Blood Cell Analyzer Sample Aspiration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blood cell analyzers face challenges in maintaining consistent sample aspiration conditions when the type and number of measurement items change, leading to variations in sample concentration gradients and potentially affecting measurement results.

Innovation Solution

A blood cell analyzer is designed to perform specific sample supplying operations based on the type and number of measurement items, aspirating a fixed amount for one group of items and a variable amount for additional items, ensuring identical conditions for high precision measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a fixed amount of blood sample is aspirated for each measurement to maintain identical aspiration conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but sample waste increases when measuring only one or few measurement items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidsample waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement items are divided into two groups: a first group measured under identical aspiration conditions with a fixed first amount of sample, and a second group measured under different aspiration conditions with a second amount of sample. This segmentation allows the system to aspirate only the necessary amount of sample for each measurement scenario, reducing sample waste while maintaining measurement precision for both groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If different amounts of blood sample are aspirated for different measurement items to reduce sample waste, then sample efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to concentration gradient variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different aspiration conditions are applied to different groups of measurement items based on their specific requirements. The first group of measurement items uses a first aspiration condition with a fixed first amount of sample to ensure identical conditions and high precision, while the second group uses a second aspiration condition with a second amount of sample optimized for those specific measurements. This local quality approach allows each measurement group to benefit from its optimal aspiration conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The aspiration conditions are made dynamic and adaptable based on the measurement requirements. The system can switch between a first aspiration condition (fixed amount) for the first group of measurement items and a second aspiration condition (different amount) for the second group of measurement items. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both sample efficiency and measurement precision for different measurement scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blood cell analyzer is configured to change measurement items for each sample to improve versatility, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fluctuating concentration gradients

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Measurement items are segmented into a first group measured under identical aspiration conditions and a second group measured under different aspiration conditions. This segmentation allows the blood cell analyzer to handle diverse measurement items (improving versatility) while ensuring that measurements within each group are performed under consistent conditions (maintaining precision).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aspiration parameters (amount of sample) are changed based on the measurement item group. For the first group of measurement items, a first aspiration parameter (fixed amount) is used to maintain identical conditions. For the second group, a second aspiration parameter (different amount) is used. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different measurement requirements while maintaining precision within each group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures consistent measurement results by maintaining identical aspiration conditions for items within a group, reducing the impact of concentration gradients and allowing for precise measurement of diverse blood components without unnecessary sample aspiration.

Implementation Method 1

aspirating tube for aspirating a blood sample, and which aspirates a blood sample from a sample container by using the aspirating tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2610621B1Blood cell analyzer, blood cell analyzing method, and non-transitory storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 SYSMEX CORP
  • EP2610621B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2610621B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2610621B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is a blood cell analyzer. When only measuring one or more measurement items included in one group, a first sample supplying operation is performed which includes aspirating a blood sample by a first amount. When measuring one or more measurement items included in the one group and another measurement item not included in the one group, a second sample supplying operation and a third sample supplying operation are performed. The second sample supplying operation includes aspirating the blood sample by the first amount for the measurement items included in the one group, and the third sample supplying operation includes aspirating the blood sample by a second amount for the another measurement item.