US20150217936A1 - System and methods for archiving and retrieving specimens - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a system and methods for archiving and/or retrieving specimens. Embodiments of the system of the present invention include a movement mechanism, an archival structure, and a software program. Embodiments of the device are configured to acquire a specimen, transport the specimen to a unique location in the archival structure, and store information regarding specimen identification and storage location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/681,483, filed on Aug. 9, 2012, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates generally to an automated system and methods for archiving and retrieving specimens that may be used by practitioners to conduct analyses, make determinations, diagnose conditions, render conclusions, and provide assistance or treatment. Examples of such specimens include those used by health care providers—such as histology slides and tissue cassettes, those used in petroleum exploration—such as material taken from core samples or other geological materials, and those used by arborists, botanists, or agricultural specialists—such as samples of plant tissue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A variety of practitioners prepare and examine specimens to obtain useful information. Those involved in petroleum or other geological exploration often prepare specimens from core samples or rock samples in order to determine whether a site may be of commercial value. Those involved in agriculture or horticulture often must prepare specimens of plants or trees to determine the identity or condition of the subject. Those involved in medicine often must archive and retrieve specimens of a patient's cells or tissues in order to diagnosis and treat a patient. Those involved in investigations often must archive and retrieve specimens of cells or tissue from a subject to identify a person for purposes of criminal investigation, criminal prosecution, paternity testing, genetic testing, or other. Although the present invention is discussed in this application with reference to histological specimens, such as those generally stored in slides or tissue cassettes, the present invention also includes embodiments of systems and methods for archiving and retrieving specimens including soil specimens, geology specimens, plant specimens, food specimens, hydrology specimens, archeological specimens, zoology specimens, criminal evidence specimens, or any other specimen.
• Regarding conventional systems and methods for archiving and retrieving specimens, it is well known to store specimens of cells or tissues in a container such as a slide, cassette, block, petri dish, vial, bottle, or other storage containers. In order to do so, specimens must be sized and shaped to fit in the conventional slide or cassette container. In other embodiments, the specimens are stored on or in a container having a size and shape other than a conventional slide or cassette, or are not stored in a container at all. For purposes of this application, the term “specimen” will be used generally to refer to a specimen alone, a specimen treated with a fixing agent, or a specimen in combination with the container in which it is stored. A specimen in combination with a container in which or on which it is stored is also termed a “container specimen” for purposes of this application.
• After they are prepared, specimens are often sent to a laboratory or other facility for processing, analysis, or storage. Such laboratories typically handle a large number of specimens. Currently, many laboratories employ the same techniques to store and retrieve specimens that they have been using for many years. In some cases, laboratory employees must move large numbers of specimens at any given time back and forth from extensive storage areas.
• With respect to storage, certain conventional systems and procedures require a person to manually place each specimen on a tray, to stack the trays while specimens are processing, to categorize specimens after processing, to move the categorized specimens to a second location for long-term storage, and to prepare a record of where the specimen is stored. Other conventional systems require an additional step of the positioning of specimens in a specific orientation for processing and then returning such specimens to a tray.
• With respect to retrieval, conventional systems and methods require a person to look up the location in which a specimen is stored in the relevant records, go to the location, match the physical location with the recorded location, pull out specimen, and record the specimen as “checked out” or removed. Such retrieval steps may be conducted on multiple occasions that a specimen may need to be retrieved.
• Clearly, existing systems and procedures are labor intensive, tedious, time-consuming, inefficient, and error-prone. Such systems and procedures often require the full attention of a laboratory technician. In addition, a specimen cannot be easily located at certain times during the course of the procedure since a record of interim locations is often not made. Also, the time-consuming steps delay the diagnosis or treatment of a patient.
• Other disadvantages of existing systems and methods include the possibility for loss, damage, or mismanagement of specimens, which may have serious consequences to patient care, criminal prosecutions, and research objectives. Because of the seriousness of the consequences, there may be liability issues such as malpractice or privacy concerns with mishandling of specimens.
• Attempts to improve the known systems and methods to facilitate the storage and retrieval of specimens have been made. However, often these systems and methods require the use of complex apparatus, for example, to treat slides such as by staining specimens on slides, to wash specimens on slides, to position coverslips on slides, or to make digital images of the specimens. Such inefficient apparatus use space that could be used to store additional specimens, and accordingly, do not maximize the number of specimens that could be stored in that space.
