Guided retrieval for RFID-tracked biological and other samples
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Publication Number
US-9764325-B2
Publication Date
2017-09-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A storage system for storing samples, such as frozen biological samples in RFID-tagged vials. The storage system has a plurality of lowest-level containers, such as sample boxes; a plurality of mid-level containers, such as shelves and racks; and a highest-level container, such as a mechanical freezer. Each lowest-level container receives a plurality of samples in a corresponding plurality of storage locations, each mid-level container receives two or more lowest-level containers, and the highest-level container receives the two or more mid-level containers. Each mid-level container and each lowest-level container has a corresponding indicator device. A controller sub-system tracks the locations of samples stored in the storage system. When a desired sample is to be retrieved from the storage system, the controller sub-system activates (a) the indicator device corresponding to the mid-level container containing the desired sample and (b) the indicator device corresponding to the lowest-level container containing the desired sample.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an RFID-guided biological sample retrieval system that uses a hierarchical container layout for storing biological samples. The system includes a plurality of lowest-level containers for receiving biological samples in corresponding storage locations, two or more mid-level containers for receiving the lowest-level containers, and a highest-level container configured to receive the mid-level containers, where the highest-level container is a storage device. Indicator devices are provided at the mid-level and lowest-level so the system can guide retrieval.
A controller sub-system tracks the storage locations of biological samples and activates the mid-level indicator device corresponding to the mid-level container containing the desired biological sample and the lowest-level indicator device corresponding to the lowest-level container containing the desired biological sample. Each biological sample is contained in a unique RFID-tagged vial, and the controller sub-system detects when a biological sample is removed from its corresponding lowest-level container based on the unique RFID. The system is further configured to activate one or more of the indicator devices in a special manner to indicate when an incorrect biological sample has been retrieved.
The disclosed concepts include RFID and compatibility components for cold storage contexts, including RFID-tagged vials and wireless power/data transfer to RFID tags within cold storage devices. The described content includes example arrangements for indicator illumination patterns at the freezer/freezer-like repository level, and an alternative guided retrieval context for tissue block repositories. Additional hardware examples include RFID tag form factors and cold-storage door conduit concepts for coupling readers or electronics to RFID tags located within the storage device.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set provides two independent claims (clm-00001 and clm-00020). Both independent claims share the same core inventive architecture of hierarchical storage, RFID-tagged vials, controller-driven tracking and retrieval guidance, RFID-based removal detection, and special indicator behavior for incorrect retrieval indication. The inventive features below are extracted as the main limitations stated in each independent claim.
Hierarchical storage with mid-level and lowest-level indicator devices
A storage system with a plurality of lowest-level containers, two or more mid-level containers, and a highest-level container configured to receive the mid-level containers as a storage device, where each mid-level container has a corresponding mid-level indicator device and each lowest-level container has a corresponding lowest-level indicator device.
RFID-based tracking, activation for desired sample retrieval, and incorrect retrieval indication
A controller sub-system configured to track the storage locations of biological samples, to activate the mid-level indicator device corresponding to the mid-level container containing a desired biological sample and the lowest-level indicator device corresponding to the lowest-level container containing the desired biological sample, where each biological sample is contained in a unique RFID-tagged vial.
RFID-based detection of sample removal and special indicator activation for incorrect retrieval
The controller sub-system is configured to detect when a biological sample is removed from its corresponding lowest-level container based on the unique RFID for the biological sample, and is configured to activate one or more of the indicator devices in a special manner that indicates when an incorrect biological sample has been retrieved.
Controller sub-system implementing hierarchical RFID-guided retrieval
A controller sub-system for a storage system comprising lowest-level containers, mid-level containers, and a highest-level storage device, with corresponding mid-level and lowest-level indicator devices, where the controller sub-system tracks storage locations, activates the mid-level and lowest-level indicator devices for a desired biological sample, each stored biological sample is contained in a unique RFID-tagged vial, the controller detects removal based on the unique RFID, and activates one or more indicator devices in a special manner to indicate incorrect biological sample retrieval.
Across clm-00001 and clm-00020, the claims cover a hierarchical storage system with mid-level and lowest-level indicator devices, a controller that uses unique RFID-tagged vials to track locations and activate the appropriate mid-level and lowest-level indicators for retrieval, RFID-based detection of sample removal, and special indicator activation to indicate when an incorrect biological sample has been retrieved.
Stated Advantages
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