Hydrofocus Apparatus Single Dilution Flow Cytometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard flow cytometry technologies face challenges in accurately differentiating white blood cell subpopulations due to fluidic constraints, leading to uneven light exposure and speed gradients, which result in measurement errors and increased costs due to complex hydraulic systems and high dilution requirements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing an active sleeve flow cell with a hydraulic system that includes a dilution and analysis tank, an injector, and an optical measuring device, where the analysis solution is diluted to a ratio of less than 1/160, allowing for uniform cell speed and eliminating the need for additional dilution steps, thereby reducing costs and improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard flow cytometry technology is used with sheathing flows to constrain cell flow within the optical measurement zone, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional hydraulic systems and multiple tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dilution tank and analysis tank into a single integrated tank that performs both functions. The flow cell design integrates the sheathing flow generation directly at the measurement site, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic systems for dilution and analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The single tank serves multiple functions: it acts as both the dilution tank and the analysis tank, accommodating different dilution rates for optical measurement and hemoglobin/resistive measurement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate tanks and complex multi-distribution systems
2Measurement precision
If very low dilution rates (around 1/50) are used for optical measurement to ensure adequate cell concentration, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to incompatible dilution rates with hemoglobin and resistive measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into distinct functional zones within the single tank: a first region for optical measurement with dilution rate around 1/50, and a second region for hemoglobin and resistive measurements with dilution rate around 1/160. This spatial segmentation allows different dilution rates to coexist, enabling both high precision optical measurement and efficient productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts dilution rates for different measurement types by utilizing different regions of the flow cell. The optical measurement region receives highly diluted sample (1/50) for precision, while the hemoglobin/resistive measurement region uses less diluted sample (1/160) for efficiency, allowing the system to adapt to different measurement requirements
3Measurement precision
If additional material requirements (tanks, solenoid valves, multi-distribution systems) are implemented to accommodate different dilution rates, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tanks into a single integrated tank that accommodates both optical measurement and hemoglobin/resistive measurement functions. This eliminates the need for separate tanks, solenoid valves, and multi-distribution systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to perform precise measurements with appropriate dilution rates
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 apparatus enables precise optical differentiation of white blood cell subpopulations with a single dilution solution, reducing production costs and increasing analysis efficiency to over 60 tests per hour while maintaining accurate hemoglobin and resistive measurements.
Implementation Method 1
measuring various parameters (in particular diffraction, fluorescence, absorbance) on a flow of white blood cells
Implementation Method 2
measuring various parameters (in particular diffraction, fluorescence, absorbance) on a flow of white blood cells
Implementation Method 3
the total white blood cell count is performed on the blood sample by resistivity
Implementation Method 4
measurement by spectrophotometry of the hemoglobin released into the medium
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for analysing a blood sample contained in an analysis solution. This apparatus includes a dilution and analysis tray capable of containing the analysis solution. This tray is directly connected to a circulation vessel comprising a sleeve active so that the analysis solution used to measure the haemoglobin content is also used to measure the leukocyte sub-populations of white blood cells, at a predefined dilution rate having a ratio of less than 1/160. The apparatus also includes a hydraulic system which, together with the circulation vessel, is designed to generate a flow of the analysis solution having a diameter of 70 to 90 pm so as to have enough cells for the optical measurement.