DE102022124726A1 - CENTRIFUGE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CENTRIFUGE - Google Patents

Abstract

A centrifuge has a centrifuge housing (10) and a rotor (12), which is mounted in the centrifuge housing (10) in such a way that it can be rotated about an axis of rotation, the rotor having at least one receptacle (14) for holding a sample container (30). having. In order to improve the operating sequence, it is proposed that a reading device (20) be provided for a data carrier (32), the reading device (20) being arranged in such a way that it reads data from a data carrier (32) onto a receptacle (14 ) recorded sample container (30).

Description

The present description relates to a centrifuge and a method of operating a centrifuge. A centrifuge is a device that rotates a liquid sample at high speed to separate different components of the sample. Denser substances and particles move radially outward, separating themselves from lower density components.

A centrifuge usually consists of a rotor that is rotatably mounted in a housing. The rotor has one or more receptacles for holding a sample container in which the liquid sample is located. The rotor is rotated at high speed to separate the liquid sample.

Centrifugation is often part of a complex analysis/processing chain. Depending on the application, a so-called standard operating procedure (SOP) can be created, which specifies the sequence of steps and the parameters to be observed.

It is important that the samples are not mixed up and thus treated with the wrong procedure. The samples are therefore labeled within a processing chain so that the process steps carried out can be documented for each sample. Individual devices used within the processing chain can be equipped with a way to read these labels, for example with a hand-held barcode scanner that can be used to read a barcode on a sample or a sample container.

However, there is a risk that a user might make mistakes while scanning, e.g. B. scanning the wrong sample or swapping the scanned sample for another.

There is therefore a need for an improved centrifuge and an improved method of operating a centrifuge.

A centrifuge is provided according to claim 1. This centrifuge allows easy identification of the samples it contains, helping to avoid processing errors and improving sample traceability.

The reader can be attached to the centrifuge housing. This is an effective arrangement for the reader. It can be attached, for example, to a side wall, a lid or a bottom of the centrifuge housing.

The rotor may include a plurality of receptacles, each of which can accommodate a sample container. This means that a large number of sample containers can be used at the same time in order to process a corresponding number of samples. This may be the same or a different type of sample.

The centrifuge may be configured to rotate the rotor in steps, with the reading device arranged to read data from a data carrier on a sample container accommodated in one at a time. In this way, the centrifuge can read the data carrier of each sample container. By stepwise or progressively it is meant that when the reading device has read a data carrier, the rotor is rotated so that another data carrier can be read by the reading device.

The centrifuge may also include a plurality of reading devices, each reading device being arranged to read data from a data carrier on a sample container that has been received in a corresponding container. Multiple readers can enable the simultaneous processing of a large number of disks.

In addition, it is conceivable that the centrifuge only has one reading device that is capable of reading several tags at the same time. With a scanner, this can be achieved by the optical field of the detector (camera) detecting all sample tubes at the same time. When using RF-ID, it is possible to read several tags at the same time (bulk capture) with a suitable selection of tags and reading chips and software (anti-collision protocol).

The centrifuge may further include a processor configured to: receive data from the reading device corresponding to a sample in a well; and sets an operating parameter of the centrifuge based on the received data. This means that the operation of the centrifuge can be adjusted based on the samples collected without the need for a user to enter the operating parameters.

• Drehzahl des Rotors;
• Beschleunigung und Verzögerung des Rotors;
• Betriebstemperatur;
• Dauer des Betriebs der Zentrifuge;
• Separationsgrad;
• Umgebungstemperatur;
• Informationen über die Bedienperson und/oder
• Uhrzeit/Datum.

The operating parameter can be one or more of the following:

• rotor speed;
• Acceleration and deceleration of the rotor;
• Operating temperatur;
• Duration of centrifuge operation;
• degree of separation;
• ambient temperature;
• Information about the operator and/or
• Time date.

