Capacitance-Voltage Profiling for White Blood Cell Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence-based techniques for detecting and quantifying white blood cells in blood samples are cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive, making them unsuitable for point-of-care diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a sample medium positioned between electrodes, applying a pulsating sweep voltage to create a potential gradient, and adding a chemical analyte that changes the capacitance of white blood cells, allowing for capacitance-voltage profiling and quantification of white blood cells without the need for traditional visual detection techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence-based sensing techniques are used to detect and quantify white blood cells, then selectivity and sensitivity are improved, but device complexity, time consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex optical detection system with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using fluorescence markers, optical sources, filters, and lenses to detect white blood cells, the invention uses electrical impedance measurements to identify and quantify cells based on their electrical properties. This substitution of optical detection with electrical measurement directly reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from optical fluorescence to electrical impedance. By measuring the electrical impedance of cells in the sample and analyzing the impedance spectrum, the system can identify white blood cells based on their characteristic electrical properties. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex optical assemblies while preserving selectivity and sensitivity.
2Measurement precision
If fluorescence-based sensing techniques are used to detect and quantify white blood cells, then selectivity and sensitivity are improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming optical detection process with rapid electrical impedance measurements. The electrical measurement system can quickly acquire impedance data and generate spectral plots, enabling faster cell identification and quantification compared to the multi-step optical fluorescence detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates an electrical impedance spectrum that serves as a signature or copy of the cell population characteristics. By analyzing this electrical fingerprint, the system can rapidly identify and quantify white blood cells without requiring the time-consuming optical detection and analysis procedures of fluorescence-based methods.
3Measurement precision
If fluorescence-based sensing techniques are used to detect and quantify white blood cells, then selectivity and sensitivity are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive optical components (high-intensity optical sources, precision filters, specialized lenses) with inexpensive electrical measurement circuitry. The electrical impedance measurement system requires only basic electronic components, dramatically reducing the cost of manufacturing while maintaining the ability to selectively and sensitively detect white blood cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive electrical measurement systems that can be manufactured at low cost. The approach eliminates the need for expensive, delicate optical components, making the device more affordable and suitable for widespread use in clinical and point-of-care settings.
4Measurement precision
If manual detection under microscope is used after staining, then selectivity is improved, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual microscopic examination with automated electrical impedance measurement and spectral analysis. The system automatically acquires impedance data, generates spectral plots, and identifies cell types based on characteristic electrical signatures, eliminating the need for manual counting and analysis under a microscope. This automation dramatically improves productivity while maintaining selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates electrical impedance spectral copies of the cell population that can be rapidly analyzed by computer algorithms. This electrical fingerprinting approach allows automated identification and quantification of white blood cells, replacing the time-consuming manual microscopic examination process while preserving the ability to selectively identify different cell types.
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
Enables rapid, cost-effective, and accurate quantification of white blood cells, facilitating quick diagnosis without compromising accuracy, and can be used for other cell types and biological entities.
Implementation Method 1
determining a capacitance-voltage profile of the blood sample
Implementation Method 2
providing a pulsating sweep voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode such that a potential gradient is formed across the sample medium
Implementation Method 3
The chemical analyte is for exclusively combining with the white blood cells of the blood sample and for changing the capacitance of the blood sample
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for quantifying white blood cells in a blood sample is described. The system includes a sample medium for depositing the same blood. The sample medium is positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The system also includes an electrical analyzer for supping pulsing sweeping voltage across the electrodes through the sample medium. The electrical analyzer is also configured for measuring capacitance across the sample medium before and after adding a chemical analyte. The system also includes a general processor in electrical or wireless communication with the electrical analyzer configured for quantifying the white blood cells in the blood sample based on the generated capacitance-voltage profile. The method is described to operate the system and to quantify the white blood cells in a blood sample.