Remote analyzer monitoring

Abstract

And monitoring by a remote analyzer. A computer-implemented method (60) for remote analyzer monitoring, the computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining (62), via a computing device (20) comprising a camera (21), visual representation data (70) of at least a display interface (P1-D) of an automated analyzer (P1) after the automated analyzer (P1) has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data (70) of the display interface (P1-D) comprises data associated with a result of the predefined operation by the automated analyzer (P1); processing (64) the visual representation data to extract data (74) regarding a result of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer (P1) and included in the visual representation data (70) associated with the predefined operation; evaluating (66) the data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data (76); and storing (68) the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods for remote automated analyzer monitoring and associated apparatus, systems, and computer program elements. Background Art

[0002] In a clinical care setting, automated analyzers of medical samples may be used at or near the point of care. Such automated analyzers or analytical devices are referred to as "point-of-care (POC) testing devices." A variety of automated analyzers often coexist in the same medical institution.

[0003] To facilitate the management of such automated analyzers, a point-of-care device management system and / or remotely accessible POC management software can enable monitoring of the automated analyzers. The point-of-care device management system can, for example, obtain and track patient results, log libraries and maintenance issues, monitor user authentication, and monitor the success of quality control processes regularly applied to the automated analyzers.

[0004] Management software provided for point-of-care device management systems is generally effective for more modern automated analyzers. However, many healthcare institutions are reluctant to replace older or obsolete automated analyzers that still perform well to an acceptable degree. Old automated analyzers are generally not integrated with modern POC management software. Alternatively, integrating old automated analyzers with modern POC management software may require laboriously writing custom software modules for a single medical institution. Given the difficulty in validating and certifying such software modules for use in medical institutions, such custom coding is not often attempted. Therefore, the presence of even one old automated analyzer in a medical institution generally means adopting a paper-based and non-automated solution for analyzer monitoring.

[0005] Therefore, the integration of older automated analyzers into modern POC management software can be further improved. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for remote automated analyzer monitoring is provided, the computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining, via a computing device including a camera, visual representation data of at least a display interface of an automated analyzer after the automated analyzer has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data of the display interface includes data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the automated analyzer. The computer-implemented method further comprises processing the visual representation data to extract data about the result of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer and included in the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation. The computer-implemented method further comprises evaluating the data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data. The computer-implemented method further comprises storing the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

[0007] According to an embodiment, remote automated analyzer monitoring is performed via a side channel.

[0008] The effect is to capture the results of the predetermined operation performed on the old automated analyzer and provide it to the remote data processing agent. For example, the results of the predetermined operation performed on the old automated analyzer are communicated to the remote data processing agent via a side channel. In other words, the result of the predetermined operation is communicated to the data processing agent on a channel different from the channel used to communicate the native message from the old automated analyzer. In other words, capturing the visual representation data of the display after performing a predefined operation using the old automated analyzer avoids the need for inconvenient firmware upgrades to the old analyzer. Since the remote data processing agent is able to capture any element displayed on the screen of the old automated analyzer, additional functions and additional data that are unavailable for the signaling of the old automated analyzer can be provided to the remote data processing agent. For example, the display can provide additional information that is not available from the signaling scheme of the old device.

[0009] In some cases, using an older automated analyzer with software configured to report visual information data to a remote data processing agent extends the useful life of the older automated analyzer, eliminating the need to replace the older analyzer with an automated analyzer capable of communicating with a remote processing agent via a direct communication channel (as opposed to a side communication channel). Thus, wasting functional analyzers with outdated communication capabilities can be avoided.

[0010] Thus, it is easier to report the technical status of the legacy automated analyzer. In an embodiment, the computer including the camera can execute an application requiring user authentication of the application. Thus, the visual representation data is logically linked to the user authentication of the application, enabling the remote data processing agent to effectively authenticate the visual representation data obtained from the legacy analyzer against the staff member (and thus against his authentication level).

[0011] Some legacy analyzers may lack a communications interface and can be used as a standalone analyzer. In this case, the technology can enable reporting of data from the legacy analyzer to the POC-DMS where such communication was not previously possible. In many examples, performing image analysis to extract result data at a modern server (in a process similar to optical character recognition) may consume far less engineering development time than writing new embedded software code to interface with legacy drivers for legacy automated analyzers.

[0012] Metadata accessible to the computing device that took the photograph or video of the legacy automated analyzer (e.g., location data or user data of the user of the computer that includes the camera) can be added to the photograph or video transmitted to the data processing agent, again enabling the visual representation data to include (e.g.) additional information about the user of the legacy analyzer that could not be transmitted in the legacy signaling scheme.

[0013] In other words, in some examples, decentralized, wireless, camera-based management of remote analytical devices is achieved from a central location without the need to connect to the analytical devices from a legacy communication network. By registering the application and the corresponding instrument in the middleware, wireless decentralized and photo-based management of the device can be achieved. In a specific example, the photo document created on the application at the primary care site will be transmitted and stored in the hospital information system to record the actions taken at the remote clinic.

[0014] According to a second aspect, a device configured to host a data processing agent for processing data from one or more automated analyzers is provided. The device includes a communication interface, a data storage device, and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the data storage device. The communication interface is configured to receive visual representation data of at least a display of the automated analyzer after the automated analyzer has performed a predetermined operation. The visual representation data of the display interface includes data associated with the results of a predefined operation performed by the analyzer. The processor is configured to process the visual representation data to extract data about the results of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer and included in the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation. The processor is configured to evaluate the data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data. The processor is configured to store the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

[0015] According to a third aspect, a system for remote automated analyzer management is provided, the system comprising: a computing device including a camera; at least one automated analyzer for biological samples; an apparatus configured to host a data processing agent for processing data from the at least one automated analyzer; and a communication network configured to communicatively couple the computing device and the apparatus via a first communication channel, and the communication network configured to communicatively couple the at least one automated analyzer and the apparatus via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel.

[0016] The computing device is configured to obtain, via the computing device, visual representation data of at least a display interface of the automated analyzer after the automated analyzer has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data of the display interface includes data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the analyzer.

[0017] The computing device and / or the apparatus is configured to process the visual representation data to extract data relating to results of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer and included in the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation.

[0018] The computing device and / or the apparatus is configured to evaluate data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data.

[0019] The computing device and / or the apparatus is configured to store evaluation data associated with predefined operations.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program element comprising machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a computer-implemented method according to the first aspect or an embodiment thereof.

[0021] Optional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims, to which the reader is now referred and which are also discussed further in this description.

[0022] Certain terms will be used in this patent application, and their expressions should not be interpreted as limited to the specific terms selected but rather as related to the general concept behind the specific terms.

[0023] As used herein, the terms “comprises / comprising / includes / including,” “has / having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion.

[0024] The terms "patient sample" and "biological sample" refer to one or more materials that may contain a target analyte. Patient samples may be derived from any biological source, such as physiological fluids, including blood, saliva, ocular lens fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, urine, feces, semen, milk, ascites fluid, mucus, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, tissue, cultured cells, etc. Patient samples may be pretreated before use, such as preparing plasma from blood, diluting viscous fluids, lysing, etc. Processing methods may include filtration, distillation, concentration, inactivation of interfering components, and addition of reagents. Patient samples can be used directly when obtained from the source, or can be used after pretreatment to change the characteristics of the sample. In some embodiments, the initial solid or semisolid biological material becomes a liquid by dissolving or suspending in a suitable liquid medium. In some embodiments, the sample is suspected of containing a specific antigen or nucleic acid.

[0025] As used herein, the term "automated analyzer" includes any device used to obtain measurements related to a patient's medical condition.

[0026] In one example, the automated analyzer can be an automated analyzer of medical samples, which is used to obtain measurements related to the patient's medical condition. For example, the automated analyzer can measure light absorption, fluorescence, electric potential, or other physical or chemical properties of a reaction to provide measurements. Typically, such patient samples are processed before being analyzed and tested. For example, blood sampled from a patient is centrifuged to obtain serum, or treated with an anticoagulant to obtain plasma.

[0027] The analytical tests performed by the analyzer are intended to determine the presence and / or concentration of an analyte in a patient sample. The term "analyte" is a general term for a substance about which information about its presence and / or concentration is intended to be obtained. Examples of analytes include glucose, coagulation parameters, endogenous proteins (e.g., proteins released by the myocardium), metabolites, or nucleic acids.

[0028] For example, an "automated analyzer" may include a portable instrument that can be communicatively connected to a smartphone, tablet computer, or other computing device via USB (TM), WiFi (TM), or Bluetooth (TM). Such a portable appliance may be configured to perform analytical tests.

[0029] An “automated analyzer” may be configured for use near a patient's room, in which case it is often referred to as a “point of care (POC) device.” However, the techniques discussed herein are not limited to POC devices and are applicable to many types of laboratory analysis systems that generate message data.

[0030] As used herein, the term "point of care" POC or "point of care environment" is defined to mean a location at or near a patient care site where medical or medically-related services (such as medical testing and / or treatment) are provided, including but not limited to a hospital, emergency department, intensive care unit, primary care facility, medical center, patient home, physician's office, pharmacy, or urgent care site.

[0031] As used herein, the term "point of care testing" POCT covers the analysis of one or more patient samples in a point of care setting. POCT is usually accomplished by using mobile, portable and handheld instruments, but in cases where handheld devices are not available, small benchtop automated analyzers or fixed automated analyzers may also be used, the purpose of which is to collect patient samples and obtain analytical data at the patient location or at a location (relatively) close to the patient location within a (relatively) short period of time.

