Disposable Hemolysis Sensor Using Acoustic Plasma Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated blood analyzers cannot effectively measure hemolysis in whole blood samples within disposable test cartridges, as hemolysis testing is typically performed on separated plasma, not directly on whole blood.
Innovation Solution
A disposable hemolysis sensor module is designed for installation in existing blood analysis instruments, using acoustic separation and multicolor LED illumination to measure plasma hemoglobin levels, with a self-contained housing and optical imaging to process images and correct for interferences, allowing for accurate hemolysis measurement in whole blood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hemolysis testing is performed on separated plasma using conventional methods, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase due to centrifugation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the plasma separation function from complex centrifugation equipment and implements it using a simple acoustic field generated by a piezoelectric transducer. The acoustic field causes blood cells to migrate to the periphery of the flow cell while plasma remains in the center, enabling plasma extraction without mechanical centrifugation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with an acoustic field-based separation method. A piezoelectric transducer generates acoustic waves that create a standing wave pattern in the fluid, causing blood cells to move to high-pressure regions (periphery) and plasma to remain in low-pressure regions (center), eliminating the need for mechanical centrifuges.
2Device complexity
If acoustic separation is used to separate plasma from whole blood, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to potential misalignment and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear alignment to three-dimensional spatial positioning by creating a standing acoustic wave field that establishes distinct radial zones within the flow cell. The acoustic field creates a three-dimensional separation pattern where blood cells concentrate at the periphery while plasma occupies the central region, enabling optical sensors to selectively measure plasma properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multicolor LED illumination sources that emit at different wavelengths (including 570nm and 610nm) to illuminate the plasma region. By selecting specific wavelengths that correspond to hemoglobin absorption characteristics and using color-based detection, the system can accurately measure plasma hemoglobin concentration while distinguishing it from other components.
3Ease of operation
If a disposable sensor module is designed for in-line installation, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow cell, acoustic transducer, multicolor LED illumination sources, and optical detection sensors into a single pre-assembled disposable sensor module. This modular design combines all critical components with pre-established alignment relationships, allowing the entire module to be installed as one unit in the blood analysis instrument, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining manufacturing precision within the factory-controlled assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the blood analysis system into separate functional modules: a reusable instrument platform and a disposable sensor module. The disposable module contains all components necessary for plasma separation and hemolysis measurement, which can be easily replaced after each use. This segmentation allows manufacturing precision to be concentrated in the factory assembly of the disposable module while keeping the overall system easy to operate through simple module replacement.
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 reliable measurement of hemolysis in whole blood samples within existing automated blood analyzers, providing accurate plasma hemoglobin levels with reduced interference and misalignment issues, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of these systems.
Implementation Method 1
operation of the disclosed sensor employs acoustic separation of whole blood into blood cells and plasma within a flow cell
Implementation Method 2
a multicolor light emitting diode LED illumination source
Implementation Method 3
a camera configured to acquire images of the plasma while separated from the blood cells. The images are later processed to obtain a plasma hemoglobin level
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A disposable hemolysis sensor module (100) is described. The module comprises a flow cell (104) for housing a column of whole blood, an acoustic transducer (106) for generating acoustic forces on said flow cell for temporarily partitioning the whole blood in the flow cell into a first region comprising cell free plasma and a second region comprising blood cells, a light source (108), such as a light source comprising red LED and a yellow LED, for illuminating the cell free plasma in the first region, one or more optical imaging sensors (110), such as a camera, for acquiring one or more digital images of the cell free plasma in the first region while said cell free plasma is illuminated by said light source, and a housing (112) configured for removable installation in an instrument cartridge of a blood analysis instrument, wherein the housing is further configured to locate the flow cell, the light source and the optical imaging sensors in fixed alignment relative to each other.