Devices and systems for barcoding individual wells and vessels
View Patent ↗The invention generally relates to devices and systems for individually barcoding sample vessels. In certain embodiments, the devices comprise an attachment member and an extension member, where the extension member can accommodate an identifier, such as a barcode. When loaded into a substrate, the barcoded vials are scanned by a barcode reader.
1. A device for identifying a vessel, the device comprising:
a body having an attachment member and an extension member, wherein the attachment member is configured to contact a portion of a vessel and the extension member is configured to display an identifying mark comprising a barcode adjacent to an opening in the vessel.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is a collar that fits on a shaft of the vessel.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the collar is held to the vessel by frictional forces.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a recess and the recess is configured to receive a portion of the vessel.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a portion of the vessel and prevents the vessel from rotating.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is removable from the vessel.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the extension member comprises a top portion and a bottom portion.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the top portion of the extension member is configured to receive an identifying mark.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the bottom portion of the extension member is configured to receive an identifying mark.
10. The device of claim 7 , wherein the bottom portion of the extension member comprises a protrusion.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion is configured to fit with a well in a well plate.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the extension member is configured to couple with a recess in a substrate.
13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a test tube or vial.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode.
15. A vessel comprising:
a generally cylindrical body with a closed bottom so as to form a receptacle for receiving a sample; and
a protrusion extending from the body of the vessel, wherein the protrusion is configured to accommodate an identifying mark comprising a barcode.
16. The vessel of claim 15 , wherein the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode.
17. The vessel of claim 15 , wherein the identifying mark is an alpha or numerical character.
18. The vessel of claim 15 , wherein the vessel comprises a top portion and a bottom portion.
19. The vessel of claim 18 , further comprising a cap attached to the top portion of the vessel by a hinge.
20. A system for holding a plurality of identified vessels, the system comprising:
a substrate comprising at least one recess and at least one opening configured to receive a vessel; and
a device for identifying a vessel, the device comprising: a body having an attachment member and an extension member, wherein the attachment member is configured to contact a portion of a vessel and the extension member is configured to display an identifying mark comprising a barcode adjacent to an opening in the vessel.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the attachment member is a collar that fits on a shaft of the vessel.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the collar is held to the vessel by frictional forces.
23. The system of claim 20 , wherein the attachment member comprises a recess and the recess is configured to receive a portion of the vessel.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a portion of the vessel and prevent the vessel from rotating.
25. The system of claim 20 , wherein the extension member comprises a top portion and a bottom portion.
26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the top portion of the extension member is configured to receive an identifying mark.
27. The system of claim 25 , wherein the bottom portion of the extension member is configured to receive an identifying mark.
28. The system of claim 20 , wherein the vessel is a test tube or vial.
29. The system of claim 20 , wherein the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode.
30. The system of claim 20 , wherein the identifying mark is an alpha or numerical character.
31. The system of claim 20 , wherein the extension member orients the identifying mark to be scanned by a barcode scanner.
32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the barcode scanner scans the plurality of identified vessels simultaneously.
33. A system for assembling a plurality of vessels, the system comprising:
a first device comprising a body having an attachment member and an extension member, wherein the attachment member is configured to contact a portion of a vessel and the extension member comprises a feature; and
a second device comprising a body having an attachment member and an extension member, wherein the attachment member is configured to contact a portion of a vessel and the extension member comprises a complimentary feature, wherein the feature and the complimentary feature join the first and second devices;
wherein the extension members of the first and second devices are configured to display an identifying mark comprising a barcode adjacent to an opening in the vessel.
34. The system of claim 33 , wherein the feature is a first slot and the complimentary feature is a second slot, wherein the second slot slides into the first slot to join the devices.
35. The system of claim 33 , wherein the feature is cantilever and the complimentary feature is a depression where the cantilever is snapped into the depression, thereby joining the devices.
36. The system of claim 33 , where in the feature is male feature and the complimentary feature is a female feature, wherein the female feature is received into the male feature to join the two devices together.
37. The system of claim 33 , wherein the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode.
38. The system of claim 33 , wherein the identifying mark is an alpha or numerical character.
39. The system of claim 33 , wherein the extension member orients the identifying mark to be scanned by a barcode scanner.
40. The system of claim 39 , wherein the barcode scanner scans a plurality of identifying marks simultaneously.
41. The system of claim 33 , further comprising a plurality of first devices and second devices joined together to form an array.
42. The system of claim 41 wherein the array is configured into the dimensions of a standardized well plate.
43. The system of claim 33 , where the identifying mark is colored.