Blood Cell Parameter Screening for Rapid Viral Infection Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, face challenges in efficiently determining the presence and severity of these infections, leading to prolonged wait times and potential adverse outcomes due to uncertain clinical courses, especially in high-risk individuals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the characterization of white blood cell count (WBC) and monocyte distribution width (MDW) in a blood sample, with specific thresholds for lymphocyte percentage, to assess the likelihood of viral infection, utilizing impedance and light scatter measurements without cytochemical stains or affinity-based markers, and optionally incorporating additional parameters for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods for assessing viral infections are used, then diagnostic accuracy may be maintained, but diagnostic time is prolonged and care facility efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses on specific hematological parameters (MDW, lymphocyte percent, neutrophil percent) from the complete blood count that are most indicative of viral infection. By isolating these key parameters rather than relying on comprehensive but time-consuming traditional diagnostic protocols, the method achieves rapid assessment while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive diagnostic investigation is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but care facility efficiency and resource utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the hematological analyzer's existing multi-functional capability to perform viral infection assessment using routine complete blood count parameters. The same equipment used for standard hematology testing is utilized to calculate MDW and evaluate lymphocyte and neutrophil percentages, enabling viral infection detection without requiring separate specialized equipment or additional resource allocation, thus maintaining care facility efficiency while improving diagnostic accuracy.
3Loss of time
If rapid assessment methods are used, then diagnostic time is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and utilizes specific parameter thresholds (MDW greater than or equal to 20, lymphocyte percent less than 15%, neutrophil percent greater than or equal to 60%) that have been determined to reliably indicate viral infection. By establishing these critical parameter boundaries, the method enables rapid automated decision-making with maintained diagnostic accuracy, as the analyzer can quickly compare measured values against these predefined thresholds without requiring complex interpretation.
4Reliability
If traditional diagnostic protocols are followed, then comprehensive evaluation is achieved, but patient wait time and dwell time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment using hematological parameters that are already obtained during routine complete blood count testing. By utilizing these pre-collected data points (WBC differential values) to calculate MDW and evaluate lymphocyte and neutrophil percentages, the method provides viral infection assessment without requiring additional blood draws or separate testing procedures, thereby reducing patient wait time while maintaining evaluation comprehensiveness.
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 allows for rapid and accurate assessment of viral infections, reducing diagnostic uncertainty and potentially shortening the time to treatment by providing early detection and improved predictive power, even when used in combination with other hematological parameters.
Implementation Method 1
characterizing the WBC in a blood sample comprises impedance and light scatter measurements
Implementation Method 2
characterizing the WBC in a blood sample comprises impedance and light scatter measurements
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for assessing viral infection are provided. The systems and methods can include characterizing a WBC in a blood sample, and calculating a MDW value for the blood sample. If the MDW value for the blood sample is less than or equal to 20, that indicates that viral infection is unlikely. If the MDW value for the blood sample is greater than or equal to 20, the systems and methods can further include evaluating one or more of percent lymphocytes, a standard deviation for neutrophil LALS, a WBC percent eosinophils, a monocyte index, a mean ALL for monocytes, a standard deviation for monocyte MALS, a monocyte opacity mean, a standard deviation for ALL for monocytes, a WBC percent basophils, LHD, a standard deviation for volume for WBC, a standard deviation for volume for monocytes and neutrophils, or a WBC percent neutrophils.