Abstract:
The present invention uses a wireless memory/communication device at least on the one or more sample storage devices, preferably on both the one or more sample storage devices and the sampling holder, optionally the port on the equipment as well. Data such as that relating to the vessel, the location of the port on the vessel, the device, its manufacture date or lot number, the date of the installation, sterilization and/or taking of a sample along with the person who installed the device and/or took the sample can be read and preferably added to the wireless device when a read/write type of device as these events occur through a scanner/reader/writer device (fixed or hand held). The sample storage device in the laboratory can also then be read and recorded to track the sample storage device&#39;s life.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/963,016, filed on Aug. 2, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a sampling system. More particularly, it relates to a sampling system having a port and one or more sample containers that are wirelessly enabled to track location and/or other information. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Traditional sample systems for pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical processes use large stainless steel systems that include steam traps and the like to at least aseptically clean the system between uses. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,543 introduced a disposable sterile sampling system comprised of a carousel or holder into which one or more septum containing sampling collection devices are attached. This is sold as the NovaSeptum® sampling device available from Millipore Corporation of Billerica, Mass. The devices have a sample taking device, in this instance a septum surrounding a needle at the front end with the rear portion of the needle being attached to a flexible conduit such as a tube or hose which in turn is attached to a sample storage device such as a bag as shown in the patent or as a syringe as described in US 2006/0211995 A1 and sold as the NovaSeptum® AV system by Millipore Corporation of Billerica. Mass. The internal area between the septum and sample storage device, in the first instance a bag and in the syringe its inner volume, is isolated from the environment and sterilized (gamma or beta radiation, ETO, etc) before assembly into a holder. The holder is liquid tightly attached to a port of a bioreactor or other piece of equipment such as a storage vessel, mixing vessel and the like, the septum based sample taking devices are loaded into the holder and then the face of the system (holder and septum of the sample taking device) is sterilized along with the rest of the interior of the equipment. The vessel is then filled and samples are taken as needed during processing. Information concerning the sample, when and where it was taken and by whom is recorded by hand either onto a paper label that is then attached to the sample storage device or in a notebook. 
         [0005]    US 2005/0132821A1 and US2006/0201263A1 add to this concept by eliminating the need for a septum and yet provide a sterile connection and sample collection system. The use of shafts mounted in a holder with tubes connected to the rear portions of the shafts which in turn are connected to s sample storage device such as bags. The shafts are mounted in the holder or body and isolated from the environment and then sterilized by radiation such as gamma or beta, steam, ETO or the like. 
         [0006]    US 2006/0272432A1 is also a septum-less system that uses slidable gates to selectively open or close a pathway from the vessel to a conduit and then to a sample storage device. 
         [0007]    All of these systems are then mounted to a port and the face of the port is sterilized with the interior of the vessel to provide a sterile pathway for the samples. The shafts are moved either linearly or rotationally into alignment to draw a sample or the gates are moved linearly to open a passage for the liquid sample. As with the NovaSeptum design discussed above, the information is recorded separately and then attached to the sample holder or placed in a notebook. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a better method and device for tracking such information in a foolproof manner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention uses a wireless memory/communication device at least on the one or more sample storage device such as bags, bottles or syringes, preferably on both the one or more sample storage device and the sampling holder, optionally the port on the equipment as well. 
         [0010]    The use of RFID, Zigbee®, Bluetooth® and other wireless systems is acceptable. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, a read only tag, such as a read only RFID tag is used on the one or more sample storage devices. The tag(s) contain an identity code for the sample storage device. This is then used with a scanner (hand held or fixed) to track the usage of this sample storage device such as the date of installation and on which sampling holder, the date of sample taking and the like. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the sample storage device utilizes a read/write memory device, such as a RFID, Zigbee®, Bluetooth® and other wireless read/write tag. Data such as that relating to the vessel, the location of the port on the vessel, the date of the installation, sterilization and/or taking of a sample along with the person who installed the device and/or took the sample can be added to the tag on the sample storage device as these events occur through a scanner/reader/writer device (fixed or hand held). The sample storage device in the laboratory can also then be read and recorded to track the sample storage device&#39;s life. 
         [0013]    More preferably, the system itself, such as the holder also has a memory/communication device and it can transfer its information to the device on the sample storage device, either directly or through an intermediate reader/writer. 
     
    
     
       IN THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a wireless device useful in the invention in top down planar view. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention in planar view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the present invention. A vessel  2 , such as a bioreactor, storage vessel, mixing tank and the like, contains one or more ports  4  (one shown) such as an Ingold® port or a NovaSeptic® port onto or into which a sampling system  6  is mounted. The vessel  2  contains a liquid  3  that needs to be sampled from time to time. In this example, a NovaSeptum® sampling system, according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,543 is shown. The system  6  has a holder  8  mounted to the port  4  of the vessel  2 . One or more sample sterile collectors  10  are loaded in the holder  8 . 
