Patent Description:
Laboratory handling systems, in particular in the form of so-called in-sorters and out-sorters, are used in laboratory automation systems. The function of laboratory handling systems is the handling of laboratory sample containers comprising samples to be processed, e.g. by a laboratory station.

The laboratory sample containers are often stored in racks, wherein a rack is adapted to store a certain number of laboratory sample containers. The number of laboratory sample containers to be stored depends on the type of the rack. Typically, the racks are placed on a rack placement unit of the laboratory handling system.

<CIT> discloses the preamble of claims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

A major problem concerns the determination of the position of a rack on the rack placement unit.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for determining a position of a rack on a rack placement unit of a laboratory handling system and a laboratory handling system having improved properties regarding the prior art.

The invention solves this object by a method for determining a position of a rack on a rack placement unit of a laboratory handling system according to claim <NUM> and <NUM> and by a laboratory handling system according to claim <NUM> and <NUM>.

The term "corner region" as used according to the present invention may define a region or area of the rack where two or more, in particular three, edges of the rack meet or a point (so-called corner point) of the rack where two or more, in particular three, edges of the rack meet.

The term "height profile of the rack" as used according to the present invention may also be denoted as a vertical profile of the rack or as a profile of the rack in the z-direction or opposite to the z-direction.

The distance sensing unit may be coupled to a number of motors, in particular a number of linear motors, being adapted to move the distance sensing unit in x-direction and y-direction. The number of vertical distances being measured between the distance sensing unit and the rack and/or the rack placement unit and/or the number of laboratory sample containers, which is inserted in the rack, in x-direction and y-direction may be defined by a configurable resolution value based on the motional freedom of the number of motors, in particular the number of linear motors, being adapted to move the distance sensing unit in x-direction and y-direction.

According to an embodiment, the distance sensing unit is assigned to a handling unit. The handling unit is adapted to insert laboratory sample containers in the rack or is adapted to remove laboratory sample containers from the rack based on the determined position of the rack. The handling unit may comprise two or more gripping fingers. The gripping fingers are adapted to grip a laboratory sample container. In particular, the handling unit is in the form of a gripper.

According to an embodiment, the distance sensing unit is attached to the handling unit. In particular, the distance sensing unit is attached between two gripping fingers of the handling unit. For example, the distance sensing unit may be attached to a connection or joint, in particular solid body joint, between the two gripping fingers of the handling unit. The connection or joint is adapted to allow a relative movement between the two gripping fingers of the handling unit.

According to an embodiment, the distance sensing unit is attached laterally to the handling unit, i.e. to an exterior or outer face of the handling unit. In particular, the distance sensing unit may not be attached between two gripping fingers of the handling unit.

In principle, there is no limitation in respect of the form or shape of the distance sensing unit as long as the form or shape allows measuring a number of vertical distances between the distance sensing unit and the rack and/or the rack placement unit and/or a number of laboratory sample containers, which is inserted in the rack, in x-direction and y-direction. For example, the distance sensing unit may have a cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical, i.e. tubular, form.

According to an embodiment, the distance sensing unit comprises a laser or 3D laser scanner or is in the form of a laser or 3D laser scanner. A laser or 3D laser scanner facilitates a very accurate measurement of the height profile of the rack.

According to an embodiment, step b) comprises determining the position of only one corner region of the rack based on the measured height profile of the rack.

According to an embodiment, step b) comprises determining the position of two corner regions, in particular only two corner regions, of the rack based on the measured height profile of the rack.

According to an embodiment, step b) comprises determining the position of two diametrically arranged corner regions of the rack based on the measured height profile of the rack.

The embodiments described in the three preceding paragraphs have in particular the advantage that the determination of the position of the rack on the rack placement unit of the laboratory handling system can be additionally accelerated.

According to an embodiment, step b) comprises aligning or matching the measured height profile of the rack with a height profile of the rack being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the rack and/or with a height profile of the rack placement unit being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the rack placement unit and/or with a height profile of a laboratory sample container being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the laboratory sample container. Thus, the determination of the at least one corner region of the rack may be further accelerated.

