Specimen container label for automated clinical laboratory processing systems

• US 9,604,217 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2015
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Palmer, Ashley, Ross, Robert S., Holmes, Paul, Golabek, Robert S. Jr., Felix, Shenika E., Dubrowny, Nancy, Conley, Kristine, Bush, Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): JUNGE, KRISTINA N S
• Application Number:
  US14/608,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20150135813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 422/549
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5294 involving using additional data, e.g. patient information, image labeling, acquisition parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/168 Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/54 Labware with identification means identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers G01N35/00732
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00861 printing and sticking of identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer

Abstract

A label and labeling system for identifying the volume of a specimen within a specimen collection container are disclosed. The system includes providing a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein. The specimen collection container also includes a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with a colored background. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body have printing disposed thereon having a color that is substantially identical to the colored background against which the specimen collection container will be viewed. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body may have colorless indicia having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction.

Claims

1. A specimen collection container for automated viewing against a colored background, comprising:

an open top end;

a closed bottom end; and

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein, wherein a material that forms the sidewall includes colorless indicia integrated with the material and having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction from at least a portion of the sidewall, wherein the colorless indicia comprises at least one fill line;

a label disposed on a portion of the sidewall, wherein the label comprises at least one fill line aligned with the at least one fill line of the colorless indicia.

2. A method for viewing a specimen within a specimen collection container, comprising:

providing the specimen collection container against a colored background, the specimen collection container comprising;

an open top end;

a closed bottom end;

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving the specimen therein; and

a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with the colored background, wherein a material that forms the sidewall of the specimen collection container comprises colorless indicia integrated with the material and having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction from at least another portion of the sidewall; and

automated viewing the amount of specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container, wherein at least a portion of the label is aligned with the sidewall including colorless indicia, wherein the colorless indicia comprises at least one fill line and the label comprises at least one fill line aligned with the colorless indicia, wherein the at least one fill line of the label has a color that is substantially identical to the entire colored background, wherein the colored background is external to the specimen collection container, and wherein the automated viewing is performed from a side facing the at least one fill line of the label.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining whether there is sufficient specimen within the specimen collection container to perform an intended testing procedure.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein viewing the amount of specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container is performed by an automated viewing device.

5. A system for automated viewing of a specimen collection container against a colored background, comprising:

the colored background;

a specimen collection container comprising;

an open top end;

a closed bottom end; and

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein, wherein a material that forms the sidewall includes colorless indicia integrated with the material and having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction from at least a portion of the sidewall; and

a label disposed on a portion of the sidewall, at least a portion of the label aligned with the sidewall including colorless indicia, wherein the colorless indicia comprises at least one fill line and the label comprises at least one fill line aligned with the colorless indicia, wherein the at least one fill line of the label has a color that is substantially identical to the entire colored background, wherein the colored background is external to the specimen collection container, and wherein the automated viewing is performed from a side facing the at least one fill line of the label.