LABORATORY SYSTEM COMPRISING AT LEAST PARTIALLY NETWORKED LABORATORY DEVICES, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A LABORATORY SYSTEM COMPRISING AT LEAST PARTIALLY NETWORKED LABORATORY DEVICES

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a laboratory system comprising at least partially networked laboratory devices for processing samples by means of laboratory processes performed by the laboratory devices, the method comprising:-a process detection step (S1), in which samples to be processed and/or laboratory processes to be performed with the samples are detected via a detection unit (05);-a status determination step (S3), in which a response of networked laboratory devices regarding the current and/or future status and/or the termination of sample processing is obtained by the laboratory devices;-a task update step (S4), in which a task list, at least for the processing of certain samples by means of a certain laboratory device or a plurality of certain laboratory devices in a certain order, is created or updated by a task generation unit at least from the detected samples and/or laboratory processes and/or on the basis of the status of the laboratory devices, in particular by considering predefined prioritisation rules and/or weighting factors;-a management step (S5), in which management instructions are generated and output by a management system on the basis of the current task list, by means of which management instructions detected samples are brought at least indirectly to at least one laboratory device; and-a transport means control step (S6), in which transport means control instructions are generated by a transport means control system on the basis of control instructions and are transmitted to at least one transport means configured as a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle (04)) at least for the transport of detected samples.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a laboratory system comprising at least partially networked laboratory devices for processing samples by means of laboratory processes performed by the laboratory devices, the method comprising a process detection step (S1) in which samples to be processed and/or laboratory processes to be performed with the samples are detected via a detection unit (05); a status determination step (S3) in which a response of networked laboratory devices regarding the current and/or future state and/or the completion of sample processing is obtained by the laboratory devices; a task update step (S4) in which a task list, at least for the processing of specific samples by means of a specific laboratory device or a plurality of specific laboratory devices, is created or updated in a specific order by a task generation unit at least from the detected samples and/or laboratory processes and/or on the basis of the status of the laboratory devices; a guidance step (S5) in which guidance instructions are generated and outputted by a guidance system on the basis of the current task list, the guidance instructions at least indirectly causing the transfer of detected samples to at least one laboratory device; and a transport means control step (S6) in which transport means control instructions are generated by a transport means control system on the basis of guidance instructions and are transmitted to at least one transport means configured as a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle (04)), at least for the transport of detected samples.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a transport means coordination step (S7) in which new transport means control instructions are checked for state of no conflict on the basis of guidance instructions and already and/or still existing transport means control instructions and, in the case of conflict, are modified using other transport means control instructions by the guidance system.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a transport means localization step in which at least one current position of at least one transport means configured as a UAV and/or the guidance instructions already transmitted to the UAV are determined by the transport means control system.

4. The method according to any claim 1, further comprising a transport corridor assignment step in which a transport corridor for transport is assigned to a transport means configured as a UAV.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a consumables demand determination step in which, depending on at least the process detection step (S1), and is taken into account in the task update step (S4).

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a waste determination step in which, depending on the status determination step (S3) and/or depending on current or previous task lists, the waste generation is determined and is taken into account in the task update step (S4).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein static and dynamic information on the respective laboratory devices, are taken into account in the status determination step (S3).

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a sample tracking method (S13) by means of which, starting with the detection of the sample, the sample processing is tracked and/or recorded until the processing is completed.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an optimization proposal method in which proposals to expand the system (10) are created and/or outputted.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a test planning step (S2) which is performed subsequently to the process detection step (S1) and/or the status determination step (S3) and in which different options for performing the sample processing are created and outputted by means of the system (10), wherein, subsequently to a selection of an option via an input, the selected option is transmitted to the task generation unit and serves as a basis for a task update step (S4).

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a result checking step (S10) in which, after the completion of sample processing, a result is compared with a specified result, and/or an associated threshold value, and the task update step (S4) is performed in the case of a deviation and/or exceedance in order to create and/or update a task list repeating the sample processing, wherein other laboratory devices than for the already completed sample processing are preferably provided for the renewed sample processing.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a securing step, in which at least one generated or updated task list is transmitted to a securing means.

13. The method according to by claim 1, further comprising access right management in which, starting with the process detection and up to a generation of a result of sample processing, information and data relating to the sample processing are subject to an hierarchical, multi-stage, access restriction, wherein said restriction can be changed by an operator performing the process detection step (S1) before, during or after the sample processing.

