U.S. patent application number 13/305229 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-22 for system for providing animal test information and method of providing animal test information.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sysmex Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoichi Nakamura, Takashi Yoshida.
Application Number | 20120072126 13/305229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40428241 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120072126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshida; Takashi ; et
al. |
March 22, 2012 |
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ANIMAL TEST INFORMATION AND METHOD OF
PROVIDING ANIMAL TEST INFORMATION
Abstract
A system for providing animal test information is disclosed that
includes a central device for collecting and processing measurement
results acquired by the test devices and connected to test devices
for measuring samples obtained from animals. The central device
includes an information receiving section for receiving a data set
of attribute information and measurement results from each of the
test devices. The attribute information received from the test
devices indicates animal species or breed of the animal serving as
a collecting source of a sample. The central device also includes a
data storage for storing a plurality of the data set and an
information output section for outputting the measurement results
and the attribute information included in the data set stored in
the data storage.
Inventors: |
Yoshida; Takashi;
(Akashi-shi, JP) ; Nakamura; Yoichi; (Kobe-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Sysmex Corporation
|
Family ID: |
40428241 |
Appl. No.: |
13/305229 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12316306 |
Dec 11, 2008 |
8086411 |
|
|
13305229 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
702/21 ;
702/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 15/1459 20130101;
G01N 15/10 20130101; G16H 50/30 20180101; G01N 35/00871 20130101;
G01N 2015/0073 20130101; G16H 10/40 20180101; G01N 2015/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/21 ;
702/19 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/10 20110101
G06F019/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 12, 2007 |
JP |
2007-320460 |
Dec 12, 2007 |
JP |
2007-320927 |
Claims
1. A system for providing animal test information, comprising: a
central device communicably connected to test devices for measuring
samples obtained from animals, the central device being for
collecting and processing measurement results acquired by the test
devices, wherein the central device comprises: an information
receiving section for receiving a data set of attribute information
and measurement results from each of the test devices, wherein the
attribute information received from the test devices indicates
animal species or breed of the animal serving as a collecting
source of a sample and the measurement results are acquired by the
test devices; a data storage for storing a plurality of the data
set; and an information output section for outputting the
measurement result and the attribute information included in the
data set stored in the data storage.
2. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 1, further comprising the test devices, wherein each of the
test devices comprises: an input receiving section for receiving
input of the attribution information indicating animal species or
breed of the animal serving as a collecting source of a sample; a
measurement section for measuring the sample and acquiring the
measurement result by using the attribute information received by
the input receiving section; and an information transmitting
section for transmitting the data set of the attribution
information and the measurement result to the central device.
3. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 2, wherein: the measurement section measures the sample and
acquires an initial measurement result, and acquires the
measurement result by correcting the initial measurement result by
correction information corresponding to the attribute information
received by the input receiving section; the data set transmitted
to the central device by the information transmitting section
further comprises the correction information; the data storage
stores the data set comprising the correction information; and the
information output section outputs the measurement result, the
attribute information, and the correction information stored in the
data storage.
4. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 1, wherein the test devices and the central device are
connected by way of an in-facility network.
5. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 1, wherein the test devices and the central device are
connected by way of Internet.
6. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 5, further comprising a display device for displaying
information output by the information output section.
7. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 2, wherein the test devices comprise a first test device for
acquiring a measurement result on a first measurement item, and a
second test device for acquiring a measurement result on a second
measurement item different from the first measurement item.
8. The system for providing animal test information according to
claim 2, wherein the test devices are animal blood cell counting
devices, and the item of the measurement result comprises at least
one of number of white blood cells, number of red blood cells,
number of platelets, and hemoglobin content.
9. A method of providing animal test information with a system
comprising test devices for measuring samples obtained from animals
and a central device communicably connected to the test devices,
the central device being for collecting and processing measurement
results acquired by the test devices, the method comprising steps
of: receiving, using a computer processor, input of attribution
information indicating animal species or breed of the animal
serving as a collecting source of a sample in each of the test
devices; measuring, using the computer processor, the sample and
acquiring a measurement result in each of the test devices;
transmitting, using the computer processor, a data set of the
attribution information and the measurement result from each of the
test devices to the central device; receiving, using the computer
processor, the data set from each of the test devices in the
central device; storing, using the computer processor, a plurality
of the data set; and outputting, using the computer processor, the
measurement result and the attribute information included in the
data set.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims the
benefit of priority from, to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/316,306, filed Dec. 11, 2008, which claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-320460
filed Dec. 12, 2007, and Japanese Patent Application No.
2007-320927 filed on Dec. 12, 2007, the entire contents of which
are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for providing
animal test information capable of providing standard value
information used to determine the treatment of animals in the
animal test, a central device, a method of providing animal test
information, and a computer program. The present invention also
relates to a system for providing animal test information for
managing test results obtained in the animal test device, a central
device, an animal test device, a method of providing animal test
information, and a computer program.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In medical institutions targeted on animals such as
veterinary hospitals, various clinical tests are conducted, similar
to medical institutions targeted on humans. A clinical test system
dedicated to animals is introduced in some medical institutions
targeted on animals, but since the component of the specimen such
as the size of red blood cells and the concentration greatly
differs depending on the animal species in the case of animals, the
analyzing conditions such as the type of analyzing program,
measurement sensitivity, reaction time, measurement reagent and the
like need to be changed according to the animal species.
[0004] Since changing and setting the analyzing conditions for
every animal species are troublesome to the worker, test can be
carried out in an optimum analyzing condition for every animal
species without performing a troublesome operation by selecting an
animal species (dog, cat, monkey, and the like) to be tested and
analyzing the test data in the analyzing condition corresponding to
the selected animal species in U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,263.
[0005] US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0053521 discloses
an analyzing system capable of easily changing the measurement mode
according to the animal species, and capable of outputting the
analysis result in the optimum analyzing condition for every animal
species by changing the analyzing condition corresponded by
measurement mode.
[0006] In medical institutions targeted on animals such as
veterinary hospitals as well, a sample is analyzed in an analyzer,
and the obtained analysis result is compared with a standard value
used to determine the treatment such as no treatment is required as
the subject is healthy, re-test is necessary, medication is
necessary, surgery is necessary, and the like to thereby determine
the treatment, similar to the medical institutions targeted on
humans. However, in clinical tests targeted on animals, the
absolute number of test data is smaller than the case of being
targeted on humans, and the variation in the component of the
specimen is large depending on animal species, or even on the same
animal species, on attribute information such as breed, sex, age
and the like. Therefore, it is difficult to find an objective base
with respect to the standard value used to determine the treatment,
and there is a problem that the treatment needs to be determined
relying on the intuition and the experience of the doctor present
at the clinical test.
[0007] In rare animals barely handled in veterinary hospitals, it
is more difficult to judge whether or not the standard value is
reliable.
[0008] The analyzer for animals is generally used stand alone
without being connected to other computers, but U.S. Pat. No.
6,391,263 discloses connecting the analyzer for animals and the
host computer by way of a network.
[0009] Connecting an analyzer for humans and another computer by
way of a network is also known. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.
6,629,060 discloses a remote support system in which an analyzer
for humans and a server of a provider providing the system are
connected by way of a network. US Patent Application Publication
No. 2005/0102166 discloses a clinical test system in which an
analyzer for humans and a server in a facility for conducting test
by such analyzer are connected by way of a network.
[0010] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,669 discloses an analysis
data providing system in which an analyzer and a management device
of a provider providing the system are connected by way of a
network. U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,669 also discloses transmitting
information indicating biological type of dogs, cats, and the like
from the measurement device to the server.
