Inverted Microscopy Blood Element Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing whole blood samples, such as CBC, are costly, labor-intensive, and prone to errors due to the need for extensive calibration, complex instrumentation, and high reagent volumes, with follow-up tests often requiring manual evaluation and retesting, which can be inaccurate and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method involving placing an aliquot of undiluted anticoagulated blood on a substrate, allowing cells to settle into a homogeneous layer, and using inverted microscopy with various illumination modes to identify and count blood elements, reducing the need for extensive dilution and reagents, and simplifying the analysis process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CBC methods using multi-channel flow systems are used, then comprehensive blood analysis is achieved, but the cost, complexity, and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional microscopy approach by placing the blood sample on the objective lens side rather than the eyepiece side. This inversion allows direct observation of settled blood elements through the transparent substrate, eliminating the need for complex multi-channel flow systems while maintaining accurate identification of blood components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function of blood element identification from complex CBC systems. By using simple inverted microscopy with natural settling, it removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core capability of accurate blood cell enumeration and morphology assessment.
2Measurement precision
If extensive dilution and reagent use are employed in conventional methods, then blood sample analysis is performed, but costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs natural gravitational settling of blood elements without requiring external reagents or dilution. The blood sample autonomously separates into layers based on cell density and size, eliminating the need for costly reagents while maintaining accurate enumeration of different blood cell types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary separation of blood elements through natural settling before observation. This pre-separation step occurs automatically due to gravity, eliminating the need for subsequent reagent-based separation or dilution steps required in conventional methods.
3Measurement precision
If manual evaluation and retesting are performed for follow-up tests, then accurate blood sample assessment is achieved, but operator skill requirements and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow systems and manual evaluation procedures with simple inverted microscopy. The settled blood layer provides naturally enhanced contrast and organized arrangement of cells, allowing accurate assessment without requiring advanced operator skills or complex mechanical instrumentation.
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 improves accuracy, reduces costs, shortens analytical time, and decreases the need for follow-up testing, requiring less operator skill and time, while providing comprehensive CBC parameters and WBC differential analysis.
Implementation Method 1
allowing cells to settle into a homogeneous layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method of identifying the elements of a blood sample including placing an aliquot of blood on a transparent substrate such as a coverslip. The blood is allowed to stand and the cells to settle to form a layer or matrix. Inverted microscopy is used to identify the elements in the sample. Various forms of illumination may be used alone or in multiple combinations. The method improves the accuracy due to homogenous distribution of formed elements in the wet drop or aliquot, simplifies the method, lowers the cost of the test and results in a shortened analytical cycle time.