U.S. patent number 3,618,836 [Application Number 04/857,978] was granted by the patent office on 1971-11-09 for chemistry encoding.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bio-Logic, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dwight J. Bushnell, Max Glen Worthington.
United States Patent |
3,618,836 |
Bushnell , et al. |
November 9, 1971 |
CHEMISTRY ENCODING
Abstract
Method and apparatus for encoding chemistry information on an
identification device used to identify containers of biological
matter such as blood samples, the apparatus including superimposed
dies each having a plurality of rows of apertures, the apertures of
one die being in alignment with the apertures of the other die, the
dies being spaced one from another to receive the identification
device between the dies. A stylus, having a tip for penetrating the
identification device, is selectively inserted through the aligned
apertures in the two dies thereby perforating (encoding) the device
at one or more predetermined sites. Each perforation represents a
chemical test or a set of tests to be performed on the biological
matter in the container. A verifier is provided so that when the
stylus perforates the device at a given site, an electrical circuit
is completed to illuminate a corresponding portion of a display
panel for optical indication to the operator of the true nature of
the encoding which has taken place.
Inventors: |
Bushnell; Dwight J. (Murray,
UT), Worthington; Max Glen (Salt Lake City, UT) |
Assignee: |
Bio-Logic, Inc. (Salt Lake
City, UT)
|
Family
ID: |
25327163 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/857,978 |
Filed: |
September 15, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
225/1; 40/310;
83/553; 225/93; 234/131; 83/522.26; 101/35; 234/122; 346/141;
422/915 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K
5/02 (20130101); B01L 3/5453 (20130101); G06K
1/08 (20130101); Y10T 83/865 (20150401); Y10T
225/10 (20150401); Y10T 83/8733 (20150401); Y10T
225/30 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B01L
3/14 (20060101); G06K 5/00 (20060101); G06K
5/02 (20060101); G06K 1/08 (20060101); G06K
1/00 (20060101); G06k 001/12 (); G06k 005/02 ();
G06k 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;83/13,522,553
;234/122,131 ;225/93,1 ;30/358 ;40/310,324 ;116/121,130,136
;35/48 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lawson; William S.
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters
Patent is:
1. In a method of encoding an identification blank having a
predetermined length and width, the steps of:
situating the identification blank in alignment with an array of
apertures in mask means so that a solid encodable site is adjacent
each aperture;
displacing stylus means through selected ones of the apertures;
encoding each encodable site adjacent the apertures through which
the stylus means are displaced by causing the stylus means to
impress information representation upon the blank;
supplying electrical power to the stylus means;
completing an electrical circuit through the stylus means as each
information representation is impressed upon the blank; and
confirming by electrical signal through the circuit when and where
encoding has taken place.
2. In a method of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said
confirming step comprises visually verifying which of the encodable
sites in the blank have been encoded by illuminating with said
electric signals selected ones of an array of indicators
corresponding in arrangement to the array of apertures in the mask
means.
3. An encoder for encoding an information device, the encoder
comprising:
mask means comprising a matrix of apertures and a chamber adapted
to receive the identification device, the chamber having a common
ingress and egress opening;
stylus means adapted to be displaced through selected apertures in
the mask means and to encode the identification device at sites
adjacent each selected aperture; and
electrical circuit means completed by penetration of said stylus
through said apertures to provide a signal indicating which of said
sites has been encoded.
4. An encoder-verifier comprising:
stylus means;
encoding means including identification device-receiving mask means
exposing only an array of encodable sites to the stylus means
whereby selective displacement of the stylus means through the mask
means causes information representations to be impressed upon the
device at predetermined sites;
electrical power source means;
electrical switch means disposed adjacent the mask means and
electrical circuitry in communication with the electrical switch
means to close a circuit as the identification device is encoded at
each site;
an array of indicators corresponding to the pattern of exposed
encodable sites and in communication with the circuitry whereby
each indicator corresponding in relative location where an
information representation is impressed is energized upon the
closing of a circuit to confirm the location of each site receiving
an information representation.
5. In a method of encoding a container with a sample of biological
material therein;
providing a container having an identification device with an array
of encodable sites;
disposing the device adjacent a mask having a matrix of apertures
each exposing one encodable site;
bringing a stylus into registry with at least a selected one of the
aligned apertures and punching a hole in the adjacent exposed
site;
verifying at a remote display the existence and location of the
punched hole at said last-mentioned site while the device remains
in the defined position.
6. Apparatus for defining clinical tests to be performed on
biological matter disposed in a container;
a frangible blank united to the sample container;
die means having a plurality of spaced apertures and cavity means
to receive the blank in alignment with the apertures, each aperture
corresponding to at least one clinical determination to be made in
relation to the biological matter;
stylus means comprising (a) tip means to be placed in registry with
selected apertures and to penetrate the blank at sites aligned with
said selected apertures to create perforations selectively in the
blank and (b) means for actuating a remote display to verify the
location of each penetration made in the blank.
7. In a method of correlating clinical determinations to be made
upon biological matter with the patient from whom the biological
matter was obtained, to reduce the probability of error and save
time, comprising:
providing a container housing the biological matter having an
identification portion bearing indicia identifying the patient and
presenting an encodable area;
placing the encodable area of the identification portion at an
encoding station thereby exposing an array of encodable sites in
the encodable area;
encoding selected ones of the sites representative of the clinical
determinations to be performed;
physically completing electrical circuits causing electrical
signals corresponding to the sites so encoded to be generated
whereby the accuracy or inaccuracy of the preceding step may be
determined.
8. An encoder-verifier of the type defined in claim 4 wherein said
electrical circuitry comprises (a) first circuit means joining the
power source means to the switch means at least while a site is
encoded to close a circuit and (b) second circuit means for holding
the mentioned circuit closed even though the stylus means is
removed after said site has been encoded.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to chemistry selection and
particularly to apparatus and methods for permanently encoding
chemistry information on an identification device and for verifying
the accuracy of the encoded information.
2. The Prior Art
It is well known in hospital procedures that much care is required
to carefully supervise the critically important identification of
specimens and samples taken from patients for such purposes as
laboratory analysis and the like. Also, it is critically important
to ensure that the proper identification remains on all reports
resulting from clinical determinations conducted upon the specimens
and samples. No less important is the need for proper
identification of prescribing and administering medication to
patients.
For example, frequently a physician will prescribe one or more
clinical tests to be run or conducted upon a blood sample. To
effectuate the prescription, the physician will handwrite the order
on a request slip which will be delivered to a laboratory.
Thereafter, a blood sample is collected from the patient for whom
the physician ordered the laboratory tests and the name of the
person is handwritten upon the blood collection tube. Later, when
the blood collection tube is returned to the laboratory for
analysis, the patient's name and the particular blood test or tests
must be copied onto a report form. After the analysis is completed,
the results of the analysis are copied onto the report form.
The described recording and reporting procedures are extremely time
consuming and substantial risk exists that the blood samples, the
results of the tests, and the names of patients may be comingled
resulting in improper treatment or lack of treatment to some
patients, with the attending risk of injury or loss of life.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes method and apparatus which provide
for encoding chemistry information on an identification device
associated with a receptacle containing biological matter to be
tested, the chemistry information identifying clinical
determinations ordered by a physician. Also, a verifying method and
apparatus are provided to indicate the manner in which the
identification device has been encoded.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel
apparatus and method for encoding chemistry information upon an
identification device.
It is another principal object of the present invention to provide
novel apparatus and method for verifying information encoded upon
an identification device.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a presently preferred
apparatus according to this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective representation of the encoder and
verification display panel of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross section similar to the cross section of FIG. 3
also illustrating the manner in which the identification device is
perforated;
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the verifier concerning the manner
in which the display panel is selectively illuminated to identify
the specific sites which are perforated or encoded; and
FIG. 6 is a modified circuit diagram similar in most respects to
the circuit diagram of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
While the instant invention has many applications, the presently
preferred embodiment will be described hereafter in connection with
the encoding of identification devices, each attached to a blood
sample tube, with information pertaining to clinical laboratory
procedures to be performed under authority granted by a physician.
Throughout this specification, like numerals designate like
parts.
General
Referring now to FIG. 1, a console, generally designated 20, has
parallel sides 22 and 24 and parallel ends 26 and 28 which are
joined together to form an erect rectangle. The console 20 has a
bottom (not shown) and a plurality of compartments 30, 32, 34, and
36 which open to the exterior of the console at the top surface 38.
