Integrate uuid generation into the core of the model system so items are uniquely identified and can be directly accessed using their uuids.

For example:
// set recurring pipe item to 1001
$model->setNodeByReference('pipes.pipe.86f19d48-bc91-4c70-a81c-e05cdd3a4372.queue', "1001");

// echo the contents back
echo $model->getNodeByReference('pipes.pipe.86f19d48-bc91-4c70-a81c-e05cdd3a4372.queue');