US 8,318,499 B2 · System for managing inventories of reagents

Abstract

A system for managing the inventory of reagents for a laboratory automation system. The system for managing the inventory of reagents comprises a controller, software for the controller, and a refrigerator capable of refrigerating reagents, detecting the presence or absence of reagents in the refrigerator, and detecting the location of reagents in the refrigerator. The system for managing the inventory of reagents is connected to a laboratory automation system. The laboratory automation system comprises at least one clinical analyzer. A typical system for managing inventories of reagents includes an operator interface for the loading of boxes of reagents and other supplies, radio frequency identification system for identification of inventory and tracking, robotic mechanisms for loading containers onto the track system and removing containers from the track system, de-capping equipment, refrigeration equipment, and information technology connections to laboratory analyzers and vendors.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A system to manage inventories of reagents, said system comprising a refrigerator to:

refrigerate a reagent;
detect a presence or an absence of the reagent in the refrigerator;
and
detect a location of the reagent in the refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator comprises at least one shelf and a reconfigurable frame coupled to the shelf to reconfigure the shelf to accommodate reagent kits of different sizes, wherein the reconfigurable frame comprises a plurality of elongated dividers having a plurality of tabs and a plurality of slots, wherein the tabs are reconfigurably engageable with the slots.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for managing inventories of reagents

Life of this patent

System for managing inventories of reagents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28