Sample Pretreatment System Barcode Tracking for Duplicate Aliquot Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multisystem configurations for sample pretreatment, duplicate aliquot samples are prepared when a sample with the same barcode is input multiple times or into multiple containers, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to unnecessary preparation and excess consumable use.
Innovation Solution
A control method that tracks the first system to receive a sample with a specific barcode and issues a 'do-nothing' request if the same sample is later input to a different system, preventing duplicate aliquot sample preparation and alerting the user to input the sample correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sample pretreatment systems are connected to form a multisystem configuration for treating numerous samples in parallel, then treatment efficiency is improved, but duplicate aliquot samples are prepared when the same sample is input multiple times or in multiple containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample tracking functions across multiple independent sample pretreatment systems by implementing a shared database that stores sample input history. This allows all systems in the multisystem configuration to access and update common sample information, enabling coordinated operation that prevents duplicate aliquot preparation while maintaining parallel processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a host system as an intermediary that mediates between multiple sample pretreatment systems and the shared database. The host system manages sample input records, determines whether samples have been previously processed, and coordinates aliquot preparation requests across systems, thereby preventing duplicates without limiting system autonomy.
2Ease of operation
If a sample in multiple containers bearing the same barcode is input to different sample pretreatment systems, then each system determines the sample is input for the first time, but multiple aliquot samples are prepared for the same analysis item
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each sample pretreatment system queries the shared database before processing a sample to check if it has been previously input. The system receives feedback about the sample's processing history and adjusts its behavior accordingly - either processing the sample normally or skipping aliquot preparation if duplicates are detected, while maintaining flexible sample input operations.
3Loss of time
If processes are performed to delete aliquot sample preparation request information from the host system upon transmission of an aliquot report, then duplicate aliquot preparation is prevented, but the sample in a second container could be input to another system during the time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by recording sample input information in the shared database immediately when a sample is input to any system, before aliquot preparation is completed or reported. This advance recording ensures that when the same sample in another container is subsequently input to a different system, the duplicate is detected and prevented without any time lag, eliminating unnecessary aliquot preparation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A host system recognizes a sample pretreatment system at which a primary sample has first arrived and records the information, if multiple containers containing the primary sample are input. Upon issuing an analysis request to the sample pretreatment system, the host system determines whether the primary sample (sample bearing the same barcode for sample identification) is input to a system different from the system to which the sample was input for the first time and, if that is the case, then determines that "the sample is input to the wrong system" and issues a "do-nothing request" (request to do nothing) so that an aliquoting operation will not be performed. Given the "do-nothing request" from the host system, the sample pretreatment system does not prepare any aliquot sample and places the input sample onto a tray in a predetermined position. This solves the problem in which aliquot samples are prepared in duplicate for an item for which an aliquot sample has already been prepared, whereby a multisystem configuration can be run smoothly.