| 摘要 |
<p>The new method is for inventorying frozen laboratory specimens (25) used in a hospital or research center. The method includes placing a specimen (25) at a primary location in a freezer (11), i.e., behind a particular freezer door (15), selecting an "identifier" (55) unique to that specimen (25) and displaying a symbol representing the primary location. More typically, both the storage system and the number of specimens (25) are quite large and progressively-more-specific secondary, tertiary and even sub-tertiary locations will also be displayed. A secondary location may be a rack (19) behind the door (15) and a tertiary location may be a box (21) on the rack (19). Removing the specimen (25) from the compartment (17) involves manipulating the freezer interface device, e.g., keypad (43) and screen (39), to display at least the primary location. The user may manipulate by "scrolling" the screen (39) or by entering certain specimen-identifying parameters such as a specimen description, the date of initial storage and others. An optional security arrangement can be incorporated and requires that persons attempting to place or remove a specimen must enter a personal identification number (PIN). A related apparatus is also disclosed.</p> |
