Process and apparatus for identifying samples withdrawn from supplied quantities of liquid and put into sample vessels, especially milk samples

(42) Date of commencement of the patent: 15. 7.1994 (45) Date of issue: 27. 3.1995 (56) Documentation:

(73)

Patentee:

AT-PS 315542 DE-0S3440686 EP-A2 275072

EBNER ELECTRONIC GESELLSCHAFT MBH A-4810 GMUNDEN, UPPER AUSTRIA (AT).

(54) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING SAMPLES CARRIED OUT OF DELIVERED LIQUID QUANTITIES AND IN SAMPLES FILLED, IN PARTICULAR MILK SAMPLES

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AT 399 050 (57) For identifying samples drawn from quantities of liquid supplied and placed in sample containers, which sample containers in a specific, orderly order in a stand having a tag with a machine-readable code od. like. are merged into a test unit, an identifier of the suppliers and the resulting from code and order size of the test units position of the sample containers receiving the respective samples are each assigned to each other and stored by a data processing system.

In order to achieve a secure and yet rational identification, the tripod marking is in each case used a code carrier for readable and readable codes and the code carrier of a tripod in addition to the tripod code in the case of FIQssigkeitsQbemahme the identifiers corresponding to the acquired quantities of liquid corresponding successively filled in the sample vessels samples Suppliers imported.

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AT 399 050 Β

The invention relates to a method for identifying samples drawn from supplied quantities of liquid and filled into sample containers, in particular milk samples taken from delivery containers of different suppliers in a collection tank, soft sample containers in a specific sequence determined by order sizes in a one-mark mark Machine-readable code having tripod od. like. are summarized to a test unit, wherein an identifier of the suppliers and resulting from code and order size of the test units position of the sample receiving the respective sample vessels are each assigned to each other via a data processing system and stored, and to an apparatus for performing this method.

In order to be able to check the quality and properties of a liquid taken over by a supplier, it is necessary to test this liquid and to assign supplier-specific data for identification. This applies to any transfer of liquid associated with an inspection, in particular also for the taking over of milk, whereby milk from delivery containers of the most diverse suppliers is taken into a collection tank and not only the quantity of milk filled into the collection tank at the place of takeover, but also a milk sample from this takeover quantity to draw is. The samples are examined after the takeover in a corresponding laboratory and it must be possible, the examination result or to unambiguously associate the sample with the associated supplier and its assigned liquid. For this purpose, the samples are filled into suitable sample containers and the assignment between supplier and sample takes place via an identification of these containers.

As EP-A 0 275 072 shows, it is already known to arrange the sample vessels in rows in tripods and the stands side by side in rectangular sample box or in succession in annular shots, so that the position of the individual sample vessel by its particular tripod and its place in the Container row of the respective tripod is exactly fixable. If the individual tripods are provided with suitable markings and assigned to the rows of vessels corresponding order sizes, the sample containers can be identified position-dependent and thus the sample inserted into such a container can be linked to an identifier of the respective supplier, which is automatically feasible with machine-readable codes and a corresponding data processing device. However, in this identification method, errors may occur if, for example, two sample containers are interchanged with one another or if there is a change in the vessel sequence. like. In order to eliminate these sources of error, an identification method has been proposed according to DE-A 34 40 686, in which in addition to determining the position of each sample vessel in a sample magazine a coding of each sample vessel takes place, so that on the one hand on the assignment of sample vessel to vessel position and on the other hand From supplier identifier to vessel position also a clear assignment of supplier identifier and sample containers is possible. However, this process requires a considerable effort and it is necessary when replacing the sample magazines, when transferring the sample magazines in the laboratory, etc in each case the associated coordination data in the form of disks or other data carriers to the respective sample magazine to indicate the od of the individual samples in the laboratory. like. to be able to make.

From AT-PS 315 542 a sample carrier and a device for writing and reading of the same is further known, wherein on each individual sample carrier a label is fixed in a predetermined position to which information can be written by appropriate magnetization of a magnetic material, which information then to Evaluation is readable, if the correct positions are observed during writing and reading. This identification method can be used in clinical-chemical laboratories, each specimen carrier being given a specific patient number and, if appropriate, the type of analytical procedure to be carried out, in order to be able to provide the association between patient and sample and for automatic laboratory operation. It is therefore about one-time examinations of medical samples and not serial tests as in milk samples, for which such individual vessel markings would be much too expensive.

