Storage tray populator and method for populating a storage tray with a plurality of biological sample containers

摘要

A storage tray populator configured to populate a storage rack with a plurality of biological sample containers is provided. The storage tray populator may include a randomizer configured to receive the biological sample containers and randomly distribute the biological sample containers. Further, a transport apparatus may transport the biological sample containers from the randomizer to the storage rack. Additionally, a controller may control at least the transport apparatus. Thereby storage trays may be populated, and access to a desired biological sample may be improved. Methods for populating storage racks with a plurality of biological sample containers are also provided.

主权项

1. A storage tray populator configured to populate a storage tray with a plurality of biological sample containers, comprising: a randomizer configured to receive the biological sample containers and randomly distribute the biological sample containers; a transport apparatus configured to transport the biological sample containers from the randomizer to the storage tray; and a controller configured to control at least the transport apparatus,
wherein the transport apparatus comprises a sample depositor configured to receive the biological sample containers and deposit the biological sample containers in a plurality of sample holders defined by the storage tray, a sample accumulator configured to accumulate the biological sample containers in a plurality of accumulator slots and load each of the biological sample containers retained in the accumulator slots into the sample depositor, and a sample feeder configured to sequentially feed the biological sample containers to the sample accumulator, wherein the sample feeder comprises a sensor configured to detect presence of the biological sample containers at the sample feeder, and wherein the controller is configured to maintain proximity of the sample feeder to one of the accumulator slots in the accumulator at least until one of the biological sample containers is detected by the sensor.