18013682. Vertical Flow Assay Device and Method for Determination of Hemoglobin Concentration simplified abstract (Google LLC)

Vertical Flow Assay Device and Method for Determination of Hemoglobin Concentration

Organization Name

Google LLC

Inventor(s)

Kristy Mckeating of San Francisco CA (US)

Herschel Watkins of Woodacre CA (US)

Vertical Flow Assay Device and Method for Determination of Hemoglobin Concentration - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18013682 titled 'Vertical Flow Assay Device and Method for Determination of Hemoglobin Concentration

Simplified Explanation

The present disclosure describes an assay device for determining the concentration of hemoglobin in a sample, utilizing a separation membrane with a cell lysing reagent and a downstream detection membrane that responds to the presence of hemoglobin.

• The separation membrane contains a cell lysing reagent in a specific range of 200-675 micrograms/square centimeter.
• The detection membrane is designed with an asymmetric structure, with larger pores on the upstream side and smaller pores on the downstream side.
• The device uses vertical flow assay technology to lyse red blood cells in the sample and quantify hemoglobin levels through reflectance spectroscopy.

Potential Applications

This technology could be used in medical diagnostics, blood testing, and research laboratories for quick and accurate hemoglobin level measurements.

Problems Solved

This device provides a simple and efficient method for determining hemoglobin concentration in samples without the need for complex equipment or extensive sample preparation.

Benefits

The device offers a rapid and reliable way to measure hemoglobin levels, which is crucial for diagnosing anemia, monitoring blood disorders, and assessing overall health.

Potential Commercial Applications

• Medical device companies could incorporate this technology into portable hemoglobin testing devices for healthcare professionals.
• Research institutions could use this device for high-throughput screening of hemoglobin levels in various samples.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be traditional methods of hemoglobin measurement, such as centrifugation or laboratory-based spectrophotometry techniques.

How does this device compare to existing hemoglobin testing methods in terms of accuracy and speed?

This article does not provide a direct comparison between this device and other hemoglobin testing methods in terms of accuracy and speed.

What are the limitations of this device in terms of sample size and compatibility with different types of samples?

The article does not address the limitations of this device in terms of sample size and compatibility with various sample types.

Original Abstract Submitted

The present disclosure provides an assay device for determining a concentration of hemoglobin in a sample. The device includes a separation membrane containing a cell lysing reagent that is present on the separation membrane in an amount greater than 200 micrograms/square centimeter to less than 675 micrograms/square centimeter. Further, the device includes a downstream detection membrane configured to elicit a quantifiable response in the presence of hemoglobin. The detection membrane includes an asymmetric membrane having a first plurality of pores located towards an upstream side of the detection membrane and a second plurality of pores located towards a downstream side of the detection membrane. The first plurality of pores are larger than the second plurality of pores. The present disclosure also provides methods for using a vertical flow assay device to lyse the red blood cells in the sample to quantify the level of hemoglobin present via reflectance spectroscopy.