Urine Particle Analysis System with Geometric Hydrofocusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine analysis systems lack the throughput, accuracy, and general applicability required for effective discrimination and quantification of diverse urine sediment particles, particularly challenging for small-sized sediments like erythrocytes, bacteria, and crystals, due to morphological diversity and damage during analysis.
Innovation Solution
A particle analysis system employing geometric hydrofocusing and a particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment liquid (PIOAL) to align particles within a flowcell, enabling high optical resolution imaging and accurate counting of particles in a urine sample through a combination of viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing effects, which retains cell viability and structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual microscope analysis is used for urine sediment particles, then morphological examination can be performed, but throughput and productivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical microscope analysis with an automated optical imaging system that uses digital cameras and image processing algorithms to automatically detect, classify, and count urine sediment particles, thereby maintaining morphological examination accuracy while dramatically increasing throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs automated image analysis algorithms that independently process and interpret particle images without requiring continuous manual intervention, enabling the system to perform self-service analysis at high speeds while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
2Productivity
If high-speed automated analysis is implemented, then throughput increases, but accuracy and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment of particles using viscous sheath fluids before imaging, ensuring that particles are properly positioned and oriented in advance of the high-speed detection process, which maintains measurement precision while enabling rapid throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in fluid viscosity parameters to control particle alignment and positioning, allowing the system to maintain precise particle discrimination at high speeds by optimizing the rheological properties of the sheath fluid
3Manufacturing precision
If geometric hydrofocusing is used to align particles, then imaging precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles through viscous sheath fluids to achieve geometric hydrofocusing and particle alignment, using fluid dynamics rather than complex mechanical structures to accomplish precise positioning, thereby improving alignment precision while limiting the increase in device complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If small-sized particles like erythrocytes and bacteria are analyzed, then diagnostic coverage improves, but detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enhances local quality of imaging by using high-magnification objectives and optimized illumination specifically at the detection zone, allowing clear visualization and accurate detection of small particles such as erythrocytes and bacteria without compromising the overall system performance
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 system achieves accurate and efficient imaging and counting of urine sediment particles, improving the accuracy and throughput of urine analysis by aligning and focusing particles for precise characterization and counting, even for small and fragile elements.
Implementation Method 1
a viscosity hydrofocusing effect induced by an interaction between the sheath fluid and the sample associated with the viscosity difference
Implementation Method 2
a geometric hydrofocusing effect induced by an interaction between the sheath fluid and the sample associated with the reduction in flowpath size
Implementation Method 3
flowing a sheath fluid along a flowpath of a flowcell... injecting the body fluid sample into the flowing sheath fluid within the flowcell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.