According to an embodiment, the rack comprises a number of orifices, wherein a respective orifice is adapted to receive a laboratory sample container, and the following step is performed: d) determining whether at least one of the number of orifices has received a laboratory sample container, i.e. is occupied by a laboratory sample container, or not based on the measured height profile of the rack. Thus, additional issues of the rack, such as the presence of a number of laboratory sample containers on the rack and/or the type of the number of laboratory sample containers on the rack and/or a correct placement of the number of laboratory sample containers on the rack, may be determined.

The laboratory handling system according to the claimed invention is adapted to perform the above-described method.

In particular, the laboratory handling system is adapted to handle a number of laboratory sample containers. A respective laboratory sample container is typically designed as a tube made of glass or transparent plastic and typically has an opening at an upper end. The laboratory sample container may be used to contain and/or store and/or transport a sample to be processed and/or analyzed, such as a blood sample, (blood) serum or plasma sample, urine sample, separation gel, cruor (blood cells) or a chemical sample. The laboratory sample container may be used to contain and/or store and/or transport any kind of biological liquid, for instance.

According to the claimed invention, the laboratory handling system comprises a number of racks. A respective rack is adapted to carry a number of laboratory sample containers. Reference is insofar made to the corresponding prior art. The number of racks may e.g. be a number in the range of <NUM> up to <NUM>. The number of laboratory sample containers carried by the respective rack may e.g. be a number in the range of <NUM> up to <NUM>.

According to the claimed invention, the laboratory handling system further comprises a rack placement unit. At least one of the number of racks is placed on the rack placement unit. The rack placement unit may comprise a flat metal plate having rack holding elements. The rack holding elements may be adapted to detachably hold at least one of the number of racks being placed on the rack placement unit. The operating principle of racks which are detachably held by rack holding elements is e.g. disclosed in <CIT>.

According to the claimed invention, the laboratory handling system further comprises a distance sensing unit. The distance sensing unit is adapted to sense a number of vertical distances between the distance sensing unit and the rack and the rack placement unit in x-direction and y-direction, the x-direction and the y-direction being perpendicular to the height direction of the rack and perpendicular to each other. In particular, the distance sensing unit comprises or is in the form of a laser or 3D laser scanner.

According to an embodiment, the laboratory handling system further comprises a handling unit. The handling unit is adapted to insert laboratory sample containers in the rack being placed on the rack placement unit or to remove laboratory sample containers from the rack being placed on the rack placement unit. The handling unit may comprise two or more gripping fingers. In particular, the handling unit is in the form of a gripper.

According to an embodiment, the distance sensing unit is assigned to the handling unit. In particular, the distance sensing unit may be attached to the handling unit, in particular between two gripping fingers of the handling unit. For example, the distance sensing unit may be attached to a connection or joint, in particular solid body joint, between the two gripping fingers of the handling unit. The connection or joint is adapted to allow a relative movement between the two gripping fingers of the handling unit. Alternatively, the distance sensing unit may be attached laterally to the handling unit.

The laboratory handling system may further comprise a number of motors, in particular a number of linear motors, being adapted to move the distance sensing unit and/or the handling unit in x-direction and y-direction.

The invention is in particular featured by the following advantages:.

The invention will now be described in detail with respect to the drawings schematically depicting embodiments of the invention. In detail:.

<FIG> depicts a conventional laboratory sample container rack <NUM>, i.e. a rack <NUM> being adapted to carry a number of laboratory sample containers <NUM>, in a bottom view. The laboratory sample container rack <NUM> comprises a number of <NUM> orifices <NUM>, being adapted to receive conventional laboratory sample containers <NUM>, which may also be denoted as tubes, (see also <FIG>). The rack <NUM> comprises four corner regions <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically depict an embodiment of step a) of the method according to the invention.

A height profile HP of the rack <NUM> is measured by measuring a number of <NUM> vertical distances DI, DI', DI" and DI‴ between the distance sensing unit <NUM> on the one hand and the rack <NUM> and the rack placement unit <NUM> on the other hand in x-direction and y-direction. The respective height profile HP of the rack <NUM> is schematically depicted in <FIG>.

Self-evidently, the height profile HP of the rack <NUM> may be measured by measuring a greater number of vertical distances between the distance sensing unit <NUM> on the one hand and the rack <NUM> and the rack placement unit <NUM> on the other hand in x-direction and y-direction.

The distance sensing unit <NUM> may be moved by a number of motors, in particular a number of linear motors, being adapted to move the distance sensing unit in x-direction and y-direction.

