Anybody here work in a lab?

Question

Samples come in in large numbers. They must be dissected and put into individual tiny tubes. The original samples have a barcode. The tubes are currently put in batches of 90 and are labelled with a batch number and 1-90. This is time consuming. How can the original barcode data be used to identify the final tubes? Anybody else do something similar without a member of staff having to stand there with a label gun?

Answer 1

UPDATE: We had a vendor fair at work, and I asked your question. There is a system by Brady called Labxpert that genergates labels. They do not smear, can be used in liquid nitrogen, and can produce serialized barcodes. I have more info if you are interested.

Not sure I exactly understand the problem...but you could generate labels for each sample tube with the original batch number...just write in tube number, or have computer generate it for you.

Or put samples in a larger container with a shortened batch ID and tube number, carefully labeling the outer container. Each sample would have unique ID yet be traceable back to original.

Answer 2

That is all part of the joy of lab work. Your time is neatly divided between labelling tabes and defrosting things, with a bit of putting lids on for good measure. Why did I spend 8 years of my life at university for this?

Seriously though I have similar problems. Could you keep each batch 1-90 in one rack which are usually sold numbered by the manufacturer and then transfer a code to the rack. If your data system can then match rack and number to the orignial sample then the problem is solved. Until somone tips the rack over anyway.

Answer 3

1) If you have a system for reading bar codes and
2) the sample bar codes can be peeled off and transferred then

you could simplify your label processing...

But, you would still have to do some scanning & data entry.

And your barcode scanner/software package would have to recognize and input the data for each sample into a spreadsheet. Sounds neat, actually. Then before testing each sample, just scan the tube, run it in the machine, and have the machine automatically send the reading to that sample's entry in the spreadsheet.

I'm not in IT, so if I thought of it, then some techie out there must have already developed it...

Answer 4

If every barcode on every tube is unique, then yes, the barcodes can be used...other than that, maybe a marker pen would be faster and reduce batch size to 45?

Perhaps you could approach a plastic forming firm (plastique) and ask if they can make lids to fit these tubes with a number formed on each lid. If you have 5 batches circulating at one time, then colour coded lids would be OK I guess!

Answer 5

If the original samples had duplicate bar code tags that were removeable you could simply put one of the tags on each of the disected samples.

Answer 6

nope