Apheresis System Plasma Return Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current apheresis systems face challenges in efficiently collecting plasma-reduced platelets with minimal contamination by white blood cells and in managing plasma return to donors, which can cause discomfort and fluid balance issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for collecting plasma-reduced platelets that involves drawing and anticoagulating whole blood, separating it into components, transferring plasma to a container, and strategically returning plasma to the donor while reintroducing platelet-rich plasma to create an enlarged platelet layer, using surge elutriation to extract platelets, and calculating extra-corporeal volume to manage fluid return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plasma is returned quickly or in large volume to the donor, then the collection process is faster and more efficient, but donor comfort deteriorates and fluid balance issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma return process is divided into multiple segments or stages. The system calculates the total plasma volume to be returned and divides it into smaller portions that are returned at different time points during the apheresis procedure, rather than returning the entire volume at once. This segmentation allows the collection process to maintain efficiency while each small return portion maintains donor comfort and fluid balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the plasma volume that needs to be returned before the return process begins. By anticipating the total volume required and planning the return schedule in advance, the system can optimize both the collection efficiency and donor comfort by pre-determining the optimal return strategy.
2Productivity
If platelets are collected at maximum yield, then the productivity increases, but white blood cell contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track both platelet collection levels and white blood cell contamination levels in real-time or near-real-time. Based on this feedback, the system can adjust the collection parameters dynamically to maintain maximum platelet yield while keeping white blood cell contamination below acceptable thresholds. The feedback loop allows continuous optimization of the collection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as centrifugal force, flow rates, or separation thresholds during the collection process to optimize the trade-off between platelet yield and white blood cell contamination. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can maximize platelet recovery while minimizing contamination with white blood cells.
3Reliability
If extra-corporeal volume is minimized, then donor safety improves, but collection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation by performing plasma return actions during periods when other collection activities are occurring, rather than stopping the overall process. The plasma return is integrated into the continuous flow of the apheresis procedure, allowing the useful action of plasma return to occur without interrupting the platelet collection, thereby minimizing total collection time while maintaining safe extra-corporeal volume levels.
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
This approach enhances platelet yield, reduces white blood cell contamination, improves donor comfort by gradual plasma return, and minimizes fluid imbalance, thereby increasing the efficiency and safety of the plasma-reduced platelet collection process.
Implementation Method 1
a blood component separation device, such as a centrifugal bowl... Once the whole blood is separated into its various components
Implementation Method 2
plasma is supplied through the centrifuge at a surge flow rate (e.g., a flow rate that increases with time). By performing the surge, platelets can be preferentially displaced from the intermediate density components
Data Source
AI summary
A blood processing system for collecting plasma reduced platelets and anticipating plasma return includes a venous access device, a blood component separation device, a first return line, a recirculation line, and a second return line. The venous access device draws whole blood from a subject and returns blood components to the subject using a first pump. The blood component separation device separates the drawn blood into a first blood component and a second blood component, and sends the first blood component to a first blood component bag. The first return line fluidly connects the venous-access device and the blood component separation device. The recirculation line connects the first blood component container and the separation device. The second return line fluidly connects the first blood component container and the first return line and is configured to return the first blood component within the first blood container to the subject.