Method for acquiring batch difference information of diagnostic kit and in-vitro diagnostic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for acquiring batch difference information of a diagnostic kit and in-vitro diagnostic equipment using the method. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring item information and batch information of a diagnostic kit; generating a QR code with an internet address for acquiring batch difference information by using the acquired project information and batch information; and displaying the QR code on a display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for acquiring lot variation information of a diagnostic cartridge, and more particularly to a method for more conveniently and accurately inputting the lot variation information into an in vitro diagnostic device and an in vitro diagnostic device using the method. Background Art

[0002] In vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices are used to diagnose various types of samples, such as serum and urine. Due to various factors during the manufacturing process, the reagents required for IVD devices may vary from batch to batch. Therefore, manufacturers evaluate the performance and characteristics of each batch of their products and provide batch variation information for that batch.

[0003] The method of inputting batch difference information into IVD equipment is as follows. First, there is a method of manually inputting batch difference information. The user can input batch difference information through a button or menu displayed on the screen of the IVD equipment. This method is simple, but its accuracy is mainly limited by human error. In addition, when processing a large amount of batch difference information, it will take a lot of time and the efficiency is not high.

[0004] Then, there is a method of inputting batch difference information by scanning a barcode or QR code. The manufacturer assigns a barcode containing the batch difference information to each batch, and the user can scan the barcode to input the batch difference information. This method is more accurate and faster and more convenient than the manual input method. However, this method is very inconvenient for the manufacturer because the barcode must be printed for each batch and each device, and the barcode must be provided to the user.

[0005] In addition, there is also a method of using a chip containing a memory. Using a memory chip, by directly inserting a chip storing batch difference information into an IVD device, the IVD device can read the information in the chip and quickly obtain the batch difference information. The significant advantage of this method is that due to the direct physical connection, the data transmission has excellent accuracy and stability. Moreover, because this method can significantly reduce the risk of illegal intrusion or data theft from the outside, it also has advantages in terms of security. In addition, this method also has the advantage of being able to quickly transmit a large amount of data according to the capacity of the memory chip. However, the process of manufacturing and distributing each batch of memory chips requires additional cost and time. The physical chip is at risk of being damaged or contaminated. Moreover, the cost burden of manufacturing and distributing a large number of memory chips will also increase.

[0006] In addition, there is a method using RFID chips. The manufacturer attaches the RFID chip to each batch of diagnostic boxes, etc., and the user can input the batch difference information using the RFID reader installed on the IVD equipment. This method is more accurate and faster than scanning the barcode. However, if the RFID chip is damaged, this method is difficult to input.

[0007] Similar to the method using RFID chips, there is also a method that utilizes near field communication (NFC) technology. The principle of NFC is similar to RFID, but the characteristic is that the communication distance is shorter. The manufacturer stores the batch information in the NFC tag, and the user can obtain the information using the built-in NFC reader of the IVD device. Since NFC has a shorter communication distance, it can transmit information faster than RFID. Both methods are limited in the amount of data that can be stored, so they may not be suitable for storing complex or large data sets. In addition, since the reader is required inside the IVD device, there is a problem of increased device manufacturing costs.

[0008] In addition, there is a method of inputting batch difference information using the Internet. The manufacturer assigns a unique Internet address to each batch, and the user can input the address into the in vitro diagnostic device to obtain batch difference information. This method is more accurate than the manual input method. However, this method requires an Internet connection, so it is difficult to input data when the Internet environment is unstable. Moreover, there is also a disadvantage that security issues may occur. Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to more conveniently and accurately input batch difference information of diagnostic cartridges into an in vitro diagnostic device.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, one aspect of the present invention is a method for obtaining batch difference information of a diagnostic box in an in vitro diagnostic device including a display and a storage device, the method comprising: obtaining project information and batch information of the diagnostic box; generating a QR code including an Internet address for obtaining batch difference information using the acquired project information and batch information; and displaying the QR code on the display.

