RFID Specimen Transport Puck for Automated Laboratory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current specimen processing in laboratories is labor-intensive and inefficient, with manual sorting, racking, transporting, and tracking of specimens being costly and resource-heavy, especially in large facilities with multiple instruments and tests, due to the limitations of existing specimen transport pucks that lack RFID technology, are large in size, and expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
An RFID Specimen Transport Puck designed for use on conveyor systems, equipped with a read/write RFID chip, flexible plastic or aluminum holders for various tube sizes, and a compact design that forms into racks, allowing for barcode reading, efficient sorting, and tracking, reducing manual labor and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual sorting and hand wanding of specimens is used, then flexibility in handling various specimen types is maintained, but labor intensity and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated conveyor belts that transport specimens between instruments and processing stations without manual intervention. Specimens are automatically sorted, transferred, and tracked through the workflow, eliminating the need for manual sorting and hand-carrying while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable routing.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated mechanical conveyor system. The conveyor belt apparatus mechanically transports specimens between stations, replacing manual carrying. Barcode readers and RFID scanners automatically detect and track specimens, replacing manual scanning operations.
2Ease of operation
If specimens are hand carried to testing instruments, then direct control over specimen delivery is maintained, but time consumption and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system establishes continuous automated transport of specimens between processing stations and testing instruments. Once specimens are placed on the conveyor, they move continuously through the system without interruption, eliminating the start-stop nature of manual transport and reducing overall processing time while maintaining tracking and control through automated systems.
3Reliability
If fixed racks with blank positions are used for specimen storage, then specimen tracking capability is maintained, but space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack system transitions from fixed, static rack positions to dynamic, adjustable rack positions that can be reconfigured based on specimen volume and testing requirements. Racks can be added, removed, or repositioned along the conveyor system, allowing optimal space utilization while maintaining tracking capability through RFID tags and barcode labels on each rack position.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate racks are used to transport specimens to different departments, then specimen routing flexibility is maintained, but rack utilization efficiency and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal conveyor belt system serves multiple functions: transporting specimens to different departments, routing specimens to various testing instruments, providing intermediate storage, and enabling batch processing. The conveyor can be programmed to route specimens dynamically based on destination requirements, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated racks for different departments while maintaining routing flexibility.
5Measurement precision
If manual wanding of specimens at each testing location is performed, then accurate tracking information is obtained, but labor resources and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Specimen tracking information is captured preliminarily at the point of specimen placement on the conveyor, before the specimen reaches testing instruments. RFID tags and barcode readers on the conveyor system automatically record and transmit tracking data, eliminating the need for manual wanding at each subsequent testing location while maintaining accurate tracking throughout the specimen lifecycle.
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 RFID Specimen Transport Puck streamlines specimen processing by automating sorting, racking, and tracking, reducing manual labor, optimizing rack utilization, and lowering production costs, enabling high-volume, high-density sorting and tracking across multiple laboratory areas.
Implementation Method 1
The puck has an RFID chip located at the bottom of the puck. The RFID chip is read/write and has the ability to write information such as the specimen identification, test code, department, temperature
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is for the process method of an RFID Specimen Transport puck that can be used in the process of performing overall efficient receiving of specimen identifying information, racking, transporting and tracking of specimens throughout the entire lab. This puck design process can be used on a conveyor system, contains an RFID chip, can be used to wand specimens for tracking, can be used to rack specimens, can be used to transport specimens to laboratory areas and instruments, can be used to track specimen, is made of plastics, is small, has the ability to hold various tubes sizes, that has few pieces to assemble, that is low in cost, can be held in a rack carrying tray. By having all these process features in the one puck design, this ‘puck’ can be used in high volume and can be used though out the entire laboratory.