Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

Roche Diagnostics Gmbh

F. Hoffmann-la Roche Ag

Burri Public Elements Ag

Martin Burri

Andreas Eberhart

Akihiro Tanji

Elke Faatz

Barbara Upmeier

Norbert Oranth

Achim Sinz

Christian Riether

Claudius Burkhardt

Dieter Roessler

Sascha Antoni

Bernhard Eckert

Leo Schwerzmann

Vuk Siljegovic

Andreas Woeste

Werner Doeppen

Elena Pfaffenrot

An automated system and method for storing/retrieving vessel holders is presented. A first storage compartment comprises first storage sections. A first translating mechanism vertically translates one storage section to a loading level for loading holders into the first storage compartment and translates one storage section to a handing-in level for handing in holders to/from an analyzer. A second storage compartment comprises second storage sections. A second translating mechanism vertically translates one second storage sections to a handing-out level and translates one storage section to an unloading level for unloading holders from the second storage compartment. A first transport mechanism comprises a first conveyor for transporting holders from a first storage section at the handing-in level to a handing-over station. A second transport mechanism comprises a second conveyor for transporting holders from the handing-over station to a second storage section at the handing-out level. A controller operates the mechanisms.

System and method for storing and retrieving vessel holders

A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The method comprises a number of sample container carriers on a transport plane by a number of electro-magnetic actuators. The method is adapted to compensate deviations regarding physical properties of the sample container carriers, the transport plane and the electro-magnetic actuators compared to reference components. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

Method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system, laboratory sample distribution system and laboratory automation system

A test management system is presented. The system comprises an analyzer to perform tests a sample according to a first set of instructions, a manager module connected to the analyzer, and a first order interface connected to the manager module. The manager module directs activity of the analyzer according to a second set of instructions. The first order interface receives an order for a first analytical test and a second analytical test and transmits the order to the manager module. If the order is for the first analytical test, the test manager module forwards the order directly to the analyzer and the sample is analyzed by the analyzer according to the first set of instructions. If the order is for the second analytical test, the manager module handles the order according to the second set of instructions and generates and transmits secondary test requests to the analyzer.

Analytical test management system and method

A system and method for locating sample vessels are presented. The system comprises a holder having an array of positions for holding sample vessels. An information tag is attached to the holder for storing and/or retrieving machine-readable information related to the positions of sample vessels with respect to the array of positions. The system further comprises a handheld device capable of reading information on the information tag. The handheld device has an input for inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel and an output for outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel with respect to the array of positions based on information stored in the information tag. The method comprises inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel into the handheld device, reading information stored in the holder's information tag with the handheld device; and outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel.

System and method for locating sample vessels

The present invention concerns sample pick-up and metering devices, analytical test systems for determining an analyte in a sample liquid and their use for this purpose and methods for determining an analyte in a sample liquid. They comprise or use a sample pick-up and metering device according to the invention which consists of a support and a metering element integrated into the support for taking up a defined volume of sample liquid and a closed liquid compartment located on the support which contains a defined volume of a liquid where the liquid compartment on the support can be opened.

Sample pick-up and metering device with integrated liquid compartments

An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a.1) a rack input device for introducing sample racks into the rack supply unit, (a.2) a rack output device for removing sample racks from the rack supply unit, (a.3) a buffer unit for storing unprocessed racks before they are transferred from said rack supply unit to a position corresponding to an analyzer unit, and for storing also already processed racks which contain samples having a probability of being reexamined, and (a.4) means for moving a sample rack from said rack input device and from said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; (b) at least one analyzer unit for testing an analysis item of a sample sampled from a sample container ( ) contained in a sample rack, said buffer unit being so arranged as to be interposed between said rack input/output devices ( ) and said at least one analyzer unit ( ); (c) a single transfer line for moving a sample rack from said buffer unit to a position corresponding to said at least one analyzer unit and for moving said sample rack from said position back to said buffer unit; (d) means for moving said sample rack in opposite senses along said single transfer line, and (e) means for directing a sample rack from said rack input device and said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; and (f) means for directing a sample rack from said buffer unit to said at least one analyzer unit and vice versa.

Automatic analyzer system

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Bettwil, Switzerland

Martin Burri