Laboratory sample distribution system and corresponding method of operation

摘要

A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system also comprises a transport device. The transport device comprises a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The transport device also comprises a control device to control the movement of the container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators. The control device controls the movement such that more than two container carriers are movable simultaneously and independently from one another.

主权项

1. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container containing a sample; and a transport device comprising
a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers,a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier, anda control device to control the movement of the container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators, wherein the control device controls the movement such that two or more container carriers are movable simultaneously and independently from one another and such that a route being defined by a start location and a destination location is optimized by a given criteria, wherein the given criteria is at least one of a priority assigned to a container carrier or defective electro-magnetic actuators.