprises optics with depths of field substantially concurrent with an expected position of features of each carrier.

19. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the automation track comprises a linear synchronous motor and the processor is further configured to calibrate a position of each carrier within the automation track.

20. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein each of the carriers comprises a plurality of slots, each configured to receive one of the plurality of sample vessels.

21. The automation system of claim 20 , wherein the characterization station is configured to move each carrier so that an occupied slot of the plurality of slots is located in an image field of the plurality of cameras prior to characterization of the at least one attribute.

22. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras of the characterization station include at least one camera configured to view each carrier horizontally and at least one camera configured to view each carrier from above.

23. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect bubbles or foam on top of a fluid sample contained in a sample vessel carried by one of the plurality of carriers.

24. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect a color of a fluid sample contained in a sample vessel carried by each carrier.

25. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect a peeling or worn label on a sample vessel carried by one of the plurality of carriers.

26. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect the presence of condensation in or on a sample vessel carried by one of the plurality of carriers.

27. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect the type of material of a sample vessel carried by one of the plurality of carriers.

28. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect damage to a sample vessel carried by one of the plurality of carriers.

29. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze images to detect at least one of fluid spills, debris, and damage to support tines or springs related to at least one of the plurality of carriers.

Assignees

• Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc

Inventors

• Pollack Benjamin
• German Ryan

Classifications

• G01N35/04 Primary

  Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} · CPC title

• G01N2035/0491

  Position sensing, encoding; closed-loop control · CPC title

• G01N35/026

  having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes · CPC title

• G01N35/00732 Primary

  Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers · CPC title

• G01N2035/0406

  Individual bottles or tubes · CPC title