Red Blood Cell Control Stabilization for Hematology Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hematology instruments face challenges in using universal red blood cell controls due to differences in technology among manufacturers, leading to variability in results and interference with white cell and platelet counting, requiring specific reagents and methodologies for each instrument.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to precondition red blood cells with a low concentration of fixatives, allowing them to be lysable and stable across multiple instrument types, eliminating the need for plasma cholesterol or lipoproteins and surfactants, and minimizing particulate interference in white cell and platelet counting regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If red blood cells are washed and suspended in synthetic plasma for hematology control, then the control material can be used for extended shelf life, but the red blood cells may lyse or form particulate debris that interferes with white cell and platelet counting on different instrument types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating red blood cells with a cross-linking agent (such as glutaraldehyde or genipin) before suspension in synthetic plasma. This preliminary cross-linking stabilizes the red blood cell membranes, preventing lysis and particulate debris formation during extended storage and subsequent analysis on different hematology instruments, thereby eliminating interference with white cell and platelet counting.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cross-linking agents are used to stabilize red blood cells for extended shelf life, then red blood cell stability is improved, but the stabilized cells may not be lysed properly by detergents on all instrument types, affecting white cell counting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration and exposure time of the cross-linking agent treatment. This optimization creates a balance where the red blood cells are sufficiently stabilized for extended shelf life but remain lyzable by standard detergent concentrations used in multi-part hematology analyzers, ensuring accurate white cell counting without compromising stability.
3Measurement precision
If different reagents and methodologies are used for each instrument manufacturer, then measurement accuracy is improved for that specific instrument, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by developing a standardized red blood cell preparation method using cross-linking agents that can be used across multiple hematology instrument platforms from different manufacturers. This universal approach eliminates the need for manufacturer-specific reagents and methodologies, reducing complexity and expense while maintaining measurement accuracy across Coulter, Abbott, Bayer, and TOA instruments.
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 provides a universal red blood cell control that maintains consistency and accuracy across various hematology instruments, ensuring reliable instrument verification and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
treating (i.e., preconditioning) red blood cells from a vertebrate source with a low concentration of a fixative for a relatively short period of time
Data Source
AI summary
Red blood cells from a vertebrate are treated to make them effective components of a hematology control, allowing the control to be used for detecting all blood cell components, including white blood cells and platelets. The treatment includes the use of a fixative under limited conditions of concentration and exposure time, and the resulting red blood cells are stable but lysable in a hematology instrument and have a reduced tendency to form particulates.