System, method and interface for parallel processing of antimicrobial susceptibility tests using different samples
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Publication Number
US-11866763-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
An improved system, method and interface for automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is disclosed which includes, in one aspect, a carrier population station comprising a workstation having a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI accepts information from a lab technologist, including information related to a scope of testing to be performed on a patient sample. The GUI controls intelligent assignment of patient samples to test panels in a manner that maximize utilization of the test carrier by grouping together samples of similar tests scopes and advantageously testing those samples using one multiplexed test panel. Customizing workflow in accordance with test scope to facilitate parallel processing of multiple samples advantageously reduces laboratory waste, decreases test latencies, increases AST system throughput and efficiency, and thus lowers the costs to the AST lab.
Core Innovation
An automated antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) method is implemented in an AST system with at least one test carrier, where each test carrier includes at least one panel receptor configured to securely position an antimicrobial test panel. A graphical user interface (GUI) of a workstation receives a test scope through inputs from a lab technologist, and a workflow associated with the test scope is executed by controlling selection of a test carrier and one or more antimicrobial test panels in response to the test scope. The workflow instructions are displayed on the GUI to control population of the test carrier with the one or more antimicrobial test panels.
The method groups at least two samples together requiring similar test scopes and assigns one or more sample groups to the antimicrobial test panels. The assignment is configured to maximize utilization of the test carrier, reduction of laboratory waste, decrease in test latencies, or combinations thereof. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed on the at least two different samples in parallel with the one or more antimicrobial test panels, and results of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing are collected.
Multiplexed antimicrobial test panels and carrier/sample barcode tracking support panel-to-sample mapping collection and parallel processing within a single test cycle. Workflow examples include comprehensive versus oral test scopes and associated selection of workflow-specific carrier maps and prompt sets. Panel placement is guided by GUI-displayed prompts tied to specified locations within a test carrier, and optional prompts may be displayed when additional carrier space is available for an additional panel.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001 and covers a GUI- and workflow-driven AST method with five inventive features.
Test-scope GUI reception and workflow execution
Receiving a test scope through a graphical user interface (GUI) of a workstation; executing a workflow associated with the test scope including controlling selection of a test carrier and one or more antimicrobial test panels in response to the test scope.
Workflow instructions displayed to control carrier population
Displaying workflow instructions on the GUI of the workstation for the selected workflow to control population of the test carrier with one or more antimicrobial test panels.
Sample grouping by similar test scopes for optimized assignment
Grouping at least two samples together requiring similar test scopes; assigning one or more sample groups to the antimicrobial test panels, wherein the assignment is configured to maximize at least one of utilization of the test carrier, reduction of laboratory waste, decrease in test latencies, or combinations thereof.
Parallel AST performance on multiple samples using antimicrobial test panels
Performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing on the at least two different samples in parallel with the one or more antimicrobial test panels.
Collection of antimicrobial susceptibility results
Collecting results of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Overall claim coverage is directed to a GUI/workflow-driven AST method that receives a test scope, controls carrier and antimicrobial test panel selection and GUI-driven carrier population, groups samples by similar test scopes for assignment that maximizes utilization, waste reduction, or latency reduction, runs parallel AST on grouped samples using one or more antimicrobial test panels, and collects susceptibility results.
Stated Advantages
Maximize utilization of the test carrier.
Reduction of laboratory waste.
Decrease in test latencies.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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