WO2019158729A1

WO2019158729A1 - Smart system for sample surveillance and management

Info

Publication number: WO2019158729A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/053891
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julia FLÖTOTTO; Malte DANCKER; Hans Maria HEYN; Yannick Thimotheus BÖGE
Original assignee: Smart4Diagnostics Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-02-15
Filing date: 2019-02-15
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Also published as: EP3673451A1; EP3673450A1; WO2019158732A1; WO2019158733A1; EP3673449A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sample container comprising one or more unit(s) for contactless communication with a base station and optionally a temperature sensor. The invention further refers to a sample container rack designed to receive one or more sample container(s) as a base station, to a remote receiving station designed to receive in a wireless and/or real-time communication fashion information of a sample container rack or of a sample container, a sample analyzer designed to receive one or more sample container rack(s), and a sample analysing system comprising at least a combination of a sample container and a sample container rack. The elements of the invention comprise an electronic and network based system for the surveillance of biological samples. The system thus supports parameter controls of the samples, real-time tracking during transport and sample management options before, during and after sample analyses.

Description

Smart system for sample surveillance and management

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample container comprising one or more unit(s) for contactless communication with a base station and optionally a temperature sensor. The invention further refers to a sample container rack designed to receive one or more sample container(s) as a base station, to a remote receiving station designed to receive in a wireless and/or real-time communication fashion information of a sample container rack or of a sample container, a sample analyzer designed to receive one or more sample container rack(s), and a sample analyzing system comprising at least a combination of a sample container and a sample container rack. The elements of the invention comprise an electronic and network based system for the surveillance of bio logical samples. The system thus supports parameter controls of the samples, real-time tracking during transport and sample management options before, during and after sample analyses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Digitization and smart technologies enable pharmaceutical, technical, and diag nostic companies to perform quantum leaps in research and development. Patients will benefit in the near future from tailor-made and individualized treatment strategies for their disease. Due to more precise analysis and innovations in the field of precision med- icine, more sensitive tests and specific differential diagnoses become possible. In partic ular, blood-based biomarker analyzes are gaining in importance. As a result, significantly more blood samples will be collected, sent and analyzed using high-resolution diagnostic assays. Forthe examination of hematological samples, there are already first innovative, miniaturized and digitized in vitro diagnostic solution packages. However, quality assur ance for biological samples to monitor sample handling and processing, controlled ship ping, tracking and proof of the integrity of the samples during the pre-analytical phase or the transport and storage and for a digital and fully automated data communication and integration between sample and analyzer a smart next-generation data approach is missing entirely.

[0003] Global companies need a large number of individual samples for clinical trials, which come from different countries due to rare or only locally occurring indications. In Germany alone blood is transported to the value of approx. 4.5 billion EUR - the world's blood transport costs around 40 - 60 billion EUR p.a. These blood samples serve the development of new products whose value (or their loss at the failure of the develop ment) changes with a factor of 10 (based on the transport value). Therefore, blood sam ples and other samples are by far the most important raw material for the diagnostics industry. Their quality is crucial for the successful placing of new products on the market, whereby their handling has been neglected so far. [0004] The transport of blood and other body fluids must be carried out under con trolled temperature conditions of up to -80° C and a guaranteed cold chain. To date, this is done in most cases "offline and analog" by adding temperature monitoring means directly in the transport container, for example with the aid of so-called temperature- active strips for simple detection, or electronic temperature data loggers for recording and subsequently reading out the data. However, these methods are highly susceptible to disturbances and fraud, require additional expenses and cannot be tracked by third parties such as customers or users in real-time. Once a sample has left the intended temperature corridor and this is not documented, uncorrectable and unpredictable ef fects on the quality or composition of the sample are produced. This can endanger the entire result of an analysis and, in the worst case, lead to a falsification of the diagnostic results. A truly comprehensive, digitally comprehensible and verifiable solution to this problem, which sets global standards, is not yet available.

[0005] Annually, around 8 billion blood samples are analyzed globally. For example, 285 million blood draws and 690 million blood samples collections were reported in Ger many in 2018. Blood draws are typically taking place in outpatient or stationary settings. Blood draws are performed by healthcare practitioners e.g. clinicians or nurses and blood samples have to be sent to the medical lab for analyses on the same day. Transport is normally performed in-house by pneumatic tube system or by walking. For settled doctors and samples to be analyzed by laboratory service providers, samples are normally picked up once a day by courier service and samples often travel a few hundred kilometers to the laboratory. At arrival in the laboratory, samples are registered and processed at sample entry. Between 6 - 10 % of all samples are processed manually after arrival at sample entry, which results in 25 % costs of the lab operational staff for manual trouble shooting efforts. Most of these samples need manual preparation because they were negatively affected by pre-analytical errors such as wrong tube, wrong label, mis labeling, low filling volume, hemolysis, non-conforming mapping of lab orders and sam- pie barcodes, missing or redundant sample or lab orders or the like, which compromises the sample quality before its arrival in the laboratory and leads to additional manual labor at sample entry for manual sample quality assurance. The total cost for processing one sample manually due to any of these errors is twice the cost of automated pro cessing. Furthermore, an additional 5 % of all goods and consumables must be spent to achieve reimbursable results due to repetitive measurements.

[0006] Detecting and reducing these pre-analytical errors automatically at the point of blood collection could potentially improve medical quality and cut short the spending of an average laboratory by 10 %, through the reduction of manual labor costs and savings of consumables or materials, e.g. test reagents for unnecessary analyses. By improving medical quality and reducing costs for inappropriate patient treatment, up to 400 mil lion Euros can be saved annually in the German healthcare system, 2.000 million Euro all over Europe in a highly competitive market, in which automation and efficiency are key for further profits and key driver of innovation. The additional value of increased diagnostic quality, improved patient safety, easier compliance with regulatory guide lines (e.g. ISO 15189) and competitive advantages are an additional value. Studies have shown that for every Euro that is saved through better quality in pre-analytics, three Euros are saved for healthcare systems because of less manual troubleshooting, less medical errors and lower treatment costs.

[0007] There is thus a need for an efficient approach to control sample handling, ship ping, tracking and proof of the integrity of biological or medicinal samples during the pre-analytical phase, the transport and for a digital and fully automated data communi cation and integration between the sample and assisting devices, as well as correspond- ing, digital communication-based analyzer technology.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention addresses these needs and provides in one aspect a sam ple container comprising one or more unit(s) for contactless communication with a base station. The sample container optionally also comprises a temperature sensor. In a pre- ferred embodiment of the sample container, said unit for contactless communication with the base station is an RFID (radio frequency identification) unit, preferably an NFC (near field communication) unit, or a Bluetooth unit or an ID-chip unit. In a further pre ferred embodiment, the sample container additionally comprises a barcode or matrix code. [0009] In yet another preferred embodiment, the sample container according to the present invention is a blood collection tube, a biopsy collection tube or a tube designed to receive biological fluids such as urine, semen, sweat, sputum or saliva, feces or stool samples.

[0010] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a sample container rack de signed to receive one or more sample containers as a base station, preferably as de- scribed herein above, wherein said sample container rack comprises one or more of the following: one or more unit(s) for contactless communication with a base station, an RFID (radio frequency identification) unit, preferably an NFC (near field communication) unit, or a Bluetooth unit or an ID-chip unit, a barcode, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, a Bluetooth device, a digital memory, a data processing unit, a device for determining the temperature of the sample container and/or of the sample container rack, prefera bly per individual sample container slot within the sample container rack, optionally a device capable of determining vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack, a geographic tracking device, preferably a GPS device, a device capable of determining time parameters of the sample container rack's use, a light sensor and/or device capable of detecting the opening or closing of the sample container rack, an acoustic alarm mod ule, an acoustic and/or optical alarm module, an electric power source, preferably a bat tery, and a communication module allowing for wireless and/or real-time communica tion with a remote receiving station.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the sample container and the sample container rack additionally comprise a lab-on-a-chip diagnostics unit.

[0012] In yet another preferred embodiment, the sample container rack additionally comprises an inside and/or outside camera or a scanner unit capable of capturing an image of one or more of the following: the label/barcode attached on the sample con tainer, the centrifugal status of the sample container, the filling volume of one or more sample containers in the rack, the type of the sample container, the cap color and the shape of the sample container, the color of the sample container content potentially indicating hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia in the sample, the container rack, an order form attached to the sample container rack, or a document provided in the sample container rack or attached to it.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the sample container rack is designed as a mobile rack for transport and/or as a stationary rack for collecting sample containers at a specific site.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, said sample container rack comprises (i) a stationary module and a mobile module, wherein said stationary module preferably comprises the camera or scanner unit, or (ii) a mobile module, wherein said mobile mod ule preferably comprises the camera or scanner unit. [0015] In another preferred embodiment, the sample container rack comprises at least one sample container slot within the sample container rack, which is configured to check one or more parameters of a sample container between the step of filling the sample in the container and the initiation of the transport of said sample container in a sample container rack, wherein said parameters comprise one or more selected from:

- identity of the sample and/or sample container;

type of sample container, preferably identifiable via a color code;

volume of sample container, preferably identifiable by shape;

filling volume of the sample container;

sample number;

- temperature of the sample and/or sample container and/or sample container rack, preferably at the time point of sample container placement in the sample container rack;

humidity of the sample and/or sample container;

time parameters of the sample container rack's use;

- index of the sample relating to hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia;

centrifugation status of the sample;

preferably vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack;

presence of liquid and/or solid phase in the sample; ratio of liquid and solid phases in the sample;

content of order form attached to the sample container rack; and

one or more quality parameter(s) of the sample, preferably pH, ionic concentration, and presence of apoptotic, inflammatory, metabolic or infectious indicators.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the sample container rack is designed to transmit information on the status of the sample container rack and/or on the status of the sample container comprised in it, preferably obtained with a unit or device as de scribed herein above. In a preferred embodiment of the sample container rack, the sta- tionary module and the mobile module are designed to transmit information, also be tween each other. In yet another embodiment, said transmission of information is via a wireless and/or real-time communication to a remote receiving station. In a further pre ferred embodiment, said remote receiving station is provided as a network based data base server, preferably as a cloud based server. [0017] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a remote receiving station designed to receive in a wireless and/or real-time communication fashion information of a sample container rack, preferably as defined herein above, regarding one or more of the following: temperature, humidity, vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces, GPS-tracks, light intensity on the sample, image captured of the sample container or the sample rack, capture and/or data extracted from a capture of an order form attached to the sample container filling volume of the sample container, type of the sample con tainer, potential hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia in a sample in a sample container, con tent of an order form attached to the sample container, time parameters of the sample container rack's use and sample quality parameters of each of the sample containers. [0018] In a further preferred embodiment, said received information is provided and/or accumulated and/or analyzed on a network based database server. In a particularly pre ferred embodiment, said received information is provided and/or accumulated and/or analyzed on a cloud based server. [0019] In a further preferred embodiment, said remote receiving station is connected to and/or shares information with a downstream device such as a stationary or mobile remote device or with a further device or receiving station. In a particularly preferred embodiment, said remote receiving station is connected to and/or shares information with a downstream device such as a stationary or mobile remote device or with a further device or receiving station via wireless and/or real-time communication.

