Dynamic Profile Mobile POCT Unit Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current remote management technologies for Point of Care Testing (POCT) analyzers are inefficient and inflexible, leading to undefined responsibility and difficulties in controlling a diverse range of portable devices, requiring continuous expert attention and lacking centralized validation of analytical results.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic profile system for mobile POCT units, which wirelessly identifies and communicates with a central POCT manager to determine the operational status of linked/unlinked analyzers, allowing for flexible and efficient control, with the central manager validating analyzer quality and reducing the need for continuous expert attention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple experts continuously check POCT analyzers in situ, then reliability of results is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of POCT resultsVSAvoidcomplexity of management system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A central POCT manager system is introduced as an intermediary between multiple POCT analyzers and expert operators. The manager automatically receives data from analyzers, performs quality control evaluations, and only notifies experts when actual failures occur, eliminating the need for continuous expert monitoring while maintaining result reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The POCT analyzers are equipped with autonomous quality control capabilities that automatically perform self-diagnosis and self-evaluation of their operational status. The system self-monitors technical parameters and quality metrics, generating notifications only when intervention is actually required, thereby reducing reliance on continuous expert attention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If POCT analyzers are made highly portable, then ease of operation is improved, but control and monitoring become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability of POCT analyzersVSAvoiddifficulty of centralized control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central POCT manager system provides universal control capabilities that can manage any number of portable POCT analyzers regardless of their location. The system handles multiple functions including data collection, quality control evaluation, status monitoring, and notification management through a single centralized platform, making portable devices easy to control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from local physical monitoring to remote digital monitoring by implementing a hierarchical management structure. Portable analyzers maintain their mobility while being virtually connected to the central manager through communication networks, adding a digital dimension that enables centralized control without physical constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If remote management applications are implemented, then productivity is improved, but flexibility and adaptability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of POCT managementVSAvoidflexibility of management approach
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. Experts can customize their preferences for the types of notifications they receive, and the system adapts its behavior based on actual analyzer performance and user needs. This dynamic approach maintains high productivity through automation while preserving flexibility through user-configurable parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2588979B1Mobile point of care testing unit with dynamic profile and related method
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH
  • EP2588979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2588979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2588979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile POCT unit with dynamic profile, comprising computing means for wirelessly identifying a set of POCT analyzers; computing means for sending, to the central POCT manager, a POCT analyzer identity for each identified POCT analyzer; and computing means for receiving, from the central POCT manager, the dynamic profile of the mobile POCT unit comprising a linked/unlinked status for each identified POCT analyzer, said linked status representing that the identified POCT analyzer is operative for the mobile POCT unit and said unlinked status representing that the identified POCT analyzer is not operative for the mobile POCT unit.