Apparatus and methods for sampling

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of recording information and associating the information with sample taken from an item. The method may use a sampler that can receive a plurality of sample collecting devices that can remove a sample from the item. Information is recorded about the item and about the sample collecting device used to take a sample from the item. Geolocation information of the sampler at the time of taking a sample and timing information between the time of reading item ID and sample collecting device ID is associated with the sample.

1 . A system for taking a biological sample from an item, the system comprising:
 A) a sampler including a handheld body to hold a sample collecting device and an actuator adapted to drive the sample collecting device relative to the handheld body and to contact the item to remove a sample from the item,   B) a reader unit including:
 i. a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “sample information”) associated with the sample collecting device, and 
 ii. an item ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “ID”) associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, 
   wherein the reader unit is configured to measure and/or record time between
 a) capturing said item ID and taking the sample, and/or 
 b) taking the sample and capturing said item ID, and 
   wherein the reader unit is further configured to compare the measured and/or recorded time against a predetermined time wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time the handheld body or reader unit provides directly or indirectly at least at least one of audio, visual and haptic feedback to a user of the sampler.   
     
     
         2 . A sampler comprising
 a handheld body to hold:
 a. a sample collecting device holder adapted in use to accommodate a sample collecting device, and 
 b. an actuator adapted to drive a sample collecting device from the sample collecting device holder, to contact the item to remove a sample from the item, 
   a reader unit engaged to said handheld body and including:
 i. a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “sample information”) associated with the collecting device, and 
 ii. an item ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “item ID”) associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, 
   wherein the reader unit is configured to measure and/or record time between capturing said item ID and taking the sample, and/or taking the sample and capturing said item ID,   wherein the reader unit is further configured to compare the measured and/or recorded time against a predetermined time, and   wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time, the handheld body or reader unit provides directly or indirectly at least one of audio, visual, or haptic feedback to a user of the sampler.   
     
     
         3 . The sampler of  claim 2  wherein the reader unit comprises a transmitter to transmit item ID and/or sample information to an external device. 
     
     
         4 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the collecting device holder is permanently engaged to the handheld body. 
     
     
         5 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the reader unit comprises a sample identification reader, and wherein said sample information to be read by the sample identification reader comprises one or more of a machine readable ID and an electronic ID, associated with the collecting device. 
     
     
         6 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein said item ID to be read by the item ID reader comprises one or more of a machine readable ID and an electronic ID, associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken. 
     
     
         7 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the time of taking the sample, being the time when said collecting device is driven from the collecting device holder to remove the sample from the item, corresponds to said capturing of said sample information. 
     
     
         8 . A sampler as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the readers utilise different frequencies for EID communication. 
     
     
         9 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the reader unit including a camera configured for one or more of:
 a) capturing sample information,   b) capturing item ID,   c) obtaining supplemental data relating to one or more of:
 i) the item to be sampled, 
 ii) location of sampling, 
 iii) sampling procedure. 
   
     
     
         10 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the reader unit comprises a positional tracking system. 
     
     
         11 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the reader unit comprises:
 a) a timer and/or   b) means for obtaining and recording and/or transmitting time stamps.   
     
     
         12 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time the sampler prompts the user to take a new sample. 
     
     
         13 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time, the sampler records a warning data tag associated with the sample. 
     
     
         14 . The sampler of  claim 2 , wherein the reader unit comprises a animal tag reader,
 wherein the reader unit records a time stamp at the time when said animal tag ID is captured, and   wherein the reader unit records another time stamp at the time the sample is taken.   
     
     
         15 . A method of taking a biological sample from an item and placing the sample into a storage container using a sampler, said sampler comprising a handheld body presenting:
 a sample collecting device holder adapted in use to accommodate a sample collecting device,   an actuator adapted to drive the sample collecting device from the sample collecting device holder, to remove the sample from the item,   an ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “item ID”) associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, the method comprising:
 a) supplying the sampler with a sample collecting device at the sample collecting device holder, 
 b) driving the actuator to remove a sample from the item, and 
 c) capturing the item ID, 
   wherein the time duration (hereinafter “sampling time duration”) between steps (b) and (c) is monitored and/or the time of each of steps (b) and (c) are recorded as time stamps, regardless of whether step (b) occurs before or after step (c), and   wherein the sampling time duration is compared with a predetermined time limit, and at least at least one of audio, visual and haptic feedback is provided to a user if said sampling time duration is longer than said predetermined time limit.   
     
