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Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tagRelated Patent Categories: Registers, Coded Record SensorsSample container with radiofrequency identifier tag description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070075141, Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a radiofrequency identifier (RFID) tag which is attached to a sample container as an identification aid. In particular the invention relates to the application of RFID tags to identify sample containers used in pharmaceutical clinical trials. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] There is a continued need within research and development organisations, particularly in the chemical and biological fields, to be able to identify individual samples undergoing preparation or analysis. In the pharmaceutical industry, these samples generally take the form of clinical, biological or chemical samples. The growing trend towards automation of sample preparation and assay within the pharmaceutical industry to satisfy new drug discovery, evaluation and clinical trial programmes, greatly increase the needs to identify unique samples accurately and rapidly. [0003] Clinical trial studies, such as metabolism and toxicity studies, are used to aid development of potential drug candidates. These studies must comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and other regulatory requirements to satisfy national authorities where registration of the new drug is sought. In many cases, additional compliance requirements, such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), must also be satisfied. [0004] The processing, storing and handling of sample data, particularly of clinical trials samples, requires careful control to ensure data quality and security. It is now common practice within the pharmaceutical industry to attach textual and/or bar coded labels to clinical trial samples to identify them via a unique bar coded identifier. Whilst the use of bar codes has greatly improved the speed and accuracy of sample identification compared to sample identification based solely on visual text recognition, such processes are still time consuming and prone to errors. Considerable time is required to scan, and often re-scan, individual bar coded samples into databases, prior to any sample preparation or assay. The `line of sight` requirement for a bar code reader, together with the need for scanning a flat surface, also imposes restrictions on the speed and accuracy of reading. These restrictions on readability often lead to samples being manually entered into databases, thereby introducing more errors and time delays into the process. [0005] The Applicants have now devised a method for identifying and recording samples which address the aforementioned problems associated with conventional, bar coded techniques. The method involves the attachment of a RFID tag to a sample container, the RFID tag having a memory structure which allows for large amounts of information to be stored thereon. The memory structure can be arranged such that parts of the memory are read-only, other parts are read/write and further parts are encrypted and password protectable. Transfer of information to or from the memory is readily achievable by the use of a reader that is typically remote from the sample container. The use of such readers thus eliminates the `line of sight` requirement described above for barcodes and minimises the need for any manual handling. In further aspects, the reader can be arranged to simultaneously read and write to the memory of multiple RFID tags on multiple sample containers. The invention may be used alone or in combination with existing identification systems, such as barcode and textual identifiers. [0006] A principal advantage of the present invention is the ability to store many types of information in different parts of the memory structure of the RFID tag. The information could, for example, include clinical trial compliance information written to the memory at various time points in the trial process, thereby providing a detailed and readily accessible sample history of the clinical trial sample. The information could also include a unique serial number stored in encrypted form or in a password protectable part of the memory that uniquely identifies the sample container. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,136 describes an interactive prescription compliance and life safety system which provides remote and on site verification of procedures related to the health status of a patient, including the taking of medicines. One element of this system is the use of a RFID tag attached to a vial containing a drug prescribed by a medical practitioner. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,657 describes an automatic prescription dispensing and packaging system whereby empty prescription bottles are labelled and loaded in assigned locations in a carrier. The carriers are identified by use of a RFID tag and associated reader. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sample container comprising a retainer for retaining a sample; and a radiofrequency identifier comprising an antenna for transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy; an integrated circuit chip connecting with the antenna; and a carrier for the radiofrequency identifier; wherein the radiofrequency identifier is on the carrier and the carrier connects to the retainer. [0010] The radiofrequency identifier can be any known radiofrequency identifier. Such identifiers are sometimes known as radiofrequency transponders or radiofrequency identification tags. Suitable radiofrequency identifiers include those sold by Phillips Semiconductors of the Netherlands under the trade marks Hitag, and Icode those sold by Amtech Systems Corporation of the United States of America under the trade mark Intellitag, and those sold by Texas Instruments of the United States of America under the trade mark Tagit. [0011] In one aspect, the retainer is selected from the group consisting of tube, vial, well and microscope slide. [0012] In another aspect, the retainer is sealable with a cap. The cap may, for example, be a screw lid cap or a snap-fit cap. [0013] In a further aspect, the retainer comprises material selected from the group consisting of glass, organic polymer and metal. [0014] In one aspect, the antenna is capable of transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 50 KHz to 2.5 GHz. The ultra high frequency (UHF) spectrum falls within this range. Preferably the antenna is adapted to transmit or receive radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 125 KHz. More preferably, the antenna is adapted to transmit or receive radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Most preferably, the antenna is adapted to transmit or receive radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 2.4 GHz. [0015] In another aspect, the radiofrequency identifier is adhesively mountable on the sample container. The carrier may, for example, be mounted on the sample container by use of an appropriate adhesive. The adhesive should be resistant to the temperature and pressure extremes (such as freezing, boiling, autoclaving) which the sample containers may be exposed to. Similarly, the RFID tag must be capable of functioning following exposure to high/low temperatures and pressures; typically the tags will operate following sterilisation in an oven (220.degree. Celsius) or an autoclave (135.degree. Celsius at 3 bar with direct exposure to saturated steam) and/or freezing at -200.degree. Celsius during cold storage and/or sample preparation in liquid nitrogen. Preferably, the carrier is a rigid disc. More preferably, the carrier is a flexible label. Most preferably the carrier is a ring. Optionally, the carrier is mouldable to the retainer or the cap. [0016] In a further aspect, the carrier bears a barcode thereon. The use of a barcode offers an additional means of identification. The RFID tags herein described may be used in combination and/or integrated with other traditional product labelling methods including visual text, machine-readable text and dot codes. [0017] In yet another aspect, the carrier encases the radiofrequency identifier. Preferably, the carrier forms a hermetic seal for the radiofrequency identifier. More preferably, the carrier comprises an insulating material. Most preferably, the insulating material comprises a glass material. [0018] In one aspect, the integrated circuit chip has a read only memory area. [0019] In another aspect, the integrated circuit chip has a write only memory area. [0020] In a further aspect, the integrated circuit chip has a read/write memory area. [0021] Preferably, the integrated circuit chip has a one-time programmable memory area. More preferably, the one-time programmable memory area has a unique serial number. Most preferably, the integrated circuit chip has a pre-set, non-read or writeable memory area. Continue reading about Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag... Full patent description for Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Radio frequency identification tag Next Patent Application: System for encoding and/or deconding data Industry Class: Registers ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.16123 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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