Blood separation tube equipped with a cell activation unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a blood separation tube for use in a centrifuge, and more particularly to a blood separation tube having a cell activator that generates physical stress through collision with blood being centrifuged, thereby activating blood cells such as platelets, white blood cells, and lymphocytes in the blood. To this end, the present invention is characterized by including a tube body having a chamber for containing blood; and a cell activator formed to protrude from the inner surface or inside of the chamber to activate blood cells through physical collision with the blood being centrifuged.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood separation tube used in a centrifuge, and more particularly, to a blood separation tube having a cell activating unit that generates physical stress through collision with blood being centrifuged to activate blood cells such as platelets, white blood cells, and lymphocytes in the blood. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, blood carries oxygen received in the lungs to tissue cells, carries carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs to be released outside, carries nutrients absorbed in the digestive tract to organs and tissue cells, carries tissue decomposition products that are unnecessary for the body to the kidneys to be excreted from the body, carries hormones secreted by endocrine glands to the active organs and tissues, distributes body heat evenly to maintain a constant body temperature, and performs a variety of other functions, such as destroying and detoxifying bacteria and foreign substances that have invaded the body.

[0003] Blood can be roughly divided into blood cell components and plasma components. Hemocytes are the cellular components of blood that make up approximately 45% of the total blood volume. They consist of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, with most of them being red blood cells (99%).

[0004] Plasma is a pale yellow, transparent liquid that accounts for approximately 55% of the total blood volume, and is mostly composed of water (91%). It also contains plasma proteins (7%) such as albumin and clotting factors, electrolytes (Na+, Cl-, HCO3-, K+, etc.), glucose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, waste products, hormones, etc.

[0005] While blood is sometimes used as a major indicator for determining various diseases and health conditions, the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, monocytes, lymphocytes and other cells that make up blood are separated and used for various therapeutic or research purposes.

[0006] Therefore, blood separation is the most fundamental operation in all of biology, genetics, medicine, etc., not only for material analysis but also for cell cultivation and DNA confirmation and amplification.

[0007] When collected blood is centrifuged, it is separated into plasma and blood cell components, and the blood cell components are then separated into the buffy coat and red blood cell layer. The plasma components that gather at the top layer contain water, Na+, Cl-, fibrinogen, and other liquid components that contain fibrinogen.

[0008] Because red blood cells have a high specific gravity, they are concentrated at the bottom, and the buffy coat, which is separated between the red blood cells and the plasma components, contains white blood cells and platelets.

[0009] Through this centrifugation process, the components that are roughly separated into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma are removed from the blood separation tube through a syringe needle and used for therapeutic or research purposes.

[0010] For example, platelets in blood are mainly found in plasma, which can be divided into PRP (Plate Rich Plasma) and PPP (Platelet Poor Plasma). Among these, PRP is transplanted into painful areas, especially knees, ligaments, and muscles, to stimulate stem cells and help generate new cells, and has been used for therapeutic purposes.

[0011] PRP contains 2~7 times more platelets and 3~5 times more white blood cells or monocytes than normal blood, and the growth factors produced and secreted by platelets promote the regeneration of cells at the wound site, which is known to be useful for wound healing and cell or tissue regeneration.

[0012] To further enhance the effects of PRP, a clinical method is used in which calcium is added in Korea, and collagen, thrombin chemicals, or cell activators such as platelet activating protein are added overseas to activate the platelets in advance and cause them to secrete growth factors before injecting.

[0013] However, when calcium is injected into cartilage, it is neutralized and becomes meaningless, and when it is injected into subcutaneous fat, it has side effects such as flushing, skin rash and pain induction. In addition, thrombin and collagen are substances that directly affect blood clotting and cannot be completely separated, so there is a risk that they may act as potentially dangerous elements when injected into patients, and the method of adding them was in need of improvement.

[0014] As a result, there have been reports on a method of activating platelets by applying physical stress rather than adding chemical activating factors, and based on this, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0129779 (Patent Document 0001) was proposed.

[0015] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0129779 proposes a platelet activation device including a passage having an internal diameter of 2 mm or less for applying capillary stress to a biological fluid containing platelets, a receiving portion of the passage, and one or more inlets formed at both ends of the receiving portion and capable of injecting or discharging the biological fluid, and capable of obtaining activated platelets by repeatedly passing the platelets through the capillary passage.

[0016] However, in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0129779, the passage has a structure in which narrow and wide regions are alternately formed to activate platelets. This structure is difficult to manufacture because multiple patterns must be alternately formed inside the fine passage. Furthermore, because the passage is a single channel, the number of times blood goes back and forth to achieve the desired platelet activation may increase depending on the blood volume, resulting in a problem that it takes a long time to activate the platelets.

[0017] To solve these problems, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1429253 (Patent Document 0002) discloses a platelet activation device equipped with a multi-channel blood passageway. In this device, syringes are attached to the inlet and outlet ports at both ends, and the pistons of both syringes must be reciprocated several times with strong force so that the blood passes through the platelet activation device, which increases the worker's work stress. The centrifuged blood must be collected and attached to a separate device, which applies physical stress.

