Control device and analyzer

Abstract

The present invention quickly resolves troubles in an analyzer and performs effective external quality control management. An analyzer ( 2 ) and a control device ( 1 ) are connected by a network ( 3 ). Error data and sample data taken from an assay of a quality control substance are transmitted from the control device ( 1 ) to the analyzer ( 2 ). The analyzer ( 2 ) is made to be remotely operable from the control device ( 1 ) and when problems arise, repair from the control device ( 1 ) is possible. The control device ( 1 ) tallies sample data and provides the tally results to a Web page. The analyzer ( 2 ) accesses the Web page using a WWW browser, and it can perform external quality control in real time.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A sample analyzer analyzing at least one analyte contained in a sample, comprising:
 an analyzing unit configured to assay the sample and analyze the at least one analyte in the sample; and   a processor of a computer system which executes series of program steps to implement:   a communicator that establishes a secured communication path via a network with a remotely located control device to inter-link the sample analyzer and the control device in order to operate the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device;   a display information generator that generates display information which is displayed at the sample analyzer during operation under remote control by the control device;   a patient masking unit that modifies the display information during operation under remote control by the control device so that patient information will not be displayed at the control device; and   a transmitter that uses the communicator to transmit the modified display information to the control device via the secured communication path so that the modified display information will be displayed on the control device.   
     
     
         3 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor of the computer system further executes series of program steps to implement:
 a receiver that uses the communicator to receive instructions from the control device via the secured communication path during operation under remote control by the control device; and   an instruction analyzer that analyzes the received instructions and operates the sample analyzer according to the received instructions.   
     
     
         4 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein the modified display information is displayed at the control device in the same manner and format as the display information is displayed at the sample analyzer. 
     
     
         5 . The sample analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein the network is a public network. 
     
     
         6 . A method implemented in a sample analyzer analyzing at least one analyte contained in a sample, comprising:
 assaying the sample and analyze the at least one analyte in the sample;   establishing a secured communication path via a network with a remotely located control device to inter-link the sample analyzer and the control device in order to operate the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device;   generating display information which is displayed at the sample analyzer during operation under remote control by the control device;   modifying the display information during operation under remote control by the control device so that patient information will not be displayed at the control device; and   using the communicator, transmitting the modified display information to the control device via the secured communication path so that the modified display information will be displayed on the control device.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 using the communicator, receiving instructions from the control device via the secured communication path during operation under remote control by the control device; and   analyzing the received instructions and operating the sample analyzer according to the received instructions.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the modified display information is displayed at the control device in the same manner and format as the display information is displayed at the sample analyzer. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the network is a public network. 
     
     
         10 . A control device configured to remotely control a sample analyzer analyzing at least one analyte contained in a sample, comprising:
 a processor of a computer system which executes series of program steps to implement:   a communicator that establishes a secured communication path via a network with a remotely located sample analyzer to inter-link the sample analyzer and the control device in order to operate the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device;   a receiver that uses the communicator to receive modified display information from the sample analyzer, the display information being displayed at the sample analyzer during operation of the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device and modified by the sample analyzer so that patient information will not be displayed at the control device;   a display that displays the modified display information; and   a transmitter that uses the communicator to transmit instructions to the sample analyzer via the secured communication path to operate the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device.   
     
     
         11 . The control device according to  claim 10 , wherein the display displays the modified display information at the control device in the same manner and format as the display information is displayed at the sample analyzer. 
     
     
         12 . The control device according to  claim 10 , wherein the network is a public network. 
     
     
         13 . A method implemented in control device to remotely control a sample analyzer analyzing at least one analyte contained in a sample, comprising:
 establishing a secured communication path via a network with a remotely located sample analyzer to inter-link the sample analyzer and the control device in order to operate the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device;   using the communicator, receiving modified display information from the sample analyzer, the display information being displayed at the sample analyzer during operation of the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device and modified by the sample analyzer so that patient information will not be displayed at the control device;   displaying the modified display information; and   using the communicator, transmitting instructions to the sample analyzer via the secured communication path to operate the sample analyzer under remote control by the control device.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein displaying the modified display information comprises displaying the modified display information at the control device in the same manner and format as the display information is displayed at the sample analyzer. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the network is a public network.