Biological Sample Measurement with Qualitative-Guided Dilution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measurement devices face challenges in efficiently performing quantitative measurement of biological samples following qualitative measurement, leading to prolonged time and increased costs due to the need for repeated dilutions and reagent use, especially when the prozone-like phenomenon occurs, which affects accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that adjusts the biological sample based on a quantitative sample adjustment condition determined by comparing the qualitative measurement result to a threshold value, allowing for optimized dilution and calibration to achieve accurate quantitative measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the measurement range is exceeded in urine quantitative measurement, then accurate measurement cannot be performed, but diluting the urine sample and re-measuring increases measurement time and reagent cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of quantitative measurementVSAvoidtime required for quantitative measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary qualitative measurement before quantitative measurement to predict whether the quantitative measurement result will exceed the measurement range. Based on this prediction, the system proactively adjusts the sample adjustment condition (dilution factor) before performing the quantitative measurement, thereby avoiding the need for repeated measurements and reducing measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the qualitative measurement result as feedback to determine the appropriate sample adjustment condition for the subsequent quantitative measurement. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize the dilution factor based on the predicted concentration level, ensuring accurate measurement while minimizing measurement time and reagent consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the measurement range is exceeded, then accurate measurement cannot be performed, but diluting the urine sample increases reagent cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of quantitative measurementVSAvoidreagent cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary qualitative measurement to predict whether dilution will be needed for the quantitative measurement. By determining the appropriate dilution factor in advance, the system avoids unnecessary dilution operations, thereby reducing reagent consumption and cost while ensuring accurate measurement when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the sample adjustment condition (dilution factor) based on the qualitative measurement result. By adjusting the dilution factor to match the predicted concentration level, the system optimizes reagent usage and reduces cost while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the prozone-like phenomenon occurs, then the measured absorbance is small despite high target component concentration, but conventional devices cannot efficiently solve this problem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of quantitative measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary qualitative measurement to predict the occurrence of the prozone-like phenomenon before quantitative measurement. Based on this prediction, the system proactively adjusts the sample adjustment condition to prevent the phenomenon from affecting the quantitative measurement, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring complex additional hardware or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The qualitative measurement acts as an intermediary step that provides information about the sample concentration level. This intermediary measurement allows the system to predict and prevent the prozone-like phenomenon by adjusting the dilution factor before the quantitative measurement, simplifying the overall measurement system while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces the time and cost required for quantitative measurement by optimizing sample preparation and calibration, ensuring accurate results without the need for repeated dilutions and reagent use.

Implementation Method 1

In antigen-antibody reaction as an example of the urine quantitative measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody reaction:

Implementation Method 2

a phenomenon (prozone phenomenon) in which a measured absorbance is small in spite of an actual high concentration of a target component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorbance measurement: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3081936B1Measurement method and measurement system
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ARKRAY INC
  • EP3081936B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081936B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3081936B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a measurement system capable of, in the case where quantitative measurement of a measurement item of a biological sample is performed subsequently to qualitative measurement, achieving a reduction in time required for the quantitative measurement and a reduction in measurement cost. Provided is a measurement system for performing qualitative measurement and quantitative measurement of a measurement item of a biological sample, the measurement system including a quantitative sample adjustment criterion storage section that stores a quantitative sample adjustment criterion corresponding to a qualitative measurement result in the qualitative measurement, a determination section that determines a proper quantitative sample adjustment condition by referring to the quantitative sample adjustment criterion to determine necessity to change the quantitative sample adjustment condition based on the qualitative measurement result, and an adjustment section that adjusts the biological sample based on the quantitative sample adjustment condition determined by the determination section.