Methods and systems for using RFID in biological field

• US 8,049,623 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2011
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morris, Richard D., Mack, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US13/014,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20110115633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 435/7.1, 436/47, 436/149, 436/155
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• 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 3/527 for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• 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 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents.

Claims

1. A device comprising a consumable comprising at least one reagent for use in an instrument for carrying out a biological assay, and an RFID tag coupled to the consumable, wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory, and instructions stored in the memory for controlling operation of the instrument.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises material safety data sheet information about the consumable, stored in the memory.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising identification information about the reagent, supplemental information about the reagent or a combination thereof, stored in the memory.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is programmed to provide a one time use such that biological reagents cannot be refilled in the consumable.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a digital signature associated with the consumable, stored in the memory.

6. The device of claim 1, also comprising parameters stored in the memory for controlling operation of the instrument.

7. A device comprising a container for supporting a reagent, a reagent supported by the container, and an RFID tag coupled to the container, wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory, and instructions stored in the memory for controlling operation of a biological instrument designed to operate on the reagent.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the memory further comprises identification information about the reagent, material safety data sheet information about the reagent, or a combination thereof stored in the memory.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising information to check for any product recalls associated with the reagent, stored in the memory.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the reagent comprises a biological reagent.

11. A device comprising a consumable for use in an instrument for carrying out a biological assay, and an RFID tag coupled to the consumable, wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory, and parameters stored in the memory for controlling operation of the instrument.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the memory comprises material safety data sheet information about the consumable, stored in the memory.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the consumable comprises a reagent.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising identification information about the reagent, stored in the memory.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the RFID tag is programmed to provide a one time use such that reagents cannot be refilled in the consumable.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a digital signature associated with the consumable, stored in the memory.

17. A device comprising a container for supporting a reagent, a reagent supported by the container, and an RFID tag coupled to the container, wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory, and parameters stored in the memory for controlling operation of a biological instrument designed to operate on the reagent.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the memory further comprises identification information about the reagent, material safety data sheet information about the reagent, or a combination thereof stored in the memory.

19. The device of claim 17, further comprising information to check for any product recalls associated with the reagent, stored in the memory.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the reagent comprises a biological reagent.

21. A device comprising a container for supporting a biological assay reagent, a biological assay reagent supported by the container, and an RFID tag coupled to the container wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory, and parameters stored in the memory for controlling operation of a biological instrument designed to operate on the biological assay reagent.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the memory further comprises identification information about the biological assay reagent, material safety data sheet information about the biological assay reagent, or a combination thereof stored in the memory.