Patent Application
20080167976
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a management system and method for a biostrip. In particular, the invention is directed to the management of the expiration dates of biostrip so as to avoid using an expired biostrip for testing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many test devices for the determination of certain analytes in biological fluids have been developed. Biostrips for more convenient testing have also been developed so that tests can be done in hospitals, clinical laboratories, clinics or at home at any time in order to observe a subject's health condition. Biosensors are used to determine various physiological indexes of an organism such as glucose, cholesterol or uric acid and the like. Disposable test strips are often used and special measuring techniques are applied to obtain the results for the subjects to be tested. The quality of the biostrip is one of the essential factors that influences the preciseness of the test. Generally, when the test strips are made, the manufacturer will give calibration data to the same batch of test strips based on the chemical and physical properties thereof to obtain a more precise analytical result. However, the chemical and physical properties of the test strips are subject to changes with time due to influences from environmental factors, so errors or invalid analytical results might be obtained. Therefore, in addition to cautiousness regarding the sealing and preservation of biostrips, “shelf life” and “opening shelf life” are also given thereto, both of which are managed by the user himself. The counting of “shelf life” starts upon the manufacture of test strips and the starting date for “opening shelf life” depends on when the user first opens the sealed package for use. In many cases, expired test strips are used unknowingly due to the user's negligence, resulting in errors in the analytical results and therefore influencing the determination of the health condition of the subject. For convenience, “expiration date” is used herein to represent the earlier date of the expiration date of either between “shelf life” and “opening shelf life.”
To meet the need of improving the management of the expiration date, the inventors of the present invention have proposed a management system and method for a biostrip based on years of research and practical experiences to practice accordingly.
In view of the above, the object of the invention is to provide a management system and method for a biostrip. In particular, the invention is directed to the management of the expiration date of a biostrip so as to avoid using the expired biostrip for testing.
Therefore, to achieve the above object, the management method for the biostrip of the invention applicable to a biomedical measurement device to manage at least one biostrip comprises the steps of:
The management method may further comprise the following steps:
According to the management method for the biostrip of the invention, a management system is further provided, which comprises at least a setting unit, a management unit and an execution unit. The setting unit is used for inputting at least one piece of setting data of the biostrip. The management unit is for generating a count reference value based on the time of the inputted setting data, data content or combinations thereof and for counting. The execution unit is used for monitoring the expiration date of the biostrip corresponding to the count of the count reference value. The management of the expiration dates is therefore performed to avoid using the expired biostrip for testing.
The technical characteristics of the invention and the effects achieved thereby are further illustrated by the following detailed description in conjunction with the preferred embodiments and the relevant drawings.
To further explicate the above objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention, the biostrip of the invention will be described in detail in the following section with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the relevant drawings, wherein one element will be described with one element numeral.
The setting data 14 preferably includes the calibration code, the calibration data, the operation parameters, the amount of the biostrip in a batch, the first opening date, the expiration date or combinations thereof, wherein the setting data can be provided by inserting a memory card or by obtaining the setting data in the biomedical measurement device after manually setting. The count reference value 15 preferably includes the expiration date, the number of days or the number of weeks to the expiration date, the amount of strips or combinations thereof. The time of inputting and/or changing the setting data 14 is used as the first opening date of the test strip and to start counting the “opening shelf life” thereof or to start counting the amount of strips used. When the accumulated amount of the used strips is over the amount of strip in the count reference value 15, the user is reminded to reset the setting data 14. The management unit 13 further comprises a counting unit for counting time or for counting amount.
Step S31: inputting the setting data 14 of the biostrip 16;
Step S32: generating a count reference value 15 based on the time of the inputting or changing setting data 14, data content or combinations thereof;
Step S33: monitoring the expiration date of the biostrip 16 corresponding to the count of the count reference value 15;
Step S34: displaying the current date, the expiration date of the monitored biostrip 16, the amount of strips, the first opening date or combinations thereof; and
Step S35: reminding the user when the monitored biostrip 16 has passed the count reference value.
The setting data 14 preferably includes the calibration code, the calibration data, the operation parameters, the amount of the biostrip 16 in a batch, the first opening date, the expiration date, or combinations thereof, wherein the setting data can be provided by inserting a memory card or by obtaining the setting data in the biomedical measurement device after manually setting. The count reference value 15 preferably includes the expiration date, the number of days or the number of weeks to the expiration date, the amount of strips or combinations thereof. The time of inputting and/or changing the setting data 14 is used as the first opening date of the test strip and to start counting the “opening shelf life” thereof or to start counting the used amount of strips. When the accumulated amount of the used strips is over the amount of strips in the count reference value 15 in the setting data 14, the user is reminded to reset the setting data 14. The management unit 13 further comprises a counting unit for counting time or for counting amount.
Step S41: inserting the biostrip;
Step S42: determining if the current date has passed the expiration date, the number of days, the number of weeks or combinations thereof and then executing Step 45 if the answer is yes and executing Step S43 if the answer is no;
Step S43: determining if the number of strips from the accumulated counting is over the inputted amount of strips and then executing Step 46 if the answer is yes and executing Step S44 if the answer is no;
Step S44: performing detection to determine whether the quality of the test strip is normal;
Step S45: displaying a warning signal; and
Step S46: displaying a reminding signal to reset the setting data and then executing Step S44.
Generally, the warning signal can be a signal of image, sound, light, vibration and the like to warn the user that the biostrip is expired.
The above description is provided for illustration only. It can be in no way construed as a limitation to the present invention. Any modifications or changes made by any skilled person in the art according to the disclosure of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 096100481 | Jan 2007 | TW | national |
