Abstract

The rack for biological sample vials and/or cryotubes includes a peripheral wall with an upper edge defining an access opening to the internal volume of the rack. There is at least one row of housings inside the internal volume. Each housing is adapted to accommodate a biological sample vial and/or cryotube. The housings are delimited by a lower face and surmounted by a side wall. There is a base connected to the peripheral wall. An axis of the housings forms an angle α of between 30 degrees and 50 degrees with the base.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01L 9/06 - Test-tube standsTest-tube holders

Abstract

The equipment for traceability of biological samples placed in embedding cassettes stored in baskets includes an apparatus equipped with a device for detecting and reading encoded data and a controller of the device for detecting and reading encoded data, and a computer processor configured to automatically determine an optimal work zone, based on the model of basket housing cassettes, generate a signal representative of the zone, and transmit the corresponding information to the controller for the device for detecting and reading the encoded data. There is also an image capture device configured to capture and transmit at least one image of at least a portion of the basket. The computer processor is configured to search for a structural feature specific to a basket and to identify from the captured image of the portion of the basket, the model of the basket and determine the corresponding optimal work zone.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups Handling materials therefor
• G06V 10/20 - Image preprocessing
• G06T 7/194 - SegmentationEdge detection involving foreground-background segmentation

Abstract

The equipment item for automatically managing a plurality of biological samples placed in a respective sample jar includes a storage container for sample jars having a plurality of housings, an apparatus with a reader of encoded identification data affixed on the sample jars placed in the container, a device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar within the container, and a device for rotating the container, and a computer processor connected to the apparatus. The container includes, in the immediate vicinity of each housing, a shape appearing recessed or raised, while the device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar is defined by a detector for the shape.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
• G16H 10/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis

Abstract

The device for the storage and traceability of biological specimens placed in holders is provided with identification information in the form of encoded data. The device includes at least one tray provided with a plurality of cells for the storage of the holders provided with storage housings for the holders, at least one apparatus for reading encoded data and determining data relative to the location of each holder within the receptacle, and a computerized processor for the data read and determined by the apparatus. The is a device for recognizing an empty housing within the receptacle defined by a detector for a physical characteristic of the bottom of the cell or an element secured to this bottom.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 10/00 - Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposesOther methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determinationThroat striking implements
• G01N 1/00 - SamplingPreparing specimens for investigation
• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups Handling materials therefor
• B01L 9/00 - Supporting devicesHolding devices

Goods & Services

Computer controlled machines for the automation of storage and tracing of biological samples in laboratories. Scanners; electronic apparatus and instruments for tracing and storage of biological samples; furniture especially made for laboratories; optical readers; barcode terminals; barcode readers; bar code, datamatrix and QR code scanners; fixed or mobile elements of special furniture for laboratories intended for the storage of biological samples; software for storage, monitoring and tracing of biological samples; mobile element of special furniture for laboratories intended for storing biological samples, namely a linked tray or drawer intended to contain embedding cassettes, glass slides and other biological sample holders; cabinets intended for storage of samples in laboratories combined with computer or electronic tracking systems. Furniture intended for storing and archiving biological samples; storage cabinets for biological samples; tray or drawer intended to contain embedding cassettes.

Goods & Services

Scanners; Electronic apparatus and instruments for tracing and storage of biological samples, namely, an automated benchtop system composed of a biological sample storage tray, optical scanner and associated downloadable software, for sorting, archiving, and retrieving of biological samples; Furniture especially made for laboratories; Optical readers; Barcode terminals, namely, a handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) system composed of barcode scanner and associated downloadable software for reading barcodes; Barcode readers; Bar code, datamatrix and two dimensional code scanners; Fixed or mobile elements of special furniture for laboratories intended for the storage of biological samples; Downloadable software for storage, monitoring and tracing of biological samples; Mobile element of special furniture for laboratories intended for storing biological samples, namely, a linked tray or drawer intended to contain embedding cassettes, glass slides and other biological sample holders Furniture especially made for medical purposes, namely, furniture intended for storing and archiving biological samples; Storage cabinets especially made for medical purposes for storing and archiving biological samples, namely, cabinets for storing trays which contain biological sample blocks and slides; Tray or drawer intended to contain embedding cassettes, namely, medical trays for holding biological sample blocks and slides