[0018] As a result, there is a demand for the development of a blood separation tube that is simple in structure, eliminates the need for double centrifugation and the need to apply additional physical stress after centrifugation, thereby reducing work stress for medical personnel, and prevents cell contamination that may occur during transportation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0019] The present invention relates to a blood separation tube used in a centrifuge, and more particularly, to a blood separation tube having a cell activating unit that generates physical stress through collision with blood being centrifuged to activate blood cells such as platelets, white blood cells, and lymphocytes in the blood. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the blood separation tube with a cell activation unit according to the present invention includes a tube body having a chamber for receiving blood; and a cell activation unit protruding from the inner surface or inside of the chamber so as to activate blood cells by physically colliding with the blood being centrifuged.

[0021] In this case, the cell activation portion includes one of a plurality of fine uneven walls protruding in the longitudinal direction with a certain height and width from the inner surface of the chamber, or a plurality of fine protrusions protruding with intervals from the inner surface of the chamber.

[0022] If necessary, the cell activation part further includes a plurality of collision partitions having a certain height and width in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the chamber and formed to protrude further than the fine uneven wall or the fine protrusions.

[0023] Preferably, the minute concave-convex wall and the partition are arranged parallel to the central axis of the tube body.

[0024] Meanwhile, if necessary, the cell activating part further includes an activation pillar having a rod shape at the lower part of the chamber and a plurality of fine uneven walls protruding in the longitudinal direction from the outer circumferential surface.

[0025] If necessary, the cell activation unit is comprised of an activation rod that is included inside the chamber, has a length longer than the width or diameter of the chamber, and has an embossed surface formed on the outer periphery in the form of fine grooves or fine protrusions.

[0026] Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the chamber of the tube body is composed of a cylindrical upper chamber having a set diameter and length, and a lower chamber that is connected to the upper chamber and extends downward so as to be gradually narrowed from the lower end of the upper chamber.

[0027] In another embodiment, the chamber of the tube body is composed of a cylindrical upper chamber having a set diameter and length; a cylindrical middle chamber having a narrowed portion that is gradually narrowed from the lower end of the upper chamber and extending downward from the narrowed portion with a set diameter smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber; and a cylindrical lower chamber having an expanded portion that is gradually widened from the lower end of the middle chamber and extending downward from the expanded portion with a set diameter larger than the diameter of the middle chamber.

[0028] In this case, the cell activation section includes one of a plurality of fine uneven walls protruding in the longitudinal direction with a certain height and width from the inner surface of the chamber, or a plurality of fine protrusions protruding at a set interval from the inner surface of the chamber, and is formed in at least one of the upper chamber or the lower chamber.

[0029] The cell activation section further includes a plurality of collision barriers that have a certain height and width in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the upper chamber, protrude further than the fine uneven wall or fine protrusions, and are formed at set intervals.

[0030] In another embodiment, the chamber of the tube body may be composed of an upper chamber having a set diameter and length, and a cylindrical lower chamber that is gradually expanded from the lower end of the upper chamber and extends downward, and has a set diameter and length larger than the upper chamber.

[0031] Meanwhile, the lower chamber of the present invention may have an open bottom.

[0032] At this time, the lower chamber further includes a lower plug which is detachably coupled to a lower packing for sealing the open bottom surface.

[0033] In this case, the cell activating part further includes an activating column having a rod shape on the lower plug or the lower packing and having at least one of a plurality of fine uneven walls or fine protrusions protruding in the longitudinal direction from the outer circumferential surface.

[0034] Furthermore, if necessary, the lower plug or the lower packing may be configured to rise and fall along the inner or outer circumferential surface of the lower chamber by an external force. Effect of the Invention

[0035] In this manner, the blood separation tube equipped with the cell activation unit according to the present invention applies physical stress to the blood by making the blood collide physically with the cell activation unit using the vortex phenomenon that occurs in the blood separation tube during centrifugation, and thus has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. It also has the effect of eliminating the need for double centrifugation and the process of applying additional physical stress after centrifugation, thereby reducing work stress on medical personnel and preventing cell contamination that may occur during transportation.

[0036] In addition, the buffy coat, to which physical stress has been applied by the cell activation unit, is moved to the narrower intermediate chamber without being lost, allowing medical personnel to completely collect the buffy coat while checking it with the naked eye.

[0037] In addition, since blood is activated through physical collision with the cell activation unit, it is possible to easily activate cells without the need to inject a separate cell activator into the blood separation tube, and since no cell activator is injected, it is possible to prevent accidents in which fine silica powder or other injected silica powder may be re-injected into the human body.

