This invention relates to a computerised machine designed to provide doctors responsible for taking blood samples with test tubes ready selected and labelled, according to the request of the patient from whom the sample is taken.
Analysis laboratories usually fill with blood one or more test tubes designed for various types of test. These test tubes have different cap colours and sizes, according to the criteria dictated by analysis laboratories.
In a normal, correctly computerised analysis laboratory, the request for the various tests for each patient should be input into a computer, which prints an identifying barcode onto the necessary adhesive labels. The labels are manually stuck onto the test tubes by the doctor who takes the sample or another employee responsible for this task. This entails great wastage of time and a considerable risk of error, because it is sufficient to stick one patient's label onto another patient's test tube, or a label for one type of test onto another test tube, to invalidate the test result, sometimes with dramatic consequences.
Machines that distribute test tubes labelled with barcodes exist, but they are very expensive as they are highly complex. They usually consist of a set of loaders, a robotised selector gripper with the task of picking up the test tubes from the various loaders and positioning them under the labelling device, and a system for the transport and collection of the labelled test tubes.
The loaders are usually made with belts positioned both horizontally and vertically, to which the containers into which the test tubes are loaded are attached. The test tubes are usually loaded by falling, and this solution requires the construction of devices that retain the test tube during the fall, so that it remains available to the selector grippers. However, the assembly often jams because the test tubes do not always fall correctly. This device also takes up space, making the machines cumbersome, and in any event involves additional costs.
The purpose of this invention is to offer a compact, modular, multipurpose machine which provides the doctor taking the blood sample with the test tubes required for the patient in question, ready selected and labelled, with a series of controls which eliminate any kind of error, at very low cost, and with efficient operation.
The machine is based on a new type of modular loader whereby the test tube, inserted into the container from above, can be picked up directly from the loader by a gripper with a simple release mechanism and deposited in the collection drawer by this particular pick-up gripper, which performs all the movement functions of the test tubes, from selection of the correct loader to labelling.
In a currently preferred embodiment, this invention features a modular system of loaders, consisting of a sheet metal drawer with motor-driven pulleys fitted on one side and the same number of free pulleys on the opposite side. A flat belt, on which a series of particular containers designed to contain the test tubes are mounted, is fitted to said pulleys.
Said containers are made of plastic, with a semicylindrical body, having a central opening which allows the passage of the pick-gripper jaws, and four elastic semi-encircling arms which retain the test tube in the container, but let it pass when the time comes for it to be removed.
According to this invention, the pick-up grippers consist of a body mounted on slides or the like which can move both horizontally and vertically. An arm on which a slider runs is fitted on the body of the grippers. Two spring-loaded jaws made of laminated steel are fitted to said slider. Said jaws are designed to hold the test tubes to be picked up at their ends, while a wedge element in the rear part, pushed by a spring, is designed to keep the jaws half-open to facilitate the entry of the test tube when the grippers pick it up, and to close them when the gripper grips the test tube. This system enables a single device to perform all the operations required to select and label the test tubes and deposit them in the collection container on the worktop of the machine.
The slider will conveniently be driven by a gear motor and a cam, controlled by two limit switches, with corresponding connecting rod to slide back and forth, and the slides are driven by stepper motors to take the grippers to the correct operating position. All this is managed by the computerised control unit of the machine.
Also according to this invention, a particular labelling gripper, positioned on the upper part of the machine, grips the test tube to be labelled between the cap and the base via two cup-shaped elements, one of which is motor-driven, while the other revolves on a bearing.
The two cup elements are mounted on sliders; the upper slider is pushed downwards by a spring, while the lower slider is drawn upwards by a cog belt driven by a stepper motor. All this is managed by the electronic control unit of the machine, and controlled by a limit switch.
The labelling grippers are equipped with a rubber roller mounted on arms driven by an actuator or the like, which causes the roller to rest on the test tube when said tube is gripped by the grippers, so that the adhesive label which exits from the print head of an ordinary label printer is inserted between the roller and the test tube and adheres to the test tube.
The grippers deposit the labelled test tubes in a drawer on the worktop of the machine by means of a simple release system.
The device according to the invention also includes electronic management means, data saving and processing means, data entry and video communication means, and means for controlling the pick-up of the test tubes from the drawer.
The machine according to the invention is also equipped with management software, warning lights and buzzers, and suitable sensors designed to control the movements of the various parts, and the normal supply of test tubes and adhesive labels.
Other characteristic purposes and advantages of this invention will become clear from the following description of a currently preferred embodiment, given by way of example but not of limitation, by reference to the annexed figures, wherein:
With reference to the drawings, and in particular to
A shaft fitted with two tensioning screws 32 and 33, to which a pulley 10 is connected, is inserted between crosspiece 31 and the base. Belt 12, on which the test tube containers described below are mounted, is inserted onto the two pulleys 10 and 11. Lever-operated microswitch 17 checks for the presence of the test tube and shuts down the gear motor when the test tube pushes the lever, thus controlling the movement of the belt.
