Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag

• US 7,091,864 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Veitch, Jeffrey Douglas, Biddlecombe, Robert Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/297,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20040100415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,931 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/540, 340/505, 340/539.1, 340/10.1, 340/5.2, 340/10.51, 340/572.8, 235/375, 235/487, 235/492, 422/102, 422/104, 700/245, 700/266
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00283 Reactor vessels with top opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00315 Microtiter plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00344 Caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00547 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00567 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 70/00 Tags or labels specially adapted for combinatorial chemistry or libraries, e.g. fluorescent tags or bar codes
• 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 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag

Abstract

There is provided a sample container comprising a retainer for retaining a sample; and a radiofrequency identifier comprising an antenna for transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy; an integrated circuit chip connecting with said antenna; and a carrier for the radiofrequency identifier; wherein the radiofrequency identifier is on the carrier and the carrier connects to the retainer.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a sample container comprising:

a) a sample container comprising;

a retainer for retaining a sample; and

a radiofrequency identifier comprising;

an antenna for transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy;

an integrated circuit chip connecting with said antenna; and

a carrier for said radiofrequency identifier;

wherein the radiofrequency identifier is on said carrier and the carrier connects to said retainer;

b) a carrier for supporting the sample container; and

c) a reader for reading data from the radiofrequency identifier by transmitting radiofrequency energy thereto and receiving radiofrequency energy therefrom,

wherein the reader is capable of reading from and/or writing to one or more radiofrequency identifiers simultaneously at low temperature within the range of 4°

Celsius to −

200°

Celsius.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature is in the range of −

15°

Celsius to −

25°

Celsius.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is in the range of −

75°

Celsius to −

85°

Celsius.

4. A system for identifying a sample container comprising:

a) a sample container comprising;

a retainer for retaining a sample; and

a radiofrequency identifier comprising;

an antenna for transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy;

an integrated circuit chip connecting with said antenna; and

a carrier for said radiofrequency identifier;

wherein the radiofrequency identifier is on said carrier and the carrier connects to said retainer;

b) a carrier for supporting the sample container;

c) a reader for reading data from the radiofrequency identifier by transmitting radiofrequency energy thereto and receiving radiofrequency energy therefrom; and

d) a writer for writing data to the radiofrequency identifier by transmitting radiofrequency energy thereto, wherein said writer forms part of the reader, and

wherein the reader is connectable to a sample preparation device and said data are producible from said device.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of weighing scales, solid dispensing system and liquid dispensing system.

6. A system for identifying a sample container comprising:

a) a sample container comprising;

a retainer for retaining a sample; and

a radiofrequency identifier comprising;

an antenna for transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy;

an integrated circuit chip connecting with said antenna; and

a carrier for said radiofrequency identifier;

wherein the radiofrequency identifier is on said carrier and the carrier connects to said retainer;

b) a carrier for supporting the sample container;

c) a reader for reading data from the radiofrequency identifier by transmitting radiofrequency energy thereto and receiving radiofrequency energy therefrom, and

d) an electronic data management system comprising;

a memory for storage of data;

a microprocessor for performing operations on said data; and

a signal output for outputting a signal relating to the data or the outcome of an operation on the data,

wherein said data from the reader is transmitted to said electronic data management system, and

wherein the electronic data management system forms part of a robotics system.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said robotics system employs an antenna to locate the position of said sample container.