[0020] In yet another preferred embodiment, said mobile remote device is a smartphone or a tablet PC.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, said remote receiving station receives infor- mation from said sample container rack in an automatic or semi-automatic manner, preferably via a periodic update function, in an event-dependent manner, preferably after a one or more of the parameter(s) selected from:

volume of sample container, preferably identifiable by shape;

filling volume of the sample container;

- temperature ofthe sample and/or sample containerand/or sample container rack; humidity of the sample and/or sample container;

time parameters of the sample container rack's use;

index of the sample relating to hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia;

vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack;

- presence of liquid and/or solid phase in the sample;

ratio of liquid and solid phases in the sample; and

one or more quality parameter(s) of the sample, preferably pH, ionic concentration, and presence of apoptotic, inflammatory, metabolic or infectious indicators, differ from a predetermined value. [0022] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said remote re ceiving station shares received information with a downstream device such as a station ary or mobile remote device or with a further device or receiving station in an automatic or semi-automatic manner. It is particularly preferred that said information is shared via a periodic update function.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, said remote receiving station additionally comprises an assessment and decision unit which determines: (i) on the basis of one or more of the following: the temperature measured since the time point of sample container registration in the sample container rack, the temperature during delivery, the filling volume of the sample container, the hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, the sample type, the content of the order form, the record of a GPS-track, time parameters of the sample container rack's use the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample and one or more sample quality parameter(s) of each of the sample container, which subsequent step is to be performed with the sample container, wherein possible steps include: release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample, discard of the sample, release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample with concomitant report on specific parameters, pausing sample analysis, tagging samples for subsequent freezing, second or subsequent analysis or discard and/or separating samples according to the temperature measured during delivery, the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample, the filling volume of the sample container, the hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, the sample type, the content of the order form, the record of the GPS-track, the determined light intensity, and one or more sample quality parameter(s), and/or whether one or more further step(s) such as taking a new sample, resending data from the sample container rack, rerouting of sample container racks are performed; and/or (ii) on the basis of analysis results, preferably as obtained in (i), whether additional analysis steps or activities are required, further and/or different samples are required from a patient, or sample transport should be modified, preferably accelerated or decelerated; and/or (iii) on the basis of the geolocation of the sample container rack the estimated arrival at specific geolocations and the exact amount of sample containers in transit.

[0024] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a sample analyzer de signed to receive one or more sample container rack(s), preferably as described herein above, wherein said sample analyzer comprises an RFID reader, a Bluetooth device, a barcode reader, an interface between said reader and an analyzer information technol ogy unit, and a communication module allowing for wireless and/or real-time commu nication with a remote receiving station, preferably with the remote receiving station as defined herein above, or with the remote receiving station as defined herein above, or with a sample analyzer system, preferably an Laboratory Information System (LIS), or allowing for wireless and/or real-time communication with a web-based server system feeding a dashboard.

[0025] The term "dashboard" as used herein relates to an overview of key parameters or indicators in a report format. The information is preferably provided on a web page which is linked to a database, e.g. the remote receiving station as defined herein, that allows the report to be constantly or periodically updated.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, said sample analyzer additionally com prises one or more processing unit(s), which are capable of sorting and/or opening and/or tapping a sample container comprised in the sample container rack, and/or of taking an aliquot of the content comprised in said sample container.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment, said wireless and/or real-time communica tion with the remote receiving station is performed in an automatic or semi-automatic manner. In a particularly preferred embodiment, said wireless and/or real-time commu nication with the remote receiving station is performed via a periodic update function. [0028] In one embodiment of the sample analyzer as defined above, said information technology unit comprises a data receiving unit receiving and optionally accumulating and/or storing information of the sample container rack regarding temperature, vibra tions and/or exerted centrifugal forces, filling volume of the sample container, hemoly- sis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, sample type, content of the order form, light intensity, GPS-tracks, time parameters of the sample container rack's use and sample quality parameters of each of the sample containers.

[0029] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a sample analyzing system comprising at least (i) a combination of a sample container as defined above and a sam ple container rack as defined above, or (ii) a combination of a sample container as de fined above and a sample container rack as defined above and a sample analyzer as defined above, or (iii) a combination of a sample container as defined above and a sam ple container rack as defined above and a sample analyzer as defined above and a re mote receiving station as defined above, or (iv) a combination of a sample container as defined above and a sample container rack as defined above and a remote receiving station as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 provides an overview of analyzer evolution in the field of clinics and im- munochemistry.

[0031] Figures 2 shows key factors for the development of smart analyzing entities. [0032] Figure 3 shows the technical progress for clinical sample logistics. [0033] Figure 4 depicts options for reducing the pre-analytical error-rate.

[0034] Figure 5 depicts pre-analytical errors during sample logistics.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the clinical sample circle.

[0036] Figure 7 indicates that scientifically-proven pre-clinical errors are avoidable.

[0037] Figure 8 depicts analytical conclusions and needs. [0038] Figure 9 shows the need to integrate sample quality information into sample an alyzers.

[0039] Figure 10 shows clinical sample circles.

[0040] Figure 11 depict clinical sample and material circles. [0041] Figure 12 describes how smart analyzers will change working in the lab.

[0042] Figures 13 and 14 depict market access strategies.

[0043] Figure 15 provides an overview of the problems connected with conventional sample handling.

[0044] Figures 16 and 17 show an illustration of certain aspects of the smart sample monitoring procedure of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 18 shows real-time loT-based integration and evaluation of pre-analytical data.

[0046] Figure 19 provides a costs overview of the smart analyzing approach.

[0047] Figure 20 shows a smart three-step process chain for pre-analytics. [0048] Figure 21 depicts complete recording of all pre-analytical data.

[0049] Figure 22 compares customer benefits.

[0050] Figure 23 depicts a flowchart illustrating sample supply chain - status quo.

[0051] Figure 24 depicts a diagram illustrating a smart container rack comprising a lab- on-a-chip diagnostics unit. [0052] Figure 25 shows a diagram illustrating parameters at a sample registration and check-in at point of collection. [0053] Figure 26 depicts a diagram illustrating the hardware variants of a sample con tainer rack.

[0054] Figure 27 shows a sample container rack variant, consisting of a mobile (left) and a stationary (right) module. [0055] Figure 28 depicts an exemplary order sheet capture.

[0056] Figure 29 shows a close-up of a sample container rack illustrating a master check in.

[0057] Figure 30 represents several check-in quality parameters of the sample container at the master check-in. [0058] Figure 31 depicts a chart illustrating the sample supply chain, sample monitoring and data flow via a smart sample container rack and cloud-based server.

[0059] Figure 32 represents a chart illustrating exemplarily the system architecture.

[0060] Figure 33 represents a chart illustrating the data flow from sample registration and check-in at point of collection. [0061] Figure 34 illustrates conceptionally a web-based dashboard.

[0062] Figure 35 represents an exemplary web-based live dashboard for a smart sample container rack.

[0063] Figure 36 represents an exemplary web-based live dashboard for an individual sample container showing sample history log for parameters. [0064] Figure 37 shows system change in diagnostics.

[0065] Figure 38 provides an overview of the number of blood sample containers used annually. [0066] Figure 39 describes the bottleneck of manual labor in medical laboratories.

[0067] Figure 40 describes the most relevant bottlenecks in medical laboratories uncov ered by an international survey.

[0068] Figure 41 depicts pre-analytical errors during sample handling and logistics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0069] Although the present invention will be described with respect to particular em bodiments, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense.

[0070] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention, definitions important for understanding the present invention are given. [0071] As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms of "a" and "an" also include the respective plurals unless the context clearly dictates oth erwise.

[0072] In the context of the present invention, the terms "about" and "approximately" denote an interval of accuracy that a person skilled in the art will understand to still ensure the technical effect of the feature in question. The term typically indicates a de viation from the indicated numerical value of ±20 %, preferably ±15 %, more preferably ±10 %, and even more preferably ±5 %.

[0073] It is to be understood that the term "comprising" is not limiting. For the purposes of the present invention the term "consisting of" or "essentially consisting of" is consid- ered to be a preferred embodiment of the term "comprising of". If hereinafter a group is defined to comprise at least a certain number of embodiments, this is meant to also encompass a group which preferably consists of these embodiments only. [0074] Furthermore, the terms "(i)", "(ii)", "(iii)" or "(a)", "(b)", "(c)", "(d)", or "first", "second", "third" etc. and the like in the description or in the claims, are used for distin guishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. In case the terms relate to steps of a method or use, there is no time or time interval coherence between the steps, i.e. the steps may be carried out simultaneously or there may be time intervals of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc. between such steps, unless otherwise indicated.