The reader may be a visual reader and the data carrier may be a visual data carrier, the data carrier preferably being a barcode. Visual data readers and carriers are an effective method to perform data reading. The visual media can be attached to the sample container, printed or etched, or formed in any other suitable manner.

The reading device can be a reading and writing device and the data carrier can be a reading/writing data carrier. The data carrier is preferably an RFID tag. This makes it possible for the centrifuge to actively store data on the data carrier.

The reading and writing device can also be set up so that it writes operating data to the data carrier that corresponds to a centrifuge process carried out on the sample container. This can be a data record that relates to the process carried out on the sample container and which can be referred to later. This can be particularly useful if a centrifuge site's IT infrastructure is not accessible when the sample is being further processed, for example when the sample is transferred to another laboratory or processing center. It may also be desirable to subsequently check the actual operating parameters for quality assurance reasons.

The centrifuge may further include a sensor that is arranged to record the operating data and transmit the operating data to the reading and writing device. With such a sensor, an actual process (or related data) can be recorded on the sample container. This can e.g. B. be useful as a record of what was actually done to the sample container compared to what was intended.

A processing system consisting of a previously discussed centrifuge and a sample container suitable for use therein is provided according to claim 11.

• Der Rotor kann eine Vielzahl von Aufnahmen umfassen, von denen jede zur Aufnahme eines Probenbehälters dient, wobei das Verfahren ferner die folgenden Schritte umfassen kann: Einsetzen eines Probenbehälters mit einem Datenträger in jede Aufnahme; und fortschreitendes Drehen des Rotors und Lesen jedes Datenträgers mit der Lesevorrichtung. Eine Vielzahl von Probenbehältern kann eingesetzt werden, um eine Vielzahl von Proben zu verarbeiten. Dabei kann es sich um die gleiche oder eine andere Art von Proben handeln. Dadurch kann die Zentrifuge den Datenträger jedes Probenbehälters auslesen. Mit fortschreitend ist auch hier gemeint, dass nach dem Auslesen eines Datenträgers durch die Lesevorrichtung der Rotor so gedreht wird, dass ein weiterer Datenträger von der Lesevorrichtung ausgelesen werden kann.

The following process sequence results when using a centrifuge according to the invention:

• The rotor may comprise a plurality of receptacles, each of which serves to hold a sample container, the method further comprising the following steps: inserting a sample container with a data carrier into each receptacle; and progressively rotating the rotor and reading each data carrier with the reading device. A variety of sample containers can be used to process a variety of samples. These may be the same or a different type of sample. This allows the centrifuge to read the data carrier of each sample container. Here, too, progressive means that after a data carrier has been read by the reading device, the rotor is rotated so that another data carrier can be read by the reading device.

The centrifuge can further comprise a processor already mentioned, whereby the following steps can also be carried out: receiving data from the reading device on the processor; and setting an operating parameter of the centrifuge based on the received data. This means that the operation of the centrifuge can be adjusted based on the samples received without the need for a user to enter the operating parameters.

In a further development of the method, the following steps can also be provided: determining the desired operating conditions for each sample container and comparing the desired operating conditions with specifications in order to identify mutually acceptable operating conditions by comparison, the method further comprising the following step: (i) Preventing centrifuge operation if mutually acceptable operating conditions are not identified; or (ii) generating the operating parameters based on mutually acceptable operating conditions. Different samples may have different desired operating conditions. By determining a mutually acceptable operating condition, the method allows different samples to be processed simultaneously. If such mutually acceptable operating condition cannot be determined, centrifuge operation shall be prevented to prevent inappropriate processing of a sample.

Step (ii) may further include generating a notification to indicate that the desired operating conditions differ. The notification can inform a user that different samples are present, and if this is not intended, the user can check the sample containers to determine why this is the case and whether this is even desired.

Step (ii) may further comprise: presenting the generated operating parameter to a user; and receiving user input to confirm the generated operating parameter. By confirming the generated operating parameter by the user, it is checked whether this parameter is appropriate.