14. A laboratory system comprising at least partially networked laboratory devices for processing samples by means of laboratory processes performed by the laboratory devices, the laboratory system comprising a detection unit (05) for detecting samples to be processed and/or laboratory processes to be performed with the samples a status determination unit (S3) which is at least indirectly connected to the laboratory devices and which is configured to request and/or receive and/or summarize responses from networked laboratory devices regarding the current and/or future status and/or the completion of sample processing by the laboratory devices; a task generation unit which is at least indirectly connected to at least the detection unit (05) and the status determination unit (S3) and which creates and updates a task list, at least for the processing of specific samples by means of a specific laboratory device or a plurality of specific laboratory devices, in a specific order, at least from the detected samples and/or laboratory processes and/or on the basis of the status of the laboratory devices, and which stores said task list in a task database; a guidance system which is at least indirectly connected to the task update unit and which is configured to generate and output guidance instructions on the basis of the current task list, the guidance instructions at least indirectly causing the transfer of detected samples to at least one laboratory device; and a transport means control system which is at least indirectly connected to the guidance system and which is configured to generate transport means control instructions on the basis of guidance instructions and to transmit said transport means control instructions to at least one transport means configured as a UAV, at least for the transport of detected samples.

15. The laboratory system according to claim 14, wherein the guidance system is configured to check new transport means control instructions for state of no conflict on the basis of guidance instructions and already generated and/or still existing transport means control instructions and, in the case of conflict, to modify the new transport means control instructions using other transport means control instructions.

16. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising a transport means localization unit which is configured to determine at least one current position of at least one transport means configured as a UAV and/or the guidance instructions already transmitted to the UAV by the transport means control system.

17. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising a transport corridor assignment unit which is configured to assign a transport corridor for transport of detected samples to a transport means configured as a UAV.

18. The laboratory system according to by claim 14, further comprising a consumables demand determination unit which is configured to receive data from the detection unit (05), and to determine the demand for consumables on the basis of said data, and to transmit said demand to the task generation unit.

19. The laboratory system according to by claim 14, further comprising a waste determination unit which is configured to receive data from the status determination unit (S3) and/or the task generation unit and to determine the waste generation, on the basis of said data and to transmit said waste generation to the task generation unit.

20. The laboratory system according to claim 14, wherein the status determination unit (S3) is configured to receive and/or take into account static and dynamic information on the respective laboratory devices.

21. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising a sample tracking unit which is configured to track and record, the sample processing starting with the detection of the sample until the completion of the processing.

22. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising an optimization proposal unit which is configured to create and/or output proposals to expand the system (10).

23. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising a test planning unit which is configured to create and output different options for performing the sample processing by means of the system (10), wherein the selected option is transmitted to the task generation unit, subsequently to a selection of an option via an input unit.

24. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising a result checking unit which is configured to compare a result, with a specified result, after the completion of sample processing and, in the case of a deviation and/or exceedance, to induce the task generation unit to create and/or update a task list repeating the sample processing, wherein other laboratory devices are provided for the new sample processing than for the already completed sample processing.

25. The laboratory system according to claim 14, further comprising securing means, being configured to periodically receive and/or to store generated or updated task lists.

26. The laboratory system according to by claim 14, further comprising a storage device and/or storage structure which is provided with an access right management, the storage device and/or storage structure being a cloud storage which has areas with restricted areas and which is configured to collect information and data relating to a sample processing starting with the process detection and preferably until a result of the sample processing is generated and is configured to subject said information and data to hierarchical, access restriction wherein said restriction can be changed before, during or after the sample processing by an operator who performs the process detection step (S1).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawings; in the drawings,

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematized sequence diagram of a method according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematized illustration of a system according to a first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematized sequence diagram of a method according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

[0045] In a first method step, a process detection step S1 is performed in which samples to be processed and/or laboratory processes to be performed with the samples are detected via a detection unit. The process detection or process detection step S1 can be performed manually as well as partially or fully automated. For example, it can be provided that an operator detects individual or a plurality of samples and either determines the associated laboratory processes himself or imports them from another point which is networked with the detection unit. The process detection step can also provide that the sample or the samples are marked accordingly, so that the sample can be assigned to the operations of the process detection step. For example, optical markings can be made on the sample vessel.

[0046] In a second method step, a test planning can be performed within the scope of a test planning step S2 subsequently to the process detection. Alternatively, test planning step S2 can be performed subsequently to a status determination step S3. However, since status determination step S3 is usually repeated on a regular basis or is performed in a recursive manner, the decision whether test planning step S2 is already performed subsequently to process detection step S1 or only subsequently to status determination step S3 can also be made dependent on the age or on the time of the last performance of the status determination step. In test planning step S2, different options for performing the sample processing are created and, in particular, outputted by means of the system, wherein, preferably subsequently to a selection of an option, for example via an input of a user, the selected option is transmitted to the task generation unit and serves as a basis for a task update step. Accordingly, the available laboratory devices, their capacities or throughputs, their classification or other properties can be taken into account in test planning step S2. Additionally, predefined or personally defined test planning options or test planning criteria, such as fastest test execution or fastest sample processing, can be selected and/or taken into account in the test planning or in test planning step S2.

