US 12,449,432 B2
Add-on and repetition aliquot testing with or without dilutions
Carlos Fernandez Gulias, Barcelona (ES); Vanesa Leon Pujola, Barcelona (ES); Laura Pellitero Cornet, Barcelona (ES); Pau Roura Brun, Barcelona (ES); Werner Smit, Immensee (CH); Chye Yin Priscillia Tan, Ibach (CH); Gemma Urrutia Jou, Barcelona (ES); and Moritz von Hopffgarten, Mannheim (DE)
Assigned to ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/894,858.
Claims priority of application No. 21382873 (EP), filed on Sep. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0116054 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/0092 (2013.01) [G01N 35/00584 (2013.01); G01N 35/00732 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00851 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0094 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of assigning an additional sample test to an existing aliquot sample tube of a sample or to a primary sample tube in a laboratory automation system, wherein the laboratory automation system comprises a workflow control unit of a laboratory middleware, a plurality of laboratory devices in communication with the workflow control unit, and a transportation system, the method comprising:
receiving by the workflow control unit an additional sample test request for the existing aliquot sample tube after processing of the existing aliquot sample tube has started;
determining if the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location;
waiting until the existing aliquot sample tube reaches a retrievable target location via the transportation system if the existing aliquot sample tube is not at a retrievable target location;
determining if an aliquot timeout has occurred once the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target location;
reassigning the addition sample test to the primary sample tube by the workflow control unit if an aliquot timeout has occurred;
transporting the existing aliquot sample tube to at least one of the analytical laboratory device by the transportation system if no aliquot timeout has occurred; and
performing the additional sample test from the existing aliquot sample tube by the at least one of the analytical laboratory device;
wherein the aliquot timeout is time based or message based,
wherein, if the aliquot timeout is time based, after assigning the additional sample test to the existing aliquot sample tube, the aliquot timeout is restarted by the workflow control unit, and
wherein, if the aliquot message is messaged based, after receiving a message, the aliquot timeout is restarted by the workflow control unit.