[0038] In addition, the fine uneven wall formed parallel to the central axis of the tube body serves to guide the red blood cells, which have a high specific gravity, so that they do not remain in the upper chamber but can easily move to the lower chamber along the fine uneven wall during the centrifugation process, thereby enabling the red blood cells to move quickly to the lower chamber instead of remaining in the upper chamber during centrifugation, thereby resulting in the production of clean white blood cell buffy coat and plasma.

[0039] At the same time, the fine uneven walls and collision barriers formed in multiple pieces have the effect of expanding the area where physical collisions occur, making it easier to apply physical stress to the blood being centrifuged, thereby activating blood cells.

[0040] In addition, the activation columns and activation rods that make up the cell activation unit stir the blood at the bottom when the blood separation tube rotates during the angle type centrifugation process, making it easier for the light-weight white blood cells and platelets that exist between the large-volume red blood cells to rise to the middle layer of the blood separation tube, thereby increasing the efficiency of blood separation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1a] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a blood separation tube having a cell activation unit according to the present invention. [Figure 1b] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a blood separation tube having a cell activation unit according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a recess in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. [Figure 4a] 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a blood separation tube according to the present invention, which includes a cell activating part in the form of activated columns. [Figure 4b] 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a blood separation tube according to the present invention, which includes a cell activating part in the form of activated columns. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a cell activation unit is provided depending on the shape of a tube body applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a cell activation unit is provided depending on the shape of a tube body applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a cell activation unit is provided depending on the shape of a tube body applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a cell activation unit is provided depending on the shape of a tube body applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a cell activation unit is provided depending on the shape of a tube body applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. [Figure 10]1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an activation rod constituting a cell activation unit applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an activation rod constituting a cell activation unit applied to a blood separation tube according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] (Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention) In its best mode, the present invention provides a blood separation tube comprising: a tube body having a chamber for containing blood; and a cell activation section protruding from the inner surface or inside of the chamber to activate blood cells by physically colliding with the blood being centrifuged.

[0043] (Mode for carrying out the invention) In describing the present invention, the upper part or upper side refers to the part or direction in which the upper plug 20 is illustrated based on the drawings, and the lower part or lower side refers to the part or direction opposite thereto.

[0044] In addition, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related publicly known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention.

[0045] At the same time, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean to exclude other elements but may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0046] Meanwhile, in order to explain components including the term "fine" throughout the present invention, the components including the term "fine" are illustrated as exaggerated throughout the drawings, and it should be recognized that in actual application, the size is so "very small" that the user cannot recognize it.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a blood separation tube having a cell activation unit according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] The blood separation tube (1a to 1e) equipped with a cell activation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention stores blood in an internal chamber Ch of the tube body 10, and during centrifugation, the swirling blood collides with the cell activation unit formed to be projected into the chamber Ch, generating a physical collision, and the resulting physical stress activates blood cells such as platelets, white blood cells, and lymphocytes that constitute the blood cell components and plasma components in the blood.

[0049] In other words, the blood separation tube with a cell activation unit according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a cell activation unit that is protruded into a chamber so that blood collides with it during the centrifugation process, and such a cell activation unit and tube body can have various embodiments.

[0050] The embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0051] As an example, referring first to Figures 1a to 4b, as shown, a blood separation tube 1a, 1b equipped with a cell activation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention has a tube body 10 having a chamber Ch for containing blood, and at this time, a cell activation unit is protruded on the inner surface or inside of the chamber Ch to activate blood cells by generating a physical collision with the blood being centrifuged.

[0052] The above-mentioned tube body 10 will be described as an example having a hollow cylindrical shape with an upper inlet side opened to form a chamber Ch as an internal storage space.

[0053] Specifically, in one embodiment, the chamber Ch has a hollow cylindrical shape and is divided into an upper chamber 11 and a lower chamber 13 .

[0054] The upper chamber 11 has a cylindrical shape with a set diameter and length, similar to the shape of the tube body 10. The lower chamber 13 is connected to the upper chamber 11 and gradually contracts from the lower end of the upper chamber 11 to extend, with the bottom being sealed.

[0055] Meanwhile, the chamber Ch of the tube body 10 has a cell activation part on one side thereof so that the swirling blood causes physical collision during the process of centrifugal separation.

[0056] As an example, such a cell activation portion has a structure including either a plurality of fine uneven walls 31 protruding in the longitudinal direction and having a certain height and width on the inner surface of the chamber Ch, or a plurality of fine protrusions (35, FIG. 5) protruding from the inner surface of the chamber Ch.

[0057] Preferably, the fine concave-convex walls 31 are formed radially along the inner surface of the chamber Ch at set intervals.

[0058] In the drawing, the cell activation section is expressed in the form of a fine uneven wall 31 in the upper chamber 11 constituting the chamber Ch, but this is not limited to this, and it can of course also be configured in the lower chamber 13 as shown in Figure 1 (b) if necessary.