[0011] The number of people having pets is increasing in recent
years. The number of tests of the sample and the type of
measurement items are also increasing therewith in veterinary
hospitals. However, since the analyzer for animals is generally
used stand alone, the storage capacity of the measurement result is
relatively small, and the measurement results are printed out and
saved in the present situation. Furthermore, as the sample of the
animal has different components depending on the type of animal,
when the sample of a certain animal species is tested, the test
result of another sample of the relevant animal species is
sometimes desirably referenced. In the past, the necessary
measurement result needs to be found from the numerous measurement
results that are printed out and saved, which task is very
troublesome.
[0012] Moreover, a system in which the analyzer and the server are
connected by way of a network is known, as described above, but
such system does not solve the problems specific to the test of the
sample of animals.
[0013] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,263 discloses connecting
the analyzer for animals and the host computer by way of the
network, but the host computer merely stores an animal species
table in which the analyzable animal species and the ID for
specifying the relevant animal species are corresponded, and the
Patent does not describe at all how to manage the measurement
result (property value) obtained by the analyzer for animals.
[0014] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,060, the measurement result of
precision management substance is transmitted from the analyzer to
the server, and transmitting the measurement result of the sample
is not described at all. The measurement result of the sample of
humans is personal information, and thus transmitting such
information to an external server has a large risk of information
leakage, and the desire to transmit the measurement result of the
sample of humans to the external server is very small.
[0015] In US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0102166, the
measurement result of the sample of humans is transmitted to the
server in the facility. However, this system is targeted on the
sample of humans, and the description on managing the measurement
result of the sample of animals is not made at all. In particular,
the information on the animal species becomes important in managing
the measurement result since the sample of animals has different
components depending on the type of animals, but this aspect is not
described at all in US Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0102166.
[0016] In U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,669, transmitting information
indicating biological type of dogs, cats and the like from the
measurement device to the server is disclosed. However, the data
transmitted from the measurement device to the server in this
system is not the final measurement result to the user of the
analyzer, but is the intermediate data, and a dedicated server for
analyzing such intermediate data is necessary to obtain the final
measurement result. Although the number of samples is increasing in
recent years, the number of samples is very small in the test of
animals compared to the test of humans, and thus it is not
realistic to arrange an analysis dedicated server.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the
appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the
statements within this summary.
[0018] A first system for providing animal test information
embodying features of the present invention includes: test devices
for measuring samples obtained from animals; and a central device
communicably connected to the test devices, the central device
being for collecting and processing measurement results acquired by
the test devices, wherein each of the terminal test devices
comprises: an input receiving section for receiving input of
attribution information of a sample; a measurement section for
measuring the sample and acquiring a measurement result; an
information transmitting section for transmitting a data set of the
attribution information and the measurement result of the sample to
the central device, wherein the central device comprises: an
information receiving section for receiving the data set from each
of the test devices; a data storage for storing a plurality of the
data set; a standard value calculation section for calculating a
standard value to be used for determining a treatment of an animal,
based on a plurality of the measurement result included in a
plurality of the data set which have common attribution
information.
[0019] A first method of providing animal test information with a
system comprising test devices for measuring samples obtained from
animals and a central device communicably connected to the test
devices, the central device being for collecting and processing
measurement results acquired by the test devices, embodying
features of the present invention includes steps of: receiving
input of attribution information of a sample in each of the test
devices; measuring the sample and acquiring a measurement result in
each of the test devices; transmitting a data set of the
attribution information and the measurement result from each of the
test devices to the central device; receiving the date set from
each of the test devices in the central device; storing a plurality
of the data set in the central device; and calculating a standard
value to be used for determining a treatment of an animal, based on
a plurality of the measurement result included in a plurality of
stored data set which have common attribution information.
[0020] A second system for providing animal test information
embodying features of the present invention includes: test devices
for measuring samples obtained from animals; and a central device
communicably connected to the test devices, the central device
being for collecting and processing measurement results acquired by
the test devices, wherein each of the test devices comprises: an
input receiving section for receiving input of attribution
information indicating animal species or breed of the animal
serving as a collecting source of a sample, a measurement section
for measuring the sample and acquiring a measurement result, and an
information transmitting section for transmitting a data set of the
attribution information and the measurement result to the central
device, wherein the central device comprises: an information
receiving section for receiving the data set from each of the test
devices, a data storage for storing a plurality of the data set,
and an information output section for outputting the measurement
result and the attribute information included in the data set
stored in the data storage.
[0021] A second method of providing animal test information with a
system comprising test devices for measuring samples obtained from
animals and a central device communicably connected to the test
devices, the central device being for collecting and processing
measurement results acquired by the test devices, embodying
features of the present invention includes steps of: receiving
input of attribution information indicating animal species or breed
of the animal serving as a collecting source of a sample in each of
the test devices, measuring the sample and acquiring a measurement
result in each of the test devices, and transmitting a data set of
the attribution information and the measurement result from each of
the test devices to the central device, receiving the data set from
each of the test devices in the central device, storing a plurality
of the data set, and outputting the measurement result and the
attribute information included in the data set.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
system for providing animal test information according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a
configuration of an analyzer of a terminal test device used in the
system for providing animal test information according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control substrate section of the analyzer;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
calculation display device of the terminal test device used in the
system for providing animal test information according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a
CPU of the terminal test device used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU of the central device used in the system for providing animal
test information according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a data structure stored in
a property value information storage;
[0029] FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of a probability density
function;
[0030] FIG. 9 is an illustrative view of a screen displayed on a
display device as information related to a result
determination;
[0031] FIG. 10 is another illustrative view of a screen displayed
on the display device as information related to a result
determination;
[0032] FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of a screen displayed on the
display device 25 of the case of comparing the distribution state
of the property value information;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU of the terminal test device used in a system for providing
animal test information according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU of the central device used in the system for providing animal
test information according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 14 is an illustrative view of a data structure stored
in a property value information storage;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure
of the CPU of the central device used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
system for providing animal test information according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU of the central device used in the system for providing animal
test information according to the third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure
of the CPU of the central device used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a view showing a browsing screen of the property
value information displayed in the system for providing animal test
information according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 20 is a view showing a browsing screen of the property
value information displayed in the system for providing animal test
information according to the second embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0042] FIG. 21 is a view showing one example of an input screen of
attribute information displayed on the calculation display device
of the terminal test device used in the system for providing animal
test information according to the first to the third embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] In the present embodiment, an animal blood analyzer for
analyzing the blood of an animal will be specifically described by
way of example as a plurality of terminal test devices based on the
drawings.
[0044] In the present embodiment, "property value information"
refers to the information related to the property value that can be
measured by physical and chemical method with respect to a sample,
and is a wide concept that not only includes the measurement value
itself but also information and the like related to the
distribution of the measurement value. The "property value
information" is the final measurement result of the sample, and
does not refer to the intermediate data including light intensity
data for creating a scattergram in the analyzer using a flow
cytometer, scattered light intensity data in a blood coagulation
measurement device, and the like. The number and the concentration
of the component in the sample acquired using the light intensity
data in the analyzer using the flow cytometer, and the coagulation
time acquired using the scattered light intensity data in the blood
coagulation measurement device correspond to the "property value
information". The obtained property value information (initial
property value) may be corrected according to the attribute
information such as animal species, breed and sex of the animal
serving as the collecting source of the sample to obtain the final
property value. The "animal species" refers to the type of animal
such as dogs and cats, and "breed" refers to the type such as
bulldog, chihuahua, collie, and the like in dogs.
