Thin-Film Chamber for Accurate Biologic Fluid Cell Enumeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing biologic fluids, such as blood, face challenges in accurately enumerating cellular elements due to non-uniform distribution within chambers, requiring complex and costly equipment for maintaining uniform distribution, which is not feasible for high-volume testing and often results in inaccurate cell counts.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a thin-film chamber with transparent planar substrates, where the entire undiluted sample is examined, allowing for accurate enumeration of non-uniformly distributed cells by determining the total sample volume and calculating cell counts per unit volume, leveraging recent advancements in digital imaging and micro-machining techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow-cytometric systems are used to maintain uniform cell distribution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of uniform cell distribution from complex flow-cytometric systems and achieves it through a simple gravity-based sedimentation chamber design, eliminating the need for sophisticated fluidic valves and mixing mechanisms while maintaining accurate cell enumeration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical and electronic complexity of flow-cytometric systems with a passive gravitational field approach, where cells naturally sediment in a controlled manner within a thin chamber, substituting active mechanical mixing with passive gravitational separation
2Adaptability or versatility
If flow-cytometric systems with multiple test areas are used, then analytic data breadth is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis into two independent components: a simple sedimentation chamber for cell distribution and a separate digital imaging system for data acquisition, allowing the chamber to remain operationally simple while the imaging system provides versatile analytic capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital imaging to create optical copies of the cell distribution in the chamber, enabling multiple types of analysis (counts, morphology, staining patterns) from a single physical sample preparation, thereby increasing analytic versatility without increasing operational complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If hemocytometer dilution methods are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-uniform cell distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of cell distribution from random (as in hemocytometer dilution) to controlled sedimentation by utilizing gravitational force and chamber geometry, achieving both simplicity and precision through the natural settling behavior of cells in a confined space
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 simplifies and cost-reduces blood cell counting by examining the entirety of the sample, providing accurate counts and morphology information, suitable for both low and high-volume testing without the need for precise dilution or fluid handling, overcoming limitations of prior art methods.
Implementation Method 1
Any differently sized formed constituents present in the sample will quiescently distribute in said chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for enumerating one or more specific elements within a biologic fluid sample are provided. An embodiment of the method includes the steps of: a) providing a chamber formed between a first planar member that is transparent and a second planar member, which members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height; b) introducing the biologic fluid sample into the chamber, wherein the chamber height is sized such that the sample extends between the first and second members, and sized relative to the specific elements within the sample such that the specific elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber; c) examining substantially all of the sample within the chamber and enumerating all of at least one of the specific elements; d) determining the volume of sample contained within the chamber; and e) determining the number of the at least one of the specific elements per unit volume.