Non-Invasive White Blood Cell Detection via Capillary Optical Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting white blood cells and subtypes, as well as determining red blood cell density, from non-invasive capillary videos are invasive, time-consuming, costly, and lack accuracy and reliability, particularly for at-home monitoring and identifying dangerously low white blood cell levels.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing non-invasive capillary videos captured with an optical device and an advanced optical device capable of resolving cellular structure, combined with machine learning to detect white blood cells and subtypes, and determine red blood cell density, by processing images to identify optical absorption gaps and annotating them for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional Complete Blood Count (CBC) is used to monitor white blood cells, then accurate detection of white blood cell levels is achieved, but the method is invasive and requires drawing more than 3 mLs of blood in a clinical setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood drawing system with an optical imaging system. Conventional CBC requires puncturing blood vessels to draw blood samples, while this invention uses optical devices to capture images of capillaries and analyze white blood cells non-invasively through light interaction with blood cells in the capillary network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of imaging devices and image processing algorithms. Instead of directly extracting blood for analysis, the system uses light as an intermediary to obtain information about white blood cells by capturing optical properties of blood flowing through capillaries, thereby avoiding direct blood contact and invasion.
2Measurement precision
If conventional CBC is performed in a clinical setting, then accurate white blood cell monitoring is achieved, but the lab analysis typically takes hours to several days for the results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service diagnostic system where the imaging device captures capillary images and the integrated image processing system automatically analyzes white blood cell levels without requiring external laboratory processing. The device performs detection, analysis, and result generation in one automated workflow, eliminating the need for separate lab analysis steps that cause delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary image capture and processing steps that enable immediate analysis. By capturing capillary images and processing them through algorithms that identify white blood cells and calculate levels in real-time, the system prepares results instantly rather than requiring subsequent laboratory processing that takes hours or days.
3Ease of operation
If finger-prick methods are used for at-home monitoring, then accessibility is improved, but there is a lack of repeatability between successive drops of blood and elevated leukocyte counts from fingertip blood at the site of puncture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the capillary blood flow instead of using physical blood samples. By capturing images of capillaries and analyzing the optical properties of blood cells within them, the system obtains a reliable measurement that is not affected by the variability inherent in finger-prick sampling, while still enabling at-home use through a non-invasive imaging approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary information (white blood cell levels) from the capillary images without requiring extraction of physical blood samples. The image processing system extracts quantitative data about white blood cells directly from optical images, eliminating the problems associated with physical blood collection while maintaining measurement reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional in vivo cell imaging systems are used, then portability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but they have insufficient depth of focus, contrast, or field of view to detect white blood cell subtypes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs an optical imaging system that serves multiple functions: it captures images with sufficient depth of focus and contrast to detect white blood cell subtypes, processes images through algorithms that identify different cell types, and maintains portability for potential at-home use. The system integrates imaging, processing, and analysis capabilities in a unified platform that achieves both accessibility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes optical parameters such as wavelength selection, illumination intensity, and focus depth to enhance the detection capability for white blood cell subtypes. By adjusting these optical parameters, the system achieves sufficient contrast and resolution for subtype identification while maintaining the portability and cost-effectiveness of conventional imaging approaches.
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 method enables accurate, efficient, and non-invasive detection of white blood cells and subtypes, as well as determination of red blood cell density, facilitating at-home monitoring and reducing the risk of infection associated with traditional invasive methods.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring a first plurality of images of a region of interest including one or more capillaries of a predetermined area of a human subject from non-invasive capillary videos captured with an optical device
Implementation Method 2
acquiring a second plurality of images of the same region of interest of the same capillary with an advanced optical device capable of resolving cellular structure of white blood cells and white blood cell subtypes
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method to detect white blood cells and/or white blood cell subtypes from non-invasive capillary videos is featured. The method includes acquiring a first plurality of images of a region of interest including one or more capillaries of a predetermined area of a human subject from non-invasive capillary videos captured with an optical device, processing the first plurality of images to determine one or more optical absorption gaps located in said capillary, and annotating the first plurality of images with an indication of any optical absorption gap detected in the first plurality of images. The method also includes acquiring a second plurality of images of the same region of interest of the same capillary with an advanced optical device capable of resolving cellular structure of white blood cells and white blood cell subtypes and spatiotemporally annotating the second plurality of images with an indication of any white blood cell detected and/or a subtype of any white blood cell detected in the second plurality of images. The method also includes inputting the first plurality of images and annotated information from the first plurality of images and annotated information from the spatiotemporally annotated second plurality of images into a machine learning subsystem configured to determine a presence of white blood cells and/or the subtype of any white blood cells present in the one or more optical absorption gaps in the first plurality of images.