Automated Analyzer Scheduling for Synchronized Patient Results
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated analysis devices struggle to minimize the time difference between measurement result output timings for multiple specimens from the same patient, especially when there are significant variations in measurement start times due to pre-treatment requirements.
Innovation Solution
An automated analysis device and method that includes a controller to determine the measurement order for specimens based on patient identification and measurement completion times, ensuring that specimens from the same patient are processed in a manner that minimizes output time differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specimens from the same patient are measured in different automated analysis devices for different test fields, then comprehensive test results can be obtained, but the measurement start times vary significantly leading to delayed reporting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple analysis units (biochemical analysis unit, immunological analysis unit, blood coagulation analysis unit, complete blood count analysis unit) into a single integrated automated analysis device. This merging allows specimens from the same patient to be processed across different test fields within the same device, enabling centralized coordination of measurement schedules and synchronized result reporting, thereby resolving the time delay issue while maintaining comprehensive test coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically determines measurement schedules for specimens in different analysis units by considering the completion times of other specimens from the same patient. The system flexibly adjusts measurement timing across different test fields to minimize the time difference between result outputs, rather than following fixed schedules for each unit
2Reliability
If measurement schedule is determined based on completion timing of other specimens, then coordination between specimens is improved, but pre-treatment time differences are not sufficiently handled
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary scheduling of measurements by considering both the completion times of other specimens from the same patient and the specific pre-treatment requirements of each test field. This advance planning allows the system to account for varying pre-treatment times (centrifugal separation, etc.) while coordinating overall measurement schedules to minimize result output time differences
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively minimizes delayed reporting to clinical sites by ensuring that measurement results for specimens from the same patient are output in a coordinated manner, even when there are large differences in measurement start times.
Implementation Method 1
a first measurement portion that detects light with which the mixed solution is irradiated
Implementation Method 2
a second measurement portion that includes a plurality of measurement channels each of which holds a reaction container accommodating the mixed solution and that detects light with which the reaction container held by each of the measurement channels is irradiated
Data Source
AI summary
Since the measurement start timings for a plurality of specimens in different test fields deviate from one another, the measurement results are not coordinated, leading to a delay in reporting. When determining an order for measuring a newly recognized specimen using an automated analysis device capable of performing measurements in a plurality of test fields, the measurement order for specimens waiting to be measured is changed to minimize the time difference between measurement result output timings for a plurality of specimens for the same patient, with reference to specimen information such as urgent test information, a measurement completion time, and an earliest measurement completion time for other specimens, relating to the patient's other specimens having the same patient number in the specimen information.