[0047] In the example of the process sequence of FIG. 1, status determination step S3 is performed subsequently to test planning step S2; in status determination step S3, a response of networked laboratory devices regarding the current and/or future state and/or the completion of sample processing is obtained by the laboratory devices. To this end, a status request may be sent to the individual laboratory devices by the system or a central or decentral point of the system; the individual laboratory then send back or report a corresponding response, for example transmitted in a standard protocol, which can then be further processed by the system, in particular included in task update step S4.

[0048] In task update step S4, a task list, at least for the processing of specific samples by means of a specific laboratory device or a plurality of specific laboratory devices, is created or updated in a specific order by a task generation unit at least from the detected samples and/or the detected laboratory processes for the samples and at least on the basis of the status of the individual laboratory devices, in particular in view of predefined prioritization rules and/or weighting factors. In the example of FIG. 1, the result of test planning step S2 can also be taken into account in the task updating or task update step S4. The task list created or updated in task update step S4 thus includes a list of tasks for each sample which indicates which laboratory devices are required in which order to process said sample. Moreover, since the task list also takes into account status determination step S3, the remaining processing or the laboratory devices still to be run through can be distinguished from the laboratory devices already run through in the task list in the case of a partially processed sample or a sample which is already being processed and the task list can either be updated accordingly or at least marked in such a manner that it allows an up-to-date image or up-to-date representation of the processing states of the individual samples, at least from the sample processing sequence.

[0049] In a subsequent method step S4.1, for example, a securing step can be performed in which at least one created or updated task list of task update step S4 is transmitted to a securing means, in particular a securing means which is part of at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, and is in particular stored. This ensures that, in the case of partial or complete data loss, the last known situation of all samples in their processing can be reconstructed and the operation of the system or the method for operating the system can be resumed without complications if possible.

[0050] In the following guidance step S5, at least one guidance instruction is generated and outputted on the basis of the current task list, the guidance instructions at least indirectly causing the transfer of detected samples to at least one laboratory device. In principle, the generation and output of the guidance instructions is not limited to one guidance instruction for one machine or one technical device. Guidance instructions to human operators or users of the system can also be generated and outputted in the course of the guidance step, for example in the form of screen displays or other outputs.

[0051] In a subsequent method step, a transport means control step S6 can be performed in which transport means control instructions are generated by a transport means control system on the basis of guidance instructions and are transmitted to at least one transport means configured as an unmanned aerial vehicle, at least for the transport of detected samples. The transport means control instructions can comprise waypoints and target points of a transport means control, for example. Transport means control step S6 be followed recursively by a transport means coordination step S7 in which new transport means control instructions are checked for state of no conflict with other transport means control instructions on the basis of guidance instructions and already and/or still existing transport means control instructions and, in the case of conflict, are modified using other transport means control instructions in order to prevent conflicts, in particular logical conflicts as well as conflicts which have a collision potential of transport means.

[0052] In the subsequent method step, a transport corridor assignment step S8 or another corridor assignment step can be performed in which a transport corridor or another corridor is assigned to a transport means, i.e., to a transport means configured as an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0053] In the following transport step S9, the sample is then transferred from a first place, for example a place of the detection, to a second place, for example a laboratory device for performing a laboratory process. Following transport step S9, described method steps S4 to S9 can be run through or repeated following the respective the respective sample processing or performance of a laboratory process by the respective laboratory device until the respective sample has reached the end of the sample processing or the completion of the last laboratory process.

[0054] In this respect, it is worth mentioning that the sequence diagram of FIG. 1 only describes the way or the method regarding a single sample and that, of course, one or several other appropriate processes can run in parallel, where appropriate with a time lag, in addition to the sequence diagram of FIG. 1, said processes leading to the fact that the individual samples reach the end of the sample processing. Accordingly, this method or these method parts does not necessarily require that all transport steps S9 are necessarily performed by a transport means configured as an unmanned aerial vehicle. However, any transport of a sample is particularly preferably carried out by a corresponding unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0055] In a result checking step S10 which extends to the last sample processing or last transport step S9, for example from a last laboratory device to a storage or outward transfer point, a result, in particular at least one result value, can be compared with a specified result, in particular at least one specified result value and/or an associated threshold value, after the completion of sample processing and task update step S4 is performed in the case of a deviation and/or exceedance in order to create and/or update a task list repeating the sample processing, wherein other laboratory devices than for the already completed sample processing are preferably provided for the renewed sample processing.