The reading device can be a reading and writing device; appropriately, the data carrier can be a read/write data carrier, so that the method can further include the following step: writing operating data onto the data carrier, which is carried out on the sample container Correspond to the centrifuge process.

The operating data can be operating data that is recorded by a sensor of the centrifuge. With such a sensor, an actual process (or related data) can be recorded on the sample container. This can e.g. B. be useful as a record of what was actually done to the sample container compared to what was intended.

• 1 eine Querschnittsansicht einer ersten Beispielzentrifuge;
• 2 eine Querschnittsansicht einer zweiten Beispielzentrifuge;
• 3 eine Querschnittsansicht einer dritten Beispielzentrifuge;
• 4 eine Querschnittsansicht einer vierten Beispielzentrifuge;
• 5 ein Flussdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung möglicher Verfahrensabläufe.

Embodiments of the invention will be discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which serve only as examples. Show it:

• 1 a cross-sectional view of a first example centrifuge;
• 2 a cross-sectional view of a second example centrifuge;
• 3 a cross-sectional view of a third example centrifuge;
• 4 a cross-sectional view of a fourth example centrifuge;
• 5 a flowchart to illustrate possible procedures.

The show various example centrifuges 100. Although each figure shows a different example centrifuge, the general principles of operation of each centrifuge 100 may be the same. Unless expressly stated otherwise, any feature or process disclosed with respect to one example centrifuge 100 may also be applied to any other example centrifuge 100.

The centrifuge 100 of each figure includes a centrifuge housing 10 in which a rotor 12 is mounted. The centrifuge housing 10 can z. B. be a rotor chamber. The rotor 12 can be rotated about an axis of rotation X, i.e. H. the rotor 12 can be rotatably mounted in the centrifuge housing 10. In use, the rotor 12 is rotated about this axis X. The centrifuge 100 can, for example, have a motor, e.g. B. an electric motor, for driving the rotation of the rotor 12 about this axis X. Any other suitable mechanism for driving rotation of the rotor 12 may also be used, e.g. B. a magnetic rotation system.

The rotor 12 includes one or more receptacles 14 for receiving a sample container 30. In certain examples, the rotor 12 may include a plurality of receptacles 14. The recordings can generally be designed identically. For example, the rotor 12 may be generally circular in plan view, centered about the axis X. The plurality of receptacles 14 may be arranged in one or more circles in the plan view, also centered about the axis also be arranged in a variety of concentric circles.

In addition to such a fixed-angle rotor, which is certainly the most common version, there are also so-called swing-bucket rotors, which produce a horizontal gradient as a result. This is required for some applications. A centrifuge according to the invention can also be constructed with this type of rotor and the method described can be used.

Each receptacle 14 may define an insertion axis along which a sample container 30 is moved to insert it into the receptacle 14. The receptacle may, for example, be generally cylindrical, with the insertion axis corresponding to the axial direction of the cylinder. This insertion axis may be inclined to the rotation axis X. This results in the sample container 30 being in an inclined position in use, since the rotation axis X is generally vertical. As the rotor 12 rotates, the denser components are therefore pushed into the lower part of the sample container 30.

The sample container 30 may be any suitable type of sample container 30 for use in a centrifuge 100. The sample container 30 can be, for example, a centrifuge tube. The sample container 30 may be suitable for holding a liquid sample that may contain suspended solids. The liquid sample can be, for example, a blood sample.

However, the sample container does not have to be designed as a rigid container. When processing blood, blood bags are also very common and can be accommodated in appropriately designed centrifuge receptacles. This are particularly common when using the previously mentioned swing-bucket rotors.

