Calibration process and system
AssigneeBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsAdam Darmstadt, Michael Waite, Theresa Forni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved calibration process for a medical testing machine. The machine automatically recognizes that a package of calibration material has been inserted into it, and performs a calibration sequence to ascertain a calibration parameter to be used in performing future tests with the medical testing machine. The calibration package may include machine-readable indicators that the package is to be used for calibration, and of a calibration setpoint of a calibration material in the package. A calibration material may be stored in a lyophilized state in the package, and the medical testing machine may automatically reconstitute the lyophilized material.
Claims17
A method of performing a calibration in a medical testing machine, the method comprising:
- automatically detecting that a package of calibration material has been inserted into the medical testing machine;
- performing, by the medical testing machine, a calibration sequence using the calibration material to ascertain a calibration parameter for the medical testing machine;
- and
- storing the calibration parameter in electronic storage for use in later tests performed by the medical testing machine;
- wherein the calibration material is provided in a lyophilized state, the method further comprising controlling the medical testing machine to automatically reconstitute the lyophilized material before performing the calibration sequence.
A medical testing machine, comprising:
- a testing system for performing a medical test on media sampled from patients;
- a media handling mechanism;
- a processor;
- and
- a memory, the memory holding instructions that when executed by the processor cause the medical testing machine to:
- automatically recognize that a package of calibration material has been inserted into the medical testing machine, wherein the package holds two materials, at least one of which is a calibration material in a lyophilized state, and the package includes a respective container for each of the materials, the containers maintaining separation between the materials before use of the calibration package, and wherein the package is received from outside the medical testing machine;
- automatically reconstitute the lyophilized calibration material;
- after the lyophilized calibration material is reconstituted, perform a calibration sequence using the calibration material to ascertain a calibration parameter for the medical testing machine;
- and
- store the calibration parameter in the memory for use in later tests performed by the medical testing machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.