Microacoustic Sensor for Blood Viscosity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring blood viscosity and plasma viscosity are cumbersome, require large sample volumes, and often involve anticoagulants, making them unsuitable for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics and real-time monitoring of blood coagulation, especially in clinical settings where they do not directly measure the effect of anticoagulant therapy on blood viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a vibrating sensor that generates acoustic fields with varying penetration depths to measure the viscosity of both the continuous and bulk phases of blood samples without separating discrete components, allowing for simultaneous measurement of whole blood and plasma viscosities, density, and hematocrit, enabling rapid, real-time monitoring of blood coagulation and anticoagulant effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional viscometers are used to measure blood viscosity, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical viscometers with a microacoustic sensor system that uses acoustic vibration fields to measure viscosity. The sensor generates acoustic waves in the fluid sample, and the damping of these waves is measured to determine viscosity, eliminating the need for complex mechanical rotating components and shear rate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration of a microacoustic sensor element at resonant frequencies to generate acoustic fields in the fluid sample. The vibration amplitude and frequency are controlled to achieve optimal penetration depth and damping measurement, enabling precise viscosity measurement through acoustic resonance rather than mechanical flow control.
2Measurement precision
If conventional viscometers are used, then viscosity measurement can be performed, but sample volume requirements and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical flow-based measurement with acoustic vibration-based measurement. The microacoustic sensor generates sound waves that propagate through the fluid sample, and the acoustic damping is measured to determine viscosity. This eliminates the need for extended measurement periods required by mechanical viscometers to achieve stable readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic acoustic vibration at resonant frequencies to rapidly excite the fluid sample. The sensor is driven at its natural resonant frequency, creating periodic acoustic waves that quickly establish equilibrium in the sample, enabling rapid viscosity measurement without the extended stabilization times required by mechanical systems.
3Measurement precision
If high frequency acoustic sensors are used, then measurement sensitivity improves, but penetration depth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor frequency dynamic and adjustable, allowing it to operate at multiple resonant frequencies. The system can switch between different resonant modes to vary the penetration depth of the acoustic field, enabling the user to optimize between sensitivity and penetration depth based on the specific measurement requirements and sample characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter of the microacoustic sensor to control the acoustic penetration depth. By adjusting the resonant frequency of the sensor element, the system can modify the wavelength and penetration depth of the acoustic field in the fluid, allowing optimization of the measurement parameters for different sample types and viscosities.
4Ease of operation
If single frequency measurement is used, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the microacoustic sensor system with multi-functionality, enabling it to measure multiple fluid properties including viscosity, density, and viscoelasticity by utilizing different resonant frequencies and measurement modes. The same sensor platform can adapt to measure different properties without requiring separate devices, providing universal measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic frequency adjustment to enable the sensor to measure different fluid properties. By varying the resonant frequency and measurement parameters, the system can switch between measuring viscosity, density, and viscoelasticity, providing versatile measurement capability through a single device that adapts its operating parameters.
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 precise, rapid measurement of blood viscosity and coagulation properties in small sample volumes without anticoagulants, providing real-time feedback on anticoagulant therapy effectiveness and facilitating comprehensive monitoring of blood properties for improved clinical management.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a vibrating sensor that generates acoustic fields with varying penetration depths to measure the viscosity of both the continuous and bulk phases of blood samples
Implementation Method 2
The vibration-based sensors when exposed to a fluid induce an acoustic vibration field in the medium, which results in a viscosity-modified damping or flow that can be measured electronically
Implementation Method 3
oscillation at the first oscillation frequency induces a first acoustic field in the fluid sample with a first shear penetration depth smaller than a threshold value, wherein the threshold value ranges from 0.5 microns to 500 microns
Implementation Method 4
by varying the vibration mode of the sensor in a device according to some embodiments, the density of the fluid can also be precisely measured
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices for measuring, at one or more time points, one or more properties or changes in properties of a fluid sample. The devices may comprise a chamber defining an internal volume of the device suitable for receiving and retaining the fluid sample; a plurality of layers, the plurality comprising at least a first layer below the chamber, at least a second layer above the chamber, and a substrate layer between the first and second layers, wherein: the substrate layer is linked to at least one suspended element located within the chamber; the suspended element is linked to the substrate layer by at least two compliant structures located within the chamber; and the suspended element is configured to oscillate upon application of an actuating signal to at least one electrically conductive path, which runs across at least two of the compliant structures and the suspended element. Related methods and uses are also disclosed.