LABORATORY SAMPLING MACHINE AND METHODS FOR MAINTAINING CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR SAMPLES
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining chain of custody throughout a processing sequence, the method comprising:
- (a) placing a first article into a first station, the first article including an identification member;
(b) translating a verification head from a verification-home position to a position proximate to the first article;
(c) reading the identification member of the first article;
(d) returning the verification head from a position proximate to the first article to the verification-home position;
(e) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a first operation position proximate to the first article;
(f) performing a first operation on the first article using the operation head;
(g) translating the operation head from the first operation position proximate to the first article to the operation-home position;
(h) translating the verification head and the operation head to a second station having a second article, the second article including an identification member;
(i) translating the verification head from the verification-home position to a position proximate to the second article;
(j) reading the identification member of the second article;
(k) translating the verification head from a position proximate to the second article to the verification-home position;
(l) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a second operation position proximate to the second article;
(m) performing a second operation on the second article using the operation head;
(n) translating the operation head from the second operation position proximate to the second article to the operation-home position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine and methods for maintaining chain of custody during a sampling procedure is provided, the machine including a sample handling robot having an operation head and a verification head. The verification head can be one of a barcode reader, OCR scanner, of RFID tag reader. The verification head of the machine is adapted to read a sample container prior to sampling an aliquot of liquid, and transferring the aliquot to a testing vial. Each sample container and corresponding testing vial is read prior to performing an operation, such that a chain of custody is properly recorded. The machine can further comprise a secondary robot for improved operation.
3 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining chain of custody throughout a processing sequence, the method comprising:
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(a) placing a first article into a first station, the first article including an identification member; (b) translating a verification head from a verification-home position to a position proximate to the first article; (c) reading the identification member of the first article; (d) returning the verification head from a position proximate to the first article to the verification-home position; (e) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a first operation position proximate to the first article; (f) performing a first operation on the first article using the operation head; (g) translating the operation head from the first operation position proximate to the first article to the operation-home position; (h) translating the verification head and the operation head to a second station having a second article, the second article including an identification member; (i) translating the verification head from the verification-home position to a position proximate to the second article; (j) reading the identification member of the second article; (k) translating the verification head from a position proximate to the second article to the verification-home position; (l) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a second operation position proximate to the second article; (m) performing a second operation on the second article using the operation head; (n) translating the operation head from the second operation position proximate to the second article to the operation-home position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus, comprising:
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a sample handling robot having an operation head and a verification head, and an operation platform 3, the verification head including one of;
a barcode reader, an optical character recognition scanner, or a radiofrequency identification tag reader,wherein the operation head is adapted to perform a mechanical function, and wherein the verification head is adapted to read and process information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification