Radio frequency identification (RFID) test information control and tracking system

• US 20050009122A1
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexeter Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Alexeter Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Whelan, James P., Hanbury, C. Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/7.320
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• 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: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system for analytical testing comprises a test cartridge for use in conducting an analytical test including a test medium and an RFID device. An encoding device is provided adapted to preprogram the RFID with information relating to the test. An analytical detection device including a RFID transceiver adapted to transfer data to and from the RFID device is coupled to test detection instrumentation adapted to analyze the test medium in response to the information relating to the test.

Claims

1. A test device for use in conducting an analytical test comprising:

a) a housing for carrying a test medium; and

b) an RFID device associated with the housing, the RFID device configured for transmitting and receiving data for tracking the test device, and including associated memory preprogrammed with data for controlling the conduct of the test.

2. The test device of claim 1 wherein the associated memory is programmed with manufacturing data.

3. The test device of claim 1 wherein the housing is molded plastic which protectively encloses the RFID device.

4. The test device of claim 3 wherein the test medium is a lateral flow test strip which produces colorimetric bands in response to exposure to a target protein.

5. The test device of claim 1 wherein at least some encrypted data is preprogrammed into the associated memory of the RFID device.

6. The test device of claim 1 wherein the data for controlling conduct of the test includes at least one of calibration data, cut-off data, and baseline correction data.

7. The test device of claim 1 wherein the test device is one of a single-use test device, multi-use test device, and multi-test device.

8. The test device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of RFID devices are incorporated into the housing to enable incorporation of multiple tests in the housing and enable writing of results of different tests to a different RFID device.

9. The test device of claim 1 wherein the RFID device includes preprogrammed authorization data.

10. The test device of claim 1 wherein the test device includes test selection data to permit selection of one of a plurality of tests to be performed on the test device.

11. An analytical test system comprising:

a) a test cartridge for use in conducting a analytical test including a test medium and an RFID device preprogrammed with information relating to the test;

b) an analytical detection device including an RFID transceiver adapted to transfer data to and from the RFID device and coupled to test detection instrumentation adapted to analyze the test medium responsive to the information relating to the test.

12. The analytical test system of claim 11 wherein the information related to the test includes at least calibration information.

13. The analytical test system of claim 12 wherein the test detection instrumentation comprises an optical reader to measure optical reflectance.

14. The analytical test system of claim 11 wherein at least some encrypted data is preprogrammed on to the RFID device.

15. The analytical test system of claim 11 wherein the information relating to the test is data for controlling the conduct of the test.

16. The analytical test system of claim 11 wherein the RFID device includes preprogrammed authorization data.

17. A method for conducting an analytical test comprising:

exposing a test medium to a sample to be tested, the test medium having an RFID device associated therewith;

reading data for controlling conduct of test analysis of the test medium from the RFID device;

controlling the conduct of the test based upon the data; and

writing the results of the test onto the RFID device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the data for controlling includes at least one of baseline correction data, calibration data, and cutoff data.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of modifying comprises at least one of:

re-calibrating before testing using calibration data from the RFID device, and determining test results based upon cutoff data from the RFID.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein some encrypted data is preprogrammed into the RFID device.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the RFID device includes preprogrammed authorization data.