[0075] It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular method ology, protocols, reagents, etc. described herein as these may vary. It is also to be un derstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention that will be limited only by the appended claims. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0076] As has been set out above, the present invention concerns in one aspect a sam ple container comprising one or more unit(s) for contactless communication with a base station and optionally a temperature sensor. In a preferred embodiment of the sample container said unit for contactless communication with the base station is an RFID (radio frequency identification) unit, preferably an NFC (near field communication) unit, or a Bluetooth unit or an ID-chip unit. The sample container is, in particular, adapted to a sample container rack as smart transport box, which operates as "base station" for the sample container(s) and is specifically designed to receive one or more sample con- tainer(s). The underlying smart analytics concept combines the latest methods of digiti zation and innovative medical technology to significantly improve the integrity of human blood and other body fluids, i.e. samples, despite complex supply chains for patients and researchers. The sample container and the sample container rack according to the in vention allow the user to check, inter alia, the location, temperature and quality of sam ples in real time, and to read the stored information of the sample process directly from the sample or container rack, e.g. via an App, e.g. the smart4app or on the basis of a network based data management system. The sample containers and the sample con tainer rack according to the invention may communicate directly with existing analyzers, e.g. analyzers of the Cobas platform of Roche or other similar systems, thus reducing the handling effort of the samples. In addition, they may automatically combine the data from the sample course with corresponding analytical data. This ensures that samples which do not meet predefined quality requirements do not enter into the analyzer sys tem, or are re-used by an analyzer. This results in an unprecedented degree of safety, traceability and quality control when using different samples. In addition, the producer of an analyzer can convert its own platform into a smart digital device without great overhead, thus implementing its own digitization strategy. [0077] The present invention thus aims at providing a smart sample container for the transport of blood and other medical samples, an app for evaluating the data collected here, as well as a communication solution for existing platforms, e.g. Roche Cobas, as well as a corresponding smart transport box in the form of a sample container rack. In this way, the user receives in real time all important quantitative and qualitative data of his samples. Through the communication between the sample container, the sample container rack and the analyzer, a smart circuit is created for the first time, which auto matically prevents the use of qualitatively inferior samples. This creates a hitherto un precedented level of safety in the field of diagnostics, research and development.

[0078] The presently claimed and herein described technology will raise the safety and traceability of the blood samples to an unprecedented level. The sample container ac cording to the invention and the control of all important data in real time drastically reduces the risk of incorrect clinical data due to improper handling and the possibility of manipulation. For the European diagnostics industry alone, for example, a total of ap proximately 2-3 billion EUR can be saved p.a. Advantageously, the sample user can track the quality of his sample right from the start. Since there is so far no uniform standard in this area, the present invention also aims at the provision of proposals for a globally valid standard.

[0079] The presently claimed and herein described elements generate three immediate benefits: 1. The error rate in clinical diagnostics, especially in pre-analytics, due to incor rectly related samples can be significantly reduced. 2. The creation of a smart, secure and traceable data record for all clinical samples and the provision of quick feedback possibilities is a necessary step towards the implementation of the clinical trials preci sion medicine. 3. The costs in preclinical and clinical research can be significantly re duced by means of a high degree of precision, meaningfulness and significantly lower rejects.

[0080] An example of an already existing analyzing system in the field of automated la- boratory diagnostics is the Cobas series provided by Roche. The present invention also aims at a further development of existing sample container as smart devices, which com municate independently with, e.g. the Cobas analyzers. Thanks to a Cobas-compatible container rack or smart box, which are, inter alia, envisaged herein, which may also serve as a dispatch box, all necessary steps in the area of sample handling are significantly simplified. First, the time- and error-intensive repackaging from previously analog mail boxes in Cobas racks is no longer required. In addition, it is now possible for users, for the first time, to sort and/or treat separate samples, which do not meet the quality re quirements already stipulated before dispatch, independently through the Cobas plat form. For this purpose, the sample container rack according to the present invention may communicate directly with a receiving station, e.g. the Cobas platform and informs about the data collected so far by it. If these data do not correspond to previously de termined parameters, e.g. temperature, route, time or qualitative parameters, the cor responding samples are automatically sorted out, or not measured, e.g. by the Cobas device or handled separately. Further options for subsequent handling of these samples are also envisaged. In this way, the system develops an auto-correction for faulty data and the underlying platform technology, e.g. the Cobas platform, provides its users with an unprecedented, unique analytical safety frame. An interaction as described for the Cobas platform is envisaged also for any other suitable analyzing platforms known to the skilled person.

[0081] The present invention thus generates, for example, at least three immediate benefits: 1. The Cobas platform or any other similar analyzing platform may become a smart device, which comes into contact with the respective samples and exchanges itself about their quality. 2. Platform users get maximum security for the analyses performed on their platform devices. Defective samples are sorted out or handled differently. 3. There are significant cost reductions and time savings for platform users by applying the smart container racks for dispatch and analysis alike.

[0082] As used herein, a "sample container" may be any suitable receptacle which is capable of comprising and storing a biological or medical sample. The container may be designed to comprise or store liquid or non-liquid materials. If liquid materials are com prised and stored, the container may be designed to be impermeable for the liquid. If non-liquid materials are comprised or stored, the container may be designed to accom modate as much of the material at the available space as possible. In further embodi- ments, the container may further be air-tight so that a gas exchange with the surround ing is avoided. The container may, in certain embodiments be completely empty before a sample is filled in. It is particularly preferred that the container is sterile. In further embodiments, the container may be provided in form or designed to allow for the gen eration of vacuum in the container after filling. [0083] The sample container may be composed of any suitable material. Typically, the container may be composed of glass or plastic material, or a combination thereof. Also envisaged is the use of metals and/or electronic components, e.g. integrated into the container. The material and form of the container may further be adjusted to specific national or international regulations as to its properties, size, form etc.

[0084] For example, the container may comprise, before any sample is filled in, a rea gent or compound. For example, the container may comprise a stabilizing agent, which assists in preserving the sample. In further embodiments, the container may comprise reagents necessary for carrying out one or more biochemical assay(s) such as a buffer, nucleotides, an enzyme, a dye, etc. In yet another embodiment, the container may com prise an element, which allows to molecularly identify or characterize or tag a sample. For example, a molecular tag such as an artificial DNA sequence which can be retrieved and identified may be present in the container. Alternatively, an electronically identifia ble particle may be provided in the container. These elements can either be filled in before the sample is added, or together with the sample or after the sample has been filled in. The sample container may further be chemically inert, e.g. composed of chem ically inert plastics material. In a further embodiment, the container may be provided as insulated container designed to keep the sample at a predefined temperature range and avoiding a freezing or cooking of the sample. In other embodiments, the present inven tion also envisages sample containers for cold transport at very low temperatures, e.g. temperatures below 0° C, -5° C, -20° C, -30°C, -40° C or deeper. The sample container may be provided in any suitable size. The size may be determined by the sample type to be comprised, the purpose of the sample taking, e.g. diagnostics, documentation, stor age, the number of assays planned with the sample, etc. Typically, sizes in the range from 5 ml to 50 ml are envisaged, e.g. 5 ml, 7.5 ml, 10 ml, 12 ml, 12.5 ml, 15 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml, 30 ml, 35 ml, 40 ml, 45 ml, 50 ml. In certain embodiments, also sizes smaller than 5 ml or larger than 50 ml are envisaged. [0085] In a preferred embodiment, the sample container is a blood or processed blood collection container. Accordingly, the sample container is designed to fulfil all necessary regulatory requirements for blood transport, storage and/or diagnosis. The container may further be designed to alternatively comprise parts of a blood sample or a pro cessed blood sample, e.g. a plasma or serum sample. In a further preferred embodi ment, the sample container is a biopsy collection tube. Accordingly, the sample con tainer is designed to fulfil all necessary regulatory requirements for biopsy transport, storage and/or diagnosis. In yet a further group of embodiments, the sample container is a container or tube designed to receive a biological fluid such as urine, semen, sweat, sputum, saliva, feces or stool. Accordingly, the sample container is designed to fulfil all necessary regulatory requirements for transport, storage and/or diagnosis of a biologi cal fluid such as urine, semen, sweat, sputum, saliva, feces or stool. The present inven- tion further envisages the collection and transport of any other biological, medical or chemical sample type, e.g. water samples from environmental tests, microbial samples from environmental or epidemiological tests, scientific samples to be provided to re motely locate working groups, geological samples, archeological samples, etc.

[0086] According to the invention, the sample container is additionally equipped with a "unit for contactless communication with a base station". The term "unit for contactless communication" relates to an electronic or computerized element, which either actively sends out a signal to a base station, or works passively and may react to a signal gener ated by a base station. In both scenarios, the signal may be transmitted without direct physical contact between the sample container and a base station, e.g. via radio waves. In preferred embodiments, the unit for contactless communication is based on RFID (ra dio-frequency identification) technology. The RFID technology uses electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the RF portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit sig nals. RFIDs may generally be classified as active or passive. Active RFID systems typically have 3 components: (a) a reader, transceiver or interrogator, (b) antenna, and (c) a tran- sponder or IC programmed with information. Active RFID tags typically possess a micro chip circuit (transponder or integrated circuit (IC)) and an internal power source, e.g. a battery, and when operably connected to an antenna, the active RFID tag transmits a signal from the microchip circuit through the power obtained from the internal battery. [0087] Typically, active RFID tags such as transponders and beacons are used. In one example, a system may use an active transponder. In this scenario, the reader sends a signal and when the antenna and tag are operably connected, the tag will send a signal back, e.g. with the relevant information programmed to the transponder. In a different scenario, an active beacon is used wherein the beacon sends out a signal on a periodic basis and it thus does not rely on the reader's signal.

