Hitachi-high-technologies Corporation

Hitachi-science Systems, Ltd.

Hitachi High-tech Corporation

Hiroshi Ohga

Tatsuya Fukugaki

Tetsuya Isobe

Masaaki Hanawa

Shigeru Yano

Kenichi Takahashi

Kuniaki Onizawa

Takahiro Sasaki

Masashi Akutsu

Masaharu Nishida

Koji Kamoshida

Kenichi Yasuzawa

Nozomi Hasegawa

Katsuaki Takahashi

Masato Ishizawa

Naoto Tsujimura

Hiroaki Sakai

Shigeki Yamaguchi

Tadao Shimizu

Hiroyuki Mishima

Osamu Watabe

Mitsuru Onuma

Kazuma Tamura

Atsushi Suzuki

Yoshiteru Hirama

Hidenori Hisano

A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample trayon which a plurality of samplescan be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample trayis attached to the sample tray, a sample introducing unitis provided with an identifier reading apparatuswhich reads the identifier of the sample tray, and information about the samplesis switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray

Sample test automation system

A specimen transfer device having high flexibility is implemented, where a specimen can be transferred between carriers purposed for different kinds of conveyance without decreasing processing speed for the specimen. A plurality of trays that can retain specimen carriers of a transfer destination is provided, and these trays can be freely grouped, and therefore, while a carrier is fed from a tray, a specimen is automatically executed to a carrier in a different tray.

Specimen transfer device and system

A reagent container used in an automatic analysis apparatus capable of preventing reagent in the reagent container from spattering out of the reagent container even when the reagent container with large capacity is rotated at a high speed and an automatic analysis apparatus using the reagent container are provided. A reagent containerfor an automatic analysis apparatus has a first openingused for sucking reagent and a second openingused for the filling of the reagent. The second openingis provided with an attachable/detachable lid. The lidis provided with an air vent, a first shield plateand a second shield platefor preventing spattering of the reagent through the air ventdue to a wave motion of the reagent.

Reagent container and automatic analysis apparatus

A test tube holder holds various types of test tubes substantially perpendicular, and is structured to be durable against extraction and insertion of the test tubes. The test tube holder includes a housing part having a hollow portion, a holding part positioned on an upper side of the housing part and having an opening portion, which accepts a test tube, and a housing portion, which houses the accepted test tube. An elastic part is formed inside the holding part so as to abut on the housed test tube. The test tube holder has a weight housed inside the hollow portion. The holding part and the elastic part may be integrally formed. Inside the hollow portion of the housing part, besides the weight, an individual identification tag, an electromagnetic wave absorbent, and a support member for a tapered test tube can be housed in accordance with usage.

Holder for transferring test tube

The sample transport system includes a management section which holds information on the status of a sample transport system as a whole as well as sample information in order to transport and control a plurality of carriers as a consecutive group and which generates group information on a group of carriers to be handled simultaneously based on sample attributes and request information; and units made up of a conveyer line, a connecting line, and a processing section to control received carriers at a converging point based on the group information, so as to permit group management control of the carriers. In this manner, the sample transport system processes as a single batch a plurality of samples collected for the same processing purpose.

Sample transport system and method for controlling the same

A sample processing system includes a sample vessel holder including a disk-shaped base section disposed so as to have a central axis extending in a vertical direction and a sample vessel holding section that is formed coaxially with, and above, the base section for holding a sample vessel in an upright posture. A conveyor conveys the sample vessel holderplaced thereon; and a holding plate is disposed so as to extend along an outer peripheral portion of a columnar space that has a central axis extending in the vertical direction, and is disposed at a position above a space past which the base section of the sample vessel holder moves along the conveyor and at a position past which at least the sample vessel holding section moves. This enables individual conveyance processing to be performed for each of multiple sample vessels.

Sample processing system

This invention provides a sample processing system in which only one sample container is rested in one holder, the system being contemplated to prevent a mix-up of samples from occurring. A barcode labeler moduleincludes an identifier-reading device Rthat reads an identifier of a holder holding a primary-sample container, a printerB that prints a label based on information from a control PC unitas well as on the identifier of the primary-sample container holder that has been read by the identifier-reading device R, and affixes the label to a secondary-sample container, and a second identifier-reading device Rthat reads an identifier of the holder having the secondary-sample container mounted therein. A aliquoter moduleincludes an identifier-reading device Rthat reads the identifier of the holder conveyed from the barcode labeler moduleand having the primary-sample container mounted therein, an identifier-reading device Rthat reads the identifier of the holder having the secondary-sample container mounted therein, and a aliquoter unitA that dispenses a sample from the primary-sample container into the secondary-sample container.

A laboratory automation system capable of reducing a wasting time of an operator work by giving a notification that enables a device state and a summary of an operator call to be recognized. The laboratory automation system having notifying means such as a display unit or a speaker which can be recognized by the operator distant from the device, includes a notifying unit for calling the operator, and a notifying unit for notifying a status of the device, in which a state device and a summary of the work conducted by the operator can be easily recognized by the combination of notifications of those notifying units.

Laboratory automation apparatus, automated analytical apparatus and system

After being dispensed, a sample that needs to be quickly measured passes through another unit and is transported to an automatic analyzer. A plurality of units are provided for functions of processing including a dispensing unit that dispenses the sample stored in a sample vessel into another sample vessel. At least one discharge line discharges the sample from the dispensing unit to a transport line and a line that is perpendicular to the discharge line. A reverse direction transport line transports the sample in a direction reverse to a direction in which the sample loaded in the system is transported to the dispensing unit. The sample that is processed by the dispensing unit is transported to a storage unit located on the upstream side of the system, through the reverse direction transport line.

Automated sample processing system

A method for controlling an automated sample test system includes a samples conveyance line for conveying samples racks, each holding samples, to a plurality of processing units, and an empty-rack stock section in which to stock samples racks not holding a sample. The control method is designed to collect information on whether the processing units are in need of a supply of empty samples racks, and then supply empty samples racks from the empty-rack stock section to the processing units based on the information. Decreases in throughput can be prevented by leveling the number of empty samples racks supplied to the processing units that require empty samples racks.

Automated sample test system, and method for controlling same

An empty rack transport line is arranged at a lower stage and independent of a main transport line, a fast emergency line and a reverse line. In a rack stocker, an inclined transport line connects the empty rack transport line to the rack stocker. The rack stocker is arranged between a storage module and a loading module. The rack stocker is capable of continuously supplying and collecting empty racks, while transport lines do not cross each other. It is, therefore, possible to continuously supply and collect empty racks in a simple configuration, without an increase in the system size, an intersection of transport lines and a reduction in processing capability. In addition, it is possible to provide an automated sample testing system that is highly extendable for various facility sizes.

Automated sample testing system

Conventional conveying lines have required building according to the particular shapes of test tube racks and test tube holders. For this reason, at least two types of dedicated lines, one for test tube racks and one for test tube holders, have been needed in one system, so there has been a tendency for systems to be complex in structure and disadvantageous in cost. To solve these problems, this invention provides a sample conveying system designed so that test tube racks and test tube holders can move on the same line, and high in both cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Sample conveying system

Pressure fluctuations are sampled at fixed time intervals and subjected to arithmetic processing, using as a trigger the event (or a sign temporally close to that event) of the reverse motor rotation for the backlash correction, thereby discriminating normal suction from suction of sample liquid with undesirable air bubbles.

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Hitachiomiya, Japan

Hiroshi Ohga