First Embodiment
[0045] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
system for providing animal test information according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system
for providing animal test information according to the first
embodiment is connected to a central device 3 and a plurality of
terminal test devices 2, 2, . . . by way of a network 1 represented
by Internet so as to be able to transmit and receive data.
[0046] The central device 3 is configured by at least a CPU
(Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage device
34, an input device 35, a display device 36, an auxiliary storage
device 37, a communication device 38, and an internal bus 39 for
connecting the above-described hardware. The CPU 31 is connected to
each hardware of the central device 3 by way of the internal bus
39, and controls the operation of each hardware and executes
various software functions according to a computer program 100
stored in the storage device 34. The RAM 33 is configured by an
SRAM, a flash memory, and the like, wherein a load module is
developed in time of the execution of the computer program 100, and
the RAM 33 stores temporary data and the like generated in time of
the execution of the computer program 100. The computer program 100
may be obviously stored in the ROM 32 in advance.
[0047] The storage device 34 is configured by a built-in fixed
storage device (hard disc) and the like. The computer program 100
stored in the storage device 34 is downloaded from a portable
recording medium 90 such as DVD and CD-ROM which record information
such as program and data by the auxiliary storage device 37, and
developed from the storage device 34 to the RAM 33 and executed in
time of execution. The computer program may be obviously downloaded
from an external computer via the communication device 38.
[0048] The storage device 34 includes a property value information
storage 341. The property value information storage 341 aggregates
the information related to various property values measured by the
user in the plurality of terminal test devices 2, 2, . . . and
stores the same in correspondence to the attribute information.
[0049] The communication device 38 is connected to the internal bus
39, and can transmit and receive data with the external computer
and the like by being connected to the external network 1 such as
Internet, LAN, and WAN. That is, the storage device 34 is not
limited to the configuration of being built in the central device
3, and may be an external recording medium such as external storage
connected by way of the communication device 38.
[0050] The input device 35 is a data input medium such as keyboard
and mouse. The display device 36 is a display device such as CRT
monitor and LCD.
[0051] In the first embodiment, the animal blood test apparatus is
described as the terminal test device 2 by way of example. The
terminal test device 2 is configured by an analyzer (e.g., blood
cell counting device) and a calculation display device. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an
analyzer 2a of the terminal test device 2 used in the system for
providing animal test information according to the first embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a housing 20 of the
analyzer 2a accommodates a display 19, a control substrate section
9, a power supply section 10, a printer section 11, and a
measurement section 12. The display 19 is a touch panel display
that displays information and receives input from the user.
[0052] The measurement section 12 is configured by a sample set
unit 6, a sample processing unit 7, and a fluid control unit 8. The
sample set unit 6 has the upper surface opened, so that a sample
container (container accommodating blood) can be set from the upper
surface. A sample set panel 4 is attached to the sample set unit 6,
and is positioned on the outer side of the housing 20.
[0053] A push button 5 is arranged on the outer side of the housing
20, and positions the sample set unit 6 by engaging with the sample
set panel 4. When the push button 5 is pushed by the user, the
engagement by the push button 5 is released, and the sample set
unit 6 rotates by 45 degrees about an axis R in the A direction
while being integrated with the sample set panel 4. The user can
then set the sample container (container accommodating blood) from
the upper surface of the sample set unit 6.
[0054] The user who has set the sample container can return the
sample set unit 6 to the position shown in FIG. 2 by pushing the
sample set panel 4 to rotate by 45 degrees. Similarly, when taking
out the sample container from the sample set unit 6, the user can
take out the sample container by pushing the push button 5 and
rotating the sample set unit 6 by 45 degrees.
[0055] The sample processing unit 7 is configured by an aspiration
mechanism 16, a detector 17, and a mix chamber 18. The aspiration
mechanism 16 is a mechanism for aspirating the sample from the
sample container set in the sample set unit 6, and injecting the
sample to the detector 17 and the mix chamber 18, and includes an
aspiration tube, and an actuator such as a motor.
[0056] The detector 17 is a detector of electrical resistance type,
for example, and detects an electric signal based on the blood
cells in the sample. A detector described in US Patent Application
Publication No. 2002/0034824 specification may be used for the
detector 17. The property value detected by the detector 17 is WBC
(number of white blood cells), RBC (number of red blood cells), HCT
(hematocrit value), and the like, and is output to the control
substrate section 9 as an output signal.
[0057] The mix chamber 18 is a container whose upper part is opened
for mixing the sample and a reagent. The fluid control unit 8 is
connected with a reagent container 13 accommodating the reagent by
way of a tube 15. The fluid control unit 8 includes a pump for
transferring the reagent, and an actuator such as a motor for
driving the pump, injects the sample, the reagent, and the like to
the detector 17 and the mix chamber 18, and also discharges the
same.
[0058] The control substrate section 9 controls the operation of
each unit, acquires information related to the property value to be
measured, and calculates the analysis result. The configuration of
the control substrate section 9 will be hereinafter described. The
power supply section 10 converts an alternating current (AC)
received from a commercial AC to a direct current (DC), and
supplies the same to the control substrate section 9 and the
actuator such as the motor of each unit. A printer section 11
includes a printer for printing the analysis result and the
like.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control substrate section 9 of the analyzer 2a. As shown in FIG. 3,
the control substrate section 9 is configured by at least a CPU 91,
a RAM 92, a drive circuit 93, a signal processing circuit 94 for
executing A/D conversion and the like, and a communication
interface 95 capable of transmitting and exchanging data with
outside via a network. The RAM 92 stores the computer program to be
executed, the information related to the measurement result, and
the like.
[0060] The drive circuit 93 controls the operation of the actuator
such as the motor, the operation of the display 19, and the like in
response to the command from the measurement operation program. The
signal processing circuit 94 is a circuit for converting the output
signal from the detector 17 to an analyzable digital signal. The
communication interface 95 transmits the detected property value
information to a calculation display device 2b via the network such
as USB cable and LAN cable.
[0061] The CPU 91 is connected to each of the hardware of the
control substrate section 9 via the internal bus 96, and controls
the operation of each of the hardware, and also executes various
software functions according to the computer program stored in the
RAM 29. In other words, the CPU 91 executes the analyzing process
and the like based on the signal digitalized in the signal
processing circuit 94 and obtained in the detector 17, and
transmits the property value information from the communication
interface 95 to the calculation display device 2b via the
network.
[0062] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
calculation display device 2b of the terminal test device 2 used in
the system for providing animal test information according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the
calculation display device 2b is configured by at least a CPU
(Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM 22, a storage device 23, an
input device 24, a display device 25, an output device 26, a
communication interface 27, and an internal bus 28 for connecting
the hardware described above. The CPU 21 is connected to each of
the hardware of the calculation display device 2 via the internal
bus 28, and controls the operation of each of the hardware and
executes various software functions according to the computer
program stored in the storage device 23. The RAM 22 is configured
by an SRAM, a flash memory and the like, wherein a load module is
developed in time of the execution of the computer program, and the
RAM 22 stores temporary data and the like generated in time of the
execution of the computer program 100.
[0063] The storage device 23 is configured by a built-in fixed
storage device (hard disc) and the like. The communication device
27 is connected to the internal bus 28, and can transmit and
receive data with the external computer and the like by being
connected to the analyzer 2a and the external network 1 such as
Internet, LAN, and WAN. That is, the storage device is connected so
as to be able to transmit and receive data with the central device
3 via the network 1 thereby transmitting the property value
information to the central device 3 and receiving the information
related to the result determination and the standard value
information.
[0064] The input device 24 is a data input medium such as keyboard
and mouse. The display device 25 is a display device such as CRT
monitor and LCD, and graphically displays the information related
to the result determination. The output device 26 is a printer such
as a laser printer or an inkjet printer.