[0032] POCT is performed using a variety of POC automated analyzers, such as (but not limited to) analyzers for glucose, coagulation, blood gas, urinalysis, cardiac and molecular testing. Results can be viewed directly on the POC analyzer, or they can be sent to the POCT system and displayed in the laboratory information system along with the central laboratory results, or displayed next to the imaging results in the hospital information system.

[0033] As used herein, the term "point of care device management system" (POC-DMS) means a data processor configured to communicate with and manage one or more POC devices via a computer network to enable a POC coordinator to manage the POC devices, or to enable maintenance personnel to monitor the equipment. Optionally, the POC-DMS is a terminal computer that is connected to the same network to which the POC devices are connected. Optionally, the POC-DMS can be provided as a server, virtual machine, or virtualized server remotely hosted to the network to which the POC devices are connected, thereby enabling remote management of the POC devices. It is not necessary to connect the POC device (automated analyzer) to the same subnet or network branch as (for example) the POC-DMS.

[0034] The term "portable computing device" encompasses any electronic device that can be easily moved from one location to another, particularly any handheld battery-powered mobile device, including but not limited to a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a smart phone, a navigation device, a smart book or reader, a combination of the foregoing, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer.

[0035] As used herein, "patient health parameter" encompasses any aspect of a patient's physiology that can be measured or indicated by analyzing a patient sample for one or more analytes.

[0036] Thus, the automated analyzer can be used in a point of care environment such as, but not limited to, blood glucose testing, coagulation testing, blood gas and electrolyte analysis, urine analysis, cardiac marker analysis, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing, cholesterol screening, or nucleic acid testing NAT. Results can be viewed directly on the POC analyzer, or can be sent to a POCT system and displayed in a laboratory information system along with central laboratory results, or displayed next to imaging results in a hospital information system.

[0037] In the field of bedside or point-of-care testing, the tests are usually performed by nurses, medical staff or doctors, but also by pharmacists, who are collectively referred to herein as "operators" or "users". However, anyone holding the required credentials can be an operator. A point-of-care coordinator, POCC, can simultaneously be an operator of a POC analyzer, and an operator of a POC analyzer can simultaneously be a point-of-care coordinator, POCC, and therefore a user of a portable computing device.

[0038] As used herein, the term "analytical data" encompasses any data describing the results of measurements of one or more patient health parameters made by a POC analyzer of a biological sample that has been analyzed. In the case of calibration, the analytical data includes the results of the calibration, i.e., the calibration data. Specifically, the analytical data includes an identifier of a patient sample that has been analyzed and data describing the results of the analysis, such as measurement data.

[0039] The term "communication side channel" refers to an alternative means of communication between a legacy automated analyzer and a computing device intended to obtain data from the legacy automated analyzer.

[0040] The use of a communication side channel does not mean that a legacy communication channel must also exist. For example, a photo or video-based side channel discussed in this specification can be used to convey information from a GUI display of a legacy automated analyzer that does not have its own communication interface. Alternatively, a photo or video-based side channel discussed in this specification can be used to convey information from a GUI display of a legacy automated analyzer with a disconnected legacy communication interface. In an embodiment, the legacy automated analyzer can still communicate with (for example) a POC-DMS according to a legacy communication scheme. In this case, a data processing agent hosted on the device can signal additional information to the POC-DMS, which is calculated based on visual representation data sent via the side channel to a device including the data processing agent.

[0041] In an example, a communication side channel is established by a device between the first and second computing devices. For example, the legacy automated analyzer communicates information such as status data, result data, etc. according to a protocol that is fixed in the traditional automated analyzer and difficult to change without an embedded software upgrade. For example, the legacy automated analyzer can communicate information to the computing device according to "HL7" or the Health Level 7 protocol developed by the "HL7" International Organization for Standardization or one of the precursor standards of HL7. Alternatively, the legacy automated analyzer can communicate with the computing device via a protocol such as Ethernet or a proprietary protocol operating on Ethernet.

[0042] Therefore, a "communication side channel" is established between the old automated analyzer and the computing device, for example, in a manner that a photo and / or video of the display of the old automated analyzer is obtained, and then the photo and / or video is transmitted to a device including a POC-DMS via a communication link such as WiFi (TM), Bluetooth (TM), or 3GPP (TM). The photo and / or video of the display of the old automated analyzer is visual representation data. The photo and / or video of the display of the old automated analyzer can be processed using image processing techniques, and the evaluation criteria are applied to the processed visual representation data. In this way, additional data that is not included in the communication scheme of the old automated analyzer can be extracted from the display of the old automated analyzer. The use of the communication side channel also enables additional proof, location, or authentication data to be attached or logically linked to the visual representation data transmitted through the communication side channel. Additional data attached to or logically linked to the visual representation data (for example) can be obtained from the application environment of the computing operator used to obtain the visual representation data of the old automated analyzer. The old automated analyzer can be integrated into a modern point of care data management system (POC-DMS).

[0043] The term "computing device including a camera" covers, for example, a smartphone (e.g., a smartphone based on Apple iPhone (TM) or Google Android (TM)). Alternatively, the "computing device including a camera" may also include a tablet computer, such as Apple's "iPad", "computing device including a camera" or Windows' "Surface". The computing device (for example) includes a touch screen display located on the front side and a camera located on the back side. Therefore, a user of the computing device can obtain visual representation data of the display screen of the old automated analyzer by taking a photo or recording a video of the graphical user interface displayed by the old automated analyzer at a predetermined stage of a predetermined process performed by the old automated analyzer. The term "computing device including a camera" also covers, for example, a personal computer or laptop computer including an integrated web camera, because the integrated web camera of such a computer can be positioned so that the display screen of the old automated analyzer is within the field of view of the integrated web camera. When the external web camera has a field of view that surrounds the display screen of the old automated analyzer, the term "computing device including a camera" also covers, for example, a personal computer or laptop computer that is communicatively coupled to the external web camera. The term "computing device including a camera" may also encompass a smart camera equipped with a communication interface and capable of image processing according to aspects discussed herein.

[0044] The term "visual representation data" encompasses image data formatted as .APNG, .PNG, .AVIF, .GIF, .JPEG, .SVG, .BMP data, etc. If the "visual representation data" is a video, it can be one of .MP4, .MOV, .WMV, .FLAC, .AVI, .FLV formats, etc. In other words, the "visual representation data" is obtained in a format that can be easily obtained from a typical smartphone or smart tablet that includes a camera. Therefore, the "visual representation data" is able to capture substantially all details of the information displayed on the display interface of the automated analyzer. In some cases, the "visual representation data" is divided into a representation of the display of the automated analyzer and a representation of the surrounding area of ​​the display of the automated analyzer. For example, a label, barcode, and / or identifier added to the front of the care point device using a permanent marker can enable unique identification of an old automated analyzer at a remote data processing agent. In some improvements, capturing such artifacts located near the display screen on the housing of the old automated analyzer can improve analyzer and / or user authentication.

[0045] To the extent that video or image analysis can be used to infer from the display interface of a legacy automated analyzer or in the vicinity of the legacy automated analyzer that a predefined operation has been performed, the term "predefined operation" performed by an automated analyzer encompasses substantially any action that can be performed by a legacy automated analyzer. For example, completion of a particular type of test is an example of a "predefined operation" and can be identified by an image recognition algorithm applied to visual representation data obtained from the display of the legacy automated analyzer. In many cases, legacy automated analyzers perform "predefined operations", such as operator authentication, quality control, and operator training functions, using hard-coded menus based on the analyzer itself. In many cases, authentication, quality control, and training results are not sent to a centralized POC-DMS, and signaling for transmitting such information is typically not included in the protocols of many legacy automated analyzers.

[0046] The term "location data" is typically obtained by a location service of a computing device including a camera. For example, the "core location" service of an Apple iPhone (TM) or iPad (TM) can resolve the device location based on one or a combination of GPS (Global Positioning System), magnetometer readings, accelerometer readings, and (for example) network-based location services from a mobile operator or wireless access point operator. The processor of the computing device can query the location service. The location service returns (for example) a grid reference (for example, with a given uncertainty). The location data can be compared with a database of known locations of automated analyzers, where, for example, the locations of the automated analyzers are stored in the POC-DMS. Therefore, the location data enables the location of a computing device including a camera to be located relative to one or more legacy automated analyzers. One use of this information is that a data processing agent can verify the authenticity of a user who has sent a result in the form of visual representation data to the data processing agent, where the visual representation data has been captured from the graphical user interface of the legacy analyzer. The data processing agent can compare the location data obtained from the location service of a computer including a camera with the known location of the legacy analyzer. The data processing agent may apply a geo-fence around the legacy analyzer such that visual representation data sent by a user from outside the geo-fence around the legacy analyzer is not considered valid.

[0047] The term "logical link" encompasses a method that enables a first record or data item to identify at least a second record or data item during a lookup or search process. For example, a logical link may be a key value of a database.

[0048] The term "reconfiguration command" covers instructions sent in the form of data from (for example) a data processing agent and / or a POC-DMS to at least one automated analyzer of an analyzer system. The automated analyzer typically has the ability to be addressed according to a communication scheme so that the automated analyzer can be adjusted remotely. According to an embodiment, the reconfiguration command can disable or lock the old automated analyzer, thereby optionally displaying a relevant message to any user of the automated analyzer. According to an embodiment, a user of the automated analyzer with user-level permissions can unlock the automated analyzer. According to an embodiment, the reconfiguration command will lock or freeze the automated analyzer until a higher authorized operator such as a supervisor unlocks the automated analyzer using (for example) a POC-DMS.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the reconfiguration command may cause a message to be displayed to the user on a screen of the legacy automated analyzer. For example, the data processing agent and / or POC-DMS may report to the user via the user interface of the legacy device that a submitted photo or video image including visual representation data has not been accepted by the data processing agent and that (for example) the image should be retaken.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the reconfiguration command may configure one or more of the following parameters of the automated analyzer: screen format settings, language settings, date or time format settings, shutdown, sleep, hibernation, logoff or timeout settings, connection configuration, analyzer status, security parameters, text, authentication mechanism, login mechanism (e.g., specifying only a user identifier, a user identifier plus a password, or a user identifier plus a barcode). The reconfiguration command may also configure patient identification or mapping parameters, patient identification mechanisms, default units of measurement, quality control parameters, quality control lockout functionality, the physical or logical location of the analyzer, and location-specific authentication and authorization data.

