Systems and methods for specimen tracking and verification

Abstract

This invention proposes a specimen tracking and verification system applicable to at least one specimen container transported from a sending end to a verification end. The system includes a weight sensing module, an image capturing module, an image recognition module, a control module, and a network communication module disposed at the sending end and the verification end. The control module generates first specimen information and second specimen information at the sending end and the verification end respectively based on the weight of the specimen container and the image of the identified target. The verification end is further provided with a comparison module for comparing whether the first specimen information and the second specimen information are consistent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates primarily to an automated tracking and verification system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for tracking and verifying specimens. Prior Technology

[0002] In the conventional testing process, after receiving the specimen container, medical staff usually transport the specimen container to the testing unit manually so that the testing personnel can test the specimen. The process mainly involves scanning the barcode on the specimen container with a barcode scanner and manually confirming the quantity and the integrity of the packaging.

[0003] However, for hospitals or other medical units with insufficient manpower, it is very difficult to frequently collect and transport specimen containers. Currently, the specimen containers are accumulated at the specimen collection station to a certain number before being transported to the testing unit in large quantities by manpower. However, this approach may lead to mis-taking, misdelivery, or substitution due to the manual handling process, which could cause unpredictable situations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a specimen tracking and verification system applicable to at least one specimen container transported from a sending end to a verification end. The system includes a weight sensing module disposed at both the sending end and the verification end for measuring the weight of the at least one specimen container; an image capturing module disposed above the weight sensing module for capturing a target image of the at least one specimen container; and an image recognition module disposed at both the sending end and the verification end, electrically connected to the image capturing module for recognizing the target image. The system includes a control module for the sending end and the checking end, which is electrically connected to the weight sensing module and the image recognition module. The control module generates first specimen information and second specimen information based on the weight of the at least one specimen container and the image of the identified target. A network communication module is also provided at the sending end and the checking end to transmit the first specimen information from the sending end to the checking end via the network for receiving the first specimen information. The system further includes a comparison module provided at the checking end to compare whether the first specimen information and the second specimen information are consistent.

[0005] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned specimen tracking and verification system further includes a warning module that issues a warning message when the first specimen information is inconsistent with the second specimen information.

[0006] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned specimen tracking and verification system further includes at least one storage module electrically connected to the control module for storing the first specimen information and the second specimen information.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned specimen tracking and verification system further includes at least one display module electrically connected to the control module for displaying the first specimen information and the second specimen information.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned specimen tracking and verification system further includes at least one input module electrically connected to the control module for inputting operation time and / or user identity.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned weight sensing module is an electronic scale.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned at least one specimen container is one of a test tube, a specimen box, a specimen jar, a urine cup, and a specimen bag.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned first specimen information and second specimen information include the weight and appearance image of the at least one specimen container.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the aforementioned image capturing module includes a camera lens for capturing images.

[0013] Therefore, by utilizing the system and method of this application, better sample tracking and verification can be achieved, and the overall practicality and effectiveness of its implementation and use can be increased.

[0014] Regarding other additional features and advantages of this application, those skilled in the art can obtain them by making some modifications and refinements based on the specimen tracking and verification system disclosed in the implementation method of this application, without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0015] [Figure 1] is a system architecture diagram of specimen tracking and verification according to an embodiment of this application.

[0016] [Figure 2] is a schematic perspective view of the image capturing module and weight sensing module in a specimen tracking and verification system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] [Figure 3] is a schematic perspective view of the image capturing module and weight sensing module in a specimen tracking and verification system according to another embodiment of this application.

[0018] [Figure 4] is a schematic perspective view of the image capturing module and weight sensing module in a specimen tracking and verification system according to another embodiment of this application. Implementation

[0019] The following describes the specimen tracking and verification system and method according to embodiments of this application. However, it will be readily apparent that embodiments of this application provide many suitable concepts that can be implemented in a wide range of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are merely illustrative of the use of this application in a particular manner and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0020] First, please refer to Figure 1, which is a system architecture diagram of a specimen tracking and verification system according to an embodiment of this application, applicable to at least one specimen container transported from a sending end to a verification end. The sending end is, for example, an operating room where specimen collection is performed, and the verification end is, for example, an intermediate station (as a relay storage location) or a laboratory. The specimen container can collect specimens that are at least body tissue, slides, skin samples, blood, urine, or sputum. The system includes a weight sensing module 11, an image acquisition module 12, an image recognition module 13, a control module 14, a display module 15, an input module 16, a storage module 17, a network communication module 18, a comparison module 19, and a warning prompt module 20. The control module 14 is electrically connected to the weight sensing module 11, the image capturing module 12, the image recognition module 13, the display module 15, the input module 16, the storage module 17, the network communication module 18, the comparison module 19, and the warning prompt module 20, respectively, to control the execution programs between the modules.

