Comsol Case Studies Optimizing Hematology Analysis: When Physical Prototypes Fail, Simulation Provides the Answers

	Optimizing Hematology Analysis: When Physical Prototypes Fail, Simulation Provides the Answers Comsol

Optimizing Hematology Analysis: When Physical Prototypes Fail, Simulation Provides the Answers

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries	Healthcare & Hospitals Life Sciences
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Digital Twin Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Laboratory tests, such as hematology analysis, influence up to 70 percent of critical decisions including hospital admittance, discharge, and treatment. The accuracy of these tests is crucial for patient outcomes. HORIBA Medical, a global supplier of medical diagnostic equipment, faced challenges in optimizing their hematology analysis equipment using physical prototypes alone. The complexity of the physical processes involved, such as high fluid velocity, pressure drop, heat transfer, and intense electric fields, made it difficult to achieve accurate measurements. Additionally, factors like particle trajectory and orientation through the micro-aperture system further complicated the accuracy of the impedance measurement system. Read More
About Customer	HORIBA Medical is a worldwide supplier of medical diagnostic equipment, specializing in hematology and clinical chemistry. The company places a strong emphasis on research and development, investing 10 percent of its revenues into these activities. HORIBA Medical's products are used in critical laboratory tests that influence up to 70 percent of important medical decisions, such as hospital admittance, discharge, and treatment. The company aims to design systems capable of performing complex tests while making the results easier to interpret. Numerical simulation plays a crucial role in their R&D process, helping to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of their diagnostic tests. Read More
Solution	HORIBA Medical turned to COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation software to optimize their hematology analysis equipment. The simulation allowed them to import CAD models directly into the software, enabling detailed analysis and optimization of the micro-aperture-electrode system used for impedance measurement. By simulating the complex physical processes within the device, such as fluid flow, electric fields, and heat transfer, they were able to develop a better understanding of how these factors interact. One key improvement was the implementation of hydrodynamic focusing, which uses sheath flow to control the sample rate inside the aperture and direct the sample flow along the central axis. This technique significantly reduced analysis errors caused by particle trajectory and orientation. The simulation results demonstrated that hydrodynamic focusing greatly improved the accuracy of particle measurement, making the device about twice as accurate as non-hydrofocused systems. These findings were validated through experimental comparisons, justifying the implementation of this technique in HORIBA's diagnostic equipment. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Healthcare & Hospitals

Life Sciences

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Digital Twin

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Laboratory tests, such as hematology analysis, influence up to 70 percent of critical decisions including hospital admittance, discharge, and treatment. The accuracy of these tests is crucial for patient outcomes. HORIBA Medical, a global supplier of medical diagnostic equipment, faced challenges in optimizing their hematology analysis equipment using physical prototypes alone. The complexity of the physical processes involved, such as high fluid velocity, pressure drop, heat transfer, and intense electric fields, made it difficult to achieve accurate measurements. Additionally, factors like particle trajectory and orientation through the micro-aperture system further complicated the accuracy of the impedance measurement system.

About Customer

HORIBA Medical is a worldwide supplier of medical diagnostic equipment, specializing in hematology and clinical chemistry. The company places a strong emphasis on research and development, investing 10 percent of its revenues into these activities. HORIBA Medical's products are used in critical laboratory tests that influence up to 70 percent of important medical decisions, such as hospital admittance, discharge, and treatment. The company aims to design systems capable of performing complex tests while making the results easier to interpret. Numerical simulation plays a crucial role in their R&D process, helping to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of their diagnostic tests.

Solution

HORIBA Medical turned to COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation software to optimize their hematology analysis equipment. The simulation allowed them to import CAD models directly into the software, enabling detailed analysis and optimization of the micro-aperture-electrode system used for impedance measurement. By simulating the complex physical processes within the device, such as fluid flow, electric fields, and heat transfer, they were able to develop a better understanding of how these factors interact. One key improvement was the implementation of hydrodynamic focusing, which uses sheath flow to control the sample rate inside the aperture and direct the sample flow along the central axis. This technique significantly reduced analysis errors caused by particle trajectory and orientation. The simulation results demonstrated that hydrodynamic focusing greatly improved the accuracy of particle measurement, making the device about twice as accurate as non-hydrofocused systems. These findings were validated through experimental comparisons, justifying the implementation of this technique in HORIBA's diagnostic equipment.

Impact #1	Simulation allowed HORIBA Medical to optimize their hematology analysis equipment, improving the accuracy of critical diagnostic tests.
Impact #2	The use of COMSOL Multiphysics enabled detailed analysis of complex physical processes, such as fluid flow and electric fields, within the device.
Impact #3	Hydrodynamic focusing was implemented to reduce analysis errors caused by particle trajectory and orientation, significantly improving measurement accuracy.

Impact #1

Simulation allowed HORIBA Medical to optimize their hematology analysis equipment, improving the accuracy of critical diagnostic tests.

Impact #2

The use of COMSOL Multiphysics enabled detailed analysis of complex physical processes, such as fluid flow and electric fields, within the device.

Impact #3

Hydrodynamic focusing was implemented to reduce analysis errors caused by particle trajectory and orientation, significantly improving measurement accuracy.

Benefit #1	The hydrofocused device is about twice as accurate as the non-hydrofocused one.

Benefit #1

The hydrofocused device is about twice as accurate as the non-hydrofocused one.

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Overview

Optimizing Hematology Analysis: When Physical Prototypes Fail, Simulation Provides the Answers

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit