Methods of measuring coagulation of a biological sample
Inventors
Joseph, Luke B. • Hasling, Thomas A.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10823743-B1
Publication Date
2020-11-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A handheld medical analyzer works with different disposable application cartridges to perform a variety of interrogations on specimen samples. One application includes attaching a biological microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) cartridge that generates blood coagulation profiles indicative of particular forms of coagulation disorders. The device makes coagulopathy testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and permits for a larger number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously. One insertion of a cartridge actuates an oscillating circular motion to generate a blood coagulation profile based on a change in rotational motion as blood coagulates in a sample. Change in rotational motion is analyzed through a video camera such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude over time. Actuation of the BioMEMS can be achieved by magnetic actuation of a motor controlled by an iPhone or a smart phone to provide a specific rotational pattern.
Core Innovation
A handheld coagulation analyzer system analyzes a coagulation cartridge of a liquid by providing a platform having a well. A disk with a ferromagnetic material is provided for turning in the well, and the disk includes a first tracking point comprising a first color proximate a rotational center and a second tracking point comprising a second color spaced apart from the rotational center.
The liquid is supplied in the well, and the disk is reciprocally turned within the liquid with a magnetic coupling or by activating a magnetic field of a measuring device. The system tracks the first tracking point and the second tracking point with a video camera, and a processor calculates changes in movement of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point of the disk to determine coagulation parameters. Illumination and optical tracking are used to support the measurement.
Coagulation is determined based on tracking changes in motion over time, where the magnetic field becomes no longer strong enough to overcome viscoelasticity of the liquid sample as the liquid sample coagulates. The resulting movement reduction between the second tracking point and the first tracking point is used by the processor to determine coagulation parameters. The disclosed cartridge and mechanism architecture supports the disk in the well, with well and cartridge lid features facilitating handling of the disk.
In some embodiments, a cartridge is inserted into a measuring device and a liquid sample is placed into the well within the cartridge, wherein the well comprises a disc spaced apart from a bottom of the well. The disk is rotated in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction using the magnetic field while the tracking points are monitored by a camera. Tracking comprises tracking the reduction in motion of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point over time as the magnetic field becomes no longer strong enough to overcome viscoelasticity.
Claims Coverage
Three independent claims are provided in the input: clm-00001, clm-00008, and clm-00018. Each independent claim centers on video tracking of two different-color tracking points on a ferromagnetic disk driven by a magnetic field, followed by processor calculation of coagulation parameters from relative motion changes.
Video tracked ferromagnetic disk with two color tracking points
providing a well in the platform, providing a disk for turning in the well where the disk comprises a ferromagnetic material, the disk further comprises a first tracking point comprising a first color proximate a rotational center and a second tracking point comprising a second color spaced apart from the rotational center, the first color different from the second color, supplying the liquid in the well, tracking the first tracking point and the second tracking point of the disc with a video camera, and calculating changes in movement of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point with a processor to determine coagulation parameters
Alternating magnetic-field driven rotation with illumination and camera tracking
inserting a cartridge into a measuring device, placing a liquid sample into a well within the cartridge, the well comprising a disc with a first tracking point comprising a first color and a second tracking point comprising a second color spaced apart from a rotational center, activating a magnetic field of the measuring device, rotating the disc in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction using the magnetic field, illuminating the disc, tracking the first tracking point and the second tracking point of the disc with a video camera, and calculating changes in movement of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point with a processor to determine coagulation parameters
Reduction-in-motion over time linked to magnetic field weakening versus viscoelasticity
inserting a cartridge into a measuring device, placing a liquid sample into a well within the cartridge, the well comprising a disc spaced apart from a bottom of the well, the disc comprising a first tracking point comprising a first color proximate a rotational center and a second tracking point comprising a second color spaced apart from the rotational center, activating a magnetic field of the measuring device, rotating the disc in a first direction using the magnetic field and rotating the disc in a second direction opposite the first direction using the magnetic field, tracking the first tracking point and the second tracking point of the disc with a camera, calculating changes in movement of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point with a processor to determine coagulation parameters, wherein tracking comprises tracking a reduction in motion of the second tracking point with respect to the first tracking point over time as the magnetic field becomes no longer strong enough to overcome viscoelasticity of the liquid sample as the liquid sample coagulates
Across the independent claims, coagulation is measured by magnetically driven rotation of a ferromagnetic disk in a cartridge well, with video camera tracking of two differently colored tracking points and processor calculation of coagulation parameters from relative motion changes. At least one independent claim further defines that the tracked reduction in motion over time corresponds to magnetic field weakening relative to viscoelasticity as coagulation occurs.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Distinguishing Haemoscope Level I vs Level II controls based on the measured coagulation profile derived from tracked disk motion.
Repeatability across cartridges is described in the partial content as part of performance or proof-of-concept results.
Coagulation measurement is described for blood coagulation and, in dependent claims, for saliva and cervical mucus as liquid sample types.
The disclosed measurement framework is described as applicable to measuring coagulation profiles including parameters comparable to TEG-like parameters (e.g., R, K, angle, MA, max clot).
Interested in licensing this patent?