Methods and systems for using RFID in biological field

• US 10,369,573 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2016
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morris, Richard D., Mack, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US15/375,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20170087555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 340 106
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00782 reprogrammmable code
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents.

Claims

1. A system configured for tracking a consumable comprising:

an enclosure configured to internally contain a carrier, the carrier comprising an RFID tag and a structure for supporting the consumable, wherein the carrier is at least one of a microarray cartridge, a microfluidics cartridge, a reaction plate, and a carrier comprising polypropylene to be compatible with thermal cyclers; and

an RFID reader coupled to the enclosure, the reader configured to at least one of transmit an RFID signal to and receive an RFID signal from the RFID tag, the RFID signal comprising at least one of identification information, traveler information, and rights information.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a human readable interface configured to display information regarding the consumable.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a processor configured to generate display information in response to the reader receiving RFID signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a refrigerator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is a microarray cartridge.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is a microfluidics cartridge.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is a reaction plate.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the carrier comprises polypropylene to be compatible with thermal cyclers.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network connection that is configured to allow the system to communicate over public and private networks.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to cross-reference the identification information with a lookup table.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to cross-reference the identification information each time the reader receives the RFID signal.

12. A computer-based method for tracking a consumable comprising:

receiving an RFID signal from an RFID tag using an RFID reader, the RFID tag being coupled to a carrier comprising a structure for supporting the consumable, wherein the carrier is at least one of a microarray cartridge, a microfluidics cartridge, a reaction plate, and a carrier comprising polypropylene to be compatible with thermal cyclers;

generating a display signal, using a processor coupled to the RFID reader, in response to the RFID signal;

sending the display signal to a human readable interface; and

displaying, using the interface, information regarding the consumable based on the display signal, the information regarding the consumable comprising at least one of identification information, traveler information, and rights information;

wherein the processor is coupled to the interface and an enclosure configured to internally contain the carrier.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending the information regarding the consumable through a network to a computer system operated by a producer of the consumable.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising authenticating a license associated with the consumable using the information regarding the consumable.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the authenticating of the license is configured to restrict the consumable to a one-time use.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the authenticating of the license is configured to occur each time the reader receives the RFID signal.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the carrier is a reaction plate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the carrier comprises polypropylene to be compatible with thermal cyclers.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the carrier is a microarray cartridge.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the enclosure is a refrigerator.