Automatic clinical sample dispensing system

Abstract

Sample numbers, which are encoded information about samples including a body fluid and contained in original containers, are affixed to the original containers. The test system memorizes the sample number including a rack number attached to each original container rack and coordinates of each original container in the original container rack. Then, it determines whether or not a sample in the original containers should be dispensed in each dispensing container set in the dispensing container rack using the pre-dispensing sample positional information including a rack number attached to each original container rack and coordinates of each original container in the original container rack, as a key. Based on the determination, an automatic dispensing machine dispense a to-be-dispensed sample into an associated one of the dispensing containers, and memorizes the sample numbers in association with post-dispensing sample positional information including a rack number affixed to the dispensing container rack where sample-dispensed dispensing containers are set and coordinates of the dispensing containers in the dispensing container rack. The sample number may have a mark obtained by simplifying the sample number in accordance with a predetermined regularity so that operators can find sample easily.