[0021] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic perspective view of the image capturing module and the weight sensing module in a specimen tracking and verification system according to an embodiment of this application. At the transmitting end, the weight sensing module 11 measures the weight of specimen containers 21 and 22 to obtain their original weights. The image capturing module 12 captures a target image (such as a photograph recording the original appearance) of specimen containers 21 and 22. The image capturing module 12 is, for example, positioned above the weight sensing module 11. Specimen containers 21 and 22 are test tubes. The weight sensing module 11 is, for example, an electronic scale. The image capturing module 12 is, for example, a camera lens. Labels 211 and 221 may be affixed to specimen containers 21 and 22 respectively. Labels 211 and 221 may be one of two-dimensional barcodes, Quick Response (QR) codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, or Near Field Communication (NFC) tags. Labels 211 and 221 include information such as specimen number, specimen content description, personnel identification (e.g., specimen collector / packer), location (e.g., operating room / examination room), and time (e.g., specimen collection time).

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2 together. The transmitting end is equipped with a weight sensing module 11, an image capturing module 12, an image recognition module 13, a control module 14, a display module 15, an input module 16, a storage module 17, and a network communication module 18. Based on the target image captured by the image capturing module 12, the image recognition module 13, which is electrically connected to the image capturing module 12, obtains the target image, including appearance information such as the size, shape, and color of the sample container 21 and the sample container 22, through image processing.

[0023] Based on the measured weights and identified target images of specimen containers 21 and 22, the control module 14 generates first specimen information. The first specimen information includes at least the appearance and weight of the specimen containers at the transmitting end. The display module 15 is electrically connected to the control module 14 to display the first specimen information. The input module 16 is electrically connected to the control module 14 to provide an interface for user input, such as user identity and operation time. The storage module 17 is electrically connected to the control module 14 to store information such as the first specimen information. The network communication module 18 is used to send the first specimen information to a verification terminal or a remote server platform (not shown) via a network, allowing multiple users to remotely query or simultaneously track information for multiple specimens in real time.

[0024] It is understood that the components shown in Figure 1 are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. For example, the control module 14 may include various circuit logics for transmitting control signals to the image capturing module 12, receiving image data from the image capturing module 12, controlling the network communication module 18 to obtain a network connection, and reading or storing data from the storage module 17. The storage module 17 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, including: memory (such as flash memory, non-volatile random access memory, NVRAM), or magnetic storage devices (such as hard disks, magnetic disks), or any combination of the above media, for storing image data, etc.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the network communication module 18 can support cellular communication protocols such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), LTE (Long Term Evolution) or LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), or wireless LAN (also known as Wi-Fi) and Bluetooth.

[0026] At the verification end, in addition to the weight sensing module, image acquisition module, image recognition module, control module, display module, input module, storage module, and network communication module, a comparison module 19 and a warning prompt module 20 are also provided. After the specimen containers 21 and 22 are transported from the sending end (e.g., via a specimen transport box) to the verification end, labels (not shown) are affixed to the specimen containers 21 and 22 respectively. The labels include information such as specimen number, specimen content description, personnel identity (e.g., handler / recipient), location (e.g., relay storage location / pathology department), and time (e.g., arrival time / departure time / receipt time). Through the same procedure as at the sending end, second specimen information is generated at the verification end. The second specimen information includes at least the appearance and weight of the specimen containers at the verification end. The comparison module 19 compares the first sample information received from the sending end with the second sample information. When the comparison results of the first sample information and the second sample information are inconsistent, the warning module 20 issues a warning message to indicate that the weight / appearance of sample container 21 and sample container 22 is different from the original weight / appearance, indicating that the quantity / content of sample container 21 and sample container 22 is incorrect. This warning message can be displayed on the display module of the verification end or sent to the remote server platform.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic perspective view of the image acquisition module and weight sensing module in a specimen tracking and verification system according to another embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, specimen containers 31 and 32 are urine cups. Based on the target image captured by the image acquisition module 12, the image recognition module 13 obtains the target image, including appearance information such as the cup length, shape, and color of specimen containers 31 and 32, through image processing.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic perspective view of the image acquisition module and weight sensing module in a specimen tracking and verification system according to another embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, specimen containers 41 and 42 are, for example, specimen bags. Based on the target image captured by the image acquisition module 12, the image recognition module 13 obtains the target image, including appearance information such as the size and color of specimen containers 41 and 42, through image processing.

