Hematology Linearity Control Composition System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linearity control products for hematology analyzers are time-consuming and labor-intensive, require vigorous agitation that can be deleterious to cellular components, and often necessitate manual dilution, leading to errors and inefficiencies in verifying the reportable measurement range and linearity of white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts.

Innovation Solution

A linearity control composition comprising white blood cell analogs at concentrations greater than 120 x 10^3/μl and stabilized red blood cells at 1.5 x 10^6/μl, which can be mono-dispersed by gentle mixing, eliminating the need for vigorous agitation and manual dilution, and a linearity control system with a series of compositions that facilitate the determination of linearity across extended concentration ranges without manual dilution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing linearity control products are used, then linearity verification can be performed, but the testing process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinearity verification accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control compositions into a single integrated control product that contains analog particles representing different blood cell types (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets) at various concentrations. This merging eliminates the need to test multiple separate control products, reducing testing time and labor while maintaining comprehensive linearity verification capability across the entire reportable range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If existing control products are used, then linearity testing can be performed, but vigorous agitation is required which can be deleterious to cellular components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcellular component damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses non-nucleated red blood cell analogs (such as shark, turkey, or bovine red blood cells) that can be processed and fixed to create durable analog particles. These analog particles replace fragile nucleated human blood cells, eliminating the need for vigorous agitation to disperse cells while maintaining measurement accuracy. The analog particles are resistant to degradation and do not require gentle handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If existing linearity control products are used, then linearity determination can be performed, but manual dilution is often necessary leading to errors and inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinearity determination accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control product that contains analog particles at multiple predetermined concentrations representing different blood cell types. This single control product can verify linearity across the entire reportable measurement range without requiring manual dilution. The control composition is designed to be directly applicable to hematology analyzers, eliminating manual intervention and associated errors.

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

4Measurement precision

If single component linearity controls are used, then specific parameter testing can be performed, but multiple control vials are required increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidcontrol kit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple single-component control products into a single multi-component control composition that contains analog particles for white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets at various concentrations. This integrated approach maintains the ability to precisely measure individual parameters while eliminating the need for multiple separate control vials, reducing kit complexity from over 20 vials to a single comprehensive control product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2082224B1Hematology linearity control composition system and method of use
Publication Date: 2015.05.13 BECKMAN COULTER INC
  • EP2082224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2082224B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A linearity control system includes a series of linearity control compositions, each thereof includes white blood cell analogs and stabilized red blood cells in a suspension medium. The concentration of the white blood cell analogs in the series of control compositions increases from 0.2 x 103 to 800 x 103 analogs per microliter, and the concentration of the white blood cell analogs in at least one control composition is greater than 120 x 103 analogs per microliter. The stabilized red blood cells facilitate mono-dispersion of the white blood cell analogs in the suspension medium by gently mixing. The control compositions further include platelet analogs, or additionally include reticulocyte and/or nucleated red blood cell analogs. The linearity control system allows the verification of the reportable measurement range and linearity of the measurements of hematology analyzers for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in extended concentration ranges.