Instrument Data Manager Interface for Multi-User Diagnostic Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point of care systems are limited to single-user, single-test operations due to integrated user interfaces and diagnostic engines, leading to unnecessary costs and space utilization, and require complete system upgrades or replacements for component updates.
Innovation Solution
A point of care system comprising multiple diagnostic engines connected to an instrument data manager (IDM) for simultaneous multi-user testing, with a single user interface managing results from various diagnostic engines, allowing upgrades and replacements to be applied to the IDM rather than the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diagnostic engines are integrated into a single point of care system, then testing capacity and versatility are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate diagnostic engines that can be independently selected and connected to the IDM. Each diagnostic engine operates as an independent module, allowing the system to be configured with only the necessary engines for specific testing needs, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The IDM serves as a universal interface that can communicate with multiple different types of diagnostic engines. This single universal manager handles communication, data processing, and user interface for all diagnostic engines, simplifying the system architecture by consolidating functionality rather than requiring separate management systems for each engine type.
2Ease of operation
If a single integrated user interface is used for multiple diagnostic engines, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single user interface is designed to universally communicate with multiple diagnostic engines through the IDM. The interface presents a unified view and control mechanism for all connected engines, allowing users to operate different diagnostic engines through the same interface without requiring separate interface designs for each engine type.
Solution Approach 2:
The IDM acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the diagnostic engines. It translates user commands into engine-specific protocols and aggregates results from different engines into a unified presentation format, simplifying the interface by abstracting away the complexity of individual engine communication protocols.
3Reliability
If the entire system is upgraded together, then reliability is maintained, but cost and time for updates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular diagnostic engines that can be independently upgraded. The IDM and user interface remain separate from individual engine modules, allowing updates to be applied to specific engines without affecting the entire system. This enables selective upgrading of only the necessary components, reducing update time and cost while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system architecture is designed to be dynamic and flexible, allowing the configuration of diagnostic engines to change over time. The IDM can dynamically connect to and manage different combinations of engines, enabling the system to adapt to changing needs without requiring complete system reconfiguration or replacement.
4Productivity
If multiple diagnostic engines are deployed, then productivity is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Diagnostic engines are deployed as separate, space-efficient modules rather than requiring a large integrated platform. Each engine can be physically separated and connected via communication interfaces to the IDM, allowing for more compact arrangement and better space utilization while maintaining the ability to perform multiple tests simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A point of care system may comprise a plurality of diagnostic engines and an IDM in electronic communication with each of the plurality of diagnostic engines. Each of the plurality of diagnostic engines may perform testing on a sample inserted into the diagnostic engine. The IDM may be configured to communicate with each of the plurality of diagnostic engines to enable a plurality of tests to be performed on multiple different samples substantially simultaneously by a plurality of users using the plurality of diagnostic engines and to present a single user interface for managing testing by the plurality of diagnostic engines and for receiving the results of tests performed by each of the plurality of diagnostic engines.