• Also, certain conventional methods call for the discarding of specimens in order to resolve storage space issues. The College of American Pathologists has recognized the problem of storing specimens for long periods of time and has lowered its standards to permit discarding certain types of specimens earlier. However, such methods of discarding specimens earlier may have a detrimental impact on patient care, research, and criminal investigations.
• Conventional systems and methods are often expensive to implement and maintain. As an example, certain hospitals may generate around one million specimens per year. Since workplace regulations often limit the height of certain types of storage bureaus, additional building square footage is often required to provide sufficient storage space for specimens.
• Accordingly, there is a need for a system and methods for archiving and retrieving a collection of specimens that utilize automated elements which permit archiving and retrieving with improved efficiency, decreased cost, and in which space for the storage of specimens is maximized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Embodiments of the present invention include a system and methods for archiving and/or retrieving specimens. Embodiments of the system of the present invention include a movement mechanism, an archival structure, and software program. Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured to archive and retrieve specimens stored in a plethora of generally identically sized containers. Other embodiments are configured to archive and retrieve containers of varying sizes.
• Embodiments of a movement mechanism are configured to acquire a specimen, transport the specimen to a unique location in the archival structure, retrieve the specimen from the archival structure, and position the specimen for user access. The movement mechanism also may be configured to send information to and receive information from the software program. The movement mechanism may include a reader configured to read a specimen information display, such as a UPC barcode, matrix barcode, QR code, or other, which may be associated with the specimen.
• The movement mechanism may be controlled through a user-friendly software program executable through a computer system. The software program may be configured to permit receiving, storing, and accessing information related to each specimen for ease of tracking and subsequent retrieval of the specimen. Specifically, the software program may assign and record the unique location of the specimen when positioned in the archival structure.
• Embodiments of the archival structure may include receptacles configured to receive specimens. Certain receptacles may be sized and shaped to receive specific types of specimens, for example, slides or cassettes. Each receptacle is associated with a unique location identifier and may include a receptacle information display configured to be readable by a reader.
• The system and methods obviate the need for manual storage and retrieval of histology specimens. Advantageously, users can quickly process, store, retrieve, and or analyze specimens, while reducing the likelihood of error, loss, or breakage of slides and/or tissue cassettes. Automation of the storage and retrieval process also will save time, money, and effort. Additionally, accuracy and efficiency will be improved. Also, liability for lost or broken specimens may be avoided.
• Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention includes maximizing storage space for specimens, which decreases storage cost. Embodiments of the present invention may be able to store, for example, slides and cassettes collected in 20 years in a space of specimens collected in 1 year in a conventional apparatus.
• The present invention and its attributes and advantages may be further understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description below of contemplated embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system on which the software program may run.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for archiving specimens according to the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method for initiating the archival process according to the present invention.
• FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method for obtaining identification information associated with a specimen according to the present invention.
• FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method for moving a specimen to a storage location according to the present invention.
• FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method for archiving specimens and integrating stored information with other systems according to the present invention.
• FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a method for retrieving specimens according to the present invention.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a method for retrieving specimens and verifying the identity of specimens according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Embodiments of the systems and methods for archiving and retrieving specimens may be configured for use in an anatomical pathology laboratory, a criminal forensics laboratory, research laboratory, or other setting. Certain embodiments of thesystem10 include amovement mechanism100, anarchival structure200 includingreceptacles202 in which specimens may be archived, and asoftware program300 executable on acomputer system400. Certain embodiments of themovement mechanism100 and thearchival structure200 may be positioned within ahousing250.