Blood Analyzer Using Nucleic Acid Staining for Lymphocyte Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for classifying and counting lymphocytes, particularly B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, are costly due to the need for expensive fluorescence-labeled antibodies and are complex, requiring lengthy operations.

Innovation Solution

A blood analyzer that prepares a measurement sample by mixing a blood specimen with a hemolyzing agent and a fluorescent dye that stains nucleic acid, allowing for optical measurement and detection of lymphocytes without the use of fluorescence-labeled antibodies, using detectors for fluorescence and scattered light to process and output the ratio of B-lymphocytes to T-lymphocytes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluorescence-labeled antibodies are used for lymphocyte classification, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement cost increases and operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelymphocyte classification accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the fluorescence-labeled antibody component from the measurement system. Instead of using complex fluorescence-labeled antibodies, the patent employs simple fluorescent dyes that stain nucleic acids, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming antibody labeling procedures while maintaining lymphocyte classification capability through differential fluorescence intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex fluorescence-labeled antibodies with inexpensive fluorescent dyes. These dyes are simple, readily available reagents that can be used directly without complex preparation, significantly reducing both material cost and operational time while achieving the same classification function through nucleic acid staining intensity differences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If fluorescence-labeled antibodies are used for lymphocyte classification, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelymphocyte classification accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, complex fluorescence-labeled antibodies with inexpensive fluorescent dyes. These dyes are simple, readily available reagents that can be used directly without complex preparation, significantly reducing both material cost and operational time while achieving the same classification function through nucleic acid staining intensity differences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the fluorescence-labeled antibody component from the measurement system. Instead of using complex fluorescence-labeled antibodies, the patent employs simple fluorescent dyes that stain nucleic acids, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming antibody labeling procedures while maintaining lymphocyte classification capability through differential fluorescence intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If complex operations are performed for lymphocyte classification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelymphocyte classification accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the fluorescence-labeled antibody component from the measurement system. Instead of using complex fluorescence-labeled antibodies, the patent employs simple fluorescent dyes that stain nucleic acids, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming antibody labeling procedures while maintaining lymphocyte classification capability through differential fluorescence intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal measurement method that can classify different lymphocyte types using a single fluorescent dye reagent. The same basic measurement protocol and reagent system works for distinguishing B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and other lymphocyte subsets, eliminating the need for multiple specialized reagents and complex procedural variations

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

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

Enables cost-effective and efficient classification and counting of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, reducing operational complexity and time, while providing accurate information on lymphocyte ratios.

Implementation Method 1

a fluorescent dye that stains nucleic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

a second detector for detecting scattered light emitted from the measurement sample irradiated with light by the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2450706B1Blood analyzer and blood analyzing method
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 SYSMEX CORP
  • EP2450706B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2450706B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2450706B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a blood analyzer and a blood analyzing method capable of obtaining information regarding B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes without using a fluorescence-labeled antibody. The blood analyzer of the present invention includes a blood specimen supplying portion, a sample preparation portion that prepares a measurement sample without using a fluorescence-labeled antibody by mixing a blood specimen supplied from the blood specimen supplying portion, a hemolyzing agent, and a fluorescent dye that stains nucleic acid, a light source, a first detector that detects fluorescence, a second detector that detects scattered light, and information processing portion that classifies lymphocytes based on the intensity of fluorescence and scattered light, and based on the fluorescence intensity of the classified lymphocytes, obtains information regarding B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes.