Redundant identification for sample tracking on a diagnostic device

Abstract

A sample-containing device configured to be placed into a sample processing instrument for performing a process on a sample contained in the device includes redundant identification features, such as machine-readable tags. A first machine-readable information tag is read before the device is placed in the instrument, and a second machine-readable information tag is read after the device is in the instrument. Information read from the two tags is compared to determine if there is proper correspondence between the information read from the tags to ensure that the correct sample processing device was placed in the instrument.

1 . A sample processing cartridge comprising:
 a substrate configured to be inserted into a sample processing instrument;   a sample compartment supported on said substrate and configured to contain a fluid sample material;   one or more process compartments supported on said substrate and configured to contain a process material, wherein said sample compartment is connected or connectable to at least one process compartment;   a first machine-readable information tag mounted on or embedded in said substrate and encoded with cartridge-identifying information and configured to be read by a device that is external to a sample processing instrument; and   a second machine-readable information tag mounted on or embedded in said substrate and encoded with cartridge-identifying information corresponding to the cartridge-identifying information encoded in said first machine-readable information tag and configured to be read by a device within a sample processing instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said first machine-readable information tag comprises an optically-readable tag. 
     
     
         3 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said first machine-readable information tag comprises a bar code. 
     
     
         4 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said first machine readable information tag comprises a 1-D or a 2-D bar code. 
     
     
         5 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said second machine-readable information tag comprises an electronically-readable tag. 
     
     
         6 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said second machine-readable information tag comprises a wirelessly-readable tag. 
     
     
         7 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said second machine-readable information tag comprises an RFID tag or an EEPROM tag. 
     
     
         8 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge-identifying information encoded in said second machine-readable information tag comprises information that is identical to the cartridge-identifying information encoded in said first machine-readable information tag. 
     
     
         9 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein cartridge-identifying information comprises an identification code comprised of a unique combination of numeric and/or alphabetic characters. 
     
     
         10 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a machine-readable sample identification tag encoded with sample-identifying information and configured to be read by a device that is external to a sample processing instrument. 
     
     
         11 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the sample compartment comprises a well mounted on or formed within the substrate and further comprising:
 a cap configured to be engaged with the well to selectively open or close the well.   
     
     
         12 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the process compartments is connected directly or indirectly to at least one other process compartment by fluid passageways formed in the substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the process compartments comprise deformable pouches configured to be collapsed upon application of an externally applied force to expel the contents of the compartment out of the compartment. 
     
     
         14 . A sample processing cartridge comprising:
 a substrate configured to be inserted into a sample processing instrument;   a sample compartment supported on said substrate and configured to contain a fluid sample material;   one or more process compartments supported on said substrate and configured to contain a process material, wherein said sample compartment is connected or connectable to at least one process compartment, wherein the process compartments comprise deformable pouches configured to be collapsed upon application of an externally applied force to expel the contents of the compartment out of the compartment, and wherein one or more of the process compartments is connected directly or indirectly to at least one other process compartment by fluid passageways formed in the substrate;   a first machine-readable information tag mounted on or embedded in said substrate and encoded with cartridge-identifying information and configured to be read by a device that is external to a sample processing instrument; and   a second machine-readable information tag mounted on or embedded in said substrate and encoded with cartridge-identifying information corresponding to the cartridge-identifying information encoded in said first machine-readable information tag and configured to be read by a device within a sample processing instrument.   
     
     
         15 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein said first machine-readable information tag comprises an optically-readable tag. 
     
     
         16 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein said first machine-readable information tag comprises a bar code. 
     
     
         17 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein said second machine-readable information tag comprises an electronically-readable tag. 
     
     
         18 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein said second machine-readable information tag comprises an RFID tag or an EEPROM tag. 
     
     
         19 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein the cartridge-identifying information encoded in said second machine-readable information tag comprises information that is identical to the cartridge-identifying information encoded in said first machine-readable information tag. 
     
     
         20 . The sample processing cartridge of  claim 14 , further comprising a machine-readable sample identification tag encoded with sample-identifying information and configured to be read by a device that is external to a sample processing instrument.