Each example centrifuge 100 includes a reading device 20, which is arranged so that it reads data from a data carrier 32 on a sample container 30 accommodated in the receptacle 14 of the rotor 12. This means that the reading device 20 can generally be aligned with a receptacle 14 of the rotor 12 in order to read data from the data carrier 32 on a sample container 30 held in this receptacle 14. An optical and/or electromagnetic signal path can exist between the reading device 20 and the data carrier 32 of the sample container 30 accommodated in the receptacle 14 of the rotor 12. A transferable element can be present between the reading device 20 and the data carrier 32. This can be any element, such as: B. act as a window through which the reading device 20 can read the data carrier 32.

Of course, the rotor 12 is rotatably mounted in the centrifuge 100 and can therefore rotate to move the receptacle 14 in and out of alignment with the reading device 20. There may be a defined position of the rotor 12 and a container 14 in which the reading device 20 is able to read data from the data carrier 32 of the sample container held in this container 14. At this defined position, the optical and/or electromagnetic signal path between the reading device 20 and the data carrier 32 of the sample container 30 accommodated in the receptacle 14 of the rotor 12 can be established.

The centrifuge 100 can also include a plurality of reading devices 20, whereby each reading device 20 can be set up so that it reads data from a data carrier 32 on a sample container 30 which is recorded in a corresponding receptacle 14. The number of reading devices 20 can be identical to the number of recordings 14. Alternatively, there may be fewer reading devices 20 than receptacles 14, and each reading device 20 may be configured to read a data carrier 32 on a sample container 30 that was recorded in a plurality of receptacles. For example, the rotor 12 can be rotated so that all data carriers 32 are gradually read with the reading devices 20.

The data carrier 32 can be any type of data carrier 32, with the reading device 20 being a corresponding reading device that is based on the type of data carrier 32. The data carrier 32 can be attached to the sample container 30 in any suitable manner. For example, the data carrier 32 can be printed directly onto the sample container 30, embedded in the sample container 30, attached to the sample container 30, etched into the sample container 30, or attached in any other suitable manner.

The show a first example centrifuge 100 and a second example centrifuge 100, each containing a visual reading device 20 as a reading device 20. In these examples, the data carrier 32 is therefore a corresponding visual data carrier 32. The data carrier 32 can be, for example, a barcode. This can be a one-dimensional barcode, such as a Universal Product Code, or a two-dimensional barcode (matrix code), such as a QR code. The visual reader 20 may be a camera, a scanner, or other suitable visual reader 20.

In such arrangements, the centrifuge 100 may also include a strobe light that is synchronized with the rotation of the rotor 12. That is, when the rotor 12 is in a position where it aligns a receptacle 14 with the optical reader 20, the strobe light may flash. This may be based on a rotational position of the rotor 12, which may be detected, for example, with a rotary encoder. Alternatively or additionally, a light barrier may be provided that interrupts a light signal to indicate the rotational position of the rotor 12, and/or a Hall sensor may interact with a corresponding magnet on the rotor 12, or vice versa.

The show a third example centrifuge 100 and a fourth example centrifuge 100, each of which contains a reading and writing device (reading/writing device) 20 as a reading device 20. In these examples, the data carrier 32 is a suitable read/write data carrier 32. This means that the read/write device 20 can not only read data on the data carrier 32, but also write data to the read/write data carrier 32. In further examples, the data carrier 32 can also be a read/write data carrier 32, while the reading device 20 can only be a reading device 20 without writing functions.

In the examples of the data carrier 32 is an RFID label 32 (Radio Frequency Identification). This can be an active or passive RFID tag 32. The reading device 20 can then be a corresponding RFID reading device 20. The RFID reading device 20 can, for example, have one or more antennas for detecting an RFID tag 32 on the sample container 30. The use of an RFID tag 32 can, for example, be in accordance with ISO/IEC 15961 AIDC RFID Data Protocol - Application interface; and/or ISO/IEC 15962 AIDC RFID Data Protocol - Encoding Rules.

