At work, anyone can start the machines that run the tests. Only Techs can accept the results, but with their computer network, the Tech doesn't have to be standing in a particular lab. Someone in Pendleton can accept results off of a machine in Portland. The only thing that a Tech has to be in the lab to do is to look in a microscope and view slides. There is no way to do that remotely.
Aaron is the manager over the Med Techs here in Pendleton at the lab, but he also is kind of over other places too. If someone in Twin Falls takes a vacation and Boise can't fill the slot, then it's up to Aaron to find someone to fill it. If no one can, then Aaron gets to go to Twin Falls to fill it. Well this happened last year. No one could go, so Aaron got to be the one to go. He spent a whole week down in Twin Falls, just to look into a microscope 4 times. Yes, he did other work and stayed busy that whole week, but if he had a microscope that could be run remotely, then he wouldn't have had to spend that week in Twin Falls. That spurred a thought. He started looking online, and found some microscopes that could work, but they cost about $100,000 each and he wanted about 10. So then he decided that he was going to make his own. That was around September 11, 2010.
This was a long process, but we felt that we were guided as we went along. Where we ended up was nowhere close to where we started. On August 2, he was able to bring the microscope into work. A phlebotomist can put a slide on the microscope stage, and Aaron (or someone else) can get on their computer in Pendleton, see the slide (digital microscope eyepiece) and control the microscope with their computer.
Aaron built the microsope and I got to help figure out how to make it work. I didn't have to actually program anything, but I found the software and circuit board on the Internet and learned how to use them.
The computer department now needs to look at it and see what they need to do to get it to work on their Internet line.
8 comments:
Aaron has never been afraid to tackle any kind of project. This completely baffles and amazes me. I've always thought it's neat how you and Aaron like to pass your time solving mathematical problems together. You are a genius couple!
That's amazing! I can't wait to show this post to Dave. The Kerns kids are amazing :)
I agree with Joseph and Ivy's comment! this is amazing! And to think that you just saw a problem which spurred a thought to fix it and then you found/made a solution. So cool! I want to do that too... but my mind isn't geared that way:) So how much cheaper was it to make your own, or are you allowed to say?
Both of you are so amazing. You're both such problem solvers, so talented and share those talents so well as a team! Interpath labs should be thrilled! Can Aaron patent his invention?
This looks great. Good job Aaron and Tia.
Amazing. I remember Aaron just contemplating making this device and voila!
That is sweet! I bet his company is going to LOVE the money he will be saving!
This is awesome and what an inspired mind that Aaron has (or both of you have)!!!
Post a Comment