Use of multiplexed RFID controller to verify connections in automated systems

摘要

A system and method for using multiplexed RFID transceivers and RFID tags to verify connections and communicate the connection status to a host system is provided. RFID tags that are programmed with connection specific indicia are attached at or in proximity to various connections in a pharmaceutical or biotech processing system and interrogated by remote antennas driven by a multiplexed RFID transceiver. This enables a user to verify the status of each connection and communicate the connection status to a host system.

主权项

1. A multiplexed RFID verification system, comprising:
a multiplexed RF transceiver; a plurality of antenna wires connected to the transceiver and having antennas located at distal ends thereof; a plurality of sensor wires and/or tubes which are connected to a processing system and having respective connector halves, and one of the antennas is associated with each of the respective connector halves; a single use item for use in connection with the processing system having a plurality of sensors and/or tubes extending therefrom, each having an associated single-use side connector half; an RFID tag associated with each of the single-use side connector halves; and the single-use side connector halves are adapted to be connected to corresponding ones of the connector halves extending from the multiplexed RF transceiver with the respective RF antenna being located in proximity to the RFID tags on respective ones of the single-use side connector halves being connected, such that each said RF antenna reads only the respectively connected RFID tag; the multiplexed RF transceiver configured to serially read the plurality of antenna wires; and a controller which receives signals from the multiplexed RF transceiver and provides a signal verifying connections between the connector halves, and being further configured to prevent system startup if an error is detected in the connections between the single-use side connector halves and the processing system side connector halves to prevent contamination of the single-use item.