[0088] In contrast to active systems, passive RFID systems comprise (a) a reader, trans ceiver or interrogator, (b) antenna, and (c) a tag programmed with information. A pas sive RFID tag typically includes a microchip or integrated circuit (IC), and it may contain the antenna as an integral component of the tag or as a separate device. In passive sys tems, the tag typically does not include a power source. In one example, the antenna can be an internal component of the tag, i.e., the antenna and IC can be contained in a single device. However, until operably connected in the device, the antenna and IC may not interact. Alternatively, the antenna and IC may be provided on separate compo- nents. Typically, passive tags wait for a signal from an RFID reader. The reader thus sends energy to an antenna which converts that energy into an RF wave which is transmitted into the read zone. Once the tag is read within the read zone, the RFID tags internal antenna is typically powered via RF waves. Accordingly, the tags antenna fuel the IC with energy which generates a signal back to the RF system. Such process of change in the electromagnetic or RF wave, can advantageously be detected by the reader (e.g. via the antenna), which may in turn interpret the information. Accordingly, passive RFID tags have typically no internal power source and normally comprise an IC and an internal antenna. The tag may, in specific embodiments, comprise an electronic product code (EPC) or a similar code, which is a 96-bit string of data. Also envisaged are alternative codes, which allow to identify a product or element.

[0089] The RFID tags may be used at different frequencies, e.g. at a low frequency (LF) of 125-134 kHz, at a high frequency (HF) of 5-7 M Hz, at a HF and Near-Field Communi cation (NFC) frequency of 13.56 MHz, at an ultra-high frequency (UHF) of 433 MHz, 865- 868 MHz, 902-928 MHz, or in the Giga Hertz band of 2.45 to 5.8 GHz. It is preferred to make use of a frequency at or around 13.56 MHz.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, each sample container comprises a passive RFID tag which operates at a unique frequency so that each sample container is distinguishable from the other sample containers. If there is more than one sample container in contact with a base station, the frequencies may be read sequentially or simultaneously. To avoid collision between individual tags, collision detection may be used. To this end, typically two different types of protocols are used to singulate a particular tag, allowing its data to be read in the midst of many similar tags. For example, in a slotted Aloha system, a reader may broadcast an initialization command and a parameter that the tags individually use to pseudo-randomly delay their responses. Alternative, an adaptive bi nary tree protocol may be used, wherein the reader sends an initialization symbol and then transmits one bit of ID data at a time. In this scenario only tags with matching bits respond, and eventually only one tag matches the complete ID string. [0091] In preferred embodiments, the NFC (near field communication) is used for the

RFID coupling. NFC is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a separation of 10 cm or less and operates at 13.56 MHz on ISO/IEC 18000-3 air interface and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 424 kbit/s. NFC typically involves an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power a passive target. This enables NFC targets to take very simple form factors such as unpowered tags or stickers. NFC tags typically contain data and read-only, or may be writeable. It is preferred that the tags are custom-encoded. Tags may comprise different memory sizes, e.g. between 96 and 4,096 bytes of memory.

[0092] The RFID or NFC component or tag used to identify the sample container may either be integrated into the container itself, e.g. its wall or cap, or be attached to the sample container, e.g. at the outside or inside of the container, or in a further alterna tive, it may be provided within the sample to be filled in the container, e.g. as inert and/or sterile particle tag, which is present e.g. in a blood or other liquid sample, or which is added to a biopsy sample during the or after or before the process of filling the sample into the container. The RFID or NFC component or tag may preferably be pro vided in the form of a sticker or adhesive label.

[0093] In addition to one or more RFID component(s), the sample container may com- prise a further identifier. Examples of envisaged identifiers include a barcode, a matrix code, or an electronic code such as flash memory, EPROM or EEPROM. In certain em bodiments, the RFID or NFC component or tag may be integrated into the barcode or matrix code. For example, the barcode or matrix code may be provided in the form of a sticker or an adhesive label, which may additionally comprise the RFID or NFC tag func- tionality.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the unit for contactless communication is based on Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio band from 2.400 to 2.485 GHz from fixed and mobile devices, and a building personal area networks (PANs).

[0095] In preferred embodiments, the "base station" is a sample container rack. The present invention thus envisages, in a further aspect, an independent sample container rack, which is specifically designed to receive one or more sample container(s) as de fined herein. The sample container rack may, in particular, be designed in different sizes and forms to accommodate different numbers and forms of sample containers. It may, for example, have space for 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 20, 24, 30, 48, 50, 96, 100, 150, 200, 300, 384, 500, 1000, 2000 etc., or more sample containers, or any other suitable number of sample containers. It is preferred that the sample container rack provides space for about 30 to 40 sample containers. The sample rack may be designed to accommodate only one size of sample containers, or it may provide space for differently sized sample containers. The sample containers may be accommodated in a tight and anti-slip man ner, e.g. allowing for a headfirst transport or for vertical movements of the rack. In fur ther specific embodiments, the sample container rack may additionally be packed in a further secondary box, e.g. a polystyrene box or any other suitable material. It is pre ferred that the secondary box is accurately fitting the container rack to avoid any dis placement. Also envisaged are additional packages such as bags or crates. The use of these packaging variants may depend on the delivery route, the environmental temper- ature, the transport medium, the transport time etc., and may accordingly be adjusted.

[0096] The sample container rack may comprise at least one, preferably more than one of the following:

(i) An RFID (radio frequency identification) unit, preferably an RFID reader, which allows to communicate with an RFID component or tag present at or in the sample container as described above. The RFID reader accordingly is designed to detect the presence of each sample container placed in the rack. It may communicate sequentially or simulta neously with all sample containers. Furthermore, the information encoded in the sam ple containers, e.g. in the tag, as to origin, patient identity, sample type etc., may be received by the reader. The reader may further determine whether all positions in a rack are filled and/or which positions are vacant. The sample container rack may also com prise an NFC (near field communication) unit or a Bluetooth unit, preferably a Bluetooth device. Furthermore, the sample container may comprise an ID-chip unit.

(ii) A device for determining the temperature of the sample container, preferably a de vice which allows to determine the temperature at different positions, e.g. the outside and inside of a sample container.

(iii) A device capable of determining vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack and/or the sample container provided in the rack. This device is preferably capable of registering, documenting and categorizing vibrations and/or gravitational changes, e.g. due to pressure changes, downfalls, fast horizontal or vertical movements etc. An exam- pie of a suitable sensor is a piezoelectric device.

(iv) A geographic tracking device. This device is designed to register and document geo graphic changes of the sample container rack. Preferably, a GPS sensor system may be used to track geographic positions. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based radionavigation system operated by the United States Air Force. It is a global navigation satellite system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver any where on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The GPS does not require the user to transmit any data, and it operates independently of any telephonic or internet reception, though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the GPS positioning information. The GPS provides critical positioning capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world. The present invention further envisages the use of alternative geolocation systems such as Galileo, Glonass, GSM triangulation or Beidou. In specific embodiments, more than one geolocation may be used.

(v) A device capable of determining time parameters of the sample container rack's use. The device may, for example, register the time and date of a placing of a sample con tainer in the rack and its removal. It may further register the beginning and/or ending of movement phases, e.g. in combination with the geographic tracker and/or the vibra tional sensor as described above. Furthermore, beginning and course of temperature changes may be determined, e.g. in combination with the temperature determining de vice.

(vi) A communication module, which allows for wireless communication with a remote receiving station. This communication module is, in certain embodiments, based on high-speed wireless communication standards such as LTE (long-term evolution), or GSM/EDGE or UMTS/HSPA technologies, or any other suitable high-speed wireless com munication technology or standard, e.g. also technologies which will be developed in the future, or are not yet commercially available such as 5G or successors thereof. It is preferred that the communication module allows for real-time communication with a remote receiving station. The communication may preferably be connected with all other modules in the sample container rack and thus collect and transmit data from the modules present to the remote receiving station. The communication module may, in further embodiments, also be equipped with a second or further communication mod ule, e.g. a WiFi or WLAN module for local data transfer in a surrounding which provides suitable receiving possibilities. In alternative embodiments, the communication module may be capable, or may additionally be capable of transferring data with further proto- cols such as NarrowBand IOT (NB-loT). NarrowBand loT (NB-loT) is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) radio technology standard developed to enable a wide range of devices and services to be connected using cellular telecommunications bands. NB-loT is a narrowband radio technology typically designed for the Internet of Things (loT) and is one of a range of Mobile loT (MloT) technologies standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The present invention further envisages the use of similar technologies such as eMTC (enhanced Machine-Type Communication) and EC-GSM-loT. In further embodiments, the communication module may further be capable of receiv ing information form a remote receiving station, e.g. with respect to encoded patient information, sample shipping destinations, etc. (vii) A light sensor module. This module may determine light intensity on or in the vicin ity of a sample container. The use of this module is particularly advantageous in case of light sensitive samples. In certain specific embodiments, a light sensor module may be present on the sample container directly, thus allowing for a light intensity check at the first moment of filling the sample. In further embodiments, the light sensor module may be present in or on the sample container, as well as in the sample container rack.

(viii) A digital memory module. This memory module may collect and store information from one or more of the above mentioned modules (i) to (v) or (vii). It may serve as documentation center for the sample container rack during travelling or transport peri ods. The digital memory module may further be closely connected to the communica- tion module (vi) and provide information to be sent out to a remote receiving station.

(ix) An acoustic and/or optical alarm module. This module may serve as signaling center for the sample container rack during travelling or transport periods informing about an abnormal status of samples in the sample container rack. The incoming alerts may be received as alarm tones or a visual signal such as a flashing lamp. The acoustic alarm module may be configured to provide a direct acoustic alarm at the rack, or it may be configured to send an acoustic alarm signal to connected devices such as a handheld device, smartphone or the like. The optical alarm may be implemented as color LEDs on the rack. Also envisaged is a combination of acoustic and optical alarm options such that an alarm is provided acoustically and at the same time optically. The alarm module fur ther comprises a switch or similar element which allows to terminate the alarm, e.g. after the cause of the alarm has been eliminated, or independent of such an elimination.

