Laboratory sampling machine and methods for maintaining chain of custody for samples

Abstract

A machine and methods for maintaining chain of custody during a sampling procedure is provided, the machine including a sample handling robot having an operation head and a verification head. The verification head can be one of a barcode reader, OCR scanner, of RFID tag reader. The verification head of the machine is adapted to read a sample container prior to sampling an aliquot of liquid, and transferring the aliquot to a testing vial. Each sample container and corresponding testing vial is read prior to performing an operation, such that a chain of custody is properly recorded. The machine can further comprise a secondary robot for improved operation.

1 . A method for maintaining chain of custody throughout a processing sequence, the method comprising:
 (a) placing a first article into a first station, the first article including an identification member;   (b) translating a verification head from a verification-home position to a position proximate to the first article;   (c) reading the identification member of the first article;   (d) returning the verification head from a position proximate to the first article to the verification-home position;   (e) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a first operation position proximate to the first article;   (f) performing a first operation on the first article using the operation head;   (g) translating the operation head from the first operation position proximate to the first article to the operation-home position;   (h) translating the verification head and the operation head to a second station having a second article, the second article including an identification member;   (i) translating the verification head from the verification-home position to a position proximate to the second article;   (j) reading the identification member of the second article;   (k) translating the verification head from a position proximate to the second article to the verification-home position;   (l) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a second operation position proximate to the second article;   (m) performing a second operation on the second article using the operation head;   (n) translating the operation head from the second operation position proximate to the second article to the operation-home position.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification member is a bar code. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification member is an alpha-numeric label. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification member is a radio frequency identification tag. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second articles are containers. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first article contains a sample. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sample is a biological sample. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first operation is an aspiration. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second operation is a dispensing operation. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 (o) translating the verification head and the operation head to a third station having a third article, the third article including an identification member;   (p) translating the verification head from the verification-home position to a position proximate to the third article;   (q) reading the identification member of the third article;   (r) translating the verification head from a position proximate to the third article to the verification-home position;   (s) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a third operation position proximate to the third article;   (t) performing a third operation on the third article using the operation head;   (u) translating the operation head from the third operation position proximate to the third article to the operation-home position.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the steps of:
 (o) analyzing the sample contained in one or more testing vials, and   (p) generating test results, wherein the test results at least partially include data received from the verification head.   
   
   
       12 . An article comprising: a test result report at least partially derived from a sample evaluated according to the method of  claim 11 . 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a sample handling robot having an operation head and a verification head, and   an operation platform  3 ,   the verification head including one of: a barcode reader, an optical character recognition scanner, or a radiofrequency identification tag reader,   wherein the operation head is adapted to perform a mechanical function, and   wherein the verification head is adapted to read and process information.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the verification head is mechanically coupled to the sample-handling robot by a rack and pinion system. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the operation platform  3  includes a first station for receiving a sample, a second station for transferring an aliquot of the sample to a testing vial, a waste station having a waste receptacle, and a tips station. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first station further comprises a lid-opening device. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a secondary robot for transferring a sample container from a sample container rack to the first station. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary robot includes an second operation head, the second operation head including a first gripping member and a second gripping member for securing and transporting an article. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the secondary robot further includes a second verification head, the second verification head adapted to vertically translate to a position proximate to an article, and read an identification member positioned on an exterior surface of the article. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a second sample-handling robot, the second sample-handling robot comprising a second operation head and a second verification head.