DESC:CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
The present application does claim priority from its provisional application filed on 11th November 2022 under the application number of 202221064633.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a sample tube spinner. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a sample tube spinner of a diagnostic machine for sampling biological samples.

BACKGROUND
The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.

Before testing a biological sample, the biological sample is subjected to spinning process. In the spinning process, the biological samples are first collected in sample tubes. The sample tubes then are placed in a sample tube holder plate of a spinning device. The spinning device is configured to rotate the sample tube holder plate at a predefined speed to centrifuge the biological samples. The spinning process helps in preprocessing the biological samples before testing the biological sample.

At present, the spinning process is performed in a spinning device which generally comprise a motor, sample tube holder plate for holding sample tubes, and homing mechanism. The motor is configured to rotate the sample tube holder plate securing the sample tubes. In the automatic sampling process, the sample tubes are placed inside well cavity of the sample tube holder plate through pivoting and subjected to rotation. During rotation the bottom portion sample tube swivels away due to centrifugal force. However, when the sample tube swivels more than a required angle there are chances of spillage of the samples from the sample tube in case of sudden stoppage. Also, in this process, the sample tube holder plate does not return to its initial position after spinning. As a result, it is difficult to automate the sampling process in which sampling tubes are robotically placed and removed from the sample tube holder plate.