In the example centrifuges 100, the reading device 20 can be located at any suitable location. For example, the reading device 20 can be firmly connected to the centrifuge housing 10. That is, the reading device 20 may be attached with respect to the centrifuge housing 10. This can happen, for example, in an upper area of the centrifuge 100, such as the lid. The lid can be closed to substantially seal the centrifuge housing 10. This upper area may refer to a portion of the centrifuge that is located above the rotor 12 in use. Such an arrangement is in the example centrifuges 100 1 and 3 shown.

Alternatively, the reading device 20 can also be arranged in a lower region of the centrifuge 100, for example at a lower end of the centrifuge 100. This is the case in the example centrifuges 100 of 2 and 4 Any other arrangement of the reading device 20 can also be considered, for example on a side wall of the centrifuge 100.

With regard to the example centrifuges 100 in general, other arrangements are also contemplated.

As already mentioned, the rotor 12 can include a plurality of receptacles 14, each of which is suitable for holding a sample container 30. The reading device 20 can be set up so that it reads data from a data carrier 32 on a sample container 30 in a receptacle 14 which is in a first position in its rotational movement about the axis X. This first position may correspond to a location where the receptacle 14 is generally aligned with the reading device 20. The centrifuge 100 may be configured to rotate the rotor 18 incrementally so that gradually each receptacle 14 is in the first position. The reading device 20 can therefore read the data carrier 32 of each sample container 30 when the receptacle 14 in which it is located is moved to the first position. Alternatively or additionally, there can be several reading devices 20, each of which is arranged so that they read the data carrier 32 of a sample container 30 in a receptacle 14, which is in a corresponding position in its rotational movement about the axis X. For example, the centrifuge 100 can include N reading devices 20, which are arranged N-fold rotationally symmetrically about the axis of rotation X.

The centrifuge 100 may further include a processor 40 connected to the reading device 20. The processor 40 may initially be in communication with a motor arranged to drive the rotation of the rotor 12 so that the processor 40 can control the operation of the motor and thus the rotation of the rotor 12. This can be a wired or wireless connection. The processor 40 may receive data from the reading device 20 when the reading device 20 reads a data carrier 32. The data from the reading device 20 can be, for example, an identifier for a sample in the sample container 30. Alternatively or additionally, the data may contain further information, such as: B. an operating protocol for processing the sample in the sample container 30. An operating protocol may define one or more operating parameters that the centrifuge 100 should use when processing the sample. In any case, the data relates to the sample in the sample container 30. This can be direct data that indicates which sample it is - e.g. B. a blood sample. However, it can also be an operating protocol for the centrifuge 100 that does not contain any information about the type of sample.

The processor 40 may be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the centrifuge 100 based on the received data. If the received data contains an operating log for the centrifuge 100, the operating parameter can be set directly based on this operating log. If the data only indicates which sample it is, the processor 40 can set a corresponding operating parameter, e.g. B. look up in a database. This can be a local database or a remote database. The operating parameter can be any parameter of the centrifuge 100 that can be changed. This can be, for example, the speed of the rotor 12 and/or the acceleration of the rotor 12. This may be defined in terms of an angular velocity and acceleration and/or a linear velocity and acceleration experienced by the sample container 30. Alternatively or additionally, an operating time of the centrifuge 100 can be stored as an operating parameter. In certain examples, the centrifuge 100 may further include a heating and/or cooling device, wherein another operating parameter may be an operating temperature of the centrifuge 100. The processor 40 may be in communication with the heating and/or cooling device to control the heating and/or cooling of the centrifuge 100. Any combination of the previously mentioned operating parameters is also possible.

The centrifuge 100 may further include one or more sensors 50 arranged to detect or read the above-mentioned operating parameters or other operating data. Operating data can be any data that relates to the operation of the centrifuge 100 finally all of the listed operating parameters. The operational data may be a record of the operational parameters or other known data that has not been collected. The operational data can simply record that the sample was processed by the centrifuge 100.

