Automated storage modules for diagnostic analyzer liquids and related systems and methods

Abstract

Example automated storage modules for analyzer liquids are described herein. An example apparatus includes a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves (to store a plurality of carriers) and a loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers. The loading bay is accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of the carriers. The example apparatus includes a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module to transfer the carriers between the shelves and a first transfer location and a second carrier transporter movable along a track connecting the storage module to an automated diagnostic analyzer. The second carrier transporter is to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay and a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location accessible by the automated diagnostic analyzer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage module for liquids to be used in a diagnostic analysis, the storage module comprising:
 a refrigerated housing, a side of the housing having a vertical opening;   a plurality of shelves in the housing, the shelves to support one or more carriers;   an actuator; and   a carrier transporter to move one or more carriers into or out of the housing through the vertical opening, the carrier transporter disposed outside of the housing, the actuator to move the carrier transporter vertically along the vertical opening, the carrier transporter including:
 a base coupled to the actuator; 
 an arm extending horizontally from the base, the arm being rotatable about a vertical axis; and 
 a hand that is movable horizontally along the arm, the hand to move through the vertical opening to engage a carrier on a shelf in the housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein actuator includes a vertically orientated screw and a motor to drive the screw, the screw disposed outside of the housing, the motor to drive the screw to move the carrier transporter vertically along the vertical opening. 
     
     
         3 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein actuator is a first actuator, and the carrier transporter includes:
 a second actuator to rotate the arm about the vertical axis; and   a third actuator to move the hand along the arm.   
     
     
         4 . The storage module of  claim 3 , wherein the second actuator is on the base, and the third actuator is on the arm. 
     
     
         5 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the hand includes a horizontal plate having a slot to receive a tab on a carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the shelves include vertically stacked carousels. 
     
     
         7 . The storage module of  claim 6 , further including:
 a wheel, the vertically stacked carousels coupled to the wheel via an axle; and   a motor to drive the wheel to rotate the vertically stacked carousels in the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The storage module of  claim 7 , wherein the wheel is a gear or pulley. 
     
     
         9 . The storage module of  claim 1 , further including a waste bin, the carrier transporter to transfer at least one of an empty carrier or a defective carrier to the waste bin. 
     
     
         10 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier transporter is to transfer one or more carriers between at least one of the shelves and a first transfer location. 
     
     
         11 . The storage module of  claim 10 , further including a loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more carriers, the loading bay accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of one or more carriers. 
     
     
         12 . The storage module of  claim 11 , wherein actuator includes a vertically orientated screw to move the carrier transporter vertically along the vertical opening, the screw disposed between the loading bay and the side of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The storage module of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier transporter is a first carrier transporter, further including:
 a track disposed between the loading bay and the side of the housing; and   a second carrier transporter movable along the track, the second carrier transporter to transfer one or more carriers between the first transfer location and the slots of the loading bay.   
     
     
         14 . The storage module of  claim 13 , wherein the second carrier transporter is to transfer one or more carriers between the first transfer location and a second transfer location that is accessible by a carrier transporter of a diagnostic analyzer. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 moving a carrier transporter vertically along a vertical opening in a side of a refrigerated housing, the housing containing a plurality of shelves to support a plurality of carriers having one or more containers of fluid for use in a diagnostic analysis, the carrier transporter including an arm and a hand that is movable along the arm;   rotating the arm to a position where the hand is radially aligned with a first carrier on a shelf in the housing;   extending the hand outward on the arm and through the vertical opening to a position where a slot in the hand is aligned vertically below a tab on the carrier;   moving the carrier transporter vertically upward such that the tab is inserted into the first carrier and is supported by the hand;   retracting the hand on the arm to remove the first carrier from the housing; and   transferring the first carrier, via the carrier transporter, to a transfer location.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the carrier transporter is on a vertically orientated screw, the screw disposed outside of the housing, and wherein moving the carrier transporter vertically includes activating a motor to drive the screw. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein rotating the arm includes activating a first actuator of the carrier transporter to rotate the arm about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein moving the hand includes activating a second actuator of the carrier transporter to extend or retract the hand along the arm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further including moving the carrier transporter to a position where the first carrier engages an edge of a waste bin, and moving the carrier transporter vertically downward such that the tab of the first carrier disengages from the slot and the first carrier falls into the waste bin.