WO2022119514A1

WO2022119514A1 - Control method of tube de-capper with analyzer rack

Info

Publication number: WO2022119514A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/051237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet UNLUEL; Turker DILBER
Original assignee: Gelecek Yazilim Mühendi̇sli̇k Medi̇kal Ve Araştirma Geli̇şti̇rme Pazarlama Ti̇caret Li̇mi̇ted Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2020-12-04
Filing date: 2020-12-04
Publication date: 2022-06-09

Abstract

The invention relates to a control method for a tube de-capper comprising the steps of loading a plurality of capped tubes (16) into a rack (12) at a predetermined location; disposing the capped tube (16) loaded rack (12) into a rack loading module (10); moving the rack (12) with a rack pushing mechanism (18) to a rack entry module (20); opening the capped tubes (16) within the rack (12) by means of a de-capper mechanism (22); moving the rack (12) filled with de-capped tubes (16) to a rack output module (30); loading the rack (12) filled with de-capped tubes (16) onto an analyzer tray (36).

Description

CONTROL METHOD OF TUBE DE-CAPPER WITH ANALYZER RACK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for removing caps from tubes, and particularly, a tube de-capper device and method and dispose tubes in racks used in laboratories or microbiological systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

High-value biological samples are often stored and handled using SBS format racks with multiple tubes. This type of racks comprises, for example, 96 tubes in an 8-by-12-hole array designed to securely hold loaded tubes. Tubes and their contents can be maneuvered in a processing system, for example between a cold store and several processing stations, and may need to be filled (partially or completely) or processed simultaneously or separately. In addition to SBS format racks, individual rows of 5 tubes 8 tubes 10 tubes etc. specific to the analyzers, racks are also known in the art.

Conventionally, de-capping is accomplished manually or via a capping unit that can be individually connected to the tubes while the tubes are still in the rack or after they have left the rack. Process is slower if more than one tube is de-capper simultaneously.

De-capper systems for simultaneous de-capping of several tubes are known in the prior art. EP1882949B1 a capper/de-capper system has a rack support for supporting a rack containing a plurality of capped tubes in a given position. A head unit supports a two- dimensional array of capping/de-capping spindles, each of which includes a clutch and a capping/de-capping spigot or socket, the spindles being aligned with the tube positions defined in the rack. A drive mechanism moves the tubes and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another in use, when a rack containing capped tubes is disposed in the rack support, causing engagement and disengagement of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets with and from the tube caps. A spindle drive system provides simultaneous rotation of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets together after engagement with the caps, either to detach caps from the tubes or attach caps to the tubes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to fast and automatic de-capping of liquid-filled capped and vacuum tubes in medical applications.

Another object of the invention is to automatically dispose de-capped tubes on an analyzer rack.

In order to achieve the mentioned objectives, invention relates to a control method for a tube de-capper comprising the steps of loading a plurality of capped tubes into a rack at a predetermined location; disposing the capped tube loaded rack into a rack loading module; moving the rack with a rack pushing mechanism to a rack entry module; opening the capped tubes within the rack by means of a de-capper mechanism; moving the rack filled with decapped tubes to a rack output module. The control method further comprising the steps of loading the rack filled with de-capped tubes onto an analyzer tray. Thus, all process steps that take place after the capped tubes are placed on the rack will be performed automatically by the device. The automatic opening of the covers and the automatic arranging of the racks on the analyzer tray save time and problems such as sample spill and tube roll that may occur during the placement of the racks on the tray by an operator can be prevented.

In a preferred application loading the rack on which the capped tubes are disposed with reference to the rack alignment rods. Rack alignment bars ensure the capped tubes are loaded into the device in the correct position.

In a preferred application the rack is moved in the L-like direction by the rack pushing mechanism. A single push mechanism allows the racks to reach the de-capper mechanism and the caps of the capped tubes to be opened by L-like movement direction. Thus, an extra pushing mechanism is not required therefore a cost advantage is obtained. In an alternative embodiment, the racks can be pushed with a U-like movement instead of an L-like movement

A preferred application comprising the process step of opening the capped tubes one by one by the de-capper mechanism. In this way, it is ensured that the caps of the capped tubes on the rack are opened completely. In an alternative embodiment, de-capper mechanisms that can open more than one tube cap at a time.