The processor 40 may further be configured to receive a signal from the one or more sensors 50 indicative of operational data and to record that operational data for the respective sample. For example, in examples with a read/write disk 32 and a read/write device 20, the processor 40 may be configured to record the operational data on the read/write disk 32 by writing to the disk via the read/write device 20 32 writes. The sensors 50 can transmit the recorded operating data to the read/write device 20, e.g. B. via the processor 40. Alternatively, a separate writing device can also be present that can write to a read/write data carrier 32. In further examples, the sample container 30 can contain a variety of data carriers 32. A data carrier 32 can be used purely to identify the sample and another data carrier 32 can be used to record the operating data. Alternatively or additionally, the operating data can also be stored in a separate database. This can be e.g. B. be a remote database accessed via any connection protocol, such as. B. a direct connection and/or via the Internet is accessed. The centrifuge 100 can have a transmitter for transmitting the operating data. The operating data can be recorded before a lid of the centrifuge 100 is opened.

In certain examples, a robotic arm may be used to place the sample containers 30 into the containers 14. This can be, for example, a pick-and-place robot, a robotic arm like a SCARA or another suitable robot.

Furthermore, a processing system is provided which includes a centrifuge 100 and one or more sample containers 30, each sample container 30 having a data carrier 32. Centrifuge 100 may be in accordance with the present disclosure.

A method of operating a centrifuge is also provided. Preferred and possible process variants are described below with reference to 5 explained in more detail.

The sample containers 30 can contain, for example, blood, urine, sewage samples or other materials. These are filled into the sample container (step I in 5 ). The information (DI) about the sample is stored in a database/cloud in step II. Steps I and II of the procedure can also be carried out in reverse order.

Here too, the centrifuge 100 may otherwise be in accordance with one of the present disclosures. In detail, the centrifuge 100 includes a centrifuge housing 10 and a rotor 12 which is rotatably mounted in this centrifuge housing 10 in the manner described in the present description. The rotor 12 has at least one receptacle 14 for holding a sample container 30. The centrifuge 100 further comprises a reading device 20, which is set up to read data from a data carrier 32 on a sample container 30 accommodated in the receptacle 14. The centrifuge 100 may include a lid or other element that substantially seals the centrifuge housing 10. The reading device 20 can read data from the data carrier 30 after this cover has been closed.

The method includes inserting sample containers 30 into the receptacles 14 (step III in 5 ). The sample container 30 carries a data carrier 32. The data carrier 32 is then read by the reading device 20.

In certain examples, the rotor 12 may include a plurality of receptacles 14, as described above. In these examples, a sample container 30 with a data carrier 32 can be inserted into each receptacle 14. This means that there is a corresponding number of sample containers 30, so that there is a corresponding receptacle 14 for each sample container 30. Each sample container 30 is then recorded in the corresponding receptacle 14.

A first sample container 30 from the plurality of sample containers 30 can be included in a first receptacle 14 from the large number of receptacles 14. A second sample container 30 from the plurality of sample containers 30 can be included in a second receptacle 14 from the large number of receptacles 14. The first sample container 30 and/or the first receptacle 14 can be aligned with the reading device 20. The reading device 20 can then read the data carrier 32 of the first sample container 30. The rotor 12 can then be rotated until the second sample container 30 and/or the second receptacle 14 is aligned with the reading device 20. The reading device 20 can then read the data carrier 32 of the second sample container 30. This can be repeated until the data carrier 32 has been read by the reading device 20 for each sample container 30, see step IV in 5 . The data can then be stored in the database in step DII saved; if necessary, a comparison with the data from DI can also take place here.

The reading device 20 may be able to read the data carrier 32 from more than one sample container 30 without moving the rotor 12. For example, the reading device 20 can align a field of view so that several data carriers 32 can be read.

The centrifuge 100 may be equipped with a processor 40. The processor 40 is in communication with the reader 20. This may be a wired or wireless connection. The method may then include receiving data from the reader 20 at the processor 40 and setting an operating parameter for the centrifuge 100 based on the received data, as in step VII of 5 As explained above, the data may not only comprise pure operating parameters. Alternatively, the method may also comprise referencing the data in a database and retrieving the operating parameter.

