Patent ID: 7998409

Claim:
A specimen-transport module adapted for use in a modular, multi-instrument clinical workcell, of the type comprising (i) a plurality of clinical instruments, each having a specimen-aspiration probe and being adapted to aspirate and process a specimen presented to said probe for aspiration, and (ii) a like plurality of specimen-transport modules, one of said specimen-transport modules being operatively associated with each of said clinical instruments, each of said specimen-transport modules functioning (a) to move individual racks of specimen-containers relative to the specimen-aspiration probe of its associated clinical instrument and (b) to transfer said racks of specimen-containers between adjacent specimen-transport modules of adjacent clinical instruments of said workcell, said specimen-transport module comprising a housing supporting: (i) an input buffer for receiving and supporting a plurality of racks of specimen-containers presented to it, (ii) a specimen-aspiration station at which a rack of specimen-containers is supported in a position to present a specimen to the aspiration probe of an operatively associated clinical instrument, (iii) an output buffer for supporting a plurality of racks in a position to be removed from said module, (iv) first and second rack-transfer stations at which individual racks of specimen-containers are accessible by and transferrable to adjacent rack-transport mechanisms supported by the respective housings of adjacent specimen-transport modules that are operatively associated with clinical instruments disposed on opposite sides of said housing, and (v) a primary rack-transport mechanism operatively connectable to each of said racks of specimen-containers for transporting said racks among said input buffer, specimen-aspiration station, output buffer and rack-transfer stations, said primary rack-transport mechanism being operable independently of, but in cooperation with, the respective rack-transport mechanisms of adjacent specimen-transport modules to selectively transfer racks of specimen containers between the respective rack-transfer stations of adjacent specimen-transport modules without the use of any intermediate rack-transport device.