(x) An electric power source. In order to be operational, the sample container may have its independent electric power source. This may, for example, be a battery or a recharge able battery. In further embodiments, the electric power may be provided externally, e.g. by wireless power transfer (WPT) or wireless energy transmission. These technolo gies use different types of electromagnetic energy, including electric fields, magnetic fields, radio waves, microwaves or infrared waves. In a WPT scenario, a transmitter mod- ule may be present in the vicinity of a sample container rack. This technology may fur ther be used to recharge batteries of a sample container rack during recovery periods or in a magazine. The power source may be used for the support of one or more of the above mentioned module(s), e.g. the communication, tracking, memory, and interaction modules or the alarm modules. (xi) The sample container rack may further itself be provided with an identifier. For ex ample, the sample container rack may comprise a barcode, or a matrix code, or alterna tively an RFID tag or NFC tag, or an electronic code such as flash memory, EPROM or EEPROM.

[0097] In further specific embodiments, the sample container rack may be equipped with one or more effector modules, e.g. a heating or cooling device, which allows to increase, decrease or keep a predefined temperature. For example, a temperature of - 80°C, -70°C, -60°C -50°C, -40°C, -30°C, -20°C, -10°C, -5°C, 0°C, 4°C, 6°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C , 30°C, 33°C, 35°C, 37°C or any other suitable temperature. The effector module may, for example, become active once a certain parameter is detected outside of a pre defined range, e.g. the temperature is detected to be too high or too low. The power source as defined above may also be supportive for such an effector module. In a further embodiment, the sample container rack is a passive rack, which comprises insulations and/or an airtight cover in order to keep a predetermined temperature (within a suita ble range or corridor) during the transport of the sample containers.

[0098] In a further embodiment, the sample container rack may additionally comprise a lab-on-a chip diagnostics unit. For example, the lab-on-a-chip unit may be provided such that it is located in or near the sample container cap. It may alternatively be brought into contact with the sample in the container, e.g. by a suitable opening mechanism of the container, or in the vicinity of the sample container. The unit may serve to check one or more quality parameters of the sample, preferably pH, ionic concentration, and presence of apoptotic, inflammatory, metabolic or infectious indicators. In further em bodiments, the lab-on-a chip diagnostics unit as defined above may also be present on the sample containers.

[0099] A "lab-on-a-chip unit" or LOC is a device that integrates one or several laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit of a few millimeters to a few square centimeters to achieve automation and high-throughput screening. Typically, LOCs use microfluidics to handle small fluid volumes. The LOC component may advantageously be connected to the sample containers, whose content may accordingly be analyzed or partially ana lyzed directly in the sample container rack. For example, a small portion of the sample may be separated from the sample container and transferred by microfluidics to a LOC module, where one or more biochemical or diagnostic assays may be performed. The LOC module may advantageously be used to determine and characterize clinical chem- istry, immunological, or haematological parameters, or to determine or characterize dis ease indicators such as tumor markers, circulating DNA or RNA, or to determine or char acterize biochemical properties of a sample, e.g. clotting time or viscosity of the sample. Furthermore, the assays may relate to the quality control of the sample, by e.g. the de termination of pH, the concentration of ions or quality indicators etc. Non-limiting ex amples of biomarkers for apoptosis may include cytochrome c, activated caspases (e.g. caspase 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9). Examples of inflammatory indicators may include, but are not limited to cytokines/chemokines (e.g. IL-la, IL-Ib, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-12p40, IL-27, TNFa, or IFNy), serum amyloid A (SAA), and the like. Examples of infectious indicators may include, but are not limited to leucocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, PCT, IL-6, and the like. Examples of metabolic indicators may include, but are not limited to Glucose, Lactate and the like. Examples of further health indicators may in- elude, but are not limited to Troponin-T, GDF-15, Ethanol, Uric Acid and the like. Corre spondingly obtained information may subsequently be stored in the memory module described above, and/or transferred to a remote receiving station via the communica tion module as described herein above.

[0100] In a further embodiment, the sample container rack may additionally comprise an inside and/or outside camera or a scanner unit capable of capturing an image of one or more of the following: the label/barcode attached on the sample container, the cen trifugal status of the sample container, the filling volume of one or more sample con tainers in the rack, the type of the sample container, the cap color of the sample con tainer, the color and the shape of the sample container, the color of the sample con- tainer content potentially indicating hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia in the sample, the container rack, an order form attached to the sample container rack, or a document provided in the sample container rack or attached to it. The camera or scanner may further be equipped with suitable light sources to allow for the capture of images, pref erably during short predefined periods during the transport. For example, an inside cam- era provides the possibility to remotely monitor the status of samples in the sample container rack and thus to significantly reduce analysis errors. Similarly, periodically rec orded and saved images from the camera may be used for tracking the status of the samples during the transport. [0101] The "centrifugal status of the sample container" as used herein relates to the determination of a previous centrifugation step performed with the sample or sample container in case of liquid samples, e.g. blood samples. This can be detected by assessing the presence of different phases in the liquid sample or the presence of a precipitate in the sample container.

[0102] The "filling volume" of one or more sample containers in the rack may be deter mined and compared with a predetermined range of filling volumes. The filling volume may be made dependent on the intended subsequent analysis of the sample, the num ber of different analyses planned for a patient, minimal volume requirements for certain analyses etc.

[0103] The "type of the sample container" may differ with respect to the subsequent analysis planned, the identity or form of the sample, e.g. whether it is a blood, a serum, a plasma, a urine, a feces sample etc., or the amount of sample used, the transport con ditions etc. The information on the type of sample containers may be compared with information on the sample container present at the analyser location or in a remote server database.

[0104] The "cap color of the sample container" may differ with respect to the subse quent analysis planned, the identity or form of the sample, e.g. whether it is a blood, a serum, a plasma, a urine, a feces sample etc., or the amount of sample used, the transport conditions etc. The information on the cap color of sample containers may be compared with information on the cap color present at the analyser location or in a remote server database

[0105] The "color and the shape of the sample container" may also differ with respect to the subsequent analysis planned, the identity or form of the sample, e.g. whether it is a blood, a serum, a plasma, an urine, a feces sample etc., or the amount of sample used, the transport conditions etc. and be verified or compared with information on the sample container present at the analyser location or in the remote server database. Also an identification of sample containers via their color and shape, in the form of captured images, is envisaged.

[0106] The term "color of the sample container content potentially indicating hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia" as used herein means that a potential disease state of a patient and/or a corresponding usage modification of the sample from said patient can be de tected via the color of the sample in the sample container. This color change is also known as serum index or HIL-index. The term "hemolysis" as mentioned herein refers to the rupture of erythrocytes resulting in the release of its intracellular components, e.g. haemoglobin, and flooding the plasma or serum with potassium and other internal com- ponents. The hemolysis of samples may be detected according to a color change of the serum or plasma sample, e.g. from pink to red, depending on the number of cells that have lysed. The term "icterus" as used herein means jaundice or hyperbilirubenemia, which are typically associated with the presence of high levels of bilirubin due to in creased bilirubin production or inappropriate extraction, e.g. in diseases such as haemo- lytic anemia, liver diseases, biliary tract obstruction, etc. Icteric serum or plasma may be detected via changes in sample color from normal straw color to dark or bright yellow. The term "lipaemia" as used herein refers to the presence of excess lipids or fats due to increased concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein in blood resulting in the cloudy/turbid appearance of serum or plasma. [0107] In another preferred embodiment, the sample container rack is designed as a mobile rack for transport and/or as a stationary rack for collecting sample containers at a specific site. The sample container rack may further comprise (i) a stationary module and a mobile module, wherein said stationary module preferably comprises the camera or scanner unit, or (ii) a mobile module, wherein said mobile module preferably com- prises the camera or scanner unit. Accordingly, the sample container rack may comprise two or more modules which are linked, i.e. one or more stationary module(s), e.g. at the point of sample collection or any other suitable location, where said module stays and is not moved or not transported, and or more mobile modules which are transported to a further destination, e.g. a site where an analyzer is located or where the sample is analyzed. In a typical embodiment, one stationary module and one mobile module are used. The linkage of the modules may be implemented via a simple mechanical engage ment, e.g. via a plug-in connector, or the mobile module is placed in or beneath a com- partment of the stationary module. In specific embodiments, information present in one module may be transmitted to a remote receiving station, or to another sample con tainer rack module and be stored there, or vice versa. For example, if information is present in a stationary module, e.g. after one or more parameters have been deter mined as described herein, the corresponding information may be transmitted to a mo- bile module linked to it. Alternatively, a mobile module which comprises information may be linked to stationary module which does not comprise said information and sub sequently transmit the information to the stationary module.

[0108] In a specific embodiment, a mobile module, e.g. as exemplified in Figure 27, left hand side, may serve as a sample container rack for the transport from the point of sample collection to the point of testing (as illustrated in Figure 31). In such a scenario, the status of samples or sample containers may be monitored and tracked, e.g. by an inside camera or a scanner unit provided in said mobile module. The module may, in certain embodiments, comprise a master check-in slot. The mobile module may accord ingly be used as standalone module. In alternative embodiments, the mobile module of the sample container rack may have no master check-in slot.