[0059] Meanwhile, such a plurality of fine uneven walls 31 formed on the inner surface of the upper chamber 11 are arranged parallel to the central axis C of the tube body 10 at set intervals, so that the fine uneven walls 31 are formed to protrude perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of the tube body 10.

[0060] Although the fine uneven wall 31 is shown in the form of a rectangular line protruding toward the central axis C on the inner surface of the chamber, this is not limited thereto, and it is of course possible for the wall to be formed as a semi-cylindrical line or a wavy cylindrical line.

[0061] However, as described later, it is most preferable that the protruding rectangular line shape be such that red blood cells, which have a high specific gravity, can easily move to the lower chamber during centrifugation.

[0062] In this manner, the fine uneven walls 31 are formed at set intervals along the inner circumferential surface of the inner surface of the tube body 10 to form a cell activation section.

[0063] When blood is contained in the chamber Ch in the tube body 10 of the blood separation tube equipped with the cell activation unit and centrifugation is performed in a centrifuge, the blood swirls in the chamber Ch of the tube body 10 during the centrifugation process.

[0064] At this time, a flow velocity is generated by the flow of blood in the chamber Ch of the tube body 10, and the blood cells contained in the blood also swirl quickly. As the blood cells swirl, they collide with the fine uneven wall 31 of the tube body 10 and are subjected to physical stress.

[0065] As described above, the fine uneven wall 31 is continuously and longly formed along the longitudinal direction of the tube body 10, and such fine uneven wall 31 increases the collision area with the blood, thereby applying sufficient physical stress to the blood cells of the blood being centrifuged, thereby increasing the activation rate within the blood cells.

[0066] At the same time, by arranging the fine concave-convex walls 31 in line with the central axis of the tube body 10, the sliding action of the die core during the tube manufacturing process is performed smoothly, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0067] In addition, the cell activation section including such fine uneven walls 31 serves to guide red blood cells, which have a high specific gravity and make up blood cells, to easily move to the bottom of the tube body 10 rather than remaining at the top of the tube body 10 during the centrifugation process, i.e., to guide red blood cells to easily move to the lower chamber 13 rather than remaining in the upper chamber 11.

[0068] In other words, during centrifugation, red blood cells in the blood do not remain in the upper chamber 11 but can quickly move to the lower chamber 17 along the fine uneven wall 31 that constitutes the cell activation section, making it possible to extract a clean buffy coat and plasma.

[0069] Meanwhile, referring again to the drawings, the cell activation section 1a, 1b formed in the blood separation tube of the present invention further includes a plurality of collision partitions 32 formed at set intervals, having a certain height and width in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the chamber Ch, protruding further toward the central axis line than the fine uneven wall 31.

[0070] The collision partition 32 protrudes further toward the central axis C than the fine concave-convex wall 31 and is formed to protrude parallel to the central axis of the tube body 10.

[0071] The collision partition 32 is disposed between the plurality of fine concave-convex walls 31, and has a shape in which the end portion becomes narrower toward the central axis C, and in a preferred embodiment, the cross section has a trapezoidal shape.

[0072] The trapezoidal collision barrier 32 allows stable collision during the centrifugation process and allows the red blood cells to easily move downward along it.

[0073] In this way, by further including multiple collision barriers 32 in the cell activation section 30, the blood located at the center of the tube body 10 and the blood located on the inner surface side of the tube body 10 are uniformly mixed, resulting in the effect of applying uniform physical stress to the blood cells in the chamber Ch of the tube body 10.

[0074] Meanwhile, although the cross section of the collision partition 32 is exemplified as a trapezoid, it is not limited thereto, and various shapes can be applied as long as it allows stable collision with blood during the centrifugation process and allows red blood cells to easily move downward along the trapezoid.

[0075] In the above-mentioned embodiments of Figures 1(a) to 4(b), the cell activation portion 30 is shown in the form of a fine uneven wall 31 and a collision barrier 32, but the fine uneven wall 31 may be a micro-protrusion (35, Figure 5) having a plurality of embossed shapes, and it is of course possible for the fine uneven wall 31 and the micro-protrusion 35 to be provided in combination if necessary.

[0076] In other words, the cell activation part is formed to protrude into the tube body 10 and collide with the blood, and is formed on the inner surface of the chamber Ch or at a set internal position. Of course, as long as it can apply physical stress to the blood during the centrifugation process, it can be modified in various forms.

[0077] Of course, such a cell activation section can be configured not only in the upper chamber 11 but also in the lower chamber 13 as shown in FIG. 1(b) if necessary.

[0078] The cell activating portion formed in the lower chamber 13 increases the frequency of physical collisions of blood during the centrifugation process, thereby increasing the physical stress of blood and improving cell separation efficiency.

[0079] Meanwhile, the cell activation part formed in the upper chamber 11 may be configured on the lower side of the upper chamber 11 as shown in Fig. 1(b) and Fig. 4(b). In this case, the cell activation part is formed to have a height H2 that is about 45-50% lower than the total height H1 of the upper chamber 11.

