Low Angle Light Scattering for Blood Typing Agglutination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood typing systems are inefficient and time-consuming due to reliance on subjective visual readings and lengthy centrifugation processes, which hinder automation and urgent analysis needs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using low-angle light scattering to detect agglutination by moving the sample mixture through a measurement window, allowing for the detection of agglutinated cells without spatial separation, utilizing a light emitter and detector to classify samples based on particle characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated reading of color distribution is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to vision systems and sophisticated software algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical vision systems with a simpler photodetector-based system that measures light transmission through the column. Instead of using sophisticated software algorithms to analyze color distribution patterns, the invention uses a photodetector to directly measure the amount of light transmitted, which correlates with agglutination strength. This substitution of the detection mechanism dramatically simplifies the device while maintaining automation capability.
2Measurement precision
If centrifugation time is extended to achieve spatial separation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the spatial separation process. Instead of requiring complete spatial separation of agglutinated and unagglutinated cells through extended centrifugation, the invention measures light transmission through the entire column, detecting agglutination based on the overall light blocking effect. This allows for rapid centrifugation (e.g., 5 minutes or less) while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from spatial distribution analysis to light transmission intensity measurement. By measuring the amount of light transmitted through the column rather than analyzing the spatial distribution of cells, the system can detect agglutination with much shorter centrifugation times, as the light transmission method is sensitive to agglutination regardless of complete spatial separation.
3Ease of operation
If visual reading method is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to subjectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual reading with an automated photodetector-based light transmission measurement system. The photodetector objectively measures the amount of light transmitted through the column, eliminating human subjectivity while maintaining operational simplicity. The system automatically converts light transmission measurements into agglutination results.
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 significantly reduces analysis time, enhances accuracy, and allows for efficient blood typing and other detection analyses without the need for spatial separation, making it suitable for urgent procedures.
Implementation Method 1
low angle light scattering to detect agglutination by moving the sample mixture through a measurement window
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for classifying a liquid patient sample includes at least one sample container having a quantity of a sample that is aggressively acted upon so as to create a flow field. A measurement mechanism includes at least one low angle light emitter aligned with a measurement window of the at least one sample container and a detector oppositely disposed relative to the measurement window. Measurement of the scattered light detects particle characteristics of a moving flow field from the sample to determine, for example, the amount of agglutination of the sample so as to perform blood typing or other classifications without spatial separation.