     
         16 . A method of taking a sample from an item using a sampler, said sampler comprising:
 a handheld body including
 a sample collecting device holder adapted in use to accommodate a sample collecting device, an actuator adapted to drive the sample collecting device from the sample collecting device holder, to remove the sample from the item, and 
 an ID reader, the ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “item ID”) associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, 
   the method comprising:
 a) supplying the sampler with a sample collecting device at the sample collecting device holder, 
 b) driving the actuator to remove a sample from the item, 
 c) capturing the item ID, 
   wherein the time duration (hereinafter “sampling time duration”) between steps (b) and (c) is monitored and/or the time of each of steps (b) and (c) are recorded as time stamps, regardless of whether step (b) occurs before or after step (c), and   wherein the sampling time duration is compared with a predetermined time limit, and at least one of audio, visual, and haptic feedback is provided to a user if said sampling time duration is longer than said predetermined time limit.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising prompting the user to restart the sampling process if said sampling time duration is longer than said predetermined time limit. 
     
     
         18 . A sampling system to collect a sample from an item, comprising:
 a sampler comprising a handheld body defining a sampling region at where a sample collecting device can be held,   the handheld body carrying an actuator adapted to drive the sample collecting device to remove the sample from the item,   a reader unit removably engageable to said handheld body and including:
 a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “sample information”) associated with the collecting device, and 
 an item ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “item ID”) associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, 
   wherein the reader unit is configured to measure and/or record time between:
 a) capturing said item ID and taking the sample, and/or 
 b) taking the sample and capturing said item ID, 
   and wherein the reader unit is further configured to compare the measured and/or recorded time against a predetermined time, wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time the handheld body or reader unit provides directly or indirectly at least at least one of audio, visual and haptic feedback to a user of the sampler,   wherein in a first mode of use, the sampler, with the reader unit engaged to the handheld body, presents a sample collecting device holding region where said sample collecting device can be held, and   wherein in a second mode of use, the sampler, without the reader unit engaged to the handheld body, presents a sample collecting device holding region where said sample collecting device can be held.   
     
     
         19 . A sampling system to remove a sample from an item, comprising:
 a sampler including a handheld body defining a sampling region at where a sample collecting device can be held,   the handheld body carrying an actuator adapted to drive the sample collecting device to remove the sample from the item,   a reader unit (preferably removably engageable to said handheld body, or able to be located remote yet proximate thereto), and including a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “sample information”) associated with the collecting device, and an ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter “item ID”) associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken,   wherein the reader unit is configured to measure and/or record time between
 a. capturing said item ID and taking the sample, and/or 
 b. taking the sample and capturing said item ID, and 
   wherein the reader unit is further configured to compare the measured and/or recorded time against a predetermined time, wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time the handheld body or reader unit provides directly or one of indirectly audio, visual and haptic feedback to a user of the device.   
     
     
         20 . The sampling system of  claim 19 , wherein during sampling said reader unit captures at least one of sample information and item ID when said sample is being removed. 
     
     
         21 . A method of taking and storing a sample from an item, the method comprising:
 (i) taking an item identification reading (e.g., a photo of the item or a reading of an ID carried by the item) and digitally storing the read item identification,   (ii) taking a sample from the item and locating the sample with a sample holder,   (iii) taking an identification reading of the sample holder and digitally storing the read sample holder identification reading,   (iv) taking a reading of the geolocation of the location of the item and digitally storing the geolocation reading,   (v) measuring the time lapse or lapses between at least two of steps (i)-(iv) above,   (vi) comparing the time lapse or lapses against a predetermined time, and   (vii) if at least one of the time lapse or lapses exceeds the predetermined time causing the sampler to provide directly or indirectly at least one of audio, visual and haptic feedback.   
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the order of steps (i) to (iv) is sequential and in the order of step (i) then step (ii) then step (iii) and step (iv). 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 21  wherein steps (i) to (iv) are carried out in no specific order.