Sample Analyzer Dynamic Test Mode Selection for Glycated Hemoglobin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample testing methods, such as glycated hemoglobin tests, often require retesting due to measurement results exceeding effective ranges, leading to reduced efficiency and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A sample analyzer system that aspirates a blood sample, prepares pretreatment solutions, and selects a test mode based on intermediate measurement information to optimize the preparation of test sample solutions, thereby expanding the effective measurement range and reducing the need for retesting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single test mode is used for glycated hemoglobin testing, then the testing process is simple, but the measurement range is limited and retesting is required when results exceed the effective range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement rangeVSAvoidtesting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between different test modes (first test mode for high concentration, second test mode for low concentration) based on the measured hematocrit value. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle a wide range of glycated hemoglobin concentrations without retesting, resolving the contradiction between measurement range and process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key parameters (test mode selection) based on the hematocrit measurement. By using hematocrit as a parameter to determine the appropriate test mode, the system expands its effective measurement range while maintaining a relatively simple operational process through automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple test modes are prepared in advance, then the effective measurement range is expanded, but the time and resources required for testing increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary hematocrit measurement before selecting the appropriate test mode. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare the correct test mode in advance, ensuring accurate testing without requiring multiple simultaneous preparations or retesting, thus maintaining efficiency while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the hematocrit measurement to automatically select the appropriate test mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that the most suitable test mode is chosen based on the sample characteristics, improving testing accuracy while avoiding unnecessary testing steps that would waste time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If retesting is performed when measurement results exceed the effective range, then accurate results are obtained, but testing efficiency is reduced and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresult accuracyVSAvoidtesting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary hematocrit measurement to predict the appropriate test mode before the actual glycated hemoglobin testing. This preliminary action prevents the need for retesting by ensuring the correct test mode is selected from the beginning, thereby maintaining result accuracy while improving testing efficiency and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4249918A1Sample analyzer, sample testing method, and glycated hemoglobin testing method
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4249918A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4249918A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4249918A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a sample analyzer, a sample testing method, and a glycated hemoglobin testing method. The sample analyzer includes: a sample preparation apparatus configured to aspirate a blood sample from a container containing a test blood sample of a subject, and prepare a first pretreatment test solution by using the aspirated blood sample and a pretreatment reagent; a first test apparatus configured to test the first pretreatment test solution to obtain intermediate measurement information of the first pretreatment test solution; a controller configured to select a test mode to be performed from the plurality of different test modes based on the intermediate measurement information, and control the sample preparation apparatus to prepare a test sample solution by using a second pretreatment test solution and a test reagent according to the selected test mode to be performed; and a second test apparatus configured to test the test sample solution to obtain a test result for the test blood sample for a target test item. Sample retesting is thus avoided as much as possible.