WO2019234565A1

WO2019234565A1 - Monitoring fluid levels in a laboratory instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2019234565A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/054526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Santosh Kumar; Balu MAHENDRAN
Original assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc.
Priority date: 2018-06-03
Filing date: 2019-05-31
Publication date: 2019-12-12

Abstract

Disclosed subject matter relates to laboratory instrument and a method which includes monitoring a level of fluids in a plurality of compartments associated with the laboratory instrument using at least one sensor coupled to the laboratory instrument and indicating the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments using a visual indicator fixed on the laboratory instrument, that helps a user such as a laboratory technician to replace fluid packets in the laboratory instrument accurately and also helps in achieving accurate and reliable results of sample analysis. The laboratory instrument further sends a notification to the user to indicate the level of the fluids.

Description

TITLE:“MONITORING FLUID LEVELS IN A LABORATORY INSTRUMENT”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to laboratory instruments. BACKGROUND

Generally, laboratory instruments used for sample analysis may involve storing and usage of different fluids such as reagents for performing tests. These fluids that are typically used for performing tests on patient sample may require timely refill or replacement. Usually, fluids in the laboratory instrument may be refilled based on information available at a console associated with the laboratory instrument. The console may indicate other parameters such as number of tests that could be carried out using the fluids remaining in the laboratory instrument. However, the number of tests that could be carried out is usually estimated based on a mere computation of the number of tests that have already been carried out by the laboratory instrument. Estimations based on mere computation of the number of tests may be false, thus leading to scenarios where the console indicates capability of carrying out more tests, though the fluids in the laboratory instrument are exhausted. Carrying out tests when the fluids are exhausted may cause suction of air bubbles for the tests instead of the required fluids, thereby resulting in failure of the test or determining inaccurate results. In some scenarios, false estimations may indicate exhaustion of the fluids, though sufficient fluids may be present in the laboratory instrument. Such scenarios may lead to wastage of the fluids since the fluids are replaced based on the estimations indicated by the console.

The present disclosure provides a laboratory instrument and a method for monitoring a level of the fluids in the laboratory instrument, thereby ameliorating some or all of the current disadvantages.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms prior art already known to a person skilled in the art SUMMARY

One or more shortcomings of the prior art may be overcome, and additional advantages may be provided through embodiments of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages may be realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a laboratory instrument for testing patient samples. In one embodiment, the laboratory instrument includes at least one sensor coupled to the laboratory instrument. The at least one sensor is configured for monitoring a level of fluids in a plurality of compartments associated with the laboratory instrument. In a further embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments are configured to store a different fluid. In a further embodiment, the laboratory instrument includes a visual indicator coupled to the sensor configured to indicate a level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments.

A further embodiment includes a method for monitoring a level of fluids in the laboratory instrument used for testing patient samples. In a further embodiment, the method includes monitoring the level of the fluids in the plurality of compartments associated with the laboratory instrument using at least one sensor coupled to the laboratory instrument, wherein each of the plurality of the compartments includes storing a different fluid, that may be required by the laboratory instrument for performing a test on the patient sample. In a further embodiment, the method includes indicating a level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments using the visual indicator on the laboratory instrument.

The foregoing summary is only illustrative in nature and is not intended to be in any way limiting on the embodiments disclosed herein. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAMS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same reference numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG.1A illustrates an exemplary system architecture for monitoring a level of fluids in a laboratory instrument used for testing patient samples in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG.1B illustrate an exemplary block diagram of a laboratory instrument used for testing patient samples in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG.1C illustrate an exemplary block diagram of a laboratory instrument used for testing patient samples in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary visual indicator in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary flowchart of a method of monitoring a level of fluids in a laboratory instrument used for testing patient samples in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily construed to be as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments that may be disclosed.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been illustrated by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that this is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms“comprises”,“comprising”,“includes” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that includes a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by“comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method. Also, the words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include a laboratory instrument and a method for monitoring a level of fluids in the laboratory instrument. In some embodiments, the laboratory instrument may be used for testing patient samples. In some other embodiments, the laboratory instrument may be a diagnostic instrument. In some embodiments, the laboratory system may be coupled to at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the phrase "at least one sensor" and the word "sensor/s" may be alternatively used. In some embodiments, the sensor(s) may be configured to monitor level of the fluids in each of plurality of compartments associated with the laboratory instrument. In some embodiments, the phrase "plurality of compartments" and the word "compartment/s" may be alternatively used. In some embodiments, each compartment may be configured to store a different fluid. Further, in some embodiments, each compartment may include multiple fluid packets of the corresponding fluid. In some embodiments, the sensors may be configured to monitor each fluid packet stored in each compartment. In some other embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the fluid packet. In some other embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the tube from the fluid packet. In some other embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the plurality of compartments.