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1, certain embodiments of themovement mechanism100 are configured as arobotic arm100A, but certain embodiments include a robotic arm and gripper or just a robotic gripper. For example, the gripper may include two or more generally opposing members that may actuate from an open position, where the members are spaced apart from each other, toward and/or to a closed position, where the members are touching each other. When acquiring or retrieving a specimen, the gripper may not reach the closed position, as the specimen will be located between the members. In other embodiments, the gripper may not grip the specimen, but rather, may simply lift the specimen and carry it upon a base member. In further embodiments, the gripper may include a magnet or other engaging member that may facilitate acquisition and/or retrieval of the specimen. For example, the gripper may include an electromagnet that may engage a ferromagnetic, or partially ferromagnetic, material connected to the specimen when the electromagnet is turned on and may release the specimen when the electromagnet is turned off. In a still further embodiment, the gripper may engage with the specimen using a snap fit, or other mechanical interface that may facilitate engagement and disengagement. In other embodiments, the gripper and/or other portions of therobotic arm100A may include suction cups or servos and suction cups. Therobotic arm100A may be connected at one or more points to abase element150. Thebase element150 may be configured to be mobile so as to position therobotic arm100A closer to the receptacles. Other embodiments of thebase element150 are generally not intended to be mobile during the course of use of the system.
• Embodiments of themovement mechanism100 may be configured to acquire and move only specimens having one specific size and shape. For example, in one embodiment, all of the specimens may be of generally a single size and shape, i.e. a standard microscope slide or tissue cassette. Other embodiments of the movement mechanism are configured to acquire and move any of a group of specimens having a narrow range of sizes, shapes, weights, or combinations thereof. For example, a narrow range of sizes and shapes may include a difference in size in a range of from about 0.001 inches to about 1.000 inches. In other examples, the difference in size may be more than about 1.000 inches. The difference in size may be the difference in overall volume, difference in a measurement of length (i.e. height, width, thickness, diagonal etc.), difference in perimeter (i.e. circumference or other measures of perimeter), difference surface area, differences in other measurements, or combinations thereof. Narrow ranges in shape may include differences in internal angles, differences in curvature, other shape differences, or combinations thereof. Narrow ranges in weights may include differences on the order of about 1 microgram, 1 gram, 10 grams, 100 grams, 1 kg, 5 kg, etc. Specimen weights may range from less than about 10 grams, more than about 1 kg, between about 1 grams and about 15 grams, or other ranges in weight. The sizes, shapes, or weights may be measured based on the specimen alone or may be measured based on the specimen and the receptacle. Still other embodiments are configured to handle specimens having a wide range of sizes, shapes, weights, or combinations thereof.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1, embodiments of anarchival structure200 includereceptacles202 configured to receive and store specimens. Areceptacle202 may include abottom receptacle wall202A, a firstside receptacle wall202B, a secondside receptacle wall202C, and atop receptacle wall202D. Other embodiments include only abottom receptacle wall202A. Two ormore receptacles202 may be positioned relative to one another in groups such asmodules204 that form columns, rows, clusters, or other groupings. Thereceptacles202 may be stacked or interconnected insuch modules204.
• Embodiments of thearchival structure200 may also include aninput component208 configured to permit a user to insert the specimen or a group of specimens that are ready for archival. In some embodiments, theinput component208 also may be the output location in which themovement mechanism100 places the specimen after retrieval to permit the user to remove that specimen from thesystem10. In some embodiments there are one or multiple input/output components208. In other embodiments, one or multiple input components may be separate from one or multiple output components.
• Certain embodiments of asystem10 and methods are configured to archive high volumes of specimens, such as hundreds of specimens, thousands of specimens, or millions of specimens. Such embodiments may include one or more input/output components208. Such embodiments also may include more than onemovement mechanism100, and eachmovement mechanism100 may be positioned and configured to position specimens in and retrieve specimens from amodule204 ofreceptacles202.
• Archival structure200 may position the specimens in the order of insertion into the input/output component208, by size, by weight, by shape, or randomly. For example, the first specimen inserted into thearchival structure200 is positioned in a first position while the second specimen inserted into thearchival structure200 is positioned in a second position, et cetera. In another example, the specimens may be grouped according to size, i.e. larger specimens may be grouped with larger specimens while smaller specimens may be grouped with smaller specimens. In a further example, specimens of a particular shape, i.e. a cylindrical shape, may be grouped with specimens of a similar shape while specimens of another shape, i.e. a prismatic shape, may be grouped with specimens of the other shape, i.e. prismatic shape. Also, anarchival structure200 may be configured to prioritize placement of specimens automatically according to user requirements, for example, upon entry by user of certain