Urine Work Area Manager Integrating Test Strip and Sediment Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated urine analysis systems face challenges in efficiently integrating and comparing results from urine test strip readers and sediment analyzers, leading to inconsistencies and errors due to differences in analysis methods and sample conditions.
Innovation Solution
A urine work area manager system that uses a computing unit with machine executable instructions to coordinate and compare results between urine test strip readers and sediment analyzers, generating control instructions based on test strip results to optimize sediment analysis and identify discrepancies, allowing for reanalysis or operator review as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If urine samples are analyzed separately by test strip reader and sediment analyzer, then each analyzer can perform its specialized analysis function, but the results may be inconsistent and require manual comparison and verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the test strip reader and sediment analyzer into a single integrated urine analysis system with a shared sample handling platform. The sample cup is transferred automatically between the two analysis modules, and a central controller coordinates both analyses to ensure result consistency while reducing manual intervention and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system uses a universal sample cup design that can be used for both test strip analysis and sediment analysis. The sample handling mechanism serves multiple functions including sample distribution, transfer, and positioning for different analysis types, reducing the need for separate sample preparation systems.
2Productivity
If manual comparison and verification of test strip and sediment analysis results is performed, then operator judgment can be applied, but workflow efficiency is reduced and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the central controller automatically compares results from both analysis modules. When discrepancies are detected between test strip and sediment analysis results, the system flags them for operator review or automatically performs reanalysis, ensuring accuracy while maintaining high workflow efficiency through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs self-verification by automatically comparing results from both analysis modules and identifying inconsistencies. The system can autonomously determine when reanalysis is needed and coordinate the corrective actions without requiring manual operator intervention for every sample, thus improving both efficiency and accuracy.
3Reliability
If separate sample handling is used for test strip and sediment analysis, then each analysis can be optimized independently, but sample condition variations may cause inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sample preparation and distribution in a centralized manner before the samples are transferred to different analysis modules. The sample cup is prepared with the appropriate volume and conditions in advance, ensuring consistent sample characteristics for both test strip and sediment analysis while enabling parallel processing to maintain high throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
A urine work area manager comprises a computing unit and a set of machine executable instructions stored in a memory for execution by the computing unit. The computing unit transfers commands and data between a urine test strip reader and the manager using a first interface, and transfers commands and data between a urine sediment analyzer and the manager using a second interface. In operation, the computing unit instructs the urine test strip reader to analyze a plurality of urine samples, receives a strip analysis result from the urine test strip reader, and generates a first set of instructions for controlling the urine sediment analyzer using the strip analysis result. The computing unit further instructs the urine sediment analyzer to analyze the plurality of urine samples with the first set of instructions and receives a sediment analysis result from the urine sediment analyzer using the second interface.