System for tracking biological samples
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- obtaining a biological sample and obtaining a unique identifier which is unique across both space and time, and associating the unique identifier with the biological sample;
carrying out at least one test on the biological sample; and
storing results of said at least one test, along with the unique identifier, and along with information indicative of a time when the test was carried out and a place where the test was carried out.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus are described for the handling of biological specimens for analysis. The systems, methods and apparatus are designed to reduce errors in misidentification, incorrect processing, and recordkeeping and reporting. The systems, methods, and apparatus can also provide real time tracking of samples at any stage, from collection to processing to analyzing to storage.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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obtaining a biological sample and obtaining a unique identifier which is unique across both space and time, and associating the unique identifier with the biological sample;
carrying out at least one test on the biological sample; and
storing results of said at least one test, along with the unique identifier, and along with information indicative of a time when the test was carried out and a place where the test was carried out. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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2. A method of testing a sample, comprising:
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obtaining a sample of a biological material;
associating the sample with a unique identifier, which represents the biological sample, and which is unique relative to all other identifiers for all other samples;
using an automatic reader associated with a sample processing equipment, to electronically read information indicative of the unique identifier; and
using the sample processing equipment to carry out an operation on the biological sample, and associating the result of said operation with said unique identifier read by said automatic reader, said sample processing equipment producing an image representative of said operation, and associating said image with said unique identifier read by said automatic reader. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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3. (canceled)
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11. A method of testing a sample, comprising:
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obtaining a sample of biological material;
associating said sample with a unique identifier; and
carrying out a plurality of tests on the biological material, where each of the plurality of tests is carried out by electronically reading the unique identifier, carrying out a test, and maintaining a record of a result of said test associated with said unique identifier, wherein said carrying out a plurality of tests comprises maintaining a running list of each test that was carried out for each unique identifier including at least a time when said test was carried out.
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12. A method of testing a sample, comprising:
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obtaining a sample of a biological material;
associating the sample with a unique identifier that uniquely identifies said biological material sample, and no other biological material samples;
carrying out at least one test at a first location by using a machine to read said unique identifier, carrying out the test, and associating a first result of the test with said unique identifier;
carrying out at least one second test at a second location by using another machine to read said unique identifier, carrying out the second test, and associating a second result of the second test with said unique identifier; and
storing information about said first and second tests in a centralized database. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification