Open platform automated sample processing system
An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container. The system also includes a sample output adapted to receive the output vessel, and a user interface adapted to receive an input from the user to indicate the identity of the at least one sample container, and control at least one operation based on a physical property of the at least one sample container.
1. A sample processing method comprising:
(a) manually providing a plurality of sample tubes in a first sample rack;
(b) automatically mixing a respective content of each sample tube;
(c) automatically decapping substantially each sample tube;
(d) automatically transferring a specimen from substantially each sample tube to a respective intermediary vessel;
(e) automatically recapping substantially each sample tube after a specimen has been removed from it;
(f) automatically performing one or more processing steps to process substantially each specimen in its respective intermediary vessel into a respective prepared specimen;
(g) automatically transferring substantially each prepared specimen to a respective sample output vessel; and
(h) manually removing each of the sample output vessels;
wherein one or more of the sample tubes are manually provided during the performing of the one or more processing steps.
2. The sample processing method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the sample tubes that are manually provided during the performing of the one or more processing steps are manually provided in a second sample rack.
3. The sample processing method of claim 2 , wherein the first sample rack and the second sample rack are received at a single input location.
4. The sample processing method of claim 3 , further comprising automatically moving each of the first sample rack and the second sample rack from the input location to an output location.
5. The sample processing method of claim 4 , further comprising automatically moving each of the first sample rack and the second sample rack to a processing location between the input location and the output location.
6. A sample processing method comprising:
(a) manually providing a plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes;
(b) automatically mixing a respective content of a sample tube;
(c) automatically decapping the sample tube;
(d) automatically transferring a respective specimen from the sample tube to a respective intermediary vessel;
(e) automatically recapping the decapped sample tube after the respective specimen has been transferred;
(f) automatically performing one or more processing steps to process the respective specimen in its respective intermediary vessel to provide a respective prepared specimen;
(g) automatically transferring the prepared specimen to a respective sample output vessel; and
(h) manually removing the respective sample output vessel;
wherein additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes.
7. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during or between any of steps (b) through (h).
8. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during any of steps (b) through (h).
9. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (b).
10. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (c).
11. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (d).
12. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (e).
13. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (f).
14. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (g).
15. The sample processing method of claim 6 , wherein the additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes may be manually added to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes during steps (h).
16. A sample processing method comprising:
(a) manually providing a sample processing device with a plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes at an input location;
(b) automatically mixing a respective content of a sample tube;
(c) automatically decapping the sample tube;
(d) automatically transferring a respective specimen from the sample tube to a respective intermediary vessel;
(e) automatically recapping the decapped sample tube after the respective specimen has been transferred;
(f) automatically performing one or more processing steps to process the respective specimen in its respective intermediary vessel to provide a respective prepared specimen;
(g) manually removing the respective prepared specimen at an output location of the sample processing device; and
(h) manually adding additional capped, specimen-containing sample tubes to the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes while any of steps (b) through (g) are performed.
17. The sample processing method of claim 16 , further comprising automatically transferring the prepared specimen to a respective sample output vessel before manually removing the respective prepared specimen.
18. The sample processing method of claim 16 , further comprising repeating steps (b) through (g) for each of the plurality of capped, specimen-containing sample tubes.
19. The sample processing method of claim 16 , wherein step (a) comprises manually providing a first group of one or more capped, specimen-containing sample tubes in a first sample rack.
20. The sample processing method of claim 19 , wherein step (h) comprises manually providing a second group of one or more capped, specimen-containing sample tubes in a second sample rack.