Identification of biological samples

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10207270
  • Patent Number
    10,207,270
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 9, 2016
    8 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 19, 2019
    5 years ago
Abstract
A method for coding and identification of biological samples for in vitro fertilization comprises the steps of applying to receptacles intended for unfertilized eggs and sperm, respectively, an identification code characteristic of the patient; placing unfertilized eggs and sperm, respectively, in the receptacles; storing, transporting and admixing the respective samples in receptacles which each carry the same code; and implanting the resulting embryo in the patient. The identification code may based on RFID technology, in which sample vessels (12) are codified by the application of an RFID tag (13).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the identification of biological samples for use in in vitro fertilisation processes.


BACKGROUND

In vitro fertilisation is a process which is intended to enable a woman, apparently unable to conceive naturally, to gestate and give birth by implantation, in the womb, of an externally-fertilised egg. During the process, unfertilised eggs are collected from the patient's ovaries and admixed with sperm from the woman's partner for fertilisation purposes, the fertilised egg then being re-implanted in the womb for gestation. Clearly, it is important for the procedure to be administered under a rigorous and carefully-controlled protocol to ensure that the eggs are fertilised with sperm from the intended partner; various instances have been reported in the media concerning unintended and highly distressing errors which become apparent following birth. To this end, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority operates a so-called “locked in process”, in which the procedure is witnessed at every stage by a person additional to the operative to ensure, as far as possible, that mistakes such as have been made in the past are not repeated in the future. The procedure is consequently expensive to operate and administer and, in any event, the possibility of human error cannot entirely be eliminated.


SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a procedure and associated apparatus which enables samples to be coded and identified, especially for use in in vitro fertilisation procedures, in a way which falls within the requirements of the regulatory authority, in the UK this being the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.


In one aspect, the invention provides a method for coding and identification of biological samples for in vitro fertilisation, the method comprising the steps of applying to receptacles intended for unfertilised eggs and sperm, respectively, an identification code characteristic of the patient; placing unfertilised eggs and sperm, respectively, in the receptacles; storing, transporting and admixing the respective samples in receptacles which each carry the same code; and implanting the resulting embryo in the patient. Preferably, the identification codes are computer-readable, for example via a bench top reader, and information relating to the vessels and the samples stored therein is maintained in a database which tracks the vessels and samples and can provide information concerning their location at any given time.


Preferably, the identification code is based on RFTD technology, in which sample vessels are codified by the application of write-on or printable adhesive labels having an RFTD tag permanently attached thereto or incorporated therein, identification being by means of activation by radiation in the form of radio frequency waves, the tag emitting identification signals which can be received by the reader and stored in the database. The RFID tag may alternatively be incorporated in the sample vessel itself. In alternative embodiments, ID tags utilising electromagnetic frequencies other than radio frequencies, such as microwave frequencies, may be used. The database may be controlled by software which includes an anti-collision protocol to discriminate between data received from a plurality of vessels having different identification codes attached thereto.


In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for identification of biological samples for in vitro fertilisation, the apparatus comprising storage vessels associated with an identification code; and means to read the code and transmit information relating to the samples to a database.


In this specification, the term “vessels” is intended to cover vessels for use at any stage of the overall in vitro fertilisation procedure between initial collection of the egg and sperm samples, storage thereof, admixing thereof for fertilisation purposes and transmission of the embryo to the patient for implantation. Also in this specification, the term “patient” is to be understood, as the context requires, as applying either to the woman or to the male partner.


In operation of the process and as reassurance for the patient, the patient can observe and verify that the initial samples are placed in vessels which correctly identify the patient and that the embryo is also thus identified.


The method of the invention is preferably carried out on a laboratory bench beneath which is located an antenna for transmission of activation radiation and receiving signals emitted by the RFTD tag. It is necessary, in order for the samples to remain viable, for the bench surface to be heated to a controlled temperature, preferably in the range 37-42° C. When handling or manipulating samples using conventional techniques, bench surfaces are typically made from stainless steel and heating thereof is by means of pipes disposed under and spaced from the benchtop and through which hot water is circulated, a heat-conductive plate, typically of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, being provided between the pipes and the surface material to equilibrate the temperature differences between the pipes and their surroundings and result in a substantially uniform surface temperature. However, with the method of the present invention, signals between the antenna and samples will not transmit through a metal benchtop, nor will they communicate with an RFTD tag in close proximity, typically 1 mm or less, to a metal surface. It is therefore necessary to utilise an electrically non-conducting material for the benchtop, but this militates against the use of temperature control measures which rely on thermal conduction from beneath the surface.


The reading means comprises an antenna and a reader for reading RFID tags. The antenna forms part of an electrical circuit that is configured to optimise the reading of RFTD tags on or over the surface. The circuit includes a transformer for providing power to the antenna and also an adjustable capacitor and an adjustable resistor. The transformer is configured to minimise any impedance mismatch between the reader and the antenna to improve the prospect of an RFID tag being readable on or over the entire surface. The adjustable capacitor is set to tune to resonance the coupling between the antenna and the RFTD tag over the surface. The adjustable resistor is set' to dampen the magnetic field that the antenna produces over the surface so that RFTD tags placed over the surface are not “swamped”.


