Ferromagnetic Object Clot Strength Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care blood clotting analysis apparatuses are limited in providing direct and informative measurements of clot strength, which is crucial for patients with abnormal bleeding post-cardiopulmonary bypass, often due to acquired platelet dysfunctions or other coagulopathy issues, necessitating more advanced methods for evaluating clotting status and strength.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a ferromagnetic object moved within a chamber containing blood, using electromagnets to monitor changes in velocity and energy input, allowing for the determination of activated clotting time and clot strength by analyzing the rate of movement and energy required to move the object through the blood, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of clotting status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional point-of-care apparatuses are used for blood clotting analysis, then basic clotting detection is available, but direct and informative measurements of clot strength cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
A ferromagnetic object is introduced as an intermediary element within the blood sample to enable measurement of clot strength. The object's movement through the clotting blood provides direct information about clot strength and viscosity changes, allowing precise measurement without requiring complex apparatus reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical clot strength measurement systems with a magnetic field-based approach. Electromagnets control and track the movement of a ferromagnetic object through the blood sample, substituting direct mechanical probing with a non-contact magnetic field system that achieves the same measurement goal with reduced complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple separate apparatuses are used to evaluate different clotting parameters, then comprehensive clotting information can be obtained, but ease of operation and testing simplicity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to evaluate multiple clotting parameters simultaneously using a single integrated system. The same ferromagnetic object and electromagnetic tracking system provide information about clot formation time, clot strength, and lysis time, eliminating the need for multiple separate apparatuses and simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple clotting evaluation functions are merged into a single testing process. The apparatus combines activation clotting time measurement, clot strength assessment, and lysis time detection into one unified system that uses the movement of a single ferromagnetic object through the blood sample to generate comprehensive clotting information.
3Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to detect abnormal bleeding causes, then basic bleeding detection is possible, but accurate identification of platelet dysfunction and coagulopathy issues is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field-based tracking of ferromagnetic object movement to assess platelet function and coagulopathy, replacing traditional mechanical or visual assessment methods. The electromagnetic system provides precise, quantifiable data about clot formation dynamics and strength that directly reflects platelet dysfunction and coagulopathy status.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferromagnetic object serves as a mediator that interacts with the clotting blood to reveal information about platelet function and coagulopathy. By tracking how the object moves through the clotting process, the system indirectly measures platelet activity and clot strength, providing accurate identification of bleeding causes without directly measuring platelet parameters.
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 enables direct and informative evaluation of blood clotting strength, reducing the need for reoperation by identifying the cause of abnormal bleeding and providing valuable information on clot formation and lysis times, enhancing the accuracy and ease of analysis.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnet is configured to cause the ferromagnetic object to move through the chamber
Implementation Method 2
A ferromagnetic object moveable within a chamber housing blood
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention includes systems, apparatuses and methods to evaluate the strength of clotting in addition to or separate from activated clotting time. The strength of clotting may be correlated with the amount of energy employed to move an object within blood. The strength of clotting may be correlated with the amount of time for fibrinolysis to occur. The strength of clotting may be determined by a system in which a ferromagnetic material is moved within blood.