Methods for managing data flow in localized diagnostics testing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12162014-B2
Application number	US-202217703465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2022
Priority date	Oct 12, 2021
Publication date	Dec 10, 2024
Grant date	Dec 10, 2024

Abstract

Systems, methods, and collection devices are disclosed for rapid, local PCR testing. The system may include a PCR testing module, memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, and at least one computer processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer executable instructions to: (i) receive an order for a PCR diagnostic test; (ii) associate a sample collection device (SCD) received by the PCR testing module with the order for a PCR diagnostic test; (iii) instruct the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test on a biological specimen in the SCD received by the PCR testing module; and (iv) cause presentation of results of the PCR diagnostic test.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
A portable PCR testing module comprising a housing, a display, and a PCR machine;
memory configured to store computer-executable instructions; and
at least one computer processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer executable instructions to:
receive, via the display, instructions for performing a PCR diagnostic test;
process a payment for the PCR diagnostic test;
generate an identification number for the instruction;
associate the identification number with a barcode assigned to a sample collection device (SCD);
receive the SCD;
cause a scanner on the PCR testing module to scan the barcode on the SCD received by the PCR testing module;
determine, using the barcode, that the SCD is associated with the instruction;
cause the PCR testing module to transfer a biological specimen sample from the SCD to a PCR sample tube attached directly to the SCD, wherein the PCR sample tube includes a lyophilized master mix;
cause the PCR machine in the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test on the biological specimen in the PCR sample tube; and
present results of the PCR diagnostic test.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a communications module configured to receive the instruction via a mobile device.

3. A device comprising:
a PCR testing module;
memory configured to store computer-executable instructions; and
at least one computer processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
receive input associated with conducting a PCR diagnostic test;
associate a sample collection device (SCD) received by the PCR testing module with the input, the SCD including a biological specimen;
cause the PCR testing module to attach a PCR sample tube to the SCD, wherein the PCR sample tube includes a lyophilized master mix;
cause the PCR testing module to transfer a biological specimen sample from the SCD to the PCR sample tube;
cause the PCR testing module to remove the PCR sample tube from the SCD;
cause the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test on the biological specimen included in the PCR sample tube; and
output results of the PCR diagnostic test.

4. The device of claim 3 , further comprising a communications module configured to:
receive the input via (i) a mobile application, or (ii) through a user interface presented at the PCR testing module; and
determine that a payment associated with the PCR diagnostic test has been received.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
assign an identification number to the input;
associate the identification number with a machine-readable code assigned to the SCD; and
cause a scanner on the PCR testing module to read the machine-readable code on the SCD.

6. The device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to operate the PCR testing module to transfer a biological specimen sample from the SCD to a PCR sample tube without human intervention.

7. The device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
track usage of consumables stored within and used by the PCR testing module; and
generate a notification associated with the replenishment of the consumables.

8. The device of claim 3 , wherein the device stores a plurality of SCDs and wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the PCR testing module to dispense an SCD, from the plurality of SCDs, wherein the SCD is used to collect a biological specimen.

9. The device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
generate order tracking information associated with the input; and
generate a notification indicating the results.

10. A method comprising:
receiving, by a PCR testing module, input associated with conducting a PCR diagnostic test;
associating a sample collection device (SCD) with the input;
causing the PCR testing module to attach a PCR sample tube to the SCD, wherein the PCR sample tube includes a lyophilized master mix;
causing the PCR testing module to transfer a biological specimen from the SCD to a PCR sample tube without human intervention, wherein the PCR sample tube includes a lyophilized master mix;
causing the PCR testing module to remove the PCR sample tube from the SCD;
instructing the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test on the biological specimen sample included in the PCR sample tube; and
outputting results of the PCR diagnostic test.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
creating, from the input, an order for the PCR diagnostic test;
receiving payment associated with the PCR diagnostic test; and
providing order tracking information to a user.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the input is received via a mobile device or a user interface local to the PCR testing module.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising, prior to instructing the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test:
receiving, from a remote server, information regarding payment for the PCR diagnostic test.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
assigning an identification number to the input;
associating the identification number with a machine-readable code assigned to the SCD; and
reading, using a scanner on the PCR testing module, and the machine-readable code on the SCD.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
transferring, within the PCR testing module, a biological specimen sample from the SCD to a PCR sample tube without human intervention.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, without human intervention:
physically separating the PCR sample tube from the SCD; and
transferring the PCR sample tube to a PCR machine within the PCR testing module.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving a plurality of SCDs concurrently; and
performing batch processing of the plurality of SCDs.

18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
tracking usage of consumables stored within the PCR testing module; and
generating a notification associated with the replenishment of the consumables.

19. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
dispensing, from the PCR testing module, an SCD which is used to collect a biological specimen, wherein the SCD comprises a machine-readable code.

20. The method of claim 10 , further comprising, prior to instructing the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test:
reading a first machine-readable code on the SCD;
transferring a biological specimen sample from the SCD to a PCR sample tube; and
reading a second machine-readable code on the PCR sample tube.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Farshi Jasmin B
• Zhang Pan
• Hirst Jonathan Barry
• Ziaie Babak
• Incze Bela

Classifications

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