Identification and tracking of information stored on radio frequency identification devices

An apparatus for tracking a patient specimen, comprising:

• a plurality of information devices including:
• a first information device associated with a patient and having stored thereon patient information;
• a second information device associated with an order for a patient's specimen collection and having stored thereon specimen collection information;
• a third information device associated with at least one specimen collection vessel;
• at least one interrogation device capable of communication with the plurality of information devices, the at least one interrogation device reading the patient information from the first information device and the specimen collection information from the second information device, writing the patient information and the specimen collection information to the third information device associated with an at least one specimen collection vessel, and transmitting the patient information and the specimen collection information from the third information device stored on the at least one specimen collection vessel to a fourth information device associated with at least one specimen analysis device, so that each at least one specimen analysis device is associated with the patient and the order for the patient's specimen collection.

A method for tracking custody of evidence, comprising:

• writing identification information to a first information device associated with an evidence collection vessel;
• interrogating the first information device associated with the evidence collection vessel to obtain the identification information when the evidence collection vessel moves from a first location to at least one other location;
• confirming custody of the evidence collection vessel;
• and
• writing the identification information to a second information device associated with a piece of evidence stored in the evidence collection vessel.

An apparatus for tracking custody of evidence, comprising:

• a first information device associated with an evidence collection vessel;
• a first interrogation device for receiving identification information from a center and transmitting the identification information to the first information device;
• an additional interrogation device capable of reading the identification information on the first information device when the evidence collection vessel is moved from a first location to at least one other location, the additional interrogation device positioned at the least one other location and certifying custody of the evidence collection vessel;
• an additional information device associated with a piece of evidence in the evidence collection vessel;
• and
• a master controller unit controlling transmission of the identification information to the additional information device when the piece of evidence is removed from the evidence collection vessel to maintain custody of the piece of evidence.

A method of obtaining calibration information for analysis of chemical compositions, comprising:

• sensing an information device associated with a first reagent in a plurality of reagents when the first reagent is placed within an instrument for analysis;
• interrogating the first information device;
• reading calibration information related to response characteristics of the first reagent and stored on the first information device;
• and
• transmitting the calibration information to an instrument to substantially increase accuracy in determining a response of the first reagent in a chemical reaction.

A calibration apparatus, comprising:

• a sensor for sensing the presence of an information device associated with a first reagent in a plurality of reagents when the first reagent is placed within an instrument for analysis;
• an interrogation device for interrogating the first information device to read calibration information related to response characteristics of the first reagent stored on the first information device and for transmitting the calibration information to the instrument to substantially increase accuracy in determining a response of the first reagent in a chemical reaction;
• and
• a master controller unit for storing and tracking the calibration information associated with each reagent in the plurality of reagents.