SAMPLE TRANSPORT RACK

Abstract

The present invention provides a sample transport rack that is capable of steadily transmitting information stored in an RFID tag or another storage medium to an analyzer, sample pretreatment apparatus, or another apparatus when the RFID tag or another storage medium is attached to a sample cup mounted in the sample transport rack. The information stored in an information storage medium attached to the sample cup, which is mounted in the sample transport rack, is transmitted to an automated analyzer that uses the sample transport rack by a storage medium transmission/reception coil of the information storage medium, a sample transmission/reception coil of the sample transport rack, an apparatus transmission/reception coil, and an apparatus side transmission/reception coil of the automated analyzer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the external configuration of a sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an analysis system that uses the sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an analysis system that uses the sample transport rack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The configuration of a sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the external configuration of the sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an analysis system that uses the sample transport rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 to 3, like reference numerals represent like elements.

As shown in FIG. 1, a sample cup 1 is typically a test tube. A microcup and a blood collection tube are also sample cups. A sample 2 is stored inside the sample cup 1. An information storage medium 4, which is typically an RFID tag, is attached to the outer bottom surface of the sample cup 1. The information storage medium 4 can store, for instance, an ID for sample identification and reagent information necessary for analysis. In general, a bar code 3 is attached to the sample cup 1 for use with an analyzer to permit sample identification. However, the sample cup 1 to which the information storage medium 4 is attached is mounted in the sample transport rack 5 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sample transport rack 5 is provided with a sample transmission/reception section 6 and an apparatus transmission/reception section 7. The sample transmission/reception section 6 is mounted on the bottom surface of the sample cup 1. The apparatus transmission/reception section 7 is mounted on the bottom surface of the sample transport rack 5. The sample transmission/reception section 6 and the apparatus transmission/reception section 7 are coupled via an information transmission path 8.

An operation of the sample transport rack 5 according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. An analyzer 9 includes an apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16. The apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16 is controlled by an information processing apparatus 17 to drive an apparatus side transmission/reception coil 14 and generate or receive an electromagnetic wave or alternating magnetic force.

The apparatus transmission/reception section 7 of the sample transport rack 5 includes an apparatus transmission/reception coil 13. The apparatus transmission/reception coil 13 is coupled electromagnetically or magnetically to the apparatus side transmission/reception coil 14 as indicated by an arrow mark 15A.

The sample transmission/reception section 6 in the sample transport rack 5 includes a sample transmission/reception coil 12. The sample transmission/reception coil 12 is electrically coupled to the apparatus side transmission/reception coil 14 via the information transmission path 8. The sample transmission/reception coil 12 is coupled electromagnetically or magnetically to a storage medium transmission/reception coil 11 of the information storage medium 4 as indicated by an arrow mark 15B.

A storage circuit 10 of the information storage medium 4 is electrically coupled to the storage medium transmission/reception coil 11.

Since the configuration is as described above, the information transmitted from the apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16 reaches the storage circuit 10 through the apparatus side transmission/reception coil 14, apparatus transmission/reception coil 13, sample transmission/reception coil 12, and storage medium transmission/reception coil 11. The information can then be stored in the storage circuit 10. Further, the information stored in the storage circuit 10 can be transmitted to the apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16 along a path that is the reverse of the aforementioned path.

Even when an RFID tag having a short permissible reading distance is attached to a test tube, microcup, blood collection tube, or another sample cup, which is mounted in a sample transport rack for retaining and moving the sample cup, the present embodiment makes it possible to steadily obtain information by preventing the reading distance from varying depending on vibration caused by sample transport rack movement or test tube orientation or another RFID tag mounting condition. Consequently, the present embodiment ensures that the information stored in the RFID tag or another storage medium can be steadily transmitted to an analyzer, sample pretreatment apparatus, or another apparatus.

The configuration of the sample transport rack according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an analysis system that uses the sample transport rack according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 to 4, like reference numerals represent like elements.

The sample transport rack 5 according to the present embodiment is provided with the sample transmission/reception section 6 and the apparatus transmission/reception section 7. The sample transmission/reception section 6 is mounted on the bottom surface of the sample cup 1. The apparatus transmission/reception section 7 is mounted on the bottom surface of the sample transport rack 5. The sample transmission/reception section 6 and the apparatus transmission/reception section 7 are coupled via the information transmission path 8.

The analyzer 9 includes the apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16. The apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16 is controlled by the information processing apparatus 17 to drive an apparatus side contact 23 and generate an electrical signal. The apparatus transmission/reception section 7 of the sample transport rack 5 includes an apparatus contact 22. The apparatus contact 22 and apparatus side contact 23 can be electrically coupled to or decoupled from each other.

The sample transmission/reception section 6 includes a sample contact 21. The sample contact 21 and apparatus side contact 22 are electrically coupled via the information transmission path 8. Meanwhile, the information storage medium 4 includes a storage medium contact 20. The sample contact 21 can be electrically coupled to or decoupled from the storage medium contact 20 in the information storage medium 4. The storage circuit 10 is electrically coupled to the storage medium contact 20.

Since the configuration is as described above, the information transmitted from the apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16 reaches the storage circuit 10 through the apparatus side contact 23, apparatus contact 22, sample contact 21, and storage medium contact 20. The information can then be stored in the storage circuit 10. Further, the information stored in the storage circuit 10 can be transmitted to the apparatus side transmission/reception circuit 16 along a path that is the reverse of the aforementioned path.

Even when an RFID tag having a short permissible reading distance is attached to a test tube, microcup, blood collection tube, or another sample cup, which is mounted in a sample transport rack for retaining and moving the sample cup, the present embodiment makes it possible to steadily obtain information by preventing the reading distance from varying depending on vibration caused by sample transport rack movement or test tube orientation or another RFID tag mounting condition. Consequently, the present embodiment ensures that the information stored in the RFID tag or another storage medium can be steadily transmitted to an analyzer, sample pretreatment apparatus, or another apparatus.

Claims

1. A sample transport rack for retaining a sample cup in which a sample is stored and moving the sample, the sample transport rack comprising: information transmission means for transmitting information stored in an information storage medium attached to the sample cup, which is mounted in said sample transport rack, to a device which uses the sample transport rack, and for transmitting information created by said device to said information storage medium.

2. The sample transport rack according to claim 1, wherein said information transmission means uses an electromagnetic wave or magnetism.

3. The sample transport rack according to claim 1, wherein said information transmission means is an electrical contact that is electrically coupled to said information storage medium and said device.