instructions. A user may plan to access specimen after a short period of time, and provide instructions to thearchival structure200 accordingly. In response, thearchival structure200 may provide short-term storage, which may include one or more receptacles positioned relatively close to the input/output component208 such that the specimen may be retrieved faster and more easily. In another embodiment, the placement of the specimens may be automatically determined by thecomputer system400. For example, the placement of the specimens may be automatically determined based on the number of times each specimen is retrieved. In another example, the placement may be automatically determined based on estimated demand for similar specimens. For instance, certain types of histology specimens may be in high demand for a short period of time, but after that period of time may no longer be in demand. Thus, after the initial high demand period of time, the specimens that are no longer in high demand may be positioned in a location that may allow specimens that are currently in high demand to be in a more quickly accessible position (i.e. low demand specimens may be positioned further away from the input/output208 than the higher demand specimens). Other short-term storage may be inreceptacles202 configured to be movable, as opposed to certainother receptacles202 which are generally not intended to be movable during the course of use of the system.
• A user also may plan to not access a specimen for a long period of time, and provide those instructions to thearchival structure200 accordingly. In response, thearchival structure200 may provide long-term storage, which may include one ormore receptacles202 relatively further from the input/output component such that closer receptacles are reserved for often-accessed specimens. Other long-term storage may be provided inreceptacles202 configured not to be movable during the course of use of the system—that is, “non-movable” receptacles. Certain embodiments of the present invention may include only movable receptacles, only generally non-movable receptacles, or a combination of movable and non-movable receptacles.
• The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 includescertain receptacles202 configured to be movable. Eachreceptacle202 may be movable to a position easily accessible by amovement mechanism100. Receptacle202AA is shown in such a position.Receptacles202 may be moved individually or may be moved as a group such as when anentire module204 moves all at once. In some embodiments, the receptacles may be moved, handled, or arranged using an air cylinder system or system of air cylinders. In other embodiments, the receptacles may be moved, handled, or arranged using suction cups that may additionally be configured to operate with servos. In further embodiments, the receptacles may be moved, handled, or arranged using suction cups that may additionally be configured to operate with a power screw.
• FIG. 2 illustrates aspecimen50 and an embodiment of thearchival structure200 including a number ofreceptacles202, an input/output component208, and ahousing250. The embodiment shown inFIG. 2 may include elements of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 and therefore, the description ofFIG. 1 is hereby incorporated by reference. Thearchival structure200 also includesreceptacle positioning components216 configured to move or position thereceptacles202. Certain embodiments include two types ofreceptacle positioning components216, such as a vertical receptacle positioning component216A configured to control the vertical position of a receptacle and a horizontal receptacle positioning component216B configured to control the generally horizontal position of a receptacle.Receptacle positioning components216 may include, for example, an air cylinder with a pusher rod or plurality of air cylinders and pusher rods, suction cups, servos with suction cups, a power screw or plurality of power screws, or any combination thereof. The illustrated embodiment inFIG. 2 includes a first vertical receptacle positioning component216A1, a second vertical receptacle positioning component216A2, first horizontal receptacle positioning component216B1, and a second horizontal receptacle positioning component216B2. In certain embodiments, apositioning component216 rotates in multiple orientations such that only onepositioning component216 can position receptacles vertically and horizontally.
• FIG. 3 illustrates aspecimen50 and a system embodiment including afirst module204A ofreceptacles202, a second module ofreceptacles204B, an input/output component208, and ahousing250. The embodiment shown inFIG. 3 may include elements of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2 and therefore, the description ofFIGS. 1 and 2 are hereby incorporated by reference. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, thereceptacles202 are formed from a series of support element pairs218 andplate elements220. Each support element pair218 is configured to support aplate element220 on which aspecimen50 may be positioned. Other support element pairs218 are configured to support aspecimen50 directly. Certain embodiments of support elements218 may be mounted on areceptacle positioning component216, on thehousing250, or a support element scaffold.
• Certain embodiments of theplate element220 are fixedly attached to the support element218 such that theplate element220 is configured to remain permanently attached to the support elements218. Other embodiments of aplate element220 are configured to meet with or removably attach to the support elements218.
