Photometric Analyzer Error Detection via Virtual Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photometric analysis systems for determining analyte concentrations in body fluids can produce erroneous results due to manufacturing defects, user errors, and environmental influences, which can lead to life-threatening situations, especially in glucose monitoring for insulin dosage.
Innovation Solution
An analysis system that includes an optical transmitter and receiver for measuring light intensity changes in a test carrier, with a control algorithm to check the deviation of the concentration value from an expected reference value, allowing for quick and reliable detection of errors in the measuring and evaluation device, without the need for redundant hardware or complex software processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant design with two microcontrollers is used to detect errors, then the reliability of the analysis device is improved, but the space requirement and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the measurement signal processing by generating a reference measurement signal through software simulation instead of using a second physical microcontroller. This reference signal is processed through the same evaluation algorithm to produce a reference concentration value, which serves as a virtual redundant system for error detection without requiring additional hardware space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware redundant microcontroller system with a software-based solution. The reference measurement signal is generated and processed through software algorithms, substituting the need for a second physical processing unit with computational methods that achieve the same error detection functionality.
2Reliability
If a redundant design with two microcontrollers is used to detect errors, then the reliability of the analysis device is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the measurement signal processing by generating a reference measurement signal through software simulation instead of using a second physical microcontroller. This reference signal is processed through the same evaluation algorithm to produce a reference concentration value, which serves as a virtual redundant system for error detection without requiring additional hardware space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware redundant microcontroller system with a software-based solution. The reference measurement signal is generated and processed through software algorithms, substituting the need for a second physical processing unit with computational methods that achieve the same error detection functionality.
3Reliability
If parallel processing of measurement signals is implemented, then the error detection capability is improved, but the processing effort and programming complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference measurement signal processing with the actual measurement signal processing within the same software module. Both signals are processed through the identical evaluation algorithm in a unified computational framework, eliminating the need for separate parallel processing routines and reducing programming complexity while maintaining error detection capability.
4Reliability
If parallel processing of measurement signals is implemented, then the error detection capability is improved, but the analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference measurement signal processing with the actual measurement signal processing within the same software module. Both signals are processed through the identical evaluation algorithm in a unified computational framework, eliminating the need for separate parallel processing routines and reducing programming complexity while maintaining error detection capability.
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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of the analysis system by detecting sporadic errors and ensuring accurate concentration value determination, reducing the risk of incorrect insulin dosages and improving the overall robustness and cost-effectiveness of the system.
Implementation Method 1
the intensity of the light reflected by the test carrier is usually examined
Implementation Method 2
an optical receiver for detecting light received by the reading zone and for generating a measurement signal corresponding to the received light
Implementation Method 3
a photometrically detectable change occurs as a result of a reaction of a sample of the body fluid that has come into contact with the test carrier and a reagent contained in the test carrier
Implementation Method 4
the reaction causes a color change in a detection layer of the test element, which is measured photometrically
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to an analysis system for the photometric determination of an analyte in a body fluid, having an analysis device (2) and a test carrier (3). The test carrier (3) has an evaluation zone (4) in which a photometrically detectable change takes place as the result of a reaction of a sample of the body fluid which contacts the test carrier (3) with a reagent contained in the test carrier (3). The analysis device (2) comprises an optical transmitter (5) for emitting light onto the evaluation zone (4), an optical receiver (7) for receiving light from the evaluation zone (4) and for generating a measurement signal corresponding to the received light, and a measurement and evaluation unit (8) with a measuring unit (9) and an evaluating unit (10). The measurement signal is amplified and digitalized in the measuring unit (9). In the evaluating unit (10), the concentration value is determined from the digitalized measurement signal. In the evaluating unit (10), a control value of a control parameter is detected at one detection point during the processing after the calculation step. An error in the measurement and evaluation unit (8) is recognized if the deviation of the control value from the expected value exceeds a predefined threshold value.