[0013] Preferably, acquisition of the item information and the batch information is performed by scanning a barcode printed on a diagnostic cartridge inserted into the in vitro diagnostic device.

[0014] Preferably, the method further comprises checking whether there is batch difference information corresponding to the acquired project information and batch information in the storage device. Moreover, the method further comprises notifying the user to input the batch difference information if there is no batch difference information in the storage device.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is an in vitro diagnostic device, which includes: a first scanner that scans a diagnostic box to obtain project information and batch information; a control unit that uses the acquired project information and batch information to generate a QR code including an Internet address for obtaining batch difference information; a display that displays the QR code including the Internet address; and a storage device for storing the project information, batch information, and batch difference information of the diagnostic box.

[0016] Preferably, the first scanner scans a barcode printed on a diagnostic box inserted into the in vitro diagnostic device. Furthermore, if there is no batch difference information corresponding to the project information and batch information acquired by the first scanner in the storage device, the control unit notifies the user to input the corresponding batch difference information.

[0017] Technical Effects

[0018] According to the present invention, batch difference information can be quickly and accurately input into an in vitro diagnostic device. Moreover, since the in vitro diagnostic device does not need to be connected to any network, the present invention can be easily used even in a poor network environment or where security is required. In addition, there is no need to manufacture or distribute separate batch difference information cards or chips. Since the necessary information is obtained from the server in real time, the latest information is always used. Therefore, even if the batch difference information changes, only the updated information needs to be reflected on the server without any separate measures by the device user or manufacturer. This improves maintenance efficiency in manufacturing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and network connection of an in vitro diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is shown for obtaining Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for obtaining batch difference information of a diagnostic cartridge in an in vitro diagnostic device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used in this specification should not be understood as being limited to the traditional or dictionary meanings. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, so it should be understood that various equivalent schemes and modifications that can replace them may exist with respect to this application. Throughout the accompanying drawings, components with the same function are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0022] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the configuration and network connection of an in vitro diagnostic device 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device 102 includes a barcode scanner 110, a control unit 112, a storage device 114, a display 116, a QR code scanner 118, and a diagnosis unit 119.

[0023] When it is confirmed that the diagnostic box 104 is inserted into the IVD device 102, the control unit 112 can obtain the project information and batch information of the diagnostic box 104 by driving the barcode scanner 110 to scan the barcode 105 printed on the diagnostic box 104 inserted into the IVD device 102. Optionally, when the user presses the control button displayed on the display 116, the control unit 112 can obtain the project information and batch information of the diagnostic box 104 by driving the barcode scanner 110 to scan the barcode 105 printed on the diagnostic box 104 inserted into the IVD device 102.

[0024] The storage device 114 stores item information, batch information, and batch difference information of the diagnostic cartridge 104 .

[0025] The control unit 112 checks whether the storage device 114 has the item information obtained by the barcode scanner 110 and the batch difference information corresponding to the batch information. When confirming that the storage device 114 already has the batch difference information, the control unit 112 notifies the user of this fact through the display 116.

[0026] If the storage device 114 does not have the batch difference information of the diagnostic cartridge 104 , the control unit 112 generates a first QR code 120 including an Internet address of a site where the batch difference information can be obtained using the item information and batch information obtained from the barcode scanner 110 , and displays the first QR code 120 on the display 116 .

[0027] By scanning the first QR code 120 using the smartphone 106 , the user is connected to the service server 108 through the network 109 , and the service server 108 provides batch difference information of the diagnostic cartridge 104 .

[0028] The service server 108 exposes the second QR code 122 containing the batch difference information to the user's smartphone 106 .

[0029] When the second QR code 122 is scanned by the QR code scanner 118, the control unit 112 extracts the batch difference information from the second QR code 122 and stores the extracted batch difference information in the storage device 114. Next, when the user presses the control button displayed on the display 116 or the button is automatically pressed, the control unit 112 analyzes the diagnosis box 104 through the diagnosis unit 119.