[0080] Hemocytes, including red blood cells, are cellular components that make up about 45% of the total blood volume. During the centrifugation process, blood cell components may get caught in the tiny protruding cell activation parts and remain stuck to the bottom, unable to move and be separated.

[0081] To prevent this, it is preferable that the cell activation section is formed to have a height H2 that corresponds to less than 45% of the total height H1 of the upper chamber 11, which is the amount of blood cells, so that the blood cells in the blood are undisturbed and stably separated and all collected at the bottom.

[0082] The height H2 at which the cell activation portion is formed can be adjusted according to the amount of blood cells in the blood so that the blood cell components and plasma components of the blood being centrifuged are completely separated.

[0083] At the same time, the tube body 10 constituting the above-mentioned blood separation tube includes an upper plug 20 so as to close the upper part of the open chamber Ch and maintain airtightness.

[0084] The upper plug 20 is detachably connected to the open upper part of the tube body 10 by a fitting connection or a screw connection, and has a packing 22 through which an injection needle can penetrate. Such an upper plug has a conventional well-known structure, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted so as not to obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0085] Meanwhile, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the blood separation tube 1b equipped with a cell activation section according to the present invention may be configured to further include, in addition to the configurations of Figures 1(a) and 1(b), an activation pillar 33 having a rod shape inside the lower chamber 13 as the cell activation section, and having a plurality of fine uneven walls 33a protruding longitudinally from the outer circumferential surface.

[0086] At this time, the fine concave-convex walls 33a are preferably arranged inside the chamber at set intervals along the outer circumferential surface of the active column 33, and are preferably arranged parallel to the central axis.

[0087] The active columns 33 are configured to have a set length and are accommodated inside the lower chamber 13, and from the initial stage of centrifugation, they collide with white blood cells, lymphocytes, platelets, etc. in the center of the lower chamber 13 at the same time as in the upper chamber 11, thereby more efficiently applying physical stress to the blood.

[0088] In addition, the activated columns 33 stir the blood in the lower part of the tube body 10, i.e., the lower chamber 13 side, when the blood separation tube rotates during the angle type centrifugation process, thereby facilitating the rise of the light-weight white blood cells and platelets present among the large-volume red blood cells to the middle layer of the blood separation tube, facilitating the formation of a buffy coat.

[0089] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned fine uneven wall 33a has the same shape as the fine uneven wall 31 formed on the inner surface of the chamber, but is not limited to this, and it is of course possible for it to be replaced with a plurality of fine protrusions 35 as shown in FIG. 5, or for the fine uneven wall and the fine protrusions to be combined.

[0090] 5 to 7 are views showing an embodiment in which a cell activating section is provided depending on the shape of the tube body applied to the blood separation tube according to the present invention.

[0091] As shown in the figure, the blood separation tube equipped with a cell activation unit according to the present invention has a tube body 10 shaped to further increase the efficiency of centrifugation.

[0092] As a result, the blood separation tubes 1c and 1d equipped with a cell activation unit are composed of a tube body having a chamber for containing blood, and a cell activation unit that is formed to protrude from the inner surface or interior of the chamber and activates blood cells by physically colliding with the blood being centrifuged.

[0093] In this case, the chamber Ch is composed of an upper chamber 11, a middle chamber 12, and a lower chamber 13.

[0094] The upper chamber 11 is open at the top and has a cylindrical shape with a set diameter and length.

[0095] The intermediate chamber 12 has a narrowed portion that is gradually narrowed from the lower end of the upper chamber 11, and has a cylindrical shape extending downward from the narrowed portion with a diameter set smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber 11.

[0096] The lower chamber 13 has an expanded portion that is gradually expanded from the lower end of the intermediate chamber 12, and has a cylindrical shape that extends downward from the expanded portion with a diameter set larger than the diameter of the intermediate chamber 12.

[0097] As a result, during the centrifugation process, the plasma components of the blood collect in the upper chamber 11, a buffy coat containing white blood cells and platelets is formed in the middle chamber 12, and red blood cells collect in the lower chamber 13.

[0098] At this time, a buffy coat may be formed on the upper part of the lower chamber 13 depending on the amount of blood components being centrifuged.

[0099] Then, a cell activation section including either a plurality of fine uneven walls 31 protruding in the longitudinal direction with a certain height and width on the inner surface of the chamber Ch of the tube body 10, or a plurality of fine protrusions 35 protruding on the inner surface of the chamber Ch, as described in Figures 1(a) to 4(b), is formed in at least one of the upper chamber 11 or the lower chamber 13.

[0100] In the drawings, fine uneven walls 31 are formed in the upper chamber 11, and fine protrusions 35 in an embossed form are formed in the lower chamber 13, but this is not limited thereto, and it is of course possible to change the positions thereof or to form them in combination with each other.

[0101] Moreover, it is of course possible to form a cell activation section only in the lower chamber 13, if necessary.

