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 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for processing a patient sample, the method comprising:
 performing the following in a processing instrument:
 (a) receiving a cartridge in the processing instrument, wherein the cartridge comprises a first machine-readable cartridge identification tag, a second machine-readable cartridge identification tag, and a machine-readable sample identification tag; 
 (b) creating an association between sample identification information scanned from the machine-readable sample identification tag prior to the cartridge being received in the processing instrument and cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag prior to the cartridge being received in the processing instrument; 
 (c) scanning the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag; 
 (d) determining whether there is a match between the cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag and cartridge identification information scanned from the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag; and 
 (e) in response to determining that there is not a match, discontinuing processing of the cartridge. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cartridge is ejected from the processing instrument to discontinue the processing of the cartridge. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a visual and/or an audible warning in response to determining that there is not a match. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the machine-readable sample identification tag and the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag are scanned by a first tag reading device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag is scanned by a second tag reading device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a first data processor creates the association. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein a second data processor determines whether there is a match. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 (f) in response to determining that there is a match, continue processing of the cartridge.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 (f) in response to determining that there is a match, associating test results with the sample-identifying information scanned from the machine-readable sample identification tag.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second machine-readable identification tag comprises an electronically-readable tag or chip or an optically-readable tag. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the machine-readable sample identification tag: (i) is an adhesively-backed label that is provided with the patient sample to be applied to the cartridge at a time that the patient sample is loaded in the cartridge; or (ii) is a bar code, an RFID chip, or a EEPROM chip that is pre-applied to the cartridge. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the machine-readable sample identification tag is scanned by a barcode reader, an RFID reader, or a EEPROM reader. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising associating a test result with the cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag, the cartridge identification information scanned from the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag, the sample identification information scanned from the machine-readable sample identification tag, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . A method for processing a patient sample, the method comprising:
 performing the following in a processing instrument:
 (a) receiving a cartridge in the processing instrument, wherein the cartridge comprises a first machine-readable cartridge identification tag, a second machine-readable cartridge identification tag, and a machine-readable sample identification tag; 
 (b) scanning the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag; 
 (c) comparing encoded information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag prior to the cartridge being received in the processing instrument with encoded information scanned from the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag; 
 (d) processing the sample; 
 (e) generating a test result; and 
 (f) creating an association between the test result and sample identification information scanned from the machine-readable sample identification tag prior to the cartridge being received in the processing instrument. 
   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the information encoded in the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag corresponds to the information encoded in the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag is not configured to be read outside the processing instrument. 
     
     
         37 . A method for processing a patient sample, the method comprising:
 performing the following in a processing instrument:
 (a) receiving a cartridge in the processing instrument, wherein the cartridge comprises a first machine-readable cartridge identification tag, a second machine-readable cartridge identification tag, and a machine-readable sample identification tag; 
 (b) scanning the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag; 
 (c) comparing cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag prior to the cartridge being received in the processing instrument with cartridge identification information scanned from the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag; and 
 (d) providing a visual and/or an audible warning in response to a mismatch between the cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag and the cartridge identification information scanned from the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag. 
   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 (e) ejecting the cartridge from the processing instrument to discontinue processing of the cartridge in response to a mismatch between the cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag and the cartridge identification information scanned from the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising creating an association between the sample identification information scanned from the machine-readable sample identification tag and the cartridge identification information scanned from the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first machine-readable cartridge identification tag is scanned by a first tag reading device external to the processing instrument, and wherein the second machine-readable cartridge identification tag is scanned by a second tag reading device internal to the processing instrument.