Sample Preparation Instrument With Integrated WBC Volume Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing specimens for analysis, such as flow cytometry, are inefficient and prone to errors due to the need for manual adjustment of sample volumes based on white blood cell concentrations, which can be time-consuming and costly, especially when concentrations are abnormal.
Innovation Solution
A sample preparation instrument with an integrated cell concentration estimator that automatically determines the appropriate sample volume based on white blood cell concentration, incorporating optical, electrical resistance, or flow cytometry methods, and includes reagent stations for labeling and lysing, enabling automated and accurate sample preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of sample volumes is performed based on white blood cell concentrations, then analysis accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the white blood cell concentration and adjusts the sample volume without requiring manual intervention. The instrument performs self-measurement and self-adjustment, eliminating the need for operators to manually check concentrations and calculate appropriate volumes, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and time consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (pipetting, visual inspection, manual calculation) with automated optical measurement and electronic control systems. The optical system measures cell concentration automatically, and the control system calculates and adjusts sample volume automatically, substituting mechanical manual processes with automated systems to improve efficiency while maintaining accuracy
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of sample volumes is performed based on white blood cell concentrations, then analysis accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument performs automatic measurement and adjustment without requiring operator expertise in manual calculations or procedures. The system self-determines the appropriate sample volume based on automatic concentration measurement, making the operation simple and intuitive while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual operations with automated optical measurement and electronic control. The optical system automatically detects cell concentration, and the electronic system automatically adjusts sample volume, eliminating the need for operators to perform manual calculations or complex manipulations, thus improving ease of operation while preserving accuracy
3Measurement precision
If external laboratories are used for concentration determination, then measurement capability is improved, but cost and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the concentration measurement function and the sample preparation function into a single integrated instrument. The optical measurement system and sample volume adjustment mechanism are merged within the same device, eliminating the need to send samples to external laboratories and significantly reducing time loss while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument performs multiple functions: it can determine white blood cell concentration using optical methods, calculate appropriate sample volumes, and execute the sample preparation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external laboratory services, reducing both time loss and costs while preserving accurate concentration determination capability
4Measurement precision
If external laboratories are used for concentration determination, then measurement capability is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines concentration measurement and sample preparation functions into one instrument, eliminating the need for external laboratory services. This integration reduces operational costs by removing transportation, external service fees, and associated overhead while maintaining accurate concentration determination capability through built-in optical measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument provides multi-functionality by performing both concentration determination and sample preparation internally. This eliminates the need to outsource to external laboratories, thereby reducing operational costs such as transportation, external service charges, and time-related expenses, while preserving accurate measurement capability through integrated optical systems
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 instrument provides timely and accurate sample preparation without the need for additional equipment, reducing errors and costs associated with manual adjustments and external laboratories, ensuring effective analysis by flow cytometers.
Implementation Method 1
In one possible configuration, an optical system measures a concentration of white blood cells in the specimen
Implementation Method 2
an electrical resistance system measures an concentration of white blood cells in the specimen
Implementation Method 3
a flow cytometry system measures a concentration of white blood cells in the specimen
Implementation Method 4
the labeling reagent is an antibody that attaches to the subset of white blood cells
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample preparation instrument with an integrated device for estimating a concentration of white blood cells in a specimen is described. The sample preparation instrument receives a specimen for which a sample is to be prepared for analysis. The integrated device can implement an optical method, an electrical resistance method, or a flow cytometry method, for example, to estimate the white blood cell concentration in the specimen. For some types of analysis, a sample volume of the specimen is dependent on the white blood cell concentration. Therefore, the sample preparation instrument can automatically determine and adjust the sample volume of the specimen based on the estimated white blood cell concentration prior to adding additional reagents, such as labeling reagents and/or lytic reagents, to prepare the sample.