Systems and methods for continuous flow spectroscopic analysis of medical fluid samples
Systems and methods utilize continuous flow plasma ionization to process and analyze the contents of a medical fluid sample, including blood and other bodily fluids and gases. Advantageously, the systems and methods are capable of automatically identifying all or nearly all chemical components of the medical fluid sample in real time, allowing for quicker and improved diagnostic capabilities.
1 . A system for analyzing a fluid sample, comprising:
a reactor configured to receive a continuous flow of fluid;
a plurality of electrodes surrounding the reactor, configured to generate electric fields within the reactor to ionize the continuous flow of the fluid, wherein the ionization of the continuous flow of fluid generates a biphasic stream;
an ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrometer positioned proximate to the reactor, configured to generate absorption or emission spectral data for the fluid; and
a processor in communication with the UV-VIS spectrometer, configured to receive the absorption or emission spectral data and automatically determine presence and/or concentration of one or more chemicals in the fluid;
wherein the system includes one or more quartz rods coupling an exterior surface of the reactor with the UV-VIS spectrometer.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactor is connected to a bypass pipe from a storage tank of fluid, and wherein the bypass pipe supplies the continuous flow of fluid to the reactor.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactor includes one or more pressure sensors located in an inlet or an outlet of the reactor, and wherein a controller is configured to modify a fluid pressure in the reactor based on sensor data from the one or more pressure sensors.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the UV-VIS spectrometer includes at least one diffraction grating and at least one collimator.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes operate at a frequency of at least 200 kHz.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operable to determine the presence of chemicals in the fluid at concentrations less than 500 ppm.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactor includes a vacuum fluid pump configured to help push the continuous flow of the fluid.
8 . A system for analyzing a medical fluid sample, comprising:
a reactor configured to receive a continuous flow of an analyte;
a plurality of electrodes surrounding the reactor, configured to generate electric fields within the reactor to ionize the continuous flow of the analyte, wherein the ionization of the continuous flow of analyte generates a biphasic stream;
an ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrometer positioned proximate to the reactor, configured to generate absorption or emission spectral data for the analyte; and
one or more quartz rods coupling an exterior surface of the reactor with the UV-VIS spectrometer.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the reactor includes a vacuum fluid pump configured to help push the continuous flow of the analyte.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the reactor is connected to a bypass pipe from a storage tank of analyte, and wherein the bypass pipe supplies the continuous flow of analyte to the reactor.
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the reactor includes one or more pressure sensors located in an inlet or an outlet of the reactor, and wherein a controller is configured to modify a fluid pressure in the reactor based on sensor data from the one or more pressure sensors.