Tamper evident point of containment, inventory and accountability system and method

• US 9,858,457 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Department of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Bowden, Robert Allen, Hossenlopp, Michelle Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US15/149,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20160328586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 340 51
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/42 Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/007 Devices specially adapted for forensic samples, e.g. tamper-proofing, sample tracking
• 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 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

The system in at least one embodiment provides a tamper evident specimen sample lock that in a further embodiment includes an embedded storage medium. They system and method in at least one embodiment allows for efficiently and securely creating, maintaining, identifying, tracking, and controlling inventories (either prospective or retrospective) of biological and chemical sample containers and their contents, while eliminating potential loss and degradation associated with handling the samples. The system in at least one embodiment provides a sample container tray or cryogenic box having one or more integrated RFID readers within an associated smart lid that sense RFIDs associated with the individual samples thereby eliminating the need to remove, visually inspect, and/or handle the samples.

Claims

1. A tamper evident sample locking device, comprising:

an elongated locking strip having two ends that are foldable to mate with each other, wherein said elongated locking strip is made of a resilient material that provides a physical indication of tampering and includes;

an opening capable of receiving and securely engaging the exterior surface of a specimen sample container;

locking mechanisms disposed on said elongated locking strip, wherein said locking mechanisms fittingly engage with and lock to each other when said ends of said elongated locking strip are folded to mate with each other;

wherein the specimen sample container is securely locked within said elongated locking strip such that removal of the specimen sample container provides a physical indication of tampering on said elongated locking strip.

2. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 1, further comprising an embedded data storage device attached to said elongated locking strip.

3. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 2, wherein

said elongated locking strip further includes at least one depression, and

said embedded data storage device is disposed within at least one depression.

4. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 2, wherein

said elongated locking strip further includes at least one depression, said embedded data storage device is disposed within one or more of said at least one depression, and

said embedded data storage device is securely sealed between said ends of said elongated locking strip when said locking mechanisms are engaged.

5. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 2, wherein said embedded data storage device is an RFID device.

6. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 2, wherein said embedded data storage device provides an electronic indication of tampering upon the removal of said sample container from said elongated locking strip.

7. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 1, wherein said elongated locking strip further includes at least one fault line, wherein said at least one fault line allows the elongated fastening strip to fold more easily.

8. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanisms include openings and raised projections, wherein each of said projections engage with and lock to at least one of openings.

9. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 1, wherein said opening is proximate the middle of said elongated locking strip.

10. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 1, further comprising an embedded data storage mechanism in said elongated locking strip.

11. A tamper evident sample locking device comprising:

an elongated locking strip having two ends that are foldable to mate with each other, wherein said elongated locking strip is made of a resilient material that provides a physical indication of tampering and includes;

means for receiving and securely engaging an exterior surface of a specimen sample container, wherein said means is proximate the middle of said elongated locking strip;

locking mechanisms substantially proximate both ends of said elongated locking strip, wherein said locking mechanisms fittingly engage with and lock to each other when said ends of said elongated locking strip are folded to mate with each other, and wherein said locking mechanisms include openings and raised projections, wherein each of said projections engage with and lock to at least one of openings;

an RFID device connected to said elongated locking strip, wherein said elongated locking strip further includes at least one depression and said RIFD device is disposed within one or more of said at least one depression; and

at least one fault line, wherein said at least one fault line allows the elongated fastening strip to fold.

12. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 11, wherein the specimen sample container is securely locked within said elongated locking strip such that removal of the specimen sample container provides a physical indication of tampering on said elongated locking strip.

13. The tamper evident sample locking device according to claim 11, wherein said RFID provides an electronic indication of tampering upon the removal of said sample container from said elongated locking strip.