JP2015045651A - Identification of sample holding body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method that is not affected by an influence of human errors when identifying an individual sample holder of a plurality of sample holders to be mounted in sample processing devices in association with indicia of label.SOLUTION: A sample holder 102 includes: a sample support area 104 that supports a sample to be processed by a sample processing device; and a circuit 106 that, when the sample holder is mounted in the sample processing device for being subjected to processing, has a storage part and communication part including a radio interface performing radio communication with a storage part read device of the sample processing device. A sample holder processing device 100 includes a plurality of sample holder accommodation areas 116 that is adapted to accommodate the individual sample holders holding samples to be processed by the sample holder processing device, respectively; and a plurality of storage reading devices 120 that is located in the plurality of sample holder accommodation areas, respectively, and is adapted to perform one-to-one radio communication with a sample holder provided in the corresponding one out of the sample holder accommodation areas, respectively.

Description

  The following relates to the identification of sample holders, and in this specification, specifically describes specific applications for identifying and communicating with individual sample holders of a plurality of sample holders mounted on a sample processing apparatus. Yes.

  The sample processing apparatus has been configured to simultaneously receive a plurality of sample holders and process the samples held by the plurality of sample holders in parallel. In one application, a sample held by the sample holder is acquired and attached to the collection position of the sample holder. For example, the sample holder is a swab that collects a sample containing cells by rubbing against the inner wall of the subject's mouth. After obtaining the sample, the sample holder is stored in a container, which is used to uniquely identify and distinguish the stored sample from the samples of other sample holders in other containers. A label indicating the indicium is attached.

  The container with the sample holder is then taken to another location (eg, a laboratory) for processing. When multiple samples are processed in parallel, the individual sample holders are removed from their corresponding containers and placed in each processing channel of the holder support. The label indicia on the container is used to map the sample holder to individual processing channels of the processing apparatus. As an example, the technician wearing the sample holder manually inputs (electronically scans) the indicia of the label into a database or other software running on a database or computer, and the indicia therein is the corresponding The identifier of the channel in which the sample holder to be inserted enters is associated.

  The sample is then processed and the results are read and / or stored in memory. The sample holder is then removed and the next set of sample holders are placed for processing. The result of the process is associated with the individual sample and is therefore associated with the object via the label indicia correspondence and the channel identifier of the computer. Unfortunately, the above techniques are susceptible to human error or are prone to human error. As an example, a technician may place a sample holder holding a sample from a person on one channel and inadvertently record that the sample holder is placed on another channel on the computer. is there. As a result, the result of the treated sample is associated with the wrong object.

  The viewpoint of this application addresses the above matters.

  In one aspect, the sample holder includes a sample support region that supports a sample to be processed by the sample holder processing apparatus, and the sample processing when the sample holder is placed on the sample processing apparatus for processing. And a wireless interface for wireless communication with the storage unit reader of the apparatus.

  In another aspect, the sample holder processing apparatus includes a plurality of sample holder storage areas each configured to store individual sample holders that hold samples to be processed by the sample holder processing apparatus, A plurality of sample holder storage unit readers respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of sample holder storage areas, each configured to wirelessly communicate with the sample holder in a one-to-one manner. Storage unit reader.

  In another aspect, a method of arranging a plurality of readers on a plurality of sample holders respectively mounted on a plurality of sample holder storage areas of a sample processing apparatus, wherein the single reader has the sample holder A step of being arranged on each of the bodies, a step of operating each reading device to read a unique identifier of only the sample holder placed in the corresponding sample holder storage region, and a sample by the control device A step of associating each of the unique identifiers of the holding body with the sample holding body storage region, a step of processing a sample held by the sample holding body to generate a signal indicating a processing result, and Associating a signal with each sample holder.

  In another aspect, the method includes: obtaining a first identification information from the sample holder for processing before a plurality of sample holders holding the sample are placed on the sample processing apparatus; and a computer Associating the first identification information of each of the sample holders with the identification information corresponding to the sample holder storage area on which each sample holder is placed, and processing the sample; After the sample holder is removed from the sample processing apparatus, a step of obtaining second identification information from the plurality of sample holders, and a second identification information of each of the sample holders by the computer device And a step of associating the identification information corresponding to the sample holder storage area on which each sample holder is placed, a step of comparing the first identification information and the second identification information, and the comparison Provide notification indicating And a step of.

This application is illustrated by way of example and is not limited to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like elements.
1 to 3 show an embodiment of a sample processing apparatus and a sample holder. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a sample processing apparatus and a sample holder. 1-3 show the Example of a sample processing apparatus and a sample holder. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate a sample holder reader associated with a sample holder placed on the sample processing apparatus. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate a sample holder reader associated with a sample holder placed on the sample processing apparatus. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate a sample holder reader associated with a sample holder placed on the sample processing apparatus. FIG. 5 shows an example of a sample holder with a wireless and contact interface. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a contact interface. 7, 8, and 9 show examples of sample holders configured to be disassembled into smaller sample holders. 7, 8, and 9 show examples of sample holders configured to be disassembled into smaller sample holders. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate examples of sample holders configured to be disassembled into smaller sample holders. 10 and 11 illustrate an example method. 10 and 11 illustrate an example method.

1-3 show a sample processing apparatus 100 and N sample holders 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _N (N is one or more, collectively referred to herein as sample holders 102). An integer) is illustrated. FIG. 1 shows a sample holder 100 in which the sample holder 102 can be placed on and / or removed from the sample holder processing apparatus 100. 2 and 3 illustrate a sample processing apparatus 100 configured to process a placed sample holder 102 with a wireless-based interface and a physical contact-based interface, respectively.

  Each of the illustrated sample holders 102 includes a sample support region 104 and a circuit 106 having a storage unit and a communication unit. The sample support area 104 is configured to support a sample to be processed by the sample processing apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the sample support region 104 is a swab or other substance or container that supports or holds a sample, such as blood, saliva, tissue, and / or other sample or sample of a subject (human or animal), for example. Including. In another embodiment, the sample support area 104 supports other samples (eg, paint chips, water, etc.) obtained from other sources required for processing.

  The circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit includes a communication component 108, a logic unit 110, and a storage unit 112. The communication component 108 is spaced from the sample holder 102 (eg, the sample processing device 100, a suitable electronic writer, a suitable electronic reader, and / or the sample holder 102). Configured to interact (e.g., receive and / or transmit information) with other devices. The logic unit 110 thus acts as a slave device of the reader 118, thus facilitating control locally, for example by providing a local implementation of the interaction. In one embodiment, the logic unit 110 may be configured to handle wireless and / or wired access contention. The logic unit 110 also controls writing information to and / or reading information from the storage unit 112.

  The storage unit 112 includes a memory such as a read-only memory, a non-rewritable memory, a read / write memory, and / or other memory. The particular type of storage element used is determined by various factors such as a predetermined safety level, the type of information stored in the storage 112, and / or other factors. In one embodiment, the storage unit 112 stores at least a unique identifier (UID). The UID can be read by the communication component 108 and / or others. The UID allows an authorized user to associate the sample holder 102 with a specific sample and / or source of the sample. Of course, various other information (eg, source name, sample type, collector, date, etc.) can also be stored in the storage unit 112. In another embodiment, the storage unit 112 does not store a UID.

  As will be described in more detail below, the communication component 108 includes a wireless (or contactless) communication interface and / or a contact (or wired) communication interface. The wireless interface can provide a sterile contact-free boundary between the sample holder 102 and the device in communication therewith, and the contact interface can provide a relatively high level of security (eg, unauthorized interception of wireless signals). Can be provided). If each of the wireless and contact interfaces has a UID, the UIDs can be associated, correlated, or otherwise associated, whereby the UID identifies and tracks the sample holder 102 Can be used for either.

  Further, as described in more detail below, in one embodiment, the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit can be a part of the sample holder 102. For example, the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit includes the storage unit and the communication unit in a part of the outer side of the sample holder 102 that is partially or completely embedded in the sample holder 102. Other parts of the circuit 106 may be provided. This is a fixed part or part of the disposable sample holder 102, and the whole sample holder 102 is integrally included therein. In this way, the UID can track the sample on the sample holder 102 and may reduce the false association of UIDs with samples performed by different sample holders 102. .

  In another embodiment, the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit can be detachably attached to the sample holder 102. In this embodiment, the circuit 106 having the storage and communication unit can be reused in a disposable or another sample holder 102 (eg, after the appropriate sterilization and reprogramming). If reusable, the circuit 106 having the storage and communication units may be programmable, by storing another UID in the storage 112 and replacing the previously stored UID. , The identifier stored there remains unique.

The sample processing apparatus 100 includes M sample holder storage areas 116 ₁ , 116 ₂ ,... 116 _M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) collectively referred to as a sample holder storage area 116 in this specification. ) Includes a base 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the N sample holders 102 are placed in the M sample holder storage areas 116. It should be understood that N may be a number greater than or equal to M.

