Two-dimensional bar codes in assisted reproductive technologies

1. A method comprising:

processing reproductive cells derived from an identified source;

matching a laser wavelength to a maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength or a local maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength of a photochromic dye dispersed in a straw, wherein the straw is no larger than about 2 mm in diameter and no longer than about 133 mm in length;

laser etching a two-dimensional bar code into the straw with the impedance matched laser, wherein the laser etched two-dimensional bar code encodes between 30 and 229 characters, and wherein marked portions of the laser etched two-dimensional barcode modify the surface depth and color of the exterior surface of the straw; and

storing processed reproductive cells from the identified source in the marked straw, wherein the laser etched two-dimensional bar code identifies the source of the reproductive cells.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the straw comprises more than one straw.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the laser etched two-dimensional bar code is scannable by a portable device with a magnifying lens.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the more than one straw comprises multiple straws and wherein the laser etched two-dimensional bar code on each straw encodes a unique serial number.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein each straw in a lot is associated with specified set of canes for storage.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the set of canes are marked with cane identification numbers encoded on bar codes.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of associating straws with a set of canes further comprises scanning the bar code of each cane and scanning the bar code of each straw placed therein to index each scanned straw with each cane in a database.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of storing the processed reproductive cells in the straw comprises filling marked straws with processed sperm.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

freezing a marked straw;

thawing a frozen marked straw;

scanning the marked straw; and

performing an artificial insemination or an in vitro fertilization with sperm from the thawed straw.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of: tracking the progress of the insemination and recording quality control data and/or fertility data.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of: associating the thawed straw with an intended recipient and verifying the recipient after scanning the marked straw.

12. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

receiving an order for straws of processed animal sperm from the identified source;

querying an inventory of frozen straws for the number of straws available from the identified source;

filling the order; and

scheduling collections from the identified source to refill the inventory.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein collections are routinely scheduled.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein collections are scheduled once inventory drops below a predetermined volume threshold.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein inventory in the form of straws are associated in groups in a canes, wherein said canes are marked with two-dimensional barcodes, and the associated groups of straws are moved in and out of inventory by scanning the canes.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the laser is focused to a beam spot between 25 μm and 80 μm in diameter.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the laser is operated at a power between 0.1 Watts and 3.5 Watts.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the photochromatic dye is impedance matched to the laser utilized in the step of marking.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising marking a goblet or a cane that holds a plurality of straws, wherein the marking on the goblet or cane indicates the source of materials contained within an associated plurality of straws.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising moving the associated plurality of straws into and out of inventory by scanning the laser etched two-dimensional bar code on the goblet or cane.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of marking a straw with a laser etched two-dimensional bar code further comprises:

establishing a plurality of characters, wherein the plurality of characters encode information identifying the contents to be stored in the straw;

generating a two-dimensional bar code encoding the established characters;

defining a representation of the two-dimensional bar code as a plurality of pixel locations;

defining a marking plane on a limited printing surface of the straw;

establishing a laser step size;

establishing a laser power;

producing visible marks on the straw which correspond to the plurality of pixel locations representing the two-dimensional bar code.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the dimensions of the laser etched two-dimensional bar code are about 1.56 mm by 3.51 mm.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the straw remains impermeable to fluids after marking and the laser etched two-dimensional barcode is readable by a portable device having a magnification lens.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reproductive cells comprise sperm and wherein the step of processing further comprises the step of sex sorting sperm.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein reproductive cells comprise sperm and the laser etched two-dimensional bar code on the container comprises one or more of:

an encoded stud, breed, sire identification number

an encoded sire's registered name;

an encoded freeze date, or an encoded lot number, or an encoded batch number, or an encoded freeze code number; or

an encoded international stud code.

26. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of scanning the etching laser over a marking area to produce the laser etched two-dimensional bar code.

27. A straw for containing a biological material comprising:

an axial body defining an axial passage between a pair of body ends, the axial body having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a thickness between the exterior surface and the interior surface, wherein the thickness between the exterior surface and the interior surface is between about 0.1 mm and about 0.3 mm, and wherein the straw which is no larger than about 2 mm in diameter and no longer than about 133 mm in length;

a dispersed photochromic dye having a maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength or a local maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength; and

a laser etched two-dimensional bar code on the exterior surface of the axial body formed by a laser having a wavelength matched to the maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength or a local maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength of the dispersed photochromic dye, wherein the laser etched two-dimensional bar code encodes between 30 and 229 characters, and wherein marked portions of the laser etched two-dimensional barcode modify the surface depth and color of the exterior surface of the straw while the straw remains unwarped and impermeable to fluids.

28. The straw of claim 27 , wherein the height of the laser etched two-dimensional bar code is between about 1.25 mm and 1.75 mm and wherein the length of the laser etched two-dimensional bar code is between about 2.5 mm and 4.5 mm.

29. The straw of claim 27 , wherein the dimensions of the laser etched two-dimensional bar code are about 1.56 mm by about 3.51 mm.

30. The straw of claim 27 , wherein the laser etched two-dimensional bar code on each sealable container comprises a unique serial number.

31. The straw of claim 27 , wherein each sealable container marked with a laser etched two-dimensional bar code is additionally marked with identifying information in alphanumeric print by the laser.

32. The straw of claim 27 , further comprising plugs for sealing the axial passage of the straw and sperm sealed within the axial passage of the straw.

33. The straw of claim 27 , wherein the laser having a wavelength matched to the maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength or a local maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength of the dispersed photochromic dye comprises a scanning laser.