Biosensor Capillary Hematocrit Measurement via Multi-Electrode Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biosensors face challenges in accurately measuring blood components due to uneven distribution of blood in capillaries, which affects the measurement of hematocrit and subsequent correction of blood component levels.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple electrode systems within the biosensor, allowing for hematocrit measurement at various positions, enabling more accurate blood component analysis by applying specific voltages to each system and using the resulting current values to calculate the blood component levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single electrode system is used for hematocrit measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to uneven blood distribution in the capillary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehematocrit measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectrode system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single electrode system is divided into multiple electrode systems (first, second, third electrode systems) positioned at different locations within the capillary. Each electrode system independently measures hematocrit at its specific position, allowing the system to capture the variability of blood distribution throughout the capillary rather than relying on a single measurement point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different electrode systems are placed at different positions within the capillary to measure local hematocrit values. The first electrode system measures at one location, the second at another, and the third at a third location, recognizing that blood distribution is not uniform throughout the capillary volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If multiple electrode systems are implemented to measure hematocrit at different positions, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood component amount accuracyVSAvoidelectrode system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple electrode systems serve dual functions: they measure hematocrit at different positions within the capillary and also provide data for calculating the average hematocrit value. This average value is then used to correct the blood component amount measurement, making the electrode systems multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hematocrit measurements from the multiple electrode systems are fed back into the calculation process to determine the average hematocrit value. This feedback mechanism allows the system to use the measured variability in hematocrit distribution to correct and improve the accuracy of the blood component amount measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If hematocrit is measured at a single position, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of blood component correction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood component correction accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into multiple independent hematocrit measurements at different positions within the capillary. The first electrode system, second electrode system, and third electrode system each perform their measurement independently, and these segmented measurements are then combined to calculate the average hematocrit for correction purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 method improves measurement accuracy even with uneven blood distribution, providing a more precise calculation of blood component amounts by considering the hematocrit values across different positions within the capillary.

Implementation Method 1

a first electrode system for measuring a first current value depending on a hematocrit level... applying a first voltage to the first electrode system and detecting a first current value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The reagent layer 39 contains an oxidoreductase and a mediator... the component in the blood reacts with the oxidoreductase to cause an oxidation-reduction reaction, thereby causing a current to flow through the mediator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

The blood is drawn into the channel of the sensor by capillary action, introduced into the analysis portion through the channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3667307B1Method for measuring amount of blood component in blood
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 PHC HLDG CORP
  • EP3667307B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3667307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3667307B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for accurately measuring a blood component despite uneven distribution of blood introduced into a capillary. The measurement method according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of electrode systems for measuring the hematocrit are provided in a capillary of a biosensor to measure the hematocrit at different positions in the capillary. By measuring the hematocrit at the plurality of positions in the capillary as described above, the hematocrit can be measured more accurately despite uneven distribution of blood introduced into the capillary.