Blood Filter Assembly with Prefilter Mesh to Limit Foam and Chemical Leaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood filtration systems face issues with foam formation and chemical leaching during autotransfusion, manual assembly complexity, and inefficiencies in manufacturing and use, particularly in blood collection containers.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly comprising a prefiltering support layer and a mesh filter layer, stabilized by a filter holder, which prevents foam formation without antifoaming agents and reduces chemical leaching, integrated with a hydrophobic filter and simplified manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If antifoam agents are used to prevent foam formation in filtered blood, then foam formation is reduced, but chemical substances leach into the blood causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes antifoam agents from the filter assembly entirely, extracting the harmful chemical substance from the system. The filter is designed to function without any antifoam treatment, eliminating the source of chemical leaching into the blood while still achieving acceptable foam control through the filter's physical structure and operation
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is designed as a disposable single-use component. Rather than treating the filter with long-lasting antifoam coatings that leach chemicals, the system accepts some foam formation during use but eliminates the need for persistent chemical treatments, prioritizing patient safety over complete foam prevention
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual assembly of filter components is used, then flexibility in assembly is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple filter components (filtering element, support structure, and housing) into a single pre-assembled unit. This integrated design eliminates the need for manual assembly of separate components while maintaining the functional flexibility needed for different applications, reducing manufacturing complexity without sacrificing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The filter components are pre-assembled and pre-configured during manufacturing into a ready-to-use unit. This preliminary assembly action is performed under controlled manufacturing conditions rather than during clinical use, simplifying the deployment process while maintaining design flexibility for different application requirements
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 solution effectively prevents foam formation and chemical contamination in blood filtration, simplifies manufacturing and use, and enhances the reliability and safety of blood collection containers.
Implementation Method 1
Filtering assemblies known from prior art are used to filter different types of fluids, e.g., body fluids, for removing aggregates, particles or specific cells from said fluids
Implementation Method 2
integrated with a hydrophobic filter
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly comprising a prefiltering support layer is disclosed, wherein the prefiltering support layer comprises a non-woven fabric of fibers, the non-woven fabric having a pore size. A first mesh filter layer is arranged downstream the prefiltering support layer, wherein the first mesh filter layer has a first mesh size, wherein the pore size of the prefiltering support layer is equal to or bigger than the first mesh size of the first mesh filter layer. A container for collecting a body fluid comprising such a filter assembly as well as a method for manufacturing such a filter assembly are also disclosed.