JPH05142232A - Specimen allocating system for clinical - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to perform the leveling of analyzing work, the achievement of efficiency and the reporting of the results of the analysis efficiently by grouping and allocating specimen containers using the data obtained from a host apparatus based on the identification data of the specimens. CONSTITUTION:Racks, which are sent from a specimine inputting part 1, are once stopped at a rack stopping position 5, The data of the racks are discriminated with a rack-kind detector 4. The data are transferred into a controller 8. At a next rack stopping position 7, the ID of the individual specimen is read with a specimen-kind detector 6. The data are sent into the controller 8. Thereafter, the racks are conveyed into a rack stopping position 21 with a next conveying line 11. For the specimen on the stopping position, a specimen holder 20 is actuated with the instruction of a robot controller 17. A Y-direction moving arm 19 and an X-direction moving arm 18 are moved, and the specimen is inserted into the vacant part of the rack of a specimen-allocating-rack containing part 13 or 14. The rack, which is emptied at the stopping position 21 is contained into an empty-rack containing part 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for categorizing and distributing blood and urine specimens in clinical tests, and a distribution device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In clinical tests in hospitals and test centers, it is an important issue how to quickly perform processing after sample collection and return the result report. Collected and received samples are processed by grouping according to analysis means (type of analyzer), test item, urgency of processing, etc. Conventionally, this grouping means is used for patients read by the host system. A work table (worksheet) is created according to attributes, request items, analysis means, emergency instructions, and the like, and inspection classification is performed according to this worksheet, and classification is performed according to processing means. In such a method, it is necessary for humans to work according to the worksheet,
There is a problem that daily work cannot be simplified and misclassification is likely to occur.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art lacks consideration in improving the processing speed, and has a system configuration with a more complicated structure.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a part for inserting a sample, a part for reading an ID number for each sample, a part for moving a sample, a part for collecting samples for each classification, and the like are provided. By exchanging information with the host system, it is classified according to its purpose.

[0005]

[Function] The collected specimen is given a unique identification number, and the host system is queried with this number. In the host system, in addition to patient attributes and request items, processing means according to the request item (classification according to analysis method, etc.), classification according to the type of sample container, function to give instructions according to urgency, etc. It is possible to improve efficiency as a whole, by performing grouping by transporting with, and carrying out the group that requires a long time for processing first.

[0006]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A sample 3 such as blood or urine collected in a test tube, a vacuum blood collection tube, a Spitz tube, or the like is attached with a necessary sample identification number and set in a sample insertion rack 2 of a sample insertion section 1. In this embodiment, a rack into which 5 samples can be inserted is used as the sample insertion rack 2. The rack sent out from the sample loading unit 1 stops at the rack stop position 5, the rack information (the unique number of the rack, the type of blood collection tube, etc.) is determined by the rack type detector 4, and this information is sent to the controller 8. introduce. At the next rack stop position 7, the ID of each sample is read by the sample type detector (bar code reader) 6, and this information is sent to the controller 8. In this case, the rack is transported on the transport line 9, but details such as the drive of the transport line and the rack stop structure are omitted.

After the ID of the sample is read, the rack is transported to the next rack stop position 21 by the next transport line 11. At this position, the information of the sample identification detector 6 and the information of the host system 30 are matched with each other, and the sample is instructed to be distributed to either the sample distribution rack storage section 13 or 15 of FIG. This instruction is also transmitted to the robot controller 17 to give an instruction to carry the sample to a required position.

The sample on the rack stop position 21 is operated by the robot controller 17 to operate the sample holder 20 to pick up the sample and lift it upward, and then the Y-direction moving arm 1
9 and the X-direction moving arm 18 are moved to insert the sample into the empty part of the rack of the sample distribution rack storage 13 or 15. Empty racks 22 and 24 are sent to the sample distribution rack storage units 13 and 15 from the empty rack supply units 12 and 14 to the localization value and are on standby. In this example, 5 samples
When the rack is full in this unit, it automatically operates so that the next empty rack will wait.

The rack emptied at the rack stop position 21 moves on the transfer line 11 and is then stored in the empty rack storage section 16. Further, when the sample is filled in the rack, the sample distribution rack storages 13 and 15 are sent in the direction of the step 1 arrow, and the next empty rack is supplied to the empty rack supply unit 12.
And 14 are sent.

The samples from the sample distribution rack storage sections 13 and 15 are moved to the next step while being inserted into the rack, but the samples may be removed from the rack and moved independently. The classification of the sample distribution rack storage part is divided into, for example, a part that counts blood cells in blood and a part that performs biochemical analysis in serum, or even within biochemical analysis, depending on the urgency of analysis processing. It can be divided into groups, but these can be arbitrarily determined by instructions from the host system.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sample after the sorting is manually carried in the next step, but as shown in FIG. 2, the rack from the empty rack supply section is further automatically analyzed.
It is also possible to provide transport lines 25 and 26 that are directly connected to each other in order to transport them to 28. In this case, the sample may be distributed at the positions of the tips of the empty rack supply units 12 and 14. This directly connected transfer line can be replaced with a robot system or the like.

In the present embodiment, the system is shown in which the distribution is limited to two classifications, but the classification is not limited to two classifications and can be set to several classifications according to the purpose, and the empty rack supply section and the distribution racks can be set. The number of combinations can be increased.

Further, depending on the type of analyzer in the subsequent process, 5
The sample is not limited to the sample / rack, and a rack configuration such as 10 samples / rack can be used and, of course, 1 sample / rack may be used.

The robot for carrying the sample is not limited to one as shown in the figure. The number of rack stop positions can be configured according to the robot.

[0016]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, by sorting the sample containers according to their analytical means in advance, it is possible to carry out the analytical processing first from the group that spends a lot of time on the processing, and to level the analytical work and improve the efficiency. The analysis results can be reported efficiently. A fully automated system can be constructed by transferring the classified samples by a belt conveyor or the like. Further, since there is no need to rely on a work table or the like, there is an effect that human error can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample insertion part, 2 ... Sample insertion rack, 6 ... Sample type detector, 8 ... Controller, 9, 11 ... Conveyance line, 1
2, 14 ... Empty rack supply section, 13, 15 ... Sample sorting rack storage section, 17 ... Robot controller, 16 ... Empty rack storage section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sample loading unit for setting a sample container, a sample transport line for transporting a sample, an identification device for reading sample identification during sample transport, a host system for providing classification information by this identification signal, and this information Sample transfer unit (robot system) that transfers sample containers from the sample transport line to empty racks by classification, empty rack supply unit for inserting classified sample containers, and rack for accommodating racks after transfer A clinical test sample sorting system, characterized by comprising a storage section, and capable of sorting sample containers into groups based on information obtained from a host based on sample identification information. 2. The rack in which the classified sample containers are inserted has a function of automatically transferring on a transport line connecting an empty rack supply section and an analyzer. Specimen distribution system for clinical examination.