Blood Processing Filter Crystallinity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional leukocyte removal filters experience a significant reduction in leukocyte removal performance after steam heat sterilization, which is necessary for blood processing filters to prevent contamination, leading to suboptimal filtration results.
Innovation Solution
The use of a nonwoven fabric with adjusted crystallinity before steam heat treatment, specifically with a quantity of crystallization heat of the uncrystallized portion set to 5 J/g or smaller, to maintain high leukocyte removal performance and structural integrity after sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filter materials are used for leukocyte removal, then leukocyte removal performance is initially good, but performance significantly deteriorates after steam heat sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the crystallinity of polyester fibers within 30-70% and limiting crystallization heat to 5 J/g or less. This specific parameter control ensures the filter material maintains its structural integrity and leukocyte removal performance after steam heat sterilization, preventing the significant deterioration that occurs with conventional filter materials.
2Productivity
If filter material thickness is decreased to process blood faster, then processing time is reduced, but leukocyte removal performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing fiber diameter (0.5-2.0 μm) and crystallinity (30-70%) to achieve high leukocyte removal performance in thinner filter materials. The controlled crystallinity and low crystallization heat enable the material to maintain effectiveness even when thickness is reduced, thus improving blood processing speed without compromising filtration performance.
3Loss of substance
If filter material packing amount is decreased to improve component recovery, then useful component adsorption is reduced, but filtration effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling fiber diameter (0.5-2.0 μm) and crystallinity (30-70%) to maximize leukocyte removal efficiency per unit volume of filter material. This optimization allows using smaller amounts of filter material while maintaining high filtration effectiveness, thereby reducing adsorption of useful blood components and improving recovery rates.
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 ensures that the blood processing filter maintains high leukocyte removal performance and handleability even after steam heat treatment, improving the recovery rate of useful blood components and processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a quantity of crystallization heat of the uncrystallized portion before the steam heat treatment is 5 J/g or smaller
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention provides a filter element for a blood processing filter, comprising a nonwoven fabric, wherein the quantity of crystallization heat of the uncrystallized portion of the nonwoven fabric is 5 J/g or smaller before steam heat treatment.