Sample testing system with automated control of sample retesting

Abstract

A sample testing system comprising: a transporting apparatus; a testing apparatus for obtain a sample and performing testing on the obtained sample; and a controller. The controller executes operation of: controlling the transporting apparatus so as to transport the sample rack in first direction, such that each sample container held in a sample rack is transported to a obtaining position on which the testing apparatus obtains a sample and then the sample rack is transported toward the second position; changing, when retesting of a sample contained in a sample container is necessary, the transporting direction from the first direction to second direction, and then controlling the transporting apparatus so as to transport the sample container accommodating the sample, for which retesting is necessary, to the obtaining position again. Sample testing method and a computer program product are also disclosed.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A sample testing method comprising:
 transporting, from an input buffer, a sample rack comprising a plurality of holding positions for holding a plurality of sample containers, respectively;   reading a label attached to the sample container;   after the label is read, transporting the sample rack to a sample handling position where the sample container is provided to test a sample contained in the sample container;   aspirating and testing the sample contained in the sample container held at each of the plurality of holding positions;   after the sample contained in the sample container held at a last holding position of the plurality of holding positions is aspirated, transporting the sample rack to a parking position; and   performing a retesting, according to the holding position of the sample container subjected to the retesting, (i) before the sample rack is transported to the parking position or (ii) after the sample rack is transported to the parking position and then transported back to the sample handling position.   
     
     
         23 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , wherein
 the transporting the sample rack to the parking position is performed while the sample contained in the sample container held at the last holding position is tested.   
     
     
         24 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 while the sample rack is located at the sample handling position, transporting a subsequent sample rack from the input buffer to read a subsequent label attached to a subsequent sample container in the subsequent sample rack.   
     
     
         25 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 while the sample rack is located at the parking position, transporting a subsequent sample rack from the input buffer to read a subsequent label attached to a subsequent sample container in the subsequent sample rack.   
     
     
         26 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , wherein
 the parking position is provided on a transport path of the sample rack before an output buffer.   
     
     
         27 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 transporting the sample rack to an output buffer from the parking position when testing and retesting which are required for each of samples in the sample rack are completed.   
     
     
         28 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 reading the label at the sample handling position.   
     
     
         29 . The sample testing method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 reading the label at the sample handling position;   determining whether a first identifier matches a second identifier, wherein the first identifier is obtained when the label is read before the sample rack is transported to the sample handling position, and the second identifier is obtained when the label is read at the sample handling position;   determining that the first identifier does not match the second identifier; and providing an alert representing an identification mismatch.