SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING SPECIMENS LOCATED AT A PLURALITY OF SERVICE SITES

• US 20070048184A1
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eScreen (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: eScreen (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Whitford, Bill, Goodin, John, Patten, Keith, Lappe, Murray, Birkner, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,943,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/025 Displaying results or values with integrated means
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/528 Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/94 involving narcotics or drugs or pharmaceuticals, neurotransmitters or associated receptors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 : Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/10 : at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards verification of coded identity or credit cards in mechanisms actuated by them G07F7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 : for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 : Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 : Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 : for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/12 : Condition responsive control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/13 : Tracers or tags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation

Abstract

A system for testing a plurality of test specimens, e.g., urine, to indicate the presence of specified chemical components in the specimen. The system preferably utilizes a testing device for local testing of the specimen at a service site. The system further includes a computer located at the service site and operable to receive test results obtained by the testing device. The computer then uploads the test result to a host computer remote from the service site. The host computer is in communication with a plurality of computers located at a plurality of service sites.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of computers located at a plurality of separate service sites, wherein each computer is in communication with at least one of the other plurality of computers via a communications network; and

a plurality of testing devices operable to perform an assaying test on a specimen, each testing device in communication with at least one of the respective plurality of computers.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a host computer in communication with the plurality of computers.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of computers is coupled with an input/output device that enables entering of information and subsequent uploading of the information to the host computer.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is a local, on-site device operable to perform the test at the separate service sites.

5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein primary control of each of the testing devices is exercised by the host computer.

6. The system as claimed in claim 2, each of the plurality of computers further including a processor operable to determine a test validity and a test result.

7. A system comprising:

a host computer;

a plurality of computers located at a plurality of separate service sites, wherein each computer is in communication with the host computer via a communications network; and

a plurality of reader devices operable to perform an assaying test on a specimen, each reader device in communication with at least one of the respective plurality of computers.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the computer includes an input/output device that enables entering of information and subsequent uploading of the information to the host computer.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reader device is an on-site device operable to perform the test at the separate service sites.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein primary control of each of the reader devices is exercised by the host computer.

11. A method of testing a plurality of test specimens, wherein the testing is conducted at a plurality of different service sites, each site using a testing device, the method comprising:

receiving a test specimen from each of a plurality of donors;

testing each test specimen at one of the plurality of service sites using the testing device; and

uploading a test result obtained from each testing device from the device and to a host computer remote from the service site, wherein the uploading is conducted across a communications network.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the test result is uploaded to a computer located at the service site prior to uploading the test result to the host computer.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the host computer is operable to control the testing of each specimen.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of displaying the test result on the computer located at the service site.