         [0020]    The collectors  10  have a septum (not shown) containing a sample gatherer  14  that is open to the remainder of the collector  10  when inserted into the vessel  2 . In this instance it is a needle that passes through a septum (not shown) to enter the vessel  2  and collect a sample from the liquid  3 . The rear portion  16  of the gatherer  14  is connected to a collection tube  18  which in turn is connected to one or more sample storage devices  20 , in this embodiment shown as bags although it may be bottles, syringes or other vessels used to collect and store samples. 
         [0021]    The sample storage device(s)  20  each contain a wireless memory/communications device  22  such as a RFID tag, a Zigbee® device, a Bluetooth® device and the like. The wireless device may be mounted to the sample storage device as a plastic encasing disk which covers the wireless device and prevents it from being damaged. Alternatively, it may be laminated onto the sample storage device directly or to a label which is applied to the sample storage device. Such printed labels/wireless devices are known and available from a number of sources including PrintTech and Zebra Technologies. Alternatively, the device may be formed into a plastic tag which has a strap that can be attached to the sample storage device or the tube connected to the sample storage device. In another embodiment, it can be laminated into the film of the sample storage device itself. 
         [0022]    The wireless device essentially comprises two components as shown in  FIG. 4 , a microchip  100  and an antenna  102 . This is generally attached to a plastic surface or sheet  104  or encapsulated with an epoxy (not shown). The device can be of any frequency although high frequency (HF) and ultrahigh frequency (UHF) are the most popular. Additional elements may be added if desired such as a battery or capacitor to provide the device with its own power source, if desired. Most systems however are passive and rely on the signal from the reader/writer to power up the device as needed. 
         [0023]    In this embodiment, the device  22  is a read only device containing at least a unique identifier for that sample storage device, such as an alpha/numeric serial number. 
         [0024]    In use, before, during or after the sample storage device(s)  20  have been loaded into the holder  8 , they are read by a scanner (not shown) which may be a fixed station such as a desktop reader like the AccuSmart™ reader available from Millipore Corporation of Billerica, Mass. or a hand held device such as the Hose Tracker™ reader available from Advantapure of South Hamilton, Pa. 
         [0025]    This information as to the identity of the sample storage device and optionally, at least one trackable-event such as its location, date of installation, installer, etc, can be entered into the scanner. It may be stored there or it may be downloaded to a computer or network connection or the internet if desired. 
         [0026]    Upon or just after sampling, the device  22  can again be scanned by the reader to record the use date, time, location, etc. 
         [0027]    When the sample storage device  20  reaches the testing laboratory, the device  22  can be scanned to record its arrival and/or analysis. Optionally, the name of the tester, the test to be performed, the storage, length of time before testing and the like may also be added to the scanner or other storage item a computer or network connection or the internet by the laboratory to track its workload and generate its reports. 
         [0028]    In the Figures that follow, the same reference numbers are used to if they represent the same elements discussed above in regard to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the wireless device  22 , this time used on a sampling system according to USSN 2005/0132821A1, although a NovaSeptum® system or any other sampling device can also be used, is a read/write device so that data relating to one or more trackable events such as identity, location, installation, use and testing dates and times, etc. can be recorded on to the device  22  itself. Optionally, the data may also be downloaded to a computer, network or internet site as described above in the earlier embodiment. In this embodiment, the holder  8  may be retained to the port by a means such as a nut  9  as shown or by other means such as a clamp. The gatherer  14  in this case is not a needle but rather a shaft having a central bore  11  and the end adjacent the inner volume of the vessel  2  covered by a cap  13 . A passageway  15  is behind the cap  13  provides a fluid pathway between the inner volume of the vessel  2  and the central bore of the gatherer  14  when the shaft is extended into the volume to take a sample from the liquid  3 . The sample then flows into the tube  18  and sample storage device  20 . 
         [0030]    An alternative sample device according to USSN 2005/0132821A1 (not shown), which rotates a shaft and the holder relative each other and/or the port to selectively expose and provide access of a shaft to the inner volume of the vessel  2  may be used as well if desired and it functions in a similar manner. 
         [0031]    In use, the wireless device  22  arrives at a user&#39;s facility with manufacturer and sterilization data, etc. already loaded on to it or contained on a secure website of the manufacturer which can be accessed by providing the website with the identification number contained on the wireless device. When mounted to a vessel  2 , various data such as location, date of installation, installer etc. is recorded on the device  22 . If desired, the date/time of sterilization of the system  6  in place on the vessel  2  can also be recorded. 
         [0032]    When a sample is taken, the day/time/user and other relevant trackable data can be recorded onto the device  22  which is then sterilely disconnected from the system such as by the crimp/crimper cutter device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,575 and taken to a laboratory for testing or stored as a retain. 
         [0033]    If desired, the date/time of receipt at the lab or the storage facility can be recorded when it is received. Additionally, the data of the device  22  and/or computer, network or internet can also be downloaded and/or updated. Likewise, information regarding the tests conducted, the tester&#39;s identification and the like can also be added to the tag. 
         [0034]    For storage applications, the device  22  or the computer network or internet site may contain specific storage instructions such as temperature to be maintained at, length for storage and the like. 
         [0035]    In a third embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , the system  6 , such as the holder  8  which holds the sample collectors  10  contains its own wireless memory/communication device  24 . 
         [0036]    In this way, information relating to the system  6  such as manufacturing information, installation data, sterilization data, loading data (of collectors  10 ), location on the vessel  2  and/or in the facility can be loaded onto the second wireless device  24 . 
         [0037]    One can then scan the second device  24  when adding or using a sampling collector  10  so as to provide the first wireless device  22  of the collector  10  with some or all of the data of the system  6 . This may be done directly from the second device  24  to the first device  22  or through an intermediary scanner such as a hand held scanning device (not shown). 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows a sampling device according to the present invention used on a disposable vessel such as a plastic bag or rigid plastic container  200 . A sampling system  202  is similar to those discussed above in relation  FIG. 1-3  and is attached to the disposable vessel  200  such as by a port  204  which has been attached to an opening (not shown) in the vessel  200 . This can be by heat sealing or welding (solvent or sonic energy) the port to or around the opening. Alternatively one can use a threaded fitting that extends through the opening from the interior of the vessel and a nut on the outside that match with the threads to forma liquid tight fitting. Likewise one can use a plastic fitting inside the vessel  200  with a open neck that extends through the opening to the exterior of the vessel  200  and a second piece of plastic that can be sealed to the exterior surface of the neck to hold the fitting in place in the opening in a liquid tight manner. A wireless device  208 , at least a read device, and preferably a read/write device as described above is used on at least each of the sample storage device  210 . Optionally a second device (not shown) may be attached to the vessel or the port  204  if desired. The vessel  200  and sampling system  202  are made and sealed from the outside environment and then sterilized such as by radiation (gamma or beta), ethylene oxide or the like. If gamma radiation is used, a gamma stable wireless device such as is taught by U.S. Ser. No. 11/501,446, filed Aug. 9, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0039]    A sample of the liquid  206  is taken in a manner identical to that described in  FIG. 1-3  above. 
         [0040]    A process for using the invention comprises providing a collection system such as a NovaSeptum® device having a holder and one or more collection devices mounted therein. Each collection device is formed of a gatherer  14  of some type, such as a septum covered needle, or rigid tube or hollow shaft and the like, a conduit  18  such as a plastic tube attached to a rearward portion of the gatherer  14  and a sample storage device  20  such as a bag, syringe or bottle attached to the rearward portion of the conduit. The collection devices are rendered sterile in their interior before mounting onto the vessel. At least the one or more collection devices  20  contain a wireless communications and information storage device  22  as described herein above. Optionally, the holder  8  also contains a second wireless communications and information storage device  24  as described herein above. The system is mounted to a vessel  2  through a port  4  or opening in a liquid tight manner. The portion of the system that has been exposed to the environment, generally just the face of the holder  8  and the collectors  10  mounted in it is then sterilized in place. Information and if desired, at least one trackable event, on the first wireless device  22 , and if present, the second wireless device  24 , is taken. This information can be, but is not limited to, identity, location, date of installation, sampling, installer, installation date, etc. The vessel  2  is filled and a sample is taken and information and if desired at least one other trackable event is taken on the first wireless device  22 , and if present the second wireless device  24 . This information and/or trackable event(s) can be stored on the first and/or second wireless device  22 / 24  and optionally the scanner (not shown) which may be a fixed station such as a desktop reader like the AccuSmart™ reader available from Millipore Corporation of Billerica, Mass. or a hand held device such as the Hose Tracker™ available from Advantapure of South Hamilton, Pa. Alternatively or additionally, the information may be uploaded to a computer, a control system, a network or an internet address. 
         [0041]    A system according to any of the embodiments allows one to electronically collect and/or store one or more trackable events such as data relating to the sampling system, its installation, use and if done, testing results. 
         [0042]    By using the sterile disposable sampling systems, one is able to form a liquid tight, hermetic seal between the system and the interior of the vessel so that sterile samples can be taken. 
         [0043]    The wireless device enabled system of the present invention eliminates any error as to location, date, time, user and the like and allows one to use good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good laboratory practices (GLP) in sampling systems.