[0102] However, in order to facilitate separation of red blood cells, which have a high specific gravity, during the centrifugation process and to prevent blood from sticking to the corners of the fine uneven walls 31 and fine protrusions 35 that make up the cell activation section, it is preferable to form the cell activation section as shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0103] Preferably, the cell activation section further includes a plurality of collision partitions 32 having a certain height and width in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the upper chamber 11, protruding further toward the central axis than the fine uneven wall 31 and formed at a set interval.

[0104] The configuration and function of such a cell activator have been described with reference to the examples shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 4(b), and will not be described here in order to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention.

[0105] Meanwhile, as shown in the figure, the lower chamber 13 has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom.

[0106] The bottom of the lower chamber 13 is closed by a lower plug 40 including a lower packing 41 to maintain airtightness.

[0107] Preferably, the entire or outer periphery of the lower packing 41 is made of an elastic material so that it is tightly attached to the inner surface of the lower chamber 13 despite the load applied during the centrifugation process, thereby preventing blood leakage.

[0108] Although the lower packing 41 and the lower plug 40 have been described as separate components, the lower packing itself may be the lower plug, or as shown in the drawings, the plug may be provided with a separate packing.

[0109] Also, the lower plug 40 or the lower packing 41 moves up and down along the inner or outer circumferential surface of the lower chamber 13 due to an external force, since the lower plug 40 or the lower packing 41 is detachably connected to the lower chamber 13 .

[0110] 5 and 6, the lower packing 41 is separately coupled to the lower plug 40 on the bottom surface of the lower chamber 13, and the lower packing 41 inside the lower chamber 13 moves up and down along the inner surface of the lower chamber 13 by being pushed by a separate member such as a piston 50.

[0111] At this time, the piston 50 is a member that pushes up the lower packing 41, and a separate lift rail 51 is formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof, and the lower packing 41 can be slowly pushed up or down through the corresponding lower plug 40 of the tube body 10, but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and the piston 50 can also be configured in a simple rod shape, etc.

[0112] In addition, by forming a handle 52 on the piston 50, medical personnel can hold the handle 52 and support the front of their fingers, thereby enabling the lower packing 41 to be pushed up with a relatively small force.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 7, the lower plug 40 is structured to be detachably coupled to the male thread portion 13a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower part of the lower chamber 13, and moves up and down along the outer peripheral surface of the lower part of the lower chamber 13 due to the thread coupling structure.

[0114] Although not shown in FIG. 7, it goes without saying that the lower chamber 13 includes a lower packing (not shown) on the outer surface of the lower end thereof.

[0115] Meanwhile, the blood separation tube according to the present invention may further include, as described above, activation pillars 33 having a rod shape inside the lower chamber 13 as a cell activation section and having a plurality of fine uneven walls 33a or fine protrusions (not shown) protruding in the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface.

[0116] 5 and 7, the active pillars 33 are formed in the lower plug 40 or the lower packing 41, and have a structure in which a plurality of fine uneven walls 33a are formed in a rod shape and protruded in the longitudinal direction from the outer circumferential surface. The active pillars 33 may include a fine protrusion shape, and the structure and function of the active pillars 33 have been described with reference to Figures 4(a) and (b), so please refer to this for a detailed description.

[0117] Such active pillars 33 are contained within the lower chamber 13 by a lower plug 40 or a lower packing 41 .

[0118] As described above, in the blood separation tube according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plasma layer is layered on the upper side and a red blood cell layer is layered on the lower side, with a buffy coat layer including white blood cells and platelets in the middle, in accordance with the centrifugation process.

[0119] Once centrifugation is complete, a syringe is inserted through the upper packing 22 of the upper plug 20 into the plasma layer of the tube body 10 to extract the plasma, or a syringe is inserted through the upper packing 22 into the buffy coat of the tube body 10 to extract the buffy coat together with the plasma.

[0120] At this time, the white blood cell buffy coat accounts for only about 1% of the total solution, and in a wide diameter tube it is essentially a paper-thin layer laid on top of the red blood cells, making it very difficult even for experts to separate it.

[0121] However, in the tube body 10 of the present invention as shown in Figures 5 to 7, if the leukocyte buffy coat is formed in the middle chamber 12 having a small diameter, the leukocyte buffy coat is formed thick and can be easily extracted.

[0122] Then, by raising and lowering the lower packing 41 or the lower plug 40 of the lower chamber 13, the white blood cell soft coat at the top of the lower chamber 13 can be moved to the intermediate chamber 12 and easily extracted.

[0123] Meanwhile, the blood separation tube having a cell activation unit according to the present invention as shown in Figures 5 to 7 further includes a vibration prevention plate 60 which is integrally installed on the outer surface of the tube body 10 to prevent the tube body 10 from vibrating during the centrifugation process.

[0124] The vibration isolating plate 60 serves to stably position the blood separation tube in the centrifugal separator, absorbing vibrations that occur and maintaining a fixed position.