In some embodiments, the laboratory instrument may include at least one visual indicator to indicate the level of the fluids in each of the plurality of compartments. In some embodiments, each compartment may include a separate visual indicator. In some embodiments, when multiple fluid packets are stored in a compartment, total volume of the fluid is considered to be sum of volume of the fluid present in each fluid packet. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may indicate a level of the fluids considering the total volume of the fluid in the compartment, but not for individual fluid packets, especially when each compartment may hold more than one packets. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may indicate the level of the fluids in each of the fluid packet placed in the compartment. In some other embodiments, when the compartment stores a single fluid packet, the visual indicator may indicate the level of the fluid in the single fluid packet.

In some embodiments, the visual indicator may be fixed on each compartment to indicate the level of the fluid in each compartment. In some other embodiments, a single visual indicator may be used for indicating the level of the fluid in each compartment. Further, in some embodiments, the visual indicator may indicate the level of the fluid in each compartment using different colors. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may indicate a first colour when the level of the fluid is above a first predefined threshold level. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may indicate a second colour when the level of the fluid is between the first predefined threshold level and a second predefined threshold level. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may indicate a third colour when the level of the fluid is below the second predefined threshold level. In some embodiment, the visual indicator may indicate a percentage of the fluid remaining in each of the fluid packets within each compartment.

In some embodiments, the laboratory instrument may include a control unit coupled to the sensors to determine a volume of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments based on the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments. In a further embodiment, the control unit may be configured to provide a notification indicating the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments to an external device associated with a user. As an example, the external device may be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer and the like. In one embodiment the control unit could be configured with the visual indicators to determine the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments.

In some embodiments, the laboratory instrument may be associated with a console configured to display number of sample tests attainable by the laboratory instrument, based on the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments.

Reference is now made to FIG.1A, which illustrates an exemplary system architecture for monitoring a level of fluids in a laboratory instrument used for testing patient samples in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

System architecture 100 includes laboratory instrument 101, console 103 and external device 105. Laboratory instrument 101 may be associated with console 103 via a communication network (not shown in the FIG.1A). The communication network is at least one of a wired communication network or a wireless communication network or a combination thereof. Further, laboratory instrument 101 is associated with external device 105 via the communication network. In some embodiments, the laboratory instrument may be a diagnostic instrument. As an example, external device 105 may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer and a tablet. In some embodiments, external device 105 may belong to a user such as a laboratory technician.

Reference is now made to FIG.1B, which illustrates a block diagram of laboratory instrument 101, that includes compartment 107i to compartment 107_n (also referred as plurality of compartments 107 or compartments 107), fluid packet 109i to fluid packet 109_n (also referred as fluid packets 109), tubes 110, sensor llli to sensor llln (also referred as sensor/s 111), visual indicator 113i to visual indicator 113n (also referred as visual indicator/s 113) and sample analyzing unit 115.

Each of plurality of compartments 107 may be configured to store a different fluid. As an example, the fluid may be a reagent such as diluent, cleaner, retie, cell lyse and the like. The fluids are present in fluid packets 109 stored in each of plurality of compartments 107. Each fluid packet 109 is associated with tube 110 to carry the fluid from fluid packet 109 to sample analysing unit 115 as shown in the FIG. IB. Further, at least one sensor 111 is coupled to each of plurality of compartments 107 in laboratory instrument 101. Precisely, sensor 111 is coupled to each fluid packet 109 stored in each of plurality of compartments 107. As an example embodiment, when there are two fluid packets 109 in compartment 107, two sensors 111 may be used i.e. one sensor 111 for each fluid packet 109. As another example embodiment, when there are two fluid packets 109 in compartment 107, a single sensor 111 may be used for monitoring the compartment as a whole. As an example embodiment, sensor 111 may be a Magneto strictive Level Sensor, in other words, a float sensor. In another example embodiment, sensor 111 may be an ultrasonic sensor. In another example embodiment, sensor 111 may include laser level transmitters or radar level transmitters. In an example embodiment, traditional techniques for monitoring fluid levels may also be used as sensors. However, this should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure.

