Control device and analyzer

• US 7,725,297 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Tadayuki, Sugiyama, Tomomi, Okuno, Ken'ichi, Morihara, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Feliciano; Eliseo Ramos
• Assistant Examiner(s): Desta; Elias
• Application Number:
  US11/839,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20080046503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 700/28, 700/32, 700/81, 700109-110, 700/116, 700/216, 702/82, 702/84, 702/115, 702/187, 709/202
• US Class Current: 702/187
• 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. A terminal apparatus for external quality control comprising:

a receiver configured to receive an assay result of a quality control sample assayed by at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility where the at least one analyzing instrument assays the quality control sample for external quality control and assay samples for clinical examination of patients;

a control data processor configured to generate quality control data comprising the assay result of the quality control sample attached 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 quality control data to a control center via a network discriminately from assay results of the assay samples; and

a display control configured to display a report from the control center which statistically analyzes the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument against assay results of the quality control sample received by the control center.

2. A terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein before uploading the control data, the communication control establishes a communication path through an authentication process with the control center.

3. A terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an Internet access control configured to access a website of the control center.

4. A terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control displays the report from the website of the control center.

5. A terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the report shows a deviation of the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument from an average of the assay results of the quality control sample received by the control center.

6. A terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the assay results of the quality control sample received by the control center are collected from a plurality of analyzing instruments.

7. A terminal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of analyzing instruments are located in different facilities.

8. A terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control comprises an e-mail communication control.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the assay results of the quality control sample received by the control center are collected from a plurality of analyzing instruments.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of analyzing instruments are located in different facilities.

23. A terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sample distinguisher configured to distinguish the quality control sample and the assay sample.

9. A method for external quality control implemented at a terminal apparatus, comprising:

receiving an assay result of a quality control sample assayed by at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility where the at least one analyzing instrument assays the quality control sample for external quality control and assay samples for clinical examination of patients;

generating quality control data comprising the assay result of the quality control sample 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;

discriminately from assay results of the assay samples, uploading the control data to a control center via a network; and

displaying a report from the control center which analyzes the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument against assay results of the quality control sample received by the control center.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein uploading the control data comprises establishing a communication path through an authentication process with the control center.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising accessing a website of the control center.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein displaying a report comprises displaying the report from the website of the control center.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the report shows a deviation of the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument from an average of the assay results of the quality control sample received by the control center.

16. A method according to claim 9, wherein uploading the control data comprises e-mailing the control data.

24. A method according to claim 9, further comprising distinguishing the quality control sample and the assay sample.

17. A control apparatus for external quality control, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive, from a user terminal via a network, an assay result of a quality control sample assayed by at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility where the at least one analyzing instrument assays the quality control sample for external quality control and assay samples for clinical examination of patients, wherein the receiver receives the assay result 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 received assay results of the quality control sample;

a data analyzer configured to prepare a report which analyzes the assay result of the quality sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument against the average of the received assay results; and

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

18. A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the report shows a deviation of the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument from the average of the received assay results.

19. A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the quality control sample is assayed by a plurality of analyzing instruments which are located in different facilities.

25. A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the report analyzes the assay result of the quality sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument against the average of the assay results of the quality sample assayed by a plurality of analyzing instruments.

20. A control method for external quality control implemented in a control apparatus, comprising:

from a user terminal via a network, receiving an assay result of a quality control sample assayed by at least one analyzing instrument located in at least one facility where the at least one analyzing instrument assays the quality control sample for external quality control and assay samples for clinical examination of patients, wherein the received assay result 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 received assay results;

preparing a report which analyzes the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument against the average of the received assay results; and

placing the report on a website on an Internet.

21. A control method according to claim 20, wherein the report shows a deviation of the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument from the average of the received assay results.

22. A control method according to claim 20, wherein the quality control sample is assayed by a plurality of analyzing instruments which are located in different facilities.

26. A control method according to claim 20, wherein the report analyzes the assay result of the quality control sample assayed by the at least one analyzing instrument against the average of the assay results of the quality control sample assayed by a plurality of analyzing instruments.