BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to workstations or test platforms for use by laboratory technicians to perform tests on specimens of blood, and in particular to testing workstations or platforms having prearranged holes and slots for receivingvarious size specimen tubes, gel-cards, reagent tubes and/or reagent bottles in an organized manner on a workstation;

2. Description of Related Art

The introduction of new Gel-Technology in a blood bank laboratory made the standard workstations obsolete because the laboratory technologist could not handle both traditional test tubes and the new Gel-Technology on one workstation. A gel-cardis a device which comprises six microtubes on one card having a bottom portion that is thin and extends the width of the gel-card which is typically 23/4 inches wide and 2 1/16 inches high. Gel-cards were developed by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics ofRaritan, N.J. Instead the laboratory technologist was forced to use equipment which was not suited for the new gel-card technology and had to divide testing into sections or use multiple pieces of equipment which cluttered the work space making itcramped, confusing and error prone. Various errors were reported in determining a patient's blood type such as a confirming test not coinciding with an original test, specimens were misplanted, and test tubes which were previously next to each otherwere now separated in different areas. In particular, antibody screens, which had previously been done in test tubes next to the patient specimens, were now performed using the new gel-technology in a different location of the work space away from thespecimens making it more difficult to match patients with the associated gel-cards. This problem caused errors in placing the wrong specimen in the gel-card or mismatching the patient with the gel-card, and mismatching antibodies with the patient.

A workstation, platform, or rack was needed which received traditional specimen tubes, test tubes, and new gel-cards and in other platforms the capability of receiving reagent bottles. Otherwise, the laboratory technologist was required toset-up patient specimens and their tests in different locations or different times, and it was time consuming and confusing for the technologist to remember what test had been completed and on what patient specimens. More equipment was needed in thework area to perform testing, causing the work area to become smaller, cluttered and confusing.

The following U.S. patents disclose various trays in the prior art for receiving test tubes and containers:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,547, issued Apr. 30, 1957 to Dorothy Jean Sutton, discloses a laboratory tray for use by laboratory medical technicians in medical diagnosis. The tray comprises several sections of different depths for stacking slides, forreceiving hypodermic syringes, and syringe needles, for receiving clean pipettes or for miscellaneous supplies, and the tray comprises a panel having a plurality of apertures of varying dimensions to receive larger test tubes, smaller test tubes, jarsfor holding dry sponges or absorbent cotton, and solution bottles. However, this tray does not have slots for receiving gel-cards for testing purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,865, issued Apr. 7, 1959 to David C. Knox, discloses a hematologist tray comprising an outer tray and an inner tray. The outer tray comprises a plurality of various apertures for receiving restriction tubes and holes tosupport bottles, beakers, etc. An inner tray comprises ten pairs of openings for receiving test tubes and adjacent to each pair of openings is a slot to receive a pair of slides. However, this tray does not have the capability of handling gel-cards.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,526, issued Sep. 14, 1971 to Douglas J. Rem, discloses a test tube holder comprising a plurality of apertures for portability and segregation of test tubes and protection of their contents. The holder comprises a U-shapedchanneled base member and a C-shaped tube-retaining support member. The C-shaped member comprises a plurality of annular, axially aligned apertures wherein upper apertures are formed perpendicular to a top wall while lower apertures are formedperpendicularly of the bottom wall 28. Other embodiments show apertures only in the top wall and do not extend into the bottom wall for conveniently handling other devices of less height. However, again there is no capability of receiving gel-cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide an efficiently organized arrangement of various size holes and slots for receiving patient specimen tubes, test tubes, gel-cards and/or reagent bottles in a prearranged row orderto provide an efficient blood bank testing workstation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a blood bank testing workstation for laboratory technologists to perform blood testing operations in a manner that eliminates the likelihood of human errors.

These and other objects are accomplished by a blood bank testing workstation comprising a top plate spaced above a middle plate and the middle plate spaced above a bottom plate, each of the top plate and the middle plate comprises a matrix ofholes, the matrix of holes in the top plate being aligned with the matrix of holes in the middle plate, a column of slots in the top plate positioned adjacent to the matrix of holes in the top plate, and a column of slots in the middle plate positionedadjacent to the matrix of holes in the middle plate and aligned directly under the column of slots in the top plate. The workstation comprises a plurality of rows in the top plate and corresponding holes in the middle plate, each row comprises a firstsize hole of the matrix of holes, a plurality of second size holes of the matrix of holes, and a slot. The column of slots in the top plate comprises a through slot, and the column of slots in the middle plate comprises a non-through slot. The matrixof holes comprises a first column of a first size holes for receiving blood specimen tubes and an adjacent array of second size holes for receiving test tubes. The platform comprises a plurality of screws for securing the top plate, the middle plate andthe bottom plate together, the screws being inserted in first spacers between the top plate and the middle plate and second spacers between the middle plate and the bottom plate. The plurality of screws are screwed into standoffs on the bottom of thebottom plate.

