Automatic Analyzer Quality Control Re-measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic analyzers require experienced operators to determine and perform re-measurement of quality control samples when measured data falls out of the target range, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased user workload.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzer is configured to set and store determination parameters, including reference minimum and maximum values, which allows for easy re-measurement of quality control samples by inexperienced operators, using a system that automatically calculates and updates these values based on control SD and coefficient settings, and provides a user-friendly interface for reagent calibration and data output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional automatic analyzers are used, then measurement reproducibility and processing ability are improved, but operator experience is required to determine measures when quality control data is out of range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reproducibilityVSAvoidoperator experience requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic analyzer performs self-diagnosis and automatically executes re-measurement of calibration or quality control samples when measurement errors are detected. The system serves itself by identifying errors, determining appropriate corrective actions, and executing remediation without operator intervention, thereby eliminating the need for experienced operators while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors quality control sample measurements and provides feedback when values fall outside reference ranges. This feedback triggers automatic re-measurement processes, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains measurement accuracy without requiring operator judgment or experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If conventional quality control measurement is performed, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but setting of measurement is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality control accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement setting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic analyzer automatically manages quality control measurement settings, including selecting appropriate control samples, setting reference ranges, and determining when re-measurement is needed. The system performs these configuration tasks autonomously without requiring operator input, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures quality control parameters, reference minimum and maximum values, and measurement protocols in advance. By preparing these settings beforehand and storing them in memory, the analyzer eliminates the need for operators to perform complex setup procedures while ensuring accurate quality control measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If re-measurement of quality control samples is performed manually, then measurement reliability can be restored, but time and workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis reliabilityVSAvoidre-measurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

When quality control measurements fall outside reference ranges, the system immediately provides feedback and automatically initiates re-measurement of the calibration or quality control sample. This rapid feedback loop restores measurement reliability without requiring operators to spend time analyzing results or manually initiating corrective measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic analyzer independently identifies measurement errors, determines the need for re-measurement, and executes the re-measurement process without operator involvement. This self-service capability restores analysis reliability instantly while eliminating the time loss and workload associated with manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1762850B1Automatic analyzer
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP1762850B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1762850B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1762850B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An automatic analyzer according to the invention can execute the re-measurement of a calibration or quality control sample easily when the measured data of the quality control sample is out of the reference range having maximum and minimum values set in advance. Accordingly, the automatic analyzer can quickly execute a process for the quality control and highly reliable analysis continuously. The analyzer includes a function that the measured data of a quality control sample is compared with the reference maximum and minimum values of the measured data of a quality control sample, then when the measured data is out of the range between the reference maximum and minimum values, the re-measurement of a calibration is recommended and so a user can easily instruct to confirm on an operation screen and to request the measurement. Further, the analyzer includes a means which can easily instruct to confirm the measured data of the quality control sample being out of the range between the reference maximum and minimum values and to perform the re-measurement of the quality control sample of this analysis item.