Optical Particle Detection Using Pulse Interval Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis technologies, such as those using optical discs, face inaccuracies in detecting particles due to the type and arrangement of particles, leading to unreliable counting results and decreased performance in quantitative analysis of biomarkers.
Innovation Solution
An analysis device and method that includes an optical scanning unit, a pulse detector, and a counting unit to accurately count particles based on pulse intervals and reference values, optimizing the detection of particles on a substrate with antibodies and antigens labeled by beads, improving the accuracy of biomarker detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical scanning methods are used to detect particles on a substrate, then the detection process is simple and fast, but the detection accuracy is insufficient when particles are adjacent or of certain types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into distinct phases: optical scanning to generate detection signals, pulse detection to identify particle passage, and counting based on pulse intervals. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, improving overall detection accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic parameters including pulse width thresholds and pulse interval thresholds that adapt to different particle conditions. The counting unit dynamically adjusts detection criteria based on whether particles are adjacent or isolated, enabling accurate detection across varying particle arrangements without requiring multiple fixed detection systems
2Measurement precision
If simple optical scanning is used for particle detection, then the device structure is simple, but the counting accuracy decreases when particles are adjacent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pulse signals as an intermediary representation of particle detection events. Instead of directly counting particles, the system converts particle passage into pulse signals with measurable widths and intervals. This intermediary layer simplifies the counting process while improving accuracy, as pulse parameters provide indirect but reliable information about particle characteristics and arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in pulse parameters (width and interval) to distinguish between adjacent and isolated particles. By monitoring how these parameters change during detection, the system can accurately count particles regardless of their spatial arrangement, transforming a complex spatial problem into a simpler temporal parameter analysis
3Productivity
If conventional detection methods are used, then the analysis time is short, but the quantitative analysis performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulse detection and interval measurement to count particles efficiently. By using regular pulse timing and fixed interval thresholds, the system achieves rapid particle counting without complex real-time adjustments, maintaining fast analysis speed while improving quantitative accuracy through systematic periodic measurement
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
Enhances the accuracy of particle counting and biomarker detection, improving the sensitivity and reliability of quantitative analysis, even when multiple particles are adjacent, thereby addressing the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
an optical scanning unit configured to optically scan a surface of a substrate to which particles are fixed
Data Source
AI summary
An analysis device optically scans a surface of a substrate to which particles are fixed, detects a pulse wave included in a detection signal obtained from an optical scanning unit when the optical scanning unit scans the substrate, and counts the particles based on pulse interval between two pulse waves each having pulse width less than first reference value determined depending on first pulse width when the optical scanning unit scans a plurality of particles adjacent to each other when the two pulse waves are detected consecutively.