Diagnostic Analyzer Imaging for Remote Specimen Error Diagnosis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Diagnostic analyzers face downtime due to specimen integrity errors, which are costly and time-consuming to resolve with conventional on-site technician visits, disrupting testing processes and requiring specimen relocation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a diagnostic analyzer with an imaging device, detector, and communication interface to remotely capture specimen images and transmit them to a customer support center for error analysis, enabling automated or operator-assisted correction of specimen integrity errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional on-site technician visits are used to resolve specimen integrity errors, then accurate diagnosis can be made, but downtime and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the specimen container and its contents through imaging technology. The imaging device captures images of the specimen container, allowing remote technicians to analyze the physical state of specimens without physically being present at the analyzer location. This copy enables accurate diagnosis while eliminating the need for on-site technician visits, thus reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an imaging device as an intermediary between the specimen and the technician. Instead of direct observation requiring physical presence, the imaging device mediates the interaction by capturing and transmitting visual information about specimen integrity issues (such as bubbles, clots, or improper filling) to remote technicians for analysis.
2Ease of repair
If on-site technician visits are dispatched for specimen integrity errors, then proper corrective actions can be taken, but operational costs and travel time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By creating and transmitting digital images of the specimen container to remote technicians, the system enables proper diagnosis and corrective guidance without requiring physical travel. The technician can analyze the copied visual information and provide appropriate corrective instructions, eliminating energy consumption associated with travel while maintaining repair effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables operator self-service by providing remote technicians with visual evidence of specimen issues through imaging. Operators can receive guided instructions to correct issues themselves (such as removing bubbles or repositioning containers) based on remote expert analysis, reducing the need for on-site intervention while maintaining proper repair procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing a specimen includes detecting a specimen integrity error in the specimen; capturing an image of the specimen; sending the image of the specimen to a customer support center at a remote location; analyzing the image of the specimen at the customer support center; and determining a cause of the specimen integrity error in response to analyzing the image of the specimen. Diagnostic analyzers and diagnostic systems are also disclosed.