[0065] The processing procedure in the terminal test device 2 and
the central device 3 in the system for providing animal test
information having the above-described configuration will now be
described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of
the CPU 21 of the terminal test device 2 used in the animal test
information according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0066] In FIG. 5, the CPU 21 of the calculation display device 2b
of the terminal test device 2 receives attribute information of a
sample to be measured via the input device 24 (step S501). The CPU
91 of the analyzer 2a may obviously directly receive the
information via the display 19 and transmit the same to the
calculation display device 2b . Here, the received attribute
information is not limited to animal species (type of animals, dog,
cat, . . . ), and information related to breed (intrinsic brand of
animals: in the case of dogs, collie, bulldog, Chihuahua, . . . ),
age, sex, type of affected illness and the like, but is not limited
thereto. FIG. 21 shows one example of an input screen of the
attribute information displayed on the input device 24 in step
S501. As shown in the figure, the input screen 120 is displayed
with an animal species selecting region 121, a breed selecting
region 122, an age input region 123, a sex selecting region 124,
and an illness information input region 125. In the animal species
selecting region 121, one selection from dog, cat, and cow is
received as animal species. In this figure, a state where the dog
is selected is shown. The breed selecting region 122 is configured
to display the breed corresponding to the animal species selected
in the animal species selecting region 121. In the figure, since
dog is selected as the animal species, collie, bulldog, and
Chihuahua, which are breed corresponding to dog, are displayed. In
this figure, a state where the collie is selected is shown. In the
age input region 123, the age of an animal to be tested is input to
an input field 126 by using the input device 24. In the sex
selecting region 124, one selection of male, female, and neutral is
received as sex. In this figure, a state where female is selected
is shown. In the illness information input region 125, information
related to the type of affected illness and the like is input to an
input field 127 by using the input device 24.
[0067] The CPU 21 transmits instruction information to start the
measurement of the sample to the analyzer 2a (step S502). The
analyzer 2a executes an analyzing process of the sample, and the
CPU 91 receives the property value information measured in the
detector 17 and transmits the same to the calculation display
device 2b . The CPU 21 of the calculation display device 2b judges
whether or not the property value information is received from the
analyzer 2a (step S503), and the process is in the standby state
until being judged that the relevant information is received (step
S503: NO). When the CPU 21 judges that the property value
information is received (step S503: YES), the CPU 21 transmits the
received property value information to the central device 3 in
correspondence with the attribute information received in step S501
(step S504).
[0068] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU 31 of the central device 3 used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. In FIG. 6, the CPU 31 of the central device 3
receives the property value information corresponded with the
attribute information (step S601), and stores the received property
value information and the attribute information in the property
value information storage 341 of the storage device 34 (step
S602).
[0069] FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a data structure stored in
the property value information storage 341. As shown in FIG. 7,
identification information capable of identifying the terminal test
device 2 which is the transmission source, such as the attribute
information and the property value information, are stored in
correspondence with a terminal ID. The information is necessary to
specify the terminal test device 2, serving as the transmission
source, of the property value information serving as the basis of
the standard value information calculation after calculating the
standard value information used to determine the treatment of the
animal based on the property value information. The attribute
information is configured by a plurality of attribute 1, attribute
2, . . . , and the property value information is also configured by
a plurality of property value 1, property value 2,
[0070] Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 21 of the calculation display
device 2b of the terminal test device 2 judges whether or not the
request information of the information related to the result
determination is received via the input device 24 (step S505). If
the CPU 21 is not received the request information (step S505: NO),
whether or not a browsing request of the property value information
is received via the input device 24 is judged (step S509). If
judged that the request information is received in step S505 (step
S505: YES), the CPU 21 transmits the request information of the
standard value to the central device 3 (step S506). If judged that
the browsing request of the property value information is received
in step S509 (step S509: YES), the browsing request information of
the property value information is transmitted to the central device
3 (step S510). The browsing request of the property value
information may include animal species or breed requesting to
browse, may include data for identifying an animal (individual) to
be tested (e.g., ID for identifying the animal), or may include a
terminal ID for identifying the device which carried out the test.
Furthermore, the browsing request of the property value information
may include data indicating the period of requesting the browsing.
If judged that the browsing request of the property value
information is not received in step S509 (S509: NO), the process
returns to step S505.
[0071] Returning to FIG. 6, the CPU 31 of the central device 3
judges whether or not the request information of the standard value
is received (step S603), when the CPU 31 judges that the request
information is received (step S603: YES), the CPU 31 calculates the
standard value information used to determine the treatment of the
animal based on the property value information for every attribute
information based on the great amount of property value information
collected in the property value information storage 341 (step
S604). The standard value information calculated here is
information related to the standard value used to determine the
treatment of the animal based on the property value information,
and is, for example, an average value calculated for every
attribute information. Whether or not the received property value
information is a normal value can be judged using the standard
value information, for example, by defining predetermined upper and
lower widths of a normal range for judging whether or not the
property value information is normal (i.e., whether or not the
tested animal is healthy). The standard value information may, of
course, include a maximum value and a minimum value having the
predetermined upper and lower widths of the normal range. In
addition, when a constant amount of property value information can
be collected, the range for judging that the property value
information is normal may be specified by calculating a normal
distribution of the measured property values and performing a
statistical calculation based on the collected property value
information.
[0072] When using the normal distribution, for example, the CPU 31
judges whether or not the acquired predetermined property value Z
is on the maximum side or the minimum side of a probability density
function f(Z) or within a predetermined range of both. FIG. 8 is an
illustrative view of the probability density function f(Z). As
shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 31 calculates an average value and a
variance of the property value to calculate a probability density
function 80. The probability density function f(Z) may be obtained
after excluding in advance the property values near the maximum
value and near the minimum value in order to exclude abnormal
values. The probability density function f(Z) can be expressed as
(equation 1). Here, .sigma. in (equation 1) is the standard
deviation of the property value Z, and is calculated by (equation
2).
[ Equation 1 ] f ( Z ) = 1 2 .pi. .sigma. e ( Z - u _ ) 2 2 .sigma.
2 [ Equation 1 ] ##EQU00001##
wherein is the average of the distribution.
[ Equation 2 ] .sigma. = i _ = 1 n ( Zi - Z _ ) 2 [ Equation 2 ]
##EQU00002##
wherein Z is the average of the property value.
[0073] If judged that the property value is not included in the
normal range, it can be considered as a case within a range
corresponding to a few %, for example, 5 to 10% of the total in the
region 81 on the maximum value side or the region 82 on the minimum
value side of the probability density function 80. Therefore, when
the acquired property value Z is included in the region 81 or 82,
the property value Z can be judged as the property value that is
not normal.
[0074] Therefore, in this case, as for the information the central
device 3 transmits to the terminal test device 2 as standard value
information, at least the probability density function f(Z) merely
needs to be transmitted. It should be obviously recognized that a
boundary value (percentage) indicating which range is judged as
normal may be included. In addition, the information transmitted to
the terminal test device 2 as the standard value information
changes according to the statistical processing procedure.
[0075] Returning to FIG. 6, the CPU 31 of the central device 3
transmits the standard value information corresponding to the
received attribute information as the information related to the
result determination to the terminal test device 2, which is the
transmission source of the property value information (step S605).
For example, the standard value information corresponding to animal
species of "dog", and the breed of "collie" is transmitted to the
terminal test device 2 that has transmitted the property value
information in animal species of "dog", and the breed of "collie".
