Specimen Slide Barcode Encoding for Tissue Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current specimen slides for mounting multiple tissue samples face limitations in space for manual handwritten information, lack of machine readability, and susceptibility to smearing or erasure, hindering automation and traceability of tissue samples.
Innovation Solution
A specimen slide with distinct machine-readable barcodes, including a one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcode, is used to encode information about control and patient tissue specimens, allowing for automation and robust traceability by distinguishing between the barcodes based on configuration and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If handwritten information is used on specimen slides, then space for information can be provided, but machine readability and resistance to smearing or erasure are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of handwritten information with an automated optical/electronic barcode system. Barcodes are machine-readable markings that can be scanned and decoded automatically, eliminating the need for manual handwriting while providing robust, smear-resistant information storage on the slide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses barcodes as machine-readable copies of tissue sample information. Instead of relying on unique handwritten notes, the system creates standardized barcode representations of sample data that can be reliably read and processed by automated systems, ensuring consistent and accurate information retrieval.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple tissue samples are mounted on the same slide, then space efficiency is improved, but the ability to distinguish and trace each sample individually deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the information encoding for multiple samples into separate, distinct barcodes. Each tissue sample position on the slide has its own dedicated barcode that encodes specific information about that sample, allowing automated systems to individually identify and trace each sample even when multiple samples are mounted on the same slide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different barcode configurations (types, orientations, positions) to different locations on the slide corresponding to different sample positions. This local differentiation ensures that each sample can be individually identified and traced while maintaining efficient use of slide space through multiple samples per slide.
3Ease of operation
If manual handwritten information is used, then simplicity is maintained, but automation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple manual handwriting process with an automated barcode printing and reading system. While the initial setup requires printing barcodes instead of handwriting, this enables downstream automated processing including automatic slide identification, sample tracking, and data retrieval, significantly increasing the extent of automation in the overall workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The barcode system enables self-service automated processing where the slide itself carries machine-readable information that can be automatically scanned and processed by downstream equipment without requiring manual data entry or interpretation, thus enabling automation while maintaining ease of operation through standardized procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A specimen slide for holding tissue specimens, and a method of loading tissue specimens on the specimen slide are described. The specimen slide can be printed with control and patient information corresponding to respective control and patient tissue specimens mounted on the specimen slide. The control and patient information can be printed at different times. The control information may be printed before loading the control tissue specimen on the specimen slide, and the patient information can be printed after loading the control tissue specimen on the specimen slide. The control and patient information may be encoded in a first barcode and a second barcode, respectively. The barcodes can have different configurations, such as different barcode types or different orientations. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.