Status displaying sample carriers

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. To aid in operator handling of payloads and carriers, carriers include an electronically rewritable display on a surface visible to an operator. The display can include an LCD, E-ink, or other rewritable display and can utilize color, pattern, or text to convey status information of the payloads to the operator.

Non-contact optical encoding scheme for intelligent automation puck

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory.

Power source for an automation system mechanism

Power systems for an independent carrier for transport of payloads in an automation system for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. The independent carrier may include an onboard power source and an onboard electrical system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement of the carrier. The independent carrier may include an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier and electrically connected to the onboard electrical system for receiving a command to control the movement of the carrier. Onboard power sources may include: replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, induction battery charging, photovoltaic power, Peltier effect power, and external combustion engines.

Linear random access queue

Methods and systems for managing queues of sample carriers in a bidirectional track allow queues to behave as linear FIFO queues while providing random access to samples by resorting samples in the queue. One or more storage positions to allow sample carriers to be selectively removed and reinserted into the queue, allowing the order of sample carriers to be resorted.

Module transport system that can be combined into an automation system

An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system can include a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules having an internal transport system. Each internal transport system includes one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends and one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions. The internal transport systems can be configured to connect to one another via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming a continuous periphery track running through and connecting the plurality of modules. Samples are transported along the continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions. The continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions form a plurality of paths along which the samples are transported.

Virtual sample queues

Methods and systems can implement queues for an automation system that services a plurality of modules connected to one another by a transport mechanism, a processor can determining a desired queue for a module. An IVD analyzer can include an automation system, a plurality of stations configured to interact with objects transported by the automation system, and one or more processors that maintain a plurality of queues for at least a subset of the plurality of stations in memory and assign a plurality of the objects to each of the plurality of queues. Objects assigned to each of the plurality of queues need not be located physically proximate to a station associated with each of the plurality of queues.

MODULE TRANSPORT SYSTEM THAT CAN BE COMBINED INTO AN AUTOMATION SYSTEM

An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system can include a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules having an internal transport system. Each internal transport system includes one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends and one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions. The internal transport systems can be configured to connect to one another via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming a continuous periphery track running through and connecting the plurality of modules. Samples are transported along the continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions. The continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions form a plurality of paths along which the samples are transported. 1. An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules , the system comprising: one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends; and', 'one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions,, 'a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules comprising an internal transport system, each internal transport system comprisingwherein the internal transport systems are configured to connect to one another via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby ...

METHOD FOR PROCESSING PRIORITY SAMPLES THAT PRESERVES A FIFO PROCESSING QUEUE

Methods and systems for processing samples in an analyzer utilizes a track system with a plurality of track portions. A queue of samples for processing can be handled on a first portion, while priority samples may be handled on another portion. An instrument in a module may process samples in queues and priority samples. The instrument may process priority samples while a queue of samples remains on the first portion and resumes processing the queue of samples along the first portion upon completion of processing the priority sample. 1. A method of processing samples on a track system comprising an external track portion along which the samples are transported and a plurality of internal track portions , each internal track portion intersecting the external track portion to create a respective side track along which samples are transported , the method comprising:handling on a first internal track portion a queue of samples for processing by a first module;handling a priority sample on a portion of the external track portion accessible for processing the priority sample by the first module; andinstructing the first module to process the priority sample,wherein an instrument in the first module is configured to process the queue of samples along the first internal track portion and the priority sample on the portion of the external track portion accessible for processing the priority sample by the first module, andwherein the instrument in the first module processes the priority sample while the queue of samples remains on the first internal track portion and resumes processing of the queue of samples along the first internal track portion upon completion of processing the priority sample.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instrument comprises a pipettor.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instrument in the first module is positioned on a rotating device claim 1 , wherein the rotating device is configured to rotate between positions allowing for processing on ...

Virtual sample queues

Methods and systems can implement queues for an automation system that services a plurality of modules connected to one another by a transport mechanism, a processor can determining a desired queue for a module. An IVD analyzer can include an automation system, a plurality of stations configured to interact with objects transported by the automation system, and one or more processors that maintain a plurality of queues for at least a subset of the plurality of stations in memory and assign a plurality of the objects to each of the plurality of queues. Objects assigned to each of the plurality of queues need not be located physically proximate to a station associated with each of the plurality of queues.

Non-contact optical encoding scheme for intelligent automation puck

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory.

