Sample preparation device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a sample preparation device and a related method. The sample preparation device includes a sample preparation module having a holder configured to hold the sample container, and an actuator coupled to the holder. The actuator is configured to cause the holder to repeatedly change a position of the sample container a set number of times in order when the sample container is held by the holder. The sample preparation device also includes a staging module configured to hold the sample container for a set period of time. The staging module includes a rack that holds the sample container when the sample container is released from the holder. The set period of time is sufficient to allow the blood in the sample container to further clot.

1 . A sample preparation device, comprising:
 a sample preparation module having a holder configured to hold the sample container, and an actuator coupled to the holder, the actuator being configured to cause the holder to repeatedly change a position of the sample container a set number of times when the sample container is held by the holder; and   a staging module configured to hold the sample container for a set period of time, the staging module including a rack that holds the sample container when the sample container is released from the holder, the set period of time being sufficient to allow the blood in the sample container to clot.   
     
     
         2 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to actuate the actuator in order to repeatedly change the position of the sample container, wherein the number of times the actuator repeatedly changes the position is based at least on a type of the sample container. 
     
     
         3 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to, after the position of the sample container is repeatedly changed the number of times, cause the holder to release the sample container into the rack of the staging module. 
     
     
         4 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2 , further comprising a scanning module configured to scan an identifier on the sample container and a record a time that the sample container is received by the holder, the identifier containing information indicative of the type of the sample container. 
     
     
         5 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor the time that the sample container is held in the rack of the staging module, the controller being further configured to cause the release of the sample container from the rack of the staging module when the set period of time has passed. 
     
     
         6 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is configured to hold a plurality of sample containers, and wherein the actuator is configured to repeatedly change the position of the plurality of sample containers. 
     
     
         7 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a receptacle that securely holds an end of the sample container. 
     
     
         8 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a clamp that holds the sample container. 
     
     
         9 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to repeatedly invert the sample container when the sample container is held by the holder. 
     
     
         10 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein a central axis of the sample container is moved relative to a rotation axis that is substantially angularly offset with respect to central axis of the sample container. 
     
     
         11 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the set number of times the holder repeatedly changes the position of the sample container is up to 10. 
     
     
         12 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , wherein the rack of the staging module includes a plurality of bays, each bay configured to receive therein a lower end of the sample container. 
     
     
         13 . The sample preparation device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of bays are aligned along a linear axis. 
     
     
         14 . The sample preparation device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of bays are aligned along a curved axis. 
     
     
         15 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a centrifugation module configured to centrifuge the sample held within the sample container. 
     
     
         16 . The sample preparation device of  claim 15 , wherein the centrifugation module includes a rotatable rack that holds the sample container and a motor that causes rotation of the rotatable rack. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preparing a blood sample, comprising:
 holding a sample container with a holder of a sample preparation module;   actuating the holder while holding the sample container to repeatedly change a position of the sample container a set number of times;   releasing the sample container from the holder; and   staging the sample container in a staging module for a set period of time, wherein the set period of time is sufficient to allow the blood in the sample container to clot.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 causing, via a controller, an actuator to actuate the holder based at least on a type of the sample container held by the holder.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 scanning an identifier on the sample container with a scanning module, the identifier containing information indicative of the type of sample container; and   recording a time that the sample container is received by the holder.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 monitoring the time that the sample container is held by a rack of the staging module; and   releasing the sample container from the rack of the staging module when the set period of time has passed.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 after staging the sample container, routing the sample container to a centrifugation module; and   centrifuging the sample held within the sample container with the centrifugation module.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein actuating the holder includes repeatedly inverting the sample container to repeatedly change the position of the sample container. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein actuating the holder includes repeatedly agitating the sample container to repeatedly change the position of the sample container. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adding blood to the sample container with an additive contained therein, and
 wherein the actuating the actuator causes the blood to mix with the additive.