The invention is therefore based on the object to overcome these deficiencies and to provide a method of the type described above, which ensures a safe and above all efficient sample identification. In addition, a convenient device for carrying out this method is to be created.

The invention solves this problem in that for each tripod marking a code carrier is used for readable and readable codes and the code carrier of a tripod in addition to the tripod code in the liquid acquisition in accordance with the sequence of the identifiers of the quantities of liquid taken in succession in the sample containers filled samples associated suppliers are imported , Since the tripods od. like. and the sample vessels form a test unit and at least in Probennah2

AT 399 050 Β mebetrieb be regarded as indivisible whole, any manipulation of a single vessel is prevented and identification errors od by resorting of vessels. like. are excluded from the outset. Thus, the exact determination of any sample vessel is possible by the encoding of the Statives and the order sizes of the vessel order and the exact identification of the sample is ensured by the corresponding assignment of the supplier identifications. Because of the code tags for the tripod markers additionally readable supplier identifiers are also without the need to provide each sample vessel itself with a coding, yet each test unit the required data for accurate sample identification immediately given. For a later handling of the test units is no separate disk od. like. more necessary and wherever there is a corresponding handling of the test unit, for example in a laboratory, an exact sample identification is guaranteed immediately, which only requires suitable reading devices. As a code carrier can in principle all data carriers that allow the reading and reading of codes, such as semiconductor memory elements, magnetic plates od. like.

If the code carrier simultaneously with the identifier of a supplier and the order size of the drawn from the liquid volume of this supplier sample receiving sample vessel read in the respective tripod, the filling order can be chosen arbitrarily by einzubichernde assignment of supplier identifier and order size when filling the sample containers and must not adhere to the order given by the order sizes. Apart from this, the subsequent identification of the individual sample containers is simplified and independent of an additional tripod-foreign label for the order sizes.

The input and output of the codings can od in and of themselves in a variety of ways, for example by optical means or by ultrasound. Like. Be made, but it is particularly advantageous if the code carrier the codes by magnetic coupling via induction coils on and be read, making their own energy sources for the reading process are unnecessary and the reading process remains insensitive to moisture and temperature loads.

The sample identification method according to the invention can be carried out on essentially known devices with a sampling device and a data processing device, the sampling device being a receiving frame for inserting a plurality of auxiliary and / or consecutive stands. the like., a filling device relatively movable from sample vessel to sample vessel for filling the samples into the sample vessels, a read head for reading out the tripod codings and a position detector for indicating the order size of the respective sample vessel to be filled, and the data processing device connected to the read head and the position detector can be read in supplier identifications, if each tripod is provided with a code carrier for encoders which can be read in and out and the read head also comprises a read-in part in addition to the read-out part, via which the code carrier of the tripods in dependence on the position indicated by the position detector of the respectively to be filled sample vessel, the identifiers of the bottled in these sample containers fluid samples suppliers are read. This device makes it possible to pour the sample drawn at each transfer of liquid into a specific sample vessel, whose position is determined exactly because of the read-out tripod coding and order size, and to link the position data entered in the data processing device with the associated supplier identifier and to read in a corresponding coding in the code carrier of the respective tripod, so that this code carrier contains the information about the respective samples and associated suppliers. The test units or Tripods can be arranged side by side in a sample box, but they can also be lined up in a row, because by the tripod marking on the one hand and the order size on the other hand, each sample vessel with respect to the associated test unit and the position in each tripod exactly determined. Also, the number of combined to a test unit sample containers for their identification is irrelevant and it test units from only one sample vessel are just as possible as test units with any number of sample vessels.

Since the code carrier of the tripods for reading and reading must be accessible to the reading head, the tripods advantageously on the bottom side accessible code carrier and the read head is located in the bottom area of ​​the receiving frame, so that by a side or side by side of the tripods no mutual interference with this accessibility to be feared.