According to another aspect, the invention provides a work station providing a warmed surface for supporting biological samples and comprising RFID tag reading means located beneath the surface for reading RFTD tags on or over the surface, wherein the station is structured such that warming of the surface is achieved without preventing reading by the reading means of an RFID tag associated with an item placed on the surface.


In one embodiment, the work station comprises a work area defined by an electrically-insulating or resistive plate beneath which in use is located an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic signals to sample receptacles placed on the work area and receiving identification signals therefrom, in which the plate is thermally conducting from one face to the other, the lower surface being in thermal contact with a temperature-controlled heating medium. The work area may be set in a workbench which may be made or example from stainless steel, the work area providing a discrete working zone for the antenna and manipulation operations carried out on the upper surface.


The plate may comprise glass coated on its lower surface with an electrically-conducting heating layer such as indium tin oxide as the heating medium. Alternatively, the plate may comprise upper and lower plate elements defining a cavity between them for containing a liquid heating medium, for example water at a thermostatically-controlled temperature. Preferably, the water is pumped and recirculated through the cavity at a sufficiently high flowrate to minimise the temperature drop across the work area; preferably also, the flow is laminar.





DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:



FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a work station utilising one form of heating means; and



FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment using another form of heating means.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference firstly to FIG. 1, the apparatus consists essentially of a stainless steel workbench surface (10) having an insert defining a work area and consisting of a toughened glass plate (11). A petri dish (12) having an RFID tag (13) attached to the under surface thereof is placed on the work station. The glass plate (11) carries a lower coating or deposit (14) formed from indium tin oxide, the layer being electrically connected to a power supply to provide an even heating current. An antenna (16) is disposed below the work station and connected to test equipment (17).


In use, the antenna coil transmits activation signals to the RFID tag (13) which itself transmits identification signals back to the antenna, the signals being processed in the test equipment (17). The power supply (15) supplies energy to the indium tin oxide layer (14) for heating purposes; the heat generated is transmitted through the plate (11) to maintain the upper surface of the plate at the desired temperature.


With reference to FIG. 2, the work station consists essentially of upper and lower Corian (Registered Trade Mark) plates (21, 22) set into a workbench as shown in FIG. 1. The plates are spaced apart to define a gap (23) through which temperature-controlled water is passed in laminar flow to maintain the upper surface of the work station at the desired temperature. The work station is provided with an antenna and test equipment as described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1.

Claims
  • 1. A method for preparing and identifying biological samples for in vitro fertilisation, the method comprising: applying to at least one receptacle intended for unfertilised eggs or sperm, an identification code associated with a patient, the identification code being stored on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to be accessible by a reader associated with a laboratory bench;transmitting, by an antenna associated with the laboratory bench, activation radiation to the RFID tag of the at least one receptacle;reading, by the reader associated with the laboratory bench, the identification code provided by a signal emitted by the RFID tag of the at least one receptacle;placing unfertilised eggs or sperm in the at least one receptacle; andstoring the at least one receptacle which carries the identification code.
  • 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein information relating to the at least one receptacle and a sample stored therein is maintained in a database.
  • 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the database is controlled by software which includes an anti-collision protocol to discriminate between data received from a plurality of receptacles having different identification codes attached thereto.
  • 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antenna configured to transmit activation radiation and receive a signal emitted by the RFID tag is located beneath a surface of the laboratory bench.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving, from a database, patient identification information associated with the at least one receptacle; andpresenting, on a display associated with the laboratory bench, patient identification information associated with the at least one receptacle.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising tuning, by an adjustable capacitor associated with the laboratory bench, a coupling resonance between the antenna and the RFID tag of the at least one receptacle.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the at least one receptacle by a heater associated with the laboratory bench.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna and associated transmission equipment are distributed about the laboratory bench.
  • 9. A system comprising: a laboratory bench comprising a work area for preparing and identifying biological samples for in vitro fertilization;an apparatus associated with the laboratory bench, the apparatus comprising: an antenna configured to transmit an activation signal to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of an in vitro fertilization biological sample vessel, the RFID tag storing an identification code associated with a patient, and configured to receive signals emitted by the RFID tag of the in vitro fertilization biological sample vessel, anda reader configured to read the identification code provided by a received signal emitted by the RFID tag of the in vitro fertilization biological sample vessel; anda database configured to store or retrieve information associated with the in vitro fertilization biological sample vessel.
  • 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the laboratory bench comprises a computing device configured to communicate with the database.
  • 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the work area is configured to be warmed to a controlled temperature to maintain viability of the biological samples.
  • 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the work area comprises at least one plate set into a surface of the laboratory bench, the at least one plate having a top surface and a bottom surface.
  • 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one plate is electrically-insulating.
  • 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit activation radiation to and receive signals emitted by the RFID tag of the in vitro fertilization biological sample vessel through the at least one plate.
  • 15. The system of claim 9, further comprising a power supply comprising a transformer, wherein the transformer is configured to minimize an impedance mismatch between the reader and the antenna.
  • 16. The system of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable resistor configured to dampen a magnetic field produced by the antenna over a surface of the laboratory bench.
  • 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the RFID tag is incorporated in the sample vessel.
  • 18. The system of claim 9, wherein the RFID tag is attached to the sample vessel.
  • 19. The system of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable capacitor configured to tune a coupling resonance between the antenna and the RFID tag of the in vitro fertilization biological sample vessel.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
0411577.0 May 2004 GB national
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/950,665, filed on Nov. 24, 2015, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11,597,532, filed on Nov. 24, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,540, which is a 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/GB2005/002048, filed on May 24, 2005, which claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. 0411577.0, filed on May 24, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