The sample processing apparatus 100 also includes an interrogator or reader 118 that reads the contents of the storage unit 112 of the circuit 106 having the storage unit and communication unit of the sample holder 102 placed therein. The reader 118 may or may not be a physical part of the base 114. The illustrated reading device 118 is referred to herein as M storage unit reading devices 120 ₁ , 120 ₂ ,... 120 _M (M is an integer of 1 or more). )including.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the storage unit reader 120 is arranged with respect to the reader 118, whereby the individual storage unit readers 120 are arranged together with individual sample holder storage areas 116. The individual sample holders 102 placed by the above are arranged. This is illustrated in FIG. 4A and shows a top down view of the reader 118 communicating with the circuit 106 having the storage and communication portions of the sample holder 102 disposed on the base 114. Yes. FIGS. 4B and 4C each show a view with the reader 118 moving away from the base 114 and looking down from above the reader 118.

  The arrangement enables one-to-one communication between the storage unit reading device 120 and the circuit 106 including the storage unit and the communication unit of the sample holder 102. Such communication can provide a unique reading of the UID and / or other information of the sample holder 102. For example, such one-to-one communication is performed by the storage unit reading device 120 that the storage unit reading device 120 must determine or specify which of the plurality of sample holders 102 at a predetermined time, if any. (Or other circuits) can be softened.

  In general, a system designed for one-to-one communication may be encountered when the plurality of sample holders 102 are detected. Mitigation (eg, use of signal strength of sample holder) is used to identify which, if any, of the plurality of detected sample holders 102 are in the expected slot. Sometimes. A well-designed one-to-one communication can be expected to greatly improve the discrimination between the desired and desirable sample holders 102, so that a one-to-one premise can be achieved in practice.

  When the sample holder 102 is not in the sample holder storage area 116, the corresponding storage unit reader 120 does not communicate with the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit of the sample holder 102. In still other embodiments, two or more sample holders 102 communicate with a single storage reader 120 and single sample holder 102 communicates with two or more storage readers 120. In addition, two or more sample holders 102 communicate with two or more storage unit readers 120.

  1-3, the control device 122 controls the base 144 and / or the reading device 120 and / or one or more components thereof. The controller 122 may be in communication with and / or in communication with a memory that stores one or more computer-readable and executable instructions to execute such instructions.

  The shape (eg, shape, size, etc.) of the components described herein is provided for the purpose of explanation and is not limited to this. Further, the position of the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit and the sample support region 104 may be arranged with respect to the sample holder 102.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an example sample holder 102 in which the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit includes an integrated chip having both a wireless interface 502 and a contact interface 504, and communicates with the wireless interface 502 and the contact interface 504. 1 illustrates a reading device 120 configured as described above.

The illustrated wireless interface 502 includes a wireless automatic identification (RFID) interface, and the illustrated contact interface includes an I ² C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface. The circuit 106 having such a storage unit and a communication unit includes, but is not limited to, a 64 Kbit EEPROM (part number M24LR64-R) which is a product of STMmicroelectronics of Geneva, Sweden. In other embodiments, other wireless and / or contact interfaces may be used.

  The wireless interface 502 includes an antenna such as a coil, wire, or other transducer that can transmit and / or receive electromagnetic waves. The contact interface 504 includes a first conductive contact 506 in electrical communication with the first conductive region 508 of the outer surface 510 of the sample holder 102 and a second conductive property of the outer surface 510 of the sample holder 102. A second conductive contact 512 in electrical communication with region 514. In some embodiments, there may be other and / or additional electrical contacts.

  When the sample holder 102 is placed on the base 114 of the sample processing apparatus 100, the conductive regions 508 and 514 form a physical contact therebetween. The contact portion 506, the region 508, and the electrical path therebetween are electrically separated from the contact portion 512, the region 514, and their electrical path.

  Various methods are used to electrically isolate the conductive regions 508 and 514. As an example, FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first and second conductive regions 508 and 514 are configured as concentric circles separated by an electrical insulator. Other configurations are also contemplated herein. Any of a variety of mechanical means may be used to ensure proper placement of contact between each sample 102 and the corresponding reader 120.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the logic unit 110 includes instructions for operating the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit in various modes, for example, wireless mode, contact mode, and / or other modes. An optional power supply 516 provides power to the logic unit 110 that is designed to obtain no power from the query FR signal (eg, by a passive RFID device) or by the contact. The memory 518 stores various computer readable and executable instructions for the logic unit 110. The memory 518 may or may not be part of the storage unit 112.

