System for tracking biological samples

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus are described for the handling of biological specimens for analysis. The systems, methods and apparatus are designed to reduce errors in misidentification, incorrect processing, and recordkeeping and reporting. The systems, methods, and apparatus can also provide real time tracking of samples at any stage, from collection to processing to analyzing to storage.

1 . A method of communicating information regarding a patient biological sample to a user for a patient comprising:
 a) obtaining a patient biological sample from a caregiver;   b) identifying at least one diagnostic profile to be performed on the patient biological sample;   c) performing at least one diagnostic profile on the patient biological sample;   d) providing a caregiver with a mechanism for electronically communicating the identity of the biological sample collected from the patient and the identity of the diagnostic profile to be performed on the biological sample to a server, wherein the patient and the diagnostic profile are given a unique identifier; and   e) allowing a second user to obtain the information from the server.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic profile includes a series of tests. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server comprises a central database where the information is stored. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is a universally unique identifier (UUID). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is a global unique identifier (GUID). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an electronic image indicative of the biological sample is created and associated with the unique identifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is generated from one source that dispenses identifiers sequentially. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier provides location of where the unique identifier was assigned. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second user electronically reads the unique identifier with an identifier reader and determines the location where the unique identifier was assigned from the reading. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier provides the time when the unique identifier was assigned. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second user electronically reads the unique identifier with an identifier reader and determines the time when the unique identifier was assigned from the reading. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second user is at a different location than the caregiver. 
     
     
         13 . A computer system comprising:
 a) a database including records comprising the identity of a biological sample collected from at least one subject and the identity of at least one diagnostic analysis to be performed on the biological sample; and   b) a remote user interface capable of receiving the records for use in matching the biological sample with the diagnostic analysis to be performed on the biological sample.   
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the remote user interface is capable of receiving a medical image. 
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the medical image is a compressed version of a source medical image. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the remote user interface is configured to select a region of the displayed medical image as a function of input received from a user. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the remote user interface is configured to communicate with the database via the Internet. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the database is located at a first laboratory and the remote user interface is located in a second laboratory. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the biological sample and the at least one diagnostic analysis is matched using a unique identifier. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the unique identifier is a universally unique identifier (UUID) or a global unique identifier (GUID).