Device for associating test tube samples with electronic labels for storage of identifying data

• US 5,777,303 A
• Filed: 04/24/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gay Freres Vente Et Exportation SA
• Original Assignee: Gay Freres Vente Et Exportation SA
• Inventors: Berney, Jean Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL GUNYOUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/633,747
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385, 235/439, 235/441, 235/451, 235/486, 235/492, 235/487, 422/102, 422/104
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00782 reprogrammmable code
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system which permits securing an electronic label on a test tube with the aid of a detachable support. The support allows also an easy connection between the label and a device for reading/writing the label, allowing a registration of the entirety of useful information of, for example, a blood analysis and a transfer of content of the label to a computer-assisted data base for data-treatment and storage.

Claims

1. Device for registering and for transferring information relating to test tube analyses, comprising

at least one electronic memory label mounted on a metallic case,

a metallic support formed with a metallic hole therein, said label being electrically accessible via said metallic hole, and

means for reading or reading/writing said label, wherein said labels are mounted on supports which secure each label onto a respective test tube during time of analysis and to assure positioning and connection of said labels to said means for reading/writing during the registration and the transfer of said information.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said supports are cylindrical and secure within respective guiding holes of corresponding set-ups coupled to said means for reading/writing.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said set-ups of means for reading/writing further comprise a locking system for said supports.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said supports comprise a spring portion which engages said test tube, thereby securing said supports onto a cylindrical portion of said test tube.

5. Device according to claim 1, said supports place connection means, of said means for reading/writing, between said labels and said means for reading/writing, within axis of said test tubes.

6. Device according to claims 1, wherein connection means of said means for reading/writing, being placed between said labels and said means for reading/writing, are positioned within axis of the test tube with aid of said supports, and form electrical contacts.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein one of the electrical contacts is supported by a body of said supports.

8. Device according the claims 1, wherein connection means of said means for reading/writing, being placed between said labels and said means for reading/writing, are positioned within axis of the test tube with aid of said supports and form a magnetic coupling.

9. Device according to claim 1,

wherein said means for reading/writing comprise a base on which is mounted a plurality of set-ups, each of said set-ups corresponding to a support having a test tube and commutation means allow to establish a contact to a desired label.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said means for reading/writing are connected to a database provided to control commutation means, allowing to establish a contact to a desired label.