Laboratory Concepts: System and Instrument Interfaces

 

Content

Fundamental Concepts

 
              

 

Fundamental Concepts

Top../images/arwup.gif (846 bytes)
Laboratory Concept LabVantage Concept
Automatically enter data from instruments Laboratory instruments are usually categorized in the following fashion:
•Category 1 - Simple Instruments: Generate results from one or more unidentified samples and parameters. Examples include balances and pH meters.
•Category 2 - Unidirectional Instruments: Instruments send data to LIMS with additional information including sample and test IDs. Examples include spectrophotometers.
•Category 3 - Bidirectional Instruments: Instruments generate and send results as files, and can receive protocols and requirements back from LIMS. Examples include CDS systems.
•Category 4 - Complex/Unique Instruments: Are not widely used and require significant development to integrate.

Instruments are typically controlled by an instrument controller software that generates result reports. LabVantage can parse these reports and automatically transfer the information to the results entry page. These results can be reviewed before they are saved to the LIMS database.

Category 1 instruments do not require any additional software to connect to LabVantage. Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4 instruments require the Connect module to interface with LabVantage.

A variety of connection protocols are supported including RS-232, shared folders and web services.

In addition, LabVantage provides an Empower Interface which allows you to enter data into LabVantage from within your Empower system. This option is useful when your analysts spend significant time within the Empower interface.
Import data from files Data File Definitions (DFD) let you import data from an Excel or text file into LabVantage. Each DFD is essentially a reusable template that defines how data is mapped from a file to LabVantage and how the data is processed during the import.
Print labels LabVantage integrates with Seagull Scientific Bartender label and barcode printing software to generate barcode Labels for various entities (such as Samples). LabVantage provides Label Templates, or you can create your own Bartender Template.

A Label Method defines data to be retrieved from LabVantage and put onto the label, as well as other administrative options (such as the location of the template and the output file). Labels can be printed from List pages.
Connect with other systems LabVantage provides web services that can be used to integrate with ERP, EMR, ELN and other systems.