RFID Specimen Container Alignment to Reduce Cryogenic Cross-Talk
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Solution Overview
Problem
The close spacing of specimen containers and holders during cryopreservation leads to cross-talk and interference in wireless transponder interrogation signals, making it difficult to accurately identify and manage biological specimens, particularly in cryogenic storage environments.
Innovation Solution
A system with a body having an aperture and an interrogation antenna positioned to communicatively couple with wireless transponders, utilizing alignment features to position the transponders at defined locations relative to the antenna, reducing interference and enhancing signal communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If specimen containers are closely spaced during cryopreservation to maximize storage capacity, then storage efficiency is improved, but signal interference and cross-talk between wireless transponders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the interrogation process by sequentially activating and interrogating individual wireless transponders within the group rather than attempting to read all transponders simultaneously. This time-division approach allows closely spaced containers to be read without signal interference, maintaining both high storage capacity and reliable identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by cycling through each specimen container and its associated transponder in sequence. Each transponder is activated and interrogated for a brief period, then deactivated before moving to the next container. This periodic interrogation pattern eliminates cross-talk while maintaining efficient storage density.
2Productivity
If multiple wireless transponders are interrogated simultaneously in closely spaced containers, then identification speed is improved, but signal cross-talk and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the interrogation process by first performing a rapid simultaneous scan to detect all active transponders, then dynamically switching to sequential interrogation mode for reliable data reading. This dynamic approach optimizes both speed and reliability by combining the benefits of parallel detection with serial reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary simultaneous detection phase to identify all active transponders in the group before proceeding to sequential interrogation. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly locate all specimens and then systematically read their data without interference, maintaining both high productivity and signal accuracy.
3Reliability
If sequential interrogation of closely spaced transponders is performed, then signal interference is reduced, but total interrogation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary simultaneous detection phase to quickly identify all active transponders and their locations before proceeding to sequential data interrogation. This preliminary action reduces total interrogation time by eliminating the need to sequentially scan for active transponders, while maintaining signal clarity during the actual data reading phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs efficient periodic interrogation with optimized cycle times, where each transponder is activated and read in rapid succession. The periodic cycle is tuned to minimize total interrogation time while ensuring complete and accurate data collection from all closely spaced transponders, balancing reliability with time efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces signal interference and enhances the accuracy of wireless transponder interrogation, allowing for efficient identification and management of closely spaced specimen containers and holders in cryogenic storage.
Implementation Method 1
an interrogation antenna positioned to communicatively couple with wireless transponders
Data Source
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Figure 5A
AI summary
An interrogation device and/or system includes a body and an antenna, the body has an aperture or elongated receiver with an opening and an internal perimeter or inner wall sized and/or shaped to receive a portion of a container therein, either with or without a cap of the container. The container may, for example, be used to store biological specimens a cryogenic temperatures. One or more alignment features of the body align wireless transponders ( e.g., RFID transponders) of tagged specimen containers and/or carriers with the antenna to enhance interrogation. Alignment may be along a longitudinal or Z-axis, and/or alignment in an XY plane, perpendicular to the Z-axis. Shielding may reduce or even eliminate cross-talk with neighboring wireless tagged specimen containers and/or carriers.