Title:
SPECIMEN-TRANSPORT MODULE FOR A MULTI-INSTRUMENT CLINICAL WORKCELL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2005093432
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.
Inventors:
VEINER CRAIG R (US)
TAPPEN FRANK M (US)
DEL VALLE ROBERTO (US)
TAPPEN FRANK M (US)
DEL VALLE ROBERTO (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2005/005415
Publication Date:
May 04, 2006
Filing Date:
February 18, 2005
Export Citation:
Assignee:
BECKMAN COULTER INC (US)
International Classes:
B01L9/06; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N35/00; (IPC1-7): G01N35/04; G01N35/02
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2002090996A2 | 2002-11-14 | |||
| WO2003093833A1 | 2003-11-13 |
Foreign References:
| US6337050B1 | 2002-01-08 | |||
| US5720377A | 1998-02-24 | |||
| US6444171B1 | 2002-09-03 | |||
| US5380488A | 1995-01-10 | |||
| EP0478285A2 | 1992-04-01 | |||
| US5207986A | 1993-05-04 | |||
| US6444472B1 | 2002-09-03 | |||
| EP0871035A2 | 1998-10-14 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1721168A2
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