[0056] Following result checking step S10, a storage of the results in the course of a storage step S11 can be provided. However, storage step S11 can also be performed successively in parallel with the respective steps of the sample processing to ensure that data or results are not already lost during the sample processing. Following storage step S11, but also already in parallel with the sample processing, where applicable, a publication of the corresponding results of the sample processing can be made in a publication step S12 or a step for access right management, the information and data relating to the results of the sample processing being released according to a hierarchical, preferably multi-stage, access restriction, in particular reading restriction and/or writing restriction. Said release is preferably carried out by the operator who performs the process detection step to release said information and data, for example to a working group, an affiliated hospital or a research community.

[0057] Alternatively, publication step S12 can already be performed at another time. Moreover, it can be provided that publication steps S12 are provided at different points to publish parts of the information and data, to change or undo publications of the information and data or merely to modify the level of publication, i.e., the stages of the access restriction.

[0058] In addition to the described method steps S1 to S12, further method steps can be performed in parallel with the method steps, wherein a corresponding interaction with the method steps described above can partially take place. For example, in the method step, a sample tracking method S13 can be performed by means of which, starting with the detection of the sample, the sample processing, in particular on the basis of guidance instructions and/or transport means control instructions and/or transport means identifiers and/or laboratory device identifiers, particularly preferably together with respective timestamps, is tracked and/or recorded, in particular stored in a protocol database, until the processing is completed. Accordingly, the embodiment of FIG. 1 provides that the results of the sample processing method are merged with other storage of the information and data relating to the sample processing in method step S11. Furthermore, in the course the course of a recursively performed determination step S15 and a consumables demand determination step, both of which are preferably recursively performed during steps S1 to S12 on a recurring basis, the demand for consumables and the waste generation, preferably at the respective laboratory devices, can be determined and also periodically or recursively taken into account in the system or in the method in such a manner that the demand for consumables and the waste is taken into account in task update step S4.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a schematized illustration of a system 10 according to a first embodiment. The system comprises a plurality of laboratory devices 01 which are networked with a central data processing system 02 via corresponding connections 03 in the example of FIG. 2. Additionally, system 10 comprises a plurality of transport means configured as unmanned aerial vehicles 04. Central data processing system 02 is connected to a detection unit 05 which comprises an input and/or output interface 06 and which is also linked to a data processing device 07 which is configured to define laboratory processes.

[0060] For example, the status determination unit, the task generation unit, the guidance system and the transport means control system can be disposed in the data processing system shown as central data processing system 05 in FIG. 2. However, the corresponding units and system can also be disposed or integrated elsewhere for example on the side of unmanned aerial vehicles 04. Both central data processing system 02 and unmanned aerial vehicles 04 can be provided with components of a transport means localization unit which are used to determine the at least current position of unmanned aerial vehicles 04 and/or guidance instructions already transmitted to unmanned aerial vehicles 04.

[0061] The transfer of samples 07 from a point of detection 08 to laboratory devices 01 can be carried out by means of unmanned aerial vehicles 04. The transfer of samples 07 between laboratory devices 01 can also be carried out by the transport means configured as unmanned aerial vehicles 04. It can be provided that laboratory devices 01 and other central points for the arrangement, storage, transfer or stay of samples 07 are provided with landing sites 09 for unmanned aerial vehicles 04, wherein landing sites 09 are preferably realized in such a manner that an electrical contact is automatically established between a contact point of landing site 09 and a contact point of unmanned aerial vehicle 04 when unmanned aerial vehicles 04 land, an energy storage 11 of unmanned aerial vehicle 04 thus being chargeable when unmanned aerial vehicle 04 lies on or sits on landing site 09. Preferably, the energy supply of unmanned aerial vehicles 04 can thus be maintained for a long, preferably unlimited, time.

[0062] Optical detection units, for example 2D or 3D cameras, which are part of unmanned aerial vehicles 04 can be used for landing unmanned aerial vehicles 04, in particular for precise landing in order to contact the contact points.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0063] 01 laboratory device [0064] 02 data processing system [0065] 03 connection [0066] 04 aerial vehicle [0067] 05 detection unit [0068] 06 output interface [0069] 07 data processing device [0070] 08 point of detection [0071] 09 landing sites [0072] 10 system [0073] 11 energy storage [0074] S1 process detection step [0075] S2 test planning step [0076] S3 status determination step [0077] S4 task update step [0078] S4.1 subsequent method step [0079] S5 guidance step [0080] S6 transport means control step [0081] S7 transport means coordination step [0082] S8 assignment step [0083] S9 transport step [0084] S10 result checking step [0085] S11 storage step [0086] S12 publication step [0087] S13 sample tracking method [0088] S16 consumables demand determination step