Sample carrier device incorporating radio frequency identification, and method

• US 7,382,258 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applera Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morris, Richard D., Oldham, Mark F., Mack, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/086,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20050242963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/10.1, 435/7.1, 436/149, 436/47, 436/155
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• 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: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00782 reprogrammmable code
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00801 Holders for sample carriers, e.g. trays, caroussel, racks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00821 nature of coded information
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

An apparatus for associating information with a carrier and/or at least one biological reagent is provided. The apparatus can include a carrier adapted to retain at least one biological reagent and at least one non-silicon Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID). The RFID tag can comprise information in the form of an information pointer that can be resolved by an information pointer resolution device. The information pointer and/or resolution device can be used to access a remote system. The carrier can be configured, for example, as a microfluidic processing device or a multi-well plate. Methods and systems using the apparatus are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for associating information with a carrier, the method comprising:

providing a carrier adapted to retain at least one biological reagent, the carrier being coupled to an RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag is operable to be read by an RFID reader;

receiving, from the RFID tag, an information pointer; and

resolving the information pointer into information associated with the carrier; and

authorizing under terms of a license, use of the carrier.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing in the RFID tag permission control information pertaining to the carrier.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier retains at least one biological reagent, and the method further comprises storing information pertaining to the at least one biological reagent by writing a chronicle using the information pointer, while or after the at least one biological reagent is utilized in a biological assay.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing chain of custody information regarding the carrier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier retains at least one biological reagent, and the method further comprises genealogical information pertaining to the at least one biological reagent.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising validating integrity of the carrier for use in connection with a specific biological assay.

6. A method for associating information with a carrier, the method comprising:

providing a carrier adapted to retain at least one biological reagent, the carrier being coupled to an RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag is operable to be read by an RFID reader;

receiving, from the RFID tag, an information pointer;

resolving the information pointer into information associated with the carrier;

authorizing under terms of a license, use of the carrier;

receiving license identifier information from the information;

authenticating the license identifier information; and

based on the authenticated license identifier information, permitting the performance of at least one licensed activity in connection with the carrier.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing in the RFID tag permission control information pertaining to the carrier.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the carrier retains at least one biological reagent and the method further comprises storing information pertaining to the at least one biological reagent by writing a chronicle using the information pointer, while or after the at least one biological reagent is utilized in a biological assay.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing chain of custody information regarding the carrier.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the carrier retains at least one biological reagent, and the method further comprises genealogical information pertaining to the at least one biological reagent.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising validating integrity of the carrier for use in connection with a specific biological assay.