The workstation comprises a plurality of third size through holes in the first plate and positioned behind the column of slots, and a plurality of the third size holes in the middle plate aligned under the corresponding third size holes in thetop plate, the third size holes in the middle plate being non-through holes. An array of second size holes are positioned both in front of and behind the third size holes for supporting test tubes inserted in the top plate and the middle plate.

The workstation comprises a second column of slots in the top plate adjacent to the first column of slots, and a second column of slots in the middle plate positioned adjacent to the first column of slots and aligned directly under the secondcolumn of slots in the top plate. The workstation comprises a plurality of third size through holes in the first plate behind the matrix of holes, and a plurality of the third size holes in the middle plate aligned under the corresponding third sizeholes in the top plate, the third size holes in the middle plate being non-through holes. A row of second size holes are positioned on the top plate in the same row as the third size holes and behind the first column and the second column of slots, anda row of the second size holes are positioned in the middle plate aligned under the corresponding second size holes in the top plate. The workstation comprises in the top plate a second column of slots adjacent to the first column of slots and a thirdcolumn of slots adjacent to the second column of slots, and in the middle plate a second column of slots adjacent to the first column of slots and a third column of slots adjacent to the second column of slots, all slots in the middle plate being alignedunder all corresponding slots in the top plate.

The workstation comprises in the top plate a plurality of third size holes arranged in two rows behind the matrix of holes adjacent to the first, second and third column of slots, and in the middle plate aligned under the top plate are aplurality of the third size holes arranged in two rows behind the matrix of holes adjacent to the first, second and third column of slots. Each of the plurality of third size holes in the middle plate comprises non-through holes with a second size holeextending through the center of the third size holes. The two rows of the third size holes are staggered with respect to each of the two rows.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out theinvention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended claims particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of this invention. The various objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will be more fully apparent from a reading of the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a TS6 platform according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the TS6 platform;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the TS6 platform;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the TS6 platform;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the TS6 platform;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment or GEL8 blood bank testing workstation according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the GEL8 workstation;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the GEL8 workstation;

FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view of the GEL8 workstation;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the GEL8 workstation;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment or CU blood bank testing workstation according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the CU workstation;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the CU workstation;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of the CU workstation; and

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the CU workstation.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a six (6) specimen testing (TS6) platform or workstation 10 according to the present invention, which is used for blood bank testing and in particular ABORH, DAT and X-matchtests. FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the platform 10, and FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the TS6 platform 10. The testing platform 10 comprises a top plate 12, a middle plate 27 and a bottom plate 28 in separate, spaced apart horizontalplanes parallel to each other. A first set of spacers 20a-20e are positioned around screws 18a-18e between the top plate 12 and the middle plate 14, and a second set of spacers 22a-22e are positioned around screws 18a-18e between the middle plate 14 andthe bottom plate 28. Shorter spacers or standoffs 24a-24e on the bottom side of the bottom plate 28 are screwed on the ends of screws 18a-18e which are inserted into holes on the corners and center of the top plate 12, middle plate 14, and bottom plate16. The standoff 24e may be made slightly shorter than standoffs 24a-24d to prevent rocking of the platform 10 while on a flat surface during use.

In top plate 12 of the illustrative embodiment a column of six holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.6 are provided each 16 mm in diameter, and an array or matrix of fifty-four (54) smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.69 are provided each 12.5 mm in diameter. Thismatrix of small holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.69 comprises 9 holes in each row and 6 holes in each column as shown in FIG. 2. Likewise, the middle plate 12 comprises a column of six holes 32.sub.1-32.sub.6 each 16 mm in diameter suitable for receiving bloodspecimen tubes, and the fifty-four smaller holes 36.sub.11-36.sub.69 each 12.5 mm in diameter are suitable for receiving standard test tubes.

Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the top plate 12 and the middle plate 14 each comprise a total of seventy-one (71) holes and each hole in the top plate 12 is axially aligned directly above a correspondingly positioned hole in the middleplate 14. For example, hole 30.sub.1 in a first row of the top plate 12 is directly above hole 32.sub.1 in the middle plate. Likewise, in the same first row smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.69 in the top plate are directly above corresponding holes36.sub.11-36.sub.69 in the middle plate 14.

