Abstract: An automation apparatus of an analysis laboratory, for handling support devices able to support containers of biological samples. The automation apparatus includes two main automatic belt conveyors arranged in positions spaced from one another on a floor, and at least one auxiliary automatic belt conveyor. The auxiliary belt conveyor is spaced at a different height with respect to the main conveyors, and is operatively connected to the main conveyors by means of lift devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for traceability of transport of containers of biological samples, arranged in a containment rack, from a drawing point to an analysis point, in which a preparation apparatus is able, for each containment rack going out from the drawing point, to identify the containment rack, to detect the measurement of the outgoing mass of the containment rack and to store the measurement of the outgoing mass in a centralized database, and in which a check-in apparatus is able, for each containment rack coming to the analysis point, to identify the containment rack, to detect the measurement of the incoming mass of the containment rack and to compare the measurement of the outgoing mass with the detected measurement of the incoming mass, generating an alert if the measurement of the outgoing mass is different from the measurement of the incoming mass.

Abstract: A laboratory automation system (12) for conveying biological samples or reactants contained in test tubes (13), and automatically routing said plates (4) towards processing modules (18) of said biological material, wherein a platform (1) interposed between said laboratory automation system (12) and a handling system (14) of consumable products (4, 42, 100), which includes a horizontal crosspiece (6) whereon a first robot (7) and a second robot (8) are sliding mounted, the first robot (7) being provided with gripping means (9) of pipettes (10) adapted to collect and release the biological material or the reactant, and a second robot (8) being provided with gripping means (11) of consumable products (4, 42, 100).

Abstract: A system for managing the medical record of a patient by automatically collecting clinical data from one or more medical devices in a healthcare facility is described, comprising at least one identification device of the patient, control means of the management system, and storage means of the clinical data in the medical record, wherein the control means comprise an interface device able to operatively connect the identification device to the medical devices, the control means are able to automatically collect the clinical data and to store them in the storage means when the identification device correctly identifies the identity of the patient and the identity finds the match of the patient in the information systems of the healthcare facility, and when the interface device identifies the activation of one of the medical devices provided for in one of the active prescriptions of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stacker crane (2) for transporting, inserting and picking containers of biological material test tubes in/from locations (3) of a plurality of shelves (4) of a warehouse (1) for storing containers of biological material test tubes. The stacker crane (2) is able to move the containers of biological material test tubes in the three Cartesian directions x, y and z, so as to reach the locations (3), wherein the stacker (2) comprises a first carriage (21) and a second carriage (22) able to slide independently of, and to be released from, the first carriage (21) in direction y.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving and testing biological samples is described, comprising a laboratory automation system for moving transporting devices of single test tubes containing biological material samples, a testing module of said biological material samples contained in said test tubes adapted to receive linear containers of a plurality of test tubes arranged in a series of consecutive housings along a line, and an interconnection module between said laboratory automation system and said testing module,

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for the transfer of conveying devices of containers of biological products between laboratory automation systems placed at different heights. Said apparatus comprises a motor-driven belt arranged transversely with respect to said automation systems. Shelves are fixed to said motor-driven belt for accommodating said conveying devices during said transfer. Said conveying devices are loaded/unloaded on/from said shelves of said apparatus by the action of pushers. Said belt allows, by means of its rotation, a simultaneous bidirectional transfer, both in ascent and descent, of conveying devices from one automation system to the other.

Abstract: A laboratory automation system is described, comprising pairs of conveyor belts accommodating devices for conveying biological samples and actuated by a motorized traction device. Said motorized traction device includes a first and a second motor, each adapted to actuate both said pairs of belts a central control unit being adapted to control the simultaneous or alternating actuation of said motors.

Abstract: A laboratory automation system is described, comprising an automatic conveyor belt sliding within a sliding profile of a lane, and a coating tape interposed between the automatic conveyor belt and the sliding profile. The sliding profile includes a first region onto which a coating tape is applied by gluing and a second region where a coating tape is attached to a first end by means of a spring and to a second end by means of clamps.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus is described, which is suitable for the withdrawal of portions of biological material from a parent test tube (1), mobile in a conveyor (6) of a test tube transport plant by means of transport devices (8) of single test tubes, to be loaded in one or more child test tubes (2) countermarked beforehand with suitable identification means and to be sent to different biological material analysis instruments interfaced to said transport plant.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a patient and marking containers of biological products or test tubes (13) associated with said patient before collecting said biological products to be analyzed is described, comprising a high security portable hardware device (1) for processing and storing the patient's data capable of associating the patient's personal data and biometric data, a reading and patient biometric recognition device (2) of said portable hardware device, a personal computer (4) interacting with an operator and connected to a local communications network (50) for exchanging information with remote data storage means (3), one or more computerized labeling machines (5) of test tubes (13), each comprising a printer (11) of barcodes onto labels (10) adapted to receive printing commands after comparing expected and detected specimens (13) accommodated in a positioning and recognition device (12) supported by said labeling machine (5) and applying said labels (10) to said test tubes (13).

Abstract: There is described a process station of devices for conveying biological product containers comprising a main lane for the flow of said conveying devices and a secondary lane for the flow of said conveying devices connected to each other by connection stretches.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically marking laboratory test tubes in the stage of drawing biological material to be analyzed, which includes two or more distributors of test tubes of different types that are selectable by a control unit and are suitable for feeding test tubes to a test-tubes positioning device which in turn is suitable for presenting correctly positioned test tubes to a computerized labelling machine containing a printer for printing barcodes on labels. Each distributor includes an automatic drawing and discharging device for drawing and discharging single test tubes from a container of test tubes of a selected distributor to the positioning device.

Abstract: An interface apparatus between a pneumatic mail system and a feeding system of biological products to a laboratory automation system is described, the apparatus comprising a capsule suitable for being conveyed in a pneumatic mail system which accommodates therein one or more biological material containers, said capsule opening and connecting to a device for transferring said biological material containers contained in said capsule into at least one recruiting device of said biological product containers, said at least one recruiting device being used to load said containers of biological products into a positioning device interfaced with a gripping device of said biological product container for transferring said biological product container on an automatic conveyor belonging to a laboratory automation system. Said capsule has an inner chamber containing foam elements adapted to withhold said biological product containers present in said capsule.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for loading test tubes (1) in conveying devices (6) included in an automatic conveyor (7) for test tubes, comprising a recruiting device (2) for test tubes adapted to feed test tubes to a positioning device (4) for test tubes having a lane (15, 16) consisting of two spaced, parallel walls (17) on the edges of which respective motorized belts (18) slide, the distance between said walls (17) forming the lane (15) being adjustable and such that a test tube makes a 90° rotation when horizontally falling from the recruiting device (2), thus remaining vertically hanging and resting on the belts (18) by the projecting part of the cap with respect to the lateral body of the test tube. The belts (18) convey the test tube to a loading area (8) where the test tubes are handled by a test tube handling device (5) to a working point (9) included in the conveyor (7) adapted to automatically convey test tubes from and to modules for preparing and analyzing biological material.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically centrifuging test tubes containing biological material including a plurality of centrifuges functionally identical to one another yet independent and adapted to centrifuge test tubes offered to an interface for centrifuging test tubes using a conveying system included in an automatic conveyor of test tubes. The plurality of centrifuges is fitted on a turntable adapted to offer each centrifuge at a suitable loading/unloading point adjacent to the loading/unloading point of the interface. Each centrifuge is provided with a motor adapted to generate the centrifugal motion by setting a rotor in rotation, and a test tube handling device including an arm with a first gripper adapted to load test tubes to be centrifuged and a second gripper adapted to unload centrifuged test tubes, simultaneously to the loading, the arm sliding along a curved guide adapted to generate a forced rotation of the grippers.

Abstract: Equipment for transferring biological products containers from an interface support to a transport device and vice-versa for biological containers, positioned at different heights. The equipment including a frame to which a holding device for biological products containers is connected vertically mobile with respect to the frame and provided with fingers suitable to hold, transfer and release a container for biological products. The frame is integer with a sliding device along a bar fixed to an inclinable body. The inclinable body being in its turn rotatingly connected to a sustaining body, and a regulation device for the inclination of the inclinable body, and consequently of the bar, with respect to the sustaining body being present in function of the difference of height existing between the interfacing support and the transport device for biological products containers.

Abstract: A process for prioritizing urgent test tubes in a test tubes (50) transport installation is disclosed, the test tubes (50) being loaded on transport devices (4) of single test tubes (50) in an automated analysis laboratory, comprising the loading of test tubes (50) classified as urgent and non urgent on transport devices (4) for transporting single test tubes (50), moving said loaded transport devices (4) on a conveyor belt until they interact with an identification device (5) identifying the test tube upstream of processing modules (6) of the test tubes (50), removal of the test tubes (50) that are recognized to be non-urgent from the respective transport device (4) and discharging of the non-urgent test tubes (50) onto a wait bench (10) for non-urgent test tubes (50), moving transport devices (4) for transporting single urgent test tubes (50) towards the processing modules (6), the recall by a control unit (7) of the non-urgent test tubes (50) at the moment in which the availability of the processing module

Abstract: It is described an apparatus for removing a flexible film seal (12) from a tubular specimen container (3), comprising a vertical mounting shaft (5) upon which is mounted a holding member (6) for a head assembly (9) having a cavity (13) and pinch means (14, 15). There is provided driving means for causing coupling motion of said head assembly (9) and said specimen container (3) towards each other to receive the seal (12) into said cavity (13), then operating said pinch means for pinching the flexible film seal (12), and finally causing removing motions of said head assembly (9) and said specimen container (3) away from each other to remove the flexible film seal (12) from the head of the specimen container (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically depositing, preserving and retrieving biological material test tubes is described, including a refrigerated storage with movable horizontal shelves and a conveyor interface, adapted to automatically transport biological material test tubes, a device adapted to handle the test tubes between the interface and the containers of a sorted plurality of test tubes, the containers having toothed guides and being able to be placed on the lanes of a bench, a handling device of the containers between the bench and an access area of the storage, slidingly mounted to the bench and including motorized toothed members adapted to couple with the toothed guides of the containers for horizontally moving the latter between the access area of the storage and the bench, and a control unit adapted to coordinate the devices during the loading/unloading operations.