US 12,345,727 B2
Diagnostic laboratory distribution system
Mauro Alvarez, Rubi (ES); and Jordi Sans Pena, Rubi (ES)
Assigned to ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/452,781.
Claims priority of application No. 20383055 (EP), filed on Dec. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0178957 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [G01N 2035/00306 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00455 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0405 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A diagnostic laboratory distribution system, wherein the distribution system comprises:
a number of carriers wherein the carriers are adapted to carry one or more good;
a horizontal transport plane arranged in coplanar lanes and crossings, wherein the transport plane is adapted to support the carriers;
a pre-analytic system, an analyzer, and a post-analytic system;
a drive device, wherein the drive device is adapted to move the carriers on the transport plane from the pre-analytic system to the analyzer and the post-analytic system,
a control device to control the drive device;
a cover for the transport plane, the cover and the transport plane forming a tube like air volume, the carriers being transported over the transport plane in the tube like air volume between the transport plane and the cover;
humidity sensors configured to measure humidity in the tube like air volume between the transport plane and the cover, the humidity sensors being connected to the control device; and
one or more airflow generating devices connected to the control device,
wherein the one or more airflow generating devices generate a laminar airflow in the tube like air volume between the cover and the transport plane,
wherein the control device is configured to start the one or more airflow generating devices when the humidity sensors measure a humidity above a predefined threshold value, and
wherein the cover of the distribution system comprises negative pressure escape apertures placed at the crossings.