Automatic sample and standard preparation based on recognition of sample identity and sample type

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a sample preparation and analysis system based on detected unique sample identities and locations is described. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, storing on a sample analysis information system a sample type and a sample type protocol for execution by a sample preparation system via a sample data manager; storing on the sample analysis information system an association between a unique identifier positioned on a sample container and the sample type with a sample logging manager; identifying the unique identifier at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system; accessing from the sample analysis information system the sample type protocol based on the sample type associated with the unique identifier; and queuing a sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on a sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for managing data associated with sample analysis comprising:
 storing on a sample analysis information system a sample type and a sample type protocol for execution by a sample preparation system via a sample data manager;   storing on the sample analysis information system an association between a unique identifier positioned on a sample container and the sample type with a sample logging manager;   identifying the unique identifier at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system;   accessing from the sample analysis information system the sample type protocol based on the sample type associated with the unique identifier; and   queuing a sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on a sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the unique identifier at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system includes:
 scanning a unique location of each sample container; and   storing on the sample analysis information system an association between the unique location and the unique identifier positioned on the sample container where the sample container is located.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein queuing a sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on a sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager includes:
 queuing the sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on the sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager and based on the unique location associated by the identifier capture device with the unique identifier positioned on the sample container.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein queuing a sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on a sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager includes:
 preparing sample types having sample orders with a higher priority via the sample preparation system before sample types having sample orders with a lower priority.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein queuing a sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on a sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager includes:
 queuing the sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol according to a non-serial distribution of unique locations of sample containers at the sample preparation system.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein identifying the unique identifier at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system includes:
 scanning each unique location in a serial manner to identify any unique identifiers present at each unique location.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample type protocol includes data associated with at least one of a dilution factor specific to the sample type, a calibration type specific to the sample type, a number of calibration points specific to the sample type, and a dilution factor associated with a calibration point specific to the sample type. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transferring a sample from the sample preparation system to a sample analysis system communicatively connected with the sample analysis information system; and   determining a concentration of one or more analytes of interest in the sample via the sample analysis system.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sample type protocol includes an analysis protocol accessible by the sample analysis system, wherein the analysis protocol includes at least one of a list of analytes to be analyzed by the sample analysis system, calibration levels for each standard calibration for each analyte to be analyzed by the sample analysis system, and dilution factors for each standard calibration for each analyte to be analyzed by the sample analysis system. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing on the sample analysis information system data associated with the sample container based on the unique identifier.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the data associated with the sample container includes at least one of a current status of the sample container, a location of the sample container, a sample type currently held in the sample container, a concentration of analyte currently held in the sample container, a history of samples types held in the sample container, and a history of concentration of analytes held in the sample container. 
     
     
         12 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate control signals for controlling a sample preparation system, by executing the steps comprising:
 storing on a sample analysis information system a sample type and a sample type protocol for execution by a sample preparation system via a sample data manager;   storing on the sample analysis information system an association between a unique identifier positioned on a sample container and the sample type with a sample logging manager;   identifying the unique identifier at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system;   accessing from the sample analysis information system the sample type protocol based on the sample type associated with the unique identifier; and   queuing a sampling procedure to execute the sample type protocol based on a sample order assigned to the sample type via the sample data manager.   
     
     
         13 . A method for managing data associated with sample analysis comprising:
 storing on a sample analysis information system a sample type and a sample type protocol for execution by a sample preparation system via a sample data manager;   identifying a unique identifier positioned on a sample container at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system;   storing on the sample analysis information system an association between the unique identifier and the sample type with a sample logging manager;   accessing from the sample analysis information system the sample type protocol based on the sample type associated with the unique identifier; and   executing the sample type protocol via the sample preparation system.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sample preparation system includes a mass balance configured to measure a weight of sample held within the sample container. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sample type protocol includes a minimum weight of sample and a maximum weight of sample. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 displaying a current weight of sample held on the mass balance on the display in a first format when the current weight is below the minimum weight of sample or above the maximum weight of sample; and   displaying the current weight of sample held on the mass balance on the display in a second format when the current weight is at the minimum weight of sample, between the minimum weight of sample and the maximum weight of sample, or at the maximum weight of sample, responsive to execution of the sample type protocol.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mass balance includes a scanner configured to identify the unique identifier positioned on the sample container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more of:
 transferring, via a sample probe, sample from the sample container to one or more additional sample containers responsive to execution of the sample type protocol; and   introducing, via the sample probe, one or more additional fluids to the sample container responsive to execution of the sample type protocol.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 transferring, via a sample probe, sample from the sample container to one or more additional sample containers responsive to execution of the sample type protocol; and   introducing, via the sample probe, one or more additional fluids to the one or more additional sample containers responsive to execution of the sample type protocol.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein identifying the unique identifier at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system includes:
 scanning a unique location of each sample container; and   storing on the sample analysis information system an association between the unique location and the unique identifier positioned on the sample container where the sample container is located.   
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate control signals for controlling a sample preparation system, by executing the steps comprising:
 storing on a sample analysis information system a sample type and a sample type protocol for execution by a sample preparation system via a sample data manager;   identifying a unique identifier positioned on a sample container at the sample preparation system with an identifier capture device of the sample preparation system;   storing on the sample analysis information system an association between the unique identifier and the sample type with a sample logging manager;   accessing from the sample analysis information system the sample type protocol based on the sample type associated with the unique identifier; and   executing the sample type protocol via the sample preparation system.