[0051] As used herein, the term "communication network" encompasses any type of wired or wireless network, including but not limited to WIFI, GSM, UMTS or other wireless digital networks, or wired networks such as Ethernet, etc. For example, the communication network may include a combination of wired and wireless networks. The automated analyzer status data may be transmitted via the communication network.

[0052] The term "server" encompasses any physical or virtual machine with a physical or virtual processor that is capable of accepting requests and responding accordingly. It should be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art of computer programming that the term machine may refer to the physical hardware itself, to a virtual machine such as a JAVA virtual machine (JVM), or even to a separate virtual machine running different operating systems on the same physical machine and sharing the computing resources of the machine. The server can run on any computer, including dedicated computers, which are also commonly referred to as "servers" or shared resources such as virtual servers. In many cases, a computer can provide several services and have several servers running. Therefore, the term "server" should include any computerized device that shares resources with one or more client processes. The server can receive, process and transmit analyzer status data.

[0053] The term "server interface" encompasses any hardware, firmware, and / or software based module operable to execute program logic to allow communication with an external entity, such as a server or another interface.

[0054] The term "data processing agent" refers to a computer-implemented software module executed on one or more computing devices (such as a server) that is capable of receiving automated analyzer status data from a point-of-care device and annotation data from a user or operator, and associating the automated analyzer status data with the annotation data. The "data processing agent" can be implemented on a single server or multiple servers and / or an Internet-based "cloud" processing service such as Amazon AWS (TM) or Microsoft Azure (TM). The "data processing agent" or portions thereof can be hosted on a virtual machine. The data processing agent can receive, process, and transmit automated analyzer status data.

[0055] The term "user interface" encompasses any suitable software and / or hardware for interaction between an operator and a machine, including but not limited to a graphical user interface for receiving commands from an operator as input and providing feedback and conveying information to the operator. In addition, the system / device may display several user interfaces to serve different types of users / operators. The user interface may display automated analyzer status data items. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 A system according to the third aspect is schematically shown.

[0057] Figure 2 A computer-implemented method according to the first aspect is schematically illustrated.

[0058] Figure 3 Examples of automated analyzers and test cartridges are schematically shown.

[0059] Figure 4 An example of visual representation data obtained from a display of an automated analyzer by a camera is schematically shown.

[0060] Figure 5 The extraction of information from visual representation data is schematically illustrated.

[0061] Figure 6 An example of a complete user interaction process is schematically shown.

[0062] Figure 7 An example of a data structure consisting of processed visual representation data and user data is schematically shown.

[0063] Figure 8 A to Figure 8 C schematically illustrates three exemplary graphical user interface screens for directed results documentation using a computer including a camera.

[0064] Fig. 9 A to Fig. 9 C schematically illustrates three exemplary graphical user interface screens for guided remote device registration and quality control testing.

[0065] Fig.10 A schematically shows a graphical user interface screen for a guided remote quality control test.

[0066] Fig.10 B schematically shows another graphical user interface screen for a guided remote quality control test.

[0067] Fig.11 A schematically shows a graphical user interface for user management.

[0068] Fig.11 B schematically shows another graphical user interface for user management.

[0069] Fig.12 A computer including a camera is schematically shown.

[0070] Fig.13 A device according to the second aspect is schematically shown.

[0071] Fig.14 The communication in the system according to the third aspect is schematically illustrated.

[0072] Note: The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, are provided for illustration only, and are only used for a better understanding of the present invention, and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. No limitation of any feature of the present invention should be inferred from these drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Point-of-care (POC) analyzers, also known as automated medical sample analyzers, are typically managed by servers, specifically hardware management servers, also known as point-of-care data management systems (POC-DMS). Such servers provide connectivity for POC analyzers and manage test results, operators, quality control, and analyzers. For example, one POC-DMS can manage all POC analyzers in a hospital, hospital department, or medical testing center.

[0074] Management of a POC system is challenging, with potentially dozens of sites, hundreds of POCT devices / kits, and thousands of operators to manage to ensure test quality. Furthermore, point-of-care testing in primary care is extremely diverse, with many different point-of-care analyzers ranging from very basic point-of-care analyzers to powerful diagnostic instruments. Furthermore, some point-of-care analyzers are legacy analyzers that are difficult to integrate into point-of-care data management systems. Independent general practitioners and small clinics may have between one and ten point-of-care analyzers. Training levels may vary between staff, and the complexity of the internal processes at these small clinics also varies.

[0075] In some cases, independent general practitioners and healthcare laboratories may have a single point-of-care analyzer that measures one parameter. Specific quality management activities on such instruments may be performed infrequently. When compliance and quality management activities are recorded using manual “pen and paper” techniques, integrating the results into the healthcare ecosystem is costly and requires additional hardware or manual to electronic data transcription, which itself can introduce errors and confidentiality issues.

[0076] The POC team should generally be responsible for determining the test menu, selecting the technology, establishing policies and procedures, ensuring training and regulatory compliance, and providing advisory assistance to the ultimate operators of the POC technology.

[0077] In general, to address the above problems, image-based distributed automated analyzer governance is proposed in this specification. In a general example, members of the POC team can use a smartphone equipped with a camera and a smartphone application to conduct a guided instrument workflow, obtain photo documentation of action results directly from the old point-of-care analyzer, and analyze the photo documentation to generate data that can be input into the POC-DMS in a secure and orderly manner. The data obtained from the photo documentation is transmitted to the POC-DMS via a side channel, so there is no need to generate specific computer code to connect the old automated analyzer to the more modern POC-DMS.

[0078] Figure 1 A system according to the third aspect is schematically shown.

[0079] The system 10 may include one or more local area networks (LANS) or wide area networks (WANS). For example, the first clinic 12 includes a first local area network 15. The second clinic 14 includes a second local area network 14. The first local area network 15 is communicatively coupled to a plurality of automated analyzers P1-P5. For example, the automated analyzer P1 may be a modernized Cobas(TM) Liat(TM) device. The other automated analyzers in the first local area network 15 may be provided by the same or other manufacturers, and in some cases may be legacy automated analyzers. The second local area network 17 includes automated analyzers P6 and P7. Thus, the first local area network 15 represents a local area network installed in a hospital that requires a large diagnostic kit. The second local area network represents, for example, a local area network installed in a small clinic.

[0080] The system 10 further includes a point of care device management system (POC-DMS) 50. The POC-DMS 50 can be operated, for example, by a healthcare provider to enable oversight of multiple automated analyzers in a healthcare system. The POC-DMS 50 is a hardware management server that provides connectivity for automated analyzers P1-P7 and management of test results, operators, quality control, and analyzers. The POC-DMS 50 is accessed, for example, by a local access computer 52 or is accessed via remote access, for example, using RemoteDesktop(TM) or SSH.

[0081] The POC-DMS 50 interfaces between, for example, one or more internal hospital LANs 15, 17 and a WAN such as the Internet or a larger healthcare organization network distributed across many locations using, for example, an Active Directory system.

[0082] For example, the POC-DMS 50 may include a communication adapter capable of communicating with the automated analyzers P1-P7 using the Health Level 7 (HL7) protocol. Other automated analyzers may be configured to communicate via Ethernet, WiFi (TM) and / or Bluetooth (TM). Therefore, in an embodiment, the POC-DMS 50 is equipped with an Ethernet, WiFi (TM) and / or Bluetooth communication interface.

[0083] In the world of point-of-care testing, testing may be performed by a nurse, medical staff, or physician, who may be collectively referred to as a "user" or "operator" of a POC analyzer. Users of automated analyzers typically undergo initial certification and periodic recertification. A Point-of-Care Testing Coordinator (POCC) may be an operator or an administrator who is responsible for managing initial certification and recertification. For example, a POCC may be able to access special administrative privileges on a POC-DMS, whereas a standard automated analyzer user may only be able to log into automated analyzers of the first and / or second network.

[0084] As used herein, the term "certification" encompasses any form of confirmation of certain characteristics of an operator, such as training, examination, or educational background or qualifications. Certification may represent, for example, an entry of a user on a list of certified operators of one or more types of automated analyzers included in the first network 15. Certification may be permanent or time-limited. In an embodiment, authentication may be performed using, for example, the automated analyzer P1 of the first network 15.

[0085] POC-DMS 50 is communicatively coupled to a communication network 40, for example, a wide area network such as the Internet. In some embodiments, POC-DMS 50 is communicatively coupled to other communication nodes in the system using a virtual private network or active directory system (not shown).

[0086] The system 10 further includes a computer 20, such as a smartphone or a smart tablet. The smartphone or smart tablet is communicatively coupled to a communication network 40 via, for example, a WiFi access point or a 3GPP base station. The smartphone or smart tablet is configured to operate an application for remote automated analyzer monitoring, as will be described later.

[0087] The system 10 further includes a device 30 communicatively coupled to the POC-DMS 50 via the communication network 40. The device 30 hosts a data storage 34 and a data processing agent 32. According to an embodiment discussed subsequently, the data processing agent 32 is configured to receive visual representation data 70 from a computing device 20, which includes a camera of at least one automated analyzer included in the first local area network 15 and / or the second local area network 17. In other words, the computing device 20 can communicate the visual representation data 70 of at least one of the automated analyzers P1-P7 to the data processing agent 32 hosted by the device 30 via the communication links 22A and 22B without communicating via the POC-DMS 50. In other words, the computing device 20 can communicate the visual representation data of at least one of the automated analyzers P1-P7 to the device 30 via a side channel.