As shown in
As shown in
Conveniently, as already described, the device will be equipped with a control unit, a software program, presence sensors, limit sensors, positioning sensors, power pack, standby battery, keyboard, warning lamps, warning buzzer, switch, and everything needed for the efficient operation of an electronic device, none of which is described, in order to simplify the drawings and the technical description.
The detailed wiring diagrams of the electronics and the control unit are not shown, because numerous equivalent solutions exist, depending on the choice of the various components available on the market. They are consequently within the reach of one skilled in the art; there are countless solutions, and it would be pointless and limiting to mention them. The same applies to the application software, which could have numerous different configurations.
The operation of the machine according to the invention will now be illustrated by reference to
The software of the control unit should first be programmed so that the machine acquires the various functions, and recognises the position of each type of test tube placed in the loaders.
When the machine is switched on, control unit 61 searches for the references of the sensors, and positions pick-up grippers 26 in a “standby” position close to the loaders, with slider 20 retracted under the control of sensors 43. When the “send” key of control unit 61 is operated, it retrieves all the information relating to the test which the patient has requested from the computer to which it is connected, analyses the data, and “prints” the patient's name and other information relating to the test on display 52 to eliminate the risk of mistaken identity. Then, as the positions of all the test tubes loaded into each loader are stored in the memory, pick-up grippers 26 are moved by stepper motor 35 until spring-loaded grippers 19 are alongside the loader selected. Stepper motor 36 then moves the gripper jaws to the selected belt. The control unit activates gear motor 21 until cam 22 has performed half a turn under the control of sensor 43. The slider advances, and grips test tube 7 between spring-loaded jaws 19. Said test tube pushes wedge element 24 back, allowing spring-loaded jaws 19 to grip the test tube. The control unit then reactivates gear motor 21, causing cam 22 to perform another half turn under the control of sensor 43. The slider then returns, taking the chosen test tube out of the loader.
When microswitch 17 is released from the thrust of the test tube, it closes the contact and activates gear motor 15, which moves belt 12, until it causes a new test tube to push the lever of microswitch 17 (
In the meantime the control unit sends to stepper motors 35 and 36 the pulses required to move pick-up grippers 26 to the two cup elements 46 and 48 (
As slider 50b rises, it releases limit switch 58, which sends the signal to the control unit. The control unit starts up gear motor 21, until the signal of limit switch 43 is detected, to retract slider 20 of the empty pick-up grippers. During the retraction movement of slider 20, spring-loaded jaws 19 are forced apart to allow the exit of the test tube, and allowing wedge element 24 to lodge in constriction 18, so that spring-loaded jaws 19 remain half-open to facilitate the subsequent grip.
When the pulse of sensor 43 is detected, the control unit activates actuator 53, which pushes rubber roller 57 towards test tube 7. At the same time said unit starts gear motor 45, which causes the test tube to rotate, and sends the signal to printer 51, which prints the label. The label exits from print head 54, is detached from the silicone-coated tape, and continues straight on until it passes between rubber roller 57 and rotating test tube 7, and adheres to the perimeter of said test tube.
The central unit which dialogues with the printer is informed that printing has taken place and ceases to power actuator 53 and gear motor 45; it activates stepper motor 29 in reverse until the signal of limit switch 58 is detected. It then activates gear motor 21 to pick up the test tube in the gripper jaws until the signal of limit switch 43 is detected, at which point it again activates stepper motor 29 until the signal of limit switch 59 is detected, and the labelling grippers are fully open.
When the signal of limit switch 59 has been detected, the control unit activates stepper motor 35 to lower the grippers by the amount required to allow the test tube to exit from cup element 46 (
The procedure described above is the cycle for the selection and labelling of one test tube. Said cycle will be repeated for as many test tubes as required for the tests.
A photocell (not illustrated) which checks for the presence of test tubes in the drawer is installed on test tube container 57. This device does not allow the changeover to a new patient unless all test tubes have been removed, to prevent errors caused by forgetfulness.
Other sensors are fitted to ensure the correct operation of the device, but are not described because it would be pointless and limiting to mention them in the ambit of the patent.
The machine is also equipped with a particular power pack with a standby battery which allows the current operation to be terminated or the machine to operate independently.
This invention has been described by reference to a currently preferred embodiment. In practice, however, other safety devices, variations and modifications could be introduced as technologies develop, all of which fall within the protection of this patent. For example, the machine could be floor-standing, to serve one or two blood-sampling chair units, placed on a trolley for use in a hospital ward, or mounted under the top of a table, with the upper part projecting from the table top, to form a complete blood-sampling station.
The machine can operate independently or be connected to the booking desk computer.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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RM2005A000116 | Mar 2005 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IB2006/000550 | 3/13/2006 | WO | 00 | 3/24/2008 |