Patent ID: 9377480
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B01L,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A specimen storage device for storing a tested specimen plate in a rack capable of storing a plurality of specimen plates, the specimen storage device comprising: a specimen storage section comprising an accumulating section containing a plurality of racks, a rack transport mechanism configured to transport a rack from the accumulating section to a storage position for storing tested specimen plates in the rack, and a specimen transporter configured to transport the specimen plates and for supplying the specimen plates to a specimen imaging apparatus for imaging the specimen plates and testing an image of the specimen plates; and a controller configured to control the specimen transporter and the specimen storage section, wherein the specimen transporter comprises: a transportation case configured to accommodate a specimen plate and to switch between a standing posture with an opening to accept the plate directed upwards and a horizontal posture with an opening to accept the plate substantially perpendicular to the standing posture; a transport mechanism configured to transport the transportation case between a first position and a second position; and a specimen transport mechanism comprising a holder configured to hold and to release the specimen plate, and configured to move the holder; wherein the controller is configured to control the specimen transporter and the specimen storage section to perform operations comprising: supplying the specimen plate into the transportation case having the standing posture and positioned at the first position by the specimen transport mechanism; transporting the transportation case having the horizontal posture from the first position to the second position by the transport mechanism; providing the specimen plate accommodated in the transportation case having the horizontal posture to the specimen imaging apparatus at the second position; receiving a tested specimen plate from the specimen imaging apparatus to the transportation case having the horizontal posture at the second position; transporting the transportation case having the horizontal posture from the second position to the first position by the transport mechanism; taking out the tested specimen plate from the transportation case having the standing posture at the first position by the specimen transport mechanism; and storing the tested specimen plate in the rack positioned at the storage position by operation of the specimen transport mechanism; wherein the controller is further configured to control the specimen transporter and the specimen storage section so as to store a specific tested specimen plate, whose test result satisfies a predetermined condition, in the rack in a manner distinguishable from one or more other tested specimen plates, whose test results does not satisfy the predetermined condition.