Hemolysis Detection via Intracellular Analyte Ratios

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting hemolysis in whole blood samples are complex and require specialized equipment, making them ineffective for point-of-care applications, and struggle to accurately determine the severity of hemolysis which can lead to inaccurate laboratory results.

Innovation Solution

A system using a sensor array with ion-selective electrodes for potassium, magnesium, and sodium/calcium sensors to measure intracellular vs. intercellular analyte concentrations, calculating ratios to determine the degree of hemolysis without a dedicated hemolysis sensor, allowing for a simpler and more accurate assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional filtering or centrifuging methods are used to detect hemolysis, then hemolysis detection can be performed, but the system complexity increases and specialized equipment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehemolysis detection accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from direct hemolysis measurement to indirect measurement through analyte concentration ratios. By monitoring changes in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and lactate concentrations and calculating their ratios, the system detects hemolysis without requiring complex specialized equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses analyte concentration ratios as an intermediary to detect hemolysis. Instead of directly measuring hemolysis, the system measures concentrations of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and lactate ions and uses their ratios as intermediate indicators to infer hemolysis severity, simplifying the detection system while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional optical interrogation methods are used in NIR or visible wavelength regions, then hemolysis can be detected, but the measurement precision is insufficient for accurate severity determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system simplicityVSAvoidhemolysis severity measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from optical parameter detection to electrochemical parameter detection. By measuring ionic concentrations (potassium, magnesium, calcium, lactate) through electrochemical sensors and using ratio calculations, the system achieves superior measurement precision for hemolysis severity determination while keeping the device simple and suitable for point-of-care use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a dedicated hemolysis sensor is used, then hemolysis detection is simplified, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehemolysis detection simplicityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing analyte sensors multi-functional by using them for both their primary analyte detection function and hemolysis detection function. The same sensors measuring potassium, magnesium, calcium, and lactate concentrations serve dual purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated hemolysis sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation

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

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 precise determination of hemolysis severity in whole blood samples, reducing the need for specialized equipment and improving accuracy, making it suitable for point-of-care applications.

Implementation Method 1

A system using a sensor array with ion-selective electrodes for potassium, magnesium, and sodium/calcium sensors to measure intracellular vs. intercellular analyte concentrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon-selective electrode detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3234570B1Hemolysis detection using intracellular analyte concentrations
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC
  • EP3234570B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3234570B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3234570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure relates to the detection of whole blood hemolysis in a sample of whole blood. More specifically, this disclosure describes detecting hemolysis using one or more novel ratios of intercellular concentrations of whole blood analytes.