Optical Thromboelastography System for Blood Coagulation Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thromboelastography (TEG) methods are limited in their ability to detect early coagulopathy due to insufficient sensitivity to local heterogeneities during clot initiation and progression, and they require complex mechanical torque measurements, making them impractical for point-of-care settings.
Innovation Solution
An optical thromboelastography (OTEG) system using laser speckle fluctuations to measure viscoelastic properties of blood, allowing for non-contact, real-time assessment of clot formation and fibrinolysis without moving mechanical parts, enabling early detection of coagulopathy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TEG uses mechanical torque measurements to assess blood coagulation, then coagulation status can be determined, but the device complexity increases and sensitivity to local heterogeneities during clot initiation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical torque measurement system with an optical measurement system. Specifically, it uses light scattering properties of blood samples to detect coagulation changes, substituting mechanical sensors with optical detectors that measure changes in light transmission or scattering as blood clots form, thereby eliminating mechanical complexity while enhancing sensitivity to microscopic clot formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical torque to optical properties (light scattering, absorption, or transmission). By monitoring changes in optical density or light scattering intensity as blood transitions from liquid to gel state during coagulation, the system achieves higher sensitivity to early clot formation events without requiring complex mechanical measurement apparatus
2Ease of operation
If TEG uses mechanical torque measurements, then coagulation metrics can be obtained, but the ease of operation decreases due to calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical torque sensors and calibration systems with optical detection methods. The optical system naturally adapts to blood sample properties without requiring mechanical calibration, as light interaction with the sample provides direct information about coagulation state, eliminating the need for complex mechanical calibration procedures and making the device more suitable for point-of-care use
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system performs self-calibration through reference measurements taken during each test. By comparing light transmission through the sample against reference standards or using ratio metrics that normalize instrument variations, the system automatically compensates for optical path differences without requiring manual mechanical calibration, thereby simplifying operation
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 OTEG system provides rapid, accurate, and sensitive monitoring of blood coagulation, overcoming the limitations of traditional TEG by offering a portable and user-friendly method for point-of-care coagulation assessment.
Implementation Method 1
an optical data acquisition system adapted to receive light that has interacted with the blood sample and to acquire data representing scattering of light at the sample
Implementation Method 2
light corresponding to laser speckle caused by scattering and/or interference of light at the sample
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3E
AI summary
Device, method, and computer program product for determining a material parameter of a blood coagulation cascade based on parameters of light diffused at a bio fluid sample. In one example, the biofluid sample includes a blood sample. Laser light scattered by the sample is collected by the optical system in reflection and/or transmission mode. An image of the sample in so collected light is formed, and data representing fluctuations of laser speckle intensity with is processed to derive numerical descriptors associated with blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. In a specific case, such numerical descriptors are derived based on temporal dynamic of a viscoelastic characteristic of the blood sample.