Microfluidic Cartridge Hematocrit Correction for Blood Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care testing devices face inaccuracies in measuring chemical and bio-chemical materials in blood samples due to variations in hematocrit levels, which affect the density and volume of blood plasma, leading to errors in chemical and bio-chemical material measurements.
Innovation Solution
A sample analysis cartridge and reader system that includes a microfluidic channel and a sensing unit to measure hematocrit levels, allowing for the correction of measured chemical and bio-chemical values based on hematocrit, using attributes such as electric conductivity, light transmittance, contact angle, viscosity coefficient, and movement speed to improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hematocrit correction is implemented, then measurement precision of chemical and bio-chemical materials is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into independent functional modules: a microfluidic channel for sample transport, a sensing unit for hematocrit detection, and a controller for correction calculations. This segmentation allows the hematocrit correction function to be added as a separate module without redesigning the entire device, thus improving measurement precision while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensing unit acts as an intermediary component that measures hematocrit levels and provides this information to the controller. The controller then uses this intermediate data to correct the chemical and bio-chemical measurements. This intermediary approach enables precision improvement through a dedicated measurement component rather than complex integrated systems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensing parameters are used to measure hematocrit, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of measuring multiple parameters including electric conductivity, light transmittance, contact angle, viscosity coefficient, and movement speed. This single multi-functional sensing unit replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate sensors, thereby improving measurement accuracy through multiple parameters while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures hematocrit by detecting changes in multiple physical parameters (electric conductivity, light transmittance, contact angle, viscosity, movement speed) of the blood sample. By utilizing natural parameter variations in the blood sample itself rather than requiring complex mechanical or chemical analysis systems, the invention achieves high measurement accuracy with relatively simple device architecture.
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 system accurately corrects for hematocrit-related errors, enhancing the precision of chemical and bio-chemical material measurements in blood samples, ensuring reliable results for point-of-care testing.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing unit sensing an attribute of the blood sample to obtain hematocrit of the blood sample... attributes such as electric conductivity
Implementation Method 2
attributes such as electric conductivity, light transmittance
Implementation Method 3
a microfluidic channel connected to the inlet and providing a movement path of the blood sample
Data Source
AI summary
A sample analysis cartridge and a sample cartridge reader are provided. In measuring a particular component included in a sample flowing in a microfluidic channel, a numerical value of hematocrit is reflected to thus improve the accuracy of measurement of the particular component.