In this manner, even in a case where only the property value
information insufficient to specify with the terminal test device 2
alone is provided, the standard value information of high
reliability can be acquired, and the judgment of the doctors can be
assisted. If the request information is not received in step S603
(step S603: NO), the CPU 31 of the central device 3 judges whether
or not the browsing request of the property value information is
received (step S606). If the browsing request of the property value
information is received (YES in step S606), the property value
information corresponding to the request is extracted from the
property value information storage 341. For instance, if the animal
species or the breed is included in the request information
transmitted in step S510, the CPU 31 extracts all property value
information corresponded with the relevant animal species or the
breed from the property value information storage 341. If the ID
for identifying the test target is included in the request
information transmitted in step S510, all property value
information of the animal specified by the ID are extracted from
the property value information storage 341. The CPU 31 transmits
the extracted property value information along with the data such
as the animal species contained in the request information to the
terminal test device 2 in step S608.
[0076] Returning back to FIG. 5, the CPU 21 of the calculation
display device 2b of the terminal test device 2 receives the
standard value information related to the attribute information
corresponding to the property value information transmitted to the
central device 3 as information related to the result determination
(step S507), and displays the information related to the result
determination on the display device 25 with the standard value
information (step S508). The format of displaying on the display
device 25 is not particularly limited, but the comparison between
the standard value information and the measured property value
information is desirably visually made.
[0077] FIG. 9 is an illustrative view of a screen displayed on the
display device 25 as information related to the result
determination. In FIG. 9, the measurement value of each item
serving as the property value information, and the normal range of
each displayed item serving as the standard value information are
respectively displayed. Such information are displayed using a
slide bar 91 such that whether the actually measured property value
information is "excessively small", "normal", or "excessively
large" with respect to the normal range can be visually checked.
Whether or not the measured property value information is normal
can be then visually checked.
[0078] FIG. 10 is another illustrative example of a screen
displayed on the display device 25 as information related to the
result determination. In FIG. 10, the measurement value of each
item serving as the property value information is sampled, and the
relationship with the normal range of each item displayed as the
standard value information is displayed as a radar chart. In a
hatching part 101, the outer circumferential portion shows the
maximum value of the normal range, and the internal circumferential
portion shows the minimum value of the normal range, whether or not
the property value information measured for every item is in the
normal range can be visually checked depending on whether or not
the measured property value information is contained in the
hatching part 101.
[0079] Depending on the property value information, the normal
range may not be simply defined. In this case, whether normal or
not needs to be sensuously judged by comparing with the
distribution of a normal case. FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of a
screen displayed on the display device 25 of the case of comparing
the distribution state of the property value information.
[0080] In FIG. 11, a distribution range where a hatching part 111
is judged as normal with respect to the measurement value 110
showing the relationship between the number of particles and the
particle diameter of the measured red blood cells is shown. In the
example of FIG. 11, the particle diameter at the maximum value of
the measurement value 110 is larger than the particle diameter at
the maximum value of the hatching part 111, and thus judgment can
be made that the number of red blood cells having a large particle
diameter is contained in excess than the normal range in the
measured blood. If judged that the browsing request is received in
step S509 (step S509: YES), and the request information is
transmitted to the central device 3, the information transmitted
from the central device 3 in step S608 is received (step S511), and
displayed (step S512). FIG. 19 is a view showing one example of a
screen displayed in step S512. This example shows a case where
"dog" is included as the animal species and Oct. 1, 2007 to Nov.
30, 2007 are included as the period in the request information
transmitted in step S510, and all property value information from
Oct. 1, 2007 to Nov. 30, 2007 with respect to the animal species
"dog" are displayed. If "collie" is included as the animal species
in the request information transmitted in step S510, the breed
"collie" is displayed instead of the animal species "dog" on the
screen of FIG. 19, and all property value information from Oct. 1,
2007 to Nov. 30, 2007 with respect to the breed "collie" are
displayed. The reception of the request information in steps S505
and 509, and the display of the screen shown in FIG. 19 in step
S508 can be executed through the Internet browser.
[0081] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the property
value information of the animal having the attribute information
where the absolute number is insufficient with each terminal test
device can be collected by a constant amount by aggregating the
property value information from the plurality of terminal test
devices, and the standard value information based on greater
property value information can be calculated by calculating the
standard value information used to determine the treatment of the
animal based on the collected property value information.
Therefore, even in animals having attribute information in which
sufficient test data are not held in one veterinary hospital or
unknown attribute information, the doctor can determine the
treatment of the animals based on a more objective standard value
information without depending on intuition and experience. Since
the central device 3 receives, stores, and outputs the property
value information transmitted from a plurality of terminal test
devices 2 in correspondence to the attribute information indicating
the type or the breed of the animal, and thus reference of great
number of property value information on a specific animal species
or breed is facilitated.
[0082] The standard value information can be updated in the central
device 3 at substantially real time according to the collected
property value information. Therefore, when receiving the property
value information serving as the measurement result of an animal
sample rare in our country and having the attribute information
such as animal species, the treatment of the animal can be
determined using the standard value information updated using the
most recent property value information, and an accurate diagnosis
can be assisted with respect to an event where judgment is
difficult in the veterinary clinic alone. In the first embodiment,
the reception of the request information in steps S505 and 509 and
the display of the screen shown in FIG. 19 in step S508 are
executed in the terminal test device 2, but such operations may be
executed using the Internet browser installed in a computer other
than the terminal test device 2 and the central device 3.
Second Embodiment
[0083] A system for providing animal test information according to
a second embodiment of the present invention will be specifically
described below based on the drawings. The configuration of the
system for providing animal test information according to the
second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the first
embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the
standard value information taking correction into consideration is
calculated in the central device 3 in view of the fact that the
property value information respectively measured in the terminal
test device 2, 2, . . . is corrected. The basic configurations of
the central device 3 and the terminal test device 2 are similar to
the first embodiment, and thus detailed description will be omitted
by denoting the same reference numerals.
[0084] The processing procedure in the terminal test device 2 and
the central device 3 in the system for providing animal test
information according to the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the CPU 21
of the terminal test device 2 used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0085] In FIG. 12, the CPU 21 of the calculation display device 2b
of the terminal test device 2 receives correction information input
or set through the display 19 of the analyzer 2a (step S1201).
Obviously, the CPU 21 of the calculation display device 2b may
receive the correction information via the input device 24, or may
receive the correction information set in time of delivery and
stored in the RAM 92 of the control substrate section 9 of the
analyzer 2a via the communication interface 95.
[0086] Here, the correction information means a correction
coefficient of correcting the property value information measured
in the analyzer 2a so as to become the measurement value with the
measurement value measured in another measurement device as a true
value. For instance, if the measured property value information is
the hematocrit value HCT, the measurement value HCT1 in the
analyzer 2a and the measurement value HCT2 in the measurement
device using a centrifugal hematocrit method often installed in
veterinary hospitals differ in the measurement value. In this case,
assuming that the measurement value HCT2 in the centrifugal
hematocrit method is the correct value, correction is made by
multiplying the correction coefficient a so that the measurement
value HCT1 in the analyzer 2a becomes the measurement value HCT2.
In this case, the correction coefficient .alpha. is obtained as in
(equation 3).
.alpha.=HCT2/HCT1 (Equation 3)
[0087] The correction coefficient related to other property value
information is also similarly calculated if necessary. Therefore,
the standard value information used to determine the treatment of
the animal can be more accurately calculated based on the original
property value information before correction by transmitting not
only the property value information but also the correction
coefficient for every property value information to the central
device 3. Therefore, the treatment of the animal can be determined
using the standard value information updated using the most recent
property value information.
