Specimen Analyzer Controller for Preventing Erroneous Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Specimen analyzers used by non-expert staff in small medical facilities risk incorrect treatment due to insufficient knowledge, as they may misinterpret analysis results, particularly for serious diseases, leading to inappropriate diagnoses or treatments.

Innovation Solution

A specimen analyzer with a controller that compares analysis results to predetermined determination reference values, selectively outputting or withholding component amounts deemed reliable, preventing the output of potentially misleading results for serious disease indicators, and providing alternative indications or messages to guide further testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the specimen analyzer outputs all reliable analysis results to non-expert users, then the completeness of information is improved, but the risk of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of analysis resultsVSAvoidrisk of inappropriate diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism between the analysis results and the user. The controller acts as a mediator that selectively blocks certain analysis results from being displayed to non-expert users, while allowing other results to pass through. This intermediary layer prevents harmful information (results that could lead to inappropriate diagnosis) from reaching the user, while still providing useful information through alternative indications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the analysis results into different categories: results that can be displayed to users, results that should be blocked, and alternative indications that guide users appropriately. By dividing the information output into these segments, the system can provide complete analysis internally while selectively presenting only safe and appropriate information to non-expert users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the specimen analyzer withholds certain analysis results from non-expert users, then the risk of inappropriate diagnosis is reduced, but the loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of inappropriate diagnosisVSAvoidcompleteness of analysis results

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves as an intermediary that compensates for withheld information by providing alternative indications. When certain analysis results are blocked from display, the system introduces alternative indications (such as prompts for further testing or referral messages) that convey the essential meaning and clinical significance without revealing the specific numerical values that non-expert users might misinterpret.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information presentation from specific numerical analysis results to qualitative alternative indications. Instead of displaying precise measurement values that require expert interpretation, the system transforms the information into guidance messages, referral recommendations, or prompts for additional testing, which are more appropriate for non-expert users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If the specimen analyzer provides detailed analysis results to non-expert users, then the usefulness of information is improved, but the reliability of medical decisions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusefulness of analysis resultsVSAvoidreliability of medical decisions

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the information parameter from detailed quantitative analysis results to qualitative guidance indications. By transforming specific measurement values into interpretive guidance messages, the system maintains usefulness (users still receive actionable information) while improving reliability (the information is framed in a way that reduces misinterpretation and supports more reliable medical decisions).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that translates detailed analysis results into user-appropriate guidance. This intermediary processing ensures that the usefulness of information is preserved by providing actionable recommendations, while the reliability of medical decisions is improved by filtering out information that could lead to erroneous interpretations by non-expert users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11249096B2Specimen analyzer and specimen analysis method for controlling an output of a target component in an abnormal range to prevent erroneous diagnosis

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 SYSMEX CORP

AI summary

A specimen analyzer includes: an analysis unit which analyzes a specimen collected from a subject and generates an analysis result including a component amount in the specimen; an output unit which outputs the analysis result; and a controller which causes the output unit to output or not to output the component amount based on a comparison between the component amount and a determination reference value.