ACT Instrument With EIT Clot Visualization for Number Interpretation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activated clotting time (ACT) instruments provide limited insight into the clot formation process and structure, leading to ambiguous ACT number interpretations, especially in medical applications like cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology.
Innovation Solution
An ACT instrument utilizing electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to generate a clotting video, providing real-time visualization of clot growth and structure, alongside traditional electrical impedance measurements, to enhance the interpretation of ACT numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional electrical impedance measurements are used to determine ACT numbers, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the interpretation of ACT numbers becomes ambiguous and lacks insight into clot formation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional electrical impedance measurements to two-dimensional electrical impedance tomography by adding spatial dimensionality. Multiple electrodes are arranged around the periphery of the test vessel, enabling measurement of impedance distribution across different spatial locations, thereby visualizing clot formation process and structure in addition to providing ACT numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The test vessel is divided into multiple measurement zones by positioning electrodes at different locations around the periphery. This segmentation allows the system to measure impedance characteristics at different spatial positions, enabling differentiation between various stages of clot formation and providing detailed insight into clot structure and dynamics.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are arranged around the periphery of the test vessel to enable EIT measurements, then real-time visualization of clot growth is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple electrodes arranged around the periphery of the test vessel serve multiple functions: they enable electrical impedance tomography for visualizing clot formation, provide traditional electrical impedance measurements for ACT number determination, and allow for real-time monitoring of clot growth dynamics. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering comprehensive measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual representation (tomogram) that copies or mirrors the actual clot formation process occurring in the test vessel. The electrical impedance data is processed to generate images that replicate the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of clot structure, providing a visual copy of the physiological process for enhanced interpretation.
3Loss of information
If electrical impedance tomography is integrated with traditional impedance measurements, then insight into clot formation dynamics is improved, but the measurement time and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous electrical impedance tomography measurements throughout the clot formation process, capturing real-time changes in impedance distribution. This continuous monitoring enables the system to track clot growth dynamics from initiation to maturation, providing comprehensive temporal information about the clot formation process without requiring separate measurement steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary electrical impedance measurements at multiple spatial locations simultaneously throughout the test vessel. By acquiring data from multiple electrodes in parallel and processing it to generate tomograms, the system prepares comprehensive visual and numerical data about clot formation dynamics, enabling detailed analysis without requiring sequential measurement steps that would extend total measurement time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integration of EIT with electrical impedance measurements offers clearer and more accurate ACT number determination, reducing ambiguity and improving the assessment of clot formation dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical measurement system configured to perform electrical impedance measurements on the fluid sample via the plurality of electrodes
Implementation Method 2
generate a plurality of tomograms of the fluid sample, with each of the tomograms being generated based on a corresponding one of the sets of EIT data
Data Source
AI summary
An analytical instrument configured to determine an ACT number of a blood sample based at least in part on a sequence of tomograms generated from electrical impedance tomography measurements performed in a test vessel on a fluid sample produced by mixing the blood sample and an activator of coagulation. In some examples, the ACT number is determined by applying image processing to the sequence of tomograms to determine the intensity of a blood clot in the fluid sample as a function of time. In some other examples, the ACT number is determined from time-dependent impedance profiles of the fluid sample measured via different pairs of electrodes of the test vessel, with the sequence of tomograms being used as an aid to interpretation of possible differences between different ones of the time-dependent impedance profiles.