[0088] The CPU 21 of the calculation display device 2b of the
terminal test device 2 then receives the attribute information of
the sample to be measured via the input device 24 (step S1202). The
CPU 91 of the analyzer 2a may, of course, directly receive the
information through the display 19, and transmit the same to the
calculation display device 2b. The attribute information to receive
is not limited to animal species (type of animal: dog, cat, . . .
), and information related to breed (intrinsic brand of animals: in
the case of dogs, collie, bulldog, Chihuahua, . . . ), age, sex,
and the like, but is not limited thereto.
[0089] The CPU 21 transmits instruction information to start the
measurement of the sample to the analyzer 2a (step S1203). The
analyzer 2a executes an analyzing process of the sample, and the
CPU 91 receives the property value information measured in the
detector 17 and transmits the same to the calculation display
device 2b in correspondence with the received attribute
information. The CPU 21 of the calculation display device 2b judges
whether or not the property value information is received from the
analyzer 2a (step S1204), and the process is in the standby state
until being judged that the relevant information is received (step
S1204: NO). When the CPU 21 judges that the property value
information is received (step S1204: YES), the CPU 21 corrects the
property value information based on the received property value
information and the correction information (step S1205), and
transmits the corrected property value information, the attribute
information, and the correction information to the central device 3
(step S1206).
[0090] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU 31 of the central device 3 used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the second embodiment of the
present invention. In FIG. 13, the CPU 31 of the central device 3
receives the property value information corresponded with the
attribute information, the attribute information, and the
correction information (step S1301), and stores the received
property value information, attribute information and correction
information in the property value information storage 341 of the
storage device 34 (step S1302).
[0091] FIG. 14 is an illustrative view of a data structure stored
in the property value information storage 341. As shown in FIG. 14,
identification information capable of identifying the terminal test
device 2, which is the transmission source, such as the attribute
information, the property value information and the correction
information for every property value information are stored in
correspondence with a terminal ID. The attribute information is
configured by a plurality of attribute 1, attribute 2, . . . , and
the property value information is also configured by a plurality of
property value 1, property value 2, . . . . The correction
information is stored by the number of property value information
where the correction information corresponding to the property
value 1 is correction coefficient 1, the correction information
corresponding to the property value 2 is correction coefficient 2,
and so on.
[0092] Returning to FIG. 12, the CPU 21 of the calculation display
device 2b of the terminal test device 2 judges whether or not the
request information of the information related to the result
determination is received via the input device 24 (step S1207). If
the CPU 21 has not received the request information (step S1207:
NO), whether or not a browsing request of the property value
information is received via the input device 24 is judged (step
S1211). If judged that the request information is received in step
S1207 (step S1207: YES), the CPU 21 transmits the request
information to the central device 3 (step S1208). If judged that
the browsing request of the property value information is received
in step S1211 (step S1211: YES), the browsing request information
of the property value information is transmitted to the central
device 3 (step S1212). The browsing request of the property value
information may include animal species or breed requesting to
browse, may include data for identifying an animal (individual) to
be tested (e.g., ID for identifying the animal), or may include a
terminal ID for identifying the device which carried out the test.
Furthermore, the browsing request of the property value information
may include data indicating the period of requesting the browsing.
If judged that the browsing request of the property value
information is not received in step S1211 (S1211: NO), the process
returns to step S1207.
[0093] Returning to FIG. 13, the CPU 31 of the central device 3
judges whether or not the request information is received (step
S1303), when the CPU 31 judges that the request information is
received (step S1303: YES), the CPU 31 calculates the original
standard value information serving as the property value
information before correction based on the stored property value
information and the correction information (step S1304), and
calculates the standard value information of the property value for
every attribute information based on the great amount of original
property value information collected in the property value
information storage 341 (step S1305).
[0094] The standard value information calculated here is
information related to the standard value used to determine the
treatment of the animal based on the property value information,
similar to the first embodiment, and is, for example, an average
value calculated for every attribute information. Whether or not
the received property value information is a normal value can be
judged using the standard value information, for example, by
defining predetermined upper and lower widths of a normal range for
judging whether or not the property value information is normal.
The standard value information may, of course, include a maximum
value and a minimum value having the predetermined upper and lower
widths of the normal range. In addition, when a constant amount of
property value information can be collected, the range for judging
that the property value information is normal may be specified by
calculating a normal distribution of the measured property values
and performing a statistical calculation based on the collected
property value information.
[0095] The CPU 31 transmits the standard value information
corresponding to the received attribute information to the terminal
test device 2, which is the transmission source of the property
value information (step S1306). For example, the standard value
information corresponding to animal species of "dog", and the breed
of "collie" is transmitted to the terminal test device 2 that has
transmitted the property value information in animal species of
"dog", and the breed of "collie". In this manner, even in a case
where only the property value information insufficient to specify
with the terminal test device 2 alone is provided, the standard
value information of high reliability can be acquired, and the
judgment of the doctors can be assisted. Since the standard value
information is calculated based on the original property value
information before correction, the precision of the standard value
information becomes higher, and the judgment precision on whether
or not the measured property value information is normal becomes
higher. If the request information is not received in step S1303
(step S1303: NO), the CPU 31 of the central device 3 judges whether
or not the browsing request of the property value information is
received (step S1307). If the browsing request of the property
value information is received (YES in step S1307), the property
value information corresponding to the request and the correction
information are extracted from the property value information
storage 341. For instance, if the animal species or the breed is
included in the request information transmitted in step S1212, the
CPU 31 extracts all of the property value information and the
correction information corresponded with the relevant animal
species or the breed from the property value information storage
341. If the ID for identifying the test target is included in the
request information transmitted in step S1212, all of the property
value information and the correction information of the animal
specified by the ID are extracted from the property value
information storage 341. The CPU 31 transmits the extracted
property value information along with the data such as the animal
species contained in the request information to the terminal test
device 2 in step S1309.
[0096] Returning back to FIG. 12, the CPU 21 of the calculation
display device 2b of the terminal test device 2 receives the
standard value information related to the attribute information
corresponding to the property value information transmitted to the
central device 3 (step S1209), and displays the information related
to the result determination on the display device 25 with the
standard value information (step S1210). The format of displaying
on the display device 25 is not particularly limited, and various
display formats may be used, similar to the first embodiment. If
judged that the browsing request is received in step S1211 (step
S1211: YES), and the request information is transmitted to the
central device 3, the information transmitted from the central
device 3 in step S1309 is received (step S1213), and displayed
(step S1214). FIG. 20 is a view showing one example of a screen
displayed in step S1214. This example shows a case where "dog" is
included as the animal species and Oct. 1, 2007 to Nov. 30, 2007 is
included as the period in the request information transmitted in
step S1212, and all property value information from Oct. 1, 2007 to
Nov. 30, 2007 with respect to the animal species "dog" are
displayed. The correction information is also displayed on the
screen in correspondence with the respective property value
information. The correction information is displayed as "1" if the
correction is not performed. If "collie" is included as the animal
species in the request information transmitted in step S1212, the
breed "collie" is displayed instead of the animal species "dog" on
the screen of FIG. 20, and the property value information from Oct.
1, 2007 to Nov. 30, 2007 with respect to the breed "collie" are
displayed with the correction information. The reception of the
request information in steps S1207 and 1211, and the display of the
screen shown in FIG. 20 in step S1214 can be executed through the
Internet browser.