In a preferred application, opening the capped tube caps by at least one needle by the de- capper mechanism. After the needle is in contact with cap of the capped tube, the rate of attachment to each other increases and the caps can be completely removed. In an alternative embodiment, the use of two or more needles instead of using a single needle can be included in the de-capper mechanism.

In a preferred application, the rack is monitored by a sensor while the rack is moved by the pushing mechanism. Thus, the racks reaching the rack entry module are prevented from moving further in the vertical direction, and their movement in the horizontal direction is ensured. In addition, the sensor provides the information that the movement of the rack pushing mechanism should stop when the capped tubes are opened by the de-capping mechanism.

In a preferred application, opened capped tubes are loaded into the analyzer tray sequentially. Thus, the capped tube order at the beginning of the process will not change, and thus the problem of mixing the capped tubes containing the sample can be prevented.

In a preferred application, the analyzer tray positioned by a tray loading module. In this way, undesirable events such as tilting and shaking of the analyzer tray in the device are prevented.

In a preferred application, the rack containing the de-capped tubes disposed on the analyzer tray with a rack placement mechanism. The spill, shake problems that may occur while carrying the de-capped by the operator are prevented.

In a preferred application the rack pushing mechanism, rack placement mechanism and decapper mechanism is controlled by a processor. Thanks to the processor, the movement of the mechanisms working in the device can be kept under control and the operation of the device can be stopped by the operator whenever desired.

In a preferred application, commands are entered to the processor over a display. Thus, the operating principle of the device can be controlled by the operator through the interface on the display, and it is possible to intervene on the display in case of an emergency. In an alternative embodiment, a speaker system configured to respond to audible warnings may also be used instead of the display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is the perspective view of the de-capper device work with the analyzer tray according to the subject matter invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed explanation, the subject development of the invention is explained without any limitation and only with reference to examples to better explain the subject.

In Figure 1 , the de-capper device that can work with the analyzer tray of the invention is shown in perspective. The de-capper device includes a rack loading module (10). Multiple racks (12) are loaded manually into the rack loading module (10) by an operator. While the racks (12) are being disposed, at least two racks are aligned according to the alignment bars (14) in order to load the device in the correct position. Racks (12) are shaped to carry multiple capped tubes (16) specially produced for analyzer devices. The capped tubes (16) are provided to stand upright on the racks (12). After the racks (12) are disposed in the rack loading module (10), the racks (12) are moved towards a rack entry module (20) by a rack push mechanism (18). The racks (12) reaching the rack entry module (20) are transferred into a de-capper mechanism (22) to open the cap of the capped tubes (16). The de-capper mechanism (22) is positioned to correspond to the center of the device. A de-capper adjustment section (24) on de-capper mechanism (22) is provided in accordance with the cap size of the capped tubes (16) used in the de-capper mechanism (22). At least one needle (not shown) id provided in the de-capper adjustment section (24). The needle is in contact with the cap of the capped tubes (16) and engaged. Thanks to the cap opening adjustment section (24), the needle suitable for opening the caps of the capped tubes (16) are utilized by the capping mechanism (22). The tubes are transmitted to a rack output module (30) by means of the rack pushing mechanism (18) after de-capping of the tubes (16) inside the racks (12) is completed by the de-capper mechanism (22). In the rack output module (30), the de-capped tubes are loaded onto an analyzer tray (36) by means of a rack placement mechanism (32). Roche analyzer tray, Hitachi analyzer tray or any other analyzer tray can be selected and used as the analyzer tray (36). A tray loading module (34) is inserted into the analyzer tray (36) to allow it to be positioned on the instrument. The rack pushing mechanism (18), door opening mechanism (22) and rack placing mechanism (32) inside the device are controlled by a processor (40). There is a sensor (50) connected to the processor (40) a signal transmitting manner. The input regarding the operation of the processor (40) to be performed by the device is entered by the operator through the interface on a display (60).

