Automated Blood Plasma Separation via Aggregation Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating plasma from whole blood are inefficient, often requiring manual centrifugation, which is time-consuming, exposes users to biohazardous materials, and lacks standardization, leading to pre-analytic variations in molecular diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
The use of aggregation agents, such as fibrinogen or dextran, to enhance red blood cell aggregation, combined with mechanical or physical means like inclining the vessel, tapping, or exposure to electromagnetic fields, to accelerate sedimentation and automate the plasma separation process without centrifugation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual centrifugation is used to separate plasma from whole blood, then plasma separation can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and exposes users to biohazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the plasma separation function from the centrifugation process by using a centrifugal separator that automatically separates blood components based on density. The separator extracts plasma from whole blood without requiring manual centrifugation operations, thus reducing processing time and user exposure to biohazards while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically separating plasma from whole blood using the centrifugal separator. The device autonomously handles the separation process without requiring user intervention for centrifugation operations, eliminating time loss associated with manual processing and reducing biohazard exposure while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If manual centrifugation is used to separate plasma from whole blood, then plasma can be obtained, but the process lacks standardization leading to pre-analytic variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the automated centrifugal separator system. The device uses sensors and control algorithms to monitor and adjust separation parameters in real-time, ensuring consistent plasma separation across different samples and operators. This feedback mechanism eliminates pre-analytic variations by standardizing the separation process while maintaining high productivity.
3Productivity
If centrifugation equipment is used for plasma separation, then separation can be performed, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the centrifugal separator as a multi-functional device that can perform plasma separation from whole blood across various sample types and volumes. The separator integrates multiple functions (separation, collection, and preparation for downstream processing) into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining plasma separation capability and productivity.
4Ease of operation
If manual pipetting of blood component layers is performed, then plasma can be collected, but user aptitude variations cause pre-analytic variations
Solution Approach 1:
The automated centrifugal separator performs self-service by automatically collecting plasma from separated blood components. The device eliminates the need for manual pipetting operations, ensuring consistent plasma collection regardless of user aptitude. This maintains ease of operation through automation while significantly improving the reliability and consistency of plasma collection across different users.
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 method enables rapid, efficient, and automated separation of plasma from whole blood, reducing the risk of hemolysis and pre-analytic variations, while minimizing user exposure to biohazards and eliminating the need for centrifugation.
Implementation Method 1
The use of aggregation agents, such as fibrinogen or dextran, to enhance red blood cell aggregation
Implementation Method 2
combined with mechanical or physical means like inclining the vessel, tapping, or exposure to electromagnetic fields, to accelerate sedimentation
Implementation Method 3
exposure to electromagnetic fields, to accelerate sedimentation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for the separation of blood components including separation by rapid sedimentation, including in an automated fashion.