In addition to the column of 6 holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.6 and matrix of 54 smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.69 in the top plate 12 and the column of 6 holes 32.sub.1-32.sub.6 and matrix of 54 smaller holes 36.sub.11-36.sub.69 in the middle plate 14,another portion of the platform 10 comprises a column of three slots 40.sub.1-40.sub.3 in the top plate 12 each slot being in a row adjacent to holes 34.sub.19, 34.sub.29 and 34.sub.39 respectively. Likewise, there are three slots 42.sub.1-42.sub.3 inthe middle plate 14 located and aligned directly under the slots 40.sub.1-40.sub.3 in the top plate 12. The slots 40.sub.1-40.sub.3 in the top plate 12 of the illustrated embodiment measure 2 mm.times.72 mm, extend completely through the top plate 12,and are sized for receiving a standard gel-card. The slots 40.sub.1-40.sub.3 in the middle plate 14 are not cut completely through the middle plate 14 and measure 2 mm.times.72 mm with a depth of approximately 3 mm which is sufficiently deep to retain abottom edge of a gel-card. This enables a gel-card, inserted into slots 40.sub.1-40.sub.3 and 42.sub.1-42.sub.3, to extend above the top plate 12 for ease of use of the microtubes and to allow information on the gel-card to be easily read. The firstthree rows in the top plate 12 of platform 10 each comprise a larger hole such as hole 30, in the first row, a series of smaller holes such as holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.19 and a slot such as slot 40.sub.1, which together provide an organized, efficientarrangement for performing blood bank testing. Similarly the first three rows of the middle plate 14 comprise a larger hole such as hole 32.sub.1 in the first row, a series of smaller holes, such as holes 36.sub.11-36.sub.19, and a slot, such as slot42.sub.1, and each row of holes and slots is aligned under the corresponding holes and slots in top plate 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top plate 12 and the middle plate 14 comprise three holes 60.sub.1-60.sub.3, and 62.sub.1-62.sub.3 respectively behind slot 40.sub.3 in the top plate 12 and 42.sub.3 in the middle plate 14 which are each 12.5mm in diameter suitable for receiving test tubes or reagent tubes. Behind holes 60.sub.1-60.sub.3 on the top plate 12 and the holes 62.sub.1-62.sub.3 on the middle plate 14 are three larger holes 50.sub.1-50.sub.3 on the top plate 12 and holes52.sub.1-52.sub.3 on the middle plate 14. Each of these larger holes 50.sub.1-50.sub.3 and 52.sub.1-52.sub.3 are 25 mm in diameter and are provided for conveniently holding articles such as reagent bottles. However, holes 52.sub.1-52.sub.3 in themiddle tray 14 are not through holes, but instead they are cut out to a depth of approximately 3 mm, which enables articles such as reagent bottles inserted into holes 50.sub.1-50.sub.3 and partial holes 52.sub.1-52.sub.3 to extend higher above the topplate 12 of platform 10. Behind the 25 mm holes 50.sub.1-50.sub.3 and 52.sub.1-52.sub.3 are five holes 60.sub.4-60.sub.8 in the top plate 12 and correspondingly aligned holes 62.sub.4-62.sub.8 in the middle plate 14. These five holes are 12.5 mm indiameter and are staggered in two rows with holes 60.sub.4, 60.sub.5 being forward and holes 60.sub.6, 60.sub.7 and 60.sub.8 being back of holes 60.sub.4, 60.sub.5 along the back edge of top plate 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and likewise, on the middleplate 14 holes 62.sub.4 and 62.sub.5 are forward and holes 62.sub.6, 62.sub.7 and 62.sub.8 are back along the rear edge of middle plate 14. These 12.5 mm holes 60.sub.4-60.sub.8 are provided to store useful articles such as balance tubes, pens,scissors, pipette, etc. The solid bottom plate 16 serves as a stop underneath the middle plate for articles that extend through the holes in the middle plate 14.

