The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 04, 1994
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1993
Rodney S Markin, Omaha, NE (US);
Eldon L Tackett, Neola, IA (US);
Stephen J Hoskinson, Omaha, NE (US);
Board of Regents - Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (US);
Abstract
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.