  In another embodiment, the contact interface 504 includes a 1-Wire® device or other contact interface that is a product of Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, Texas. In another embodiment, the storage unit 112 includes only the wireless interface 502 or only the contact interface 504. In another embodiment, the storage unit 112 includes two or more wireless interfaces 502 and / or two or more contact interfaces 504. In another embodiment, wireless communication between the reader 118 and the sample holder 102 is achieved by capacitive coupling or other coupling.

  The storage reader 120 includes supplemental interfaces including contact interfaces 522 and 524 and a wireless interface 526. Other storage readers 120 may have additional contact interfaces and / or wireless interfaces. Microprocessor 528 controls the interface and interacts with the controller 122 (FIGS. 1-3).

  7, 8 and 9, exemplary embodiments of the sample holder 102 are illustrated. In these embodiments, the sample holder 102 is easily folded or broken along a cutting region or path 702 to separate the sample holder 102 into two separate regions or pieces 704 or 706, and The fragment 704 is configured to include the sample support region 104 and the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit. The illustrated path 704 includes a plurality of substance free regions 708. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the material along the path 702 may be relatively thinner than the thickness of the material in any part of the sample holder 102. Other methods are used subtly or alternatively to form the cutting path 702.

  In this embodiment, the sample holder 102 is long enough to hold, apply, transmit, and / or facilitate placing the sample holder 102 on the sample processing apparatus 100. . Next, when the sample holder 102 is placed on the sample processing apparatus 100, the sample holder 102 can be folded along the path 702, so that a small sample holder 102 is formed. Minimize the space volume occupied by 100. With reference to FIG. 7, the circuit 106 having the storage and communication portions is located adjacent to the sample support region 104 in the fragment 704. Referring to FIG. 8, the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit is at least partially located in the sample support region 104. FIG. 9 shows that the sample holder 102 is separated into two separate pieces 704 and 706.

  FIG. 10 illustrates the method.

  In FIG. 1002, a plurality of sample holders 102 are placed in the respective sample holder storage areas 116 of the base 114 of the sample processing apparatus 100. The sample holder 102 is placed randomly or arbitrarily on the sample holder storage area 116. Of course, the sample holder 102 is also placed in a designated and / or recorded sample holder storage area 116.

  In FIG. 1004, the reading device 118 is disposed on the sample holder storage area 116.

  In FIG. 1006, each storage unit reading device 120 of the reading device 118 communicates with a corresponding one of the sample holders 102 by a circuit 106 having the storage unit and a communication unit to read UIDs.

  As described herein, such communication is performed by the wireless interface 502 and / or the contact interface 504 of the sample holder 102. In one embodiment, the particular interface used is determined by the configuration of the sample processing apparatus 10. For example, when the sample processing apparatus 100 does not support wireless communication, the contact interface 504 is used.

  In another embodiment, the two interfaces 502 and 504 provide another interface when, for example, the sample processing apparatus 100 is unable to communicate with one of the interfaces 502 and 504. In one embodiment, the sample processing apparatus 100 determines which of the interfaces 502 and 504 is used for communication. In another embodiment, the particular interface is selected by a user, default settings, and / or others.

  In 1008, the control device 122 creates an association between the UIDs of the sample holder 102 and the identifier of the sample holder storage area 114 on which the sample holder 102 is placed. The controller 122 can store the association in local memory and / or remote memory.

  In 1010, the sample is processed by the sample processing apparatus 100.

  In 1012, the result of the processing is electronically associated with the sample holder 102 by associating the UIDs with the sample holder storage area 116.

  In 1014, the plurality of sample holders 102 are removed from the sample processing apparatus 100. The next set of sample holders 102 is placed for processing.

  FIG. 11 illustrates another method.

  At 1102, identification information of the sample holder 102 that holds the sample for processing is obtained. As described herein, the identification information can be obtained using a suitable electronic reader and reads the sample holder and / or the electronic label of the container holding the sample holder. It can be obtained by. In yet another embodiment, the identification information is read manually from such a label by a person. The identification information is stored in a computer system.

  In 1104, the sample holder 102 is placed in one of the sample holder storage areas 104 of the processing apparatus 100 together with a plurality of other sample holders 102.

  In 1106, the identification information of each sample holder 102 and the corresponding identification information of the sample holder storage area 104 are associated with or associated with each other in the computer system.

  At 1108, the sample is processed.

  In 1110, the result of the process is associated with identification information in the computer system.