US Referenced Citations (69)
Number Name Date Kind
5036308 Fockens Jul 1991 A
5912622 Endo et al. Jun 1999 A
6184846 Myers Feb 2001 B1
6677852 Landt Jan 2004 B1
6817522 Brignone Nov 2004 B2
6827279 Teraura Dec 2004 B2
6838278 Fortino Jan 2005 B2
7016325 Beasley et al. Mar 2006 B2
7049961 Maloney May 2006 B2
7072377 Douglas-Hamilton Jul 2006 B2
7091864 Veitch et al. Aug 2006 B2
7151757 Beasley et al. Dec 2006 B2
7187286 Morris et al. Mar 2007 B2
7194010 Beasley et al. Mar 2007 B2
7251489 Beasley et al. Jul 2007 B2
7299981 Hickle et al. Nov 2007 B2
7359116 Kenny Apr 2008 B2
7382258 Oldham et al. Jun 2008 B2
7390648 Palacios-Boyce Jun 2008 B1
7468161 Reinhardt et al. Dec 2008 B2
7501947 Youn Mar 2009 B2
7546126 Beasley et al. Jun 2009 B2
7564356 Youn Jul 2009 B1
7663487 Morris et al. Feb 2010 B2
7699232 Koyama et al. Apr 2010 B2
7746229 Gräter et al. Jun 2010 B2
7825821 Luechinger et al. Nov 2010 B2
7826938 Kato et al. Nov 2010 B2
7848905 Troxler et al. Dec 2010 B2
7880617 Morris et al. Feb 2011 B2
7946503 Koyama et al. May 2011 B2
7958791 Zimmermann et al. Jun 2011 B2
7962544 Torok et al. Jun 2011 B2
7991157 Rhoads Aug 2011 B2
8003268 Smith Aug 2011 B2
8049623 Morris et al. Nov 2011 B2
8280345 Twitchell, Jr. Oct 2012 B2
8301473 Leslie Oct 2012 B2
8325637 Salsbury et al. Dec 2012 B2
8360904 Oleson et al. Jan 2013 B2
8430326 Koyama et al. Apr 2013 B2
8451138 Zimmermann May 2013 B2
8587286 Inoue et al. Nov 2013 B2
8599011 Schantz et al. Dec 2013 B2
8608535 Weston et al. Dec 2013 B2
8665071 Morris et al. Mar 2014 B2
8669848 Morris et al. Mar 2014 B2
8669849 Morris et al. Mar 2014 B2
8704634 Fantana et al. Apr 2014 B2
8705423 Salsbury et al. Apr 2014 B2
8706325 Friedlander et al. Apr 2014 B2
8881231 Barrus Nov 2014 B2
8922587 Smyth Dec 2014 B2
8957778 Adams et al. Feb 2015 B2
8983426 Cermak et al. Mar 2015 B2
9019079 Morris et al. Apr 2015 B2
9039533 Barney et al. May 2015 B2
9058552 Aubert et al. Jun 2015 B2
9143843 De Luca et al. Sep 2015 B2
9154966 Bennett et al. Oct 2015 B2
9211540 Lansdowne Dec 2015 B2
9547782 Lansdowne Jan 2017 B2
20020186968 Tanaka Dec 2002 A1
20020196146 Moore Dec 2002 A1
20060057555 Damari Mar 2006 A1
20060199196 O'Banion Sep 2006 A1
20060217185 Cavagna Sep 2006 A1
20070196909 Showalter et al. Aug 2007 A1
20080026807 Moshal et al. Jan 2008 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number Date Country
1 467 620 May 2010 EP
WO 0194016 Dec 2001 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
Magus Nilsson, “Vitrolife acquires IVF Limited and starts direct sales of fertility media in UK and Ireland”, Vitrolife Press Release, Nov. 2, 2009.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20170087554 A1 Mar 2017 US
Divisions (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11597532 US
Child 14950665 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 14950665 Nov 2015 US
Child 15374607 US