[0088] According to an embodiment, computing device 20 performs image processing on the visual representation data to extract data about the result of the predefined operation. In this embodiment, computing device 20 communicates data associated with the predefined operation instead of visual representation data 70 to apparatus 30 via a side channel.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the device 30 is configured to communicate the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation to the POC-DMS 50 .

[0090] According to an embodiment, the device 30 is configured to communicate a reconfiguration command of the POC-DMS 50 from the device 30 to the POC-DMS 50 in dependence on the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the device 30 is configured to communicate reconfiguration commands of the automated analyzers P1 - P7 to the respective automated analyzer evaluation data associated with the predefined operations.

[0092] Advantageously, aspects of remote automated analyzer monitoring may thus be performed by obtaining visual representation data 70 via a display interface of the automated analyzer and / or via a user operated device such as a smart phone or smart tablet.

[0093] Figure 2 A computer-implemented method according to the first aspect is schematically illustrated.

[0094] According to a first aspect, a computer-implemented method 60 for remote analyzer monitoring is provided. The method comprises:

[0095] - obtaining 62 , via the computing device 20 comprising the camera 21 , visual representation data 70 of at least a display interface P1 -D of the automated analyzer P1 after the automated analyzer P1 has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data 70 of the display interface P1 -D comprises data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the automated analyzer P1 ;

[0096] - processing 64 the visual representation data to extract data 74 relating to the result of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer P1 and included in the visual representation data 70 associated with the predefined operation;

[0097] - evaluating 66 said data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion, to thereby generate evaluation data 76; and

[0098] - storing 68 evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

[0099] According to an embodiment, remote analyzer monitoring is performed via the communication side channels 22A, 22B.

[0100] According to an embodiment, evaluation data associated with the predefined operations is displayed on a user interface of the user device.

[0101] According to a first aspect, a method for photo-based governance of distributed point-of-care devices is provided that is easily deployed within a healthcare organization. No reverse engineering of legacy automated analyzers or provision of additional interface electronics is required.

[0102] The POC user may use their phone. According to one embodiment, a standard camera application of a smartphone operating environment may be used to capture the visual representation data 70 of the automated analyzer, and a standard email or messaging client may be used to transmit the visual representation data 70 to a corresponding web or messaging server hosted by the data processing agent 32 of the device 30. This has the advantage that no special smartphone software is required to transmit the visual representation data 70 to the data processing agent 32.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the computer 20 including the camera 21 operates an application that appends user-related metadata to the visual representation data 70 prior to transmission to the data processing agent. For example, the application may append a user identifier of the POC device to the visual representation data 70. In addition, a provided smartphone application (for example) may be configured to present the user with an illustrated guided instrument workflow and provide photo documentation of results, QC tests, or consumables usage. A given POC user will be presented with a list of automated analyzers connected to the local area network 17 in the healthcare institution where the POC user is registered as an operator.

[0104] The step of obtaining 62 visual representation data 70 of the display interface P1-D involves directing the field of view of the camera 21 of the computing device 20 so that it can capture at least the display interface P1-D of the automated analyzer P1. The capabilities of smartphone cameras mean that many types of older display interfaces can be imaged. For example, color LCD or OLED displays, touch screens, and black and white matrix displays capable of displaying 2D images and text can be imaged. However, simpler displays such as a seven-segment liquid crystal display for displaying digital results can be imaged and captured as visual representation data 70.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes image data of at least the display interface P1-D of the automated analyzer. Optionally, the visual representation data 70 also includes metadata added to the image data by the camera 21 of the computing device 20. For example, the metadata includes the date, time and location at which the visual representation data 70 was obtained. According to an embodiment, the metadata includes user identification information or login information of the application software executed by the computing device 20, so that the identity of the user who obtained the visual representation data 70 can be stored.

[0106] The field of view of the camera 21 may also capture a peripheral area surrounding the area of ​​the display interface P1 -D of the automated analyzer P1 . In an embodiment, the camera 21 is configured to capture an image of the entire automated analyzer P1 , including the display interface of the automated analyzer.

[0107] Figure 3 Examples of automated analyzers and test cartridges are schematically shown.

[0108] Figure 3 The automated analyzer P1 shown uses disposable test kits to perform predefined operations, such as patient sample testing, authentication and analyzer quality control checks. The test cartridge P1-T may include an identification label P1-TL and specifically an identification barcode P1-TBC. In use, when a user registers the test cartridge P1-T via a barcode reader P1-S of the automated analyzer, the test cartridge may first be identified by the automated analyzer P1. The user then inserts the test cartridge P1-T into a test slot P1-SL of the automated analyzer, which in this case is located on the lid of the automated analyzer.

[0109] The automated analyzer includes a display screen P1-D shown here in the login step of the automated analyzer P1. The interface of the automated analyzer P1 includes a row of four menu interface buttons P1-M and a group of four navigation interface buttons P1-N. A main power switch P1-BP is provided on a portion of the front of the automated analyzer P1. A barcode scanner P1-S is provided below the group of navigation buttons. For example, the barcode scanner P1-S can be used during the user login process and / or to identify a test cartridge for insertion into the automated analyzer P1.

[0110] Display screen P1-D will be accompanied by a typical patient sample test, certification test or analyzer quality control check using a plurality of user feedback masks (masks) displayed on display screen P1-D. At least one of the user feedback masks will include the result of a predefined operation, for example, a patient sample test, a certification test or an analyzer quality control check. Therefore, the visual representation data 70 of display screen P1-D obtains a similar image (likeness) of the user feedback mask displayed by display screen P1-D. In addition, camera 21 can be used to capture the similar image of test box P1-T as a supplement to visual representation data. In an embodiment, camera 21 can be used to capture the similar image of test box P1-T during insertion into test slot P1-SL to verify that the correct test box has been inserted into the automated analyzer P1. In an embodiment, an area of ​​the housing of the automated analyzer includes an identification tag P1-L of the automated analyzer. Such identification tag P1-L can also form a part of visual representation data 70.

[0111] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a first area 100, which includes a likeness of the display interface P1-D. In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a second area 102, which includes a likeness of a peripheral area surrounding the area of ​​the display interface P1-D. In an embodiment, the second area 102 includes a likeness of at least one manufacturer's logo. In an embodiment, the second area 102 includes a likeness of at least one label, which includes an identifier code of the owner of the automated analyzer P1. The unique label P1-L and code included on the body of the automated analyzer P1 can be used (for example) to uniquely identify the automated analyzer P1.

[0112] Figure 4 An example of visual representation data obtained by a camera from a result display mask of an automated analyzer is schematically shown.

[0113] According to an embodiment, at the end of one or more predefined operations performed by the automated analyzer P1, a result display mask is displayed by the automated analyzer P1. The result display mask can provide (for example) visual patient test results, visual user authentication results, visual quality control results, visual consumable inventory, and visual hardware status updates, although other types of result display masks for one or more predefined operations can also be provided. In addition, the visual representation data 70 may include one or more intermediate display masks (not shown). Obtaining one or more intermediate display masks may be particularly useful during the user authentication process, which illustrates that the user complies with multiple test steps during the authentication process.

[0114] The visual representation data 70 obtained by the camera 21 is, for example, a two-dimensional image in one of a series of image formats known to those skilled in the art, such as JPEG. The visual representation data 70 provides a likeness of the display interface P1-D of the automated analyzer P1, and optionally provides a peripheral area 102 around the display interface P1-D. According to an embodiment, in the case where the peripheral area 102 does not contain information useful for identifying the automated analyzer P1, the visual representation data 70 is processed to trim off the peripheral area 102 around the display interface P1-D.

[0115] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a first screen area 104 containing the user name of the user of the automated analyzer P1. The user name of the user of the automated analyzer can be used, for example, to form a logical link between the visual representation data 70 and a database of users of the system 10 of automated analyzers P1-P7 directed by, for example, the POC-DMS 50.

[0116] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a second screen area 106 that includes an explicit statement of an identifier of the automated analyzer. The identifier of the automated analyzer can be used to generate a logical link between the visual representation data 70 and a specific record of a specific automated analyzer stored in the POC-DMS 50.

[0117] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a third screen area 107, which includes an identifier of the type of test result, result, test kit and / or test procedure presented on the screen of the display interface P1-D at the moment of capturing the visual representation data 70. Thus, the third screen area 107 includes an identifier of a predefined operation performed by the automated analyzer P1. The identifier of the predefined operation performed by the automated analyzer P1 can be used to create a logical link to a database in the POC-DMS 50 of valid predefined operations.

[0118] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a fourth screen area 108. The fourth screen area 108 includes a date and / or time reference relative to the start time and / or end time of the predefined operation. This information is useful because the data processing agent 32 can extract the start time and / or end time of the predefined operation from the visual representation data 70 and compare it with the image capture time contained in the metadata of the visual representation data 70 added by the camera 21 when the visual representation data 70 was captured. In other words, the data processing agent 32 can use the date and time similarity between the content of the fourth screen area 108 and the date and time metadata in the visual representation data 70 as a surrogate indicator indicating the authenticity of the visual representation data 70.

[0119] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a fifth screen area 109 containing a sample identification name.

[0120] In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes a sixth screen area 110 that includes data regarding the results of predefined operations calculated by the automated analyzer P1. In the case of patient test results, the results of the predefined operations may be a binary test result, such as "Influenza A Not Detected". In the case of other types of patient test results, the results of the predefined operations may be a numerical reading within a specified test range. The patient test results may be a chart or a selection from a list.

[0121] If the predefined operation is a quality control process, the sixth screen area 110 includes binary pass or fail criteria for the quality control process. Alternatively, the sixth screen area 110 may include numerical data summarizing the success or failure of the quality control process. Alternatively, the sixth screen area 110 may include a codeword, QR code, or keyword group for decoding at the data processing agent 32 to provide more detailed quality control feedback.

[0122] If the predefined operation is a user authentication process, the sixth screen area 110 may include a binary pass or fail criteria for the user authentication process. Alternatively, the sixth screen area 110 may include feedback on various aspects of the user authentication process. For example, the sixth screen area 110 may include a summary of the amount of time the user spent on each stage of the user authentication process. The sixth screen area 110 may include a summary of the test scores for the challenge questions asked during the user authentication process.

[0123] If the predefined operation is a consumables check of an automated analyzer, the sixth screen area 110 may summarize a number of remaining consumables, including those that are at risk of running out.

[0124] Figure 5 Schematically shows the Figure 4 An example of extracting information from visual representation data 70 .

[0125] The data processing agent 32 and / or a software application running on the computing device 20 including the camera 21 is configured to extract information from the visual representation data 70 obtained at the end of or during the predefined operation performed by the automated analyzer P1. Thus, in one example, the visual representation data 70 is transmitted to the data processing agent 32 (also including metadata associated with the visual representation data 70). The extraction of data about the results of the predefined operation is performed at the data processing agent 32. In another example, the visual representation data 70 is partially or completely processed at the computing device 20, so that data about the results of the predefined operation is transmitted to the data processing agent 32.

[0126] In an embodiment, an image processing algorithm and / or a trained model for image processing is applied to the visual representation data 70 to extract data related to the results of the predefined operation from the visual representation data 70 .

[0127] The image processing algorithm may access a mask database that includes a record of image processing masks for each possible automated analyzer P1-P7 present in the system 10. In addition, for each automated analyzer P1 included in the mask database, there may be multiple sub-records that include image processing masks for all or significant expected graphical user interface outputs that the automated analyzer P1 may generate in use.

[0128] For example, the image processing mask 116 includes alignment elements 112a-c and 114a-d corresponding to menu selection buttons P1-M and navigation buttons P1-N, respectively. If the visual representation data 70 includes artifacts similar to the menu selection buttons P1-M and navigation buttons P1-N, the image processing mask 116 can be more accurately aligned to the visual representation data 70. In another example, unique features such as the menu selection buttons P1-M and navigation buttons P1-N that appear in the visual representation data 70 can be used to identify the image processing mask of a specific automated analyzer P1 in the data storage 34 of the device 30 hosting the data processing agent 32. As another example, the bevel features of the display screen can be identified (e.g., using an edge detection algorithm), and the relative spacing distances d1, d2, and d3 of the bevels are used to calculate a ratio for identifying the specific automated analyzer P1. The technician will understand that a variety of image recognition techniques can be used to automatically identify the automated analyzer P1.

[0129] According to another option, automatic detection of a specific automated analyzer P1 is not necessary and the user may select the automated analyzer using a menu of an application contained on the computer 20 .

[0130] Each image processing mask 116 defines fields corresponding to the expected location of data regarding the results of a predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer P1. For example, according to an embodiment, the image processing mask 116 includes a first area 118 in which a user name is expected to be found. According to an embodiment, the image processing mask 116 includes a second area 120 in which an identification code of a specific automated analyzer is expected to be found. According to an embodiment, the image processing mask 116 includes a third area 122 in which a text string referring to a specific assay or test type is expected to be found. According to an embodiment, the image processing mask 116 includes a fourth area 124, which includes the date and / or time at which the results of the predefined operation are generated or displayed. According to an embodiment, the image processing mask 116 includes a fifth area 126, which includes the results of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer P1.

[0131] An image processing algorithm, such as a text recognition algorithm, is applied to one or more of the regions of the image processing mask 116 to thereby extract content of the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation. According to an embodiment, a logical link to metadata of the visual representation data 70, if present, is retained.

[0132] Figure 6 An example of a complete user interaction process is schematically shown.

[0133] In exemplary step 601, a user loads an application on a computer 20 that includes a camera 21 intended to capture visual representation data 70 of an automated analyzer P1. For example, the application may be available on an application store for, for example, an iPhone(TM) or Android(TM) smartphone. When the application is loaded onto the computer 20, the computer 20 initiates a logical connection between the application and, for example, a data processing agent 32 instantiated on a remote device 30 and / or POC DMS 50. In embodiments where the visual representation data 70 is sent from the computer 20 via a general purpose email client, no special application is required and this step may be omitted.

[0134] In exemplary step 602, an application on the computer 20 is logically linked to the data processing agent 32. The user can identify the clinics 12, 14 that the POC-DMS can access. This enables the application of the computer 20 to populate the application with a "virtual clinic" representing (for example) the analyzers P1-P5 of the clinic 12. In this way, the user can more quickly identify a specific legacy automated analyzer. In an embodiment where the visual representation data 70 is sent from the computer 20 via a general purpose email client, no special application is required and this step can be omitted.

[0135] In exemplary step 603, the user may optionally add a new automated analyzer to the "virtual clinic" using a wizard, drop-down menu, etc. in an application hosted by computer 20. In embodiments where visual representation data 70 is sent from computer 20 via a general purpose email client, no special application is required and this step may be omitted.

[0136] In exemplary step 604, the user performs a predefined operation on at least one automated analyzer P1 of the clinic 12 also included in the "virtual clinic". For example, the predetermined operation is one or more of a patient test, a quality control test, a certification procedure, a consumables check, or a hardware self-test of the automated analyzer P1.

[0137] In exemplary step 605, the user obtains a photo and / or video of the automated analyzer P1, including the graphical user interface (display interface) of the automated analyzer P1 when the automated analyzer P1 displays the result or intermediate stage of the predefined operation. At least one or more visual representation data 70 reflecting the state of the display interface of the automated analyzer is generated at the result stage or multiple intermediate stages of the predefined operation. The image and / or video can be obtained through a general imaging application of the computer, or from a customized application that can attach user metadata to the visual representation data 70.

[0138] Image processing and analysis may be performed entirely on computer 20, entirely on data processing agent 32, or a mixture of both.

[0139] In exemplary step 606 , image processing of at least one set of visual representation data 70 (and optionally accompanying metadata) is performed by computing device 20 .

[0140] In exemplary step 607, the data associated with the predefined operation that has been extracted from the visual representation data 70 is transmitted to the data processing agent 32, optionally including metadata of the visual representation data 70, and is stored in the data storage 34. Optionally, the original visual representation data 70 is also transmitted to the data processing agent 32 and stored in the data storage 34, which has a logical link to the data associated with the predefined operation received by the data processing agent 32.

[0141] Alternatively, in step 608 , the visual representation data 70 (and any associated metadata) is transmitted to the data processing agent 32 and optionally stored in the data store 34 .

[0142] In exemplary step 609 , at least one set of visual representation data 70 (and optionally accompanying metadata) is image processed by the data processing agent 32 and stored in the data storage 34 .

[0143] In exemplary step 610, the data processing agent 32 evaluates the processed visual representation data 70 based on predefined rules and / or previous results. For example, if the predefined operation includes a patient test result, the data processing agent 32 may forward the patient test result to the POC-DMS 50 for storage. If the predefined operation includes a user authentication result, the data processing agent 30 may forward the user authentication result to the POC-DMS 50 for storage. In an embodiment, the user authentication result may be used to control user access to the automated analyzer P1 for performing the user authentication test captured in the visual representation data 70.

[0144] In exemplary step 611 , the visual representation data 70 , any annotations, and the assessment calculated in step 610 are stored in the device's data storage 34 and / or the POC-DMS 50 .

[0145] Figure 7 An example of a data structure consisting of processed visual representation data and user data is schematically shown.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 further comprises:

[0147] - obtaining, through the user interface of the computing device 20, an identifier 72 of a user who uses the automated analyzer P1 to perform a predefined operation; and

[0148] - generating at least one logical association between an identifier 72 of a user and visual representation data 70 and / or evaluation data 74, wherein the at least one evaluation criterion is a comparison 71 of the identifier 72 of the user with a user record 81 of data 74 on the results of predefined operations.

[0149] For example, the user may enter the identifier 72 into a menu of an application hosted by the computing device 20. Alternatively, the user's identifier 72 may be obtained by a data processing agent 32 in communication with the POC-DMS 50. In an embodiment, the user identifier 72 includes a user identification code ID and one or more authentication fields that define the type of automated analyzer that the user is authenticated to use. In an embodiment, the user identifier 72 includes a date and time field that defines the date and time when the measurement was observed to be being taken by the application hosted by the computing device 20. In an embodiment, the user identifier 72 includes a location range (geofence) 79. The location range or geofence defines the range of allowed local or global locations within which the user identified by the user identifier 72 can use the authenticated automated analyzer.

[0150] like Figure 7 As shown, result data 74 are generated by the step 64 of processing the visual representation data to extract data 74 related to the results of the predefined operations calculated by the automated analyzer P1.

[0151] In this exemplary embodiment, the results data includes a record of the assay type, the user of the automated analyzer when the assay was performed, the date and time associated with the start or end time of the assay, the assay result, and the location of the automated analyzer P1.

[0152] The data processing agent 32 is configured to generate a logical association 71 between the user record of the user identifier 72 and the user record 81 of the result data 74. In other words, the data processing agent 32 is configured to apply at least one evaluation criterion, which in this case is a match between the user identifier 72 and the user record 81 of the result data. If the user identifier 72 and the user record 81 of the result data match, the data processing agent 32 can verify the fact that the user who transmitted the visual representation data 70 is the same user who has logged into the automated analyzer P1.