Abstract

The tray for the storage of sample slides includes a plate with a plurality of cells. The plate has at least a bottom and two opposing side walls, having an entrance opening and being at least partly closed by a transverse wall. Each cell includes at least two protrusions protruding respectively at each of the side walls and forming adjacent sliding elements to guide the edges of a slide upon introduction into a cell. The bottom of each cell is inclined at an angle α relative to the plane of the tray, while the length of each slide is less than the length of the slide that is intended to be stored in a cell. The invention also relates to a cabinet for storing such a tray and a device for identifying the slides stored in such a tray.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01L 9/00 - Supporting devicesHolding devices

Abstract

The method of detecting and referencing two-dimensional position of a cassette in a drawer of compartments distributed according to columns and rows includes positioning at least one inserted cassette with the upper face turned towards the top within a compartment. Systematic detection of all compartments is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette and by verifying the presence of a cassette within each compartment. The detection can be optical and include displacing an optical sight relatively with respect to the top of the drawer according to at least one trajectory passing through all compartments. When detecting a cassette within a compartment, the two-dimensional position is identified by coordinates, according to column and row. If an error occurs during a first pass, the detection and reading are displaced directly to the position where the error occurrence was noted and previously recorded, without undertaking a new detection of all compartments.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• A61B 10/00 - Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposesOther methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determinationThroat striking implements
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of detecting and referencing the two-dimensional position of a cassette (1) in a drawer (2) comprising compartments (22) distributed according to columns (23) and rows (24), in which at least one inserted cassette (1) is positioned, the upper face turned towards the top within a compartment (22) of said drawer (2); systematic detection of all the compartments (22) is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette (1); systematic detection of all the compartments (22) is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette (1) within each of said compartments (22), the detection being optical and consisting in displacing an optical sight (3) relatively with respect to the top of said drawer (2) according to at least one trajectory passing through all the compartments (22); characterized in that: in the event of detection of a cassette (1) within its compartment (22), a reading of data present on said upper face is performed and said cassette (1) is identified; the two-dimensional position of said cassette (1) identified by way of the co-ordinates of its compartment (22) is referenced, according to its column (23) and its row (24); and in that: in the event of an error in detection or reading during a first pass, the detection and reading means are displaced directly to the position where the error occurrence was noted and previously recorded, without undertaking a new detection and/or a reading of all the other compartments (22).

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine

Abstract

The device for storing and ordering biological sampling blocks, each block being in the form of a housing provided with identification information on one surface thereof, includes: storage for at least one element as a horizontally-extending drawer for positioning the blocks vertically in columns and rows with the above-mentioned surface facing upward, and with a nesting device provided as regularly spaced projections or recesses, forming male and female parts on the base, in which the blocks can be inserted; and a device for referencing the position of each block within the storage. The device for referencing includes a device for reading the identification information of each block and for the computerized recording of the position. The method includes using this device.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
• B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• A61B 10/00 - Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposesOther methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determinationThroat striking implements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (5) for storing and ordering biological sampling blocks (1), said blocks (1) taking form of a housing (2) provided with identification information on one surface (3) thereof. The device (5) is characterized in that it includes: means (6) for storing at least one element (7) in the form of a horizontally-extending drawer for positioning the blocks (1) vertically in columns and rows with the above-mentioned surface (3) facing upward, using nesting means provided in the form of regularly spaced projections or recesses (15), forming male and female parts on the base, in which the blocks (1) can be inserted; and means (10) for referencing the position of each block (1) within the storing means (6), said referencing means (10) including means (11) for reading the identification information of each block (1) and for the computerized recording of said position. The invention further relates to the method for storing and ordering biological sampling blocks (1) using such a device.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• A47B 67/04 - Chests of drawersCabinets characterised by the arrangement of drawers
• A61B 10/00 - Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposesOther methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determinationThroat striking implements