Technology to provide data packages to analytical devices

Abstract

To provide a hospital network or laboratory network including analytical devices for performing in-vitro diagnosis and a gateway.SOLUTION: In a system for distributing a data package, a laboratory network 27 sends a data package request including information on an analytical device 25 from a gateway 24 to a remote service platform 22 of a computer system 28, receives information on available data packages from the remote service platform, determines a selection of the available data packages downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the analytical devices in the network, requests the selection of the available data packages from the remote service platform, downloads the requested selection of the available data packages from the remote service platform, and provides it to the analytical devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for providing data packages of multiple analytical devices in a network. [Background technology]

[0002] There is an increasing need to integrate analytical devices, such as in vitro analyzers employed in hospital or laboratory environments, into a network environment, not only to aid in the control of the analytical device, but also to update or install software on the analyzer (or to relay other data packages to be "consumed" by the analytical device). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Given the number of analytical devices employed (as a whole) in different networks, the number of software or other data packages that must be distributed can be large. The number of data packages can further increase as the (control) software and functionality of the devices become more complex, which can also significantly increase the number and size of data packages relayed to the analytical devices. Furthermore, security patches and functionality updates can have to be provided relatively frequently.

[0004] As a result, the distribution and processing of data packages can be very complex and resource intensive. For example, in a typical large hospital network including a large number of analytical devices, a significant amount of network traffic can be generated due to data packages received by the analytical devices. Similarly, managing and distributing data packages for all analytical devices (e.g., tens of thousands or millions of analytical devices) by, for example, a remote system of the analytical device manufacturer, can require a significant amount of resources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one general aspect, the present invention relates to a hospital or laboratory network including a plurality of analytical devices for performing in-vitro diagnosis and a gateway connected to the analytical devices. The hospital or laboratory network is configured to send a data package request including information about the analytical devices from the gateway to a remote service platform, receive information about a plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform in response to the request, and determine at the gateway a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to a plurality of analytical devices in the network. The hospital or laboratory network is further configured to request a selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform, download the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform, and provide the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices to update data of the analytical devices. In some examples, the data package includes information used for the operation of the plurality of analytical devices for performing in-vitro diagnosis, such as configuration information for a particular test or assay, or information related to a particular consumable, such as a reagent, calibration material or quality control material, or other substance required to perform a test or assay on the analytical device.

[0006] In a further general aspect, the invention relates to a method for providing data packages for a plurality of analytical devices in a network of analytical devices including a gateway. The method includes the steps of: sending a data package request from a gateway of the network to a remote service platform, the data package request including information about analytical devices of the network; and receiving information about a plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform in response to the request. The method further includes the steps of determining, at the gateway, a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to a plurality of analytical devices in the network, requesting a selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform, and downloading the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform. The method further includes the steps of providing the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices for updating data of the plurality of analytical devices.

[0007] In a third general aspect, the invention relates to a method for providing data packages for a plurality of analytical devices in a network of analytical devices including a gateway, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a remote service platform, a data package request from a gateway of the network, the data package request including information regarding analytical devices of the network; transmitting, in response to the request, information regarding a plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform to the gateway; receiving, at the remote service platform, a request for a selection of a plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to a plurality of analytical devices in the network; and transmitting the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the gateway.

[0008] In a fourth general aspect, the present invention relates to a computer network including a plurality of analytical devices and a gateway connected to the plurality of analytical devices, the computer network being configured to perform the steps of the method of the first general aspect.

[0009] In a fifth general aspect, the present invention relates to a computer system including a remote service platform connected to a network, the network including a plurality of analytical devices and a gateway connected to the plurality of analytical devices, the remote service platform configured to perform the steps described in the method of the second general aspect.

[0010] The techniques of the first through fifth general aspects may have advantageous technical effects. First, the techniques of the first through fifth general aspects can enable management of analyzer configuration data at the network level of a network including the analyzers, for example at the network level of a hospital or laboratory (e.g., at a gateway of the network). In some prior art solutions, management of analyzer configuration data is done remotely and centrally for all analytical devices managed by a particular entity (e.g., a particular vendor of analytical devices). It should be understood that the number of devices can easily amount to tens or hundreds of thousands. This means that central management of configuration data for all such a large number of devices is difficult and resource intensive.

[0011] Secondly (related to the first aspect), the selection of data packages at the gateway (i.e. locally in the network where the analysis device resides) can be done on an on-demand basis which can reduce data traffic and resource requirements.

[0012] In relation to this aspect, the technique is scalable since additional networks including analytical devices, each with one or more gateways, can be added without significantly increasing the organizational and computational load on the remote service platform. This allows the system for distributing data packages to be more scalable. For example, doubling or tripling the number of analytical devices may not easily scale a centralized solution, since there may not be enough central-sized resources to manage the analytical devices. The technique of the present disclosure allows shifting (at least part of) the processing steps to the network including the analytical devices (e.g., a hospital network or a laboratory network).

[0013] Third, funneling data packages through a gateway can have various other advantages in some embodiments. On the one hand, data security can be improved because the gateway can constitute a defined entry point for data packages into the network. It can be easier to implement and enforce security measures for this defined entry point provided by the gateway.

[0014] Additionally, data traffic can be reduced because the gateway can organize the downloading of data packages in an efficient manner. For example, if a particular data package is required by more than one analysis device in the network, the gateway can download the data package only once. This can, in some embodiments, significantly reduce data traffic to the network.

[0015] Furthermore, the download and distribution of data packages can be conveniently scheduled and organized by using the gateway. For example, an analysis device with interrupted or irregular connectivity to an external network (e.g., a remote server) can be provided with data packages more reliably and efficiently by using the gateway. Furthermore, the gateway can be configured to enable intelligent and versatile distribution of data packages to the analysis devices. In some embodiments, the data packages can be loaded onto a removable medium and distributed in this form to (several) analysis devices of the network. In other embodiments, the gateway can schedule the distribution of the packages to avoid interference with the operation of the analysis devices or to improve the productivity of the analysis devices. For example, the data packages can be distributed during downtimes or times of reduced workload of the analysis devices.

[0016] The above features, in some embodiments, may be more difficult to implement when managing distribution of data packages centrally at a prior art remote service platform, or their implementation may cause a significant amount of additional workload at the remote service platform.

