Method and apparatus for calibration and testing of scientific measurement equipment
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- operating a laboratory analyzer in order to obtain accurate measurements and test results for patients;
using the test results from the laboratory analyzer to generate a precision profile;
calibrating the laboratory analyzer by adjusting calibration inputs of the laboratory analyzer in response to information obtained from viewing the precision profiles;
wherein the information obtained includes using a computer to calculate within-patient variation including;
determining average intra-patient variations of sample results provided by the laboratory measurement equipment over a period of time, wherein the sample results are a subset of the test results;
determining an axis-intercept using a regression of the intra-patient variations versus time between sample results; and
determining the within-patient variation as a function of the axis-intercept.
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Abstract
Discussed herein are methods and apparatuses to produce profiles for scientific measurement equipment, and to use those profiles for various purposes in using, designing, calibrating and managing such equipment, such as to carry out critical laboratory testing. In this approach, either the analyzers'"'"' quality control data or serial patient data are numerically reduced to generate graphical precision profiles. Precision profiles for serial patient data show increased (im)precision vs time implying increased patient variation over increased time. Precision profiles for quality control data, according to one implementation, can demonstrate three different zones: 1) increased imprecision for quality control determinations that are close spaced (implies the discovery of an error condition and rapid reanalysis, 2) the usual imprecision and 3) a zone of increased imprecision which indicates either a need for a quality control analysis or re-calibration.
11 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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operating a laboratory analyzer in order to obtain accurate measurements and test results for patients; using the test results from the laboratory analyzer to generate a precision profile; calibrating the laboratory analyzer by adjusting calibration inputs of the laboratory analyzer in response to information obtained from viewing the precision profiles; wherein the information obtained includes using a computer to calculate within-patient variation including; determining average intra-patient variations of sample results provided by the laboratory measurement equipment over a period of time, wherein the sample results are a subset of the test results; determining an axis-intercept using a regression of the intra-patient variations versus time between sample results; and determining the within-patient variation as a function of the axis-intercept. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory computer readable storage device including instructions stored thereon, the instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
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establishing a scheduled time to calibrate laboratory measurement equipment comprising; a) calculating average intra-patient variations of sample results provided by the laboratory measurement equipment over a period of time; b) calculating an axis-intercept using a regression of the intra-patient variations versus time between sample results; and c) calculating the within-patient variation as a function of the axis-intercept; and displaying an indication of the scheduled time to a user on a display device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification