University of Nebraska

Board of Regents of the Univ of Ne at Lincoln

Stephen J Hoskinson

Rodney S Markin

Eldon L Tackett

A central control apparatus for an automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A receiving station is provided along the track which is connected to a laboratory information system having identification and instructional data with respect to a particular specimen, and which marks an individual specimen carrier to identify the carrier with a particular specimen as it is conveyed throughout the conveyor system. The receiving station and an archiving station are both connected to a central control unit which is connected to the conveyor track and the laboratory information system to control the entire automated laboratory conveyor system. At least one work station is located along the conveyor track for performing a predetermined test on a particular specimen. Each work station includes a gate apparatus for transferring the selected specimen carrier from the conveyor track to a work station track, for transport to a work station. The gate apparatus includes a reader for identifying a particular specimen carrier being conveyed by the conveyor track. The reader is also connected to the central control unit, as are the gates for each work station, so that particular specimens may be directed to an appropriate work station by the central control unit.

Central control apparatus for an automated laboratory conveyor system

A specimen carrier for transporting conventional specimen tubes throughout an automatic laboratory conveyance system includes a generally rectilinear carrier body with a forward face having an identification zone delimited thereon. An identification code is marked in the identification zone so as to permit mechanical sensing and identification of the carrier on a conveyor system. A plurality of holes of various diameters and depths are provided in the top surface of the carrier to receive conventional specimen tubes of various types with the top ends of the specimen tubes located at a predetermined height above the top surface of the carrier.

Specimen carrier

An apparatus for transferring a laboratory specimen carrier onto and off of a conveyor track includes a conveyor track with a carrier transport surface. A support surface is mounted adjacent the conveyor track, and a pair of jaw members are operably mounted on a frame next to the support surface. The jaw members are operable to grip and release a specimen carrier between the jaws, and the frame is operable to move the jaw members over the track and over the support platform to thereby transfer a specimen carrier.

Transfer apparatus with operable jaws for a conveyor system

A corner track for an automated lab conveyor system includes a first length of track connected at its upstream end to the downstream end of a second length of track. Each track length includes a pair of guide rails on opposite sides of an operable transport surface for moving a specimen carrier thereon. First and second auxiliary transport surfaces are lined with the first and second track lengths and serve to slow the movement of a specimen carrier as it approaches the corner connection.

Corner track for a conveyor system

An apparatus for transferring a laboratory specimen carrier onto and off of a conveyor track includes a conveyor track with a moving transport surface and a support frame mounted adjacent the track. A cylinder with an extendable plunger is operably mounted on the support frame and located such that the plunger is movable in a direction transverse to the conveyor track transport surface. A housing, including a pair of spaced apart vertical side walls is mounted to the plunger for movement therewith, the side walls being oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the transport surface. The housing is movable with the plunger between a first position located over the track and permitting passage of a specimen carrier therebetween, and a second position moved transversely to one side of the track.

Specimen carrier transfer apparatus for a conveyor system

An automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A restraining apparatus is operably mounted on the track to restrain movement of the specimen carrier at predetermined locations. The restraining apparatus includes a cylinder with an extensible arm mounted adjacent the conveyor track with the arm operable between an extended position projecting over the conveyor track to prevent passage of the specimen carrier. The extensible arm is retractable to a retracted position which permits passage of the carrier along the track. The restraining apparatus includes a second cylinder with an extensible arm spaced upstream of the first cylinder, the second cylinder arm operable to restrain a specimen carrier upstream of the first extensible arm.

Restraining apparatus for a conveyor system

An automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A receiving station marks an individual specimen carrier to identify the carrier with a particular specimen. The receiving station includes an apparatus for placing an identified specimen carrier on the conveyor track. An archiving station is provided along the track to remove a predetermined specimen carrier therefrom for archival purposes. The receiving station and archiving station are both connected to a central control unit which is connected to the conveyor track and the laboratory information system to control the entire automated laboratory conveyor system. At least one work station is located along the conveyor track for performing a predetermined test on a particular specimen. Each work station includes a gate apparatus for transferring the selected specimen carrier to a work station. After the predetermined test has been conducted, the specimen carrier is placed back on the conveyor track loop by a second gate on the conveyor track. The first gate includes a reader for identifying a particular specimen carrier being conveyed by the conveyor track. The reader is also connected to the central control unit, as are the gates for each work station, so that particular specimens may be directed to an appropriate work station by the central control unit.

Growing community of inventors

Omaha, NE, United States of America

Stephen J Hoskinson