[0030] Figure 2 It shows that the acquisition Figure 1 Flow chart of a method for obtaining batch difference information of a diagnosis cartridge 104 in an IVD device 102 is shown.

[0031] First, the user inserts the diagnosis box 104 into the IVD device 102 (S202). The control unit 112 of the IVD device 102 enables the barcode scanner 110 to scan the barcode 105 printed on the diagnosis box 104 to obtain the item information and batch information corresponding to the diagnosis box 104 (S204).

[0032] The control unit 112 checks whether there is batch difference information corresponding to the acquired project information and batch information in the storage device 114 (S206). If there is batch difference information in the storage device 114, the batch difference information is immediately used to perform an inspection on the diagnostic box 104 (S218). If there is no batch difference information in the storage device 114, the control unit 112 generates a first QR code 120, which contains an Internet address, project information, batch information, and IVD device information, and the Internet address is used to access a service server where batch difference information can be obtained. The control unit 112 displays the first QR code on the display 116 and notifies the user to input the batch difference information (S208). The control unit 112 instructs the user to scan the first QR code 120 using the smart phone 106.

[0033] The user scans the first QR code 120 using the smartphone 106 to access the service server 108 through the network 109 (S210). The service server 108 exports the project information, batch information, and IVD device information from the first QR code 120, and generates a second QR code 122 containing batch difference information corresponding to the exported information (S212).

[0034] The service server causes the second QR code 122 to be displayed on the user's smartphone 106 (S214). The user scans the second QR code 122 displayed on the smartphone 106 through the QR code scanner 118 of the IVD device 102, and inputs the second QR code 122 into the IVD device 102. The control unit 112 derives the batch difference information based on the input second QR code 122 and stores the batch difference information in the storage device 114 (S216). Then, the control unit 112 performs an inspection on the diagnostic box 104 using the batch difference information through the diagnostic unit 119 (S218).

[0035] The present invention can quickly and accurately input batch difference information into the IVD device. In addition, since the IVD device does not need to be connected to any network, it can be easily used even in a poor network environment or when security is required. In addition, since it is not necessary to use the printed batch difference information, it is easy to manage during the packaging and manufacturing process. In addition, since the user can use a smartphone to obtain the batch difference information and input the batch difference information into the IVD device without establishing a network connection, a high degree of mobility and convenience can be expected.

[0036] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic ideas of the present invention defined in the appended claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining batch difference information of a diagnostic cartridge in an in vitro diagnostic device, the in vitro diagnostic device comprising a display and a storage device, the method comprising: Obtaining project information and batch information of the diagnostic kit; generating a QR code including an Internet address for obtaining the batch difference information using the obtained item information and batch information; and The QR code is displayed on the display.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Acquisition of the item information and the batch information is performed by scanning a barcode printed on a diagnostic cartridge inserted into the in vitro diagnostic device. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising checking whether there is batch difference information corresponding to the acquired item information and batch information in the storage device. 4 . The method according to claim 3 , further comprising notifying a user to input the batch difference information if the batch difference information does not exist in the storage device.

5. An in vitro diagnostic device, comprising: A first scanner, scanning the diagnostic box to obtain project information and batch information; a control unit that generates a QR code including an Internet address for acquiring batch difference information using the acquired item information and batch information; a display, displaying a QR code including the Internet address; as well as The storage device stores the project information, batch information and batch difference information of the diagnostic box.

6. The in vitro diagnostic device according to claim 5, wherein: The first scanner scans a bar code printed on a diagnostic cartridge inserted into the in vitro diagnostic device.

7. The in vitro diagnostic device according to claim 5, wherein: If the batch difference information corresponding to the item information and the batch information obtained by the first scanner does not exist in the storage device, the control unit notifies the user to input the corresponding batch difference information.

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