The workstation or testing platform 10 is designed structurally to avoid making errors in a hospital blood bank, to simplify and speed-up the workflow process, and to better organize the workflow and conserve bench space. It allows a laboratorytechnologist to organize in a safe and efficient manner all the necessary testing tubes including a patient specimen tube in a single row along with a gel-card, which makes the testing visually and physically easier to perform. Having the slots40.sub.1-40.sub.3 on the top plate 12 and slots 42.sub.1-42.sub.3 on the middle plate 14 for receiving gel-cards on the testing platform 10 eliminates the need for another secondary workstation making it easier for a technologist to see and load themicrotubes of the gel-card and avoid an error of planting a patient blood specimen in the wrong gel-card.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the top plate 12 and the middle plate 14 are made of plastic and may be embodied by a Lexan.RTM. polycarbonate, manufactured by General Electric Company, or by a Hyzod.RTM. polycarbonate manufactured by SheffieldPlastics, Inc. The top plate 12 and the middle plate 14 are machined together to insure alignment of holes and slots by a CNC milling machine. The bottom plate 16 may be embodied by a plastic made of a high density polyethylene.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the testing platform 10 showing the front left corner spacers 20a, 22a, the front right corner spacers 20b, 22b, and center spacers 20e, 22e. The center spacers 20e, 22e arelocated approximately in the center of the platform 10. The screws 18a-18d at the corners of the platform 10 and the center screw 18e may be embodied by commonly available stainless steel, flat head, Phillips machine screws having a 10-32 thread and alength of 2.5 inches. The spacers 20a-20e, 22a-22e at the four corners and the center of the platform 10 may be embodied by commonly available Nylon unthreaded round spacers having a 3/8 inch O.D., 3/4 inch length #10 screw size.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a bottom plan view of the testing platform 10 comprising the bottom plate 16 and standoffs 24a-24e. The standoffs 24a-24e are threaded and screwed onto the ends of the 10-32 screws 18a-18e. Thestandoffs 24a-24e are commonly available nylon threaded, round standoffs having a 3/8 inch O.D., 3/8 inch length and 10-32 thread. As previously described, the bottom plate 16 provides a stop for articles such as specimen tubes or test tubes insertedinto holes in the platform 10.

The TS6 platform 10 as shown in FIG. 1 measures 11.25 inches.times.6.5 inches.times.2.5 inches and is intended to accommodate six (6) patient specimens which are received by top plate holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.6 and bottom plate holes32.sub.1-32.sub.6. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other dimensions for the TS6 platform 10 may be implemented depending on a user laboratory requirement or preference without departing from the invention.

GEL8 Workstation

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the blood bank testing workstations comprising an eight (8) specimen testing platform or workstation 70 according to the present invention, and it isreferred to as a GEL8 workstation 70 comprising two columns of slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 and 40.sub.12-40.sub.82 for receiving gel-cards 76 and used for blood bank testing. FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the GEL8 workstation 70, and FIG. 8 is a frontelevational view of the GEL8 workstation 70. The GEL8 workstation 70 comprises a top plate 26, a middle plate 27 and a bottom plate 28 arranged in separate, spaced apart horizontal planes parallel to each other. A first set of spacers 20a-20g arepositioned around screws 18a-18g between the top plate 26 and the middle plate 27, and a second set of spacers 22a-22g are positioned around screws 18a-18g between the middle plate 27 and the bottom plate 28. Shorter spacers or standoffs 24a-24g on thebottom side of the bottom plate 28 are screwed on the ends of screws 18a-18g which are inserted into holes on the corners and across the center of the top plate 26, the middle plate 27, and the bottom plate 28. The standoffs 24e-24g may be made slightlyshorter than the corner standoffs 24a-24d to prevent rocking of the workstation 70 while on a flat surface during use.

The top plate 26 of the illustrative embodiment comprises a column of eight holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.8 each 16 mm in diameter, and an array or matrix of forty (40) smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.81 are provided each hole being 12.5 mm in diameter. This matrix of smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.81 comprises 5 holes such as 34.sub.11-34.sub.15 in each row and 8 holes such as 34.sub.11-34.sub.81 in each column. Likewise, in the middle plate 27 the eight holes 32.sub.1-32.sub.8 are 16 mm in diametersuitable for receiving blood specimen tubes 72, and the forty (40) smaller holes 36.sub.11-36.sub.85 are 12.5 mm in diameter, suitable for receiving standard test tubes 74.

Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the top plate 26 and the middle plate 27 each comprise fifty-seven (57) holes and each hole in the top plate 26 is axially aligned directly above a correspondingly positioned hole in the middle plate 27. Forexample, hole 30.sub.1, in a first row of the top plate 26 is directly above hole 32.sub.1, in the middle plate 27. Likewise, in the same first row smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.15 in the top plate 26 are directly above corresponding holes36.sub.11-36.sub.15 in the middle plate 27. Behind the eighth row in top plate 26, which comprises hole 30.sub.8 and smaller holes 36.sub.81-36.sub.85, are four (4) larger holes 50.sub.4-50.sub.7 which are 25 mm in diameter. Likewise, in the middleplate 27 corresponding holes 52.sub.4-52.sub.7 are partial non-through holes which are 25 mm in diameter and approximately 3 mm deep, and they are axially aligned directly under holes 50.sub.4-50.sub.7 in the top plate 26. The larger holes50.sub.4-50.sub.7 are provided to hold reagent bottles 78.

