Methods, devices, and systems for measuring physical properties of fluid
Inventors
Abhishek, Ramkumar • Yoshimizu, Norimasa
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11293848-B2
Publication Date
2022-04-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein are devices for measuring, at one or more time points, one or more properties or changes in properties of a fluid sample. The devices may comprise a chamber defining an internal volume of the device suitable for receiving and retaining the fluid sample; a plurality of layers, the plurality comprising at least a first layer below the chamber, at least a second layer above the chamber, and a substrate layer between the first and second layers, wherein: the substrate layer is linked to at least one suspended element located within the chamber; the suspended element is linked to the substrate layer by at least two compliant structures located within the chamber; and the suspended element is configured to oscillate upon application of an actuating signal to at least one electrically conductive path, which runs across at least two of the compliant structures and the suspended element. Related methods and uses are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of determining one or more properties or changes in properties of a fluid sample using a chamber that includes a physical element capable of oscillating. The physical element is comprised of an insulating material and has at least one continuous patterned conductive layer that provides at least one electrically conductive path running fully across the physical element, with total metal content less than 50% by weight.
The method includes oscillating the physical element at one or more oscillation frequencies by applying an actuating signal to the electrically conductive path, inducing at least one acoustic field in the fluid sample, and measuring one or more characteristics of the oscillation. The oscillation is in-plane, out-of-plane, or combinations thereof, and one or more properties or changes in properties of the fluid sample are determined using one or more of the measured oscillation characteristics.
Different oscillation frequencies are used to generate shear fields with different acoustic penetration depths, enabling separate probing of continuous versus bulk phases in non-Newtonian and biological fluids. A frequency-dependent relationship between acoustic penetration depth and analyte size is used to target which component contributions are sensed, without separating discrete components or adding discrete separation steps.
The disclosure applies the approach to blood-related properties such as whole blood and plasma viscosity, density-linked hematocrit, and coagulation monitoring reflected in viscoelastic clot properties.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a method that determines fluid properties by oscillating an insulating physical element with low total metal content and continuous patterned conductive layers, inducing an acoustic field, measuring oscillation characteristics, and determining properties from those measurements. Dependent claims add three groups of inventive limitations: measured oscillation characteristics, target fluid properties, and acoustic penetration depth and analyte selection or property selection.
Insulating oscillatable physical element with low total metal content
A chamber comprising a physical element comprised of an insulating material, where the physical element is capable of oscillating and has a total metal content less than 50% by weight.
Continuous patterned conductive layer providing full electrical conduction path
At least one continuous patterned conductive layer providing at least one electrically conductive path which runs fully across the physical element.
Electromagnetic actuation by oscillation at one or more frequencies
Oscillating the physical element at one or more oscillation frequencies by applying an actuating signal to at least one said electrically conductive path.
Acoustic field induction in the fluid sample
Inducing at least one acoustic field in the fluid sample.
In-plane and out-of-plane oscillation with measured oscillation characteristics
Measuring one or more characteristics of one or more oscillations of the physical element, the oscillation being one of in-plane, out-of-plane, and combinations thereof.
Property determination using measured oscillation characteristics
Determining one or more properties or changes in properties of the fluid sample using one or more of the measured oscillation characteristics.
Measured oscillation characteristics selected from amplitude, phase, frequency, and quality factor
The method where the measured oscillation characteristic is selected from amplitude, phase, frequency, quality factor, or combinations thereof.
Fluid property selection from viscosity, viscoelasticity, and density
The method where the property of the fluid sample is selected from viscosity, viscoelasticity, density, or combinations thereof.
Acoustic penetration depth greater than analyte size
The method where at least one acoustic field has a penetration depth greater than the size of at least one analyte in the fluid sample.
Analyte selection of red blood cells, platelets, fibrinogen, bacteria, or macromolecules
The method characterized by selecting the analyte from red blood cells, platelets, fibrinogen, bacteria, and macromolecules or macromolecular complexes.
Analyte property selection from size, shape, concentration, and mechanical properties
The method further limited by selecting the analyte property to be measured from size, shape, concentration, mechanical properties, or combinations of these.
Across the claim set, the core coverage centers on an oscillatable insulating element with low metal content and continuous patterned conductive paths that electromagnetically drive oscillations to induce an acoustic field. The method measures oscillation characteristics for property determination, while dependent claims narrow the measured characteristics, target fluid properties, and relationships between acoustic penetration depth and analyte size, along with explicit biological analyte selection and analyte-property selection.
Stated Advantages
Enables determining one or more properties or changes in properties of a fluid sample from measured oscillation characteristics.
Supports determining viscosity, viscoelasticity, and density of the fluid sample.
Provides acoustic penetration-depth-based probing that enables targeting analytes without separating discrete components.
Documented Applications
Blood-related measurement including whole blood and plasma viscosity.
Hematocrit measurement using density-linked determination.
Coagulation monitoring using PT/INR and viscoelastic clot properties comparable to TEG-like behavior.
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