Anti-Gravity Blood Separation Filter for Bubble Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell separation methods using closed-system flow channels often result in air bubbles being left in the filter, leading to incomplete blood filling and potential contamination by remaining red blood cells.
Innovation Solution
A separation apparatus that introduces blood into a filter from below and in an anti-gravity direction, using a first flow channel to ensure complete separation of white blood cells while eliminating air bubbles, and employs a flipping mechanism to facilitate washing and collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blood is introduced into a disk-shaped filter in a closed-system flow channel, then the separation process can be performed in a controlled environment, but air bubbles are often left in the filter and blood can only fill the space where air bubbles are not present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional blood introduction direction by introducing blood from below the filter in an anti-gravity direction rather than from above in a gravity direction. This inversion allows blood to displace air bubbles upward and out of the filter, ensuring complete filling of the filter while maintaining a controlled closed-system environment.
2Ease of operation
If blood is introduced from above in a gravity direction, then the process follows conventional flow patterns, but air bubbles are trapped and red blood cells may remain behind the air bubbles after washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts both the introduction direction (from below instead of above) and the flow direction (anti-gravity instead of gravity direction). This ensures that air bubbles are pushed upward and outward during blood introduction, and subsequently during washing, preventing red blood cells from being trapped behind air bubbles and achieving complete separation.
3Device complexity
If the filter is washed with rinse liquid flowing in the gravity direction, then the washing process is simple, but red blood cells may remain behind air bubbles and be collected with white blood cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the washing flow direction to flow from below the filter in an anti-gravity direction rather than from above in a gravity direction. This inversion ensures that rinse liquid pushes air bubbles and trapped red blood cells upward and outward during washing, preventing contamination of the white blood cell collection while maintaining a relatively simple washing process.
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 apparatus effectively separates white blood cells from blood while minimizing air bubbles and ensuring efficient washing and collection, thereby improving the purity and yield of isolated cells.
Implementation Method 1
a filter (24) for separating a white blood cell from blood sent from a blood container (bg)
Implementation Method 2
introduces, through the first flow channel (fc11), the blood into the filter (24) from below and in an anti-gravity direction
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a separation apparatus includes a filter configured to separate a white blood cell from blood sent from a blood container, and a first flow channel through which the blood container and the filter are in communication with each other. The separation apparatus introduces, through the first flow channel, the blood into the filter from below and in an anti-gravity direction.