Patent ID: 9229017
Filing Date: 2016-01-05
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A sample processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of sample processing units arranged along a transporting route, including a first sample processing unit and a second sample processing unit positioned downstream of the first sample processing unit along the transporting route, both first and second sample processing units configured to test a sample held in a rack and issue a test result on the sample; a sample loading unit located upstream of the plurality of sample processing units and configured to feed pre-tested racks for testing at some of the plurality of sample processing units; a collecting unit located upstream of the plurality of sample processing units and configured to receive post-tested racks from some of the plurality of sample processing units; a transport apparatus formed with a plurality of transporting units connected in series along the transporting route to each serve one of the sample processing units, the plurality of transporting units being operable to collectively transport a respective pre-tested rack in a first direction along the transporting route from the sample loading unit to one of the plurality of sample processing units and collectively transport a respective post-tested rack in a second direction along the transporting route from one of the plurality of sample processing units to the collecting unit, a respective at least some of the plurality of transporting units comprising: a controller comprising a memory that stores programs executable by the controller to: