Sample Tracking Rack with Barcode Reader and Tamper Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for storing and presenting sample materials in analyzers face challenges in preventing cross-contamination during fluid transfer operations, as they lack effective mechanisms for accurately identifying and tracking sample receptacles, leading to potential misplacement and contamination.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a sample receptacle module with a barcode reader that scans machine-readable labels on sample racks and receptacles, storing this information in a memory device, and includes a tamper-prevention mechanism to ensure data integrity, thereby preventing unauthorized access and maintaining accurate tracking of sample locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barcode scanning and memory storage are implemented to track sample receptacles, then the reliability of sample handling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A barcode reader is introduced as an intermediary device between the sample receptacle and the control system. The barcode reader scans machine-readable labels on sample receptacles and racks, converting physical sample locations into digital data that can be stored and processed, thereby enabling tracking without direct complex sensing of each sample
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly monitoring each sample receptacle with complex sensors, the system creates a copy of sample location information through barcode labels. These labels contain encoded information about sample identity and location, which can be read and stored without physically interacting with the samples themselves, simplifying the overall system
2Reliability
If a tamper-prevention mechanism is added to ensure data integrity, then the reliability of sample tracking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by scanning barcodes and storing sample location data before fluid transfer operations begin. This advance tracking establishes a baseline record of where each sample is located, enabling later verification that no tampering or cross-contamination occurred during the transfer process
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for tracking items, such as receptacles, during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, such as contents thereof and process(es) to be performed thereon, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element. A tamper prevention element provides an indication of whether the rack may have been tampered with after data is written to the memory element.