Barcode Driven Sample Processing

Barcoded samples allow users to stay as ‘hands free’ from the computer as possible during sample processing tasks. Based on the configured processing steps for a given sample, a user will be shown one of four screens: batch creation, batch completion, sample transfer or path step completion. Within Samples > Processing these barcodes will guide users in this workflow:

• Application User Barcode: Typically these are on the user’s badge. This barcode can be used to complete batch creation steps as well as path step completion based on the sample path configuration.

• Device Barcodes: If a given step requires device confirmation, the system will allow the user to simply scan the applicable device’s barcode. If a device is required a user must scan or select a device prior to completing the sample task. Sample Containers: For sample path configuration, the last step must always be a ‘container step’. This will require users to associate samples with a container for storage/shipment. A sample container may contain zero to many samples, optionally have a device/location assigned, and a barcode can be printed for the given container. By scanning the sample container prior to scanning a barcoded sample within Samples > Processing it will allow a user to add sample(s) to the container.

• Samples: By scanning a sample barcode with a configured sample path it will initiate batch creation, batch completion, sample transfer and/or path step completion based on the sample path configuration.

  • Scan for Batch Creation: Scan each sample to be added to the batch. Scanning the user badge will complete this task and close the Batch Creation window. This has the same effect as the user selecting ‘Create Batch’. If a device is required, it must be scanned/selected prior to completing the batch creation step.

  • Scan for Batch Completion: Once all of the samples in a batch are finished with their batch step and accounted for, the user can rescan one of the sample barcodes and it will complete the batch and close the batch completion window. This has the same effect as the user selecting ‘Complete Batch’.

  • Scan for Sample Transfer: Scan the sample barcode that has configured sample transfers and the Sample Transfer window opens prompting users to scan the aliquot barcodes associated with the initial sample. If a user attempts to assign an incorrect aliquot/transfer, they will be warned visually and audibly. Once all of the transfers are accounted for, the user can complete the process by rescanning a transfer label. This has the same effect as the user selecting ‘Complete Transfer’. If a device is required, it must be scanned/selected prior to completion of the transfer step.

  • Scan for Path Step Completion: To confirm step completion a user will scan the sample barcode and the Path Step Completion window opens. Once the container / device requirements have been fulfilled, the user can complete the step by rescanning the sample barcode. This has the same effect as the user selecting ‘Complete’ during Path Step Completion.

    • If a container is required users can optionally scan the container barcode prior to any sample barcode(s) allowing the user to add one or many samples to the container at a time. Once the sample(s) have been added and the container and/or device requirements have been fulfilled, the user can complete the step by scanning their user barcode. This has the same effect as the user selecting ‘Complete” during Path Step Creation’.

• Transfer Materials: When sample transfers are configured it is expected that the primary barcoded sample will be split one or more times. Once the barcoded sample is split into the sample transfers, the transfer barcodes will be used for the remaining sample processing steps. Should a barcoded sample not have any transfer materials configured, the initial sample barcode will be used for the entirety of sample processing.

Example Sample Path

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Example Workflow for Sample Path

The following workflow would be followed for the above example sample path:

1. Scan one sample for Path Step Creation

2. Rescan the sample to complete the step

3. Scan multiple samples for Batch Creation

4. Scan the device used for the batch

5. Create the batch by scanning user badge

6. Scan samples for Batch Completion

7. Rescan one sample again to complete the batch step

8. Scan one sample for Sample Transfer

9. Scan each associated transfer barcode

10. After each transfer has been completed, rescan one transfer barcode to complete the step

11. Scan multiple samples for Batch Creation

12. Create the batch by scanning user badge

13. Scan samples for Batch Completion

14. Rescan one sample again to complete the batch step

15. Scan a sample container and add multiple samples to the container

16. Scan the device/location for the samples

17. Scan user badge to complete the step