Patent ID: 9222952
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A sample processing system comprising: a plurality of sample processing units; an input/output unit configured to receive sample racks and to transport the sample racks along a transport path to each of the plurality of sample processing units, the input/output unit equipped with a reading section that reads a sample rack ID and a sample ID of containers in each sample rack; a plurality of sample transport units coupled to the input/output unit by the sample transport path that transport the sample racks to the plurality of sample processing units, wherein each of the plurality of sample transport units is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sample processing units; and a control section, the control section determines which of the plurality of sample processing units is to process samples in each container based on information acquired by the reading section, wherein the plurality of sample transport units includes at least a first sample transport unit, a second sample transport unit adjacent to the first sample transport unit and a third sample transport unit adjacent to the second sample transport unit in order from the upstream in a transport direction, each of the sample transport units includes a transport path for transporting a sample rack to another sample transport unit on the downstream side and a transport member for moving a sample rack on the transport path, the transport member is configured to drive independently from transport members in other transport units, each of the transport paths has a beginning end and a terminal end, wherein a terminal end of the transport path of the first sample transport unit and a beginning end of the transport path of the second sample transport unit are adjacent, and the transport path of the first sample transport unit transmits the sample rack to the transport path of the second sample transport unit, a terminal end of the transport path of the second sample transport unit and a beginning end of the transport path of the third sample transport unit are adjacent, and the transport path of the second sample transport unit transmits the sample rack to the transport path of the third sample transport unit, the first sample transport unit includes a sensor for detecting that a sample rack arrives at a predetermined position, and the transport member is further configured for transporting a sample rack which is to be introduced to the first sample transport unit to a destination sample transport unit which is located downstream of the second sample transport unit, wherein each of the sample transport units further includes a pushing member, each of the pushing members configured to be located at a first position that does not interfere with the sample rack passing through each of the transport paths and at a second position that interferes with the sample rack to stop the sample rack on each of the transport paths, the control section performs the following process including: determining a destination sample transport unit for a selected sample rack among the plurality of sample transport units; when the third sample transport unit is determined to the destination sample transport unit, moving the transport members of the first and second sample transport units and positioning the pushing members of the first and second sample transport units at the first position to transport the selected sample rack to the third sample transport unit; and in response to detecting arrival of the selected sample rack at the sensor of the first sample transport unit, starting to move the transport member of the third sample transport unit; and positioning the pushing member of the third sample transport unit at the second position to stop the selected sample rack by the pushing member and then moving the pushing member toward the third sample processing unit from the second position.