[0097] The standard value information calculated based on the
original property value information before correction is not
limited to being transmitted to the terminal test device 2, and the
calculated standard value information may be corrected in the
central device 3, and then the corrected standard value information
may be transmitted to the terminal test device 2. FIG. 15 is a
flowchart showing another processing procedure of the CPU 31 of the
central device 3 used in the system for providing animal test
information according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0098] In FIG. 15, the processes up to step S1305 are similar to
FIG. 13, and thus the detailed description will be omitted. The CPU
31 of the central device 3 corrects the calculated standard value
information based on the stored correction information (step
S1501), and transmits the corrected standard value information
corresponding to the received attribute information to the terminal
test device 2, which is the transmission source of the property
value information (step S1502).
[0099] In this manner, whether or not the measured property value
information is included in the normal range, and the like, can be
checked and the treatment of the animal can be determined by using
the received standard value information as is without correcting in
the terminal test device 2 receiving the standard value
information.
[0100] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the variation
in the measured property value information by the correction
information set at different values for every terminal test device
2 can be corrected, and the standard value information of higher
precision can be calculated. In the second embodiment, the CPU 91
transmits the corrected property value information in step S1206,
but the property value information before correction may be
transmitted to the central device 3 along with the attribute
information and the correction information.
Third Embodiment
[0101] A system for providing animal test information according to
a third embodiment of the present invention will be specifically
described based on the drawings. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing
a configuration of a system for providing animal test information
according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The
configuration of the system for providing animal test information
according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the
first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that an
illness information storage 342 and/or treatment information
storage 343 are arranged in the storage device 34 of the central
device 3. The basic configurations of the central device 3 and the
terminal test device 2 are similar to the first embodiment, and
thus the detailed description will be omitted by denoting the same
reference numerals.
[0102] The illness information storage 342 arranged in the storage
device 34 of the central device 3 stores illness information
related to the corresponding illness based on the illness judgment
condition information including the relationship and the like that
the measured property value information needs to have with the
standard value information in correspondence with the attribute
information. The illness information is preferably stored as a
message to be displayed on the display device 25 of the terminal
test device 2. This is because the doctors can visually acquire the
information.
[0103] For instance, with the HGB (hemoglobin content) smaller than
the normal range and the MCV (mean corpuscular volume) smaller than
the normal range as the illness judgment condition information,
text data "possible microcytic hypochromic anemia, iron-deficiency
anemia and the like" is stored as a corresponding message. With the
HGB (hemoglobin content) and the MCV (mean corpuscular volume) in
the normal range, the RBC smaller than the normal range, and the
LDH smaller than the normal range as the illness judgment condition
information, text data "possible macrocytic anemia, anaplastic
anemia, hemolytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, liver disorder and
the like" is stored as a corresponding message. The possibility of
illness can be determined in the central device 3 and transmitted
to the terminal test device 2 by storing the illness information
(message) in correspondence to the illness judgment condition
information for judging the various illnesses.
[0104] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
CPU 31 of the central device 3 used in the system for providing
animal test information according to the third embodiment of the
present invention. In FIG. 17, the CPU 31 of the central device 3
receives the property value information corresponded with the
attribute information (step S1701), and stores the received
property value information and the attribute information in the
property value information storage 341 of the storage device 34
(step S1702).
[0105] The CPU 31 judges whether or not the request information is
received from the terminal test device 2 (step S1703), and the
process is in the standby state until the CPU 31 judges that the
request information is received (step S1703: NO). When the CPU 31
judges that the request information is received (step S1703: YES),
the CPU 31 calculates the standard value information of the
property value information for every attribute information based on
the great amount of property value information collected in the
property value information storage 341 (step S1704).
[0106] Similar to the first and the second embodiments, the
standard value information calculated here is the information
related to the standard value used to determine the treatment of
the animal based on the property value information, and is an
average value calculated for every attribute information. Whether
or not the received property value information is a normal value
can be judged using the standard value information, for example, by
defining predetermined upper and lower widths of a normal range for
judging whether or not the property value information is normal.
The standard value information may, of course, include a maximum
value and a minimum value having the predetermined upper and lower
widths of the normal range. In addition, when a constant amount of
property value information can be collected, the range for judging
that the property value information is normal may be specified by
calculating a normal distribution of the measured property values
and performing a statistical calculation based on the collected
property value information.
[0107] The CPU 31 selects one property value information (step
S1705), and judges whether or not the selected property value
information is included in the specified normal range (step S1706).
The CPU 31 stores as information related to the relative
relationship between the property value information and the
standard value information in the RAM 33 (step S1707) if the CPU 31
judges that the selected property value information is not included
in the normal range (step S1706: NO), and the CPU 31 skips step
S1707 and judges whether or not all property value information are
selected (step S1708) if the CPU 31 judges that the selected
property value information is included in the normal range (step
S1706: YES). The information related to the relative relationship
between the property value information and the standard value
information is information related to the relative relationship
such as the property value information A is smaller than the
standard value information B, the property value information C is
smaller than the standard value information D, and the like.
[0108] If the CPU 31 judges that the property value information
which has not yet selected exists (step S1708: NO), the CPU 31
selects the next property value information (step S1709), returns
the process to step S1706, and repeats the above-described
processes. If the CPU 31 judges that all property value information
are selected (step S1708: YES), the CPU 31 specifies the illness
judgment condition information for referencing the illness
information storage 342 based on the information related to the
relative relationship between the property value information and
the standard value information stored in the RAM 33 (step
S1710).
[0109] The CPU 31 references the illness information storage 342
and judges whether or not the illness judgment condition
information match (step S1711), and the CPU 31 extracts (step
S1712) the illness information stored in the illness information
storage 342 in correspondence to the illness judgment condition
information when judged that the illness judgment condition
information match (step S1711: YES).
[0110] The CPU 31 transmits the extracted illness information, the
property value information, and the attribute information to the
terminal test device 2, which is the transmission source of the
property value information (step S1713). Thus, whether or not the
property value information received in the central device 3 is
included in the normal range is judged, and the illness information
related to the assumed illness can be acquired in the terminal test
device 2 based on the information related to the relative
relationship between the property value information and the
standard value information, and thus provision of a more accurate
judgment to the owner of the animal can be assisted.
[0111] Not limited to the illness information, treatment
information related to the treatment such as what kind of test may
be added can also be transmitted to the terminal test device 2
through similar process. In this case, the treatment information
storage 343 arranged in the storage device 34 of the central device
3 stores the treatment information related to the corresponding
illness based on the treatment judgment condition information
including the relationship and the like that the measured property
value information needs to have with the standard value information
in correspondence with the attribute information. The treatment
information is preferably stored as a message to be displayed on
the display device 25 of the terminal test device 2. This is
because the doctors can visually acquire the information.
[0112] For instance, with the HGB (hemoglobin content) smaller than
the normal range and the MCV (mean corpuscular volume) smaller than
the normal range as the combining condition, text data "measurement
of serum iron and TIBC is recommended. Possible iron-deficiency
anemia if serum iron is small and the TIBC is normal or large" is
stored as a corresponding message. Thus, not limited to the illness
information, by storing the treatment information related to the
treatment further necessary for checking, the treatment information
necessary in the central device 3 is extracted and may be
transmitted to the terminal test device 2 as a message.
[0113] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure
of the CPU 31 of the central device 3 used in the system for
providing animal test information according to the third embodiment
of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the CPU 31 of the central
device 3 receives the property value information corresponded with
the attribute information (step S1801), and stores the received
property value information and the attribute information in the
property value information storage 341 of the storage device 34
(step S1802).
[0114] The CPU 31 judges whether or not the request information is
received from the terminal test device 2 (step S1803), and the
process is in the standby state until the CPU 31 judges that the
request information is received (step S1803: NO). When the CPU 31
judges that the request information is received (step S1803: YES),
the CPU 31 calculates the standard value information of the
property value information for every attribute information based on
the great amount of property value information collected in the
property value information storage 341 (step S1804).