If the reading head is stationary in the receiving rack and has in number and arrangement on the recordable tripods and their code carrier adapted reading units, the input and read the codes is facilitated because an exact local assignment between the reading unit and code carrier is possible and there is no movement or situation-related disturbances of the reading processes.

If the reading head comprises induction coils as read-out and read-in parts, a simple, low-effort and functionally appropriate design results, which is readable by means of magnetic data

AT 399 050 Β

Coupling guaranteed.

in the drawing, the subject invention is purely schematically illustrated, in which Fig. 1 shows a part of a device according to the invention for sample identification in plan view and Fig. 2 and 3, a test unit for this device in side and front view.

In order to be able to clearly identify a sample drawn from quantities of liquid delivered, for example milk, and filled into a sample vessel, a sampling device 1 and a data processing device 2 are provided. The sampling device 1 has a receiving frame 3 for inserting a plurality of stands 4 arranged side by side, in which stands 4 in each case a row of sample vessels 5 sit and are combined to form a test unit 6. A sample box 7 accommodates the test units 6 to be inserted into the sampling device 1 next to one another, thus facilitating their handling during insertion into or removal from the receiving frame 3. On a cross slide 8, which is composed of a movable in the longitudinal direction of the tripods 4 longitudinal slide 8a and a transversely movable transverse slide 8b, a filling device 9 is movable from sample vessel to sample vessel with the milk samples od. like. can be filled in the individual sample containers 5.

To identify the respective sample vessel 5, each stand 4 is provided with a tripod marking 10 and the order of the individual vessels 5 in each stand 4 is determined by order sizes in the form of row markings 11 on a most exposed marking carrier 11a. For recognizing these markers 10, 11, there is a position detector 12 for detecting the row markings 11 and a reading head 13 for reading out the tripod markings 10, wherein the position indicator 12 and the reading head 13 are connected to the data processing device 2. An identification of the respective suppliers can be read in an unillustrated manner via an information line 14 to this data processing device, this identification data reading preferably taking place when the milk is taken over from the delivery containers into the collecting tank. Thus, it is also possible to connect these supplier identifications with the respective position of the sample vessel 5, in which the sample drawn from the liquid of this supplier is being filled.

The tripod marks 10 now consist of a code carrier 10a for encoders which can be read in and out, so that not only the respective tripod coding can be read out of this code carrier 10a, but it is also possible to place in the code carrier the supplier identifications associated with the individual sample containers of the respective status read in, whereby the data required for the identification of the samples are stored on the test units 6 themselves. For this purpose, the reading head 13 in addition to its read-out parts also read-in parts, which parts are preferably provided as common reading units 13a with induction coils for inductive coupling. These reading heads 13 and the corresponding code carrier 10a make it possible, if necessary auszubiesen codes from the tripod marking 10 and then completed by supplier identifications, time and quantities od. like. read in again.

In order to ensure an undisturbed interaction between the reading head on the one hand and code carrier on the other hand, the reading head 13 is inserted in the bottom area of ​​the receiving frame 3 and equipped with a separate reading unit 13a for each test unit 5, which finds room in the receiving frame 3, and the code carrier 10 of the test units. 6 or. the tripods 3 arranged on the bottom side accessible. Therefore, as soon as the sample box 7 is inserted into the receiving frame 3 with the test units 6, the reading units 13a of the reading head 13 and the code carrier 10a are forced to face each other at the required distance and the reading operations can be carried out properly.

If the storage capacity of the code carrier 10a is large enough, not only the supplier identifications and the tripod coding per se can be included in this tripod marking 10, but also the row markers 11 for the order variables, which entails the direct assignment of supplier identifier and order variable, and the sample identification continues simplified.

Since the sample containers 5 and the receiving stands 4 for the sampling operation form an indivisible test unit, the individual sample vessels 5 can not be interchanged within the test units 6 and by the coding of the test units with regard to the tripod designation, Supplier identifications and, if appropriate, the order variables for the vessel sequence ensure a secure and unambiguous identification of the individual sample containers 5 and thus the liquid samples filled in these sample containers.