Glucose Meter Calibration Data Extraction via Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hospital blood glucose meter calibration methods are cumbersome, leading to increased device size, manufacturing costs, and potential medical errors due to the need for a machine-readable memory slot and manual verification of lot numbers, which can result in mismatched calibration data.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system that uses a handheld diagnostic device connected to a network to download calibration data from a central database via a wireless or wired connection, eliminating the need for a machine-readable memory slot by using a test strip with an identification code that matches stored calibration data, ensuring accurate and up-to-date calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a machine-readable memory slot is added to the hospital blood glucose meter to store calibration data, then calibration data can be provided to the meter, but the device size increases, manufacturing costs increase, and the risk of liquid contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration data storage function is extracted from the blood glucose meter itself and placed on an external removable memory device that comes with the test strip package. This eliminates the need for a built-in memory slot in the meter, reducing device complexity while still providing calibration data capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable memory device serves multiple functions: it stores calibration data, contains lot identification information, and acts as a transfer medium between the test strip package and the meter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated calibration storage hardware in the meter.
2Reliability
If a machine-readable memory slot is added to the hospital blood glucose meter, then calibration data can be stored, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive memory storage component is extracted from the meter and placed on a separate, inexpensive removable memory device that is included with the test strip package. This significantly reduces the manufacturing cost of the meter itself while maintaining calibration data capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration memory is placed on a disposable removable memory device that is discarded or reset with each test strip package, rather than being a permanent, expensive component in the meter. This approach uses cheaper components for a function that doesn't require long-term persistence.
3Reliability
If manual verification of lot numbers is required, then calibration data can be matched to test strips, but the process becomes cumbersome and errors can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback by reading the lot identification code from the removable memory device and verifying it against the test strip package lot number. The meter displays confirmation or error messages, guiding the operator through the process and preventing mismatches without requiring manual verification steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual verification process is replaced with an automatic electronic reading and comparison system. The meter automatically reads the lot identification from the removable memory device and verifies it against the expected lot number, eliminating manual intervention and reducing errors.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the machine-readable memory is separated from the test strip package, then flexibility is improved, but the risk of mismatched calibration data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lot identification code is pre-associated with the calibration data on the removable memory device before the user receives the test strip package. This preliminary association ensures that when the memory device is inserted into the meter, the correct calibration data is automatically loaded for verification, preventing mismatches even though the memory is physically separated from the test strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback when the lot identification code on the removable memory device does not match the expected code for the test strip package. This feedback mechanism prevents the use of mismatched calibration data, maintaining reliability despite the physical separation of components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and methods providing data such as, for example, calibration and reagent information (30) over a network (6) to a measurement apparatus (4) which makes use of a consumable reagent (18) in a measuring process are disclosed. The present invention permits a measurement apparatus (4) to download the necessary code assignment (24) and calibration data (32) of the consumable reagent (18) by means of an electronic communication protocol from a host (33). The host (33) can be a software application running on a host computer (34), another measurement apparatus (50, 58) with or without a code-key slot used to read a memory device providing the above mentioned information (30), a dedicated connectivity device, such as a docking station (44), a portable memory reader (48), a remote computer (54), and combinations thereof.