Therefore, there exists a need to provide a sample tube spinner which not only prevents the spillage of biological samples from the tube but also maintains proper homing of the sample tube holder plate post spinning, to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a sample tube spinner. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one implementation of the present disclosure, a sample tube spinner has been disclosed. The sample tube spinner may comprise a housing, a well plate. The well plate may be secured to the housing. Further, the well plate may comprise a plurality of wells arranged in a matrix form. Each well out of plurality of wells may be configured to house a sample tube containing biological samples. Further, the plurality of wells may comprise a cylindrical inner wall. The cylindrical inner wall may comprise a restraining member configured to hold the sample tube. The cylindrical inner wall below the restraining member may be a truncated cone configured for restricting the swiveling of the sample tube during spinning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of sample tube spinner assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of well plate secured in sample tube spinner, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of well present in the well plate, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram with the steps performed by sample tube spinner 100, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a sample tube spinner has been disclosed. The sample tube spinner may comprise a housing, a memory unit, a processing unit, a well plate, a spinning assembly, a locking assembly, a cover plate, and a shutter assembly. The processing unit may be configured to actuate the shutter assembly, the spinning assembly, and the locking assembly based on the instruction received from the memory unit. The shutter assembly may be connected to the cover plate associated with the housing. The shutter assembly may be configured to open and close the cover plate through the processing unit. Further the spinning assembly may be configured to start and stop the spinning of the well plate through the processing unit. The locking assembly may be configured to unlock and lock the well plate before and after spinning of the well plate. The well plate may comprise a plurality of wells arranged in a matrix form. Each well out of the plurality of wells may comprise a cylindrical inner wall. The cylindrical inner wall may comprise a restraining member. The restraining member may be configured to hold the sample tube through its neck region during the spinning of the well plate. The sample tube may swivel inside the cylindrical inner wall during spinning. The cylindrical inner wall below the restraining member may be in a truncated cone 302a shaped configuration. The truncated cone 302a shape configuration of the cylindrical inner wall may restrict the swivel of sample tube not more than 45 degrees during spinning of the well plate. Further, the well plate may comprise a locking groove. The locking groove may be configured to engage and disengage with the locking assembly during post and pre spinning of the well plate.
With reference to Fig. 1, a sample tube spinner assembly 100 used for diagnostic purpose is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sample tube spinner may comprise a memory unit (not shown in the figure), processing unit (not shown in the figure), a housing, a well plate 101, a spinning assembly 102, a shutter assembly 104, a locking assembly 108, and a plurality of motors. The processing unit may be configured to actuate the shutter assembly, the spinning assembly, and the locking assembly based on the instruction received from the memory unit during spinning process. The shutter assembly 104 may comprise a cover plate 107, a slider 105, and a second motor 106. Further, the spinning assembly 102 may comprise a well plate 101, a rotor shaft 111, and a first motor 103. Further, the locking assembly 108 may comprise a position sensor 109, a third motor 110, and a locking pushrod 112.
Further, the well plate 101 of the spinning assembly 102 may be mounted on the rotor shaft 111 of the first motor 103. The first motor 103 may be configured to rotate the well plate 101 during the spinning. The well plate 101 may comprise a plurality of wells (not shown in the figure) arranged in matrix. The wells may be configured to hold the sample tubes (not shown in the figure). Further, the cover plate 107 of the shutter assembly 104 may be mounted on the slider 105. The cover plate 107 may be configured to slide over the slider 105 by the second motor 106. The sliding of the cover plate 107 over the slider 105 may open and close the well plate 101 during pre and post spinning process.
Further, the locking pushrod 112 may mounted to the below side of the slider 105 of the shutter assembly 104. The locking pushrod 112 may be configured to disengage or engage with a locking groove (not shown in the figure) present on the outer surface of the well plate 101 by the third motor 110 during pre and post spinning process. The engagement and disengagement of the locking pushrod 112 may be configured for locking and unlocking of the well plate 101.
Further, in one of the embodiments, the plurality of motors as discussed above may be a stepper motors. In one of the embodiments, plurality of motors as discussed above may be a magnetic motor or the like.
With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a well and the well plate 101 of sample tube spinner is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The well plate 101 may comprise a plurality of wells 201 arranged in the matrix form as discussed above. The plurality of wells 201 may be a 16 well, 32 well, 48 well, or 96 well in numbers based on the requirement. Each well 201 out of plurality of well 201 may comprise a cylindrical inner wall 302. The cylindrical inner wall 302 may comprise a restraining member 301. The restraining member 301 may be configured to hold the sample tube (not shown in the figure) at its neck. The sample tube may swivel inside the cylindrical inner wall 302 during spinning. The cylindrical inner wall 302 below the restraining member 301 may be in a truncated cone 302a shaped configuration. The truncated cone 302a shape configuration of the cylindrical inner wall 302 may restrict the swivel of sample tube not more than 45 degrees during spinning of the well plate 101. The well plate 101 may also comprise a locking groove 303 on its outer circular surface. The locking groove 303 may be configured to unlock or lock the well plate 101 with respect to the locking push rod 112 of the locking assembly 108 during pre and post spinning process.
With reference to Fig. 4, illustrates a flow diagram with the steps 401 to 409 performed by sample tube spinner 100 for diagnostic purpose, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described earlier, the sample tube spinner 100 may comprise a processing unit (not shown in the figure) configured to operate the spinning assembly 102, the shutter assembly 104, the locking assembly 108 based on the instruction received from the memory unit (not shown in the figure).
At step 401, the processing unit may send signal to the shutter assembly 104 to open the cover plate 107 before start of the spinning process. Based on the received signal the cover plate 107 of the shutter assembly 104 may be opened by the second motor 106.
At step 402, the sample tubes containing biological samples may be placed inside the plurality of wells 201 arranged on the well plate 101.
At step 403, after placement of the sample tubes inside the wells, the processing unit may send signal to the locking assembly 108 for unlocking of the well plate 101. Based on the received signal the locking pushrod 112 of the locking assembly 108 may disengage from the locking groove 303 present on the outer surface of the well plate 101. The disengagement of the locking pushrod 112 from the locking groove 303 may be actuated by the third motor 110. During unlocking of the well plate 101 the position sensor 109 as disclosed above may sense the position of locking groove 303 with respect to the locking pushrod 112 of the well 201 and feeds the sensed signal to the processing unit for later use.
At step 404, after unlocking of the well plate 101, the processing unit may send signal to the spinning assembly 102 to start spinning of the well plate 101. Based on the received signal, the well plate 101 may start spinning by the first motor 103. During spinning, the sample tube placed inside the well 201 of the well plate 101 may swivel due to spinning force. Further, the swiveling of the sample tube may not exceed more than 45 degrees due to truncated cone 302a like structure of the well 201 as disclosed above. The swiveling restriction imposed on the sample tube results in better separation of biological sample within the sample tube.
At step 405, after completion of spinning cycle of well plate 101, the processing unit may send signal to the spinning assembly 102 to stop spinning of the well plate 101. Based on the received signal, the first motor 103 of the spinning assembly 102 may stop the rotation of the well plate 101.
At step 406, after stopping the spinning assembly, the processing unit may receive the real time signal from the position sensor 109 relating to the position of locking groove 303 of the well plate 101. The processing unit matches the real time signal values with the stored signal value of the locking groove 303 as disclosed in step 2). Once the signal value matches with each other the processing unit may send signal to the locking assembly to lock the well plate 101. Based on the signal received from the processing unit, the locking assembly 108 may drive the locking pushrod 112 to engage with the locking groove 303 of the well plate 101 through the third motor 110. Due to this the well plate 101 may get locked in proper position from where it started spinning.
At step 407 after the well plate 101 gets locked in a proper homing position, the sample tubes placed in the well 201 of the well plate 101 may be removed through some means (not shown in the figure).
At step 408, after removal of the sample tube from the well plate 101, the processing unit may send signal to the shutter assembly 104 to close the cover plate 107. Based on the received signal the cover plate 107 of the shutter assembly 104 may be closed by the second motor 106.
At step 409, the steps 401 to 408 are repeated for next cycle.
The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs or the description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 Sample tube spinner
101 Well plate
102 Spinning assembly
103 First motor
104 Shutter assembly
105 Slider
106 Second motor
107 Cover plate
108 Locking assembly
109 Position sensor
110 Third motor
111 Rotor shaft
112 Locking pushrod
201 Well
301 Restraining member
302 Cylindrical inner wall
302a Truncated cone
303 Locking groove