The operating parameter can be any parameter of the centrifuge 100 that can be varied. This could, for example, be a speed of the rotor 12 and/or an acceleration of the rotor 12. This can be defined in terms of an angular velocity and acceleration and/or a linear velocity and acceleration experienced by the sample container 30. Alternatively or additionally, the operating parameter can be an operating time of the centrifuge 100. In certain examples, the centrifuge 100 may further include a heating or cooling device, wherein a further or alternative operating parameter may be the operating temperature of the centrifuge 100. Any combination of the operating parameters mentioned is also possible.

In certain examples, different samples may be placed into the centrifuge 100 at the same time. In this case, there may be different operating protocols for each sample. It may therefore be necessary to determine whether the centrifuge 100 can operate based on the various operating protocols. For example, Sample A may correspond to an operating protocol with a speed of 8,000 to 10,000 revolutions per minute (RPM), while Sample B may correspond to an operating protocol with a speed of 10,000 to 13,000 RPM. These or any other components of the operating protocol may be referred to as desired operating conditions. Of course, there can be any number of different samples or repeating, i.e. corresponding, samples. The desired operating conditions can be one or more of the above-mentioned operating parameters.

The method may include determining the desired operating conditions for each sample container 30. Here too, this can be done either directly via data that is read from the data carrier 32 of each sample container 30 or by retrieving this data from a database. The method may then include comparing the desired operating conditions to determine mutually acceptable operating conditions, that is, operating conditions that meet the requirements for each sample container 30. In the example above, an acceptable operating condition for both variants would be 10,000 rpm as this corresponds to the operating protocols of Sample A and Sample B. In this simple case the operating parameter would simply be the speed. In more complex cases, the operating parameter may need to be derived to achieve the mutually acceptable operating condition. The centrifuge 100 can then be operated using these generated operating parameters.

The method may include generating a notification to the user to indicate that the desired operating conditions are different. This can e.g. For example, it may be useful if the user expects each sample to be the same so that different desired operating conditions would not be expected. The method may further include receiving user input to confirm the generated operating parameter. This intermediate step before the actual setting of the operating parameters for centrifugation is in step VI 5 illustrated. The generated operating parameter can be presented to the user for approval and/or adjustment. The centrifuge 100 can then be put into operation once user input is received (step VIII in 5 ). The notification may be in any appropriate format, including a visual notification such as: B. a message displayed on a screen, and / or an audible notification, such as. B. a tone.

In another example, there may also be a pattern C that corresponds to an operating protocol with a speed of 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. In this case, there are no operating conditions that are acceptable for all variants. As a result, the method may then provide for preventing centrifuge 100 from operating.

After centrifugation, the operating parameters/general conditions actually used can also be assigned to the sample IDs stored in the database/cloud (see step DIV in 5 )

The processor 40 can in turn determine a rotational position of the rotor 12 when the reading device 20 reads a data carrier 32. This can also be saved beforehand when reading for the first time in order to record the positions of each data carrier 32 and thus of each sample container 30, so that a map of the position of each sample container 30 can be saved for later assignment within the centrifuge 100.

In examples where the reader 20 is a reader and writer 20 and the disk 32 is a read/write disk 32, the method may further include writing operational data to the disk 32. The operating data can be any data that relates to the operation of the centrifuge 100, such as: B. Operating parameters. The operational data may be a record of the operational parameters or other known data that is not captured. The operating data can be recorded by one or more sensors 50 of the centrifuge 100. In further examples, the operating data can be stored, for example in a database. The step of saving is under DV in 5 illustrated.

Each method may include any of the listed optional steps and may optionally be performed using any centrifuge 100 described herein.