[0017] Finally, the data packages of each analytical device are immediately available after being downloaded to the gateway. In some prior art solutions, each device is provided with a data package by a remote service platform, so that a particular data package can be distributed in an expanded manner to multiple analytical devices. Distribution of data packages by the gateway to the devices can be more efficient, as it frequently occurs over a local area network with higher bandwidth.

[0018] In this disclosure, certain terms are used that have specific meanings. A "network" in this disclosure refers to a plurality of connected devices having data communication capabilities. The connected devices in a network can be designated as being managed by a particular organization. For example, a network can be a hospital network, a laboratory network, a network of a general practitioner's cabinet, or a pharmacy network. In some embodiments, a network can be comprised of a set of devices that form a logical group (e.g., a network of devices of a particular organization as defined above). Additionally or alternatively, the devices of a network can be located in a relatively close spatial relationship (e.g., a campus, a laboratory, or a hospital building). The devices of a network can be connected by a local area network. However, in other embodiments, the devices of a network can be located in two or more remote locations (e.g., two different sites of a hospital).

[0019] The terms "gateway" and "remote service platform" do not impose any limitations on specific hardware and software configurations. Rather, the gateway and remote service platform can be any computer system (having appropriate hardware and software) configured to provide the functionality defined in this disclosure. For example, the gateway and remote service platform can form part of more complex management software at on-premise and remote sites, respectively.

[0020] The term "install" (in the context of a data package) is not limited to any particular operation of modifying or updating the software of an analytical device. Rather, the term install encompasses any operation in which data contained in a data package is incorporated / placed in an analytical device (either directly or after a processing step such as unpacking or compiling). For example, a data package may contain information in some manner or form used for the operation of an analytical device. In this context, installing a data package may mean storing the information in a respective location to make it available to the analytical device. Further embodiments of how a data package may be installed in an analytical device are discussed below.

[0021] An "analytical device" or "analyzer" according to the present disclosure (the terms are used interchangeably in this disclosure) is an apparatus, usually at least partially automated, dedicated to performing an analytical function. In some embodiments, an analytical device or analyzer may be configured to perform an analysis of a sample (e.g., a sample for in vitro diagnostics). For example, the analytical device may be a clinical diagnostic system for performing an in vitro diagnostics.

[0022] The analyzer of the present disclosure may have different configurations depending on the need and / or the desired workflow. Additional configurations may be obtained by combining multiple devices and / or modules together. A "module" is a work cell, typically smaller in size than an entire analytical device, with a dedicated function. This function may be an analytical function, but also a pre-analytical or post-analytical function, or a supporting function for either a pre-analytical function, an analytical function or a post-analytical function. In particular, a module may be configured to cooperate with one or more other modules to perform a dedicated task of a sample processing workflow, for example by performing one or more pre-analytical and / or analytical and / or post-analytical steps.

[0023] In particular, an analytical device may contain one or more analytical modules designed to execute respective workflows optimized for a particular type of analysis. The analytical device may include one or more of clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, coagulation, hematology, and the like.

[0024] Thus, an analyzer may include one analytical module or a combination of such modules with their respective workflows, and pre-analytical and / or post-analytical modules may be combined into individual analytical modules or shared by several analytical modules. Alternatively, pre-analytical and / or post-analytical functions may be performed by units integrated into the analytical device. The analytical device may also include functional units such as liquid handling units for pipetting and / or pumping and / or mixing of samples and / or reagents and / or system fluids, as well as functional units for sorting, storage, transport, identification, separation and detection.

[0025] The term "sample" refers to biological material suspected of containing one or more analytes of interest, the detection of which may be related, qualitatively and / or quantitatively, to a particular condition (e.g., a clinical condition).

[0026] Samples can be obtained from any biological source, such as physiological fluids including blood, saliva, ocular lens fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, urine, milk, ascites, mucus, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, tissues, cells, etc. Samples may be pre-treated before use, such as preparing plasma from blood, diluting viscous fluids, lysing, etc., and processing methods may include filtration, centrifugation, distillation, concentration, inactivation of interfering components, addition of reagents. Samples may be used as obtained from the source, or may be used following a pre-treatment and / or sample preparation workflow to modify the characteristics of the sample, for example after adding an internal standard, diluting with another solution, or mixing with a reagent, for example to enable one or more in vitro diagnostic tests to be performed, or to concentrate (extract / separate / concentrate) the analyte of interest, and / or to remove matrix components that may interfere with the detection of the analyte of interest.

[0027] The term "sample" tends to be used to refer to a sample before sample preparation, while the term "prepared sample" is used to refer to a sample after sample preparation. If not specified, the term "sample" may generally refer to a sample before sample preparation, or a sample after sample preparation, or both. Examples of analytes of interest include vitamin D, drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs, hormones, and general metabolites. However, the list is not exhaustive.

[0028] In particular, the analytical device may include a sample pre-treatment station for automatic sample pre-treatment. A "sample pre-treatment station" is a pre-treatment module coupled to one or more analytical devices or units within an analytical device, designed to perform a series of sample treatment steps aimed at removing or at least reducing interfering matrix components in the sample and / or at concentrating analytes of interest in the sample. Such treatment steps may include any one or more of the following processing operations performed sequentially, in parallel or in a staggered manner on a sample or on a number of samples: pipetting (aspiration and / or dispensing) of fluids, drawing up of fluids, mixing with reagents, incubation at a certain temperature, heating or cooling, centrifugation, separation, filtration, sieving, drying, washing, resuspension, dispensing, transport, storage, etc.

[0029] "Consumables" are disposable items that are used and replenished periodically during operation of an analytical device. For example, consumables include reagents or other substances required to perform a test or assay on an analytical device. In other embodiments, consumables may include hardware (e.g., reaction vessels or other types of containers or instrument tips) that are used only once or a limited number of times.

[0030] A "reagent" is a substance used in the treatment of a sample, for example to prepare the sample for analysis, to allow a reaction to occur, or to allow the detection of a physical parameter of the sample or of an analyte contained in the sample. In particular, a reagent is a substance that is or contains a reactant, typically a compound or agent that can bind to or chemically convert, for example, one or more analytes present in the sample or unwanted matrix components of the sample. Examples of reactants include enzymes, enzyme substrates, conjugated dyes, protein-binding molecules, ligands, nucleic acid-binding molecules, antibodies, chelators, promoters, inhibitors, epitopes, antigens, and the like. However, the term reagent is used to include any fluid that can be added to a sample, including diluents including water or other solvents or buffers, or substances used to disrupt specific or non-specific binding of an analyte to a protein, binding protein, or surface.

[0031] Samples may be provided in sample containers, such as sample tubes, including primary and secondary tubes, or multi-well plates, or any other sample carrying support. Reagents may be arranged, for example, in the form of containers or cassettes containing individual reagents or groups of reagents and placed in appropriate receptacles or locations in a storage compartment or conveyor. Other types of reagents or system fluids may be provided in bulk containers or via line supplies.

[0032] Unless otherwise specified in the respective context, the term "about" in relation to the value of a parameter is meant to include a deviation of ±10% from the value specified in this disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a swim lane diagram illustrating a method for providing data packages for multiple analytical devices in a network of analytical devices including a gateway according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing elements of a system for distributing data packages of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] First, an overview of the technology of the present disclosure is provided with reference to Figure 1. Additional aspects of an embodiment of a system for distributing data packages of the present disclosure are discussed with reference to Figure 2. General Overview FIG. 1 is a swim lane diagram illustrating a method for providing data packages of multiple analytical devices in a network of analytical devices including a gateway according to the present disclosure.

[0035] As can be seen, FIG. 1 provides a separation between steps performed in a remote service platform (left), a gateway (center), and one analysis device (right). As can be seen, the teachings of the present disclosure may include modifications of one or more of the remote service platform, the gateway, and the analysis device. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to systems that include all three of these entities (or two selected entities), but rather is directed to each of the separate entities configured to perform each step of the present disclosure. For example, a gateway may be implemented to perform gateway-related steps of the present disclosure, but without necessarily being limited to a system that also includes a remote service platform.

[0036] Therefore, the techniques of this disclosure will be discussed later from different perspectives, starting with the gateway. As seen in the center column, the technique includes sending a data package request from a gateway of the network to a remote service platform, the data package request including information about analysis devices of the network 101. The technique further includes receiving information about a plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform in response to the request 104.

[0037] In other words, the techniques of the present disclosure may implement a pull scheme in which a data package request is first sent from a gateway of the network including the analysis device to the remote service platform, and not the other way around. However, this does not mean that there is no communication between the remote service platform and the gateway prior to the request. For example, the remote service platform may notify the gateway that there is a new data package periodically or upon the occurrence of a particular event. However, the remote service platform does not initiate the process of distributing the data package (i.e., there is no push mode distribution of data packages according to the present disclosure).

[0038] In a further step, the disclosed technique includes determining 105, at the gateway, a selection of multiple available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to multiple analysis devices in the network, and requesting 106 a selection of the multiple available data packages from the remote service platform.

[0039] In this way, the remote service platform does not have to do the "heavy lifting" of selecting data packages to be downloaded for further distribution to the analysis devices of a particular network. Rather, management of which data packages are needed (e.g., missing) can be done more extensively (more extensively) at the gateway (where selection of data packages may still involve a substantial amount of processing operations at the remote service platform, as described below).

[0040] The technique continues with downloading 109 the requested selection of the multiple available data packages from the remote service platform and providing 110 the requested selection of the multiple available data packages to the multiple analysis devices for updating data of the multiple analysis devices.

[0041] The different steps performed in the gateway are discussed in more detail below. The step of sending a request for the multiple applicable data packages 101 from the gateway can be triggered in several different ways. In some embodiments, the request is sent according to a particular schedule (e.g., periodically, such as once a day or once a week). In other embodiments, the sending is triggered upon request. For example, in some embodiments, an operator can trigger the sending of the request. Additionally or alternatively, the sending can be triggered by one or more events. These events can include one or more of a change in the configuration of one or more analytical devices of the network (e.g., adding a module to an analytical device or adding an assay to an analytical device) and adding one or more analytical devices to the network. Additionally, an event can be a data transmission from the remote service platform (e.g., a message indicating that a new data package is available).

[0042] In some embodiments, the information about the analysis device of the network included in the data package request may be part of the gateway configuration information or device configuration information.

[0043] The information about the analysis devices included in the request may include any information suitable for identifying a set of analysis devices within a network of analysis devices or a set of classes or types of analysis devices (e.g. a unique identifier for each analysis device or a unique identifier for each type or class of analysis device in the network).

[0044] For example, the information about the analytical device may include one or more of the following: information about the type of class of device, information about the geographic location of the network, information about the language of the network or analytical device, information about the software or hardware configuration of the analytical device, information about the installed consumables of the device (e.g., reagents, calibration / quality control materials), and information about the installed assays (test protocols). Additionally or alternatively, the information about the analytical device may include inventory information about data packages installed on one or more analytical devices.

[0045] In some examples, the gateway may maintain device configuration information for each of multiple analysis devices in the network (which may be transmitted (in whole or in part) as part of the data package request).

[0046] The information about the analysis devices may include device metadata for each analysis device. For example, the device metadata may include one or more of a device identifier, a gateway identifier that identifies a gateway to which the analysis device is connected, location metadata that identifies a location of the analysis device, language metadata that indicates a target language of the analysis device, and a module identifier that identifies one or more modules of the respective analysis device. In other embodiments, the device configuration information may include different types of device metadata.

[0047] The gateway may update information about an analysis device, for example, when a new data package is installed on a particular device or when another change in the configuration of a particular analysis device is made.

[0048] Additionally, the gateway configuration information may include information characterizing the gateway. The gateway configuration information may include one or more of a list of analysis devices connected to the gateway, a list of analysis device modules present in the gateway's network, location metadata identifying the gateway's location, and language metadata indicating the gateway's language setting. The gateway may update the gateway configuration information, for example, when a new data package is distributed, when a set of analysis devices or modules is changed, or when other configurations or settings in the network are changed.

[0049] In other embodiments, device information is additionally maintained in a remote service platform or other centralized repository. The determination of the selection of available packages may occur in one of several ways (or include a combination of several means).

[0050] In some embodiments, the step of determining a selection of the plurality of available data packages includes determining which data packages are required for a plurality of analytical devices in the network. The required data packages may be data packages that are missing for each of the plurality of analytical devices in the network.

[0051] The gateway can evaluate information about the plurality of available data packages received from the remote service platform (e.g., a list of available data packages). This can include comparing the available data packages to a list of data packages installed on the analysis device (e.g., a list of data packages installed on each of the analysis devices of the network). Based on this comparison operation, the gateway can determine a selection of the data package.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, determining which data packages are required may involve evaluating one or more rules defined in the gateway. The nature of the rules may be very broad.

[0053] In some embodiments, the rules are user-defined. Additionally or alternatively, the rules may define one or more requirements for the data packages. For example, the requirements may relate to one or more of the sources of the data packages. Additionally or alternatively, the requirements may relate to a network location (e.g., region or country). Additionally or alternatively, the requirements may be a language requirement.

[0054] The selection of the multiple available data packages may include less than all of the data packages. In some embodiments, the selection may include substantially less than all of the data packages (e.g., less than 50% or less than 10% of all of the data packages). In this manner, the gateway can use available information about the analysis devices of its network to reduce the number of data packages that must be downloaded from the remote service platform.

[0055] The step of downloading the data packages is discussed next. In some embodiments, each data package is downloaded only once by the gateway, regardless of the number of analytical devices in the network where the data package is to be installed. In this context, the expression "each data package" refers to different types of data packages. For example, an analytical device of a certain type may be present multiple times in a network (e.g., a hospital network or a laboratory network). At a certain point in time, a certain data package is distributed to each of multiple analytical devices of the same type. The data package may then be downloaded only once by the gateway (and then relayed to multiple analytical devices). In some prior art systems, each analytical device may provide its respective data package individually (e.g., from a remote server, which may increase data traffic).

[0056] In some embodiments, the selection of the available data packages is received from the remote services platform as a batch. Alternatively, the selection of the data packages may be received in batches or one at a time.

[0057] After the data packages are received at the gateway, a selection of the data packages are distributed to the analysis devices 110. In some embodiments, this involves scheduling at the gateway the distribution of a selection of the received available data packages to the analysis devices according to one or more rules.

[0058] For example, the rules may include rules that enforce a staggered distribution of data packages to analysis devices of the same type to ensure that at least one device of that type is available at a given time.

[0059] For example, a type of analytical device may be an analytical device providing a specific analytical function (e.g. a specific assay or in vitro or on-body test). The gateway can ensure that at each point in time in the network (e.g. a hospital network or a laboratory network) at least one of these devices is available by scheduling the distribution of data packages to the analytical devices in a staggered manner. In this way, interference with the operation of the devices due to the installation or post-installation of each data package can be avoided. In some embodiments, the data packages are distributed in a non-overlapping manner to analytical devices of the same type.

[0060] Additionally or alternatively, the rules may include rules for scheduling distribution to the analysis devices taking into account idleness and / or workload of the analysis devices. For example, the data packages may be distributed overnight or during off-time of the fluoroscopic analysis devices. Additionally or alternatively, the data packages may be distributed when the workload of the analysis devices is low (e.g., when the respective analysis devices are idle).

[0061] In other embodiments, distribution of the data package to the analysis device may be triggered by a data package request from the analysis device (i.e. pull mode instead of push mode where distribution is triggered by the gateway).

[0062] The main steps of the method for providing a data package of a plurality of analytical devices have been described above, further aspects of these steps are discussed below (particularly in the context of FIG. 2). Further steps The method of providing a data package of a plurality of analytical devices may include several further steps.

[0063] In some embodiments, the gateway can update 114 device configuration information (or inventory information) after providing the data package selection to the analysis devices in the network. This may include an installation confirmation that confirms that each data package has been installed on a particular analysis device. In some embodiments, each analysis device sends 112 an installation confirmation to the gateway.

[0064] In a further embodiment, the gateway can transmit the device configuration information (or a processed version thereof), or the inventory information, to a remote location (not shown in FIG. 1 ), which may be the location of the supplier or vendor of the data package (e.g. the supplier of the analytical device and / or a service operator involved in servicing and maintaining the analytical device).

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the gateway may provide information indicative of the received selection of a plurality of available data packages to a remote location (not shown in FIG. 1 ), which may be the location of a supplier or distributor of the data packages (e.g., a supplier of the analytical device and / or a service operator involved in servicing and maintaining the analytical device).

[0066] In this manner, the gateway can make information collected at the gateway accessible to other entities that can use it for the development or distribution of data packages or analytical devices, or other functions related to the operation of the analytical devices.

[0067] Technology from the perspective of remote service platforms FIG. 1 also illustrates a method for providing data packages of multiple analytical devices from the perspective of a remote service platform (left side).

[0068] As mentioned above, the present disclosure also relates to a technique implemented in a remote service platform. Even if the remote service platform communicates with a gateway in the technique of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also relates to the remote service platform and the method implemented therein.

[0069] Returning to FIG. 1, the remote service platform receives 102 a request for a data package from a gateway of the network that includes information about analysis devices of the network.

[0070] In response to the request, the remote service platform transmits information regarding the plurality of available data packages to the gateway 103. In a further step, the remote service platform receives a request for a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analysis devices in the network. The remote service platform then transmits the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the gateway 108.

[0071] Many aspects of these steps have already been discussed above in relation to the operation of the gateway performing send operations that potentially correspond to receive operations at the remote service platform, and vice versa. The features discussed above may also be employed at the remote service platform. Accordingly, the discussion that follows will focus on particular aspects of the remote service platform.

[0072] In some embodiments, the remote service platform may use information about the analysis devices of the network (which may be any of the information discussed above) to select 113 a number of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform.

[0073] This may include processing data package metadata received from a data package source (not shown in FIG. 1, but described in more detail below) and information about the analysis devices of the network to select a number of available data packages. The remote service platform may compare the data package metadata with corresponding information about the analysis devices received with the data package request and select the data packages that match the information about the analysis devices.

[0074] For example, the data package metadata received from the data package source may include metadata specifying a language of the data package or a target geographic location, If the information about the analysis device specifies that the preferred language of the analysis device is English, then the remote services platform may select only data packages intended for the analysis device whose preferred language is English.

[0075] In some embodiments, the remote services platform can filter already installed data packages based on inventory information received from the gateway.

[0076] In other embodiments, the remote service platform can filter packages for analytical devices or types of analytical devices, or analytical devices having a particular configuration that are actually present in the network. For example, a particular network may not contain analytical devices with a particular assay installed. In such a situation, the remote service platform can filter data packages for this particular assay.

[0077] In this way, the information regarding available data packages may already include a particular selection of data packages selected based on information received from the gateway regarding a particular analysis device of the network.

[0078] Technology from the perspective of analytical devices As shown in Figure 1, the analysis device receives the data package 111. In some embodiments, the analysis device may be fully or partially agnostic to the implementation specifics of the gateways and remote service platforms involved in distributing the data package. In other embodiments, the analysis device may perform certain steps in addition to receiving the data package.

[0079] For example, the analysis device may pull data packages from the gateway and / or set a time for transmitting data packages from the gateway, hi other embodiments, the analysis device may provide information to the gateway (e.g., regarding the state of the device, such as workload) to enable the gateway to schedule distribution of data packages.

[0080] Additionally or alternatively, as described above, the analysis device may send an installation confirmation 112 to the gateway when installation of one or more data packages is complete.

[0081] In the previous section, aspects of the method for providing data packages of multiple analytical devices in a network have been discussed. In the subsequent sections, further details regarding the data packages and systems for performing the disclosed methods of pre-configuration are discussed.

[0082] Aspects Related to Data Packages In the preceding sections, data packages have been discussed in a fairly abstract manner. Indeed, the techniques of this disclosure are not limited to any particular type of data package. However, some exemplary data packages that may be distributed using the techniques of this disclosure are discussed in subsequent sections.

[0083] In some embodiments, the data package is a software package for the analytical analyzer (or a module thereof). For example, the software package may modify or update existing software or software modules of the analytical device (e.g., a new version of the software or software modules of the analytical device). For example, the data package may include bug fixes or other error fixes for the software of the analytical device.

[0084] In other embodiments, the data package may include new software or software modules for the analytical device (i.e. to initiate the initial installation of the software or software modules).

[0085] In general, a data package may include any software components necessary to configure or update any software running on the analysis device. In yet other embodiments, the data package may include configuration information (e.g., a configuration file) for the analysis device. In general, configuration information may include any information used to configure or change the settings of the analysis device.

[0086] For example, the configuration information may include configuration information for a particular test or assay. In yet another example, the data package may include information related to a particular consumable (e.g., information about a reagent / reagent lot or another type of consumable or consumable lot, such as calibration or quality control materials). This information may also be considered as configuration information for the analytical device.

[0087] In other embodiments, the data package may include configuration information such as language data (or other data that can be used to modify the setup of the analysis device in a particular way). In yet other embodiments, the data package may include documentation relating to the analytical device or components thereof (eg, an operator's manual in a particular language).

[0088] System Setup of a Specific Embodiment In the previous section, many details of the methods of the present disclosure have been discussed in some detail. In the subsequent section, aspects of systems for carrying out these methods are discussed in more detail in the context of FIG.

[0089] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing elements of a system for distributing data packages of the present disclosure. 2, a computer network 27 (corresponding to the network including analytical devices described above) includes a number of analytical devices 25 and a gateway 24 connected to the number of analytical devices 25. The computer network 27 is configured (i.e., connected to the gateway 24 and the analytical devices 25) to perform steps of the techniques described in this disclosure.

[0090] 2 also illustrates a computer system 28 including a remote service platform 22 connected to a network 27. The remote service platform 22 may be configured to perform steps of the methods described in this disclosure in connection with the remote service platform 22.

[0091] In some embodiments, as described above, the network 27 may be (or may be part of) a hospital network, a laboratory network, a general practice network, or a pharmacy network. The analysis device 25 may include any one of the analysis devices described above (in any combination and in any number of units).

[0092] In the preceding sections, no sub-structure of the gateway 25 and the remote service platform 22 has been discussed. In fact, the gateway and the remote service platform may be considered as black boxes in some embodiments, i.e., their respective internal structures may take various forms, so long as this internal structure is configured to perform the steps of the methods described in this disclosure.

[0093] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the remote service platform 22 includes a package management module 29 and a gateway communication module 30. Furthermore, the remote service platform 22 is connected to a data package source 21. The data package source 21 is an entity that provides the remote service platform 22 with a data package 23, which is then distributed by the remote service platform 22 and the gateway 24. In some embodiments, the data package source 21 may be a supplier of the analytical device and / or a service operator involved in servicing and maintaining the analytical device. In yet other embodiments, the data package source 21 may be a third party that provides the software and / or hardware used in the analytical device. The data package source 21 is an abstract computer system that can communicate with the remote service platform (e.g., via an Internet connection). In some embodiments, the remote service platform 22 may be connected to multiple data package sources 21. In still other embodiments, the remote service platform 22 itself may include the data package source 21 and / or act as the data package source 21.

[0094] The package management module 29 can keep track of all available data packages coming from one or more sources, and can process data package requests received from the gateway 24 and perform steps to select available data packages for a particular set of analysis devices 25 as described in the present disclosure.

[0095] The gateway communications module 30 may handle receiving all requests from the gateway 24 and provide information and data packages 23 to the gateway 24 as described in this disclosure.

[0096] The gateway 24 includes a package router module 26 configured to handle data package distribution steps to the analysis devices in accordance with the present disclosure. In different embodiments, the remote service platform 22 and / or the gateway 24 may include different or additional modules as compared to the modules shown in Figure 2. Although a particular setup of the gateway 24 and the remote service platform 22 may be advantageous, the setup can be varied as long as the gateway 24 and the remote service platform 22 are capable of performing the steps of the techniques of this disclosure.

[0097] Both entities may be embodied in any shape or form suitable for this purpose. For example, the remote service platform 22 may be located on a remote server and / or in the cloud. The remote service platform 22 may be a standalone entity or may be part of a more complex software solution that also provides other functions. Similarly, the gateway 24 may be part of a network management software (e.g., hospital management software or laboratory management software) of the network 27. In other embodiments, the gateway 24 may be part of management software for managing multiple analytical devices.

[0098] The same is true for the configuration of communication connections between the remote service platform 22 and the gateway 24, and between the gateway 24 and the analysis device 25. These network connections can be any communication connections that allow for the transmission and reception of information and data packages as described herein. In one embodiment, the gateway 24 is connected to the remote service platform 22 via the Internet. The network 27 can be a local area network in some examples.

[0099] 2 also illustrates steps (labeled (1) through (7)) of the method technique for providing a data package described above, some of which are discussed in more detail below.

[0100] In particular, as discussed above, a data package source 21 may provide a data package 23 for the analysis device (steps (1) and (1)a). In some examples, this may include receiving a particular data package 23 in a first step (1). Data package metadata may be received separately in a second step (1)a. For a particular data package, different (or updated) data package metadata may be received at multiple different times. For example, a new data package may be released by the data package source 21 and sent to the remote service platform 22. At multiple later times, the data package metadata may be sent to the remote service platform (e.g., when a data package is released for a particular geographic region, a particular analytical device or class of analytical devices, etc.).

[0101] Steps (2), (3), (4) and (7) correspond to the steps discussed in greater detail in connection with requesting the data package 23 from the gateway 24, downloading the data package to the gateway 24 and distributing the data package 23 to the analysis device 25.

[0102] Steps (5) and (6) are optional additional steps that are discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, distribution of the data package 23 to the analysis device may occur according to a similar schema as discussed for the provision of the data package 23 from the remote service platform 22 to the gateway 24, with the gateway 24 then assuming the role of the remote service platform and the analysis device 25 assuming the role of the gateway. The features mentioned above and described below in this context are equally applicable to requests for data packages by the analysis device 25 or a group of analysis devices.

[0103] In particular, the distribution of data packages can occur in an "upon request"-mode, where a specific analysis device 25 or a group of analysis devices initiates the data package distribution process. For example, the analysis device 25 can send a data package request to the gateway 24 (step (5)). Additionally or alternatively, the gateway 24 can send information about a number of available data packages for the analysis device 25 in response to the request (step (6)). The analysis device 25 can then determine a selection of the number of available data packages 23 to be downloaded from the gateway 24 specific to the analysis device 25 and request a selection of the number of available data packages from the gateway 24.

[0104] However, in other embodiments, distribution of the data packages may be performed in push mode, i.e. the gateway 24 initiates distribution of the data packages 23 to the analysis device 25. Aspects of this push mode were described above in relation to FIG.

[0105] Exemplary embodiments involving distribution of information regarding calibration materials (or other reagents or consumables) In one embodiment, the techniques of the present disclosure can be used to provide a data package containing information about calibration materials to a particular analytical device for performing in vitro diagnostics within a network.

[0106] The information may be requested from a gateway of the network of the present disclosure and provided to a particular analytical device for performing in vitro diagnostics within the network. In some examples, multiple analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics may require multiple calibration materials, each associated with a particular function (e.g., a particular test or assay, a particular measurement type, or other function) of each analytical device for performing in vitro diagnostics. In some examples, different calibration materials may also be required to calibrate the analytical device for different concentration levels of each analyte.

[0107] A calibration material can provide information specific to a particular calibration material or to many calibration materials. The information can include one or more files (e.g., pdf files). This information can vary from material to material and / or from lot to lot.

[0108] In some examples, the calibration material may provide calibration values ​​indicative of expected measurement results when processing the calibration device with a particular analytical device for performing in vitro diagnostics (e.g., performing a particular test or procedure with the analytical device for performing in vitro diagnostics). These values ​​may be lot-specific or sample-specific. When using the techniques of the present disclosure, the calibration values ​​may be made available to the particular analytical device for performing in vitro diagnostics of the network operating with each lot.

[0109] In some examples, a particular calibration material or a particular lot of calibration material can be processed by multiple analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics of the network. The techniques of the present disclosure, as discussed in this disclosure, can in some examples allow for more flexible and efficient management of the download of this information. In particular, information about a particular calibration material or lot of calibration material can be downloaded only once (and then distributed to multiple analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics of the network that require the respective information). When a new calibration material or lot of calibration material is provided, the techniques of the present disclosure can only allow for the download of information about the new calibration material or lot of calibration material.

[0110] In some prior art systems, the management of information about calibration materials is provided in a batch operation that requires transmitting information about all possible lots of calibration materials. Even though the information is provided in relatively small files (e.g., pdf files), a large number of calibration materials and / or lots can result in a data volume of significant size (e.g., in the terabyte range). Processing data volumes of this size can result in significant resource requirements (e.g., of network connections used to download the data, but also to distribute the data within a laboratory or hospital network that includes analytical devices and storage resources for performing in vitro diagnostics). When using the techniques of the present disclosure, in some instances, the resource requirements can be reduced. For example, if a single new lot of a particular calibration material becomes available, only the information for this lot can be downloaded and distributed.

[0111] The techniques described above for quality control materials can be similarly applied to process information for other reagents or consumables used in operating analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics.

[0112] Further Aspects Some aspects of the techniques for providing data packages of the present disclosure have been discussed in the preceding sections. In addition, the techniques for providing data packages of the present disclosure may also be implemented according to the following aspects:

[0113] 1. A method for providing data packages for a plurality of analytical devices in a network of analytical devices including a gateway, comprising: sending a data package request from the gateway of the network to a remote service platform, the data package request including information about the analysis devices of the network; receiving information regarding a plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform in response to the request; determining, at the gateway, a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analytical devices in the network; requesting the selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; downloading the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; providing the requested selection of the available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices for updating data of the plurality of analytical devices; A method comprising:

[0114] 2. The method of aspect 1, wherein the selection of the plurality of available data packages is received from the remote service platform as a batch. 3. The method of aspect 1 or 2, wherein the step of determining a selection of the plurality of available data packages comprises determining which data packages are required for the plurality of analytical devices in the network.

[0115] 4. The method of aspect 3, wherein the step of determining which data packages are required comprises the step of determining which data packages are missing for each analysis device of the plurality of analysis devices in the network.

[0116] 5. The method of aspect 3 or 4, wherein the step of determining which data packages are required comprises evaluating one or more rules defined in the gateway.

[0117] 6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the rules are user-defined. 7. The method of aspect 5 or 6, wherein the rules define one or more requirements for the data packages, and optionally the requirements relate to one or more sources of the data packages.

[0118] 8. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein each data package is downloaded by the gateway only once, regardless of the number of analytical devices in the network on which the data package is to be installed.

[0119] 9. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the receiving of the data package is scheduled at a predetermined time or occurs upon receiving a message. 10. The method further comprises the step of maintaining device configuration information of the plurality of analysis devices at the gateway. 10. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9.

[0120] 11. The method further comprising the step of: using the device configuration information to select the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform. The method according to embodiment 10.

[0121] 12. After receiving the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform, and optionally after installing the data packages on the analysis device, further comprising updating the device configuration information at the gateway. 12. The method according to embodiment 10 or 11.

[0122] 13. The method further includes providing the updated device configuration list to a remote location, optionally the remote location being a location of a vendor of the data package. The method according to embodiment 12.

[0123] 14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing information indicative of the received selection of the plurality of available data packages to a remote location, optionally the remote location being a location of a vendor of the data packages. 14. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13.

[0124] 15. The method further comprising: at the gateway, scheduling distribution of the received selection of the plurality of available data packages to the plurality of analysis devices according to one or more data package selection or data package distribution rules. 15. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14.

