Capillary Blood Coagulation Device Flow Monitoring
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring blood coagulation, such as impedance measurement, face challenges in accurately determining coagulation onset due to complex changes in electrical properties, making mechanical property measurement a more direct and accurate approach necessary.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first and second substrate, a spacer layer, and electrodes to measure current flow between them, allowing for the determination of coagulation time by observing changes in current as blood flows from a sample receiving chamber through an elongated reservoir and sink chamber, with the design ensuring coagulation occurs before complete drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If impedance measurement is used to monitor blood coagulation, then the method can be performed with small blood samples and delivers results quickly, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to complex changes in electrical properties making it difficult to extract reliable coagulation indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical impedance measurement with a mechanical measurement system. A capillary tube is used to visually observe and measure the mechanical flow characteristics of blood as it coagulates. The time for blood to flow through the capillary tube is recorded, providing a direct mechanical indicator of coagulation status rather than relying on complex electrical property changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual observation of blood flow characteristics through the capillary tube. The changing appearance and flow patterns of blood as it coagulates provide a visible indicator that can be measured and recorded, transforming the invisible electrical property changes into observable mechanical and visual changes.
2Ease of operation
If impedance measurement is used to detect coagulation, then the device can be compact and require small blood samples, but the reliability deteriorates because the small signal may lead to error in determination of coagulation onset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical impedance measurement system with a mechanical capillary flow observation system. This substitution provides more reliable detection of coagulation onset through direct mechanical observation of blood flow changes, while maintaining the advantage of requiring only small blood samples and providing rapid results.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary tube acts as an intermediary medium that translates the coagulation process into observable mechanical flow characteristics. This intermediary allows for reliable detection of coagulation onset through visual observation of flow changes, bridging the gap between the small sample requirement and reliable detection.
3Extent of automation
If electrical properties of blood are measured to determine coagulation, then the method can be automated, but the device complexity increases due to the need to extract reliable indicators from complex electrical changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical signal processing with simple mechanical observation and timing. The capillary tube method requires only measurement of flow time, which can be automated with simple timers and visual observation systems, avoiding the complexity of extracting reliable indicators from complex electrical property changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for coagulation monitoring from the complex blood coagulation process by focusing solely on the flow time through the capillary tube. This extraction simplifies the measurement to a single critical parameter (flow time) that directly indicates coagulation status, eliminating the need for complex multi-parameter electrical analysis.
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 method provides a more accurate and reliable measurement of coagulation time, suitable for clinical and home use, and can also assess the presence of analytes by observing changes in flow characteristics, enhancing monitoring and diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second electrodes are in electrically conductive contact with the elongated reservoir such that an electrical signal can be detected between the first and second electrodes when a conductive liquid sample is disposed in the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes. Changes in observed current are indicative of flow through the device, and a cessation of flow indicates coagulation.