Rotating magnetic disc medical analyzer and coagulation profiler
Inventors
Joseph, Luke B. • Hasling, Thomas A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10739239-B1
Publication Date
2020-08-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medical analyzer and coagulation profiler performs various interrogations on specimens. A motor with reduction gearing moves and a video camera observes the samples, the cartridges or parts thereof. Changes in images are compared and recorded with a central processor that controls a display. Power supply, temperature controller, motor and gearing are mounted in a box which attaches to a smartphone. The smartphone provides the video camera, illumination and central processor that control the movement, temperature and display. The device makes testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and controls a number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously or sequentially. A cartridge insertion actuates a circular motion to generate a blood profile based on changes. Change is analyzed with a video camera and processor such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude and time. A smartphone provides a specific movement pattern.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a handheld, cartridge-based coagulation profiler that measures coagulation of a liquid sample by using a measuring device with a cartridge containing a well and a disc. The disc includes a first tracking point and a second tracking point having different colors, with the first tracking point proximate a rotational center and the second tracking point spaced apart from the rotational center.
The measuring device activates a magnetic field to rotate the disc in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction while illuminating the disc. The device tracks the first tracking point and the second tracking point using a video camera or a camera, and a processor calculates changes in movement of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point to determine coagulation parameters based on relative motion over time.
The cartridge and handheld enclosure are configured to enable camera-based tracking and magnetic actuation in direct contact with whole blood, including temperature control, illumination, compact microscope/video camera alignment, and a cartridge design having a sealed well and a disc seated for rotation in the well. Alternate actuation embodiments are described, including fixed magnet and torsion-spring suspended inner disc/outer ring configurations.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified: clm-00001 and clm-00011. Each claim includes the core workflow of inserting a cartridge with a disc having two color-coded tracking points, magnetically rotating the disc in opposite directions, imaging the tracked points, and calculating coagulation parameters from calculated changes in relative movement over time; clm-00011 further adds temperature control and a spindle spacing relationship.
Magnetic opposite-direction disc rotation with color tracking points
A cartridge well contains a disc having a first tracking point and a second tracking point of different colors; a magnetic field rotates the disc in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the disc is illuminated, and a video camera or camera tracks both tracking points.
Camera-based relative motion calculation to determine coagulation parameters
A processor calculates changes in movement of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point to determine coagulation parameters based on relative movement over time.
Spindle spacing of disc from well bottom
The disc is spaced apart from a bottom of the well via a spindle operably connected to the disc.
Temperature control of the measuring device
An internal temperature of the measuring device is controlled in combination with magnetic rotation, illumination, tracking, and calculation of coagulation parameters.
Tracking motion reduction as magnetic field becomes insufficient against viscoelasticity
A reduction in motion of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point is tracked over time as the magnetic field becomes no longer strong enough to overcome viscoelasticity of the liquid sample during coagulation.
The independent claims center on a disc with two color-coded tracking points imaged by a camera while the disc is magnetically rotated in opposite directions, followed by processor-based calculation of coagulation parameters from relative movement changes over time. Claim coverage further includes spindle-based spacing of the disc from the well bottom and internal temperature control of the measuring device.
Stated Advantages
Differentiation of Haemoscope Level I vs Haemoscope Level II control profiles.
Repeatability across cartridges.
Improved fibrin adhesion using HDDA polymer surfaces for sensing viscoelasticity during coagulation.
Documented Applications
Handheld, cartridge-based coagulation profiling for measuring coagulation of a sample, including whole blood.
Use in coagulation control differentiation using Haemoscope Level I and Haemoscope Level II control profiles.
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