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Publication Number
US-11598707-B1
Publication Date
2023-03-07
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 measures coagulation of a sample by placing a liquid into a well where a disc is positioned. The disc 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, with the first color different from the second color. The disc oscillates by rotating between a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction while positioned relative to the liquid.
The disc rotation is induced using a magnetic field. Motion of the disc is captured by tracking the movement of the second tracking point with a video camera over time, or by tracking the first tracking point and the second tracking point over time. A processor calculates changes in movement, or a reduction of motion, to determine a coagulation profile, where the calculated changes reflect coagulation-related motion behavior.
In implementations, a smartphone is used as a video camera and processor to capture and analyze the disc motion, and a light source can illuminate the tracking points, with the resulting coagulation profile produced on the smartphone. The architecture includes a handheld cartridge-based coagulation analyzer using a BioMEMS disc in a liquid well, with oscillating circular motion induced by magnetic actuation including motor/servo and reduction gearing to actuate a magnet, and embodiments including a moving magnet, fixed magnet, and torsion-spring outer ring.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent methods for measuring coagulation. Across them, the inventive features center on magnetically driven oscillating rotation of a colored tracking-point disc in a liquid well, video-based tracking of the disc, and processor-based calculation to determine a coagulation profile, with refinements including real-time change calculation, smartphone-based imaging/illumination/display, and contactless magnetic coupling.
Magnetically driven oscillating disc with colored tracking points in a liquid well
Rotating a disc using a magnetic field, wherein the disc oscillates between rotating in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the disc including 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 while positioned relative to a liquid, with the first color different from the second color.
Video capture and tracking of colored tracking point motion over time
Tracking the movement of the second tracking point with a video camera, or capturing the motion by tracking the first tracking point and the second tracking point over time.
Processor-based calculation of motion changes or reduction of motion to determine a coagulation profile
Calculating changes in movement of the second tracking point with a processor to determine a coagulation profile, or calculating a reduction of motion of the disc with a processor to determine a coagulation profile.
Smartphone imaging/processing for tracking and determination of coagulation profile
Tracking the motion of the second tracking point with a recorder, and wherein the tracking and calculation are performed using a smartphone, with the smartphone including a video camera and a processor.
Illumination using a smartphone light source for the colored tracking points
Illuminating the first and second tracking points using a smartphone light source.
Real-time calculation of changes in movement to determine a coagulation profile
Calculating changes in movement of the second tracking point in real time to determine a coagulation profile.
Contactless magnetic coupling for rotating the disc
Rotating the disc using a contactless magnetic coupling.
Across the independent claims, the coverage is anchored by magnetically rotating an oscillating disc with first and second colored tracking points in a liquid well, capturing the disc motion with a video camera or recorder, and using a processor to calculate changes or reduction of motion to determine a coagulation profile. Dependent claim refinements present within the document include smartphone-based capture and processing, illumination, real-time computation, and contactless magnetic coupling.
Stated Advantages
Provides a coagulation profile based on processor-calculated changes or reduction of disc motion caused by coagulation-related changes in the liquid.
Supports motion capture and analysis using a smartphone as the video and processing platform.
Includes illumination of the tracking points using a smartphone light source.
Demonstrates differentiation and repeatability using Haemoscope control levels as concept validation.
Improves fibrin adhesion using a polymer material (HDDA) for fibrin adhesion.
Documented Applications
Point-of-care use with a handheld cartridge-based coagulation analyzer for trauma/POI settings including EMT/paramedics.
Potential parallel serial testing using a small or portable handheld analyzer platform.
Integration with other smartphone sensors and communications, and use with additional assays including LAL coagulation; CBC, HTC, PaO2, pH, and blood type.
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