[0029] Furthermore, this application also provides a method for tracking and verifying a sample. According to an embodiment of this application, the method is applicable to at least one sample container transported from a transmitting end to a verification end. The method includes the following steps: measuring the weight of the at least one sample container using a weight sensing module of the transmitting end; capturing a target image of the at least one sample container using an image capturing module of the transmitting end; identifying the target image using an image recognition module of the transmitting end; and controlling the at least one sample container according to its weight using a control module of the transmitting end. The method generates first sample information based on the weight and the image of the identified target. This first sample information is transmitted to the verification terminal via the network communication module of the transmitting end. The weight of the at least one sample container is measured by the weight sensing module of the verification terminal. An image of the target is captured by the image capturing module of the verification terminal. The image of the target is identified by the image recognition module of the verification terminal. Second sample information is generated based on the weight of the at least one sample container and the identified target image at the verification terminal via the control module of the verification terminal. The comparison module of the verification terminal compares the first and second sample information to determine if they are consistent. The sample tracking and verification method further includes the step of issuing a warning message via the warning prompt module of the verification terminal when the first and second sample information are inconsistent.

[0030] Based on the above embodiments, it is understood that the specimen tracking and verification system described in this application can determine whether the quantity of specimen containers is correct by comparing the consistency of the weight and appearance images of the specimen containers at the sending end and the verification end. Through the system and method for digital transmission tracking and automatic verification of pathological specimens of this invention, users can accurately record and verify the weight and appearance of specimen containers at various locations. This not only effectively reduces labor costs but also significantly reduces the occurrence of situations such as tampering, loss, and misplacement, greatly improving the accuracy and safety of the specimen delivery process.

[0031] While this application discloses various embodiments as described above, these are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of this application. Anyone skilled in the art can make modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, the above embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this application, and the scope of protection of this application shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0032] 11: Weight sensing module 12: Image Capture Module 13: Image Recognition Module 14: Control Module 15: Display Module 16: Input Module 17: Storage Module 18: Network communication module 19: Comparison Module 20: Warning Prompt Module 21: Specimen container 22: Specimen container 211: Tag 221: Tag 31: Specimen container 32: Specimen container 41: Specimen container 42: Specimen container

Claims

1. A system for tracking and verifying a sample, applicable to at least one sample container transported from a sending end to a verification end, the system comprising: a weight sensing module disposed at the sending end and the verification end for measuring the weight of the at least one sample container; an image capturing module disposed above the weight sensing module for capturing a target image of the at least one sample container; and an image recognition module disposed at the sending end and the verification end, the image recognition module being electrically connected to the image capturing module for recognizing the target image. A control module, electrically connected to the weight sensing module and the image recognition module, is installed at the transmitting end and the checking end. This control module generates first sample information and second sample information based on the weight of the at least one sample container and the identified target image. A network communication module, also installed at the transmitting end and the checking end, transmits the first sample information from the transmitting end to the checking end via the network for receiving the first sample information. The system further includes a comparison module installed at the verification end to compare whether the information of the first specimen and the information of the second specimen are consistent. The information of the first specimen and the information of the second specimen include the weight and appearance image of the at least one specimen container. The specimen collected by the at least one specimen container is at least one of body tissue, slide and skin sample. A label is affixed to the at least one specimen container. The label includes specimen number, specimen content description, location information and time information.

2. The system of request item 1 further includes a warning module that issues a warning message when the information of the first specimen is inconsistent with the information of the second specimen.

3. As in request item 1, where, It also includes at least one storage module electrically connected to the control module for storing the first sample information and the second sample information.

4. The system of claim 1 further includes at least one display module electrically connected to the control module for displaying the first specimen information and the second specimen information.

5. The system of claim 1 further includes at least one input module electrically connected to the control module for inputting operation time and / or user identity.

6. As in request item 1, where, The weight sensing module is an electronic scale.

7. As in request item 1, where, The at least one specimen container is one of a test tube, specimen box, specimen jar, urine cup, and specimen bag.

8. The system as described in request item 1, wherein, The image capturing module includes a camera lens for capturing images.

9. A method for tracking and verifying a sample, applicable to at least one sample container transported from a transmitting end to a verification end, the method comprising: measuring the weight of the at least one sample container using a weight sensing module of the transmitting end; capturing a target image of the at least one sample container using an image capturing module of the transmitting end; identifying the target image using an image recognition module of the transmitting end; generating first sample information using a control module of the transmitting end based on the weight of the at least one sample container at the transmitting end and the identified target image; transmitting the first sample information to the verification end using a network communication module of the transmitting end; measuring the weight of the at least one sample container using a weight sensing module of the verification end; and capturing a target image of the at least one sample container using an image capturing module of the verification end. The image recognition module of the verification terminal identifies the image of the target. The control module of the verification terminal generates second sample information based on the weight of at least one sample container and the identified target image. The comparison module of the verification terminal compares the first sample information with the second sample information to determine if they match. The first and second specimen information includes the weight and appearance image of the at least one specimen container, wherein the specimen collected by the at least one specimen container is at least one of body tissue, slide and skin sample, and wherein a label is affixed to the at least one specimen container, the label including specimen number, specimen content description, location information and time information.

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