[0153] Thus, the step of evaluating the data 66 associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion may generate evaluation data 76 indicating that the user of the automated analyzer P1 matches the user of the computing device 20 for the specific visual representation data 70 obtained by the computing device 20 .

[0154] According to an embodiment, the evaluation criteria are comparisons of the first, second and / or third times. The first time is the time when the automated analyzer P1 reports to the POC-DMS 50 that the test has been performed via the first (traditional) communication channel. The second time is contained in the metadata of the visual representation data 70, wherein the second time is extracted from the date and time field 108 displayed by the automated analyzer P1. The third time is obtained from the operating environment of the computing device 20. Evaluating the first, second and / or third time includes ensuring that the first, second and / or third time is sufficiently close to each other relative to the absolute time measurement. For example, before the evaluation criteria indicate that the result of the predefined operation cannot be verified, it can be tolerated that there is a total time difference of plus or minus five seconds, 10 seconds or 20 seconds, 30 seconds or 1 minute between the first, second and / or third time.

[0155] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method further comprises:

[0156] - obtaining location data 79 of the automated analyzer P1 using the location service 25 of the computing device 20; and

[0157] - generating a logical link between the position data 79 of the automated analyzer P1 and the position data contained in the evaluation data 80 , wherein the at least one evaluation criterion is a comparison of the position data 80 of the user with the user record 81 of the data 74 on the result of the predetermined operation.

[0158] And if Figure 7 As shown in , a logical link 75 can be defined between the location data 80 contained in the metadata of the visual representation data 70 and the location range or geo-fence 79 of the user identifier 72. Therefore, the evaluation criteria evaluate whether the data 74 extracted from the visual representation data 70 is obtained from a location within the geo-fence allowed by the given user ID in the user identifier 72. If the data 74 extracted from the visual representation data 70 is obtained from a location within the geo-fence, this is an additional indication of trust authentication. In other words, it indicates that the user was located next to the automated analyzer P1 when the visual representation of the data 70 was obtained.

[0159] Alternatively, if the data 74 extracted from the visual representation data 70 was not obtained from a location within the geo-fence, this may be an indication that the data processing agent 32 does not trust or reject the remainder of the data contained in the result data 74. In such a rejection situation, the evaluation data 76 may include a negative result. In response to the negative result, a command may be sent to the computer 20, the automated analyzer P1, and / or the POC-DMS 50 due to the negative result and / or a request to resend the visual representation data 70 from within the geo-fence. This improves the verification of the visual representation data 70 obtained from the automated analyzer P1.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 further comprises:

[0161] - detecting a predefined change in the display interface P1 -D of the automated analyzer, the predefined change indicating that the automated analyzer P1 has completed the predefined operation; and

[0162] - Automatically obtaining visual representation data 70 using the camera 21 of the computing device 20 upon detection of a predefined change of the display interface P1 -D.

[0163] The graphical user interface of the automated analyzer P1 that changes in a known manner can be provided with a known animation indicating that a predefined operation such as result acquisition, certification, etc. is about to be reported. Therefore, the computing device 20 can be used to monitor the predefined changes of the display interface P1-D. The camera 21 of the computing device 20 is used in a monitoring (or "live") mode to monitor the video stream from the display interface P1-D. As an example, the computing device 20 recognizes that the "prepare results" dialogue with a clock icon is a prompt that the automated analyzer P1 is about to complete a predefined operation. After completing the predefined operation, the camera 21 of the computing device 20 is used to obtain visual representation data 70.

[0164] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method further comprises:

[0165] - generating an identifier associated with a predefined operation defined in at least one graphical instruction to be performed on the automated analyzer P1 ; and

[0166] - After obtaining visual representation data 70 comprising a representation of a display interface P1 -D of the automated analyzer P1 :

[0167] generating a logical association between the identifier and the visual representation data 70 and / or stored evaluation data associated with the predefined operation; and

[0168] The identifier is stored.

[0169] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 further comprises:

[0170] - transmitting reconfiguration commands to the automated analyzer P1 according to the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation; and

[0171] - reconfiguring the automated analyzer P1 based on the reconfiguration command, wherein the reconfiguration command is optionally a software lock of the automated analyzer P1 or a requirement for a quality control or certification workflow for a user.

[0172] Some automated analyzers P1-P7 may enable bidirectional control links to the POC-DMS 50 and / or data processing agent 32. For example, the communication stacks of the automated analyzers P1-P7 may include legacy input commands that enable external devices to assume a degree of control over the respective automated analyzers P1-P7. In a particular example, the evaluation step 66 may conclude that the user of the computing device 20 is not authenticated to use the particular type of automated analyzer from which the result data 74 was generated. In this case, a reconfiguration command for the automated analyzer P1 may lock the automated analyzer P1 or prompt the user to perform a quality control or authentication workflow.

[0173] Figure 8 Three exemplary graphical user interface screens for directed results documentation using a computer including a camera are schematically illustrated.

[0174] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 according to one of the preceding claims further comprises:

[0175] - displaying on the user interface 23 of the computing device 20 at least one graphical instruction associated with a predefined operation to be performed on the automated analyzer P1 ; and

[0176] - Receiving, via a user interface of the computing device 20, confirmation of a user's intent to obtain visual representation data 70, wherein the visual representation data 70 comprises a representation of a display interface of the automated analyzer when the automated analyzer has previously performed a predefined operation according to at least one graphical instruction associated with the predefined operation.

[0177] Figure 8 A, a first document results window 200 of a graphical user interface suitable for display on, for example, a display of a computing device 20 can prompt a user to take a photo of the analyzer P1, the results of which are clearly visible on the screen of the analyzer P1. A GUI button 202 is functionally coupled to a camera function of the computing device 20, and when the user actuates the GUI button 202 (e.g., using a touch screen), visual representation data 70 including, for example, quality control test results is captured by the camera 21 of the computing device 20.

[0178] exist Figure 8In FIG. 2B , the user can use the graphical user interface of the computing device 20 to add various annotations to the visual representation data 70. For example, a selection dialog box 204 enables the user to select their user identification 204 so that it is attached to the visual representation data 70. In addition, an optional annotation field 206 of the graphical user interface enables the user of the computing device 20 to enter additional comments. A dialog box button 208 enables the visual representation data 70 to be stored with the user identification 204.

[0179] exist Figure 8 In C, a plurality of historical quality control tests and historical patient tests are provided in a “History” section of a graphical user interface available to a user of computing device 20 .

[0180] Fig. 9 A to Fig. 9 C schematically illustrates three exemplary graphical user interface screens for guided remote device registration and quality control testing.

[0181] Fig.10 A and 10B schematically illustrate further graphical user interface screens for guided remote quality control testing.

[0182] According to an embodiment, the predefined operation is included in a quality control process performed on the automated analyzer P1 , and the stored evaluation data includes quality control results associated with the automated analyzer P1 .

[0183] In this embodiment, the POC-DMS 50 and / or the automated analyzer P1 may detect that a quality control operation should be performed. For example, a time period measured by the automated analyzer P1 after a previous quality control operation may have passed. Therefore, the graphical user interface of the computing device 20 notifies the user via the alert 210 that a quality control test needs to be performed, such as Fig. 9 As shown in A.

[0184] Fig. 9 9B and 9C illustrate a guided quality control test procedure provided to a user of computing device 20. A plurality of steps displayed on a graphical user interface guides the user of the computing device through the process of performing a quality control test. For example, a graphical user interface button 212 actuable via a touch screen interface automatically enables the user of computing device 20 to record the results of the quality control test using a photograph or in other words, visual representation data 70. For example, at the end of the workflow, when the quality control test results are ready, an application hosted by computing device 20 asks the user to take a photograph of the instrument screen to record the results of the quality control or patient test.

[0185] According to an embodiment, for example, additional attributes of a quality control or patient test may be entered using a graphical user interface of the computing device 20. In an embodiment, further additional attributes of a quality control or patient test may be automatically populated using method data (e.g., location, date, and time) available in the visual representation data 70. The visual representation data 70 of the screen of the automated analyzer P1 may be analyzed by the data processing agent 32 and / or the computing device 20 to identify a test result, a date or time (which should match the visual representation data 70), or a unit of measurement.

[0186] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 further comprises:

[0187] Before inserting the test plug P1-T into the automated analyzer p1, during the insertion of the test plug into the automated analyzer or after the removal of the test plug, as part of the testing process:

[0188] - obtaining, via a computing device 20 comprising a camera 21, visual representation data of at least a portion P1 -TBC of a test plug P1 -T for a test process;

[0189] - processing the visual representation data of the portion of the test plugin P1-T to extract an identifier associated with the test procedure; and

[0190] - Generating a logical association between an identifier associated with the test process and visual representation data of the display interface P1 -D of the automated analyzer P1 and / or stored evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

[0191] Thus, in a manner similar to the generation of visual representation data 70 done in connection with the graphical user interface of the automated analyzer P1, at least part of the visual representation data of the test plug P1-T may be obtained before or after the visual representation data 70 is obtained in connection with the graphical user interface of the automated analyzer P1. This allows the user of the computing device 20 to provide a logical link between the visual record of the results of the test performed using the test plug P1-T displayed in the graphical user interface of the automated analyzer P1 and the carton and / or portion P1-TBC of the test plug P1-T. The effect is that the user of the automated analyzer P1 can generate a guarantee that the visual representation data 70 generated by the automated analyzer P1 was generated using the test plug P1-T.

[0192] According to an embodiment, the predefined operation is included in a test process performed on the automated analyzer P1 , and the stored evaluation data includes test results associated with the automated analyzer P1 .

