Particle Size Measurement Correction Using Reference Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for particle size measurement in flow cytometry, such as those used in healthcare for blood cell analysis, face challenges due to variations in alignment and positioning of particles within the flow cell, leading to inconsistent signal measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that measure signals from both target particles and reference particles within a cartridge, using signal correction to determine accurate size information, including optical and fluorescence signals, to account for alignment and positioning variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow cytometry is used to determine particle size information, then size measurement capability is provided, but alignment and positioning variations cause measurement inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference particle as an intermediary standard between the light source and target particles. This reference particle with known size serves as a mediator to calibrate and correct measurement variations caused by alignment and positioning differences, thereby improving measurement consistency and reliability across different testing times.
2Ease of operation
If a disposable cartridge with flow cell is used for point-of-care testing, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment variation between cartridge and analyzer increases measurement inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The reference particle acts as an intermediary calibration standard within the disposable cartridge system. It compensates for alignment variations between the cartridge flow cell and the analyzer, enabling accurate measurements while maintaining the ease of operation benefits of disposable cartridges in point-of-care settings.
3Device complexity
If particles are allowed to flow freely through the flow cell without sheath flow, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning variation of particles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference particle serves as a mediator that enables accurate size measurement even when target particles flow freely without sheath flow focusing. By providing a known reference standard, the system can correct for positioning variations, thereby maintaining measurement precision while allowing simpler flow cell designs without complex sheath flow mechanisms.
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 ensures consistent and accurate measurement of particle size information, reducing inconsistencies and improving the reliability of blood cell analysis, particularly in point-of-care testing.
Implementation Method 1
a signal (e.g., light scattering and fluorescence, et cetera) from those passing particles is measured
Implementation Method 2
a signal (e.g., light scattering and fluorescence, et cetera) from those passing particles is measured
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for correction in particle size measurement are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes the following steps: (1) measuring a signal from a target particle and a reference particle in a cartridge device; (2) analyzing the measured signal to obtain signal information of the target particle and signal information of the reference particle; and (3) determining size information of the target particle by correcting the signal information of the target particle with the signal information of the reference particle. In other embodiments, a device includes a cartridge and an analyzer. The analyzer is configured to receive the cartridge into the analyzer, measure a signal from the target particle and the reference particle, analyze the measured signal to obtain signal information, and determine size information of the target particle.