Automatic Analyzer Calibration Status Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clinical laboratory automatic analyzers face challenges in efficiently managing the creation of calibration curves due to the need for multiple standard solutions, which increases user workload and makes it difficult to track the status of reagent measurements, leading to inconvenience and potential errors.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer is equipped with a GUI-based system that outputs measurement status information for each measurement item, including identification of completed, ongoing, and pending tasks, as well as residual time, allowing users to efficiently monitor and manage the measurement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple standard solutions are used to create a calibration curve, then measurement accuracy is improved, but user workload and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying residual time information and measurement status for each standard solution on a GUI screen. This allows users to monitor the calibration process without continuously checking the device, reducing workload while maintaining measurement accuracy through multiple standard solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that automatically manages the complex process of coordinating multiple standard solution measurements. It calculates and displays residual time information, relieving users from manually tracking each standard solution's status while ensuring accurate calibration curve creation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standard solutions are measured for different items, then measurement versatility is improved, but time management and tracking become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the calibration process by providing separate residual time information for each standard solution and each measurement item. This segmentation allows users to clearly understand the time requirements for each specific measurement task, making time management easier despite the versatility of measuring multiple items with multiple standard solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback on residual time for each standard solution and measurement item combination enables users to plan and manage their time effectively. The system continuously updates this information, allowing users to understand when each measurement will be completed without manual tracking.
3Loss of information
If residual time for each standard solution is displayed separately, then measurement status transparency is improved, but total time calculation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves as an intermediary that automatically calculates the total residual time based on the individual standard solution measurements. It handles the complexity of time calculation and coordination, while simply displaying both individual and total residual times to the user through the GUI, reducing the perceived complexity for the user.
Data Source
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AI summary
Before an automatic analyzer creates a calibration curve, standard solutions need to be set in the analyzer. It is not easy for an operator, however, to confirm an error in setting a standard solution or in requesting the setting of the standard solution. Neither is it easy for the operator to recognize the time up to the completion of creation of the calibration curve for each of desired measurement items. A control unit outputs measurement status information including the time up to the completion of creation of the calibration curve for each of the desired measurement items to a display unit, for example. The output/display of the calibration curve data measurement status for each of the item enables the operator to be aware of information on failure to set a standard solution or to request the setting of the standard solution and to recognize how long he or she will need to wait till the creation of the calibration curve begins. The operator can therefore know what can be done during the time to be away from apparatus, thereby improving job efficiency.