Urine Sample Testing System with Visual Test Input Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine sample testing systems face inefficiencies in accurately classifying particles, requiring labor-intensive visual tests by technicians, which are time-consuming and burdensome, especially when initial automated results are insufficient or unclear.
Innovation Solution
A sample testing system that includes a urine qualitative analyzer, urinary sediment analyzer, and an information processing apparatus with a display unit and input unit, which displays analysis results and allows for efficient input of visual test counts, facilitating more accurate and efficient visual testing by referencing previous results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated particle classification is performed using a urinary sediment testing apparatus, then testing speed and consistency are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates for samples with particles that cannot be accurately classified
Solution Approach 1:
The testing process is divided into two stages: automated classification for clear particles and visual inspection for ambiguous cases. The system segments samples based on classification confidence, routing only uncertain cases to manual review, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving precision for problematic samples.
Solution Approach 2:
An information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the automated analyzer and the technician. It receives analysis results, determines whether retesting is necessary, and manages the workflow for visual inspection, coordinating the transition from automated to manual testing seamlessly.
2Measurement precision
If visual tests are performed on all samples to ensure accurate particle classification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to labor-intensive manual counting
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing visual tests on all samples, the system applies partial action by conducting visual inspection only on samples where the automated classification is uncertain or insufficient. This selective approach maintains measurement precision for problematic samples while minimizing time loss by avoiding redundant manual testing on clearly classified samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the automated analysis results to determine whether visual testing is necessary. The information processing apparatus evaluates the classification confidence and automatically triggers visual inspection only when needed, creating a feedback loop that optimizes the balance between precision and time efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If technicians perform detailed visual examination on all particles including casts, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for sophisticated information management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The automated analyzer performs preliminary classification of particles before visual inspection. This preliminary action provides technicians with pre-organized information about particle types and locations, reducing the complexity of visual examination by focusing manual effort only on ambiguous cases rather than requiring comprehensive analysis of all particles.
Data Source
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AI summary
Information processing method of inputting a result of a visual test on a sample containing a particle, comprising the steps of displaying a screen including a reference-information display region for a result of an analysis obtained by a sample analyzer analyzing the particle in the sample and an input-value display region for the visual test to be performed on the sample with a microscope when retesting is determined as necessary, basing the result of the analysis on the sample and, with the screen displayed, receiving a count value of the particle counted in the visual test on the sample and displaying the received count value in the input-value display region.