Method and apparatus for identifying and tracking biological fluid
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8567663-B2
Publication Date
2013-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method of tracking biological fluid during a donation process. The system and method identify and release blood products from quarantined storage and print an appropriate blood bag label on demand.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an end-to-end biological fluid identification and tracking system that automates quarantine release and on-demand blood bag labeling using a refrigerated, network-connected tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a controller and a plurality of bins, each bin having a display configured to indicate whether testing of the container is complete. The system also includes communication components that allow laboratory test data to be handled in a coordinated workflow with the tray assembly.
A container includes a memory chip that stores donor identification and a unique memory chip identification, and the system uses a direct-contact module to read information stored on the memory chip. The server/software workflow receives laboratory test data, parses the results, verifies donor/memory-chip/laboratory results identifiers and matching relationships, and writes laboratory-related information to the memory chip. After the data are handled, the system signals the controller and the bin displays to reflect a testing-complete status for the associated container.
A printer module reads label data directly from the memory chip via an interface on the container release path and prints an ISTB-128 compatible label for the container. The documented architecture supports tracking of label printing via a label print count stored on the chip and can include handling for error file conditions when laboratory results do not match associated containers. The workflow further supports optional database updates and additional labeling with test results, while maintaining container-level traceability from donor identification through label printing.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims include three distinct inventions: a system with a refrigerated network-connected tray assembly and direct memory-chip reading for label printing; a method workflow for tracking biological fluid from donor collection through quarantine signaling, reading memory-chip data, and printing labels; and a system architecture using ports and displays where a server transmits signals including laboratory test data-related information to memory chips and displays for label printing.
Refrigerated network-connected tray assembly with bin displays indicating testing completion
A tray assembly positioned within a refrigerated compartment, including a controller and a plurality of bins configured to support a container and a display associated with each bin, each display configured to indicate whether testing of the container within the associated bin is complete.
Direct memory-chip interface for reading container-stored information
A module having an interface configured for direct contact with a memory chip on the container, the module configured to read information stored on the memory chip.
Label printing based on memory-chip stored information
A printer coupled to the module and configured to print a label including at least a portion of the information stored on the memory chip.
Method of tracking biological fluid through quarantine signaling and label printing
Collecting biological fluid from a donor and storing the biological fluid in a container; writing a donor identification to a memory chip secured to the container and associating the donor identification to a unique memory chip identification; positioning the container in a tray assembly located in a quarantine location; connecting the memory chip to a controller associated with the tray assembly, the controller in communication with a network; transmitting a signal to the controller when a testing process of the biological fluid is complete; displaying an indication related to the signal; connecting the memory chip to an interface to read data on the memory chip; and printing a label for the container including at least a portion of the read data.
Quarantine tray interface with ports and cradle directly connecting to memory chip
A tray assembly including a controller in communication with a network, a plurality of bins each configured to receive a container of biological fluid, a plurality of ports in communication with the controller each associated with a bin, a plurality of displays each in communication with an associated port, and a cradle configured to connect to the port and to a memory chip on the container.
Server transmitting laboratory test data-related signals to memory chip and display
A server in communication with the controller and a network, configured to receive via the network laboratory test data associated with the container, and transmit a signal via the port to the memory chip and the display associated with the container, the signal including data related to the laboratory test data.
Label printing using laboratory test data-related information
A printer configured to print a label for the container, the label including information related to the laboratory test data.
Across the independent claims, the invention centers on a refrigerated, network-connected tray assembly that indicates testing completion, a direct connection to a container memory chip for reading or receiving laboratory test data-related information, and a printer that produces container labels based on that memory-chip information.
Stated Advantages
Automates quarantine release and on-demand blood bag labeling using a memory chip and compatible label printing.
Provides container-level traceability from donor identification and memory chip identification through laboratory test data handling and printed labels.
Indicates whether testing of the container is complete via bin-level displays connected to the controller.
Prints ISTB-128 compatible labels for the container based on information stored on the memory chip or related to laboratory test data.
Documented Applications
Biological fluid (blood) donor sample handling in a quarantine location with automated release signaling and on-demand labeling.
Laboratory test data integration for containers, including transmitting received laboratory test data to a memory chip and displaying an indication related to laboratory test data.
Container label printing using information stored on the memory chip and related to laboratory test data, including tracking label printing via a label print count stored on the chip.
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