[0193] According to an embodiment, the predefined operation is a phase of a user authentication process performed on the automated analyzer P1 , and the stored evaluation data includes a user authentication result associated with the automated analyzer P1 .

[0194] Thus, when the computing device 20 communicates the visual representation data 70 of the patient results to the data processing agent 32 , the user authentication process obtained using the automated analyzer P1 is verified using the computing device 20 .

[0195] According to an embodiment, the predefined operation is a phase of a consumables management process, or a hardware self-test process performed on the automated analyzer P1 , and the stored evaluation data includes consumables management results and / or hardware self-test results associated with the automated analyzer P1 .

[0196] Thus, when the computing device 20 communicates the visual representation data 70 of the patient results to the data processing agent 32, the consumables management process or hardware self-test process obtained using the automated analyzer P1 is verified using the computing device 20.

[0197] According to an embodiment, the predefined operation is a phase of patient result acquisition performed on the automated analyzer P1 , and the stored evaluation data includes patient results associated with the automated analyzer.

[0198] Thus, when the computing device 20 communicates the visual representation data 70 of the patient results to the data processing agent 32 , the patient results obtained using the automated analyzer P1 are verified using the computing device 20 .

[0199] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 further comprises:

[0200] - Create automated analyzer records in laboratory management software applications;

[0201] - selecting an automated analyzer type P1-P7 to be associated with the created automated analyzer record from an analyzer type data repository comprising a plurality of automated analyzer types;

[0202] wherein the data repository comprises at least one image processing routine defining, for one or more predefined operations to be performed on each of said plurality of automated analyzer types P1-P7, portions of a display interface P1-D of the corresponding automated analyzer associated with a result of said predefined operation and / or visual features of an associated display interface of the corresponding automated analyzer associated with a result of said predefined operation; and

[0203] -Populates a new automated analyzer record with the selected automated analyzer type.

[0204] An operator of the computing device 20 may configure, for example, a laboratory management software application hosted by the POC-DMS 50 to represent a virtual version of a clinical laboratory with point-of-care testing instruments. Thus, the laboratory software management application is hosted by the data processing agent 32 and / or the POC-DMS 50 configured according to an automated configuration tool or software wizard.

[0205] Each type of automated analyzer present in the automated analyzer library is associated with, for example, an image processing routine or a specific set of imaging masks, thereby enabling the visual representation 70 of the display P1-D to have data extracted therefrom. For example, an image processing algorithm may be designed a priori, or a machine learning model may be trained, to extract data from the visual representation 70 of a legacy analyzer using the image processing masks.

[0206] Fig.11 A and 11B schematically show a graphical user interface for user management.

[0207] According to an embodiment, the computer-implemented method 60 further comprises:

[0208] - obtaining identification data of at least one user of said laboratory management software application;

[0209] For each automated analyzer P1-P7 registered in the laboratory management software application, obtaining authentication data of the user; and

[0210] If the user is not authenticated to use the automated analyzer registered in the laboratory management software application, generating a predefined authentication activity for each automated analyzer registered in the laboratory management software application; and

[0211] -Monitoring the laboratory management software application to complete each predefined certification activity for each automated analyzer registered in the laboratory management software application.

[0212] The computing device 20 can facilitate the addition of users or the updating of existing users in the POC system. For example, a new record can be provided that includes the identity of the operator 214 and at least the certification status or training status of the new operator on the automated analyzer of the POC system. In the event that the training or certification is not consistent, a training course or certification step for the specific automated analyzer 218 can be completed.

[0213] Fig.12 A computer including a camera is schematically shown.

[0214] In an embodiment, the computer 20 comprising the camera 21 is a smart phone or a smart tablet comprising an integrated camera 21. According to an embodiment, the computer 20 is an Apple iPhone (TM) or Google Android (TM) based device.

[0215] According to an embodiment, the computer 20 including the camera 21 may also be a personal computer including a web camera connected to the personal computer via USB, Bluetooth (TM), or WiFi (TM).

[0216] For example, the computer 20 includes a camera 21. In some embodiments, more than one camera is provided. The camera is an optical sensor, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device) or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). The camera 21 can be integrated with the computer's interface electronics and I / O (input / output) subsystems so that images and / or videos obtained from the automated analyzer are available to the software operating environment (operating system) instantiated by the processor 24.

[0217] For example, the computer 20 includes a user interface 23. In some embodiments, the user interface 23 is a touch screen I / O device. The touch screen I / O device can receive graphic display instructions from a software operating environment (operating system) instantiated by the processor 24. The software operating environment can host an application configured to obtain images and / or videos of the automated analyzer. In some embodiments, the application is configured to perform image analysis and data extraction / evaluation on the images and / or videos to obtain Figure 3 The data contained on the display P1-D of the automated analyzer illustrated in FIG.

[0218] For example, computer 20 includes processor 24. Processor 24 is configured to obtain computer readable instructions from data storage 26 and instantiate a software environment on computing device 20. In some examples, the software environment may host a specific application for obtaining and processing images of a display screen of an automated analyzer.

[0219] For example, the computer 20 includes a location service 25. The location service may include a combination of hardware elements such as an inertial measurement sensor, a magnetic compass or magnetometer, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. These hardware modules are communicatively coupled to other elements of the computer via the I / O subsystem. For example, the location service may include a software module configured to receive location updates based on the network address of the access point used by the computer. In general, the location service may provide a computer location estimate within 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, or 1 meter to the software environment of the computer 20.

[0220] For example, computer 20 includes data storage component 26. For example, data storage component may include RAM, ROM, SSD, or any other suitable combination of data storage component 26.

[0221] For example, the computer 20 includes a communication interface 27. For example, the communication interface 27 is one or more of a WiFi (TM), Bluetooth (TM) or 3GPP (TM) modem or a modem for any other suitable data transmission modality.

[0222] According to an embodiment, the computer 20 is configured to capture an image and / or video including the field of view of the camera 21 when the camera 21 observes the display P1 -D of the automated analyzer P1 after the automated analyzer P1 completes a predetermined operation.

[0223] According to an embodiment, the computer 20 is not specially configured with application software. Native image and / or video capture software pre-installed on the computer 20 is used to capture images and / or video from the camera 21. Standard image transfer means (e.g., email or FTP) installed on the operating system of the computer 20 is used to communicate the images and / or video from the camera 21 to the device 30. For example, the data processing agent 32 instance on the device 30 can host a dedicated email server with a specific email address, which is used for incoming analyzer images and videos for analysis.

[0224] The data processing agent 32 instantiated on the device 30 is configured to receive an email or FTP connection and must receive images and / or video from the camera 21. Image processing according to various aspects of the present specification is initiated after this time. Thus, according to this embodiment, the computer 20 is a standard device and does not require special configuration or custom applications.

[0225] According to another embodiment, the computer 20 is configured with a software application configured to perform the method of the first aspect or an embodiment thereof.

[0226] Fig.13 An apparatus according to the third aspect is schematically shown.

[0227] According to a second aspect, there is provided a device 30 configured to host a data processing agent 32 for processing data from one or more automated analyzers. The apparatus comprises a communication interface 33, a data storage 34 and a processor 36 coupled to the communication interface and the data storage.

[0228] The communication interface 33 is configured to receive visual representation data 70 of at least a display interface P1-D of the automated analyzer P1 after the automated analyzer P1 has performed a predetermined operation. The visual representation data 70 of the display interface comprises data associated with the results of the predefined operation performed by the analyzer.

[0229] The processor 36 is configured to process the visual representation data 70 to extract data about the results of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer P1 and included in the visual representation data 70 associated with the predefined operation.

[0230] The processor 36 is configured to evaluate data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data.

[0231] Processor 36 is configured to store evaluation data associated with predefined operations.

[0232] In an embodiment, the device 30 stores the assessment data in the data storage 34. In another embodiment, the device 30 stores the assessment data in a data repository external to the device 30 or in a cloud service.

[0233] According to an embodiment, the data processing agent 32 is instantiated on the device 30 by machine-readable instructions obtained, for example, from the data repository 34 and / or another non-transitory data storage medium or non-volatile memory.

[0234] For example, the device 30 according to the second aspect is a personal computer (PC), a bare metal server, a server, or an enterprise computer providing access to a cloud instance.

[0235] The communication interface 33 may include one or more of a WAN or LAN adapter. In addition, the communication interface 33 may include a unit configured to communicate with at least the POC-DMS 50 .

[0236] The device 30 may further include a user interface, such as a monitor, a computer mouse and a computer keyboard, to facilitate user interaction. In an example, the processor 36 may instantiate an instance of a remote desktop or Telnet application to enable remote access to the device from another computer.

[0237] Fig.14 A system according to the fifth aspect is schematically shown.

[0238] According to a third aspect, there is provided a system 10 for remote analyzer monitoring, comprising:

[0239] - a computing device 20 comprising a camera 21;

[0240] - at least one automated analyzer P1-P7 for biological samples;

[0241] - a device 30 configured to host a data processing agent 32 for processing data coming from at least one automated analyzer P1 - P7 ; and

[0242] - a communication network 40 configured to communicatively couple the computing device 20 and the device 30 via a first communication channel, and the communication network 40 is configured to communicatively couple at least one automated analyzer P1-P7 and the device 30 via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel;

[0243] wherein the computing device 20 is configured to: obtain, via the computing device 20, visual representation data 70 of at least a display interface P1 -D of the automated analyzer P1 after the automated analyzer has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data 70 of the display interface includes data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the analyzer;

[0244] wherein the computing device 20 and / or the apparatus 30 is configured to process the visual representation data 70 to extract data relating to a result of a predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer P1 and included in the visual representation data 70 associated with the predefined operation;

[0245] wherein the computing device 20 and / or the apparatus 30 is configured to evaluate data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data; and

[0246] The computing device 20 and / or the apparatus 30 is configured to store evaluation data associated with the predefined operations.

