Tracking Biological and Other Samples Using RFID Tags
AssigneeBioTillion, LLC
InventorsHananel Davidowitz, Thomas Coradetti, Theodore Altman, Roni Or
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A box mapper has (i) a frame configured to receive a sample box of RFID-tagged sample vials and (ii) a set of antennae configured to read the vial RFID tags of the sample vials to determine the identity and position of each sample vial in the sample box. In one embodiment, the set of antennae include two mutually orthogonal subsets of biphase digit antennae.
Claims46
Apparatus having a box mapper, the box mapper comprising:
- a frame configured to receive a sample box of RFID-tagged sample vials;
- and
- a set of antennae configured to read the vial RFID tags of the sample vials to determine identity and position of each sample vial in the sample box.
Apparatus comprising a biphase digit antenna having an elongated shape with its length greater than its width, the biphase digit antenna comprising:
- a first antenna conductor corresponding to a first half of the elongated shape of the biphase digit antenna;
- a second antenna conductor corresponding to a second half of the elongated shape of the biphase digit antenna;
- and
- a biphase converter configured to convert an applied signal into a first signal component and a second signal component, out of phase with the first signal component, wherein:
- the first signal component is applied to the first antenna conductor;
- and
- the second signal component is applied to the second antenna conductor.
A vial reader comprising:
- a frame configured to receive a sample vial having a vial RFID tag;
- an antenna configured to read the vial RFID tag, with the sample vial received by the frame;
- and
- a camera configured to image the sample vial, with the sample vial received by the frame.
An RFID tag comprising
- an RFID antenna formed of a split metal ring having a gap;
- and
- an RFID die electrically connected to the RFID antenna via wires.
A freezer for storing sample boxes containing sample vials, the freezer comprising:
- a freezer door configured to provide access to the freezer's interior;
- freezer electronics configured to communicate with an external computer located outside of the freezer;
- and
- a plurality of shelves located within the freezer's interior, wherein:
- each shelf is configured to receive one or more sample boxes;
- each shelf has at least one box RFID reader configured to read a box RFID tag of a tagged sample box received by the shelf;
- each shelf has shelf electronics configured to communication with the box RFID reader and with the freezer electronics, such that, when a box RFID reader reads the box RFID tag of the tagged sample box, information corresponding to the identity of the tagged sample box is communicated (i) from the box RFID reader to the corresponding shelf electronics, (ii) from the corresponding shelf electronics to the freezer electronics, and (iii) from the freezer electronics to the external computer to enable a user of the external computer to determine the identity of the tagged sample box on the corresponding shelf without opening the freezer door.
A socket for receiving a sample vial, the socket comprising:
- a tube configured to receive the sample vial;
- one or more metallic springs configured to be deformed when the sample vial is received by the tube;
- and
- at least one temperature sensor mounted on a corresponding metallic spring, wherein:
- the metallic spring provides a thermal conductive path between the sample vial and the temperature sensor;
- and
- the temperature sensor enables a temperature history for the sample vial to be generated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.