[0109] The term "master check-in slot" as used herein relates to at least one sample container slot within the sample container rack, which is configured to check one or more parameters of a sample container. This checking may, for example, be performed between the step of filling the sample in the container and the initiation of the transport of said sample container in a sample container rack. It is preferred that the checking is performed immediately after the sample container is filled with the sample or after a pre-treatment of the sample in the container is finished. It is further preferred that the checking is performed before the sample container is transported within the sample container rack to a distant location, e.g. an analyzer site. The master check-in slot is preferably suited to check one or more parameter(s) as mentioned herein. Accordingly, the master check-in may be a specific slot in the rack equipped with suitable sensors, a camera, a scanner unit, an RFID unit etc., as mentioned herein to detect one or more parameter(s) as mentioned. The one or more parameter(s) to be checked may prefera bly comprise the identity of the sample and/or sample container, the type of sample container, preferably identifiable via a color code, the volume of a sample container, preferably identifiable by shape, the filling volume of the sample container, the sample number, the temperature of the sample and/or of the sample container and/or of the sample container rack, e.g. in the slot, preferably at the time point of sample container placement in the sample container rack, the humidity of the sample and/or in the sam ple container, time parameters of the sample container rack's use, an index of the sam ple relating to hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia, e.g. via a color detection as defined above, the centrifugation status of the sample, the presence of liquid and/or solid phase in the sample, the ratio of liquid and solid phases in the sample, the content of an order form attached to the sample container rack; and one or more quality parameters of the sam ple, preferably pH, ionic concentration, and presence of apoptotic, inflammatory or in fectious indicators. The order form may, for example, be provided or attached in the vicinity of the mater check-in slot so that a camera or scanner unit is capable of capturing a corresponding image. Optionally, vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack or on the sample containers may be registered or logged. For example, a sample con tainer comprising a corresponding sensor logging such centrifugal forces may be con sulted at the master check-in to detect a potential vibration history of the sample con tainer. Alternatively, the mobile module may comprise within the master check-in func- tionality or at a different site a sensor logging such centrifugal forces during the transport of the rack. The obtained parameter values or the information on the status of the sample or sample containers or the sample container rack may be stored with the module or be transmitted to a remote receiving station via a wireless and/or real-time communication, e.g. periodically or triggered by an event. [0110] In a different set of embodiments, a stationary module (as exemplified in Figure 27, right hand side) may be used. This module may comprise an inside camera or scanner in order to check or monitor samples. It may further comprise a master check-in slot which is configured to transmit information on the status of the sample via a wireless and/or real-time communication to a remote receiving station as defined above. The sample container in the stationary module may subsequently be transferred to one or more mobile modules transiently linked to it, which may, in this scenario, comprise no camera and no master check-in slot. The transfer may be performed manually or the master check-in slot may be provided above a further slot to that the sample container can pass through the master check-in slot and arrive at the final transport slot beneath.

[0111] The mobile module, preferably in its standalone version, or the stationary mod ule may be coupled with an acoustic and/or optical alarm unit which transmits a signal depending on the status of the sample. For example, a flashing color light, e.g. green light, may serve as a signal for samples that fulfil all required parameters, whereas a different flashing color light, e.g. a red light, or an acoustic tone may indicate parameter values not fulfilling predetermined requirements or being outside of predetermined value ranges.

[0112] The term "remote receiving station" as used herein, relates to a network based database server, which is connected to the sample container rack. The present invention accordingly envisages an independent remote receiving station, which is connected in a wireless communication fashion with one or more component(s) of the sample con tainer transport concept of the present invention. For example, the remote receiving station is connected to the sample container rack. In addition, the remote receiving sta tion may be connected to further components which may contribute to the organization and/or management of the sample transport and/or subsequent sample analysis. For example, the remote receiving station may be connected to the sample container rack, to an analyzer device, which is designed to further process the sample and/or perform diagnostic, biochemical or chemical assays, to a device directly associated with a patient, e.g. a handheld device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, or a wearable, which accu mulates patient specific information, e.g. on blood pressure or cardiac rhythm, to a fur ther device or component, which may, for example be located at an hospital or an inde pendent service provider, and/or to any type of end user, which is interested in the data, e.g. by an independent app or program, carried out on a computer, or to a handheld device such as a smartphone, e.g. comprising an App which allows to monitor the transport of the sample containers/sample container rack. The connection between these components and the remote receiving station may be unidirectional, e.g. from the components to the receiving station or from the receiving station to the component, or it may be bi- or multidirectional, allowing for a complete exchange of information, ad vantageously filtered according to necessities and requirements, e.g. predefined infor mation hierarchies or priority lists, between all integrated elements.

[0113] It is preferred that the remote receiving station works as a cloud- or network- based server. In a corresponding architecture, one component may be considered as a client, and a different component may be considered as a server. Each element may further comprise multiple systems, subsystems or components. Typically, a cloud server is an infrastructure as a service based, platform-based or infrastructure-based cloud ser vice model. A cloud server may either be a logical cloud server or a physical cloud server, wherein the logical cloud server may be provided through server virtualization and the physical cloud server may be seen as classical server, which is accessed through internet or remote access options. The physical server may further be distributed logically into two or more logical servers. Corresponding services are offered by several companies, including Amazon, Google, IBM and Microsoft.

[0114] In a specific aspect, the remote receiving station is designed to receive in a wire- less and/or real-time communication fashion information of a sample container rack or of a sample container, preferably as defined herein above regarding one or more of the following: temperature, humidity, vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces, GPS- tracks, light intensity on the sample, image captured of the sample container or the sam ple rack, capture and/ or data extracted from a capture of an order form attached to the sample container filling volume of the sample container, type of the sample container, potential hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia in a sample in a sample container, content of an order form attached to the sample container, time parameters of the sample container rack's use and sample quality parameters of each of the sample containers, e.g. as de scribed herein in the context of the sample container rack. This information may be ac cumulated or stored in the server, e.g. in a suitable database format. The information may, in further embodiments, be used for a decision making process and/or organiza- tional decisions as to the fate and future of a specific sample, and/or as to potential further activities associated with a patient, e.g. additional sample taking etc.

[0115] Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the remote receiving station comprises or implements an assessment and decision unit, typically in the form of a suitable pro gram or software, which determines, for example,

(i) on the basis of one or more of the following: the temperature measured since the time point of sample container registration in the sample container rack, the temperature during delivery, the filling volume of the sample container, the hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, the sample type, the content of the order form, the record of a GPS-track, time parameters of the sample container rack's use the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample and one or more sample quality parameters of each of the sample container, which subsequent step is to be performed with the sample container, wherein possible steps include: release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample, discard of the sample, release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample with concomitant report on specific parameters, pausing sample analysis, tagging samples for subsequent freezing, second or subsequent analysis or discard and/or separating samples according to the temperature measured during delivery, the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample, the filling volume of the sample container, the hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, the sample type, the content of the order form, the record of the GPS- track, the determined light intensity and one or more sample quality parameter(s), and/or whether one or more further step(s) such as taking a new sample, resending data from the sample container rack, rerouting of sample container racks are performed; and/or

(ii) on the basis of analysis results, preferably as obtained in (i), whether additional analysis steps or activities are required, further and/or different samples are required from a patient, or sample transport should be modified, preferably accelerated or decelerated; and/or

(iii) on the basis of the geo-location of the sample container rack the estimated arrival at specific geolocations and the exact amount of sample containers in transit.

[0116] The possible steps that can be performed alone or, in certain embodiments in conjunction, may include: (i) the release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample; (ii) the discarding and/or destruction the sample, or a marking for such an ac- tivity, including a potential removal of the sample from rack or a analysing machine or facility; (iii) the release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample with con comitant report on specific parameters, e.g. the focussing on pH or degradation param eters, or parameters associated with sample quality; (iv) the pausing of sample analysis, e.g. if the analysis has already started; (v) tagging or marking of a sample for subsequent freezing or other suitable storage; (vi) tagging or marking of a sample for a second or subsequent analysis; (vii) tagging or marking of a sample for a discarding and/or separa tion of samples according to one of the parameters measured, e.g. the temperature measured during delivery/transport, the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample, the light exposure of a sample, the record of the GPS-track; (viii) initiation of a further or new sample taking at the patient, (ix) resending data from the sample container rack, (x) rerouting of sample container racks; (xi) acceleration of the transport process, e.g. by marking sample container racks for airfreight transport or short airfreight routes; (xii) preparation of analysis facilities or spaces if the arrival or the rack is imminent. The present invention also envisages any other suitable activity or step which may be associated to the sample taking and sample processing chain depicted herein.

[0117] In a further embodiment, the remote receiving station comprises or implements a further, connected or independent assessment and decision unit, typically in the form of a suitable program or software, which determines, on the basis of analysis results, preferably as described herein above, whether additional analysis steps or activities are required, whether further and/or different samples are required from a patient, and/or whether sample transport should be modified, preferably accelerated or decelerated.

[0118] In a specific embodiment, the remote receiving station may comprise or imple- ment a further, connected or independent assessment and decision unit, typically in the form of a suitable program or software, which determines on the basis of information derived from a patient's wearable whether additional analysis steps or activities are re quired, whether further and/or different samples are required from a patient, whether the sample transport should or can be modified, preferably accelerated or decelerated. The information derivable from a patient's wearable may include, for example, the pa tient's pulse, the patient's blood pressure, the patient's cardiac rhythm, the patient's blood glucose level, the patient's oxygen supply and/or the patient's stress status. These parameters are preferably determined in a predefined period of time, more preferably directly before, during or after the sample is taken. In a case a predefined limit or range or corridor in terms of a patient's pulse, the patient's blood pressure, the patient's car diac rhythm, the patient's blood glucose level, the patient's oxygen supply and/or the patient's stress status is surpassed or underrun, the corresponding sample may be marked as unusable. In such a scenario, a further, new sample may be requested or taken at the patient. For example, the information derived from a patient's wearable may be combined, integrated and/or compared with information obtained from a LOC unit as defined herein. Accordingly, on the basis of the patient's data and the data de termined with the lab-on-a-chip functionality in the sample container rack or the sample container, a decision making process may be started, e.g. at the remote receiving station with respect to the next steps to be performed with a specific sample, e.g. whether a new sample is required, or sample analysis can be started.

[0119] The term "wearable" as used herein, relates to a miniature electronic device that is worn under, with, or on top of clothing. Typically, a wearable may be a smartwatch which is used at the wrist. Other examples include devices which monitor the eye, e.g. in the form of contact lenses or smart glasses, or can be worn at different parts of the body. Also envisaged is the integration of wearables into clothing, e.g. shirts or trouser (intelligent textiles), on-chest devices or smart necklaces. Further envisaged are implant able devices, which provide patient's information including associated with its location, e.g. under the skin.

[0120] For example, the information derived from a patient via a wearable is integrated with information concerning the patient's sample at the remote receiving station. Ac cordingly, a decision taken with respect to the patient's sample may be relayed back to the patient, e.g. the patient's wearable, or any other interface used by the patient such as an app on a smartphone, or table, or a web interface, an email or a computer pro gram. The decision taken may, for example, be that a further sample has to be taken. Accordingly, the information as to a new sample taking may be integrated with addi tional instances such as hospitals or medical facilities which may be requested with re spect to available dates and available personal. The patient may further be provided with (i) the information that a further sample is required (or that his sample has reached its destination and will be processed, or even the outcome of the performed assay or determination) and/or (ii) a suggestion to present himself to a hospital or medical prac titioner.

