Acoustophoretic Blood Analyzer With Single-Piezo Lysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-care blood testing devices are complicated, slow, imprecise, and costly, failing to provide accurate and rapid measurements of critical-care hematology parameters.
Innovation Solution
An acoustophoretic analyzation device using a single piezo transducer generates ultrasonic acoustic waves to separate red blood cells from plasma in a sample vessel, followed by lysis of the cells at different frequencies, allowing for precise testing and analysis without reconstitution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two piezo elements with balanced resonant elements are used to lyse red blood cells, then hemolysis can be achieved, but the device becomes difficult and expensive to manufacture due to requiring highly precise symmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one of the two piezo elements from the system, extracting only the essential component needed for hemolysis. This eliminates the complexity of achieving precise symmetry between two elements while maintaining the hemolysis function through a single piezo element generating ultrasonic acoustic waves in the sample chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent deliberately uses an asymmetric configuration with a single piezo element rather than requiring symmetric placement of two elements. This asymmetric approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for precise symmetry while still achieving effective red blood cell lysis through the ultrasonic waves generated by the single element
2Reliability
If chemical or mechanical means are used to lyse red blood cells, then hemolysis can be achieved, but the process becomes slower and less precise for point-of-care testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical or mechanical lysis methods with an ultrasonic acoustic wave-based system. The single piezo element generates ultrasonic waves that directly disrupt red blood cell membranes through acoustic pressure, achieving faster and more precise hemolysis compared to traditional chemical or mechanical approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic ultrasonic acoustic waves generated by the piezo element to lyse red blood cells. The oscillating nature of the ultrasonic waves creates repeated stress cycles on the cell membranes, leading to efficient and rapid hemolysis that is both fast and precise for point-of-care applications
3Measurement precision
If complex analyzers are used in central hematology laboratories, then comprehensive blood parameters can be measured, but the devices are complex to maintain and slower for critical care
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of blood sample analysis from complex centralized analyzers and creates a simplified point-of-care device. By using a single piezo element for both sample preparation (hemolysis) and analysis, it eliminates the need for complex mechanical and chemical processing systems while maintaining measurement precision for critical hematology parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The single piezo element serves multiple functions: it generates ultrasonic waves for hemolysis, creates acoustic streaming for sample mixing, and enables rapid analysis. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple separate components found in complex centralized analyzers, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities
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 device provides improved accuracy and precision in measuring parameters like hematocrit, hemoglobin, and oximetry within a desired time frame, while being easier and cheaper to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
separation of red blood cells from plasma in a sample vessel by means of ultrasonic acoustic waves generated in the vessel by a piezo transducer
Implementation Method 2
lysing red blood cells by means of ultrasonic acoustic waves, shear forces, pressure, and/or fluid movement, generated in the vessel by a piezo transducer
Implementation Method 3
lysing red blood cells by means of ultrasonic acoustic waves, shear forces, pressure, and/or fluid movement
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid analyzation devices, methods, and systems are disclosed including an analyzation device comprising a sample vessel having an outer surface, a microchannel within the confines of the outer surface, a first port extending through the outer surface to the microchannel, and a second port extending through the outer surface to the microchannel; and an piezo transducer bonded to the outer surface of the sample vessel to form a monolithic structure, the piezo transducer configured to emit ultrasonic acoustic waves having a first frequency, a second frequency, and a third frequency into and/or to a blood sample within the microchannel, the first frequency configured to begin separation of red blood cells and plasma in the blood sample, the second frequency configured to complete separation of the red blood cells and plasma, and the third frequency configured to rupture cell walls of the blood cells producing a lysed blood sample.