Automated Blood Bag Labeling System for Donation Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current blood collection process is prone to errors due to extensive manual labor and multi-layer verification, leading to inefficiencies and potential mistakes in matching data with blood products.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a software program to process and verify laboratory data, print accurate labels directly onto blood bags, and automate the release of blood products from quarantine, incorporating memory chips and network communication to reduce human and hardware errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual multi-layer verification is used to ensure accuracy, then data matching reliability is improved, but labor efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata matching reliabilityVSAvoidlabor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical verification system with an automated computerized system. The computer automatically retrieves donor information, compares it with laboratory results, and generates labels without human intervention, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically improving labor efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the computer independently performs data retrieval, verification, and label generation tasks. The automated system serves itself by automatically cross-referencing donor information with lab results and generating appropriate labels without requiring manual multi-layer verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If extensive manual verification steps are implemented, then error reduction is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror reductionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate verification steps into a single automated computerized process. The computer simultaneously retrieves donor information, compares it with laboratory results, verifies matching criteria, and generates labels in one integrated workflow, reducing error rates while simplifying the overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If manual data entry and verification are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but data integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual data entry with automated computerized data retrieval and processing. The computer automatically accesses donor information databases, retrieves laboratory results, and performs verification, eliminating manual entry errors and significantly improving data integrity while maintaining reasonable system simplicity through software automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8905297B2Method and apparatus for identifying and tracking biological fluid
Publication Date: 2014.12.09 MIDWEST MEDICAL TECH OF AMERICA
  • US8905297B2 patent drawing
  • US8905297B2 patent drawing
  • US8905297B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method of tracking biological fluid during a donation process. The system and method identify and release blood products from quarantined storage and print an appropriate blood bag label on demand.