[0121] In further specific embodiments, the information received by the remote receiv- ing station, or distributed by said remote receiving station, is received or distributed in a periodic fashion. For example, a sample container rack may be designed to contact the remote receiving station or to synchronize the data with the remote receiving station in a periodic manner, e.g. every 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 2 h, 3 h 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h, 15 h, 20 h, 24 h, 48 h etc. or at any other suitable point in time, e.g. any value in between the mentioned values. Similarly, the remote receiving station may contact any further device , the sample container rack, an analyzer to perform assays etc. every 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 2 h, 3 h 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h, 15 h, 20 h, 24 h, 48 h etc. or at any other suitable point in time, e.g. any value in between the mentioned values and to synchronize data with said further devices in a period man ner. This contacting or synchronisation activity may be performed in an automatic or semi-automatic manner. For example, the device may de designed to establish a con nection, preferably a wireless connection, with the remote receiving station in accord- ance with the above mentioned period definitions. In further embodiments, a device may comprise a routine which requires a further confirmation if data are to be synchro nized, i.e. a semi-automatic contacting or synchronization may be implemented. For ex ample, a wearable or smartphone app connected to the remote receiving station may ask the patient or use before data are relayed or sent. In further specific embodiments, user decisions as to further steps to be taken may also be asked with an app or computer program, which provides the use with the choice of several activities. Upon a decision is taken, the app or computer program may transfer the decision to the remote receiving station and/or other devices for further activities or procedural steps.

[0122] The remote receiving station may, in certain embodiments, receive information from a sample container rack in an event-dependent manner, preferably after a one or more of the parameter(s) selected from:

volume of sample container, preferably identifiable by shape;

filling volume of the sample container;

temperature ofthe sample and/or sample containerand/or sample container rack; - humidity of the sample and/or sample container;

time parameters of the sample container rack's use;

index of the sample relating to hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia;

vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack;

presence of liquid and/or solid phase in the sample; ratio of liquid and solid phases in the sample; and

one or more quality parameter(s) of the sample, preferably pH, ionic concentration, and presence of apoptotic, inflammatory, metabolic or infectious indicators, differ from a predetermined value. The "predetermined value" as used herein may be set according to regulatory requirements, requirements of subsequent analysis procedures or according to any other suitable factor. The value may, for example, be set or adjusted by an operator or derived from a database. After having stored the value, e.g. in the remote receiving station, a comparison between the predetermined value and the measured value, e.g. in the master check-in slot or during the transport of the rack etc. may be performed.

[0123] It is particularly preferred that the remote receiving station as defined herein is connected to and/or shares information with a downstream device. Such a "down stream device" can be a stationary or mobile remote device or be a further device or receiving station. Further preferred examples are a smartphone or a table PC, which may, for example, comprise an app or a program which is suitable for monitoring the transport or handling of the sample container rack. It is particularly preferred that the information sharing is via wireless and/or real-time communication.

[0124] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a sample analyzer. The sam ple analyzer is preferably designed to receive one or more sample container racks as described herein. The sample analyzer may further be equipped with an RFID reader which allows for (a) the coupling with a sample container rack RFID tag providing infor mation on the rack's content and/or (b) with one or more sample containers comprising also RFID tags providing information on the container's content, the patient etc. In a further embodiment, the analyzer comprises a communication module allowing for wireless and/or real-time communication with either the sample container rack which is also equipped with a communication module, e.g. based on LTE or 5G transmission standards, or with a remote receiving station, e.g. a cloud based server as described herein above, or with a sample analyzer system, preferably an LIS (Laboratory Infor mation System). By communicating with the rack or the remote receiving station, any information concerning the sample container status, e.g. quality parameters etc. as mentioned above, as well as decisions take with respect to the further fate or steps to be performed with the sample may be provided to the analyzer. Accordingly, the ana lyzer is preferably equipped with a structure which allows to discard or destroy certain samples or sample containers, or to recheck certain quality parameters of a sample.

[0125] The term "LIS" as used herein, refers to an information management system, typically comprising a complex of hardware and software components that support the management of collection, processing, storage, distribution, and information represen tation procedures used with information that has been obtained as a result of laboratory activities. Typically, the LIS comprises the one or more of the following functions: (i) en rolment of samples, i.e. the assignment or reception of a unique identifier and recording of information (e.g. customer, description of sample, security information, storage con- ditions, performed tests, costs, etc.); (ii) assignment of a sample to analysis, i.e. display of a list of all required tests in combination with monitoring of the execution of assigned analyses, or tracking of time; (iii) process of analysis proper, i.e. tracking of reagents (for example type, batch lots, order numbers, etc.) equipment and laboratory personnel in volved with the samples; (iv) manual or automatic input of results and statistical pro- cessing, whereby unusual results or results that fall outside the range may be marked (to avoid loss of data, back-up copies and emergency recovery may also be included; (v) verification and validation (e.g. by using audit trails); and (vi) generation of report forms (e.g. quality certificates, test protocols, and analysis certificates).

[0126] The sample analyzer may further allow for wireless and/or real-time communi- cation with a web-based server system feeding a dashboard. The term "dashboard" as used herein, relates to an overview of key parameters or indicators in a report format. The information is preferably provided on a web page which is linked to a database, e.g. the remote receiving station as defined herein, that allows the report to be constantly or periodically updated.

[0127] The analyzer may be capable of receiving one or more sample container rack(s). The comprised sample containers may subsequently be organized according to further steps to be performed, e.g. according to the sample type, the assay to be performed, the fate of the sample. Furthermore, the analyzer may comprise components which al low a partition of a sample into sub-portions so that different assays may be performed with one sample. Also envisaged is a module which allows for a subsequent storage of samples, e.g. a refrigerator or freezing device, or effector elements such as a heater or cooler which may be used to modulate the temperature of a sample or of reagents. The analyzer comprises, in certain embodiments, modules for one or more different or one or more similar assay(s), e.g. a nucleotide amplification or sequencing module, a peptide or protein detection module, a metabolite detection module, a pH sensor, a sensor for ionic concentrations, an antibody binding section etc. Also envisaged is the presence of reaction zones, which comprise one or more reagents necessary for the performance of an assay, e.g. buffers, ions, nucleotides, antibodies etc. The analyzer may further or al ternatively be equipped with an image recognition module. For example, a microscopic module may be present which allows for visible or UV image taking. The analyzer may accordingly also be equipped with microfluidic elements, which allow to transport sam- pies or sample portions to different areas of the device. Furthermore, robotic compo nents including robotic arms etc., may be included. In further embodiments, the ana lyzer may be used in combination with one or more further analyzer(s). For example, a chain or conveyer structure may be provided in which a sample is analyzed by 2 or more analyzers in a row. These analyzers may further be connected and/or share data with each other and/or the remote receiving station. In further embodiments, the analyzers may be integrated in a laboratory management system, e.g. a laboratory information management system. Accordingly, exchange of data and information may be imple mented in the system. The system may further be connected to hospital systems or da tabase structures. [0128] In further embodiments, the analyzer may additionally comprises one or more processing unit(s), which are capable of sorting and/or opening and/or labeling and/or tapping a sample container. Also envisaged are processing units, which are capable of taking an aliquot of the content comprised in a sample container. The present invention additionally envisages further processing units known to the skilled person as being typ ically comprised in an LIS or analyzer system, e.g. the Cobas platform.

[0129] In a further preferred embodiment, the wireless and/or real-time communica tion between the analyzer and the remote receiving station is performed in an auto matic or semi-automatic manner, e.g. as described above, i.e. with a user decision step before information is transferred. It is particularly preferred to perform a periodic up date via an implemented function. The information flow may be unidirectional, i.e. from the analyzer to the remote receiving station, or from the receiving station to the ana lyzer, or, preferably, bidirectional, i.e. allowing an information flow from receiving sta tion to analyzer and vice versa. Update functions may be used on the basis of predefined synchronization intervals, e.g. intervals as defined herein above.

[0130] The sample analyzer may further comprise a data receiving unit which is capable of receiving, accumulating and/or storing information of the sample container rack re garding temperature, vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces, GPS-tracks, light in tensity on the sample, time parameters of the sample container rack's use and sample quality parameters of each of the sample containers. In an a further embodiment, the data receiving unit is capable of receiving and optionally accumulating and/or storing information of the sample container rack regarding filling volume of the sample con tainer, hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, sample type, content of the or der form, and/or light intensity in the rack or light exposure so the sample or sample container.

[0131] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a sample analyzing system. Such a system may comprise one or more of the components described herein. For ex ample, the system may comprise or consist of a sample container as defined above and a sample container rack as defined above. In a further embodiment, the system may comprise or consist of a sample container as defined above and a sample container rack as defined above and a sample analyzer as defined above. In yet another embodiment, the system may comprise or consist of a sample container as defined above and a sam- pie container rack as defined above and a sample analyzer as defined above and a re mote receiving station as defined above. In yet another embodiment, the system my comprise or consist of a sample container as defined above and a sample container rack as defined above and a remote receiving station as defined above. In yet another em bodiment, the system my comprise or consist of a combination of a sample container as defined above and a sample container rack as defined above and a sample analyzer as defined above and a remote receiving station as defined above. The system may further comprise any other suitable component. For example, any of the mentioned systems may further comprise a wearable device which is used by a patient or user. Also envis aged is the combination of any of the systems mentioned above with a further device, e.g. at a hospital or medical practitioner, or at a further service provider. Further envis aged is a combination of any of the mentioned systems with a mobile or smartphone or app or web-interface, e.g. in the form of a dashboard, or a computer based app, which allows any user to (i) see the status quo of a sample delivery, preferably with an update in a continuous or period fashion, (ii) see decisions taken with respect to the sample, e.g. whether to further process it or request an additional sample and/or (iii) possible outcomes of sample analyses. Also envisaged is the indication of the arrival of a rack to its destination or the expected end of sample analysis. The system may further allow an intervention by the user or operator, e.g. via the app or via switch or button in the rack or at any other place, as to sample handling, sample processing times, sample shipping, sample analysis etc.

