Biological Sample Repository for Iterative MR Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The iterative medical testing process is time-consuming and costly due to the need for repeated biological sample acquisition and diagnostic uncertainties, leading to patient suffering and potential mortality.
Innovation Solution
A system that performs magnetic resonance (MR) measurements on biological samples, simulates MR responses, compares measurements with simulations, determines additional medical tests to improve accuracy, and computes revised test results by accessing stored sample portions, optimizing test selection based on cost and resource management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If iterative medical testing is performed to improve diagnostic accuracy, then test result accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing biological samples in advance before they are needed for testing. The sample repository system collects and preserves biological samples (blood, tissue, DNA) from patients at various time points, making them immediately available for iterative testing without requiring repeated sample collection. This eliminates the time delay associated with acquiring new samples while enabling multiple rounds of testing to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and maintaining multiple copies of biological samples in the repository. Instead of using the original sample for all tests (which would deplete it), the system creates and stores multiple copies that can be used for different testing iterations. This allows repeated testing on copies while preserving the original sample and enabling future testing without additional patient visits.
2Measurement precision
If iterative medical testing is performed to improve diagnostic accuracy, then test result accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing a sample repository in advance that consolidates biological sample storage infrastructure, personnel, and procedures. This upfront investment eliminates the need for repeated expensive sample collection logistics (phlebotomists, transport, handling) for each testing iteration. The repository becomes a reusable resource that supports multiple testing rounds at marginal cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by using different portions or aliquots of the stored biological sample for different testing iterations. Instead of consuming the entire sample with each test, the system divides and uses specific portions for each test type or iteration, recovering and preserving the remainder for future testing. This maximizes the utility of each sampled unit and reduces the frequency of new sample acquisitions.
3Measurement precision
If additional biological samples are acquired over time to refine diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient suffering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting and storing biological samples from patients in advance, during routine visits or when clinically indicated. These samples are preserved in the repository with proper labeling and storage conditions. When iterative testing becomes necessary for diagnostic refinement, the pre-stored samples are immediately available, eliminating the need for additional patient visits, needle sticks, or invasive sample collection procedures that would cause further suffering.
4Reliability
If biological samples are stored for future testing, then sample availability is improved, but storage resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing biological samples into multiple smaller portions or aliquots during the storage process. Each aliquot can be used for specific testing purposes while the remaining portions are preserved. This segmentation allows the system to store samples efficiently by only retrieving and using the specific portion needed for each test, rather than requiring storage of entire large-volume samples or frequent retrieval of complete samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies discarding and recovering by using specific portions of stored samples for testing while recovering and preserving the remaining portions for future use. This approach maximizes the information extracted from each stored sample over time, allowing multiple testing iterations from a single original sample through strategic portioning and recovery of unused material.
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 approach enables rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment, reduces medical testing costs, and minimizes patient suffering and mortality by improving test accuracy and preserving stored biological samples for future use.
Implementation Method 1
perform one or more magnetic resonance (MR) measurements on at least a portion of the biological life form using an MR measurement device
Data Source
AI summary
A system performs one or more magnetic resonance (MR) measurements on at least a portion of a biological life form. Moreover, the system quantitatively simulates an MR response of at least the portion of the biological life form, and compares the one or more MR measurements and the quantitative simulation to obtain a first test result. Next, the system determines one or more additional medical tests to perform. In response, the system accesses the biological sample in storage, and performs the one or more additional medical tests on at least a second portion of the biological sample to obtain one or more additional test results. Furthermore, the system computes a second test result based at least in part on the first test result and the one or more additional test results, where the second test result has an improved accuracy relative to the first test result.