Low-Volume Optical Fluid Testing for Short-Path Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid testing systems require large volumes of fluid and long optical path lengths, which can lead to inefficiencies and reduced accuracy due to fluidic noise and increased reagent usage, while being less tolerant to pre-analytical issues like hemolysis, bilirubin, and lipemia.
Innovation Solution
The development of a container with reduced dimensions (3.3 mm to 5.5 mm length and width) and optical path length (up to 6 mm) that facilitates efficient mixing and reduced fluid volumes (less than 120 µL) using an aspirate-dispense process, minimizing blind volume and optimizing light beam positioning to improve signal-to-noise ratio and tolerance to pre-analytical issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large volumes of fluid and long optical path lengths are used in existing fluid testing systems, then the systems can accommodate traditional container sizes, but this leads to increased reagent usage, reduced accuracy due to fluidic noise, and lower tolerance to pre-analytical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the container by reducing its dimensions (3.3 mm to 5.5 mm length and width) and optical path length (less than 6 mm), which enables smaller fluid volumes (less than 120 μL) to be used while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through optimized light beam positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the vertical positioning of the light beam within the container (center of light beam at height less than 1.6 mm from bottom interior surface) to compensate for the reduced optical path length, effectively using the vertical dimension to maintain measurement sensitivity despite reduced horizontal dimensions
2Productivity
If large volumes of fluid are used in existing systems, then sufficient reagent is available for analysis, but this increases reagent consumption and testing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the container dimensions and optical path length to enable use of smaller fluid volumes (less than 120 μL), which directly decreases reagent consumption and allows more rapid testing cycles, thereby improving productivity
3Measurement precision
If long optical path lengths are used in existing systems, then adequate light absorption is achieved, but this requires larger container sizes and increases fluidic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the optical path length to less than 6 mm while compensating for the reduced light absorption by optimizing the vertical position of the light beam (center at height less than 1.6 mm from bottom), which improves the signal-to-noise ratio by minimizing fluidic noise while maintaining adequate measurement sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical positioning of the light beam within the container as an additional degree of freedom to optimize the measurement, placing the beam center at a specific height from the bottom to maximize signal quality in the reduced optical path length configuration
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 allows for more efficient use of reagents and samples, reduces testing time, improves mixing efficacy, and maintains or enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, while increasing tolerance to pre-analytical issues, thus enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of fluid testing.
Implementation Method 1
an optical interrogation system that generates a light beam configured to traverse an optical path through the fluid in the container and measures one or properties of the light beam thereafter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Technology described herein includes a method that includes providing, by an optical light source, a light beam configured to traverse an optical path through a fluid comprising the biological sample in a container. A length of the optical path through the fluid is between 3.3 mm to 5.5 mm, and a center of the light beam is at a height less than 1.6 mm from a bottom interior surface of the container, and a volume of the fluid is less than 120 µL. An optical detector receives optical information after the light beam traverses the optical path. An output of the optical detector is associated with at least one parameter representing the one or more characteristics of the biological sample.