Filtering device

Abstract

This filter device (10) is attached to a centrifuge (50), and is provided with: a first space (18) which is formed inside a housing (12) and into which blood flows; a second space (20) which is formed inside the housing (12) and from which blood flows out; a partition wall (22) that partitions the first space and the second space and in which a communication port (28) that communicates the first space and the second space is formed; and a leukocyte removal filter (24) disposed in a second space between a first main surface (12a) of the case and the partition wall, and a second space between a second main surface (12b) of the case and the partition wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to filtration devices. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 5223006 discloses a blood bag system and a centrifugal separation and delivery device (centrifuge). The blood bag system contains blood. The centrifuge separates the blood contained in the blood bag system. The centrifuged blood is used for blood transfusion. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5223006 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Blood transfusions should ideally be free of white blood cells. Recently, filtration devices capable of better removing white blood cells have been anticipated.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a filtration device installed in a centrifuge, comprising: a first space formed within a housing, wherein blood flows into the first space via an inlet; a second space formed within the housing, wherein the blood flows out of the second space via an outlet; a partition wall separating the first space and the second space, and having a communication port connecting the first space and the second space; and a leukocyte removal filter disposed within the second space and removing leukocytes contained in the blood, wherein the first space is located between a first main surface of the housing and the partition wall formed along the first main surface, and the second space is located between a second main surface of the housing and the partition wall along the first main surface.

[0007] Therefore, it is possible to remove white blood cells from the blood more effectively.

[0008] (2) In the filtration device described in (1) above, the inlet may be located between the center line of the housing along the first direction and the rotation center of the centrifuge, the first direction intersecting the direction of centrifugal force, i.e., the centrifugal direction.

[0009] Therefore, blood can flow smoothly into the shell using centrifugal force.

[0010] (3) In the filtration device described in (1) or (2) above, the first space may have a curved wall, which is located in the direction of centrifugal force, i.e., the centrifugal direction, relative to the inlet and the connecting port.

[0011] Therefore, it can inhibit the backflow of blood towards the inlet.

[0012] (4) In any of the filtering devices described in (1) to (3) above, a meandering flow path is formed in the first space for the blood flowing in through the inlet to meander.

[0013] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent blood that has not undergone leukocyte removal via centrifugation from reaching the second space.

[0014] (5) In any of the filtering devices described in (1) to (4) above, the connecting port may be located on one side of the second space in the direction of centrifugal force, i.e., the centrifugal direction, and the outlet may be located on the other side of the second space in the centrifugal direction.

[0015] Therefore, the distance between the connection port and the outlet in the centrifugal direction can be fully ensured.

[0016] (6) In the filter device described in (5) above, the direction from the outlet toward the connection port may be along the centrifugal direction.

[0017] Therefore, it can inhibit white blood cells from reaching the outflow outlet.

[0018] (7) In the filter device described in (5) above, the direction from the connecting port toward the outlet is along the centrifugal direction.

[0019] Therefore, centrifugal force can be used to better guide blood towards the outlet side.

[0020] (8) In any of the filter devices described in (1) to (7) above, the thickness direction may be along the vertical direction when the filter device is installed in the centrifuge.

[0021] Accordingly, compared with the case where the first space and the second space are adjacent in the horizontal direction, the size of the filter device in the horizontal direction can be shortened.

[0022] According to the present invention, white blood cells can be removed from the blood more effectively. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a centrifuge with a filtration device installed according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the filtration device. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the filtration device. Figure 4 This is a top view showing the first space within the housing. Figure 5This is a top view showing the second space within the housing. Figure 6 This is a top view showing the first space provided by the shell in modified example 1. Figure 7 This is a top view showing the second space provided by the shell in modified example 1. Figure 8 This is a top view showing the first space provided by the shell in modified example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0024] [One implementation method] The filtering device of one embodiment is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the centrifuge 50 equipped with the filtration device 10 of this embodiment.

[0025] Centrifuge 50 is a machine for centrifuging and separating blood. Centrifuge 50 includes a centrifuge drum 52. The centrifuge drum 52 includes a central body 52a and multiple unit insertion parts 52b.

[0026] Multiple unit insertion sections 52b are arranged around the central body 52a. An insertion unit 60 can be inserted into each of the multiple unit insertion sections 52b. The insertion unit 60 is mounted on the centrifuge 50 by being inserted into the unit insertion section 52b.

[0027] The insertion unit 60 houses a blood bag system (not shown). The blood bag system includes a blood bag containing blood before centrifugation. The blood contained in this blood bag may be, for example, whole blood, but may also be erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) brown layer as described in Japanese Patent No. 5223006. The ESR brown layer contains red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, etc.

