Tangent-Flow Hemolysis Testing With Membrane-Based Free Hemoglobin Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hemolysis detection methods in point-of-care testing are inefficient, requiring large sample volumes and long wait times, and fail to accurately quantify free hemoglobin, leading to interference in test results.
Innovation Solution
A tangent flow hemolysis detection blood testing device that uses a plasma separation membrane and colorimetric filters to rapidly detect hemoglobin levels in a patient's blood sample, allowing for rapid and accurate hemolysis detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Drabkin's Reagent is used to measure hemoglobin levels, then both intracellular and extracellular hemoglobin are detected, but accurate quantification of free hemoglobin is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the hemoglobin detection process into two distinct phases: first separating intact red blood cells from free hemoglobin using a semi-permeable membrane, then selectively measuring free hemoglobin in the filtrate. This segmentation allows accurate quantification of free hemoglobin without interference from intracellular hemoglobin, directly resolving the contradiction between total hemoglobin detection and free hemoglobin quantification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a semi-permeable membrane as an intermediary component that selectively allows free hemoglobin to pass through while retaining intact red blood cells. This intermediary enables the separation and selective measurement of free hemoglobin, solving the problem of inaccurate free hemoglobin quantification when using Drabkin's Reagent alone.
2Measurement precision
If membrane-based plasma separation is used for hemolysis detection, then plasma separation is achieved, but large sample volume and long wait time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs capillary action dynamics to drive automatic plasma separation through the semi-permeable membrane without external power sources or complex mechanisms. The capillary forces naturally draw plasma through the membrane at an optimized rate, achieving rapid separation (significantly faster than conventional membrane methods) while maintaining high hemolysis detection accuracy, thus reducing wait time without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes self-service capillary action to perform plasma separation automatically without requiring external pumps, power sources, or manual intervention. The capillary forces within the test element itself drive the separation process, eliminating the need for complex external equipment and reducing both sample volume requirements and processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If conventional hemolysis detection methods are used, then hemoglobin levels can be measured, but interference in analytical test results occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts free hemoglobin from the whole blood sample by allowing it to pass through the semi-permeable membrane into the filtrate, while retaining intact red blood cells. By measuring hemoglobin only in the filtrate (which contains only free hemoglobin), the method eliminates interference from intracellular hemoglobin and other blood components, providing accurate hemolysis detection without affecting analytical test results.
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 rapid and accurate detection of hemolysis, reducing sample waste and time to results, while preventing interference in analytical tests.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma separation membrane
Implementation Method 2
colorimetric filters to rapidly detect hemoglobin levels
Data Source
AI summary
A tangent flow hemolysis blood testing assembly, device and method are described herein.