Dynamic Injection Volume Control for Particle Analyzer Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle analyzers face accuracy issues when counting and classifying low concentration white blood cell samples due to a fixed injection volume, which results in insufficient cell counting and decreased accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A particle analyzer and method that adjust the injection volume based on a pre-determined threshold value, using a first volume for normal concentration samples and a larger second volume for low concentration samples, ensuring accurate classification by employing a sampling unit, sample preparing unit, reaction unit, threshold value unit, injecting unit, optical unit, and processing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed injection volume is used for particle analysis, then the device operation is simple, but the measurement accuracy decreases for low concentration samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic injection volume adjustment based on particle concentration. The system automatically selects between a first injection volume (for normal concentration samples) and a second injection volume (for low concentration samples) by comparing the total particle count with a threshold value. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing measurement accuracy for different sample conditions without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the injection volume parameter based on the detected particle concentration. When the total number of particles is less than a threshold value, the system switches to a larger second injection volume to improve counting statistics. When the particle count exceeds the threshold, it uses a smaller first injection volume. This parameter change strategy directly addresses the measurement accuracy issue for low concentration samples while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
2Measurement precision
If a larger injection volume is used for low concentration samples, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the injection volume based on the detected particle concentration. For low concentration samples (total particles < threshold), it automatically selects the larger second injection volume to improve measurement accuracy. For normal concentration samples, it uses the smaller first injection volume to maintain fast analysis. This dynamic selection resolves the time-accuracy tradeoff by applying the time-consuming larger volume only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements conditional parameter change where the injection volume is adjusted based on the particle concentration threshold comparison. The system changes from a fixed volume to a variable volume approach, selecting the second (larger) volume only when the total particle count indicates low concentration. This ensures improved accuracy for problematic samples without unnecessarily increasing analysis time for normal samples.
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 method improves measurement accuracy for low concentration samples by injecting a larger volume when necessary, thereby enhancing the classification of white blood cells and maintaining accuracy across varying concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
an optical unit for irradiating the treated sub-samples to obtain particle information
Data Source
AI summary
A particle analyzer may include a sampling unit configured to collect samples containing particles; a sample preparing unit configured to prepare different sub-samples; a reaction unit configured to incubate the sub-samples and one or more corresponding reagents respectively and provide them to the injecting unit; an injecting unit configured to inject the sub-samples to the optical unit; an optical unit configured to irradiate the sub-samples to obtain particle information; a processing unit configured to process and output the particle information; and a threshold value unit configured to compare a total number of particles with a pre-determined threshold value and to output a result of the comparison to the injecting unit to control subsequent injection of one or more sub-samples.