Hemolysis Detection Device Using Capillary Plasma Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting hemolysis in blood samples are time-consuming, laborious, and often require laboratory settings, leading to delays and inefficiencies in patient care, as they typically involve separating blood cells from plasma and assessing for hemolysis after sample collection.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses capillary action to separate plasma from whole blood cells within a stoppered container, allowing for immediate visual detection of hemolysis in a small blood sample volume, enabling quick assessment by healthcare providers at the bedside without the need for additional equipment or laboratory processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory methods are used to detect hemolysis, then detection accuracy is improved, but detection time and procedural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the blood sample analysis into two distinct functional zones: a separation zone that isolates plasma from blood cells, and a detection zone that visually assesses hemolysis. This segmentation allows simultaneous preparation and analysis, reducing total detection time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The separation means perform preliminary plasma separation before the detection phase begins. By pre-separating plasma from blood cells in the first zone, the device eliminates the need for time-consuming centrifugation steps during the detection phase, enabling rapid visual assessment
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional centrifugation methods are used to separate plasma from blood, then separation completeness is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential separation function from complex centrifugation machinery and implements it through simple capillary-based separation means. The separation zone uses passive plasma migration through a porous barrier, eliminating the need for motors, power supplies, and complex mechanical components while achieving adequate plasma separation
Solution Approach 2:
The separation means utilize self-service plasma separation through capillary action and density-based migration. Plasma automatically separates from blood cells and migrates through the porous barrier without external power sources or complex mechanical intervention, simplifying the device while maintaining separation effectiveness
3Quantity of substance
If small blood sample volumes are used, then patient burden is reduced, but detection reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device concentrates the blood sample analysis in a localized detection zone with optimized geometry and lighting conditions. The second zone is specifically designed to maximize visual contrast and hemolysis visibility, ensuring reliable detection even with minimal plasma volumes derived from small blood samples
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
Enables rapid, intuitive, and reliable detection of hemolysis within seconds to minutes, reducing the need for repeat samples, minimizing delays, and improving patient care by allowing immediate identification of hemolysis, thus streamlining the analysis process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
means providing a capillary action for generating a capillary force urging said volume of plasma to be transferred through the separation device to said detection compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The following invention relates to a device for visual detection of hemolysis in a whole blood sample from a pierceable container, said device comprising at least one visible detection compartment and a transfer passage connected to said visible detection compartment, said device further comprising means for passing through the container to the interior of said container for accessing the whole blood and permitting transfer of a volume of plasma from said sample to said detection compartment via said transfer passage, wherein said device further is arranged with a separation device for separating plasma from blood cells within said whole blood sample before said plasma reaches the detection compartment, said device further being arranged with means providing a capillary action for generating a capillary force urging said volume of plasma to be transferred through the separation device to said detection compartment.