Abstract: A system and method for non-contact specimen container characterization includes a processor, and a specimen container diameter sensor, and a specimen container length sensor. The non-contact specimen container can also include a cap color sensor. The sensors are located in a fixed position relative to a conveyor for transporting a plurality of specimen containers. Another embodiment is directed to a system and method for detecting centrifuge imbalance along multiple axes. First, second and third comparators compare an accelerometer output corresponding to x-, y- and z-axes with reference voltage levels. The outputs are used to determine whether to discontinue operation of the centrifuge. The outputs can also be used to generate alerts.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for a centrifuge module of a laboratory analysis system. Specimen containers may be weighed, loaded into a centrifuge adapter, and transported to a centrifuge module by an adapter shuttle. A centrifuge adapter gripper may transport the centrifuge adapter into a centrifuge for centrifugation. The centrifuge adapter may be transported by the centrifuge adapter gripper to an adapter shuttle for unloading of the specimen containers, which may be performed by a specimen container gripper. A centrifuge drawer that allows a centrifuge to be extended from its installed position is also described. Additional embodiments pertain to a sequence for replacing, in a centrifuge, a set of centrifuge adapters that have been centrifuged with a set of centrifuge adapters that have not been centrifuged. A sequence for loading specimen containers into centrifuge adapters is also described.