The display (50) is positioned at the top of the device to correspond to the center.

In the working principle of the de-capper device, which can work with the analyzer tray (36), capped tubes (16) are disposed in the rack (12) by an operator, respectively. The start command is given via the interface on the display (60) by the operator. The given start command is transmitted to the processor (40). In order to align the capped tubes (16) in the correct position, the racks (12) are disposed in the rack loading module (10) relative to the rack alignment rods (14). The racks (12) disposed in the rack loading module (10) are pushed vertically until they reach the rack entry module (20) by means of the rack pushing mechanism (18). The movement of the rack pushing mechanism (18) is controlled by the processor (40) and the position of the rack pushing mechanism (18) is determined by the sensor (50) associated with the processor (40). The information that it has reached the rack entry module (20) is transmitted to the processor (40) via the sensor (50), and the processor (40) request a pushing motion in the horizontal direction by the rack pushing mechanism (18) to transmit the racks (12) to the de-capper mechanism (22). With the L-like movement of the rack pushing mechanism (18), the racks (12) are moved to the door opening mechanism (22) with a single movement mechanism and the doors are opened. At least one needle located in the de-capper adjustment section (24) inside the de-capper mechanism (22) is selected by the operator in accordance with the capped tubes (16). The caps of the capped tubes (16) are de-capped one by one with the de-capper mechanism (22). During the opening of the caps of the capped tubes (16), the information displayed by the sensor (50) is transmitted to the processor (40), and the rack pushing mechanism (18) does not operate during the de- capper. After the caps of the capped tubes (16) are opened, the rack (12) is transmitted to the rack output module (30). The rack placement mechanism (32) located in the rack output module (30) is placed on the rack (12) and the analyzer tray (36), which carries the opened capped tubes (16) in sequence. The rack placing mechanism (18) pushes the racks (12) into the analyzer tray (36). Open capped tubes (16) can be collected by the operator from the analyzer tray (36).

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Rack loading module

12 Rack

14 Rack alignment bar

16 Capped tube 18 Rack push mechanism

20 Rack entry modules

22 De-capper mechanism

24 De-capper adjustment section 30 Rack output module

32 Rack placement mechanism

34 Tray loading module

36 Analyzer tray

40 Processor 50 Sensor

60 Display

Claims

1- A control method for a tube de-capper comprising the steps of loading a plurality of capped tubes (16) into a rack (12) at a predetermined location; disposing the capped tube (16) loaded rack (12) into a rack loading module (10); moving the rack (12) with a rack pushing mechanism (18) to a rack entry module (20); opening the capped tubes (16) within the rack (12) by means of a de-capper mechanism (22); moving the rack (12) filled with decapped tubes (16) to a rack output module (30) characterized in that further comprising the steps of loading the rack (12) filled with de-capped tubes (16) onto an analyzer tray (36).

2- A control method according to claim 1 , comprising the process step of loading the rack (12) on which the capped tubes (16) are disposed with reference to the rack alignment rods (14).

3- A control method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rack (12) is moved in the L-like direction by the rack pushing mechanism (18).

4- A control method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the process step of opening the capped tubes (16) one by one by the de-capper mechanism (22).

5- A control method according to claim 4, comprising the process step of opening the capped tube (16) caps by at least one needle by the de-capper mechanism (22).

6- A control method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rack (12) is monitored by a sensor (50) while the rack (12) is moved by the pushing mechanism (18).

7- A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of loading the de-capped tubes (16) onto the analyzer tray (36) sequentially.

8- A control method in accordance with claim 7, comprising the process step of positioning the analyzer tray (36) by a tray loading module (34).

9- A control method in accordance with claims 7-8, comprising the process step of placing the rack (12) containing the de-capped tubes (16) on the analyzer tray (36) with a rack placement mechanism (32). 10- A control method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rack pushing mechanism (18), rack placement mechanism (32) and de-capper mechanism (22) are controlled by a processor (40). 11- A control method in accordance with Claim 10, comprising the process step of enter commands to the processor (40) over a display (60).