LINEAR RANDOM ACCESS QUEUE

Methods and systems for managing queues of sample carriers in a bidirectional track allow queues to behave as linear FIFO queues while providing random access to samples by resorting samples in the queue. One or more storage positions to allow sample carriers to be selectively removed and reinserted into the queue, allowing the order of sample carriers to be resorted. 1. An automation system for use with an automated clinical analyzer comprising:a bidirectional track;a plurality of sample carriers configured to move along the bidirectional track;at least one storage location accessible to the bidirectional track; anda processor configured to sort the plurality of sample carriers by directing the carriers along the bidirectional track, and by directing at least one sample carrier into and out of the storage location to change the order of carriers with respect to the bidirectional track.2. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein at least one location of the directional track is accessible to a pipette.3. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the storage location is configured to allow a pipette to interact with a sample carried by the at least one sample carrier.4. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to use an insertion sort algorithm to sort the plurality of sample carriers.5. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to use a heapsort algorithm to sort the plurality of sample carriers.6. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one storage location comprises multiple storage locations spaced apart along the bidirectional track.7. The automation system of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to use the multiple storage locations to sort a queue of sample carriers that is longer than the distance between two adjacent storage locations.8. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to use the multiple storage locations to sort a queue of sample ...

STATUS DISPLAYING SAMPLE CARRIERS

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. To aid in operator handling of payloads and carriers, carriers include an electronically rewritable display on a surface visible to an operator. The display can include an LCD, E-ink, or other rewritable display and can utilize color, pattern, or text to convey status information of the payloads to the operator. 1. A carrier for use in an in vitro diagnostics environment comprising:a bracket for accepting one or more payloads; andat least one surface having an electronically rewritable display,wherein the carrier automatically updates the electronically rewritable display to provide a visual indication of status information regarding the one or more payloads.2. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the status information can be updated wirelessly by a central controller.3. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the one or more payloads comprises one or more sample containers and the carrier automatically updates the electronically rewritable display to provide a visual indication of status information regarding the one or more sample containers.4. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the electronically rewritable display is a bi-stable display.5. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the display can be updated by temporary application of power to electrical contacts on the carrier.6. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the electronically rewritable display is a non-volatile display.7. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the status information is conveyed by displaying a color on at least a portion of the electronically rewritable display.8. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the status information is conveyed by displaying a pattern on at least a portion of the electronically rewritable display.9. The carrier of claim 8 , wherein the pattern comprises a blinking pattern.10. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the status information ...

POWER SOURCE FOR AN AUTOMATION SYSTEM MECHANISM

Power systems for an independent carrier for transport of payloads in an automation system for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. The independent carrier may include an onboard power source and an onboard electrical system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement of the carrier. The independent carrier may include an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier and electrically connected to the onboard electrical system for receiving a command to control the movement of the carrier. Onboard power sources may include: replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, induction battery charging, photovoltaic power, Peltier effect power, and external combustion engines.

Barcode reading test tube holder

Tube holders for use in a lab environment include an optical device to allow the observation of barcode information on a sample tube. The optical device can include a lens or camera. Tube holders can also include reflective surfaces or mechanical mechanisms to allow the tube to be rotated such that reading a barcode does not require a strict initial orientation of the tube when placed in the tube holder. Arrays of tubes can include optical guides to allow barcodes to be read by an external imaging device.

Module transport system that can be combined into an automation system

Virtual sample queues

Module transport system that can be combined into an automation system

An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system can include a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules having an internal transport system. Each internal transport system includes one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends and one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions. The internal transport systems can be configured to connect to one another.

Barcode reading test tube holder

Tube holders for use in a lab environment include an optical device to allow the observation of barcode information on a sample tube. The optical device can include a lens or camera. Tube holders can also include reflective surfaces or mechanical mechanisms to allow the tube to be rotated such that reading a barcode does not require a strict initial orientation of the tube when placed in the tube holder. Arrays of tubes can include optical guides to allow barcodes to be read by an external imaging device.

Non-contact optical encoding scheme for intelligent automation puck

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory.

Method for processing priority samples that preserves a fifo processing queue

Methods and systems for processing samples in an analyzer utilizes a track system with a plurality of track portions. A queue of samples for processing can be handled on a first portion, while priority samples may be handled on another portion. An instrument in a module may process samples in queues and priority samples. The instrument may process priority samples while a queue of samples remains on the first portion and resumes processing the queue of samples along the first portion upon completion of processing the priority sample.