Sepsis Blood Test Panels Using Cell Population Indices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for sepsis are inefficient and lack accuracy, leading to delayed treatment and increased mortality, as they rely on non-specific clinical criteria and time-consuming tests like blood cultures, which can take days to yield results.
Innovation Solution
A method for analyzing blood samples using customized test panels and index calculations based on multiple parameters, including cell population data, to quickly assess the likelihood of sepsis, allowing for early detection and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic tests (blood cultures) are used to diagnose sepsis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but test time is significantly increased (taking several days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing rapid cell population analysis and index calculations immediately upon sample receipt, before conventional blood culture results are available. The system calculates sepsis likelihood indices based on cell morphology and population data within minutes, enabling early detection and treatment initiation while waiting for confirmatory culture results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a computational index calculation system that mediates between raw cell data and clinical diagnosis. The index calculations serve as an intermediate diagnostic tool that provides rapid sepsis likelihood assessment without requiring final confirmation from time-consuming blood cultures, bridging the gap between quick testing and accurate diagnosis.
2Ease of operation
If clinical criteria (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate) are used to diagnose sepsis, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-specificity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical measurement approach (manual assessment of temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate) with an automated optical/electronic system. The system uses flow cytometry or similar technology to automatically analyze cell population morphology and characteristics, substituting manual clinical assessment with automated digital analysis that provides both ease of operation and improved diagnostic precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming clinical diagnosis from relying on traditional physiological parameters (temperature, heart rate) to using cellular parameters (cell population morphology, cell size distribution, nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio). This parameter transformation enables more precise sepsis detection while maintaining ease of operation through automated analysis.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive parameter testing is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and test organization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the comprehensive parameter testing into distinct, manageable modules. The system segments cell analysis into specific populations (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils) and calculates separate indices for each, then integrates these segmented results into an overall sepsis likelihood assessment. This modular approach maintains high measurement precision while simplifying test organization and execution.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present technology include a method for testing a blood sample for sepsis. The method may include receiving a blood sample from an individual. The method may also include executing an instruction to analyze the blood sample for sepsis. In addition, the method may include measuring values of a set of characteristics in the blood sample. The set of characteristics being determined prior to measuring the values. The method may further include analyzing the values of the set of characteristics to produce a representation of a suspicion of sepsis. In addition, the method may include displaying the representation. Embodiments also include systems for testing blood sample for sepsis.