Optical Computing Device for Malaria Diagnostic Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria, such as those based on antigen detection, suffer from high false positives, unpredictable sensitivity, and reliability issues due to factors like humidity, temperature, and improper handling, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Innovation Solution

An optical computing device equipped with Integrated Computational Elements (ICE) cores that analyze samples using electromagnetic radiation to perform regression calculations, providing a more robust and reliable method for detecting medical characteristics like malaria antigens, through the use of multivariate optical calculation devices and detectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used for malaria detection, then the test can be performed without light microscopy and lab services, but the test produces high false positives and has unpredictable sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest portabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional antigen-based chemical detection system with an optical computing system that uses electromagnetic radiation interaction and multivariate optical computing to detect malaria parasites directly in blood samples, eliminating false positives associated with antigen-based RDTs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from antigen detection to direct parasite detection using optical properties, transforming the measurement approach to achieve both portability and high diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional RDTs are used in resource-limited settings with high humidity and temperature, then the test can be performed field-deployably, but the test reliability decreases due to damage from environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield deployabilityVSAvoidtest reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional RDT chemical-based system with an optical computing device that is more resilient to environmental conditions, maintaining reliability in field settings through physical optical measurements rather than chemical reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates reference channels and multivariate optical computing algorithms that compensate for environmental variations before they affect test results, providing built-in correction for humidity and temperature effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of information

If antigen-based RDTs are used to detect recent but not current parasitaemia, then the test can indicate recent infection, but the test gives false positive results that do not reflect current disease state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection history detectionVSAvoidcurrent disease state indication

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces antigen detection with direct optical detection of malaria parasites in blood samples, providing accurate representation of current parasitaemia status without the false positives associated with antigen persistence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and detects only the actual parasite presence through optical methods, separating current infectious status from historical antigen presence that causes false positives in conventional RDTs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 optical computing device enhances diagnostic accuracy and reliability by converting spectral information from samples into detectable signals, reducing false positives and improving sensitivity, thus providing a more effective rapid diagnostic tool for malaria and other diseases.

Implementation Method 1

optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a sample to produce sample-interacted light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation interaction: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

optically interacting the sample-interacted light with a multivariate optical calculation device to perform a regression calculation on the sample-interacted light to thereby produce a signal which corresponds to at least one medical characteristic of the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection and signal generation: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11076783B2Medical monitoring optical computing device

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Various embodiments of optical computing devices utilized in healthcare-related applications.