Amphiphilic Coated Leukocyte Filter Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filters for removing leukocytes from biological fluids, such as blood, are inefficient in terms of leukocyte removal and interaction with the filter medium, requiring improved wetting capabilities and attraction mechanisms to enhance filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric composition coating on the filter medium with non-polar and polar or ionic segments is applied to enhance the filter's wetting properties and leukocyte interaction, comprising block copolymers like poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid), which is biocompatible and resistant to sterilization methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional filter medium is used, then the filter structure is simple, but the wetting capability is insufficient and leukocyte removal efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is constructed as a composite material system combining a porous base material (such as polypropylene) with a surface coating layer containing amphiphilic polymeric composition. This composite structure integrates the mechanical support function of the porous material with the wetting and leukocyte interaction enhancement provided by the polymeric coating, thereby improving leukocyte removal efficiency without fundamentally complicating the overall filter structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of the filter medium are modified by changing the chemical composition and surface energy parameters through the application of amphiphilic polymeric coating. This coating alters the wettability and surface chemistry parameters of the filter, enhancing its ability to interact with and remove leukocytes while maintaining the structural integrity of the original filter medium.
2Productivity
If the filter medium porosity is increased to improve fluid flow, then fluid flow improves, but leukocyte retention capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium exhibits different functional properties at different locations: the bulk interior maintains high porosity for efficient fluid flow, while the surface layer (coating) provides enhanced leukocyte interaction and retention. This local differentiation of properties allows the filter to simultaneously achieve high productivity and reliable leukocyte retention without compromising either function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the filter medium surface is made more hydrophobic to improve structural stability, then structural stability improves, but fluid wetting and flow capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surface energy and wettability parameters of the filter medium are modified by applying an amphiphilic polymeric coating that contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. This coating transforms the surface properties to achieve optimal wetting capability while the underlying stable porous structure maintains structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between stability and flow capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The coated filter medium effectively reduces leukocyte passage while maintaining porosity, achieving high leukoreduction and platelet recovery rates, even with aged blood, by improving fluid flow and leukocyte attraction.
Implementation Method 1
The coating is a polymeric composition having a molecular chain that includes segments of non-polar groups and segments of at least one of polar groups or segments of ionic groups... enhances the wetting capability of the filter
Implementation Method 2
segments of at least one of polar groups or segments of ionic groups... enhances... the interaction of the filter with leukocytes
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
Filter media, filter devices and methods of making filter media are disclosed. The filter media includes a coating on at least a portion of said outer surface. The coating may be polymeric composition having a molecular chain that includes segments of nonpolar groups and segments of at least one of polar groups or segments of ionic groups.