In detail, the step a) comprises measuring a vertical distance DI between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and the rack placement unit <NUM>, in particular close to a corner region <NUM> of the rack <NUM>, (see <FIG>), a vertical distance DI' between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and a corner region <NUM> of the rack <NUM> (see <FIG>), a vertical distance DI" between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and a bottom of an orifice <NUM> of the rack <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a vertical distance DI‴ between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and a top surface of the rack <NUM>, in particular close to an orifice <NUM> of the rack <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Next, at least one corner region <NUM>, in particular two corner regions <NUM>, in particular two oppositely arranged corner regions <NUM>, of the rack <NUM> is determined based on the measured height profile HP of the rack <NUM> (step b)). This step may be carried out by aligning or matching the measured height profile HP of the rack <NUM> with a height profile of the rack <NUM> being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the rack <NUM> and with a height profile of the rack placement unit <NUM> being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the rack placement unit <NUM>.

Next, the position of the rack <NUM> on the rack placement unit <NUM> of the laboratory handling system <NUM> is determined based on the determined at least one corner region <NUM> of the rack <NUM> (step c)).

<FIG> schematically depict a further embodiment of step a) of the method according to the invention.

A height profile HP' of the rack <NUM> is measured by measuring a number of <NUM> vertical distances DI, DI', DI", DI"', DIʺʺ and DI‴ʺ between the distance sensing unit <NUM> on the one hand and the rack <NUM>, the rack placement unit <NUM> and a number of laboratory sample container <NUM>, which is inserted in the rack <NUM>, on the other hand in x-direction and y-direction. The respective height profile HP' of the rack <NUM> is schematically depicted in <FIG>.

Self-evidently, the height profile HP' of the rack <NUM> may be measured by measuring a greater number of vertical distances between the distance sensing unit <NUM> on the one hand and the rack <NUM>, the rack placement unit <NUM> and a number of laboratory sample container <NUM>, which is inserted in the rack <NUM>, on the other hand in x-direction and y-direction.

In detail, the step a) comprises measuring a vertical distance DI between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and the bottom of the rack placement unit <NUM>, in particular close to a corner <NUM> of the rack <NUM>, (see <FIG>), a vertical distance DI' between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and at least one corner region <NUM> of the rack <NUM> (see <FIG>), a vertical distance DI" between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and an upper end of a laboratory sample container <NUM> (see <FIG>), a vertical distance DI‴ between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and a bottom of the laboratory sample container <NUM> (see <FIG>), a vertical distance DIʺʺ between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and the upper end of the laboratory sample container <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a vertical distance DI‴ʺ between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and a top surface of the rack <NUM>, in particular close to the laboratory sample container <NUM> being inserted in a respective orifice <NUM> of the rack <NUM>, (see <FIG>).

Next, at least one corner region <NUM>, in particular two corner regions <NUM>, in particular two oppositely arranged corner regions <NUM>, of the rack <NUM> is determined based on the measured height profile HP' of the rack <NUM> (step b)). This step may be carried out by aligning or matching the measured height profile HP' of the rack <NUM> with a height profile of the rack <NUM> being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the rack <NUM>, with a height profile of the rack placement unit <NUM> being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the rack placement unit <NUM> and with a height profile of the laboratory sample container <NUM> being known from CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the laboratory sample container <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically depicts an embodiment of a laboratory handling system according to the invention.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> comprises two racks <NUM>. Each of the racks <NUM> is adapted to carry a number of laboratory sample containers <NUM>. Further, each of the racks <NUM> has <NUM> orifices <NUM> for holding and/or carrying laboratory sample containers <NUM>. Self-evidently, the laboratory handling system may comprise more than <NUM> racks <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> to <NUM> racks <NUM>. Self-evidently, the racks <NUM> may have more than <NUM> orifices <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> orifices <NUM>. One of the two exemplary racks <NUM> carries laboratory sample containers <NUM> and the remaining exemplary rack <NUM> does not carry laboratory sample containers <NUM>.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> further comprises a rack placement unit <NUM>. The two exemplary racks <NUM> are placed on the rack placement unit <NUM> of the laboratory handling system <NUM>. The racks <NUM> are detachably held by the rack placement unit <NUM>.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> further comprises a distance sensing unit <NUM>. The distance sensing unit <NUM> is adapted to sense a number of vertical distances between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and the rack <NUM> and/or the rack placement unit <NUM> and/or a number of laboratory sample containers <NUM>, which is inserted in the rack <NUM>, in x-direction and y-direction. In particular, the distance sensing unit <NUM> comprises or is in the form of a laser or 3D laser scanner. A laser or 3D laser scanner facilitates a high level of accuracy and error-proofness with respect to the measurement of the height profile of the rack <NUM>.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> further comprises a handling unit <NUM>. The handling unit <NUM> is adapted to insert laboratory sample containers <NUM> in the racks <NUM> being placed on the rack placement unit <NUM> or remove laboratory sample containers <NUM> from the racks <NUM> being placed on the rack placement unit <NUM>. The handling unit <NUM> has two gripping fingers <NUM>, <NUM> being adapted to grip a laboratory sample container <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically depicts a further embodiment of a laboratory handling system <NUM> according to the invention.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> comprises a rack <NUM> being adapted to carry a number of laboratory sample containers. The rack <NUM> has <NUM> orifices <NUM> for holding and/or carrying laboratory sample containers.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> further comprises a rack placement unit <NUM>. The rack <NUM> is placed on the rack placement unit <NUM> of the laboratory handling system <NUM>. Further, the rack <NUM> is detachably held by the rack placement unit <NUM>.

