Platelet Volume Measurement via Multi-Wavelength Optical Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the volume of blood cells, such as platelets, in high-throughput environments are prone to non-systematic errors due to human technician variability and inefficiencies in manual preparation and staining processes, leading to inconsistent and costly results.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that acquires two-dimensional images of cells to determine their volumes and concentrations by decoupling cell thickness from absorptive effects of stains and cellular constituents, using weighted combinations of optical density values and illumination wavelengths to calculate accurate cell metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual preparation and staining processes are used for blood cell analysis, then flexibility in handling samples is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to human technician variability and non-systematic errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical preparation and staining processes with an automated imaging system that uses optical methods to directly measure platelet volume. The system captures images of platelets in a blood sample and processes them computationally to determine volume, eliminating human technician variability while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies (images) of platelets from the blood sample and analyzes these copies to determine volume. By working with image data rather than physically manipulating samples through manual staining procedures, the system achieves consistent, reproducible measurements without the variability inherent in manual handling.
2Productivity
If manual analysis methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming preparation and staining processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes time-consuming manual mechanical operations with rapid automated imaging and computational analysis. The system can process multiple samples simultaneously by capturing images and calculating volumes through computer processing, dramatically increasing throughput while reducing the time required for each measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous processing of blood samples through automated imaging without interruption for manual preparation steps. The system can continuously capture images and process platelet volumes in real-time, maintaining productive action throughout the measurement process rather than requiring periodic manual intervention.
3Reliability
If manual staining processes are used, then adaptability to different sample types is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-systematic errors from human variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces variable manual staining procedures with a standardized automated imaging system that applies consistent optical conditions and computational algorithms. This substitution eliminates human variability in sample handling and staining, producing reliable, reproducible measurements that maintain consistency across different samples and operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from manual staining conditions to controlled optical imaging parameters. By measuring platelet volume through image analysis of light transmission or scattering properties rather than through staining intensity, the system achieves more reliable and consistent measurements that are not affected by human operational variability.
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 system achieves high-throughput, accurate, and reproducible measurements of cell volumes and constituents, reducing errors and costs associated with manual analysis while preserving the natural morphology of cells.
Implementation Method 1
acquires two-dimensional images of cells to determine their volumes and concentrations by decoupling cell thickness from absorptive effects of stains and cellular constituents, using weighted combinations of optical density values and illumination wavelengths
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
A method for determining a volume of a platelet includes: illuminating the platelet with incident light at a plurality of illumination wavelengths and obtaining at least one two-dimensional image of the platelet corresponding to each illumination wavelength; for each illumination wavelength, determining a mean optical density and a maximum optical density for the platelet; determining an area of the platelet; for each illumination wavelength, determining a volume of the platelet based on the area of the platelet and the mean optical density and maximum optical density for the platelet corresponding to the illumination wavelength; for each illumination wavelength, determining an integrated optical density for the platelet based on the area of the platelet and the mean optical density for the platelet corresponding to the illumination wavelength; and determining the volume of the platelet based on a weighted combination of the area of the platelet, the volumes of the platelet corresponding to each of the illumination wavelengths, and the integrated optical densities for the platelet corresponding to each of the illumination wavelengths.