Central control apparatus for an automated laboratory conveyor system

摘要

A central control apparatus for an automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A receiving station is provided along the track which is connected to a laboratory information system having identification and instructional data with respect to a particular specimen, and which marks an individual specimen carrier to identify the carrier with a particular specimen as it is conveyed throughout the conveyor system. The receiving station and an archiving station are both connected to a central control unit which is connected to the conveyor track and the laboratory information system to control the entire automated laboratory conveyor system. At least one work station is located along the conveyor track for performing a predetermined test on a particular specimen. Each work station includes a gate apparatus for transferring the selected specimen carrier from the conveyor track to a work station track, for transport to a work station. The gate apparatus includes a reader for identifying a particular specimen carrier being conveyed by the conveyor track. The reader is also connected to the central control unit, as are the gates for each work station, so that particular specimens may be directed to an appropriate work station by the central control unit.