[0115] The CPU 31 selects one property value information (step
S1805), and judges whether or not the selected property value
information is included in the specified normal range (step S1806).
The CPU 31 stores as information related to the relative
relationship between the property value information and the
standard value information in the RAM 33 (step S1807) if the CPU 31
judges that the selected property value information is not included
in the normal range (step S1806: NO), and the CPU 31 skips step
S1807 and judges whether or not all property value information are
selected (step S1808) if the CPU 31 judges that the selected
property value information is included in the normal range (step
S1806: YES). The information related to the relative relationship
between the property value information and the standard value
information is information related to the relative relationship
such as the property value information A is smaller than the
standard value information B, the property value information C is
smaller than the standard value information D, and the like.
[0116] If the CPU 31 judges that the property value information has
not yet selected exists (step S1808: NO), the CPU 31 selects the
next property value information (step S1809), returns the process
to step S1806, and repeats the above-described processes. If the
CPU 31 judges that all property value information are selected
(step S1808: YES), the CPU 31 specifies the treatment judgment
condition information for referencing the treatment information
storage 343 based on the information related to the relative
relationship between the property value information and the
standard value information stored in the RAM 33 (step S1810).
[0117] The CPU 31 references the treatment information storage 342
and judges whether or not the treatment judgment condition
information match (step S1811), and the CPU 31 extracts (step
S1812) the treatment information stored in the treatment
information storage 343 in correspondence to the treatment judgment
condition information when judged that the treatment judgment
condition information match (step S1811: YES).
[0118] The CPU 31 transmits the extracted treatment information,
the property value information, and the attribute information to
the terminal test device 2, which is the transmission source of the
property value information (step S1813). Thus, whether or not the
property value information received in the central device 3 is
included in the normal range is judged, and the treatment
information related to the treatment to be conducted can be
acquired in the terminal test device 2 based on the information
related to the relative relationship between the property value
information and the standard value information, and thus provision
of a more accurate judgment to the owner of the animal can be
assisted.
[0119] According to the configuration of each embodiment, the
property value information of an animal having attribute
information, in which absolute number is not sufficient in each
terminal test device, can be collected by a constant amount by
aggregating the property value information from the plurality of
terminal test devices, and the standard value information based on
greater amount of property value information can be calculated by
calculating the standard value information used to determine the
treatment of the animal based on the collected property value
information. Therefore, even in animals having attribute
information in which sufficient test data are not held in one
veterinary hospital, or unknown attribute information, the doctor
can determine the treatment of the animals based on a more
objective standard value information without depending on intuition
and experience.
[0120] According to the configuration of each embodiment, the test
result of other samples of the animal species (or breed) same as
the animal species (or breed) of the sample to be tested can be
easily referenced by receiving, storing, and outputting the
property value information from the plurality of animal terminal
test devices in correspondence to the attribute information
indicating the type or the breed of the animal.
[0121] The first to the third embodiments merely illustrate
examples, and various modifications, replacements and the like can
be carried out within a scope not deviating from the concept of the
invention. Not limited to a mode of being configured by the
analyzer 2a and the calculation display device 2b and having the
analyzer 2a and the calculation display device 2b connected so as
to be able to transmit and receive data, as described above, and
the device may be an integrated mode. It should be recognized that
the analyzer 2a of the terminal test device 2 can be easily applied
to various analyzers capable of measuring and analyzing measurement
values, such as blood cell counting device, biochemical analyzer,
urine analyzer, immune analyzer, and the like.
[0122] Not limited to being connected with a single analyzer, a
biochemical analyzer for conducting a biochemical test may be
connected as the analyzer in addition to the blood cell counting
device. Similar to the blood cell counting device, the biochemical
analyzer receives the input of the attribute information, and
transmits the received attribute information to the central device
3 in correspondence with the property value information. Here, the
property value information is biochemical items including HDL and
LDL.
[0123] If the biochemical analyzer is connected, more detailed
information can be provided as the illness information. For
instance, with TP (amount of total protein) small, Alb (amount of
albumin) small, and Glob (amount of total globulin) normal as the
combining condition, text data "Possible liver failure, glomus
illness and the like" is stored as the corresponding message. With
TP (amount of total protein) small, Alb (amount of albumin) small,
and Glob (amount of total globulin) small as the combining
condition, text data "Possible blood loss, excessive transfusion,
storage of ascites fluid and pleural effusion" is stored as the
corresponding message. Thus, the illness information can be
displayed on the terminal test device 2 according to the
combination of the results of the biochemical test. It should be
recognized that this is the same for the treatment information.
[0124] In the first to the third embodiments, the information
related to the result determination is acquired by transmitting the
request information from the terminal test device 2 side to the
central device 3, but may be automatically transmitted to the
terminal test device 2 at a predetermined timing. In the first to
the third embodiments described above, the standard value
information is transmitted from the central device 3 to the
terminal test device 2 as text data, but image data including the
standard value information and the property value information may
be created in the central device 3, and transmitted to the terminal
test device 2.
[0125] Furthermore, in the first to the third embodiments described
above, the information related to the result determination is
transmitted to the terminal test device 2 and displayed on the
display device 25 of the terminal test device 2, but the
information related to the result determination is not limited to
being displayed at the terminal test device 2 which has transmitted
the property value information, and may be displayed on the display
device of another computer installed in the same veterinary
hospital. This also achieves the aim of assisting the diagnosis of
the doctor. In this case, whether or not the computer of the
transmission destination is installed in the same facility,
veterinary hospital and the like with the terminal test device 2
which has transmitted the property value information is judged, and
the information related to the result determination needs to be
transmitted only if installed in the same facility, veterinary
hospital and the like. Furthermore, in the first to the third
embodiments, the central processing device 3 is a server exterior
to the facility connected with a plurality of terminal test devices
2 by way of the Internet, but the present invention is not limited
thereto, and a server interior to the facility connected with the
plurality of terminal test devices 2 in the facility may be applied
as the central processing device 3. In this case, an in-facility
network such as local area network (LAN) may be used as the network
1. Thus, the risk of the property value information leaking to the
outside is alleviated by connecting the central processing device 3
and the terminal test device 2 by way of the in-facility network.
Furthermore, since only the property value information of the
facility are stored in the property value information storage 341,
the number of property value information displayed when browsing
the property value information is relatively few, and the target
property value information can be easily found. The central
processing device 3 may be further connected with the server
exterior to the facility.
[0126] In the first embodiment, the measurement result (property
value information) obtained by measuring the sample in the terminal
test device 2 and the attribute information related to the measured
sample or the animal which is the collecting source of the relevant
sample are corresponded to each other and transmitted to the
central device 3. That is, the measurement result (property value
information) corresponding to each measurement and the attribute
information are transmitted to the central device 3 as one data
set, and stored (see FIG. 7). In the second embodiment, the
measurement result (property value information) obtained by
measuring the sample in the terminal test device 2, the attribute
information related to the measured sample or the animal which is
the collecting source of the relevant sample, and the correction
information used when obtaining the measurement result are
corresponded and transmitted to the central device 3, and then
stored in the storage device 34 of the central device. That is, the
measurement result (property value information) corresponding to
each measurement, the attribute information, and the correction
information are transmitted to the central device 3 as one data
set, and stored in the storage device 34 of the central device 3
(see FIG. 14). However, the respective data configuring one data
set does not necessarily need to be stored in the single storage
device. For instance, the measurement result (property value
information), the attribute information, and the actual data of the
correction information may be stored in different storage devices,
and the link information to the relevant data may be stored in a
table having the data structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 14.
* * * * *