• In certain embodiments, theplate element220 may be supported by support elements218 that connect to one another to form a continuousbottom receptacle wall202A. In other embodiments, each support element218 is not in direct contact with each other support element218. Embodiments of each support element pair218 may include afirst support element218A,218C and asecond support element218B,218D positioned generally in the same plane relative to one another to permit positioning of aplate element220, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Other embodiments include only one support element218 per receptacle, or three or more support elements218 per receptacle.
• Embodiments of aplate element220 may include a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface may be configured to meet with and be supported by a support element pair218. Also, whenreceptacles202 are stacked, such as positioned generally above and below the other, the bottom surface of aplate element220 may form atop receptacle wall202D relative to a lower receptacle. A top surface of theplate element220 may form thebottom receptacle wall202A relative to an upper receptacle. The top surface of aplate element220 also may be configured to receive one or more specimens. Such receiving section of aplate element220 may include a generally flat portion, a generally concave portion, or a receiving section configured to receive a specimen of a specific size and shape.
• In certain embodiments, thereceptacles202 are configured to maximize the storage space and permit storage of many, many specimens. The space required for storing a single specimen may be the volume of the specimen plus fifty percent. The additional fifty percent may be attributed to storage space for various mechanisms of the system. In certain embodiments in which a specimen includes a slide, each specimen may require approximately 0.0005 cubic feet of storage. For example, 400,000 slides may require 200 cubic feet, which is equivalent to a cube with 5.848 feet sides. In embodiments in which a specimen includes a cassette, each cassette may require approximately 0.000625 cubic feet of storage. For example, 400,000 cassettes would require 250 cubic feet, which is equivalent to a cube with 6.299 feet sides.
• Referring back toFIG. 1, it also illustrates thesoftware program300 executable on acomputer400. Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer system400 that includes computer hardware, such as, for example, one ormore processors406 and system memory, as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system400. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions and/or data structures are computer storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions and/or data structures are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the invention can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.
• Computer storage media are physical storage media that store computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Physical storage media include computer hardware, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid state drives (“SSDs”), flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device(s) which can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, which can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionality of the invention.
• Transmission media can include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer system, the computer system may view the connection as transmission media. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
• Information may be transferred between the archival structure and thesoftware program300 and thecomputer400 through transmission media such ascommunication interface301. Thecommunication interface301 may include acomputer communication interface416 and adevice communication interface303, such as a movementmechanism communication interface102 or an archivalstructure communication interface212. Thecommunication interface301 allows software, instructions, and data to be transferred between thecomputer system400 and external devices including themovement mechanism100, thearchival structure200, or other components of thesystem10. Software, instructions, and/or data transferred by thecommunication interface301 are typically in the form of signals that may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being sent and received by thecomputer communication interface416 and the receivingcommunication interface303. Signals may be sent and received using a network and/or data links which can be used to carry program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless). For example, computer-executable instructions may be sent and received using a wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, a Radio Frequency (“RF”) link, wireless link, or other communication channels.
• Embodiments of thesoftware program300 may include a user interface through which a user may enter directions that will be sent to themovement mechanism100,archival structure200, or other components of thesystem10. Thesoftware program300 is configured to store information regarding the location of the specimens and information regarding other components of thesystem10 in, for example, computer storage media.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of acomputer system400 that may be used to implement the methods described herein. One ormore computer systems400 may carry out the methods presented in this application as computer executable instructions.
• Computer system400 may include auser interface402 connected tocommunication infrastructure404—such as a bus —, which is used to forward data such as graphics, text, and information, from thecommunication infrastructure404 or from a frame buffer (not shown) to other components of thecomputer system400. Theuser interface402 may permit a user to enter information or instructions and view feedback or information displayed through thesoftware300. Theuser interface402 may include, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, joystick, trackball, mouse, monitor, speaker, printer, any other computer peripheral device, or any combination thereof, capable of entering and/or receiving or viewing data.
• The embodiment shown inFIG. 4 may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer system400 that includes computer hardware, such as, for example, one ormore processors406 and systemmain memory408, which may include, for example physical storage media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid state drives (“SSDs”), flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device(s) or combination thereof which can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, which can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionality of the invention.Computer system400 may also include asecondary memory410 such as ahard disk unit412, a removable storage unit414, or any combination thereof.Computer system400 may also include transmission media such as acomputer communication interface416, for example, a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card or Ethernet cable), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, wired or wireless systems (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared), local area networks, wide area networks, intranets, or other components capable of permitting communication between thesoftware program300 and other components of thesystem10.
• It is contemplated that themain memory408,secondary memory410,computer communication interface416, or a combination thereof, function as a computer usable storage medium, otherwise referred to as a computer readable storage medium, to store and/or access computer software including computer instructions. For example, computer programs or other instructions may be loaded into thecomputer system400 such as through a removable storage device, for example, a floppy disk, ZIP disks, magnetic tape, portable flash drive, optical disk such as a CD or DVD or Blu-ray, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”), nanotechnological apparatus. Specifically, computer software including computer-executable instructions may be transferred from the removable storage unit414 orhard disc unit412 to thesecondary memory410 or through thecommunication infrastructure404 to themain memory408 of thecomputer system400. For example, upon reaching various computer system components, program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to computer storage media (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatile computer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should be understood that computer storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.
• Computer programs300, when executed, enable thecomputer system400, particularly theprocessor406, to implement embodiments of the methods described herein according tocomputer software300 including computer-executable instructions and data. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.
• Thecomputer system400 described in this application may perform any one of, or any combination of, the steps of any of the methods presented in this application. It is also contemplated that embodiments of the methods described herein may be performed automatically, or may be invoked by some form of manual intervention.
• Thecomputer system400 ofFIG. 4 is provided only for purposes of illustration, such that the invention is not limited to this specific embodiment. It is appreciated that a person skilled in the relevant art knows how to program and implement the invention using any computer system with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. As such, in a distributed system environment, a computer system may include a plurality of constituent computer systems. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
• Certain embodiments of thesoftware program300 may be integrated with other automated systems within the laboratory or other environment in which it is implemented. For example, thesoftware program300 may be integrated with electronic medical records systems, digital microscopy, and/or digital scanning. Such embodiments may improve workflow, improve patient care because of reduced errors and delay in diagnosis, reduce cost due to increased efficiency, and improve morale.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of anarchival method500 of archiving a specimen or a collection of specimens according to the present invention. In one embodiment of such a method, the archival process is initiated510, identification information associated with a specimen is obtained520, specimen archive instructions are sent to the movement mechanism and/or thearchival structure530, the specimen is moved to a storage location within thearchival structure540, identification information associated with the specimen is correlated to the storage location of thespecimen550, and the correlated identification information and storage location information is stored on a computerreadable storage medium560.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of amethod510 for archival process initiation. In one embodiment, a user places a specimen having an information display (such as a UPC barcode, matrix barcode, QR code, or other information display, which may be associated with the specimen) in or on an input component or an input/output component, and the specimen archival process is initiated. In one embodiment, the input component or input/output component may include a sensor such as a weight sensor or a motion sensor that can sense when a specimen is positioned relative to the input component or input/output component. Upon sensing the specimen orspecimens512, the specimen archival process is initiated. In addition or alternatively, a user initiates the specimen archival process by entering instructions through thesoftware program514. Then, a number of automated steps performed by the system components may occur as the archival process continues516.
• FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of amethod520 for obtaining identification information associated with a specimen. In one embodiment, a reader on the movement mechanism or other system component may read a specimen information display (such as a UPC barcode, matrix barcode, QR code, or other, which may be associated with the specimen) to ascertainspecimen identification information522. In addition or alternatively, the specimen identification information may be manually entered into thecomputer system524. The information is sent to the software program, and is received and stored in thecomputer system526.
• FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of amethod540 for moving a specimen to a storage location within the archival structure. In one embodiment, the storage location is determined542. In one embodiment, the storage location is determined according to the size of the specimen. In addition or alternatively, the storage location is determined according to the shape of the specimen. In addition or alternatively, the storage location is determined by the order the specimen is archived. In addition or alternatively, the storage location is determined according to user instructions. The specimen may be positioned544 in a location within the archival structure or the receptacle may be moved546 to the location of the movement mechanism and the specimen then moved548 to the receptacle. The storage location of the specimen location may be sent to the to the software program and received and stored in thecomputer system549. In any of the embodiments of the methods illustrated inFIGS. 5-8, certain steps may be repeated if additional specimens are to be archived.
• FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of amethod600 for an archival process. The embodiment ofFIG. 9 is similar to the embodiments ofFIG. 5 and the description ofFIG. 5 is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, an archival process is initiated610, identification information associated with a specimen is obtained620, specimen archive instructions are sent630, a specimen is moved to a storage location within thearchival structure640, identification information associated with the specimen is correlated650 with storage location of the specimen, and the correlated identification and storage location information is stored660. Additionally or alternatively, stored information regarding specimen identification and/or storage location may be integrated with information from anothersystem670. For example, the information may be integrated with information from other automated systems within the laboratory or other environment in which the system is implemented. For example, the information may be integrated with electronic medical records systems, digital microscopy, and/or digital scanning. It may also be integrated with other information in order to improve workflow, improve patient care because of reduced errors and delay in diagnosis, reduce cost due to increased efficiency, and improve morale. In some examples, theother system670 may be located remotely (i.e. in a separate room, building, etc.) from the computer system (such as computer system400). In other examples, theother system670 may be located in the same general area (i.e. same floor, room, laboratory) as the computer system (such as computer system400).
• FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of amethod700 for retrieval of a specimen. The retrieval of a specimen may be initiated710 through the software program. The software program then transmits720 a storage location to the movement mechanism and/or the archival structure, and the movement mechanism moves730 to the location of the specimen or the specimen or the receptacle or module containing the specimen is moved740 to the location of the movement mechanism.
• FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of amethod800 for retrieval of a specimen. The embodiments ofFIG. 11 are similar to the embodiments ofFIG. 10 and the description ofFIG. 10 is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the storage retrieval process is initiated810, specimen retrieval instructions are sent820, and the movement mechanism moves830 to the location of the specimen or the specimen or the receptacle or module containing the specimen is moved840 to the location of the movement mechanism. Additionally, the identity of the retrieved specimen or specimens may be verified850 by reviewing an information display (such as a UPC barcode, matrix barcode, QR code, or other, which may be associated with the specimen). The reviewing may be conducted by a human operator or a scanner such as an electronic scanner or an optical scanner. If the specimen is verified as the intended retrieval, the specimen is positioned860 in the input/output component for retrieval by the user. If the specimen is determined to be a mismatch to the intended specimen, information is dispatched870 regarding the mismatch to the computer system. A message informing the user of the mismatch is displayed880. If mismatches are detected, the computer program may direct the scanner to rescan a section of specimens or even all stored specimens, and with the new information rebuild the information database.
• Some embodiments include certain workflows according to the methods of the present invention. Specimens may be retrieved from the archival structure for digital scanning, and/or review by healthcare provider such as a pathologist or clinician and a patient. In some embodiments, there are a number of purposes for which the specimens may be retrieved from the archival structure. Such purposes include staining, slide assembly, slide review, image analysis, reporting results to patient, review for surgery, delivery, accession, grossing, processing, embedding, or microtomy.
• The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description. Those of skill in the art may recognize changes, substitutions, adaptations and other modifications that may nonetheless come within the scope of the present invention and range of the present invention.

