Fast and reliable sample logistics between two hospital sites
In modern healthcare environments, every second counts. Laboratories depend on a fast, continuous and reliable logistics flow to support diagnostics and patient care.In Marseille,
SNEF and Telecom delivered a technically advanced pneumatic tube installation connecting Timone Hospital and Conception Hospital to a single central laboratory. Located 800 metres apart, the two hospitals required a solution capable of transporting all critical samples safely and reliably to the laboratory within five minutes.
The Challenge
The project required a pneumatic tube system capable of continuously handling high volumes of sample transport between two separate hospital sites in a dense urban environment.
To bridge the 800-metre distance, part of the tube network was installed through a metro tunnel beneath the city. This unique situation placed exceptionally high demands on the reliability, capacity and availability of the entire system.
To meet these requirements, the installation was designed with:
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Four unidirectional carrier transport networks based on the TrainRide principle;
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A dedicated purge line for clearing the pneumatic tube lines;
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Fully automated carrier receiving and sample unloading in the central laboratory.
The combination of long-distance transport, high throughput capacity and advanced automation made this a technically demanding project in which continuity and operational reliability were essential.
Expertise in long-distance pneumatic tube systems
Thanks to SNEF's technical expertise, a high-performance logistics infrastructure was successfully delivered with a strong focus on reliability, ease of maintenance and long-term performance.
Telecom Tube Systems was selected for its proven expertise in long-distance pneumatic tube systems and its ability to transport large volumes of carriers reliably under demanding operational conditions.
For this project, Telecom supplied the complete pneumatic tube solution, including all pneumatic equipment, intelligent system components and the technical foundation for a stable and efficient transport network.
Within the central laboratory, six fully automated
Triton stations handle carrier unloading. As a result, samples are processed quickly, safely and efficiently without manual intervention, supporting a streamlined laboratory workflow.
Reliable healthcare logistics, every day
Today, the system processes approximately 3,000 carriers every day between both hospital sites and the central laboratory.
By combining long-distance transport, intelligent routing and advanced automation, the installation provides a fast and reliable logistics connection across the full 800-metre route.
During implementation, delivery delays posed a risk to the planned commissioning. Thanks to the close collaboration between SNEF & Telecom, these challenges were resolved in time, ensuring the successful completion and continuity of the project.
A future-proof healthcare logistics solution
This installation demonstrates how advanced pneumatic tube systems help hospitals optimise internal logistics. By combining long-distance transport, intelligent automation and a robust system design, the solution provides a scalable infrastructure that accelerates laboratory workflows, strengthens operational continuity and supports future-ready healthcare logistics.