During working of laboratory instrument 101, the fluid is drawn from fluid packet 109, through corresponding tube 110, for performing tests on a patient sample. When the fluid is dispensed from fluid packet 109, corresponding sensor 111 detects, in real-time, level of the fluid in fluid packet 109. Upon detecting the level of the fluid, sensor 111 provides data related to the level of the fluid to visual indicator 113. In one embodiment, the sensor and the visual indicators are controlled by software, embedded software or a combination thereof. As an example, visual indicator 113 may include, but not limited to, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of different colors to indicate the level of the fluids visually. In some embodiments, visual indicator 113 is fixed on each of plurality of compartments 107 to indicate the level of the fluid in each of plurality of compartments 107.

Reference is now made to FIG.2, that illustrates an exemplary visual indicator 113 including LED 1, LED 2 and LED 3 of first colour 201, second colour 203 and third colour 205 respectively. Visual indicator 113 indicates first colour 201 via LED 1, when the level of the fluid is above first predefined threshold level. First colour 201 broadly indicates enormous amount of fluid remaining in compartment 107. As an example, first colour 201 may be“Green”. Further, visual indicator 113 indicates second colour 203 via LED 2, when the level of the fluid is between the first predefined threshold level and a second predefined threshold level. Second colour 203 broadly indicates adequate or moderate amount of fluid remaining in compartment 107. As an example, second colour 203 may be“Orange”. Furthermore, visual indicator 113 indicates third colour 205 via LED 3, when the level of the fluid is below second predefined threshold level. Third colour 205 broadly indicates minimal amount of fluid remaining in compartment 107, thus indicating a need to replace fluid packets 109. As an example, third colour 205 may be“Red”. In one embodiment a single LED may be used for each compartment and the LED may be configured to change the colour according to the level determined and/or controlled by a software component. In one embodiment visual indicator 113 may be configured to compute the percentage of fluid used and report the percentage either consumed or the percentage remaining in the packet.

Reference is now made to FIG.1C, that illustrates an alternate embodiment of laboratory instrument 101, that includes control unit 117 coupled to at least one sensor 111. Control unit 117 may receive data related to the level of the fluid in compartments 107 from corresponding sensors 111. Control unit 117 may determine volume of the fluid in each compartment 107 based on the level of the fluid in each compartment 107. Further, control unit 117 may provide a notification indicating the level of the fluids in each of plurality of compartments 107 to external device 105 associated with a user. As an example, the user may be a laboratory technician who operates laboratory instrument 101. In one embodiment, the notification may be a push service from control unit 117 coupled to laboratory instrument 101. In some embodiments, control unit 117 may include a software to perform these tasks. In some other embodiment, control unit 117 may be a combination of hardware and software for performing the tasks. In some other embodiment, control unit may include firmware. In some other embodiment, control unit may include a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the notification may be provided to a Hospital Information System (HIS) and/or a Laboratory Information System (LIS). Furthermore, control unit 117 may transmit the data related to the level of the fluid to console 103. Console 103 may display number of sample tests attainable by laboratory instrument 101, based on the level of the fluid in each compartment 107. Since, the number of sample tests are estimated based on the level of the fluid monitored by sensors 111, the estimation is accurate. Further, in some embodiments, single visual indicator 113 may be used for indicating the level of the fluid in each compartment 107. As an example, single visual indicator 113 may indicate a compartment number and further indicate a corresponding level of the fluid in compartment 107 through different colors or through a percentage computed. Further, in some embodiments, console 103 may display the volume of the fluid present in fluid packets 109.

Henceforth, the process of monitoring the level of fluids in laboratory instrument 101 is explained with the help of one or more examples for better understanding of the present disclosure. However, the one or more examples should not be considered as limitation of the present disclosure.

