Microfluidic Plasma Layer for Whole Blood Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for blood gas analysis and hemolysis detection require separate systems, which are inefficient and costly, and cannot accurately measure analytes in whole blood due to interference from blood cells.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that uses a microfluidic channel with an actuation module to generate a cell-free plasma layer, allowing for simultaneous blood gas analysis and hemolysis detection by separating blood cells from plasma using dielectrophoresis, enabling accurate measurement of analytes like oxygen hemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, and methemoglobin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate systems are used for blood gas analysis and hemolysis detection, then measurement functions are available, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines blood gas analysis and hemolysis detection into a single integrated device with a unified microfluidic channel system. The device performs both functions simultaneously using shared components including the channel, actuation module, and detection systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining full measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device is designed to perform multiple functions - both blood gas analysis and hemolysis detection - within a single system. The microfluidic channel and actuation module serve dual purposes for both measurement types, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems
2Ease of operation
If blood cells are present during analyte measurement, then whole blood analysis is possible, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the blood sample into different regions within the microfluidic channel - a cell-free plasma layer and a cell-containing region. This segmentation allows the plasma layer to provide interference-free analyte measurements while the cell region maintains representation of whole blood composition, thus preserving both ease of operation and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation module extracts blood cells from the plasma using dielectrophoresis to create a cell-free plasma layer. This extracted plasma layer is then used for high-precision analyte measurement, eliminating blood cell interference while the device continues to accept whole blood samples for analysis
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple systems are used for blood analysis, then comprehensive analysis is available, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges blood gas analysis and hemolysis detection into a single integrated workflow within one device. Both analyses are performed simultaneously on the same whole blood sample through the unified microfluidic system, eliminating the need for sequential processing with multiple separate systems and thereby significantly improving analysis speed and productivity
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 provides a single platform for efficient and accurate determination of blood gas concentrations and hemolysis detection in whole blood, reducing the need for multiple systems and enhancing analysis speed and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
separating blood cells from plasma using dielectrophoresis
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determining a concentration of one or more analytes in whole blood is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a channel configured to carry whole blood. The system further includes a light source configured to emit light on the channel. Additionally, the system includes an actuation module associable with the channel, wherein the actuation module is configured to generate a cell-free plasma layer in the channel. Furthermore, the system includes an optical module associable with the channel.