Blood Component Bag with Partitioned Additive Solution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood processing methods require a separate component chamber for the additive solution, which is inefficient and involves multiple steps for mixing with blood components, often resulting in loss of the buffy coat and increased procedural complexity.

Innovation Solution

The additive solution is provided together with a blood component in a component chamber, separated into first and second compartments with variable volumes, allowing for a continuous one-step mixing process by adjusting compartment volumes and using additional pumps if necessary, eliminating the need for a separate additive solution chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate component chamber for additive solution is used, then the additive solution can be stored separately, but the mixing process requires multiple steps and results in loss of buffy coat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of buffy coat lossVSAvoidnumber of chambers and transfer steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the additive solution chamber and blood component chamber into a single integrated component chamber with a partition. This allows the additive solution and blood components to be in the same chamber but separated by a partition, eliminating the need for separate chambers and multiple transfer steps while preventing buffy coat loss during transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The component chamber is segmented into two compartments by a partition: an additive solution chamber and a blood component chamber. This segmentation allows separate storage and controlled mixing while maintaining a simplified single-chamber structure, resolving the contradiction between integration and separation needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If multiple transfer steps are used to mix additive solution with blood components, then thorough mixing can be achieved, but the process time increases and buffy coat may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing process timeVSAvoidprevention of buffy coat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The additive solution is pre-positioned in the component chamber alongside the blood components but separated by a partition. This preliminary arrangement allows for rapid mixing by simply removing or moving the partition, eliminating the need for multiple transfer steps and reducing both time and risk of buffy coat loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If additive solution is provided in a separate bag, then storage is simplified, but additional transfer steps and equipment are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of transfer operationsVSAvoidnumber of bags and connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the additive solution storage function directly into the component chamber through a partition, eliminating the need for a separate additive solution bag and its associated transfer mechanisms. This reduces the number of bags, connections, and transfer operations required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the process by integrating the additive solution with blood components in a single chamber, reducing steps and potential losses, while ensuring efficient mixing and filtration, thereby streamlining the blood processing workflow.

Implementation Method 1

the whole blood is centrifuged in a chamber. Due to the different sedimentation speeds of the blood components, the whole blood essentially separates into three phases of different densities during centrifugation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

the liquids can be conveyed not only by gravity but also, for example, by exerting pressure on the bags

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2121071B1Method and device for processing blood and bag system for a blood processing device

Publication Date: 2017.04.12 FRESENIUS HEMOCARE DEUTLAND

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for processing whole blood which is split up by centrifugation into the blood components, or at least one blood component that is separated by centrifugation. The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are characterized in that no separate transfer bag is required for mixing a blood component (RCC) with an additive solution (AS), for example for mixing an erythrocyte concentrate with an additive solution. According to the method and the device according to the invention, the blood component and the additive solution are made available in a single component bag (5).