[0125] In this way, the vibration prevention plate 60 prevents the tube body 10 from shaking during the centrifugation process, so that the layers of blood are clearly separated without mixing, making it easier to extract.

[0126] Next, in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, another shape of the tube body of the blood separation tube having a cell activation unit according to the present invention is presented.

[0127] As shown in the figure, a blood separation tube 1e equipped with a cell activation section has a bottle-shaped tube body 10 with a narrow neck (inlet).

[0128] Specifically, the chamber Ch of the tube body 10 is composed of an upper chamber 11' having a set narrow diameter and length, and a cylindrical lower chamber 13' that is gradually expanded from the lower end of the upper chamber 11' and extends downward, and has a set diameter and length larger than the upper chamber 11'.

[0129] Similarly to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the lower chamber 13' has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom, and the bottom is closed by a lower packing 41 and a lower plug 40 to maintain airtightness.

[0130] The lower packing 41 further includes active pillars 33 each having a rod shape and a plurality of fine uneven walls 33a protruding in the longitudinal direction from the outer circumferential surface, as described with reference to FIGS.

[0131] Although not shown, it is of course possible to form collision partitions (not shown) protruding from the active pillars 33 at intervals.

[0132] Furthermore, if necessary, a cell activating portion may be formed on the inner surface of the lower chamber 13' as described with reference to Figs. 1(a) to 7.

[0133] Meanwhile, the blood separation tube with a cell activation unit according to the present invention may be configured to include an activation rod 30' having embossing 36 on its outer surface so as to flow together with the blood during the centrifugation process and cause physical collision when forming the cell activation unit (see Figures 6 and 9).

[0134] Specifically, referring to FIG. 10, the active rod 30' has a length (b) longer than the width or diameter (a, FIG. 6) of the chamber Ch, and has embossings 35 in the form of microgrooves 36b or microprotrusions 36a formed on the outer circumferential surface.

[0135] The embossing 35 may be formed of micro-protrusions 36a or micro-grooves 36b, either alone or in combination.

[0136] In the drawings, the activation rod 30' is illustrated as a bar having a set thickness and length and a rectangular cross section, but is not limited to this and various shapes can be applied as long as it is contained within the chamber Ch and can generate physical collisions while flowing with the blood during the centrifugation process.

[0137] For example, referring to FIG. 11, the active rod 30' may be a cylindrical rod having an embossment formed on its outer periphery, or a "V" shaped rod having an embossment formed on its outer periphery.

[0138] The activation rod 30' constituting the cell activation unit, like the activation column 33 described above, stirs the blood at the bottom when the blood separation tube rotates during the angle type centrifugation process, thereby making it easier for the white blood cells and platelets, which have a light specific gravity and are present among the red blood cells with a large volume, to rise to the middle layer of the blood separation tube, thereby increasing the efficiency of blood separation.

[0139] Moreover, such an active rod 30' can be applied to the general embodiment of the present invention, and can of course be applied together with the active pillar 33 or alone.

[0140] Of course, such an activation rod 30' can be provided together with or separately from the fine uneven walls 31, the collision partitions 32 and the fine protrusions 35 constituting the cell activation portion described above.

[0141] The following describes the use of the blood separation tubes 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e equipped with the cell activation units according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention.

[0142] First, blood is collected from the venous blood or bone marrow of a patient, and the collected blood is injected into the chamber Ch of the tube body 10 of the blood separation tube according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0143] The open upper entrance of the upper chamber 11 constituting the tube body 10 is connected with an upper plug 20 and sealed with an upper packing 22 to maintain airtightness within the chamber Ch.

[0144] In the embodiment having the lower chamber 13 with an open bottom, a lower plug 40 having a lower packing 41 is used to connect and seal the chamber Ch to maintain airtightness.

[0145] As a result, the chamber Ch of the tube body 10 has a structure that is isolated from the outside, preventing exposure to the outside air during the process of separating blood components, preventing contamination of the blood, and further extending the storage period of the blood.

[0146] Here, with the tube body 10 connected with the upper plug 20, it is of course possible to inject the collected blood into the chamber Ch of the tube body 10 through the upper packing 22 using a syringe.

[0147] Next, the blood separation tube containing the blood is attached to the bucket of an angle-type centrifuge, and the centrifuge is rotated at 2000 to 4000 rpm per minute to centrifuge the blood.

[0148] At this time, the blood separation tube is provided with a vibration prevention plate 60 to prevent shaking during the centrifugation process.

[0149] During the centrifugation process, due to the difference in specific gravity, the heavier red blood cells sink to the lower chamber 13, 13' below chamber Ch, while the relatively lighter monocytes, white blood cells, lymphocytes, and platelets gather in the center of chamber Ch or in the middle chamber 12, and plasma gathers in the upper chamber 11, 11'.

[0150] Then, while the blood is being centrifuged, the blood begins to swirl in the chamber Ch of the tube body 10.

