Methods and systems for labeling labware

Abstract

The present invention includes a system for marking labware. The system includes an instruction set with markings to be applied to pieces of labware and the order in which the markings are to be applied to the labware. The system also includes a marking device that receives the instruction set and then places the non-toxic marks on the pieces of labware. The invention also includes methods tracking chain of custody of biological material in a facility. The methods include assigning a unique marking for biological materials, storing that marking in a database, applying a non-toxic marking to a piece(s) of labware and then scanning the marking.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of tracking movement of labware containing biological materials in a facility, comprising:
 assigning a unique identifier to each of a plurality of biological materials, wherein each identifier identifies a source record for each biological material, wherein the source record comprises information about the identity or source of the biological material;   storing the identifier, or information representing the identifier, in a database connected to an engraver;   engraving the engraver at least one of the identifiers onto at least one pieces of labware;   scanning at least one identifier on at least one piece of labware before or after transferring the at least one piece of labware from one location to another.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one or more human readable markings is engraved in conjunction with the identifier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one piece of labware is selected from containers utilized in a clinical or laboratory environment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the containers are selected from dishes, vials, tubes, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the source record of each biological material comprises: a) one or more medical record numbers, b) one or more source record numbers, c) information that uniquely identifies the source of the biological material, or 4) combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing at least one biological material into at least one piece of labware, either before or after the engraving step. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising storing the location, in the database, of the at least one piece of labware after scanning the at least one identifier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising repeating the scanning step at multiple locations. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the sterility of an interior space of the one or more pieces of labware is maintained during the engraving step. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein error correction information is included in the identifier. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the engraving step further comprises engraving a mirror image of the identifier onto one or more pieces of labware. 
     
     
         12 . A method of tracking movement of labware containing biological materials in a facility, comprising:
 assigning a unique identifier to each of a plurality of biological materials, wherein each identifier identifies a source record for each biological material, wherein the source record comprises information about the identity or source of the biological material;   storing the identifier, or information representing the identifier, in one or more RFID tags and in a database;   attaching at least one RFID tag, with at least one stored identifier, to each piece of labware;   interrogating at least one RFID tag on at least one piece of labware before or after transferring the at least one piece of labware from one location to another; and   storing the location, in the database, of the at least one piece of labware after interrogating the at least one RFID tag.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the storing step occurs after the attaching step. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising engraving one or more barcodes or human readable markings onto one or more pieces of labware. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the source record of each biological material comprises: a) one or more medical record numbers, b) one or more source record numbers, c) information that uniquely identifies the source of the biological material, or 4) combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising placing at least one biological material into at least one piece of labware, either before or after the engraving step. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising repeating the interrogating step at multiple locations. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the sterility of an interior space of the one or more pieces of labware is maintained during the engraving step. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein error correction information is included in the identifier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the engraving step further comprises engraving a mirror image of the identifier onto one or more pieces of labware.