IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,855,556
Granted Patent B2
US 9,855,556 · App. 15/296,300 · Granted Jan 2, 2018

Handling of sample tubes comprising geometric tube data

Inventor: Frederic Furrer (Horw, CH)
Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
B01L3/50825G01N1/28G01N35/00732B01L2300/02B01L2300/021B01L2300/023B01L2300/042B01L2300/0832G01N2035/00821G01N2035/00851
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,855,556
App. No.
15/296,300
Granted
Jan 2, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.

Claims (26)

1. A tube label attached to a sample tube containing a biological sample, the tube label comprising:

tube data, the tube data comprising at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one internal geometric property of the sample tube, wherein the at least the geometric tube data from the tube label is read by a reader device and transmitted to a sample tube processing device that is controlled based on the transmitted geometric data; and

a pattern that changes upon application of a g-force over a minimum period of time and/or exceeding minimum g-force strength.

2. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the sample tube comprises a tube cap.

3. The tube label according to claim 2 , wherein the tube data comprises geometric properties of the tube cap.

4. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the sample tube comprises a screw tube cap.

5. The tube label according to claim 4 , wherein the tube data comprises screw tube cap data indicative of a number of turns required to take the screw tube cap off the sample tube.

6. The tube label according to claim 1 , further comprises,

a tube type identifier.

7. The tube label according to claim 1 , further comprises,

a sender for sending tube data via an antenna attached to the sample tube.

8. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the tube label is imprinted on the sample tube during tube manufacturing.

9. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the tube label is attached to the sample tube after tube manufacturing with an adherent.

10. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the geometric tube data determines how much the sample tube weighs.

11. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the geometric tube data determines how the sample tube is handled by the processing device.

12. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the geometric tube data is stored on the tube label in numerical value form.

13. The tube label according to claim 1 , wherein the geometric tube data is provided incrementally.

14. A tube label attached to a sample tube containing a biological sample, the tube label comprising:

a human readable section;

an optically readable pattern section;

a g-force sensitive pattern that changes upon application of a g-force over a minimum period of time and/or exceeding minimum g-force strength; and

tube data, the tube data comprising at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one internal geometric property of the sample tube, wherein the at least the geometric tube data from the tube label is read by a reader device and transmitted to a sample tube processing device that is controlled based on the transmitted geometric data.

15. The tube label according to claim 14 , wherein the optically readable pattern section is 5mm×5mm.

16. The tube label according to claim 14 , wherein the g-force sensitive pattern is destroyed as the result of applying the g-force.

17. The tube label according to claim 14 , wherein the g-force sensitive pattern becomes visible as the result, of applying the g-force.

18. The tube label according to claim 14 , wherein the g-force sensitive pattern is read by the reader device along with the tube data.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2017
From: FURRER, FREDERIC
To: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS INTERNATIONAL AG
Reel/Frame 040903/0916 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2017
From: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS INTERNATIONAL AG
To: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040903/0949 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 11183365 · Sep 29, 2011 · regional
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14829790 · Aug 19, 2015
Continuation 14159898 · Jan 21, 2014
Continuation 13596199 · Aug 28, 2012
Related Publication 20170036206A1 · Feb 9, 2017