[0028] Centrifuge 50 causes the insertion unit 60 inserted into the unit insertion portion 52b to rotate about the central body 52a. More specifically, centrifuge 50 causes the insertion unit 60 inserted into the unit insertion portion 52b to rotate about the central body 52a. Figure 1 The rotation center line (rotation center) LA is shown as the center, and the unit rotates along the rotation direction DR. Accordingly, the entire insertion unit 60 is subjected to centrifugal force. This centrifugal force is used to separate the blood by centrifugation. The rotation center line LA is, for example, along the direction of gravity (the second direction D2 described later).

[0029] The filter device 10 is installed in the insertion unit 60. The filter device 10 is installed, for example, in the upper part of the insertion unit 60, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] The filter device 10 is installed in the centrifuge 50 via the insertion unit 60. The centrifugal force described above is applied not only to the insertion unit 60 but also to the filter device 10. Alternatively, the filter device 10 can be directly installed in the centrifuge 50.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the filter device 10.

[0032] As mentioned above, the filter device 10 can be installed in the centrifuge 50. The configuration of the filter device 10 will be described below with the assumption that it is installed in the centrifuge 50.

[0033] The centrifugal direction DC, the centripetal direction DC-, the first direction D1, and the second direction D2 are shown in the figure. Figure 2 The centrifugal direction DC is the direction of the centrifugal force applied to the filter device 10 by the centrifuge 50. The first direction D1 is the direction of the linear velocity of the circular motion of the filter device 10 performed by the centrifuge 50. The first direction D1 is orthogonal (intersecting) with the centrifugal direction DC. The second direction D2 is the direction of gravity (vertical direction). In this embodiment, the centrifugal direction DC and the first direction D1 are orthogonal to the second direction D2. The centripetal direction DC is the direction opposite to the centrifugal direction DC.

[0034] The filter device 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 can be formed, for example, in a box shape. In this embodiment, when the filter device 10 is installed in the centrifuge 50, the thickness direction DT of the housing 12 is aligned with (parallel to) the second direction D2.

[0035] The housing 12 has a first main surface 12a and a second main surface 12b. The first main surface 12a is the outer surface of one side of the housing 12 in the thickness direction DT. The second main surface 12b is the outer surface of the other side of the housing 12 in the thickness direction DT. The first main surface 12a and the second main surface 12b extend along the centrifugal direction DC and the first direction D1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first main surface 12a forms the lower surface of the housing 12. Additionally, in this embodiment, the second main surface 12b forms the upper surface of the housing 12.

[0037] The housing 12 includes an inlet portion 14. The inlet portion 14 has an inlet 14a. The inlet 14a is an opening connecting the inside and outside of the housing 12. The inlet 14a is located in the centripetal direction DC- with respect to the centerline C12 of the housing 12 along the first direction D1. In other words, the inlet 14a is located between the centerline C12 and the rotation center LA of the centrifuge 50. Figure 1 )between. Figure 2 The inlet portion 14 shown protrudes from the housing 12, but is not limited thereto.

[0038] The housing 12 also includes an outlet 16. The outlet 16 has an outlet 16a. The inlet 14a is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the housing 12. Figure 2 The outlet 16 shown protrudes from the housing 12, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] Different blood bags are connected to the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16, respectively. The blood bag connected to the inlet section 14 is a blood bag that contains blood before centrifugation. The blood bag connected to the outlet section 16 is a blood bag used to contain blood (blood components) after it has passed through the filter device 10.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the filter device 10. Figure 2 The section view along line III-III is shown in Figure 3 .

[0041] The housing 12 has a first space 18, a second space 20, and a partition 22 inside.

[0042] The first space 18 is the space located between the first main surface 12a and the partition wall 22. The first space 18 is connected to the inlet 14a. In contrast, the second space 20 is the space located between the partition wall 22 and the second main surface 12b. The second space 20 is connected to the outlet 16a.

[0043] The partition wall 22 extends along the centrifugal direction DC and the first direction D1, just like the first main surface 12a, the second main surface 12b, etc. The first space 18 and the second space 20 are separated by the partition wall 22. The partition wall 22 can form the upper surface of the first space 18 and the bottom surface of the second space 20.

[0044] Furthermore, the first space 18 is provided with a barrier wall 32. Additionally, a communication opening 28 is formed in the partition wall 22. A more detailed description of the communication opening 28 and the barrier wall 32 will follow later.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a top view showing the first space 18 within the housing 12.

[0046] As previously stated, the first space 18 is connected to the inlet 14a. Therefore, blood flows into the first space 18 through the inlet 14a.

[0047] The inlet 14a is preferably formed in the centrifugal direction DC. In this case, the blood flows smoothly in the inlet 14a and into the first space 18 by the centrifugal force imparted by the centrifuge 50.

[0048] An inflow path 25 can be formed in the first space 18. The inflow path 25 is a path that extends from the inlet 14a in the centrifugal direction DC. Blood flowing into the first space 18 via the inlet 14a can flow in the centrifugal direction DC (FL1) along the inflow path 25.

[0049] Furthermore, the first space 18 may include a curved wall 26. The curved wall 26 is located in the centrifugal direction DC relative to the inlet 14a and the aforementioned connecting port 28. The curved wall 26 is curved in such a way that it guides blood from one side of the first space 18 in the first direction D1 to the other. Blood flows along the curved wall 26, thus preventing backflow towards the inlet 14a, and is able to flow from one side of the first space 18 in the first direction D1 to the other (FL2, FL3).

[0050] The blood flowing into the first space 18 is centrifuged using centrifuge 50. As a result, the blood in the first space 18 forms a supernatant layer and a sediment layer. The sediment layer is located relative to the supernatant layer in the centrifugation direction DC.

[0051] The main component of the sediment is white blood cells. White blood cells are the main component of the sediment because they are a heavier blood component. That is, because white blood cells are a blood component that settles more easily, they become the main component of the sediment. In contrast, the supernatant contains blood components that are lighter than white blood cells. For example, the supernatant contains a lot of platelets.

[0052] The connecting port 28 is an opening connecting the first space 18 and the second space 20. As mentioned above, the connecting port 28 is formed in the partition 22. Blood can flow from the first space 18 into the second space 20 through the connecting port 28. Figure 3 FL4).

[0053] The obstruction wall 32 prevents blood flowing into the first space 18 via the inlet 14a from immediately reaching the connecting port 28. Blood must bypass the obstruction wall 32 to reach the connecting port 28 from the inlet 14a. The obstruction wall 32 has a first obstruction wall portion 321 and a second obstruction wall portion 322. The first obstruction wall portion 321 is a wall portion extending in the centrifugal direction DC. The first obstruction wall portion 321 is located between the connecting port 28 and the inlet 14a in the first direction D1. The second obstruction wall portion 322 is a wall portion extending from the first obstruction wall portion 321 in the first direction D1.

[0054] like Figure 4 The second obstruction wall portion 322 shown protrudes from the front end of the first obstruction wall portion 321 in the first direction D1, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the second obstruction wall portion 322 may also be omitted.

[0055] Here, as previously described, through centrifugation by centrifuge 50, leukocytes concentrate on the centrifugal direction DC side (FL2) in the first space 18. In other words, during centrifugation using centrifuge 50, leukocytes have difficulty flowing in the centripetal direction DC-. Therefore, once leukocytes have flowed in the centrifugal direction DC relative to the connection port 28, they will have difficulty reaching the connection port 28.

[0056] In contrast, as previously described, by centrifuging using centrifuge 50, blood components other than leukocytes can flow towards the centripetal DC side relative to leukocytes. Therefore, even after flowing towards the centrifugal DC side relative to the connection port 28, blood components other than leukocytes can still reach the connection port 28 (FL3).

[0057] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the second space 20 provided in the housing 12.

[0058] The second space 20 is equipped with a white blood cell removal filter 24 (see also...) Figure 3 The leukocyte removal filter 24 is equipped with filter material for removing leukocytes from the blood. Blood flowing into the second space 20 is filtered by the leukocyte removal filter 24. Figure 5 (FL5). Accordingly, even if white blood cells flow into the second space 20, the white blood cells will be removed by the white blood cell removal filter 24.

[0059] As previously described, the second space 20 is connected to the outlet 16a. Therefore, blood in the second space 20 can flow out of the housing 12 through the outlet 16a (FL6).

[0060] The second space 20 has a first portion 201 and a second portion 202. The first portion 201 is a region on one side of the second space 20 in the centrifugal direction DC. In contrast, the second portion 202 is a region on the other side of the second space 20 in the centrifugal direction DC. More specifically, the first portion 201 is the region in the second space 20 located on the centrifugal direction DC side relative to the centerline C20. In contrast, the second portion 202 is the region in the second space 20 located on the centripetal direction DC- side relative to the centerline C20. The centerline C20 is an imaginary straight line passing through the center of the second space 20 and parallel to the first direction D1.

[0061] The connecting port 28 is located in the first portion 201. In contrast, the connection between the outlet 16a and the second space 20 is located in the second portion 202. This ensures a sufficient blood flow path for the removal of leukocytes using the leukocyte removal filter 24 between the connecting port 28 and the outlet 16a. Consequently, leukocytes contained in the blood can be reliably removed by the leukocyte removal filter 24 before the blood reaches the outlet 16a from the connecting port 28.

