Sample storage and monitoring system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing and monitoring biological samples in cryogenic tanks face challenges such as poor tracking, difficulty in locating specific samples, and exposure to ambient conditions when racks are removed, due to thick fog and limited information capacity on containers.
Innovation Solution
A system using machine-readable tags with resonant members that encode identification codes and have temperature-dependent characteristics, allowing for precise tracking and thermal history monitoring of samples within temperature-controlled environments, including cryogenic tanks, through an interrogator and database system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If racks are removed from cryogenic tanks for visual identification, then sample identification becomes possible, but samples are exposed to ambient environment and sample integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual identification system with an electromagnetic field-based RFID system. RFID tags with resonant members are attached to sample containers, allowing identification through electromagnetic coupling with an interrogator device, eliminating the need to physically remove racks from cryogenic storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags as an intermediary between the sample containers and the identification system. These tags contain resonant members that can be detected by an external interrogator, serving as a mediator that enables identification without direct visual access or physical removal of samples
2Reliability
If racks remain in cryogenic tanks, then sample integrity is maintained, but visual identification becomes impossible due to thick fog
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical/visual detection methods with electromagnetic field-based RFID detection. The interrogator device uses electromagnetic coupling to communicate with RFID tags through the cryogenic tank walls and fog, making identification possible without visual access
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags act as intermediaries that can be detected through the cryogenic environment. The electromagnetic fields used by RFID technology can penetrate the tank walls and fog, allowing the interrogator to detect tags without visual access to the samples inside
3Loss of information
If hand written labels or barcodes are used on containers, then sample identification is attempted, but reading accuracy deteriorates due to poor writing surfaces and ice impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual labeling systems (writing surfaces and barcodes) with electronic RFID tags. These tags store identification information in electronic form that can be read wirelessly, eliminating problems with writing surface quality, ice formation, and optical scanning limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RFID tags that can store and transmit copies of identification information electronically. The tags contain resonant members that encode data which can be read by the interrogator, providing a reliable electronic copy of sample identification that is not affected by physical degradation
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
Enables improved tracking and monitoring of biological samples, minimizing handling and exposure to ambient conditions, while maintaining sample integrity and quality by utilizing temperature-dependent resonant frequencies for identification and thermal history recording.
Implementation Method 1
each tag includes a plurality of resonant members encoding an identification code, at least one of the resonant members having temperature-dependant characteristic
Implementation Method 2
an interrogator for reading the identification code and the temperature-dependant characteristic
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for storing and monitoring samples in a temperature-controlled storage environment, including one or more containers each housing one of the samples; a machine readable tag associated with each container, wherein each tag includes a plurality of resonant members encoding an identification code, at least one of the resonant members having temperature-dependant characteristic; an interrogator for reading the identification code and the temperature-dependant characteristic; and a controller and associated database for monitoring the thermal history of each container.