Claims (50)

1. A system for archiving and retrieving specimens, comprising:

an archival structure;

at least one specimen movement mechanism, wherein the specimen movement mechanism is configured to move a specimen from an input location to a storage location in the archival structure; and

a software program, wherein the software program is configured to receive information regarding the storage location of the specimen and store the information on a computer readable storage medium of a computer system.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the software program comprises a user interface, the user interface being configured to allow entry of specimen storage and/or retrieval instructions to be forwarded to the specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure.

3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the software program is further configured to receive information and/or feedback from the specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure and display the information on the user interface.

4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the computer system comprises a communications interface configured to forward information and/or instructions from the software program to the specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure and to forward information and/or feedback from the specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure to the software program.

5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the specimen movement mechanism comprises a specimen reader, the specimen reader configured to read a specimen information display located on the specimen and to send specimen information to the software program.

6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the archival structure comprises at least one input component and/or output component configured to receive specimens for storage as an input location and/or receive specimens from storage.

7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one input component and/or output component comprises a sensor, the sensor configured to detect the presence of a specimen and to send detection information to the software program upon detection of a specimen

8. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the specimen movement mechanism, archival structure, and software program are configured to store specimens according to expected storage term, such that shorter storage term specimens are located at an area of the archival structure relatively closer to the input component or the output component and longer storage term specimens are located at an area of the archival structure relatively farther from the input component or the output component.

9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the archival structure comprises at least one storage module, the at least one storage module comprising a plurality of receptacles configured for receiving and storing specimens.

10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein at least a portion of the receptacles are configured to be moveable within the archival structure, the archival structure comprising at least one vertical receptacle positioning component and/or at least one horizontal receptacle positioning component configured to move the moveable receptacles within the archival structure.

11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the receptacles are configured to be non-movable within the archival structure.

12. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the receptacles are configured to have a volume of approximately 0.0005 to 0.000625 cubic feet each.

13. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the receptacles are formed from a series of support elements and plate elements, the support elements configured to support at least one plate element and the at least one plate element configured such that a specimen may be positioned thereon.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the support elements are attached to a vertical receptacle positioning component and/or a horizontal receptacle positioning component configured to move a storage module or a moveable portion of the receptacles within the archival structure.

15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the support elements are attached to a support element scaffold or a housing of the archival structure.

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34. In a computer automated environment, a method of archiving and retrieving specimens, comprising:

initiating an archival process;

obtaining identification information associated with a specimen;

sending specimen archive instructions to a specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure;

moving the specimen to a storage location within the archival structure using the specimen movement mechanism;

correlating the identification information associated with the specimen with the storage location of the specimen; and

storing the correlated identification information and storage location information of the specimen on a computer readable storage medium of a computer system.

35. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising:

accessing the correlated identification information and storage location information of the specimen;

sending specimen retrieval instructions to the specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure; and

retrieving the specimen from the archival structure using the specimen movement mechanism.

36. The method ofclaim 35, wherein retrieving the specimen from the storage location comprises using a robotic arm.

37. The method ofclaim 35, further comprising verifying the identity of the specimen by reading a specimen information display located on the specimen using a reader.

38. The method ofclaim 37, wherein the reader is located on the specimen movement mechanism.

39. The method ofclaim 37, further comprising sending match or mismatch information to the computer system and informing user of match or mismatch information.

40. The method ofclaim 34, wherein moving the specimen to a storage location within an archival structure comprises using a robotic arm.

41. The method ofclaim 34, wherein obtaining identification information associated with a specimen comprises manual entry of the identification information by a user into the computer system.

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48. A physical computer readable storage media having stored thereon computer executable instructions that when executed by one or more processors of a computer system cause the computer system to perform the following, comprising:

obtain identification information associated with a specimen;

send specimen archive instructions to a specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure;

move the specimen to a storage location within the archival structure using the specimen movement mechanism;

correlate the identification information associated with the specimen with the storage location of the specimen; and

store the correlated identification information and storage location information.

49. The physical computer readable storage media ofclaim 48, further causing the computer system to perform the following, comprising:

access the correlated identification information and storage location information of the specimen;

send specimen retrieval instructions to the specimen movement mechanism and/or archival structure; and

retrieve the specimen from the archival structure using the specimen movement mechanism.

50. The physical computer readable storage media ofclaim 48, further causing one or the computer system to verify the identity of the specimen by reading a specimen information display located on the specimen using a reader.

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