Consider an exemplary scenario where laboratory instrument 101 includes 4 compartments 107. Compartment“A” may store one or more packages of reagent“A”, compartment“B” may store one or more packages of reagent“B”, compartment“C” may store one or more packages of reagent“C” and compartment“D” may store one or more packages of reagent“D”. In one embodiment if the laboratory instrument has more compartments, then each of the compartments may store one or more packages of a specific reagent.

Consider sample analysing unit 115 configured to hold a slide with a sample of blood, for performing a test such as Complete Blood Count test. Sample analysing unit 115 may draw“reagent B” from compartment“B” for the test. Consider the compartment“B” includes 1 fluid packet 109 filled with“reagent B”. Initially, consider the level of the fluid to be 100%. When“reagent B” is dispensed from compartment“B”, sensor 111 coupled to fluid packet 109 may determine the level of the fluid in compartment“B”. As an example, the level of the fluid may have reduced to 60%. Consider first predefined threshold level is 30%. Since, the current level of the fluid is greater than first predefined threshold level 207, visual indicator 113 may indicate color“Green” and still use the fluid packet 109. Simultaneously, console 103 may display“X” number of tests attainable based on the current level of the fluid. Further, consider laboratory instrument 101 performed a series of tests and the current level of the fluid has reduced to 15%. Consider second predefined threshold level is 10%. Since, the current level of the fluid is greater than the second predefined threshold level, the visual indicator 113 may indicate color“Yellow” and still use the fluid packet 109. In another embodiment, the visual indicator 113 may blink to indicate that the level of the fluid is close to a threshold and change color when the level falls below the threshold. For example, in this scenario, the visual indicator 113 may blink since the current level i.e. 15% is close to the second predefined threshold level i.e. 10%.

Simultaneously, console 103 may display“Y” number of sample tests attainable based on the current level of the fluid. After a further test, consider the current level of the fluid has reduced to 9%. Since, the current level of the fluid is less than the second predefined threshold level i.e. 10%, visual indicator 113 may indicate color“Red”. When visual indicator 113 indicates color “Red”, the laboratory technician may replace corresponding fluid packet 109. In one embodiment the sensor controlled instrument may prevent carrying out further tests once the level falls below a critical threshold. In one embodiment, software associated with the sensor and/or control unit may be configured to perform this task. As an example, the critical threshold set may be 2%. When the current level of the fluid reaches 2%, the sensor controlled instrument prevents carrying out further tests since there is no enough reagent to perform the test. Further, in another embodiment, visual indicator 113 may provide an indication of the compartment number and the percentage of fluid remaining and/or consumed.

In another scenario, consider compartment“B” has three fluid packets 109. In such scenario, total volume of the fluid is considered to be sum of volume of the fluids present in each fluid packet 109. Therefore, visual indicator 113 may indicate the level of the fluids considering the total volume of the fluid in compartment“B”, but not for individual fluid packets 109. As an example, in such scenarios, visual indicator 113 may indicate color “Red” when the level of the fluid in third fluid packet 109 i.e. last remaining fluid packet 109 is less than second predefined threshold level 209.

In yet another example, the compartments may be labelled as Cl, C2, C3 and the like. Further, when level of the fluid in compartment 1 decreases and requires a refill or replacement, the visual indicator may be configured to indicate a red light and display C 1. Consider a scenario, where level of fluids in both the compartments Cl and C2 decrease and require a refill or replacement. In such scenarios, the visual indicator may be configured to indicate a red light and display Cl and C2.

In some embodiments, the visual indicator may be configured to indicate a preconfigured color corresponding to a first threshold level, when level of fluid in the compartment crosses the first threshold level. As an example, the preconfigured color corresponding to the first threshold level may be Yellow. Further, the visual indicator may also display identity of the corresponding compartment along with the preconfigured color. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may be configured to indicate a preconfigured color corresponding to a second threshold level, when level of fluid in the compartment crosses the second threshold level. As an example, the preconfigured color corresponding to the second threshold level may be Red. Further, the visual indicator may also display identity of the corresponding compartment along with the preconfigured color.

In some embodiments, consider that the compartments are labelled as Cl, C2, C3 and the like. In scenarios where level of fluid in compartment Cl crosses the first threshold level, the visual indicator may be configured to indicate yellow light and display Cl. Similarly, when level of fluid in compartment Cl crosses the second threshold level which means a refill or replacement of the fluid is required, the visual indicator may be configured to indicate red light and display Cl.

