Analyzer Display Layout for Detecting PMA Precision Drift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laboratory instruments lack a means to display patient moving average (PMA) results based on actual measured values without requiring multiple screens, leading to subtle precision declines that may not be easily detected, affecting the accuracy of test results.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface that displays PMA data in a unique grid format within a vertically-extending graph, with flagged data points and trend lines to quickly assess instrument functionality and predict future trends, allowing for early detection of precision issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional display methods are used to show quality control parameters, then multiple screens are required to display PMA results, but this makes it difficult to quickly detect subtle precision declines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability of precision declinesVSAvoidnumber of screens required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple quality control parameters and PMA results into a single integrated display interface. The graphical user interface merges trend data, quality control parameters, and patient moving average results into one unified view, eliminating the need for multiple separate screens while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the display from a multi-screen format to a single-screen graphical interface that uses visual dimensions (graphs, trend lines, color coding) to represent data that would otherwise require multiple textual screens. This dimensional transformation allows comprehensive quality control information to be displayed simultaneously in one view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple screens are used to display quality control data, then comprehensive data can be shown, but user productivity and ease of operation decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of quality control data displayedVSAvoidspeed of assessing instrument performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges comprehensive quality control data including trend information, quality control parameters, and patient moving average results into a single integrated display. This consolidation maintains the quantity of information while dramatically improving accessibility and assessment speed through a unified graphical interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses color coding and visual indicators to highlight important quality control information and trends. This visual encoding allows users to quickly grasp the state of instrument performance without reading through extensive numerical data, thereby maintaining comprehensive information display while improving assessment speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If conventional quality control monitoring is used, then basic parameters are tracked, but subtle precision declines are not easily detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of test resultsVSAvoiddetectability of precision issues
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback through graphical trend displays that show quality control parameters and patient moving average results over time. This visual feedback mechanism enables operators to detect subtle precision declines early by observing trends rather than relying on discrete threshold alerts, thereby maintaining higher reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary detection of precision issues through continuous graphical monitoring of trends before they become significant problems. By displaying patient moving average results and quality control parameters in real-time graphs, the system allows operators to take corrective action before test result accuracy is compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3847627B1Instrument analyzers, data displays, and display methods
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC
  • EP3847627B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3847627B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3847627B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A data display includes a grid including: a first column configured to display particular data values of a first data parameter; a plurality of rows, each row configured to display a particular data value of the first data parameter in the first column; and a second column including a vertically-extending graph, wherein the particular data value in one or more of the plurality of rows is plotted as a data point horizontally aligned with a corresponding row on the vertically-extending graph, wherein a plurality of data points display moving data values of the first data parameter. Other devices such as instrument analyzers and methods of displaying data are disclosed.