Blood Cell Imaging via Sheath Flow Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for blood cell analysis, such as Complete Blood Counts (CBC), face limitations in efficiently processing and imaging blood fluid samples to accurately differentiate and quantify various blood cell types, particularly in terms of speed and throughput, which can impact the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostic results.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a sample fluidic system with a flow cell and imaging device that processes and images blood fluid portions in a way that enhances imageability, using a sheath fluid to compress and orient blood cells within a narrowing flow path, allowing for high-quality imaging and automated analysis of blood cells, including white and red blood cells, through digital image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential processing and imaging of blood fluid portions is used, then processing completeness is maintained, but system productivity and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous parallel processing where multiple blood fluid portions are processed and imaged simultaneously rather than sequentially. The fluidic system divides the sample into multiple portions that flow through separate processing channels, allowing continuous operation without idle time between samples, thereby maximizing throughput and eliminating waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The blood fluid sample is segmented into multiple portions that are processed in parallel through separate fluidic channels. Each portion undergoes processing and imaging independently simultaneously, allowing the system to handle multiple samples or multiple analysis types concurrently, thus improving overall productivity without increasing individual processing time.
2Extent of automation
If flow cytometry with impedance or dynamic light scattering is used, then automated particle counting is achieved, but ability to differentiate and characterize cell morphology is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges automated flow cytometry techniques with optical imaging capabilities into a single integrated platform. While flow cytometry provides automated particle detection and sizing, the added imaging component captures morphological details of cells, allowing both automated counting and precise morphological differentiation to occur simultaneously without compromising either function.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical imaging serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between automated particle detection and detailed morphological analysis. The imaging system captures visual information about cell morphology that complements the electrical or light scattering data from flow cytometry, enabling accurate cell differentiation and characterization while maintaining automated operation.
3Measurement precision
If manual blood smear examination is used, then detailed morphological analysis is achieved, but productivity and speed of analysis are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical examination under a light microscope with automated optical imaging and digital image processing. Multiple blood fluid portions are imaged automatically as they flow through the system, and computer algorithms analyze the images to extract morphological information, thereby achieving both high-speed automated operation and detailed morphological analysis without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of blood cell images through automated optical imaging, allowing detailed morphological analysis to be performed on these copies by computer algorithms. This eliminates the need for manual examination while preserving the ability to perform detailed morphological assessment, as the digital images can be processed and analyzed with high precision automatically.
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 imaging and analysis of blood cells, improving the speed and effectiveness of blood cell differentiation and quantification, thereby enhancing diagnostic capabilities and throughput in blood analysis.
Implementation Method 1
using a sheath fluid to compress and orient blood cells within a narrowing flow path
Implementation Method 2
imaging the first portion in a flow cell; and imaging the second portion in the flow cell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Systems and methods for imaging a plurality of blood fluid samples or other types of samples include processing at least a portion of a sample to enhance imageability of certain particles in that portion and subsequently imaging the sample portion. In some instances, processing and imaging of various samples may be staged in a manner to optimize throughput of the system or method.