Automated Blood Component Mixing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood component separation and filtration systems require manual operation and do not ensure uniform mixing of packed red blood cells and additive solutions, leading to ineffective filtration due to potential uneven distribution of components.
Innovation Solution
An automated apparatus with an extraction device, control device, and agitation device connected by tubes, which compresses the primary bag to extract blood components, transfers and mixes them uniformly with an additive solution in a satellite bag, and agitates the mixture for optimal filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual operation is used in blood component separation systems, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and mixing uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service operation through a microprocessor-controlled drive system that automatically coordinates the extraction device, control device, and agitation device. The agitation device automatically agitates the collecting satellite bag during and after component transfer, ensuring uniform mixing without manual intervention. This automation resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while significantly improving mixing uniformity and productivity.
2Productivity
If automated extraction and mixing systems are implemented, then productivity and mixing uniformity improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system serves multiple functions by simultaneously controlling the extraction device for blood component separation, the control device for coordinated operation, and the agitation device for uniform mixing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems, thereby improving productivity while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the extraction, control, and agitation functions into a single integrated automated apparatus. The drive system combines multiple control capabilities into one coordinated system that manages the entire blood component separation and mixing process, improving productivity while containing complexity through functional integration.
3Reliability
If packed red blood cells and additive solution are not uniformly mixed, then filtration effectiveness deteriorates, but mixing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation device performs preliminary mixing action during the component transfer phase and continues agitation after transfer is complete. This preliminary and continued agitation ensures uniform distribution of packed red blood cells and additive solution before filtration, guaranteeing filtration effectiveness while using energy efficiently through targeted agitation timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation device operates in periodic cycles, agitating the collecting satellite bag during component transfer and continuing agitation for a predetermined period after transfer completes. This periodic action ensures thorough mixing and uniform distribution for effective filtration while avoiding continuous energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between filtration effectiveness and energy usage.
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
Enables fully automated, uniform mixing and filtration of blood components, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of blood component separation and storage by ensuring consistent mixing of packed red blood cells and additive solutions.
Implementation Method 1
an extraction device intended for extracting the blood component by compressing the primary bag
Implementation Method 2
an agitation device intended for agitating the collecting satellite bag, and a drive system for commanding said extraction device, said control device and said agitation device, said system being designed to enable the uniform mixing of the extracted blood component and of the additive solution
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extracting at least one blood component contained in a primary bag of a system of bags, said system of bags comprising at least one bag of solution containing an additive solution for said blood component and at least one collecting satellite bag configured to collect said blood component to which said additive solution has been added, said bags being connected to one another by tubes, said apparatus comprising an extraction device configured to extract the blood component by compressing the primary bag, and a control device configured to transfer said extracted component or of said extracted component and of the additive solution, to the collecting satellite bag by the intermediary of tubes, further comprising: an agitation device, and a drive system, said system being designed to enable the uniform mixing of the extracted blood component and of the additive solution in said collecting satellite bag.