Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for optimizing sample distribution in a laboratory system, the method comprising: retrieving, at a control unit of the laboratory system, one or more test requests for each sample provided to the laboratory system; controlling, by the control unit, a transport system of the laboratory system to convey the provided samples to one or more sample buffer units; creating, by the control unit, run instructions to run one or more requested tests on selected samples on a test plate based on optimization criteria; transmitting, by the control unit, the run instructions to an analyzer of the laboratory system; and controlling, by the control unit, the transport system to convey the selected samples for which one or more requested tests shall be executed from a sample buffer unit to the analyzer.

Abstract: A method of assigning an additional test to an existing aliquot sample tube or to a primary sample tube in a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory automation system comprises a workflow control unit and analytical laboratory devices in communication with the workflow control unit. The method comprises receiving an additional test request for the existing aliquot sample tube after processing of the existing aliquot sample tube has started, determining if the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target, waiting until the existing aliquot sample tube reaches a retrievable target if not at a retrievable target, determining if an aliquot timeout has occurred once the existing aliquot sample tube is at a retrievable target, reassigning the addition test to the primary sample tube if an aliquot timeout has occurred, and performing the additional test from the existing aliquot sample tube if no aliquot timeout has occurred.

Abstract: A method of handling laboratory sample containers by a laboratory sample container handling system is presented. The method comprises providing a laboratory sample container comprising an assigned ID information to the laboratory sample container handling system, reading the assigned ID information, checking, if the read ID information is unique or not unique within the laboratory sample container handling system, and if the read ID information (2) is not unique within the laboratory sample container handling system, assigning a new ID information to the laboratory sample container. The new ID information is unique within the laboratory sample container handling system.

Abstract: A method of routing test samples during periods of laboratory disruption in a laboratory system is disclosed. The method comprises determining that a laboratory device is unavailable, masking a target laboratory device so that test samples are not sent to the target laboratory device and test samples cannot be retrieved from the target laboratory device, rerouting test samples from the target laboratory device to a buffer, calculating a new laboratory workflow after the laboratory device becomes available, unmasking the target laboratory device after the new laboratory workflow is calculated, and retrieving the test samples from buffer and sending the test samples to the target laboratory device.

Abstract: A method of handling laboratory sample containers by a laboratory sample container handling system is presented. The method comprises providing a laboratory sample container comprising an assigned ID information to the laboratory sample container handling system, reading the assigned ID information, checking, if the read ID information is unique or not unique within the laboratory sample container handling system, and if the read ID information (2) is not unique within the laboratory sample container handling system, assigning a new ID information to the laboratory sample container. The new ID information is unique within the laboratory sample container handling system.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is disclosed. The method comprises receiving and identifying sample containers and sorting them into a sample rack, retrieving an order list A comprising test orders corresponding to the sample containers within the sample rack, determining an optimal transportation route for the sample rack based on the order list A, a set of constraints and an objective function, the optimal transportation route being indicative of a list and/or sequence of laboratory instrument(s) required to complete the order list A, re-determining the optimal transportation route upon a change of the constraint(s) and/or of the objective function, transporting the sample rack to one or more of the laboratory instruments according to the optimal transportation route by the sample transportation system, and processing the biological samples according to the corresponding test orders by the target laboratory instrument(s).