Abstract: Apparatus for automatically filling wells of plates with biological material from a laboratory automation system for conveying biological samples or reactants contained in test tubes, and automatically routing said plates towards processing modules of said biological material. Said apparatus contains a platform interposed between said laboratory automation system and a handling system of consumable products, which includes a horizontal crosspiece whereon a first robot and a second robot are sliding mounted, the first robot being provided with gripping means of pipettes adapted to collect and release the biological material or the reactant, and a second robot being provided with gripping means of consumable products.

Abstract: There is described a multiple rack apparatus for accommodating biological product containers unloaded from a storage for the preservation of the same interfaced with a laboratory automation system, comprising an odd number of said racks which can be housed within a platform having a number of locations, which is equal to said odd number plus one. Said racks can horizontally or vertically slide from one location to another of said platform, taking advantage of the presence of a temporarily empty location, said racks further occupying in turn an operating location which, being vertical with respect to an outlet tube of said storage, accommodates said biological product containers unloaded from said storage.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for automatically depositing, preserving and recovering specimens of biological materials contained in test tubes in/from a refrigerated store. Said apparatus comprises two test tube handling devices between test tube containers and carriers positioned on a conveyor adapted to automatically handle said test tubes; said two test tube handling devices are intended the one to load said test tubes from the refrigerated store to the conveyor and the other to unload test tubes from the conveyor (4) to the refrigerated store. Said test some containers are handled between said refrigerated store and said test tube handling devices by a container handling device.

Abstract: A distributed automation apparatus for laboratory diagnostics is described, comprising modules for processing biological products transported on an automatic conveyor and modules for interfacing with analysis devices, both said modules being connected to said automatic conveyor, each of said modules is independent of the other modules, it being provided with its own control board, which allows it to work autonomously and independently of a central control unit which provides a worklist to each node which is dynamically read and updated by said control unit, and said module reading and updating said, worklist.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for identifying the patient and marking the laboratory test tubes associated with said patient during the sampling of biological material to be analysed, comprising a high-security portable hardware device (1) for processing and storing the patient's data, a device (2) for reading said portable hardware device and for the biometric identification of the patient, a personal computer (4) interacting with an operator and connected to a computer network for exchanging data by means of an application software with a remote means (3) for storing data. Said apparatus also includes a computerised test tube labelling unit (5) comprising a printer (8) for printing bar codes on labels (7) able to receive print commands from said personal computer (4) following a comparison between expected and detected test tubes housed in a positioning and identification device (9) supported by said labelling unit (5).

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: There is described an apparatus for depositing and retrieving large volumes of test tubes in/from a warehouse, comprising an input/output module of a first and a second container with a plurality of test tubes, a multiple pick up device of test tubes, a single pick up device of test tubes, a first and second station for the provisional allocation of said containers and a motorized traveling lift able to carry said first and second container simultaneously on two distinct coplanar locations.

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: 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: Described is a carrier device for a single container of biological products or single test tube, comprising a base with a cavity, and a closing element. Said base has a central pin with a cavity in which an RFID transponder is accommodated, is rotationally coupled to a toothed rotor, and further comprises four coupling holes, obtained in four cylinders projecting upward and having vertical axis, in which pins of four vertical gripping lingers are inserted.

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: A temporary parking station of conveying devices containing only one container of biological, products is described, interfaced with a laboratory automation system, comprising a conveyor belt with at least one dispatching lane with a stop gate adapted to queue the conveying devices let into the station and to release only one of said conveying devices at each step to a diverter fitted on a motorized belt, parallel to the dispatching lane, adapted to move said diverter in steps in either one direction or the other from a start of travel position to an end of travel position, diverting in steps only one at a time said conveying devices on a main conveyor belt moveable in a direction perpendicular to the motorized belt.

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 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: 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 apparatus for loading/unloading test tubes which includes a bench for conveying one or more racks of test-tubes, a device for sequentially stopping the racks of test tubes for loading and unloading the test tubes from the rack, an emitter which is positioned to detect the presence of the test tubes in each row of the rack and a transport device and handling device for moving test tubes between the test tube rack and the transport device.

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. Said process station comprises a diverting unit of said conveying devices from said main lane to said secondary lane and a return unit of said conveying devices from said secondary lane to said main lane, said diverting and return unit being provided with means adapted to allow the continuous flow without stop of said conveying devices between said main lane and said secondary lane.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying test tubes including a recruiting device and a positioning device having first and second lanes including two spaced, parallel walls forming an opening between the walls, and motorized belts located above a top edge of the walls, the first lane being narrower than the second lane. Further, test tubes having a diameter smaller than a width of the first lane extend between the walls of the first lane so that the test tube has a vertical orientation and is supported by a cap engaging a top edge of the walls of the first lane, and test tubes having a diameter larger than a width of the first lane rest on the top edge of the walls of the first lane in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for automatically depositing, preserving and recovering specimens of biological materials contained in test tubes in/from a refrigerated store. Said apparatus comprises two test tube handling devices between test tube containers and carriers positioned on a conveyor adapted to automatically handle said test tubes said two test tube handling devices are intended the one to load said test tubes from the refrigerated store to the conveyor and the other to unload, test tubes from the conveyor to the refrigerated store. Said test some containers are handled between said refrigerated store and said test tube handling devices by a container handling device.