[0151] That is, a vortex phenomenon of blood occurs in the chamber 11 of the tube body 10, and at this time, blood cells flow quickly along with it, and as the blood flows, it collides with the fine uneven walls 31 formed on the inner surface of the tube body 10 and is subjected to stress. Such collisions of blood occur while the tube rotates several thousand times per minute.

[0152] The collision partition 32 formed on the inner surface of the tube body 10 creates an effect of uniformly mixing the blood located outside the center of the tube body 10 with the blood located inside the tube body 10 relatively, resulting in the effect of applying uniform physical stress to the blood cells of the blood contained in the tube body 10.

[0153] Finally, when the blood is centrifuged, heavier red blood cells gather in the lower chamber 13 due to the difference in specific gravity to form a red blood cell layer, a soft white blood cell layer containing white blood cells and platelets is layered on top of the red blood cell layer, and a plasma layer is layered on top of the soft white blood cell layer to form the upper chamber 11. Thus, the blood is separated into a red blood cell layer, a soft white blood cell layer, and a plasma layer.

[0154] Then, a syringe can be inserted through the upper packing 22 into the plasma layer of the tube body 10 to extract the plasma, or a syringe can be inserted through the upper packing 22 into the leukocyte buffy coat of the tube body 10 to extract the leukocyte buffy coat together with the plasma.

[0155] If desired, the lower packing 41 or lower plug 40 can be raised or lowered to allow the buffy coat to collect in an area of ​​reduced diameter to facilitate easier extraction, as shown in Figures 5-9.

[0156] In addition, a cell activating section can be configured in the form of activating columns 33 or activating rods 30' at the bottom of the chamber Ch. The activating columns 33 and activating rods 30' stir the blood at the bottom of the tube body 10 during the angle type centrifugation process, making it easier for white blood cells and platelets, which have a light specific gravity and are present among the large volume of red blood cells, to rise to the middle layer of the blood separation tube, thereby increasing the efficiency of blood separation.

[0157] The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, since various substitutions, modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention for those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

1. a tube body having a chamber for receiving blood; The cell activating unit is provided to protrude from the inner surface or inside of the chamber so as to activate blood cells by physical collision with the blood being centrifuged, The cell activation unit is The chamber includes a plurality of minute uneven walls protruding from an inner surface of the chamber in a longitudinal direction with a certain height and width, or a plurality of minute protrusions protruding from an inner surface of the chamber with intervals therebetween, During the centrifugation process, the swirling blood hits the cell activation section, causing physical collisions. The cell activation unit is The blood separation tube further comprises an active pillar formed of one of a plurality of fine uneven walls or a plurality of fine protrusions having a rod shape and protruding in a longitudinal direction from an outer circumferential surface of the lower part of the chamber.

2. The cell activation unit is 2. The blood separation tube according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of impingement partitions formed on an inner surface of the chamber with a certain height and width in a longitudinal direction and protruding further than the fine uneven wall or the fine protrusions.

3. The fine concave-convex wall and the collision partition are 3. The blood separation tube according to claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed parallel to a central axis of the tube body.

4. The tube body has a chamber for receiving blood; and a cell activation part protruding from the inner surface or inside of the chamber to activate blood cells by physical collision with the blood to be centrifuged, The cell activation unit is contained within the chamber, The active rod has a length longer than the width or diameter of the chamber, and has an embossment formed in the form of a fine groove or a fine protrusion on the outer circumferential surface, This blood separation tube is characterized in that the swirling blood collides with the cell activation part during the centrifugation process, causing physical collisions.

5. The chamber comprises: an upper chamber in the form of a cylinder having a predetermined diameter and length; 2. The blood separation tube according to claim 1, further comprising a lower chamber which is connected to the upper chamber and extends downwardly from a lower end of the upper chamber so as to be gradually narrowed.

6. The chamber comprises: an upper chamber in the form of a cylinder having a predetermined diameter and length; A narrowing portion that is gradually narrowed from a lower end of the upper chamber, a cylindrical intermediate chamber extending downward from the narrowed portion with a predetermined diameter smaller than that of the upper chamber; 2. The blood separation tube according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate chamber has an expanded portion which is gradually expanded from a lower end thereof, and the lower chamber has a cylindrical shape and extends downward from the expanded portion with a predetermined diameter larger than the diameter of the intermediate chamber.

7. The chamber comprises: an upper chamber having a predetermined diameter and length; 2. The blood separation tube according to claim 1, wherein the upper chamber is gradually expanded from a lower end thereof to extend downward, and the lower chamber is cylindrical in shape and has a predetermined diameter and length larger than those of the upper chamber.

8. 8. The blood separation tube according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lower chamber further comprises a lower plug detachably coupled to a lower packing that seals the opened bottom surface.

9. The lower plug or lower packing is 9. The blood separation tube according to claim 8, wherein the blood separator rises and falls along the inner or outer circumferential surface of the lower chamber due to an external force.

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