[0132] The system may be totally or partially integrated. For example, all or a portion of the system components may be connected, e.g. via wireless or real-time communica tion. In other embodiments, only subgroups of the system components may be con nected. In an integrated system, the remote receiving unit, which is preferably based on a cloud based server structure may be seen as central information management element which accumulates, registers, stores and also distributes or resends information from other system components.

[0133] The smart transport box thus provides not only the possibility for monitoring and tracking the status of samples during the process of transportation and therefore pro vide information on possible sources of error, the constantly transmitted signals to the cloud based servers enable the anticipation of the next steps (e.g. check-in, order of samples, sorting, validation, etc.) in handling the samples.

[0134] The figures and drawings provided herein are intended for illustrative purposes. It is thus understood that the figures and drawings are not to be construed as limiting. The skilled person in the art will clearly be able to envisage further modifications of the principles laid out herein.

Claims

1. A sample container comprising one or more unit(s) for contactless communi cation with a base station and optionally a temperature sensor.

2. The sample container of claim 1, wherein said unit for contactless communi cation with the base station is an RFID (radio frequency identification) unit, preferably a NFC (near field communication) unit, or a Bluetooth unit or an ID-chip unit.

3. The sample container of claim 1 or 2, wherein said container additionally comprises a barcode or matrix code.

4. The sample container of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said container is a blood collection tube, a biopsy collection tube or a tube designed to receive biological fluids such as urine, semen, sweat, sputum or saliva, feces or stool samples.

5. A sample container rack designed to receive one or more sample container(s) as a base station, preferably as described in claims 1 to 4, wherein said sam ple container rack comprises one or more of the following: one or more unit(s) for contactless communication with a base station, an RFID (radio fre quency identification) unit, preferably an NFC (near field communication) unit, or a Bluetooth unit or an ID-chip unit, a barcode, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, a Bluetooth device, a digital memory, a data processing unit, a device for determining the temperature of the sample container and/or of the sample container rack, preferably per individual sample container slot within the sample container rack, a device for determining the humidity of the sample container rack, optionally a device capable of determining vibra tions and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack, a geographic tracking device, preferably a GPS device, a device capable of determining time parameters of the sample container rack's use, a light sensor and/or device capable of de- tecting the opening or closing of the sample container rack, an acoustic and/or optical alarm module, an electric power source, preferably a battery, and a communication module allowing for wireless and/or real-time commu nication with a remote receiving station.

6. The sample container of any one of claims 1 to 4 and the sample container rack of claim 5, additionally comprising a lab-on-a-chip diagnostics unit.

7. The sample container rack of claim 5 or 6, additionally comprising an inside and/or outside camera or a scanner unit capable of capturing an image of one or more of the following: the label/ barcode attached on the sample con tainer, the centrifugal status of the sample container, the filling volume of one or more sample containers in the rack, the type of the sample container, the color and the shape of the sample container, the cap color of the sample container content potentially indicating hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia in the sample, the container rack, an order form attached to the sample container rack, or a document provided in the sample container rack or attached to it.

8. The sample container rack of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said sample container rack is designed as a mobile rack for transport and/or as a station ary rack for collecting sample containers at a specific site.

The sample container rack of claim 8, wherein said sample container rack comprises (i) a stationary module and a mobile module, wherein said station ary module preferably comprises the camera or scanner unit, or (ii) a mobile module, wherein said mobile module preferably comprises the camera or scanner unit.

10. The sample container rack of any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein said sample container rack comprises at least one sample container slot within the sam ple container rack, which is configured to check one or more parameters of a sample container between the step of filling the sample in the container and the initiation of the transport of said sample container in a sample con tainer rack, wherein said parameters comprise one or more selected from: - identity of the sample and/or sample container;

type of sample container, preferably identifiable via a color code;

volume of sample container, preferably identifiable by shape; filling volume of the sample container;

sample number;

humidity of the sample and/or sample container;

time parameters of the sample container rack's use;

- index of the sample relating to hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia;

centrifugation status of the sample;

optionally vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack; presence of liquid and/or solid phase in the sample;

ratio of liquid and solid phases in the sample;

- content of order form attached to the sample container rack; and

11. The sample container rack of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein said sample container rack is designed to transmit information on the status of the sam ple container rack and/or on the status of the sample container comprised in it, preferably obtained with a unit or device as described in claim 5.

12. The sample container rack of claim 11, wherein the stationary module and the mobile module are designed to transmit information, also between each other.

13. The sample container rack of claim 11 or 12, wherein said transmission of information is via a wireless and/or real-time communication to a remote re ceiving station

14. The sample container rack of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein said remote receiving station is provided as a network based database server, preferably as a cloud based server.

15. A remote receiving station designed to receive in a wireless and/or real-time communication fashion information of a sample container rack, preferably as defined in any one of claims 5 to 14, or of a sample container, preferably as defined in claims 1 to 4 regarding one or more of the following: temperature, humidity, vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces, GPS-tracks, light in tensity on the sample, image captured of the sample container or the sample rack, capture and/or data extracted from a capture of an order form attached to the sample container filling volume of the sample container, type of the sample container, potential hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia in a sample in a sample container, content of an order form attached to the sample con tainer, time parameters of the sample container rack's use and sample qual ity parameters of each of the sample containers.

16. The remote receiving station of claim 15, wherein said received information is provided and/or accumulated and/or analysed on a network based data base server, preferably on a cloud based server.

17. The remote receiving station of claim 15 or 16, wherein said station is con nected to and/or shares information with a downstream device such as a sta tionary or mobile remote device or with a further device or receiving station, preferably via wireless and/or real-time communication.

18. The remote receiving station of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said mo bile remote device is a smartphone or a tablet PC.

19. The remote receiving station of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said re- mote receiving station receives information from said sample container rack in an automatic or semi-automatic manner, preferably via a periodic update function, in an event-dependent manner, preferably after a one or more of the parameter(s) selected from:

volume of sample container, preferably identifiable by shape; - filling volume of the sample container;

temperature of the sample and/or sample container and/or sample container rack;

humidity of the sample and/or sample container;

time parameters of the sample container rack's use;

- index of the sample relating to hemolysis, icterus or lipaemia;

vibrations and centrifugal forces exerted on the rack;

presence of liquid and/or solid phase in the sample;

ratio of liquid and solid phases in the sample; and

one or more quality parameter(s) of the sample, preferably pH, ionic concentration, and presence of apoptotic, inflammatory, metabolic or infectious indicators,

differ from a predetermined value.

20. The remote receiving station of claim 19, wherein said remote receiving sta tion shares received information with a downstream device such as a station ary or mobile remote device or with a further device or receiving station in an automatic or semi-automatic manner, preferably via a periodic update function.

21. The remote receiving station of any one of claims 15 to 20 wherein said re mote receiving station additionally comprises an assessment and decision unit which determines,

(i) on the basis of one or more of the following: the temperature measured since the time point of sample container registration in the sample container rack, the temperature during delivery, the filling volume of the sample container, the hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, the sample type, the content of the order form, the record of a GPS-track, time parameters of the sample container rack's use the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample and one or more sample quality parameters of each of the sample container, which subsequent step is to be performed with the sample container, wherein possible steps include: release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample, discard of the sample, release of a sample for performance of analysis of the sample with concomitant report on specific parameters, pausing sample analysis, tagging samples for subsequent freezing, second or subsequent analysis or discard and/or separating samples according to the temperature measured during delivery, the vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces record of the sample, the filling volume of the sample container, the hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, the sample type, the content of the order form, the record of the GPS-track, the determined light intensity and one or more sample quality parameters, and/or whether one or more further steps such as taking a new sample, resending data from the sample container rack, rerouting of sample container racks are performed; and/or

22. A sample analyzer designed to receive one or more sample container rack(s), preferably as described in any one of claims 8 to 14 wherein said sample an alyzer comprises an RFID reader, an Bluetooth device, a barcode reader, an interface between said reader and an analyzer information technology unit, and a communication module allowing for wireless and/or real-time commu nication with a remote receiving station, preferably with the remote receiv ing station as defined in any one of claims 15 to 21, or with a sample analyzer system, preferably a Laboratory Information System (LIS), or allowing for wireless and/or real-time communication with a web-based server system feeding a dashboard

23. The sample analyzer of claim 22, wherein said sample analyzer additionally comprises one or more processing units, which are capable of sorting and/or opening and/or tapping a sample container comprised in the sample con tainer rack, and/or of taking an aliquot of the content comprised in said sam ple container.

24. The sample analyzer of claim 22 or 23, wherein said wireless and/or real-time communication with the remote receiving station is performed in an auto matic or semi-automatic manner, preferably via a periodic update function.

25. The sample analyzer of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said information technology unit comprises a data receiving unit receiving and optionally ac cumulating and/or storing information of the sample container rack regard ing temperature, vibrations and/or exerted centrifugal forces, filling volume of the sample container, hemolysis/icterus/lipaemia status of the sample, sample type, content of the order form, light intensity, GPS-tracks, time pa rameters of the sample container rack's use and sample quality parameters of each of the sample containers.

26. A sample analysing system comprising at least (i) a combination of a sample container as defined in any one claims 1 to 4 and a sample container rack as defined in any one of claims 5 to 14, or (ii) a combination of a sample con tainer as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 and a sample container rack as defined in any one of claims 5 to 14 and a sample analyzer as defined in any one of claims 22 to 25, or (iii) a combination of a sample container as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 and a sample container rack as defined in any one of claims 5 to 14 and a sample analyzer as defined in any one of claims 22 to 25 and a remote receiving station as defined in any one of claims 15 to 21 or (iv) a combination of a sample container as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 and a sample container rack as defined in any one of claims 5 to 14 and a remote receiving station as defined in any one of claims 15 to 21.