Dielectric Microsensor for Blood Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dielectric sensing systems for characterizing blood properties are large, expensive, and not cost-effective for widespread use, particularly in point-of-care diagnostics, limiting their accessibility and efficiency in monitoring platelet counts and coagulation defects.
Innovation Solution
A portable dielectric microsensor system integrated with a microfluidic chamber and interface electronics that measures impedance changes in blood samples using RF signals to compute dielectric permittivity values, enabling rapid and cost-effective determination of platelet counts and coagulation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional dielectric sensing systems are used for blood characterization, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electronic dielectric sensing systems with a magnetic resonance-based sensing system. The magnetic resonance sensor detects dielectric permittivity changes through magnetic field interactions with the blood sample, eliminating the need for complex electronic impedance measurement circuits while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct electrical impedance measurement to magnetic resonance signal analysis. By measuring the magnetic resonance properties of the blood sample and deriving dielectric permittivity from these signals, the system achieves accurate measurements with simpler hardware architecture.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive blood analysis is performed to determine platelet count and coagulation properties, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but measurement time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous measurement of dielectric permittivity over a time interval using the magnetic resonance sensor. The system continuously monitors the blood sample, capturing dielectric property changes as platelets aggregate and coagulation progresses, enabling comprehensive analysis without interrupting the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic resonance sensing system performs multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously - measuring dielectric permittivity, tracking platelet aggregation dynamics, and assessing coagulation properties all through a single measurement platform, eliminating the need for separate tests and reducing overall diagnostic time.
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 system provides a low-cost, portable, and high-throughput method for comprehensive platelet and coagulation defect diagnosis, facilitating rapid and accurate assessments at the point of care with minimal sample preparation.
Implementation Method 1
computing dielectric permittivity values of the blood sample that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal
Implementation Method 2
the RF output signal representing a measure of impedance of the blood sample disposed in the dielectric microsensor
Data Source
AI summary
As one example, a fluid monitoring apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor that includes a capacitive sensing structure integrated into a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel includes a fluid input to receive a sample volume of a sample under test (SUT). A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of the microsensor. A receiver receives an output RF signal from the microsensor. A computing device computes dielectric permittivity values of the SUT that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal. The computing device may determine an indication of platelet count based on the computed dielectric permittivity values over at least a portion of the time interval.