Blood Sedimentation Apparatus Flat-Walled Reading Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring blood sedimentation rate (ESR) face challenges due to deflections caused by non-uniform Teflon tubes, leading to inaccurate readings and contamination between samples, which complicates the calibration and precision of measurements.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with a reading chamber made of transparent materials like acrylic or glass, featuring a cylindrical section with flat entrance and exit surfaces, reduces radiation deflection and allows for self-washing between samples, ensuring precise and contamination-free measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a Teflon tube is used to transport the blood sample, then the sample can be conveyed through the measuring system, but the non-uniform thickness and section of the tube cause radiation deflection and measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blood sample from the Teflon tube and places it in a separate measuring chamber with flat, parallel walls. This separation removes the source of optical distortion (the Teflon tube walls) from the measurement path, allowing accurate photometric measurement without the deflection problems caused by non-uniform tube thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid carrier (saline solution) as an intermediary medium to transport the blood sample to the measuring chamber. This allows the sample to be delivered without using the problematic Teflon tube in the measurement path, while the flat-walled chamber provides a distortion-free optical path.
2Productivity
If a Teflon tube is used for sample transport, then sample conveyance is achieved, but contamination between successive samples occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the sample transport tube. By using a separate measuring chamber with flat walls, the system eliminates contamination between samples while maintaining continuous sample flow through the Teflon tube, thus preserving productivity without sacrificing reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the blood sample is stopped to measure sedimentation rate, then accurate ESR measurement is obtained, but the measurement time is extended to at least one hour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by implementing continuous sample flow with periodic measurement intervals. The blood sample flows continuously through the measuring chamber, and measurements are taken at regular intervals, allowing rapid determination of sedimentation rate without requiring the sample to be stopped for an extended period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the blood sample in constant motion through the measuring chamber. This continuous flow approach allows the sedimentation process to be monitored dynamically without interruption, reducing measurement time from one hour to just 20 seconds while maintaining accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If the blood flow is stopped to measure aggregation speed, then photometric measurement accuracy is improved, but the execution time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous blood flow through the measuring chamber while performing photometric measurements. This eliminates the need to stop the flow for measurement, allowing both accurate photometric detection of aggregation speed and rapid results in 20 seconds, thereby maintaining high productivity.
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
The apparatus enables quick, reliable, and precise ESR measurements with minimal blood volume, preventing contamination and deflection issues, making it suitable for pediatric use and Point of Care applications.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation emitter device (16) associated to a mating detector device (17)... which are respectively disposed on opposite sides with respect to said cylindrical body (51)... said radiation emitter device (16) being suitable to transmit radiation through said blood sample
Implementation Method 2
measuring the speed of aggregation of the corpuscular part of the blood which thickens after it has been stopped... determine the sedimentation rate of the blood
Implementation Method 3
said pump means being suitable to interrupt instantaneously the flow of said blood sample
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus to determine the blood sedimentation rate and other parameters connected thereto, carried out by emitting, by means of emitter means (16), a beam of radiations (60) which passes through a sample being examined, and by detecting, by means of receiver means (17), the beam of radiations after they have passed through said sample, comprising a reading chamber associated to at least a tube (12) connected to a feed (11; 21; 28) of the sample to be analyzed. Said reading chamber is at least partly transparent to radiations in a certain range of wavelengths, and has at least a substantially rectilinear segment of reduced size into which the sample to be analyzed is introduced. The reading chamber (50) consists of a tube (51) made of plastic material, or glass, defining a capillary channel coupled to said tube (12) in fluidic continuity.