[0125] 16. The method of aspect 15, wherein the rules include a rule that enforces a staggered distribution of data packages to analytical devices of the same type to ensure that at least one device of that type is available at a given time.

[0126] 17. The method of aspect 15, wherein the rules include rules for scheduling distribution to the analysis devices taking into account idleness and / or workload of the analysis devices.

[0127] 18. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 17, wherein the plurality of analytical devices comprises one or more devices for performing in vitro diagnostics, IT system devices, or research analytical devices.

[0128] 19. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 18, wherein the network of analytical devices is part of a hospital network, a laboratory network, a general practice network, or a pharmacy network.

[0129] 20. A method according to any one of aspects 1 to 19, wherein the step of sending a request for multiple applicable data packages from a gateway of the network including the multiple analytical devices to a remote service platform is triggered based on a schedule, on demand, or upon receipt of a message from the remote service platform.

[0130] 21. The remote service platform further includes evaluating information about the analysis device to select information about a plurality of available data packages to the gateway. 21. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20.

[0131] 22. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 21, wherein the information about the analytical device includes one or more of the following: information about a class type of the analytical device, information about a geographical location of the network, information about a software or hardware configuration of the analytical device, information about a language of the network or the analytical device, information about installed consumables of the analytical device such as reagents, calibration / quality control materials, and information about installed analytical tests (test protocols).

[0132] 23. The method of aspect 21 or 22, wherein the remote service platform filters already installed packages based on information about the analysis device.

[0133] 24. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 23, wherein the selection of the plurality of available data packages includes less than all of the data packages. 25. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 24, wherein each data package includes a software update for one of the plurality of analytical devices.

[0134] 26. A method for providing data packages for a plurality of analytical devices in a network of analytical devices including a gateway, comprising: receiving, at a remote service platform, a request for a data package from the gateway of the network, the data package including information regarding the analysis devices of the network; sending, from the remote services platform to the gateway, information regarding a plurality of available data packages in response to the request; receiving, at the remote service platform, a request for a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analytical devices in the network; sending the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the gateway; A method comprising:

[0135] 27. A computer network comprising: A plurality of analytical devices; a gateway connected to the plurality of analysis devices; Including, The computer network is configured to perform the steps of any one of aspects 1 to 25. Computer network.

[0136] 28. A computer system including a remote service platform connected to a network, the computer system including a plurality of analysis devices and a gateway connected to the plurality of analysis devices; The computer system is configured to perform the steps of the method of claim 26. Computer system.

[0137] 29. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform the steps of the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 26.

[0138] 30. A hospital or laboratory network comprising a plurality of analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics and a gateway connected to said plurality of analytical devices, The hospital network or the laboratory network, Sending a data package request from the gateway to a remote service platform, the data package request including information about the analysis device; receiving information regarding a plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform in response to the request; determining, at the gateway, a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analytical devices in the network; requesting the selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; downloading the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; providing the requested selection of the available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices for updating data of the plurality of analytical devices; It is configured as follows: A hospital network or a laboratory network.

[0139] 31. A hospital or laboratory network as described in aspect 30, wherein the data package contains information used to operate the plurality of analytical devices. 32. The hospital or laboratory network of aspect 31 or 32, wherein the data package includes configuration information for a particular test or assay, or information relating to a particular consumable.

[0140] 33. The hospital or laboratory network according to aspect 32, wherein the consumables are reagents, calibration or quality control materials, or other substances required to perform a test or assay on the analytical device.

[0141] 34. The hospital or laboratory network of any one of aspects 30 to 33, wherein the data package includes information regarding a particular reagent lot. 35. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 34, wherein the information relating to the analytical device includes information relating to consumables installed on the analytical device, and optionally the consumables are reagents, calibration materials or quality control materials.

[0142] 36. Maintaining device configuration information of the plurality of analysis devices in the gateway; using the device configuration information to select the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote services platform; The method further comprises: Optionally, updating (114) the device configuration information at the gateway after receiving the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform, and optionally after installing the data packages on the analysis device;

[0033] 36. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 35.

[0143] 37. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 36, wherein the step of determining a selection of the plurality of available data packages comprises determining which data packages are required for the plurality of analytical devices in the network, and optionally, determining which data packages are required comprises determining which data packages are missing for each analytical device of the plurality of analytical devices in the network.

[0144] 38. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 37, wherein each data package is downloaded by the gateway only once, regardless of the number of analytical devices in the network on which the data package is to be installed.

[0145] 39. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 38, wherein the reception of the data package is scheduled at a predetermined time or occurs upon receipt of a message.

[0146] 40. Providing to a remote location information indicative of the received selection of the plurality of available data packages. The method further comprises: Optionally, said remote location is a location of a vendor of said data packages. 40. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 39.

[0147] 41. At the gateway, scheduling distribution of the received selection of the plurality of available data packages to the plurality of analysis devices according to one or more data package selection or data package distribution rules; The method further comprises: Optionally, said rules include rules for enforcing a staggered distribution of data packages to analytical devices of the same type to ensure that at least one device of that type is available at a given time, and / or include rules for scheduling distribution to said analytical devices taking into account idleness and / or workload of said analytical devices; A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of aspects 30 to 40.

[0148] 42. A method for providing a data package of a plurality of analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics in a hospital or laboratory network of analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics, comprising a gateway, the method comprising: sending a data package request from the gateway of the network to a remote service platform, the data package request including information about an analysis device; receiving information regarding a plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform in response to the request; determining, at the gateway, a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analytical devices in the network; requesting the selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; downloading the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; providing the requested selection of the available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices for updating data of the plurality of analytical devices; A method comprising:

[0149] 43. A method for providing a data package of a plurality of analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics in a hospital or laboratory network of analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics, comprising a gateway, the method comprising: receiving, at a remote service platform, a data package request from the gateway of the network, the data package request including information about the analysis device; sending, from the remote services platform to the gateway, information regarding a plurality of available data packages in response to the request; receiving, at the remote service platform, a request for a selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analytical devices in the network; sending the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the gateway; A method comprising:

[0150] 44. A computer system including a remote service platform connected to a network including a plurality of analytical devices and a gateway connected to the plurality of analytical devices, The computer system includes a remote service platform configured to execute the steps of the method described in aspect 43. Computer system.

[0151] 45. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform the steps of the method of any one of aspects 43 or 44.