  At 1112, the sample holder 102 is removed or removed from the processing apparatus 100.

  In 1116, the identification information obtained in step 1114 is compared with the identification information associated with the result of the processing by the computer system, and a signal indicating the comparison is generated.

  If the signal does not match the identification information, then at 1118 the computer system provides a notification, warning, alarm, message, and / or the like that informs the person. Said information is provided by visual and / or audible techniques.

  Alternatively, the processing result and identification information are printed on a hard copy, stored electronically, further processed, and transmitted to another device. Generally, a match confirms that the treated sample holder is the desired sample holder. Optionally, a notification indicating a match is provided.

  This method facilitates ensuring that the result is associated with the correct identification information. For example, the sample holder A is arranged in the channel 1 and the sample holder B is arranged in the channel 2, but the operator places the sample holder A in the channel 2 (with the computer system) and holds the sample. It may record that body B is placed in channel 1. In this case, data entry errors are caught in steps 1116 and 1118.

  This method also prevents the reading device 120 and / or the circuit 106 (FIG. 1) having the storage unit and the communication unit from functioning properly, so that information stored in the circuit 106 having the storage unit and the communication unit is not stored. It can be used when it cannot be acquired correctly. This method can also be used with a sample processing apparatus 100 that does not support communicating with the circuit 106 having the storage and communication section. This method is also used when the sample holder label is located where the reader 120 cannot read the label.

  The sample processing apparatus 100 described herein can be configured to process a plurality of different types of samples. If the sample holder 102 is a biochip, lab on a chip, or the like holding a sample with DNA, the sample processing device 100 determines the sequence of the DNA and / or Or it can be configured to process the sample.

  This application has been described with reference to various embodiments. Reading this application will come up with modifications or changes. It is intended that the present invention be construed to include all such modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The sample is then processed and the results are read and / or stored in memory. The sample holder is then removed and the next set of sample holders are placed for processing. The result of the process is associated with the individual sample and is therefore associated with the object via the label indicia correspondence and the channel identifier of the computer. Unfortunately, the above techniques are susceptible to human error or are prone to human error. As an example, a technician may place a sample holder holding a sample from a person on one channel and inadvertently record that the sample holder is placed on another channel on the computer. is there. As a result, the result of the treated sample is associated with the wrong object.
Prior art document information relating to the invention of this application includes the following (including documents cited in the international phase after the international filing date and documents cited when entering the country in other countries).
(Prior art documents)
(Patent Literature)
(Patent Document 1) International Publication No. 2006/004739
(Patent Document 2) International Publication No. 2005/098455
(Patent Document 3) US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/240983
(Patent Document 4) European Patent Application Publication No. 1898217
(Patent Document 5) European Patent Application Publication No. 2080553
(Patent Document 6) International Publication No. 2010/004332
(Patent Document 7) International Publication No. 2008/014117
(Patent Document 8) US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/199196
(Patent Document 9) International Publication No. 2009/006523
(Non-patent literature)
(Non-patent document 1) International search report for PCT / US2010 / 034476 published as WO 2011/1424949 A1.
(Non-Patent Document 2) MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Glossary Definition for RFID, 2010, 1 sheet.
(Non-patent Document 3) MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, 1-Wire RFID Alternatives A Contact Based Alternative to RFID, 2010, 2 sheets.
(Non-Patent Document 4) ST, 64 Kbit EEPROM with password protection & dual interface: 400 kHz I2C serial bus & ISO 15693 RF protocol at 13.56 MHz, Manual 10 A15, 126 Aid. st. com.
(Non-Patent Document 5) TAGSYS RFID, Case Study: An RFID-Based Management Solution for Biobanks, 2010, 2 sheets, www. tagsysrfid. com.

Claims (29)

