Optical Cell Concentration Adjustment for Mismatched Cell Counters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical detection assemblies for fluid analysis face inconsistencies due to varying refractive indices and light dispersion in flexible plastic tubing, leading to inconsistent measurements, and differently configured cell counters report varying cell concentration results, limiting the applicability of empirically derived correlation curves.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection assembly with a light source, detector array, and controller that adjusts cell concentration measurements using a correlation curve and an adjustment equation to account for different cell counter configurations, ensuring accurate cell concentration determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single photodiode is used to detect light exiting the vessel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to light dispersion in turbid media
Solution Approach 1:
The single photodiode is segmented into multiple photodiodes arranged in an array, allowing detection of light at multiple positions simultaneously. This segmentation enables capture of light dispersion patterns while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection approach transitions from a single-point measurement to a distributed spatial measurement by arranging photodiodes in an array. This adds a spatial dimension to the detection, enabling characterization of light dispersion patterns across multiple positions.
2Ease of operation
If empirically derived correlation curves are used to determine cell concentration, then the measurement process is simplified, but the adaptability deteriorates when cell counters have different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the correlation curve parameters based on the specific cell counter configuration detected. By changing the parameters of the correlation curve to match the cell counter's characteristics, the system maintains ease of operation while achieving adaptability across different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The correlation curve transitions from a static, fixed parameter set to a dynamic structure that can be automatically adjusted according to the cell counter configuration. This dynamic adaptation allows the same optical detection assembly to work with multiple cell counter types without manual recalibration.
3Ease of operation
If light is incident upon flexible plastic tubing, then the fluid flow circuit can be made flexible and easy to handle, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to varying refractive indices and inconsistent tubing surface formation
Solution Approach 1:
A refractive index matching fluid is introduced as an intermediary between the plastic tubing and the incident light. This intermediary layer compensates for the refractive index mismatch between air-plastic and plastic-fluid interfaces, reducing optical distortion while preserving the flexibility advantage of plastic tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the system are adjusted by changing the refractive index of the medium between the tubing and light source. By matching the refractive indices, the system compensates for variations in tubing surface formation and maintains consistent optical measurements despite the flexible nature of the tubing.
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 solution provides consistent and accurate cell concentration measurements across differently configured cell counters, enhancing the reliability of fluid analysis by compensating for variations in optical detection assembly configurations and cell counter discrepancies.
Implementation Method 1
A typical optical detection assembly includes a light source (e.g., a laser or a light-emitting diode) configured to emit light into a fluid-containing vessel of the fluid flow circuit, with a light detector (e.g., a photodiode) configured to receive light exiting the vessel
Implementation Method 2
When light is incident upon plastic tubing, the transport of light into the tubing lumen may vary according to Snell's Law depending on the refractive indices of the materials and incident light angles formed by the tubing surface
Implementation Method 3
light exiting a turbid media (such as blood or a blood component) will be dispersed, such that the light may be detected at multiple positions using a light detector array
Implementation Method 4
Different fluids (e.g., ones having different concentrations of a target substance) result in emerging light beams having different dispersion patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a cell concentration of a subject fluid includes first determining an unadjusted cell concentration of each of a plurality of fluids based on an intensity of light emitted through the fluid and a correlation curve derived using a first cell counter. A measured cell concentration obtained for each fluid from a second cell counter is then plotted against the unadjusted cell concentration to create a curve represented by an equation that is selected to be used as an adjustment equation. Light is then emitted through the subject fluid, with at least a portion of the light exiting the subject fluid being received. An unadjusted cell concentration of the subject fluid is determined based on the correlation curve and the intensity of the received light. The adjustment equation is then applied to the unadjusted concentration to determine an adjusted cell concentration of the subject fluid.