[0247] According to an embodiment of system 10 , computing device 20 is configured to communicate visual representation data 70 to the device via a side channel 22A, 22B of system 10 that is distinct from the communication network 17 that communicatively couples computing device 20 , automated analyzer P1 , and device 30 .

[0248] In stage 302 , the automated analyzer P1 displays the result of the predetermined operation on its display interface P1 -D.

[0249] In stage 308 , a user of computer 20 uses computing device camera 21 to obtain a camera image of display P1 -D.

[0250] In stage 310, the computer 20 processes the camera image to form visual representation data 70 for the display P1-D. Processing the camera image may include performing image processing operations, such as color correction, automatic cropping of the image, etc. Processing the camera image may also include appending metadata to the camera image, such as user identification data of a user who obtained the camera image, user authentication data of the user who obtained the image, information about the type of predefined operation depicted in the display P1-D, the time and / or date the camera image was obtained, data indicating where the camera image was obtained, etc. The computer 20 transmits the visual representation data 70 via the side channel 20B, 20C that bypasses the POC-DMS 50 of the system 10.

[0251] In stage 312 , the device 30 instantiating the data processing agent 32 is configured to receive the visual representation data 70 via the side channel 20B, 20C.

[0252] In stage 314 , the data processing agent 32 is configured to evaluate the visual representation data according to the evaluation criteria to thereby generate evaluation data.

[0253] In stage 316 , the data processing agent 32 is configured to store the visual representation data in the local data repository 34 or in a remote data repository.

[0254] According to a first option, the automated analyzer P1 may communicate 304 the result of the predefined operation performed on the analyzer P1 to the data processing agent 32 instantiated in the device 30 via a legacy channel. For example, the automated analyzer P1 communicates the result of the predefined operation to the POC-DMS 50 using legacy signaling, and the POC-DMS 50 forwards the result of the predefined operation to the data processing agent 32 instantiated in the device 30.

[0255] According to this option, the data processing agent 32 receives the results of the predefined operation 302 from the POC-DMS 50, although without contextual information such as location data or data about the user of the automated analyzer P1. At a similar point in time, the data processing agent 32 receives visual representation data 70 of the display P1-D of the automated analyzer P1, which includes the same results as forwarded from the POC-DMS 50 via the legacy channel. The visual representation data 70 includes the same predefined operation results as contained in the predefined operation results sent via the legacy channel. In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes metadata that enables (for example) the identity of the user performing the predefined operation to be authenticated. In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes metadata that defines the quality control status of the automated analyzer to be verified. In an embodiment, the visual representation data 70 includes the authentication status of the user performing the predefined operation to be identified.

[0256] According to another option, the data processing agent 32 may transmit 318 a reconfiguration command to the automated analyzer P1 via a legacy communication channel managed, for example, by the POC-DMS 50. Certain types of automated analyzers may be capable of limited reconfiguration based on received input. For example, the data processing agent 32 may transmit a reconfiguration command to lock the automated analyzer P1 based on an evaluation of the visual representation data 70. In an embodiment, the reconfiguration command will display a specific message on the screen of the automated analyzer P1.

[0257] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program element comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a computer implemented method as defined in the first aspect or in its embodiments.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for remote analyzer monitoring, the computer-implemented method comprising: - obtaining, via a computing device comprising a camera, visual representation data of at least a display interface of the automated analyzer after the automated analyzer has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data of the display interface comprises data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the automated analyzer; - processing the visual representation data to extract data relating to the results of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer and included in the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation; - evaluating said data associated with said predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data; as well as - storing said evaluation data associated with said predefined operation.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: obtaining, via a user interface of the computing device, an identifier of a user who uses the automated analyzer to perform the predefined operation; as well as generating at least one logical association between said identifier of said user and said visual representation data and / or evaluation data; Wherein said at least one evaluation criterion is a comparison of said identifier of said user with a user record of said data regarding a result of said predefined operation.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: obtaining location data of the automated analyzer using a location service of the computing device; as well as generating a logical association between the position data of the automated analyzer and the position data included in the evaluation data; Wherein said at least one evaluation criterion is a comparison of the location data of said user with a user record of said data regarding the outcome of said predefined operation.

4. The computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: displaying, on a user interface of the computing device, at least one graphical instruction associated with the predefined operation to be performed on the automated analyzer; as well as Receiving, via the user interface of the computing device, confirmation that the user intends to obtain the visual representation data, wherein the visual representation data includes a representation of a display interface of the automated analyzer when the automated analyzer has previously performed the predefined operation in accordance with the at least one graphical instruction associated with the predefined operation.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising: generating an identifier of the predefined operation to be performed on the automated analyzer as defined in the at least one graphical instruction; as well as After obtaining the visual representation data comprising the representation of the display interface of the automated analyzer: generating a logical association between the identifier of the predefined operation and the visual representation data and / or stored evaluation data associated with the predefined operation; as well as The identifier of the predefined operation is stored.

6. The computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Detecting a predefined change in the display interface of the automated analyzer, wherein the predefined change indicates that the automated analyzer has completed the predefined operation; as well as Upon detecting the predefined change in the display interface, the visual representation data is automatically obtained using the camera of the computing device.

7. The computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Before inserting a test plug into the automated analyzer, during inserting the test plug into the automated analyzer or after removing the test plug, as part of a testing process: obtaining, via the computing device including the camera, visual representation data of at least a portion of a test insert for the testing procedure; processing the visual representation data of the portion of the test insert to extract an identifier of the test procedure; as well as A logical association is generated between the identifier of the test procedure and the visual representation data of the display interface of the automated analyzer and / or the stored evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

8. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined operation is included in a quality control process performed on the automated analyzer, and the stored evaluation data includes quality control results associated with the automated analyzer; and / or wherein the predefined operation is included in a test process performed on the automated analyzer, and the stored evaluation data includes test results associated with the automated analyzer; and / or wherein the predefined operation is a stage of a user authentication process performed on the automated analyzer, and the stored evaluation data includes a user authentication result associated with the automated analyzer; and / or wherein the predefined operation is a stage of a consumables management process, or a hardware self-test process performed on the automated analyzer, and the stored evaluation data includes consumables management results and / or hardware self-test results associated with the automated analyzer; and / or Wherein the predefined operation is a stage of patient result collection performed on the automated analyzer, and the stored evaluation data includes patient results associated with the automated analyzer.

9. The computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Create automated analyzer records in laboratory management software applications; selecting a type of automated analyzer to be associated with the created automated analyzer record from an analyzer type data repository including types of a plurality of automated analyzers; wherein the data repository comprises at least one image processing routine that defines, for one or more predefined operations to be performed on each of the types of the plurality of automated analyzers, portions of a display interface of the corresponding automated analyzer associated with results of the predefined operations and / or visual features of an associated display interface of the corresponding automated analyzer associated with results of the predefined operations; as well as Populates a new automated analyzer record with the type of automated analyzer selected.

10. The computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: transmitting a reconfiguration command to the automated analyzer based on the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation; as well as The automated analyzer is reconfigured based on the reconfiguration command, wherein the reconfiguration command is optionally a software lock of the automated analyzer, or a requirement for a user to perform a quality control or certification workflow.

11. The computer-implemented method according to one of claims 9 or 10, further comprising: obtaining identification data of at least one user of the laboratory management software application; for each automated analyzer registered with the laboratory management software application, obtaining authentication data of the user; as well as generating a predefined authentication activity for each automated analyzer registered in the laboratory management software application if the user is not authenticated to use the automated analyzer registered in the laboratory management software application; as well as The laboratory management software application is monitored to complete each predefined authentication activity for each automated analyzer registered with the laboratory management software application.

12. A device configured to host a data processing agent for processing data from one or more automated analyzers, the device comprising: -Communication interface; - data storage; as well as - a processor coupled to the communication interface and the data memory; wherein the communication interface is configured to receive visual representation data of at least a display interface of the automated analyzer after the automated analyzer has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data of the display interface includes data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the analyzer; wherein the processor is configured to process the visual representation data to extract data relating to a result of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer and included in the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation; wherein the processor is configured to evaluate the data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data; and Wherein the processor is configured to store the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

13. A system for remote analyzer monitoring, the system comprising: - a computing device comprising a camera; - at least one automated analyzer of biological samples; - a device configured to host a data processing agent for processing data from said at least one automated analyzer; as well as a communication network configured to communicatively couple the computing device and the apparatus via a first communication channel, and the communication network configured to communicatively couple at least one automated analyzer and the apparatus via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel; wherein the computing device is configured to obtain, via the computing device, visual representation data of at least a display interface of the automated analyzer after the automated analyzer has performed a predefined operation, wherein the visual representation data of the display interface includes data associated with a result of the predefined operation performed by the analyzer; wherein the computing means and / or the apparatus is configured to process the visual representation data to extract data relating to a result of the predefined operation calculated by the automated analyzer and included in the visual representation data associated with the predefined operation; wherein the computing device and / or the apparatus is configured to evaluate the data associated with the predefined operation according to at least one evaluation criterion to thereby generate evaluation data; and Wherein the computing device and / or the apparatus is configured to store the evaluation data associated with the predefined operation.

14. The system for remote analyzer management according to claim 13, Wherein the computing device is configured to communicate the visual representation data to the apparatus via a side channel of the system, the side channel being distinct from a communication network that communicatively couples the computing device, the automated analyzer, and the apparatus.

15. A computer program element comprising machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a computer-implemented method as defined in one of claims 1 to 11.

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