Mono-reagent Blood Analysis for Device Complexity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic blood analyzers require multiple reagents and dilution steps for complete blood sample analysis, leading to increased complexity, costs, and maintenance requirements without reducing analysis time.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single dilution and analysis tank with a mono-reagent solution containing compounds for erythrocyte lysis, haemoglobin stabilization, and leucocyte protection, allowing simultaneous measurement of haemoglobin and leucocyte counting and differentiation, reducing the need for separate analysis circuits and reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple reagents and dilution steps are used for complete blood sample analysis, then the completeness of analysis is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reagents (erythrocyte lysis agent, haemoglobin stabilization compound, leucocyte protection compound) into a single mono-reagent solution that can be added once to the blood sample. This single reagent mixture enables simultaneous performance of all required analyses (haemoglobin measurement, leucocyte counting, and differentiation) without requiring separate reagent additions for each measurement type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining analysis completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The mono-reagent solution is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it lyzes erythrocytes for haemoglobin release, stabilizes the released haemoglobin in a measurable form, and protects leucocytes during the analysis process. This multi-functional reagent enables a single analysis circuit to perform diverse measurements (spectrophotometric haemoglobin assay, resistive leucocyte counting, and optical differentiation) that would traditionally require separate dedicated circuits for each function
2Reliability
If multiple reagents and dilution steps are used for complete blood sample analysis, then the completeness of analysis is improved, but the production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple reagent components into a single mono-reagent formulation, the patent reduces the number of separate reagent bottles, storage containers, and dispensing mechanisms required in the analyzer. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing of the reagent system and reduces maintenance requirements for replacing multiple reagents, directly lowering production and maintenance costs while ensuring complete blood sample analysis
3Device complexity
If a single dilution and mono-reagent approach is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the analysis time may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous analysis by performing all measurements (haemoglobin spectrophotometry, leucocyte resistive counting, and optical differentiation) sequentially within a single analysis circuit without requiring time-consuming transfers between multiple circuits. The mono-reagent is added once, and all assays proceed in continuous sequence using the same diluted sample, eliminating idle time between measurements and maintaining high analysis throughput
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
Simplifies the analysis equipment, reduces production and maintenance costs, and maintains the completeness of blood sample analysis while potentially shortening analysis time through a single dilution and mono-reagent approach.
Implementation Method 1
assay of the haemoglobin is carried out after lysis of the erythrocytes, i.e. the destruction of the membrane of the cells of erythrocytes
Implementation Method 2
the stabilisation of the haemoglobin in a complexed form (oxyhemoglobin or cyanmethemoglobin) in order to measure the absorbance of a single compound at the appropriate wave length
Implementation Method 3
measurement by spectrophotometry of the haemoglobin released in the medium
Implementation Method 4
total leucocyte count is carried out on the blood sample by resistivity with specific lysis of the erythrocytes and protection of the leukocytes
Implementation Method 5
by measuring different parameters (in particular diffraction, fluorescence, absorbance), on a flow of leucocytes
Implementation Method 6
by measuring different parameters (in particular diffraction, fluorescence, absorbance), on a flow of leucocytes
Data Source
AI summary
Method for the automatic analysis of a blood sample in which: an analysis solution containing the blood sample, a diluent, and at least one compound to lyze the erythrocytes; at least one compound to stabilize the haemoglobin in the form of a chromogenic complex, is formed in a single dilution and analysis tank, the haemoglobin level is measured in this analysis solution by spectrophotometry in the tank after the lysis of the erythrocytes; and an appropriate quantity of this analysis solution is taken from the tank on which a leucocytic differentiation is carried out by an optical elements characterized in that the analysis solution also contains at least one compound to protect the leucocytes, allowing the distinguishing of at least four main leucocyte sub-populations. A haematological analysis apparatus for the implementation of such a method is disclosed.