In addition to the fifty-seven (57) holes in the top plate 26 and fifty-seven 57 holes in the middle plate 27, the first column of eight slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 is provided in the top plate 26, and the column of corresponding slots42.sub.11-42.sub.81 is provided in the middle plate 27, the slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 in the top plate 26 being aligned directly above corresponding slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.81 in the middle plate 27. The slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 in the top plate 26 ofthe illustrated embodiment measure 2 mm.times.72 mm, extend completely through the top plate 26, and are sized for receiving a standard gel-card. The slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.81 in the middle plate 27 are not cut completely through the middle plate 27 andmeasure 2 mm.times.72 mm with a depth of approximately 3 mm. This enables the gel-card 76 inserted in one of the slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 to extend above the top plate 26 for ease of use of the microtubes and to allow information on the gel-card to beeasily read. Further, in the top plate 26 there is a second column of eight slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.82 adjacent to the first column of eight slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 to accommodate a second column of gel-cards 76. Likewise, on the middle plate 27 slots42.sub.12-42.sub.82 are provided adjacent to the first column of eight slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.81, and slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.82 are aligned directly under slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.82. Again, slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.82 in the middle plate 27 are not cutcompletely through the middle plate 27 and measure 2 mm.times.72 mm with a depth of approximately 3 mm. This enables the microtubes in the gel-card 76 inserted in one of the slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.82 to be easily accessed and information on the gel-cardto be easily read. Each row of holes in workstation 70 such as the row in the top plate 12 with holes 30.sub.1 and 34.sub.11-34.sub.15 comprises slots 40.sub.11 and 40.sub.12, and likewise each row of holes in the middle plate 27 such as the row withholes 32.sub.1 and 36.sub.11-36.sub.15 comprises the partial slots 42.sub.11 and 42.sub.12.

The GEL8 workstation 70 comprises in plate 26 two holes 64.sub.1, 64.sub.2 each 12.5 mm in diameter behind the last slot 40.sub.81 in the first column of slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81. Likewise, in the middle plate 27, there are two holes 66.sub.1and 66.sub.2 each 12.5 mm in diameter behind the last slot 42.sub.81 in the first column of slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 and holes 66.sub.1 and 66.sub.2 are axially aligned under holes 64.sub.1 and 64.sub.2 in the top plate 26. Further, in plate 26 thereare three holes 64.sub.3, 64.sub.4 and 64.sub.5 each 12.5 mm in diameter behind the last slot 40.sub.82 in the second column of slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.82 Likewise, in the middle plate 27 there are three holes 66.sub.3, 66.sub.4 and 66.sub.5 each 12.5 mmin diameter behind the last slot 42.sub.82 in the second column of slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.82. The top plate 26 holes 64.sub.3-64.sub.5 are axially aligned above the middle plate holes 66.sub.3-66.sub.5 for certain other applications. The 12.5 mm holes64.sub.1-64.sub.5 in the top plate 26 and corresponding holes 66.sub.1-66.sub.5 in middle plate 27 may be changed to 25 mm holes in the workstation 70 depending on laboratory user requirements.

The workstation 70 is designed structurally to avoid making errors in a hospital blood bank, to simplify and speed-up the workflow process, and to better organize the workflow and conserve bench space. It allows a laboratory technologist toorganize in a safe and efficient manner all the necessary testing tubes including a patient specimen tube in a single row along with a gel-card, which makes the testing visually and physically easier to perform. Having the two columns of 16 slots40.sub.11-40.sub.81 and slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.82 on the top plate 26 and slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.81 and slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.82 on the middle plate 27 for receiving gel-cards 76 on the workstation 70 eliminates the need for another secondaryworkstation making it easier for a technologist to see and load the microtubes of the gel-card 76 and avoid an error of planting a patient blood specimen in the wrong gel-card.