The compartments are convenient receptacles for blood collection
tubes, order forms and storage of auxiliary equipment and supplies.
Also, the console is provided with a plurality of aligned, spaced
apertures 40 in the top panel 38 of a tray, which apertures are
sized so as to receive conventional blood collection tubes 42.
Thus, the top panel 38 in conjunction with the console 20 define a
tube rack. Each blood collection tube is illustrated as being
provided with a rubber stopper 43, as is conventional, to prevent
loss or contamination of the blood within the tube.
The console 20 comprises a wedge-shaped platform 42 which slopes
downwardly toward the front side 24 of the console. The exposed
inclined surface 46 of the platform 44 presents the display panel
of a code verifier, generally designated 48, and an encoder,
generally designated 50.
The encoder 50 operates on identification devices 52 which are
illustrated as being removably attached to blood collection tubes
42. Each identification device 52 is preferably of one-piece
construction comprising a split collar 54 and a laterally
projecting encoded and encodable plate 56. The device 52 is
preferably made of frangible material such as plastic with a
relatively low shear resistance, and, if desired, may have a
plurality of weakened or recessed encodable sites 58 (see FIG. 4)
which are useful for a purpose hereinafter more fully described. In
the preferred orientation, a blood collection tube 42 is inserted
into the collar 54 in press-fit relation so that the longitudinal
axis of the plate 56 is parallel to but offset from the axis of the
tube 42.
The Encoder
Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the encoder 50 will be more fully
described. The encoder 50 comprises an upper mask, punch or die
plate 60 which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, has a central recess 62
fabricated at its underside. The recess 62 opens at the right edge
61 as shown in the FIGS. and longitudinally traverses between
shoulders 63 and 65 of the die plate 60. The recess 62 also
terminates at concealed shoulder 67 of the die plate 60.
The die plate 60 is preferably formed of hardened metal and is
screwed, bolted or otherwise rigidly secured adjacent the shoulders
63 and 65 to the sloping surface 46 of the platform 44. The die
plate 60 has a plurality of rows of bores 64 each of which passes
completely through the thickness of the die plate and opens at the
recess 62. The arrangement and spacing of the bores 64 correspond
to the arrangement and spacing of the encodable sites at a selected
portion of the plate 56. As can be appreciated by reference to FIG.
2, the bores 64 are shown as being grouped closely together at one
location which leaves a substantial portion of the die plate 60
without bores. Thus, a given plate 56 of a device 52 may be encoded
with desired identification data, such as patient identification,
medication identification, dosage and the like as at 95, before or
after the plate 56 is encoded with chemistry information by the
encoder 50. Obviously, any identification information encoded upon
the plate 56 would be at locations other than the encodable sites
in the plate 56 reserved for chemistry information.
The recess 62 between the die plates is sized to readily receive
and properly position the plate 56 below the die 60.
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the die plate 60 is superimposed
over a lower mask, punch or die plate 66 and separated therefrom by
the recess 62. The lower die plate 66 is situated within a
rectangular opening 68 of a stepped passageway in the platform 44,
the passageway presenting an upwardly directed shoulder 70 and
comprising a lower opening 72 leaving the underside of the die
plate 66 exposed to the hollow interior 74 of the platform 44. The
die plate 66 rests upon the shoulders 70 and is secured thereto by
screws or in any other satisfactory way.
The die 66 has a plurality of bores 76 each of which is axially
aligned and in registry with one bore 64 of the die plate 60. The
bores 76 open at the underside 78 of the die plate 66 and
electrical contacts schematically shown at 80 are disposed near the
bottom of each bore 76, for a purpose which will be hereinafter
more fully described.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the encoder 50 also comprises a stylus
82 which includes a handle 84 tapering conically at 86 and
terminating in a punching tip 88. For reasons to be subsequently
more completely described, the tip 88 of the stylus 82 is connected
by an electrical conductor 90 to an electrical power source 92 (see
FIG. 5). The conductor 90 is preferably insulated to prevent a
short circuit.
