AN AUTOMATIC METHOD OF PREPARING SAMPLES OF TOTAL BLOOD FOR ANALYSIS, AND AN AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of preparing analyses of total blood samples and to a device (1) that is useful for implementing the method, said samples being conserved in tubes (3) including at least one identification means (8) for identifying the sample, the device comprising: • at least one compartment constituting a said storage zone (6, 11, 12) for storing said tubes (3, 19, 23) before and after analysis; and • at least one said read means (9) for reading said identification means (8) of said tubes; and • at least one preparation zone (10) for preparing said blood samples prior to analysis and including means (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) for verifying and/or treating said tubes (3, 19, 23) containing said samples, and in particular at least one agitator means (14) for agitating said tubes; and • at least one access zone (13a, 13b) giving access to at least one automatic analyzer (28, 30) of total blood, said access zone enabling a said tube (3, 19, 23) to be placed in said analyzer; and • robotic gripper and displacement means (24, 25, 26, 27) controlled by an automatic controller (5) and suitable for taking hold of and replacing said tubes (3, 19, 23) individually in said storage zone (6, 11, 12) and for conveying them in at least three directions XYZ between said storage zone, said preparation zone (10) and said access zone (13a, 13b) giving access to said analyzer, said analyzer (28, 30) preferably being connected to and/or controlled by said automatic controller (5).