The laboratory handling system <NUM> further comprises a distance sensing unit <NUM> being adapted to sense a number of vertical distances between the distance sensing unit <NUM> and the rack <NUM> and/or the rack placement unit <NUM> and/or a number of laboratory sample containers <NUM>, which is inserted in the rack <NUM>, in x-direction and y-direction. The distance sensing unit <NUM> is attached between two gripping fingers <NUM>, <NUM>, in particular to a connection or joint being adapted to facilitate a relative movement of two gripping fingers <NUM>, <NUM>, of the handling unit <NUM>. Further, the distance sensing unit <NUM> may have the form of a tube.

With respect to further features and advantages of the laboratory handling system <NUM>, reference is made in its entirety to the description of <FIG>.

According to a further aspect, the invention may be described as follows:
The invention proposes the use of a distance measurement device, in particular in the form of a laser or having a laser sensor. The distance measurement device may be placed at a gripper of a laboratory handling system or at a fixed position along the z-direction. An algorithm for determining the position of a rack being adapted to carry a number of laboratory sample containers and being placed on a placement unit of the laboratory handling system may be used. The algorithm may be divided into two main sub-algorithms. The first main sub-algorithm may be adapted to acquire data by making a 3D scan of the rack and the rack placement unit, in the following also denoted as workspace, by measuring the distance of the distance measurement device at each of the measurements points in the xy-plane (plane defined by the x-direction or x-axis and y-direction or y-axis). The amount of xy measurement points may be defined by a configurable resolution value (in mm or motor steps). For example, the first sub-algorithm may follow the subsequent steps:.

The result/output data is a (x,y,z) point cloud and may be interpreted as a 3D mapping of the workspace where the x- and y-values may come from motor encoders and the z-value comes from the distance measurement at (x,y).

Claim 1:
Method for determining a position of a rack (<NUM>) on a rack placement unit (<NUM>) of a laboratory handling system (<NUM>), wherein the rack (<NUM>) is adapted to carry a number of laboratory sample containers (<NUM>), the method comprising the steps:
a) measuring a height profile (HP, HP') of the rack (<NUM>),
b) determining at least one corner region (<NUM>) of the rack (<NUM>) based on the measured height profile (HP, HP') of the rack (<NUM>) and
c) determining the position of the rack (<NUM>) based on the determined at least one corner region (<NUM>) of the rack (<NUM>),
wherein the corner region (<NUM>) defines a region (<NUM>) of the rack (<NUM>) where three edges of the rack (<NUM>) meet, characterized in that step a) comprises measuring a number of vertical distances (DI, DI', DI", DI"', DIʺʺ, DI‴ʺ) between a distance sensing unit (<NUM>) and the rack (<NUM>) and the rack placement unit (<NUM>) at different positions of the distance sensing unit in an x-direction and an y-direction, the x-direction and the y-direction being perpendicular to the height direction of the rack (<NUM>) and perpendicular to each other.