Having described the encoder 50, the method of encoding chemistry
information in a plate 56 utilizing the encoder 50 will now be
described. The plate 56 may either be encoded while attached at the
collar 54 to a tube 42, as shown in FIG. 1, or encoded when not
attached to the tube 42, as shown in FIG. 2. In either event, the
plate 56 is inserted by rectilinear translation into the recess 62
between the die plates 60 and 66 in the direction of arrow 94 and
utilizing the orientation illustrated in FIG. 2. The plate 56 is
forced as far as possible into the recess 62 causing the encodable
sites 58 to be aligned with axially disposed bores 64 and 76.
The person encoding the plate 56 will identify the bores 64 which
correspond to the clinical determinations which a physician has
prescribed to be conducted on a blood sample associated with the
plate 56.
When the particular bore or bores 64 have been selected by the
operator in keeping with the physician's order, the stylus 82 is
positioned so that the tip 88 is successively inserted into the
selected bores 64. As the stylus is forced downward through each
selected bore 64, the aligned frangible site 58 will be punched out
of the plate 56, displaced through the aligned bore in the die
plate 66 and deposited in the cavity 74 of the console 20. Each
punched site then becomes a perforation 96. The particular
locations of the perforations 96 (FIGS. 1 and 4) represent
particular chemical tests or other determinations to be conducted
in the laboratory upon the blood sample identified by the encoded
plate 56.
Verifying the Code
With continued reference to FIG. 4, it can be observed that when
the stylus 82 perforates a frangible site from the plate 56, the
tip 88 of the stylus will touch the adjacent contact 80. As
previously mentioned, the tip 88 of the stylus is electrically
energized from a power source 92 (FIG. 5) such as a battery.
Electrical energy from the positive terminal of the power source 92
will pass through the contact 80 immediately beneath the
perforation and be conducted through the associated line 98 to the
gate of one silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) 100. When the one
SCR 100 is so energized, state is altered allowing electrical
energy in line 101 to reach an associated conventional electric
light bulb 102. The light bulb 102, which is connected by the
associated line 103 to the energized SCR 100 and by the associated
line 104 to the negative terminal of the power source, is thereby
illuminated. All lights so illuminated will remain "on" until the
normally open switch 105, which is closed during the encoding of a
plate 56, disconnects the power source from the illuminated lights.
When the switch 105 so disconnects the power source, the previously
energized SCR's 100 return to their original "off" state.
Preferably, the switch 105 is exposed at the recess 62 between the
die plates so that the switch is inherently closed by insertion of
the plate 56 into the recess 62 and is inherently open by removal
of the plate 56 by the recess 62.
Each light bulb 102 is disposed in a separate compartment 106
having opaque walls 108 to prevent light from one bulb 102 from
being transferred into an adjacent compartment 106. Each
compartment 106 is mounted upon a common display panel 110 (see
FIGS. 2 and 5) which is divided into rectangular segments 112. The
rectangular segments 112 are equal in number to the bores 64 in the
die plate 60 and to the chemistry-encodable sites in the plate 56.
Also, the relative positions and individual indicia of each
rectangular segment 112 corresponds to the respective positions of
the encodable sites for chemistry information in the plate 56.
The rectangular segments 112 are preferably formed of translucent
material and are disposed in alignment with corresponding
compartments 106. Thus, when the stylus 82 perforates a site in the
plate 56, the location of the perforation will be visually
communicated to the operator by illumination of the light bulb 102
in the rectangular segment 112 which corresponds in position to the
location of the last-mentioned perforation in the plate 56. If
desired, each of the rectangular segments 112 may carry indicia 114
corresponding to the identity of the frangible sites available in
the plate 56. The indicia 114 may take the form of numerals, words
and/or the like representative of the clinical determinations
authorized by the physician.
With reference to FIG. 6, the circuit 48a is identical in all
respects to the previously described circuit 48 where common
numerals are used. However, the stylus 82a, comprising a handle
84a, a taper 86a and an electrically conductive tip 88a, is not
electrically energized. Instead, electrical energy from the
positive terminal of the source 92 passes through the line 90a to
the die plate 60, which is electrically insulated from the contacts
80. Thus, when the tip 88a of the stylus penetrates the plate 56,
it will serve as an electrical conductor of energy between the
plate 60 and the juxtaposed contact 80 turning the associated SCR
100 and light "on," in the manner hereinbefore described.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being indicated by the foregoing description, and all changes which
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore to be embraced therein.
* * * * *