The advantage of this workstation 70 is that it allows the technologist to centralize testing on one workstation instead of 2 to 3. It also allows the technologist to organize the specimen tubes 72, test tubes 74 and gel-card 76 in line witheach other, making them easier to see and to add reagents/cells without contaminating other tests within the rack. Workstation 70 stores all the reagent bottles 78 needed to perform testing eliminating the need to have reagent bottles 78 in a separateplatform. This conserves reagents as their shelf life is diminished when left at room temperature, and conserves on bench space. The workstation 70 also lines up the reagent bottles 78 where they are needed. Reagents bottles 78 are aligned with testtubes 74 and reagent cell tubes are located in holes 64.sub.1-64.sub.5 behind the gel-cards 40.sub.81 and 40.sub.82 which use those specific cells. As described above, the five 12.5 mm holes 64.sub.1-64.sub.5 located behind gel-cards 40.sub.81 and40.sub.82 can be changed to 25 mm holes which accommodate reagent bottles for labs which do not dilute their own cells, or aliquot from reagent bottles into test tubes.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the top plate 26 and the middle plate 27 are made of plastic and may be embodied by a Lexan.RTM. polycarbonate, manufactured by General Electric Company, or by a Hyzod.RTM. polycarbonate manufactured by SheffieldPlastics, Inc. The top plate 12 and the middle plate 14 are machined together to insure alignment of holes and slots by a CNC milling machine. The bottom plate 28 may be embodied by a plastic made of a high density polyethylene.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the workstation 70 showing the front left corner spacers 20a, 22a, the front right corner spacers 20b, 22b, and front spacers 20f, 22f. There are center spacers 20e, 22elocated approximately in the center of the workstation 70, and rear spacers 20g-22g (not shown) located in the rear center of the workstation 70. The screws 18a-18g at the corners and center corner of the workstation 70 may be embodied by commonlyavailable stainless steel, flat head, Phillips machine screws having a 10-32 thread and a length of 2.5 inches. The spacers 20a-20g, 22a-22g at the four corners and the center areas of the workstation 70 may be embodied by commonly available Nylonunthreaded, round spacers having a 3/8 inch O.D., 3/4 inch length #10 screw size.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of the GEL8 workstation 70 showing the spacers 20e, 22e and standoff 24e, which are located between the slots 40.sub.31 and 40.sub.41, are slightly toward the front of theworkstation 70 between the front spacers 20f, 22f and rear spacers 20g and 22g.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, FIG. 10 shows a bottom plan view of the GEL8 workstation 70 comprising the bottom plate 28 and standoffs 24a-24g. The standoffs 24a-24g are threaded and screwed onto the ends of the 10-32 screws 18a-18g. Thestandoffs 24a-24g are commonly available nylon threaded, round standoffs having a 3/8 inch O.D., 3/8 inch length and 10-32 thread. As previously described, the bottom plate 28 provides a stop for articles such as specimen tubes 72 or test tubes 74inserted into holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.8 and 34.sub.12-34.sub.85 respectively in the workstation 70.

The GEL8 workstation 70 as shown in FIG. 6 measures 11.25 inches.times.9.5 inches.times.2.5 inches and is intended to accommodate eight (8) patient specimen tubes 72 which are received by top plate holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.8 and middle plate holes32.sub.1-32.sub.8. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other dimensions of the GEL8 workstation 70 may be implemented depending on a user laboratory requirement or preference without departing from the invention.

CU Workstation

Referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the blood bank testing workstation comprising a universal special studies platform or workstation 80 according to the present invention. It isreferred to as a CU workstation 80 and is used for blood bank testing such as to perform up to 4 antibody ID panels at one time using gel-card technology. FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the CU workstation 80, and FIG. 13 is a front elevational view ofthe CU workstation 80. The CU workstation 80 comprises a top plate 82, a middle plate 84 and a bottom plate 86 arranged in separate, spaced apart horizontal planes parallel to each other. A first set of spacers 20a-20g are positioned around screws18a-18g between the top plate 82 and the middle plate 84, and a second set of spacers 22a-22g are positioned around screws 18a-18g between the middle plate 84 and the bottom plate 86. Shorter spacers or standoffs 24a-24g on the bottom side of the bottomplate 84 are screwed on the ends of screws 18a-18g which are inserted into holes on the corners and across the central area of the top plate 82, the middle plate 84, and the bottom plate 86. The standoffs 24e-24g may be made slightly shorter than thecorner standoffs 24a-24d to prevent rocking of the CU workstation 80 while on a flat surface during use.

The top plate 82 of the illustrative embodiment comprises a column of four holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.4 each 16 mm in diameter, and an array of eight (8) smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.42 are provided adjacent to holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.4, each holebeing 12.5 mm in diameter. This array of smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.42 comprises 2 holes in each row and 4 holes such as 34.sub.11-34.sub.41 in each column. Likewise, in the middle plate 84 the four holes 32.sub.1-32.sub.4 are 16 mm in diametersuitable for receiving blood specimen tubes 72, and the eight (8) smaller holes 36.sub.11-36.sub.42 are 12.5 mm in diameter, suitable for receiving standard test tubes 74.

