Methods and systems for using RFID in biological field

• US 9,019,079 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2014
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• 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, Mack, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US14/163,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20140167924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.6, 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 435/7.1, 436/47, 436/149, 436/155
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• 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 biological device comprising:

a housing;

an RFID reader coupled to the housing, wherein the RFID reader is capable of interrogating an RFID tag;

at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening is capable of receiving at least one carrier including an RFID tag; and

a processor capable of processing information from the RFID reader, wherein the processor is capable of determining if the RFID tag indicates the carrier is only for a single use.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a display capable of displaying information.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the information is an identifier.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the display is a human readable interface.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the display is an LCD screen.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes an internet connection.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is capable of controlling the device based on the information from the RFID reader.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes reagent manipulators capable of manipulating reagents.

9. A biological device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory encoded with instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions include instructions for;

interrogating an RFID tag coupled to a consumable for control information, and

controlling the biological device based on the control information,

wherein controlling the biological device includes restricting the use of the consumable with the biological device.

10. The biological device of claim 9, wherein the control information includes authentication information.

11. The biological device of claim 9, further comprising:

an RFID reader configured to interrogate the RFID tag.

12. The biological device of claim 9, wherein restricting the use of the biological device includes restricting the number of times the consumable is used.

13. The biological device of claim 12, wherein restricting the use of the biological device is restricting consumable use to a single use.

14. The biological device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to communicate over a network with a database.

15. The biological device of claim 14, wherein the database includes information to validate the control information.

16. The biological device of claim 9, wherein controlling the biological device based on control information includes comparing the control information to a look-up table.

17. The biological device of claim 9, further comprising:

a display.

18. The biological device of claim 17, wherein the display is configured to display information from the control information to a user.