Hemoglobin Measurement Using Dual-Wavelength Absorbance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring hemoglobin concentration in whole blood are either invasive and costly or non-invasive but inconsistent due to the nonhomogeneous nature of blood, and require complex reagents with short shelf-life.
Innovation Solution
A system using a light source emitting wavelengths between 520 and 590 nm and at least 800 nm, with a diffuser and detector to accurately measure absorbance, allowing for rapid and cost-effective determination of total hemoglobin concentration in whole blood, including both oxidized and reduced forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-invasive optical methods are used to measure hemoglobin concentration, then continuous monitoring is enabled, but the cost increases and results are inconsistent due to light deflection caused by the nonhomogeneous nature of blood
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into two distinct wavelength measurements: first measuring absorbance at a wavelength where hemoglobin absorbs light (520-590 nm), then measuring at a wavelength where hemoglobin does not absorb (at least 800 nm). This segmentation allows separate measurement of hemoglobin concentration and scattering effects, resolving the inconsistency problem while maintaining optical method simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
A dual-wavelength optical system acts as an intermediary to indirectly measure hemoglobin concentration by comparing absorbance at two different wavelengths. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct contact with blood cells (avoiding hemolysis) while compensating for scattering effects, thus maintaining measurement consistency without excessive complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If invasive methods using whole blood without hemolysis are used, then device cost is reduced, but measurement results are inconsistent due to the nonhomogeneous nature of blood
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement parameters are changed by using two different wavelengths instead of a single wavelength. The first wavelength (520-590 nm) detects hemoglobin absorbance, while the second wavelength (at least 800 nm) detects scattering and non-hemoglobin absorbance. By changing the wavelength parameter, the system achieves accurate hemoglobin measurement in whole blood without hemolysis, maintaining both low cost and high precision
3Measurement precision
If methods using hemolysis are used to measure hemoglobin concentration, then accurate results are obtained, but the device cost and reagent complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hemoglobin measurement function from the complex hemolysis process. By using optical absorption at specific wavelengths, the system directly measures hemoglobin concentration in whole blood without needing to extract or lyse the cells. This extraction of the measurement function eliminates the need for complex reagents and hemolysis devices while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/chemical hemolysis process is replaced with an optical measurement system. Instead of using reagents to lyse cells and then measuring hemoglobin, the invention uses light absorption spectroscopy to measure hemoglobin directly in intact cells. This substitution eliminates complex reagents and simplifies the device while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy
4Measurement precision
If reagents with high hygroscopicity are used in hemolysis methods, then hemoglobin can be measured accurately, but the shelf-life decreases and requires air tight storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement capability from the reagent-based hemolysis system. By using optical absorption at dual wavelengths, the system measures hemoglobin without requiring any reagents. This extraction eliminates the shelf-life problem entirely, as no reagents are needed, while maintaining measurement accuracy through physical optical measurement
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 accurate and reliable measurements of total hemoglobin concentration from a small blood sample, aligning light paths and using two wavelengths to ensure consistent results, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a detector detecting a first absorbance of the incident light having the first wavelength which has passed through the whole blood and a second absorbance of the incident light having the second wavelength which has passed through the whole blood
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for measuring the hemoglobin concentration in whole blood, wherein the system comprises: a light-radiating unit including a light source that emits two types of incident light having different wavelengths; a diffusion unit which diffuses the incident light emitted by the light-radiating unit; a cuvette-holding unit which is formed so as to hold a cuvette including a blood sample; a detection unit which detects each absorbance of the two types of incident light having different wavelengths; a processing unit which determines the hemoglobin concentration in the blood by processing the measured absorbance result; and a control unit which regulates the two types of incident light having different wavelengths in order to repeatedly/sequentially radiate same. Although the system for measuring hemoglobin in whole blood of the present invention uses a small amount of whole blood, it is possible to measure the total hemoglobin concentration in an accurate and reliable manner. The system of the present invention aligns the paths of two types of incident light having different wavelengths passing through a microcuvette by using a diffuser plate so as to easily align a light source and increase the reliability of the results. Also, the system of the present invention uses two wavelengths so as to rapidly and accurately measure the total amount of hemoglobin, including oxidized and reduced hemoglobin.