System for collecting and displaying diagnostics from diagnostic instruments

Abstract

A system including multiple diagnostic instruments, each diagnostic instrument including a detector that interacts with a test assay is provided. At least one diagnostic instrument is configured to automatically associate the test assay with multiple values to generate a diagnostic. The diagnostic may be stored within a memory of the diagnostic instrument, and the multiple values may be related to one or more of: a test assay identifier, a test assay result, a patient identifier, and a diagnostic instrument identifier. At least one diagnostic instrument in the system may be configured to transmit the diagnostic to a first server for storage. The first server being configured to generate a report based on the diagnostic from each diagnostic instrument for display on a second server or on an end-user workstation. Methods for use the above system are also provided.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 retrieving a data set from a database, wherein the data set is transferred to the database by a diagnostic instrument, and wherein the data set comprises a diagnostic result based on a presence of a disease-associated analyte or infectious disease agent in a sample analyzed by the diagnostic instrument;   evaluating a statistical parameter based on the data set and on a database information comprising a data from one or more of multiple diagnostic instruments distributed across a geographic area;   forming a report based on the data set and the statistical parameter; and   
       providing the report to an end user. 
     
     
         25 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein retrieving the data set from a database comprises querying the database for a newly transferred data set from one or more of the diagnostic instruments. 
     
     
         26 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein retrieving a data set from a database comprises querying the database at a pre-determined frequency, and increasing the pre-determined frequency during an infectious disease outbreak. 
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein evaluating a statistical parameter based on the data set comprises evaluating a percentage proportion of positive diagnostic results based on a location of one or more of the diagnostic instruments. 
     
     
         28 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein forming a report based on the data set and the statistical parameter comprises forming a chart indicating multiple results trends for one or more diseases, over time. 
     
     
         29 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the report to the end user comprises providing to the end user an interface to access the database, to browse or to query multiple data sets stored in the database. 
     
     
         30 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the report to the end user comprises displaying at least a portion of the data set on a display interface of an end user device. 
     
     
         31 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the report to the end user comprises allowing the end user to manipulate the report on a graphic display of an end user device. 
     
     
         32 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the report to the end user comprises displaying the data set based on a date when one or more diagnostic results were obtained, a type of each of the one or more diagnostic results, and a location of each of one or more diagnostic instruments providing the one or more diagnostic results. 
     
     
         33 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the report to the end user comprises selecting a regularly scheduled frequency for sending the report to the end user. 
     
     
         34 . A system, comprising:
 a data base storing a data set, wherein the data set is transferred to the data base by a diagnostic instrument, and wherein the data set comprises a diagnostic result based on a presence of a disease-associated analyte or infectious disease agent in a sample analyzed by the diagnostic instrument;   a memory storing an instruction; and   a processor configured to execute the instruction and cause the system to:
 retrieve the data set from the data base; 
 evaluate a statistical parameter based on the data set and a database information comprising a data from one or more of the diagnostic instruments; 
 form a report based on the data set and the statistical parameter; and 
 provide the data report to an end user. 
   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to retrieve the data set from a database, the system is configured to query the database for a newly transferred data set from one or more of the diagnostic instruments. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to retrieve a data set from a database, the system is configured to query the database at a pre-determined frequency, and to increase the pre-determined frequency during an infectious disease outbreak. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to evaluate a statistical parameter based on the data set the system is configured to evaluate a percentage proportion of positive diagnostic results based on a location of the diagnostic instrument. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the database is configured to store the data set from the diagnostic instrument based on an owner identification of the data set. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 34 , further configured to provide the report to a designated end user based on an owner identification of the data set, on a schedule selected by the designated end user. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to form a report based on the data set, the system is further configured to select a characteristic of the data set, and to provide the report to a designated end user, wherein the characteristic is provided by the end user. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to form a report based on the data set and the statistical parameter the system is configured to combine a first portion of a first data set from a first diagnostic instrument with a second portion of a second data set from a second diagnostic instrument in a custom report based on an end user request. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to form a report based on the data set and the statistical parameter, the system is configured to generate a graphical representation of the data set in a display for the end user. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the data set comprises an owner identification, and to provide the data report to an end user the system is further configured to verify that the end user is one of multiple designated users based on the owner identification.