Still referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the top plate 82 and the middle plate 84 each comprise thirty-five (35) holes and each hole in the top plate 82 is axially aligned directly above a correspondingly positioned hole in the middle plate 84. For example, hole 30.sub.1, in a first row of the top plate 82 is directly above hole 32.sub.1, in the middle plate 84. Likewise, in the same first row smaller holes 34.sub.11-34.sub.12 in the top plate 82 are directly above corresponding holes36.sub.11-36.sub.12 in the middle plate 84. Behind the fourth row in top plate 82, which comprises hole 30.sub.4 and smaller holes 34.sub.41-34.sub.42, are two rows of larger holes 90.sub.1-90.sub.12 and 94.sub.1-94.sub.11 which extend the length of theworkstation 80 and are 18 mm in diameter. In the middle plate 84 there are two rows of holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and 96.sub.1-96.sub.11. The 18 mm holes 90.sub.1-90.sub.12 and 94.sub.1-94.sub.11, are provided to hold reagent bottles 78.

Each of the 12 holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and the 11 holes 96.sub.1-96.sub.11 in the middle plate 84 is 18 mm in diameter and approximately 3 mm deep. The two rows of holes 90.sub.1-90.sub.12 and 94.sub.1-94.sub.11 in the top plate 82 arestaggered or off-center relative to each row, and the two rows of holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and 96.sub.1-96.sub.11 in the middle plate 84 are similarly off-center relative to each row. Each of the 18 mm holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and 96.sub.1-96.sub.11 inthe middle plate 84 comprises 12.5 mm through holes 93.sub.1-93.sub.12 and 95.sub.1-95.sub.11 which are on center with the 18 mm holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and 96.sub.1-96.sub.11, and the 18 mm holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and 96.sub.1-96.sub.11 are axiallyaligned under the 18 mm holes 90.sub.1-90.sub.12 and 94.sub.1-94.sub.11 in the top plate 82.

In addition to the thirty-five (35) holes in the top plate 82 and the corresponding thirty-five (35) holes in the middle plate 84, there are three columns of slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.41, 40.sub.12-40.sub.42 and 40.sub.13-40.sub.43 in the top plate82 and likewise there are three columns of slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.41, 42.sub.12-42.sub.42 and 42.sub.13-42.sub.43 in the middle plate 84. This arrangement of slots in the top plate 82 and the middle plate 84 results in four test rows, each test rowcomprising, for example, in the first row of the top plate, a specimen hole 30.sub.1, two test tube holes 34.sub.11, 34.sub.12 and three gel-card slots 40.sub.11, 40.sub.12 and 40.sub.13. Likewise in the middle plate 84 the first row comprises thespecimen hole 32.sub.1, two test tube holes 36.sub.11, 36.sub.12, and three gel-card partial slots 42.sub.11, 42.sub.12 and 42.sub.13. The first column of four slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.41 is provided in the top plate 82, and the column of correspondingslots 42.sub.11-42.sub.41 is provided in the middle plate 84, the slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.41 in the top plate 82 being aligned directly above corresponding slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.41 in the middle plate 84. The slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.41 in the top plate82 of the illustrated embodiment measure 2 mm.times.72 mm, extend completely through the top plate 82, and are suitably sized for receiving a standard gel-card. The slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.41 in the middle plate 84 are not cut completely through themiddle plate 84 and measure 2 mm.times.72 mm with a depth of approximately 3 mm. This enables the gel-card 76 inserted in one of the slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.81 to extend above the top plate 82 for ease of use of the microtubes and to allow information onthe gel-card to be easily read. Further in the top plate 82, the second column of four slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.42 is adjacent to the first column of four slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.41. Likewise, on the middle plate 84 slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.42 are providedadjacent to the first column of four slots 42.sub.11-42.sub.41, and slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.42 are aligned directly under slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.42. Also, slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.42 in the middle plate 84 are not cut completely through the middle plate 84and measure 2 mm.times.72 mm with a depth of approximately 3 mm.

The third column of four slots 40.sub.13-40.sub.43 in the top plate 82 is adjacent to the second column of four slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.42. Likewise on the middle slot 84 slots 42.sub.13-42.sub.43 are provided adjacent to the second column offour slots 42.sub.12-42.sub.42 and slots 42.sub.13-42.sub.43 are aligned directly under slots 40.sub.13-40.sub.43. Again, slots 42.sub.13-42.sub.43 are not cut completely through the middle plate 84 and measure 2 mm.times.72 mm with a depth ofapproximately 3 mm.

