Barcode system

A paper record log is useful if volume permits. An electronic database is required for larger numbers and for integration with barcoding systems. We keep a small note book to record location, date, record number of subject from whom each tissue specimen is being procured. 

A simple log book can be used to record specimens. However, the needs of a biorepository, especially when the number of samples increases to many thousands, can quickly overwhelm manual tracking methods. Barcoding systems can be helpful and can be readily incorporated into most... 

A location code and the number of replicates for each sample and each strain facilitate the management of the Microbial Strain Collection and of the Microbial Product Library, which has been implemented through the extensive use of a barcode system in order to assure the quality of the process and the reproducibility of the data. 

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has developed a handheld-type device named Handheld Advanced Nucleic Acid Analyzer (HANAA) (Fig. 3) which is capable of rapid detection of bioagents such as B. anthracis in the field. It uses the TaqMan-based PCR assay system. Due to its small footprint and low weight, it is ideal for field applications. Another development from them is the Nanowire Barcode System which speeds up detection of pathogens such as anthrax, smallpox, ricin, and botulinum. Antibodies of specific pathogens are attached to the nanowires which produce small, reliable, and sensitive detection systems. 

Internal and/or external sensors will be mandatory in order to construct robotic stations capable of performing new tasks (e.g., establishing when a solid sample has been completely dissolved, detecting the presence or appearance of a precipitate) and develop mobile robots. These can be either used in isolation or incorporated into robots or robotic stations in order to ensure traceability in the results by use of well-established barcoding systems. 

Figure 6.4 Microfluidics in wearable biosensors, (a) The photolithography method to produce microfluidic channels by nsing negative photoresist SU-8. (b) Fused silica embedded microfluidic channels fabricated by spatiotemporally focusing the femtosecond laser beam (He, F, Xu, H., Cheng, Y, Ni, J., Xiong, H., Xu, Z., Sugioka, K., Midorikawa, K., 2010. Fabrication of microfluidic channels with a circular cross section using spatiotemporally focused femtosecond laser pulses. Opt. Lett 35,1106-1108). (c) A powerless epidermal pH sensor based on microfluidics (Benito-Lopez, F., Coyle, S., Byrne, R., O toole, C., Barry, C., Diamond, D., 2010. Simple Barcode System Based on lorwgels for Real lime pH-Sweat Monitoring, pp. 291-296).

Benito-Lopez, F., Coyle, S., Byrne, R., O toole, C., Barry, C., Diamond, D., 2010. Simple Barcode System Based on lonogels for Real Time pH-Sweat Monitoring., pp. 291-296. 

Kim J, Seo K, Wang J. Multiplexed electrochemical protein coding based on quantum dot (QD)-bioconjugates for a clinical barcode system. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2004 1 137-140. 

The submission and databasing of voucher material is an important component of barcoding initiatives as it ties each genetic sequence to its somce specimen (Ratnasingham and Hebert, 2007) and ensures that the barcoding system is rooted on known taxon concepts. 

The assembly of large screening libraries for HTS requires the development of archival and retrieval systems that can handle solid compounds and compound solutions in microtubes or in plates in either the 96 or the 384 format. Barcodes are used to identify each sample vial, tube, or plate. Databases record which samples are available, what type of sample it is, and how much is available. All solid samples are prepared first as stock (master) solutions ( around 5 mg/mL in DMSO) in 2-D bar-coded tubes that are then aliquotted to plates and processed as described earlier. The tubes and plates are usually made of polypropylene for compatibility with DMSO. DMSO is the industry standard solvent for screening libraries because many of the archived compounds are not soluble in water at 5 mg/mL. DMSO, an organic solvent, also has a favorable combination of biological... 

SGX uses two bar codes to track samples. The first identifier is the 2D bar code on the pin bases, which are used multiple times to moimt individual crystals. The second identifier, a ID bar code, is placed on the vials in which crystals are shipped to the beamline. This barcode is unique to the crystal and, imlike the base, is not reused. The device used to read the barcodes is shown in Fig. 12.3. This system requires that the 1D barcode, which links the physical crystal with its description in the database, constitutes part... 

To maintain a perpetual inventory system, all purchases and sales must be entered into the computer system (Carroll, 1998 West, 2003). A clerk can enter data from purchases, or the computer dispensing system can be interfaced with the computer order system. The interface allows for the inventory to be reduced when a product is dispensed. The sales data can also be entered at the point of sale by devices that use optical scanning and barcode technology. Point-of-sale (POS) devices are advantageous in that they improve the accuracy of pricing and inventory data. They eliminate the need for price stickers, reduce the frequency of pricing errors, and automatically track inventory. 

FIGURE 12.4 In-house developed, fully automated reformatting system. Compounds stocked in individually barcoded and sealed tubes are transported (A). A robot (B) delivers the tubes in a 96-tube rack to a liquid handler (C), where samples can be added to 96-, 384-, or 1536-well plates. 

There are systems that precisely dispense up to four material components into a mold. The plastic is dispensed up to 6 lb/sec with a reported accuracy of 0.02 lb. The system works as the feeder automatically reads a barcode. The barcode is matched to a dispensing recipe and then the required amounts of color and plastic powder are dispensed. The system is capable of holding more than 65,000 recipes. 

With the advent of computers and the introduction of automated dispensing devices, the idea of a perpetual inventory is within the grasp of today s pharmacy. Further, the routine use of barcoding allows integration of point-of-care inventory management systems. In such systems, the inventory is constantly inspected and ordering and restocking takes place much faster. 

The mode of data input must be specified. Will the system have to accept input from another system such as a laboratory instrument data system, or will it have to take direct input from sensors, e.g., thermocouples Will it be interfaced to another database, such as an ERP system that must determine a batch status residing in a LIMS system before allowing a raw material to be allocated to a manufacturing step Will there be direct entry of data via keyboard or barcode scanner ... 

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