[0062] Furthermore, for blood flowing into the second space 20 to reach the outlet 16a, it must flow from the connecting port 28 in the centripetal direction (DC-). As mentioned earlier, during centrifugation by the centrifuge 50, white blood cells have difficulty flowing in the centripetal direction (DC-). That is, the direction from the outlet 16a towards the connecting port 28... Figure 5 The diagram shows the centrifugation direction DC, which inhibits leukocytes from reaching the outlet 16a. Therefore, it is possible to better reduce the amount of leukocytes in the blood drawn from the outlet 16a.

[0063] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the blood flowing into the first space 18 is centrifuged using centrifuge 50. Consequently, the amount of white blood cells in the blood flowing into the second space 20 is reduced. The remaining white blood cells in the blood flowing into the second space 20 are removed by the white blood cell removal filter 24. In other words, according to this embodiment, both white blood cell removal by centrifugation and white blood cell removal by the white blood cell removal filter 24 can be performed simply by operating the centrifuge 50.

[0064] [Variation Example] Variations of the above embodiments are described below. However, descriptions that are repeated in the above embodiments are appropriately omitted. Unless otherwise specified, elements described in the above embodiments are labeled with the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiments.

[0065] (Variation Example 1) Figure 6 This is a top view showing the first space 18 (18A) of the housing 12 in modified example 1. Figure 7 This is a top view showing the second space 20 (20B) provided by the housing 12 in modified example 1.

[0066] In the embodiment, the communication port 28 is located in the centrifugal direction DC relative to the center line C12 of the housing 12, but it is not limited to this. Figure 6 As shown, the connection port 28 can be located in the centripetal direction DC- relative to the center line C12. The connection port 28 is located as close as possible to the centripetal direction DC- side in the first space 18A, thereby inhibiting leukocytes from reaching the connection port 28.

[0067] like Figure 7 As shown, the connection port 28 can be located in the second portion 202 of the second space 20B. With the connection port 28 located in the second portion 202 of the second space 20B, the connection between the outlet 16a and the second space 20B can be located in the first portion 201. In this case, a sufficient blood flow path for removing leukocytes using the leukocyte removal filter 24 can also be ensured between the connection port 28 and the outlet 16a.

[0068] In this variation, the direction from the connecting port 28 toward the outlet 16a is along the centrifugal direction DC ( Figure 7 (FL5). Therefore, the blood flowing into the second space 20B can smoothly reach the outlet 16a from the connecting port 28 using centrifugal force.

[0069] (Variation Example 2) Figure 8 This is a top view showing the first space 18 (18C) provided by the housing 12 in modified example 2.

[0070] like Figure 8 As shown, a meandering flow path 30 is formed in the first space 18C to allow blood flowing in through the inlet 14a to meander (twist). The meandering flow path 30 can be formed, for example, by a plurality of obstruction walls 32.

[0071] Blood flowing in from inlet 14a reaches connection port 28 via meandering flow path 30. This prevents blood from immediately flowing from inlet 14a into connection port 28. That is, it inhibits blood that has not undergone leukocyte removal via centrifugation from reaching the second space 20. Furthermore, the specific shape of meandering flow path 30 is not limited to… Figure 8 Examples.

[0072] (A combination of multiple variations) The aforementioned variations can be appropriately combined within the scope of non-contradiction.

[0073] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A filtration device installed in a centrifuge, wherein, include: The first space is formed within the shell, and blood flows into the first space through the inlet; A second space is formed within the housing, and the blood flows out from the second space via an outlet. The partition separates the first space from the second space and has a connecting opening that connects the first space and the second space. as well as A leukocyte removal filter, disposed within the second space, removes leukocytes contained in the blood. The first space is located between the first main surface of the housing and the partition wall formed along the first main surface. The second space is located between the second main surface of the housing and the partition wall along the first main surface.

2. The filtration device according to claim 1, wherein, The inlet is located between the centerline of the housing along a first direction and the rotation center of the centrifuge, the first direction intersecting the direction that imparts centrifugal force, i.e., the centrifugal direction.

3. The filtration device according to claim 1, wherein, The first space has curved walls. The curved wall is located in the direction of centrifugal force, i.e., the centrifugal direction, relative to the inlet and the connecting port.

4. The filtration device according to claim 1, wherein, A meandering flow path is formed in the first space to allow the blood flowing in through the inlet to meander.

5. The filtration device according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting port is located on one side of the second space in the direction of centrifugal force, i.e., the centrifugal direction. The outlet is located on the other side of the second space in the centrifugal direction.

6. The filtration device according to claim 5, wherein, The direction from the outlet toward the connection port is along the centrifugal direction.

7. The filtration device according to claim 5, wherein, The direction from the connecting port toward the outlet is along the centrifugal direction.

8. The filtration device according to claim 1, wherein, With the filter device installed in the centrifuge, the thickness direction is along the vertical direction.

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