Hematocrit Measurement System Using Capacitive Reactance Adjustor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hematocrit measurement systems face inaccuracies due to interference from red blood cells, requiring complex processes, high costs, and significant blood volumes, with existing solutions either being time-consuming or prone to operational difficulties and power inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A hematocrit measurement system utilizing an electrochemical test strip with a capacitive reactance adjustor, comprising a pair of insulated electrodes and a calculation unit with a capacitive reactance adjustor circuit, which includes a loading resistor and adjusting capacitor, to enhance measurement accuracy by amplifying and filtering signals, thereby reducing the required blood volume and minimizing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filter layer is disposed on the test strip to separate red blood cells from the blood sample, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the filter layer component from the test strip system entirely. Instead of using a physical filter layer to separate red blood cells, the invention relies on the natural settling properties of blood components and direct measurement of the whole blood sample, thereby eliminating the complexity and manufacturing costs associated with incorporating a filter layer while maintaining measurement accuracy through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer layer as an intermediary between the blood sample and the test strip electrodes. This buffer layer serves as a mediator that allows proper contact and reaction while avoiding the need for complex filter layers. The buffer layer facilitates the measurement process by enabling direct interaction with blood components without requiring physical separation mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If AC signals with frequencies in a range of 1 Hz-20 KHz are provided to test the blood sample to measure HCT values, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement time increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a single frequency AC signal that is applied continuously or in a standardized periodic manner during the measurement process. This approach allows the system to achieve accurate HCT measurements through consistent periodic excitation of the blood sample, eliminating the need to repeatedly switch between multiple frequencies, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the measurement process by selecting and using a specific frequency or narrow frequency range within the 1 Hz-20 KHz spectrum, rather than sweeping through multiple frequencies. This parameter change approach allows the system to achieve effective HCT measurement at a single optimized frequency, significantly reducing the time required compared to multi-frequency measurements while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If redox agents are disposed on electrochemical test strip electrodes to measure HCT values, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to interference with other enzymes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redox agents from the test strip electrodes entirely. Instead of using redox agents that interfere with other enzyme reactions, the invention measures HCT values through alternative means such as impedance measurement or capacitance measurement of the blood sample, thereby eliminating the source of interference with other enzyme-based measurements while maintaining HCT measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer layer as an intermediary that separates the blood sample from direct contact with the electrodes. This buffer layer acts as a mediator that allows the measurement of HCT through the electrical properties of the blood sample without requiring redox agents on the electrodes, thereby preventing interference with other enzyme reactions on the test strip while maintaining measurement capability.
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 effectively improves hematocrit measurement accuracy by reducing the amount of blood needed and minimizing interference, providing rapid and reliable results with reduced measurement time and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive reactance adjustor, wherein the capacitive reactance adjustor is disposed between the test strip and the divider resistor of the calculation unit, the capacitive reactance adjustor comprising a circuit consisting of a loading resistor and at least one adjusting capacitor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A hematocrit (HCT) measurement system and measurement method using the same are disclosed. The hematocrit (HCT) measurement system comprises a test strip and a measurement apparatus comprising: a connector transmitting an initial signal generated from a blood sample to the measurement apparatus, a capacitive reactance adjustor disposed between the test strip and the measurement apparatus, a calculation unit for calculating concentration and HCT value of the blood sample, an A/D convertor transforming the corresponding initial signal to a digital signal, and a signal processor processing the digital reacted signal and showing measured results on a display, wherein the HCT value is calculated by voltage partition to prevent the signal waveform voltage being saturated or cutoff, thereby resulting in measured signal distortion.