Control Device and Analyzer

• US 20080046503A1
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Tadayuki, Sugiyama, Tomomi, Okuno, Ken'ichi, Morihara, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/10 Composition for standardization, calibration, simulation, stabilization, preparation or preservation; processes of use in preparation for chemical testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive

Abstract

The present invention quickly resolves troubles in an analyzer and performs effective external quality control management. An analyzer (2) and a control device (1) are connected by a network (3). Error data and sample data taken from assay of a quality control substance are transmitted from the control device (1) to the analyzer (2). The analyzer (2) is made to be remotely operable from the control device (1) and when troubles arise repair from the control device (1) is possible. The control device (1) tallies sample data, and provides the tally results to a Web page. The analyzer (2) accesses the Web page using a WWW browser, and can perform external quality control in real time.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A terminal apparatus for external quality control comprising:

a data acquisition control configured to receive entry of control data indicative of an assay result of a quality control sample from at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility;

a control data processor configured to attach the control data with identification data indicative of at least one of (i) an identification of the at least one analyzing instrument, (ii) a lot number of the quality control sample, (iii) an identification of a control type, and (iv) an identification of an assay mode under which the quality control sample was assayed;

a communication control configured to upload the control data, along with the identification data, to a control center via a network; and

a display control configured to display a report from the control center which analyzes the control data for one or more of the at least one analyzing instrument against an average of overall control data.

3. A terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein before uploading the control data, the communication control establishes a communication path through an authentication process with the control center.

4. A terminal apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an Internet access control configured to access a website of the control center.

5. A terminal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display control displays the report from the website of the control center.

6. A terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the report shows a deviation of the control data from the average of the overall control data.

7. A terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the overall control data comprises control data collected from at least one other analyzing instrument.

8. A terminal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one other analyzing instrument is located in at least one other facility different from the at least one facility.

9. A terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication control comprises an e-mail communication control.

15. A method according to claim 9, wherein the overall control data comprises control data collected from at least one other analyzing instrument.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one other analyzing instrument is located in at least one other facility different from the at least one facility.

10. A method for external quality control comprising:

receiving entry of control data indicative of an assay result of a quality control sample from at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility;

attaching the control data with identification data indicative of at least one of (i) an identification of the at least one analyzing instrument, (ii) an identification of the quality control sample, (iii) an identification of a controlled analyte contained in the quality control sample, and (iv) an assay mode under which the quality control sample was assayed;

uploading the control data, along with the identification data, to a control center via a network; and

displaying a report from the control center which analyzes the control data for one or more of the at least one analyzing instrument against an average of overall control data.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein uploading the control data comprises establishing a communication path through an authentication process with the control center.

12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising accessing a website of the control center.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein displaying a report comprises displaying the report from the website of the control center.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein the report shows a deviation of the control data from the average of the overall control data.

17. A method according to claim 10, wherein uploading the control data comprises e-mailing the control data.

18. A control apparatus for external quality control comprising:

a data collector configured to collect control data indicative of an assay result of a quality control sample from at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility, wherein the control data is attached with identification data indicative of at least one of (i) an identification of the at least one analyzing instrument, (ii) an identification of the quality control sample, (iii) an identification of a controlled analyte contained in the quality control sample, and (iv) an assay mode under which the quality control sample was assayed;

an average calculator configured to calculate an average of overall control data;

a data analyzer configured to prepare a report which analyzes the control data for one or more of the at least one analyzing instrument against the average of the overall control data; and

a website manager configured to place the report on a website on an Internet.

19. A control apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the report shows a deviation of the control data from the average of the overall control data.

20. A control apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the overall control data comprises control data collected from at least one other analyzing instrument.

21. A control apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the at least one other analyzing instrument is located in at least one other facility different from the at least one facility.

22. A control method for external quality control comprising:

collecting control data indicative of an assay result of a quality control sample from at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility, wherein the control data is attached with identification data indicative of at least one of (i) an identification of the at least one analyzing instrument, (ii) an identification of the quality control sample, (iii) an identification of a controlled analyte contained in the quality control sample, and (iv) an assay mode under which the quality control sample was assayed;

calculating an average of overall control data;

preparing a report which analyzes the control data for one or more of the at least one analyzing instrument against the average of the overall control data; and

placing the report on a website on an Internet.

23. A control method according to claim 22, wherein the report shows a deviation of the control data from the average of the overall control data.

24. A control method according to claim 22, wherein the overall control data comprises control data collected from at least one other analyzing instrument.

25. A control method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one other analyzing instrument is located in at least one other facility different from the at least one facility.