Home Blood Count Kit Using Immunochromatographic Biomarker Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for blood cell counting, particularly for patients with hematologic neoplasms, are limited to medical facilities, causing long waiting times, travel burdens, and delayed therapy initiation due to the complexity and cost of medical instruments, which is exacerbated in rural areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and kit for performing a blood cell count using immunochromatographic assay strips and a smartphone app to quantify CD45, CD42b, and hemoglobin levels in whole blood samples, enabling remote monitoring and rapid result analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional blood cell counting methods are used in medical facilities, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time and patient convenience deteriorate due to long waiting times and travel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential blood cell counting function from complex medical facility equipment and implements it in a simplified home-use device. The system uses a portable blood sampling device combined with a smartphone application to perform blood cell counting at home, eliminating the need for patients to travel to medical facilities and wait for results, while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for monitoring purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the blood cell counting function that can be performed at home using affordable components. Instead of replicating full laboratory equipment, the system uses a smartphone camera to capture images of blood cells on a slide and processes them through an application, providing a functional copy that achieves adequate precision for home monitoring without the complexity and cost of laboratory equipment
2Measurement precision
If advanced blood analysis equipment is deployed, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable components such as single-use blood sampling cartridges and disposable slides for blood cell preparation. These inexpensive, disposable elements eliminate the need for complex cleaning and maintenance systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision. The disposable nature ensures consistent performance without requiring sophisticated calibration or maintenance infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and optical systems with a smartphone-based solution. Instead of using specialized microscopy equipment and automated image analysis hardware, the system leverages the smartphone's existing camera, processor, and display capabilities to perform blood cell counting, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate measurement precision
3Ease of operation
If home testing devices are simplified for ease of use, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated functions that perform complex tasks without requiring user expertise. The system automatically focuses the camera, adjusts lighting, identifies and counts blood cells, and calculates results. This self-service approach allows patients with no technical training to obtain precise blood cell counts by simply following simple instructions, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring measurement precision through automated quality control
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 patients to perform blood cell counts at home, reducing waiting times, travel burdens, and financial constraints, allowing for timely therapy initiation and improved patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
applying the resulting solution containing solubilized proteins and particulates from blood cells onto a sample pad of an immunochromatographic assay strip
Implementation Method 2
performing an immunochromatographic assay for each labeled receptor that has bound any one of the target analytes
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A kit, method, and software for quantifying red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leucocytes), and platelet cells (thrombocytes) in a whole blood sample. The method comprises inter alia a contacting of solubilized proteins of the whole blood sample with labeled receptors binding to hemoglobin, CD42b antigen, and CD45 antigen and performing of immunochromatographic tests for hahemoglobinCD42b and CD45. The amounts of target analytes are quantitated and levels of CD45, CD42b, and hemoglobin are correlated with expected values and ranges found in healthy individuals and/or previously measured in the blood of an individual with a diagnosed neoplasia. The quantitation is done using a smartphone app for telemedicine. The method improves the Quality of Life of patients by considerably reducing waiting and travel times in the medical facility and by an improved on of therapy.