A sample holder (102),
A sample support region (104) for supporting a sample to be processed by the sample processing apparatus;
A circuit (106) having a storage unit and a communication unit, and when the sample holder is placed on the sample processing apparatus for processing, wireless communication (502) with the storage unit reading device of the sample processing apparatus A sample holder comprising: a circuit having the storage unit and the communication unit.   The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the wireless interface communicates with only one storage unit reader of the sample processing apparatus.   2. The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the wireless interface includes a radio frequency identification interface that stores unique identification information for the sample holder.   2. The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the circuit having the storage unit and the communication unit is a portion where the sample holder cannot be removed.   The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the circuit having the storage unit and the communication unit further includes a contact interface (504), and when the sample holder is placed on the sample processing apparatus for processing, A sample holder that communicates with the storage reader via a physical conductive path. The sample holder according to claim 5, further comprising:
A sample holder having a logic unit (110) for selecting one of the wireless interface or the contact interface to communicate with the storage unit reader based on communication from the storage unit reader .   6. The sample holder according to claim 5, wherein the circuit having the storage unit and the communication unit includes an integrated chip having both the wireless interface and the contact interface.   2. The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the sample holder is placed on the sample processing apparatus together with a plurality of other sample holders, and the sample processing apparatus includes a plurality of storage unit readers, A sample holder that is configured to communicate one-to-one with a single sample holder.   The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the sample holder is a biochip. The sample holder according to claim 1, further comprising:
A circuit having a cutting region (702) connecting the first and second regions (704 and 706) of the sample holder, and the circuit having the sample support region, the storage unit, and the communication unit is the first or the second. The two regions are disposed together, and the one region is cut from the other region of the first or second region through the cutting region, and the sample support region, and the storage unit And a sample holder which forms a smaller sample holder including a circuit having a communication unit.   The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication communicates with the sample holder processing apparatus by capacitive coupling.   2. The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein the unique identifier of the sample holder is read before the sample holder is placed on the sample processing apparatus, and the sample holder is placed thereon. The unique identifier of the sample holder is read again after processing, a plurality of read unique identifiers are compared, and a signal is generated based on the comparison. Furthermore, the signal is a sample holder that is used to confirm that the processed sample holder is a desired sample holder. A sample holder processing apparatus (100) comprising:
A plurality of sample holder storage areas (116) each configured to receive individual sample holders holding samples to be processed by the sample holder processing apparatus;
A plurality of storage unit readers (120) respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of sample holder storage areas, each configured to wirelessly communicate with the sample holder one-on-one. An apparatus comprising the plurality of storage unit readers.   14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of storage unit readers is physically connected to the sample holder in one of the sample holder storage regions corresponding to each of the storage unit readers. An apparatus that is configured to communicate with the sample holder in a one-to-one manner by mechanical electrical contact.   15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of storage unit readers are RFID readers, the plurality of sample holders include RFID tags, and the RFID readers read information from the tags. A device.   15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of storage unit readers read unique identification information from the sample holder. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:
An apparatus having a control device (122) for generating a mapping between a unique identifier read from the sample holder and a unique identifier of a corresponding sample holder storage area.   18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the control device associates the processing result of the sample holder storage area with the sample holder based on the association.   14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sample holder includes a sample support region that supports a sample to be processed by the sample processing device, and a wireless interface that wirelessly communicates with only one of the storage unit readers; A device including a circuit having a communication unit.   20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the circuit having the storage unit and the communication unit includes a contact interface that communicates with only one of the sample holder readers.   14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the sequence of a DNA sample supported by the sample holder. A method,
Disposing a plurality of readers on a plurality of sample holders respectively mounted on a plurality of sample holder storage areas of a sample processing apparatus, wherein a single reader is placed on each of the sample holders; The step of arranging, which is arranged in
Activating each reader to read the unique identifier of only the sample holder placed in the corresponding sample holder storage area; and
A step of associating each unique identifier of the sample holder with the sample holder storage area by the control device;
Processing a sample held by the sample holder to generate a signal indicating a processing result;
Associating the signal with a respective sample holder based on the association.   23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the reader is in wireless communication with a corresponding sample holder.   23. The method of claim 22, wherein the reader is in communication with a corresponding sample holder through a physical electrical connection.   23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the sample holder includes a sample support region that supports a sample to be processed by the sample holder processing apparatus, and a storage unit and a communication unit including an interface that communicates with the sample holder reader. A method that includes:   The method according to claim 22, wherein the communication between the reader and the sample holder is one-to-one. A method,
Obtaining first identification information from the sample holder for processing before the plurality of sample holders holding the sample are placed on the sample processing apparatus;
Associating the first identification information of each of the sample holders with the identification information corresponding to the sample holder storage area on which each sample holder is placed by a computer device;
Processing the sample;
Obtaining the second identification information from the plurality of sample holders after the sample holder is removed from the sample processing apparatus;
Associating the second identification information of each of the sample holders with the identification information corresponding to the sample holder storage area on which each sample holder is placed by the computer device;
Comparing the first identification information with the second identification information;
Providing a notification indicating the comparison.   28. The method of claim 27, wherein the notification indicates that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match.   28. The method of claim 27, wherein the notification indicates that the first identification information and the second identification information match.

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