Optical Vessel for Leukocyte Counting with Single Reagent Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hematology analyzers require multiple reagents and dilution steps for comprehensive blood analysis, leading to increased complexity, cost, and maintenance needs, while also being inaccessible to smaller laboratories due to expensive and bulky optical systems.
Innovation Solution
A single analysis solution containing compounds for lysing red blood cells, protecting white blood cells, and stabilizing hemoglobin is used in a monodilution tank for spectrophotometric measurement of hemoglobin and optical leukocyte differentiation, with a simplified optical device employing light-emitting diodes and Fresnel losses for cost-effective leukocyte counting and differentiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple reagents and dilution steps are used for comprehensive blood analysis, then measurement quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reagent functions into a single analysis solution that contains both the hemoglobin stabilizing compound and the leukocyte differentiation agent. This single solution is used for both spectrophotometric hemoglobin measurement and optical leukocyte differentiation, eliminating the need for separate reagents and dilution steps while maintaining measurement quality for both analytes
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis solution is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it stabilizes hemoglobin for spectrophotometric measurement, protects leukocytes from lysis, and enables optical differentiation of leukocyte subpopulations. This multi-functional reagent system simplifies the overall analysis process while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If traditional optical systems are used for leukocyte differentiation, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and size increase making them inaccessible to smaller laboratories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source for optical leukocyte differentiation instead of traditional expensive lasers or arc lamps. LEDs are significantly cheaper, have longer lifetimes, and require no complex alignment or cooling systems, making the overall optical system more affordable and accessible to smaller laboratories while maintaining sufficient measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional complex optical alignment mechanisms with a simpler LED-based illumination system. The LEDs provide sufficient coherence and directionality for flow cytometric analysis without requiring the complex mechanical adjustment systems, mirrors, and lenses needed in traditional optical setups, thereby reducing both cost and physical size
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 simplifies the analysis process, reduces costs, and makes comprehensive blood analysis more accessible to smaller laboratories by using a single reagent and dilution step, while maintaining measurement quality through efficient and cost-effective optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical device for counting and/or leukocyte differentiation... comprising a light source for illuminating a blood sample which circulates in the optical cell along an injection axis
Implementation Method 2
by measuring various parameters (in particular diffraction, fluorescence, absorbance) on a flow of white blood cells in the axis at small, medium and large angles
Implementation Method 3
the hemoglobin is measured directly in this tank by spectrophotometry
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d~2f
AI summary
The invention concerns a circulation vessel (300) adapted to an optical device (120) for leukocyte counting and/or differentiation in a blood analyzing automaton. The invention is characterized in that in an analyzing zone of the vessel (403), the cross section of the vessel has at least one transverse dimension ranging between 1 and 5 millimeters. It can advantageously be made, at least partly, from an injected plastic material and comprises at least one lens (302) molded in one single piece with the vessel (300).