Reference is now made to FIG.3, which illustrates an exemplary flowchart of a method of monitoring a level of fluids in a laboratory instrument in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG.3, method 300 includes one or more blocks illustrating a method of monitoring a level of fluids in laboratory instrument 101. Method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform functions or implement abstract data types.

The order in which method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement method 300. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 300 can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

At block 301, method 300 may include monitoring, by at least one sensor coupled to laboratory instrument, the level of the fluids in plurality of compartments associated with laboratory instrument. In some embodiments, each of plurality of compartments may store a different fluid.

At block 303, method 300 may include indicating, by visual indicator fixed on laboratory instrument, the level of the fluid in each of plurality of compartments. In some embodiments, visual indicator may be fixed on each of plurality of compartments of laboratory instrument. As an example, visual indicator may include, but not limited to, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of different colors to indicate the level of the fluids visually.

The method may include computing and analyzing the amount of fluid consumed and/or remaining in the container and reporting the same on the visual indicator.

Further, control unit coupled to at least one sensor may provide a notification indicating level of the fluids to external device associated with a user, which in one embodiment may be controlled by a software. In one embodiment, the notification may be a push service from control unit coupled to laboratory instrument. Also, control unit may transmit data related to the level of the fluids to console associated with laboratory instrument, for displaying number of sample tests that could be attained, based on the level of the fluids. Furthermore, control unit may determine volume of the fluid in each of plurality of compartments based on the level of the fluids. In one embodiment, control unit could be configured with visual indicators to determine the level of the fluid in each of plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a laboratory instrument and a method for monitoring a level of fluids in the laboratory instrument. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure causes minimal or no wastage of fluids stored in the laboratory instrument. Since, the present disclosure indicates exact level of the fluid in the laboratory instrument, occurrence of situations such as suction of air bubbles for testing patient samples due to exhaustion of the fluids, may be prevented. Therefore, the present disclosure eliminates the possibility of inaccurate or false tests associated with the laboratory instrument, thereby achieving accurate and reliable results of testing patient samples. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a feature wherein a notification indicating the level of the fluids may be provided to an external device associated with a user that facilitates the user to monitor the level of the fluids from a remote location. As described herein a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the disclosure need not include the device itself.

The specification describes a laboratory instrument and a method for monitoring a level of fluids in the laboratory instrument. The illustrated steps are set out to explain exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that on-going technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not as a limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A laboratory instrument (101) for testing patient samples, the laboratory instrument (101) comprising: at least one sensor (111) coupled to the laboratory instrument (101), the at least one sensor (111) configured for monitoring a level of a fluid stored within a compartment (107), the laboratory instrument including a plurality of compartments and each compartment configured to store a different fluid; and a visual indicator (113) on the laboratory instrument (101) coupled to the at least one sensor (111) and configured to indicate the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments (107).

2. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a control unit (117) coupled to the at least one sensor (111) to determine a volume of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments (107) based on the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments (107).

3. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (117) is configured to provide a notification to an external device (105) indicating the level of the fluids in each of the plurality of compartments (107).

4. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual indicator (113) is configured to indicate a compartment number and a percentage of fluid either consumed and/or remaining in the compartment.

5. The laboratory instrument as claimed in claim 4, wherein a different colour may indicate a different threshold level.

6. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual indicator (113) indicates a first colour (201) when the level of the fluid is above a first predefined threshold level.

7. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual indicator (113) indicates a second colour (203) when the level of the fluid is between a first predefined threshold level and a second predefined threshold level.

8. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual indicator (113) indicates a third colour (205) when the level of the fluid is below a second predefined threshold level.

9. The laboratory instrument (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (111) is configured on each of the plurality of compartments (107).

10. A method of monitoring a level of fluids in a laboratory instrument (101) used for patient sample testing, the method comprising:

monitoring a level of a fluid stored within a compartment (107) using at least one sensor (111) coupled to the laboratory instrument (101), the laboratory instrument (101) including a plurality of compartments (107) and each compartment (107) configured to store a different fluid; and

indicating the level of the fluid in each of the plurality of compartments (107) using a visual indicator (113) on the laboratory instrument (101) coupled to at least one sensor (111).