The CU workstation 80 is designed structurally to be used to perform specialized testing in a blood bank including antibody identification, phenotype, and more complex testing using the gel-card technology. Workstation 80 allows a laboratorytechnologist to organize reagent bottles 78, patient specimen tubes 72, working test tubes 74 and gel-cards 76 in one central location and orienting them in a manner that facilitates accuracy and speed in testing such as providing a patient specimen tube72, testing tubes 74 and gel-cards 76 in a single row on the workstation 80. Having the three columns of slots 40.sub.11-40.sub.41, slots 40.sub.12-40.sub.42 and slots 40.sub.13-40.sub.43 on the middle plate 84 for receiving gel-cards 76 on theworkstation 80 often eliminates the need for other racks or workstations making it easier for a technologist to see and load the microtubes of the gel-card 76 and avoid an error of planting a patient blood specimen in the wrong gel-card 76.

The advantage of workstation 80 is that it allows the technologist to store reagents in the workstation 80 and lines them up in the order in which they will be used. The 18 mm holes 90.sub.1-90.sub.12 and 94.sub.1-94.sub.11, which allow thereagents to be stored on the rack, do not pass completely through the middle plate 84 in order to accommodate shorter reagent bottles. The 12.5 mm holes 93.sub.1-93.sub.12 and 95.sub.1-95.sub.11, which are centered within holes 92.sub.1-92.sub.12 and96.sub.1-96.sub.11 in the middle plate 84 beneath the 18 mm holes 90.sub.1-90.sub.12 and 94.sub.1-94.sub.11 in the top plate 82, are for laboratories which dilute their own reagents or aliquot reagents and store them in test tubes 74. (These tubes mayalso be stored in the workstation 80 when not in use). Another advantage is that it allows the technologist to work on multiple (up to 4) patient specimens at one time, and it lines-up each specimen in its own row and all the test tubes 74 and gel-cards76 that it will need to perform extra testing.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the top plate 82 and the middle plate 84 are made of plastic and may be embodied by a Lexan.RTM. polycarbonate, manufactured by General Electric Company, or by a Hyzod.RTM. polycarbonate manufactured by SheffieldPlastics, Inc. The top plate 12 and the middle plate 14 are machined together to insure alignment of holes and slots by a CNC milling machine. The bottom plate 86 may be embodied by a plastic made of a high density polyethylene.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the workstation 80 showing the front left corner spacers 20a, 22a, the front right corner spacers 20b, 22b, and front center area spacers 20f, 22f. There are center spacers20e, 22e located near the center area of the workstation 80, between slots 40.sub.32 and 40.sub.42, and rear spacers 20g, 22g (not shown) located in the rear center of the workstation 80. The screws 18a-18g at the corners and center areas of theworkstation 80 may be embodied by commonly available stainless steel, flat head, Phillips machine screws having a 10-32 thread and a length of 2.5 inches. The spacers 20a-30g, 22a-22g at the four corners and the center areas of the workstation 80 may beembodied by commonly available Nylon unthreaded, round spacers having a 3/8 inch O.D., 3/4 inch length #10 screw size.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 14, FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of the CU workstation 80 and shows the spacers 20e, 22e and standoff 24e, which are located between the slots 40.sub.32 and 40.sub.42, are slightly left of the centerbetween the front spacers 20b, 22b (and 20f, 22f) and the rear spacers 20c and 22c (and 20g, 22g).

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 15, FIG. 15 shows a bottom plan view of the CU workstation 80 comprising the bottom plate 86 and standoffs 24a-24g. The standoffs 24a, 24g are threaded and screwed onto the end of the 10-32 screws 18a-18g. Thestandoffs 24a-24g are commonly available nylon threaded, round standoffs having a 3/8 inch O.D., 3/8 inch length and 10-32 thread. As previously described, the bottom plate 86 provides a stop for articles such as specimen tubes 72 or test tubes 74inserted into holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.4 and 34.sub.11-34.sub.42 in the workstation 80.

The CU workstation 80 as shown in FIG. 11 measures 12.0 inches.times.6.5 inches.times.2.5 inches and is intended to accommodate four (4) patient specimens which are received by top plate holes 30.sub.1-30.sub.4 and middle plate holes32.sub.1-32.sub.4. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other dimensions for the CU workstation 80 may be implemented depending on a user laboratory requirement or preference without departing from the invention.

This invention has been disclosed in terms of certain embodiments. It will be apparent that many modifications can be made to the disclosed apparatus without departing from the invention. For example, each of the platform or workstationembodiments is designed for a particular application in the area of blood bank testing and the number of blood specimen holes and corresponding test rows which may be increased or decreased in each embodiment. Therefore, it is the intent of the appendedclaims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

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