It goes without saying that the above-mentioned functionality can be implemented as one or more corresponding modules in hardware and/or software. For example, the functionality mentioned above may be implemented as one or more software components for execution by a processor of the system. Alternatively, the functionality mentioned above can be implemented as hardware, e.g. B. on one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) and / or other hardware arrangements. Method steps implemented in the flowcharts contained herein or described above may each be implemented by corresponding modules. Additionally, multiple method steps implemented in the flowcharts contained herein or as described above may be implemented together by a single module.

To the extent that embodiments of the disclosure are implemented by a computer program, a storage medium and a transmission medium carrying the computer program form aspects of the disclosure. The computer program may include one or more program instructions or program code that, when executed by a computer, causes execution of an embodiment of the disclosure. As used herein, the term "program" may mean a sequence of instructions intended to be executed on a computer system, and may include a subprogram, a function, a procedure, a module, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, include a servlet, source code, object code, a shared library, a dynamically linked library, and/or other sequences of instructions intended for execution on a computer system. The storage medium may be a magnetic disk (e.g., a hard drive or a floppy disk), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a Blu-Ray disk), or a memory ( e.g., a ROM, a RAM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory or a portable/removable storage device), etc. The transmission medium can be a communication signal, a data transmission, a communication link between two or more computers, etc.

All steps described in this description may be performed in any order or simultaneously unless otherwise stated or apparent from the context. When a step is described as being performed after another step, this does not preclude intermediate steps from being performed.

All aspects and/or features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination, except for combinations in which at least some of these features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, the preferred features of the disclosure are applicable to all aspects and embodiments of the disclosure and can be used in any combination. Likewise, features described in non-essential combinations may be used separately (not in combination).

A method of making and/or operating any of the devices disclosed herein is also provided. The method may include the steps of providing each of the disclosed features and/or configuring or using the respective feature for its stated function.

Claims (11)

A centrifuge with a centrifuge housing (10) and a rotor (12) which is mounted in the centrifuge housing (10) in such a way that it can be rotated about an axis of rotation, the rotor having at least one receptacle (14) for holding a sample container (30). has, characterized in that a reading device (20) is provided for a data carrier (32), the reading device (20) being arranged so that it reads data from a data carrier (32) onto a sample container (14) held in a receptacle (14). 30) reads. Centrifuge after Claim 1 , wherein the reading device (20) is attached to the centrifuge housing (10). Centrifuge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (12) comprises a plurality of receptacles (14), each of which can accommodate a sample container. Centrifuge after Claim 3 , wherein the centrifuge is configured so that it progressively rotates the rotor (12), so that the reading device (20) reads the data from a data carrier (32) on a sample container (30) held in a receptacle. Centrifuge after Claim 3 or Claim 4 , wherein the centrifuge comprises a plurality of reading devices, each reading device being arranged to read data from a data carrier on a sample container which is accommodated in a corresponding receptacle. Centrifuge according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a processor (40) configured to receive data from the reading device (20) associated with a sample container (30) in a receptacle (14) and at least one Adjusts operating parameters of the centrifuge based on the received data. Centrifuge after Claim 6 , where the operating parameter is one or more of the following: speed of the rotor; Acceleration and deceleration of the rotor; Operating temperatur; Duration of centrifuge operation; degree of separation; ambient temperature; Information about the operator and/or time/date. Centrifuge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reading device (20) is an optical reading device and the data carrier (32) is an optical data carrier, preferably a barcode, or the reading device (20) is a reading and writing device and the data carrier (32) is a reading device -/Write data carrier, preferably an RFID tag. Centrifuge after Claim 8 , wherein the reading and writing device is further set up so that it writes operating parameters onto the data carrier (32) which correspond to an operation of the centrifuge carried out on the sample container. Centrifuge after Claim 9 , wherein the centrifuge further comprises a sensor that records the operating parameters and transmits the operating data to the reading and writing device. Processing system comprising: a centrifuge (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a sample container (30) for insertion into a receptacle, the sample container having a data carrier (32).

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