US 12,000,850 B2
Laboratory sample distribution system and corresponding method of operation
Norbert Schmitt, Lucerne (CH)
Assigned to ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/303,609.
Claims priority of application No. 20181103 (EP), filed on Jun. 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0396775 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [G01N 35/00732 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00851 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0477 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0491 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
a number of sample container carriers, said sample container carriers each comprising at least one magnetically active device and carrying a sample container;
a transport plane supporting said sample container carriers;
a number of electro-magnetic actuators being stationarily arranged below said transport plane, said electro-magnetic actuators moving a corresponding sample container carrier located on top of said transport plane by applying a magnetic force to said sample container carrier;
a touch panel arranged below the transport plane generating position signals (PS) depending on positions of the sample container carriers located on top of the transport plane;
a position determination unit, wherein the position determination unit determines the positions of the sample container carriers located on top of the transport plane in response to the position signals (PS); and
a control unit controlling the operation of the laboratory sample distribution system in response to the determined positions of the sample container carriers.