Systems, devices, and methods for managing operation of diagnostic testing instruments
Inventors
Basford, Eric Christopher • Bowie, Jason • Davis, Craig Taylor • Douglass, Keith • Hyson, Regina
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12198800-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
An example method includes receiving a first order to conduct a first diagnostic test of a sample from a patient, sending the first order to the first diagnostic testing instrument for input into a queue of the first diagnostic testing instrument, receiving alerts and status of the diagnostic test as testing is performed and for indication of completion of the first diagnostic test, sending the alerts and status of the diagnostic test to a second computing device for notice to a technician, receiving an output of the first diagnostic test, generating a recommendation of follow-on testing to perform based on the output of the first diagnostic test, receiving confirmation to perform the follow-on testing, generating a second order to conduct a second diagnostic test of another sample from the patient, and sending the second order to the second diagnostic testing instrument for input into a queue for the second diagnostic testing instrument.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a two-way laboratory hub system for veterinary diagnostics implemented as a central computing device in communication with a plurality of diagnostic testing instruments. The central computing device receives a first order to conduct a first diagnostic test of a sample from a patient, associates the test with a first diagnostic testing instrument, and sends the first order to be input into a queue for that instrument. As the first diagnostic test executes, the central computing device receives alerts and status, including an indication of a pending runtime error in which the first diagnostic testing instrument remains idle due to testing being paused.
During execution, the central computing device sends the alerts and status of the first diagnostic test to a second computing device for notice to a technician, including an alert that the first diagnostic testing instrument requires user input for completion. After user input is received at the first diagnostic testing instrument, the central computing device receives an output of the first diagnostic test. The central computing device also executes computer readable instructions to perform a rules-based engine that includes mappings of ranges of test results to complimentary tests, and generates a recommendation of follow-on testing based on the output of the first diagnostic test.
After receiving confirmation to perform follow-on testing, the central computing device schedules the follow-on testing by input into respective queues for one or more of the plurality of diagnostic testing instruments. The scheduling occurs in an order based on needs of a plurality of patients and a number of pending orders in the respective queues. The disclosed system further includes recommendations for follow-on testing, technician notifications, and handling of runtime errors to prevent idle time, with optional voice-interactive notification and integration of test activity into billing via a charge-capture server.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: a computer-implemented method claim and a central computing device claim, each centered on instrument-queue orchestration, runtime-error-aware technician notification, and rules-based generation of follow-on testing recommendations using mappings of ranges of test results to complimentary tests.
Queued diagnostic test order dispatch at instrument hub
Receiving a first order at a central computing device to conduct a first diagnostic test of a sample from a patient, where the central computing device is in communication with a plurality of diagnostic testing instruments, associating the first diagnostic test with a first diagnostic testing instrument, and sending the first order to the first diagnostic testing instrument for input into a queue for the first diagnostic testing instrument.
Runtime error alerting and technician notice for paused testing
Receiving, from the first diagnostic testing instrument, alerts and status of the first diagnostic test as testing is performed and for indication of completion, where the alerts and status include an indication of a pending runtime error in which the first diagnostic testing instrument remains idle due to testing being paused, and sending the alerts and status to a second computing device for notice to a technician when user input is required for completion.
Rules-based engine mapping test-result ranges to complimentary tests
Executing computer readable instructions at the central computing device to perform a rules-based engine, including mappings of ranges of test results to complimentary tests to be performed to confirm or assist with a diagnosis, to generate a recommendation of follow-on testing to perform based on the output of the first diagnostic test.
Confirmation-based follow-on scheduling across instrument queues
Receiving confirmation to perform the follow-on testing and scheduling of the follow-on testing to be performed by one or more of the plurality of diagnostic testing instruments by input into respective queues, where scheduling occurs in an order based on needs of a plurality of patients and a number of pending orders in the respective queues.
Second order issuance and queue-based scheduling for additional diagnostic test
Generating a second order to conduct a second diagnostic test of another sample from the patient, associating the second diagnostic test with a second diagnostic testing instrument in the plurality of diagnostic testing instruments, sending the second order to the second diagnostic testing instrument for input into a queue for the second diagnostic testing instrument, and scheduling the second order by the second diagnostic testing instrument based on needs of a plurality of patients and a number of pending orders in the queue for the second diagnostic testing instrument.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is the coordinated, queue-based dispatch of diagnostic test orders to multiple instruments, the collection and technician notification of alerts/status including pending runtime errors and user-input requirements, and the rules-based generation of follow-on testing recommendations using mappings of ranges of test results to complimentary tests, followed by confirmation-based scheduling based on patient needs and queue load.
Stated Advantages
Prevents instrument idle time by using alerts and status that indicate pending runtime errors when testing is paused.
Documented Applications
Veterinary diagnostics involving diagnostic test orders, technician notification workflows, and scheduling of follow-on testing across multiple veterinary analyzers.
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