Aggregometer Cuvette With Sphere Electrodes and Reciprocating Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aggregometers face issues with non-constant electrical properties of ductile electrodes and non-physiological blood flow patterns due to vigorous stirring, which can falsify platelet aggregation measurements and are not suitable for real-time monitoring in medical settings.
Innovation Solution
A measurement cuvette design with metal sphere electrodes and a pumping device that creates a steady, alternating flow of blood between two partial spaces, maintaining constant electrical properties and simulating natural blood flow, allowing for accurate platelet aggregation measurement without centrifugation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a stirring rod is used to move the blood, then the blood can be moved, but the electrical properties of the electrodes vary due to non-uniform flow
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement cuvette is divided into two partial spaces (first and second partial spaces) separated by a partition wall. The electrodes are positioned in different locations within these partial spaces, allowing the system to segment the blood flow path and eliminate the harmful effects of localized vigorous stirring near a single stirring rod, thereby ensuring more uniform flow conditions across both measurement regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a stirring rod that creates non-uniform flow patterns, the invention employs a pumping device that generates uniform reciprocating flow through the two partial spaces. The pump moves blood from the first partial space through the electrodes to the second partial space and back, creating a controlled, evenly distributed flow pattern that maintains consistent electrical properties at the electrodes.
2Ease of manufacture
If ductile electrodes are used, then the device can be manufactured easily, but the electrical characteristics are not constant during measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical measurement system is segmented into two independent measurement paths, one for each electrode in the first and second partial spaces. This segmentation allows the system to average out local variations and maintain constant electrical characteristics even if individual electrodes experience minor positional changes, as the dual-electrode configuration provides redundancy and stability.
3Quantity of substance
If centrifugation is used to separate blood, then platelet-rich plasma can be obtained, but the platelet properties are falsified
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for centrifugation by directly using whole blood in the measurement system. The pumping device circulates whole blood through the measurement cuvette, allowing platelet aggregation to be measured in the native blood environment without extraction or separation processes that would alter platelet properties. The measurement is taken directly from the circulating blood, preserving physiological conditions.
4Device complexity
If a single partial space is used, then the device structure is simple, but the blood flow is not uniform and does not correspond to physiological processes
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement cuvette is divided into two partial spaces (first and second partial spaces) separated by a partition wall with openings at the bottom. This segmentation creates a defined flow path where blood is pumped from the first partial space through the electrodes to the second partial space and back, simulating physiological flow conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping device operates periodically, alternately generating low and excess pressure in the first partial space to create reciprocating blood flow. This periodic pumping action mimics physiological flow patterns (similar to cardiac cycles) and ensures uniform blood movement through both partial spaces and over the electrodes, corresponding to natural blood flow conditions in the human body.
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
This design ensures consistent electrical measurements and physiological blood flow, enabling reliable and real-time monitoring of platelet aggregation, particularly effective in determining medication efficacy, and suitable for both laboratory and medical use.
Implementation Method 1
a device for moving the liquid is a pumping device which can be placed on one of the partial spaces in a substantially sealing manner and which periodically and alternately generates low and excess pressure
Implementation Method 2
If platelets are deposited on the electrodes, the electrical resistance measured will increase and so the aggregation can be determined in this manner
Data Source
AI summary
An aggregometer for measuring and recording platelet aggregation with at least one measurement cuvette having two electrodes, with a device for moving the liquid to be examined and with measurement and evaluation electronics connected to the electrodes via contact elements, is characterized in that the measurement cuvette comprises two adjacently arranged, upwardly open partial spaces which are only connected to one another in the lower region, in that the electrodes are designed as metal spheres inserted in the bottom of the measurement cuvette and in that the device for moving the liquid is a pumping device which can be placed on one of the partial spaces in a substantially sealing manner and which periodically and alternately generates low and excess pressure.