Control Solution Discrimination via Dual-Wavelength Absorbance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for discriminating a control solution from whole blood in concentration measuring apparatuses are prone to errors due to variations in solubility and reaction speed of reagents, and are not universally applicable across optical and electrochemical techniques, leading to burdensome user operations and inaccurate measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures luminance at specific wavelength ranges to differentiate between whole blood and a control solution, using a detection wavelength and a reference wavelength to determine the presence of a control solution based on absorbance thresholds, thereby reducing user burden and ensuring accurate discrimination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual mode switching is used for control solution measurement, then the user can operate the apparatus, but the user burden increases and operational errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser burdenVSAvoidoperational accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects whether a control solution or sample is supplied by the user and switches measurement modes accordingly. The control solution detection unit autonomously identifies the control solution based on its optical properties and triggers automatic mode switching, eliminating the need for manual user operation and reducing operational errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If reflectance profile discrimination is used, then control solution can be identified, but accuracy decreases due to reagent variations and hematocrit influence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic discriminationVSAvoiddiscrimination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures absorbance at two different wavelength ranges (first wavelength range with absorption maximum, and second wavelength range without absorption maximum) and uses the ratio or difference of these absorbance values to identify control solutions. This dual-wavelength approach compensates for variations in reagent solubility, reaction speed, and hematocrit values, maintaining high discrimination accuracy under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If single wavelength measurement is used, then the measurement process is simple, but discrimination accuracy is insufficient due to reagent variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement processVSAvoiddiscrimination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of measuring at a single wavelength, the system introduces a second dimension by measuring absorbance at two different wavelength ranges. The first wavelength range corresponds to the absorption maximum of the control solution's IR pigment, while the second wavelength range does not correspond to the absorption maximum. This dual-wavelength measurement provides additional discriminatory information that compensates for reagent variations without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Extent of automation

If electrochemical technique is used for control solution discrimination, then automatic discrimination is achieved, but the method is not applicable to optical measurement systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic discriminationVSAvoidmeasurement system applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops an optical-based control solution detection method that can be universally applied to both optical measurement systems and electrochemical measurement systems. By using absorbance measurement at different wavelength ranges, the system achieves automatic control solution discrimination without relying on electrochemical techniques, making it adaptable across different measurement system types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reliable automatic discrimination of control solutions from whole blood, reducing the likelihood of erroneous measurements and operational errors, and is applicable to both optical and electrochemical measurement systems, regardless of reagent variations.

Implementation Method 1

measuring luminance of a liquid to be detected at the detection wavelength... measuring the luminance of the liquid to be detected at the reference wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorbance measurement: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2031373B1Method for automatically identifying a control liquid
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2031373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2031373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2031373B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for automatically discriminating a control solution from a sample in a measurement system for measuring a target ingredient in the sample by using a measurement wavelength and a reference wavelength, wherein as the control solution, a control solution having a response value lower than a lower limit value (threshold) of a response value, such as absorbance, supposed when luminance of the sample is measured at the reference wavelength and having a response value higher than an upper limit value (threshold) of a response value supposed when luminance of the sample is measured at the detection wavelength for detecting whether the sample is supplied is used.