Blood Filter Membrane for Selective Circulating Cell Cluster Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are inadequate in effectively removing cancer-associated cell clusters from blood circulation, which are instrumental in metastasis and poor prognosis in cancer patients.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a filter module with a membrane having pores configured to allow individual cancer cells to pass through while retaining cell clusters, utilizing materials like metal, stainless steel, or polymers, and adjusting blood flow rates to reduce circulating cancer-associated cell clusters by at least 25% to 95% per procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter with small pores is used to remove cell clusters, then cell cluster retention is improved, but individual cancer cell removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous filter membrane with specifically sized pores (20-60 microns) that exploit the size difference between individual cancer cells and cell clusters. The porous structure allows selective passage based on dimensions, retaining clusters while permitting individual cells to pass through to the second chamber for recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The filter system divides the blood stream into two separate pathways: one for cell clusters (retained in first chamber) and one for individual cells (passed to second chamber). This segmentation enables differential treatment and recovery of different cell types based on their size and clinical value
2Quantity of substance
If a filter with large pores is used to allow individual cancer cells to pass, then individual cancer cell recovery is improved, but cell cluster retention decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous filter membrane with 20-60 micron pores provides the optimal balance, being large enough to allow individual cancer cells (typically 10-20 microns) to pass through freely while remaining small enough to trap larger cell clusters (3+ cells aggregated, typically >20 microns)
3Productivity
If blood flow rate is increased to improve processing speed, then productivity is improved, but filter clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the blood flow into two separate chambers with independent flow paths. The first chamber handles cluster retention while the second chamber receives and processes individual cells, distributing the filtration load and reducing clogging risk in any single chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards (retains in first chamber) cell clusters while recovering (passing to second chamber) individual cancer cells. This selective discarding and recovering approach maintains filter performance by preventing accumulation of retained material that would cause clogging
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 system significantly reduces the blood level of cancer-associated cell clusters, thereby decreasing metastasis and improving progression-free survival in cancer patients.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane having pores configured to allow at least a portion of a subject's blood to pass through the pores from a first side to a second side of the membrane
Implementation Method 2
the filter module is configured to retain circulating cancer-associated cell clusters on the first side of the membrane, each cluster comprising three or more cells; and wherein the filter module is configured to allow individual circulating cancer cells in the subject's blood to pass through the pores
Data Source
AI summary
Circulating cell clusters found in subjects with cancer, autoimmune conditions, infections, or other diseases, can be trapped or disrupted by filtering them with an intra- or extracorporeal device and, in some cases, exposing them to a substance, such as enzyme, that reduces intercellular adhesion.