Blood Cassette Imaging and Electric Field Pathogen Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for bloodstream infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and Candida auris, are often ineffective, leading to severe conditions like sepsis and potentially fatal outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the identification and localization of pathogen cells in blood using imaging, followed by the application of an electric field to specifically neutralize these cells while minimizing exposure to nearby blood cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are applied to treat bloodstream infections, then pathogen cells should be killed, but the treatment is not successful for many patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatment (antibiotics) with a physical treatment method using electric fields and imaging technology to identify and neutralize pathogen cells. This substitution involves using optical imaging systems to detect pathogen cells and applying localized electric fields to destroy them, thereby overcoming the ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotic treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the blood treatment process to identify and treat pathogen cells autonomously through automated imaging, detection, and electric field application. The blood sample is processed through an integrated system that automatically locates pathogen cells using imaging, calculates appropriate electric field parameters, and applies neutralizing electric fields without requiring external intervention or judgment.
2Reliability
If electric field is applied to neutralize pathogen cells, then pathogen cells are destroyed, but nearby blood cells may be exposed to electric field energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electric field energy selectively and locally only to the specific locations where pathogen cells are identified through imaging. The system calculates precise electric field parameters tailored to each detected pathogen cell's position and characteristics, ensuring that the electric field is concentrated on the target pathogen cells while minimizing or eliminating exposure to surrounding healthy blood cells. This localized application resolves the contradiction between effective pathogen neutralization and protection of healthy cells.
3Measurement precision
If imaging is used to identify and locate pathogen cells, then specific pathogen cells can be targeted, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an integrated system where the imaging device serves multiple functions: it not only identifies and locates pathogen cells but also provides the spatial information necessary for calculating electric field parameters and guiding the neutralization process. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems into a unified platform, achieving high measurement precision while managing overall system complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
An operational unit for locating and neutralizing pathogen cells in blood includes a time use cassette which has a plurality of thin holding chambers that are filled with blood drawn from a patient. A light source illuminates each of the holding chambers and passes light to an underlying sensor array such that the cells in the blood selectively block the light to produce shadow images of the cells in the sensor array. A processor performs pattern recognition to identify and locate the pathogen cells by use of an image library. After the pathogen cells are located, an electric field is activated in the cassette chamber areas that include the identified pathogen cells. Sufficient electric field energy is applied to destroy the identified pathogen cells. A pump refills the cassette holding chambers, returns the neutralized-pathogen blood to the patient, and the process is repeated for a period of time.