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Lab Sample / Specimen

vr.wm-mat-005 · wm-mat-005-lab-sample-specimen

Laboratory samples and specimens from collection through custody, testing and disposal.

World Models Physical world and living systems PHY.MAT.SAM
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

3 bundles · 4 layers · 6 findings · 12 questions

Origin and collection Where the sample came from and how it was taken.

Source and collection event

The sampled source and the conditions of collection.

Sampled source

The material, organism, site or person the sample was taken from.

  1. What source was the sample taken from, and how is it identified?
  2. Which sampling plan or order required the sample?

Collection conditions

Time, method, collector and container at collection.

  1. When, by whom and by which method was the sample collected?
  2. Which container and preservative were used?
Custody and integrity How the sample was handled and whether it is still fit for use.

Chain of custody

Transfers, storage and derived aliquots.

Custody record

Each transfer and storage location with times and signatures.

  1. Who held the sample at each step, and is the chain unbroken?
  2. Where is the sample stored now, under which conditions?

Derived portions

Aliquots and derivatives split from the parent sample.

  1. Which aliquots or derivatives were made from this sample?
  2. How much material remains?

Fitness

Acceptance criteria and stability limits.

Acceptance

Whether the sample met acceptance criteria on receipt.

  1. Did the sample meet the laboratory's acceptance criteria on receipt?
  2. Has it exceeded its stability time or storage temperature limits?
Use and disposal What the sample may be used for and how it ends.

Permitted use

Consent, purpose and disposal of the sample.

Use authorization

Consent or legal basis and permitted uses.

  1. Which tests or uses are covered by the order, consent or legal basis?
  2. When and how must the sample be returned or destroyed?

Classifiers Filled

Family
World Models
Category
Physical world and living systems
Entry kind
standalone-mm
Navigation path
NAV.PHY.MAT.SAM
Domain
PHY.MAT.SAM
Industry
Cross-industry
Tags
labsamplespecimenphy.mat.sam

What it is Filled

A laboratory sample or specimen is a physical portion of material taken from a source for testing, analysis or reference, tracked from collection through containers, aliquots and storage to use or disposal. The test and its result, the material batch it was drawn from and a biobank collection as a whole are separate subjects.

Why it exists Filled

Laboratory samples and specimens from collection through custody, testing and disposal.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • A physical portion of material, separate from the tests run on it and the results reported.
  • Carries a chain of custody that decides whether results from it can be trusted or used as evidence.
  • Can be split into aliquots and derivatives that each need their own identity and lineage.
  • Distinct from a material batch or lot, which is the production unit a sample may be drawn from.

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Relabel or reassign a sample to a different source without a documented correction.
  • Use a sample for tests or research beyond its order, consent or legal basis.
  • Break or backfill the chain of custody record.
  • Release identifying data of people from whom samples were taken.
  • Dispose of a sample under legal hold or retention duty.

Only with a human decision

  • Accepting or rejecting a compromised sample for testing.
  • Releasing a sample to another organization.
  • Destroying samples before their retention period ends.

May

  • Register samples with identifiers, source and collection details.
  • Track custody transfers, storage conditions and remaining quantity.
  • Flag samples that fail acceptance criteria or exceed stability limits.
  • Link test requests and results to the correct sample and aliquot.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Mislabelled samples lead to wrong diagnoses, wrong verdicts or wrong release decisions.
  • Human samples carry genetic and health information that needs consent and protection.
  • Infectious or toxic samples expose handlers and the public to harm.

Who is affected

  • People and patients from whom samples are taken
  • Laboratory and courier staff
  • Parties relying on the test results
  • Investigators and courts using samples as evidence

Owners Filled

Steward

The laboratory or collecting organization that holds the sample and answers for its custody and integrity.

Master systems

  • Laboratory information management system
  • Sample tracking system
  • Biobank management system

Links to other meta-models Filled

related

  • wm-mat-007-laboratory-test-analysis - Tests and analyses are performed on samples.

references

  • wm-mat-004-material-batch-lot - Samples are often drawn from a material batch or lot.

neighbor

  • wm-liv-023-clinical-biological-specimen - Clinical biological specimens are a specialized neighbouring class.

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Identified by an accession or sample number on a barcode or RFID label, unique within the laboratory.
  • Aliquots and derivatives carry their own identifiers linked to the parent sample.
  • International geological and environmental samples can carry an IGSN.

Direct properties required Filled

  • Volume in millilitres or mass in grams at collection and remaining.
  • Storage temperature in degrees Celsius and time out of storage in minutes or hours.
  • Time elapsed since collection, compared with the stated stability limit.
  • Container type and preservative or additive used.

Recognition required Filled

  • Recognized by a labelled container with an identifier matching the requisition or custody form.
  • Often confused with its aliquots, with the test result or with the source batch.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • Can be split, tested, stored, shipped, returned or destroyed.
  • Can serve as retained evidence for retesting or legal proceedings.
  • Can be linked to results, source and consent through its identifier.

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Infection or toxic exposure from biological or chemical samples.
  • Mix-ups and mislabelling that attach results to the wrong source.
  • Degradation from temperature excursions or exceeded stability time.

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • HL7 FHIR Specimen resource for clinical specimens.
  • ISO 20387 for biobanking and ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories.
  • IGSN for physical samples in earth and environmental sciences.

Context of use required Filled

  • Handled in clinical, food, environmental, forensic and research laboratories.
  • Transport of infectious substances follows dangerous goods rules.
  • Human samples fall under consent, data protection and tissue laws.

Sources Filled

  1. ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, ISO
  2. ISO 15189 Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence, ISO
  3. HL7 FHIR Specimen resource, HL7 International

Open questions

  • Planned model: boundary questions, research and every section remain to be written.

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification AGENTS.md Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

planned (registry candidate) · todo

Built from: models/runtime-index.json, ver-cy/world-models/card-supplements/wm-mat-005-lab-sample-specimen.json

Planned entry, hidden from the catalogue until researched.