[0152] Computer implementation Further disclosed and proposed is a computer program comprising computer executable instructions for performing the method according to the present disclosure in one or more embodiments contained herein when the program is executed on a computer or computer network. In particular, the computer program may be stored on a computer readable data carrier. In another example, the computer program may be a cloud-based computer program. Thus, in particular, one, two or more, or all of the method steps as disclosed herein may be performed using a computer or computer network, preferably using a computer program.

[0153] Also disclosed and proposed is a computer program product having a program code for performing the method according to the present disclosure in one or more embodiments contained herein when the program is executed on a computer or a computer network. In particular, the program code may be stored on a computer readable data carrier.

[0154] Further disclosed and suggested is a data carrier having a data structure stored thereon, which may, after being loaded into a computer or a computer network, e.g. a working memory or a main memory of the computer or computer network, perform a method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0155] Further disclosed and proposed is a computer program product having a program code stored on a machine-readable carrier for performing a method according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein when the program is executed on a computer or computer network. As used herein, a computer program product refers to a program as a tradeable product. The product may generally be present in any form, such as a paper form, or on a computer-readable data carrier. In particular, the computer program product may be distributed over a data network.

[0156] Also disclosed and suggested is a modulated data signal containing instructions readable by a computer system or computer network for carrying out a method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0157] With reference to computer-implemented aspects of the present disclosure, one or more, or even all, method steps of a method according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be performed using a computer or a computer network. Thus, in general, any of the method steps including providing and / or manipulating data may be performed using a computer or a computer network (e.g., a cloud-based computer network). In general, these method steps may include any method steps, except for method steps that typically require manual labor, such as certain aspects of providing a sample and / or performing a measurement.

[0158] Further disclosed and proposed is a computer, or a computer network, including at least one processor, the processor adapted to execute a method according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0159] Further disclosed and proposed is a computer-loadable data structure adapted to perform a method according to one of the embodiments described herein while the data structure is executed on a computer.

[0160] Further disclosed and suggested is a storage medium, a data structure being stored on the storage medium, the data structure being adapted to perform a method according to one of the embodiments described herein after being loaded into a main and / or working storage of a computer or computer network.

Claims

1. A hospital or laboratory network comprising a number of analytical devices (25) for carrying out in vitro diagnostics and a gateway (24) connected to said analytical devices, The hospital network or the laboratory network, Sending (101) a data package request including information about the analysis device from the gateway to a remote service platform (22); receiving (104) information regarding a plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform in response to the request; determining (105) at the gateway a selection of the available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the analytical devices within the hospital network or the laboratory network; Requesting (106) the selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; downloading (109) the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; providing (110) the requested selection of the available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices for updating data of the plurality of analytical devices; It is configured as follows: A hospital network or a laboratory network.

2. The hospital or laboratory network of claim 1 , wherein the data packages contain information used to operate the plurality of analytical devices.

3. 3. A hospital or laboratory network according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data packages include configuration information for a particular test or assay, or information relating to a particular consumable.

4. 4. The hospital or laboratory network of claim 3, wherein the consumables are reagents, calibration or quality control materials, or other substances required to perform a test or assay on the analytical device.

5. 5. A hospital or laboratory network according to claim 1, wherein the data package includes information relating to a particular reagent lot.

6. 6. A hospital or laboratory network according to claim 1, wherein the information about the analytical device comprises information about installed consumables of the analytical device, optionally the consumables being reagents, calibration materials or quality control materials.

7. maintaining device configuration information of the plurality of analysis devices in the gateway; using the device configuration information to select the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote services platform; The method further comprises: Optionally, updating (114) the device configuration information at the gateway after receiving the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote service platform, and optionally after installing the data packages on the analysis device; It is configured as follows: A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. 8. The hospital or laboratory network of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a selection of the plurality of available data packages comprises determining which data packages are required for the plurality of analytical devices in the hospital or laboratory network, and optionally, determining which data packages are required comprises determining which data packages are missing for each analytical device of the plurality of analytical devices in the hospital or laboratory network.

9. 9. A hospital or laboratory network according to claim 1, wherein each data package is downloaded by the gateway only once, regardless of the number of analytical devices in the hospital or laboratory network on which the data package is to be installed.

10. 10. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the reception of the data packages is scheduled at a predefined time or occurs upon receipt of a message.

11. providing to a remote location information indicative of the received selection of the plurality of available data packages. The method further comprises: Optionally, said remote location is a location of a vendor of said data packages. A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. scheduling, at the gateway, a distribution of the received selection of the plurality of available data packages to the plurality of analysis devices according to one or more data package selection or data package distribution rules; The method further comprises: Optionally, said rules include rules for enforcing a staggered distribution of data packages to analytical devices of the same type to ensure that at least one device of said type is available at a given time, and / or rules for scheduling distribution to said analytical devices taking into account idleness and / or workload of said analytical devices, A hospital or laboratory network according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A method for providing a data package (23) of a plurality of analytical devices (25) for performing in vitro diagnostics in a hospital or laboratory network (27) of analytical devices (25) for performing in vitro diagnostics, comprising a gateway (24), the method comprising: sending (101) a data package request from the gateway of the hospital network or the laboratory network to a remote service platform (22) containing information about the analytical device; receiving (104) information regarding a plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform in response to the request; determining (105) at the gateway a selection of the available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the analytical devices in the hospital network or the laboratory network; requesting (106) the selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; downloading (109) the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages from the remote services platform; providing (110) the requested selection of the available data packages to the plurality of analytical devices for updating data of the plurality of analytical devices; A method comprising:

14. A method for providing a data package of a plurality of analytical devices for performing in vitro diagnostics in a hospital or laboratory network (27) of analytical devices (25) including a gateway (24), comprising: receiving (102) a request for a data package from the gateway of the hospital network or the laboratory network in a remote service platform (22), the request including information about the analytical device (25); sending (103) from said remote services platform to said gateway information relating to a number of available data packages in response to said request; receiving (107) at the remote service platform a request for selection of the plurality of available data packages to be downloaded from the remote service platform specific to the plurality of analytical devices within the hospital network or the laboratory network; sending (108) the requested selection of the plurality of available data packages to the gateway; A method comprising:

15. A computer system (28) including a remote service platform (22) connected to a network including a plurality of analytical devices and a gateway connected to the plurality of analytical devices, The computer system includes a remote service platform configured to perform the steps of the method recited in claim 14. Computer system.

16. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 13 or 14.

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