Dated this 09th day of November 2023 ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A sample tube spinner (100), the sample tube spinner (100) comprising:
a housing;
a well plate (101), wherein the well plate (101) is secured to the housing, wherein the well plate (101) comprises a plurality of wells (201) arranged in a matrix, wherein each well (201) is configured to house a sample tube containing biological samples, wherein the sample tube is enabled with a neck region;
characterized in that,
the plurality of wells (201) comprises a cylindrical inner wall (302), wherein the cylindrical inner wall (302) is enabled with a restraining member (301), wherein the restraining member (301) is configured to hold the sample tube at the neck region; and
wherein, the cylindrical inner wall (302) below the restraining member (301) comprises a truncated cone (302a) for restricting swivel of the sample tube.

2. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the well plate (101) comprises a locking groove (303).

3. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a spinning assembly (102).

4. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spinning assembly (102) comprises a first motor (103) configured to spin the well plate (101), wherein the first motor (103) is a DC motor.

5. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shutter assembly (104).

6. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shutter assembly (104) comprises a slider (105) and a second motor (106), wherein the second motor (106) is configured to slide the cover plate (107) over the slider (105) to open and close the well plate (101), wherein the second motor (106) is a DC motor.

7. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a locking assembly (108).

8. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking groove (303) is configured to engage or disengage with the locking assembly (108) pre and post spinning.

9. The sample tube spinner (100) as claimed in 7, wherein the locking assembly (108) comprises a position sensor (109) and a third motor (110), wherein the position sensor (109) is configured to detect homing position of the locking groove (303) and generate a locking signal after the spinning cycle of the well plate (101) is complete, wherein the third motor (110) is configured to engage a locking pushrod (112) with the locking groove (303) of the well plate (101), upon receiving the locking signal, wherein the third motor (110) is a DC motor.

10. The sample tube spinner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swivel of the sample tube is not more than 45 degrees.