Multi-Unit Blood Processor With Isolated RF Sealing Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood separation technologies face challenges in efficiently processing multiple units of blood with varying component proportions and densities, leading to complexity and potential operator errors in valve management and component separation.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal blood separation device with a reduced number of parts, featuring a non-rotating valve head driven by spring loading and stepper motors, capable of processing multiple units simultaneously, and incorporating RF energy for tube sealing, along with an asymmetrical junction design for improved loading accuracy and a control unit for precise fluid management and component separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple valves are mounted on the centrifuge rotor to process multiple blood units simultaneously, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to the large number of valves required
Solution Approach 1:
A single valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially processing different blood bags. The valve can switch between blocking and allowing fluid flow, and can seal and cut tubes, enabling one valve to replace what would traditionally require multiple valves for processing multiple blood units.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates a movable head that can be raised and lowered dynamically during the processing cycle. The head is driven to a closed position by spring loading and can be raised into an open position by a shaft-activating stepper motor, allowing the valve to adapt its state based on the processing stage.
2Reliability
If a complex valve system with multiple parts is used to manage fluid flow and sealing, then reliability of fluid management improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased operator error potential
Solution Approach 1:
The valve combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: fluid flow control through blocking/allowing, tube sealing through RF energy application, and tube cutting. This merging of functions into one assembly reduces the number of separate components the operator must manage, thereby reducing error potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve replaces traditional mechanical sealing mechanisms with radio frequency (RF) energy for tube sealing. The head may convey RF energy to the tube to seal and sever the tube, providing more reliable and consistent sealing without requiring complex mechanical pressure systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional mechanical sealing methods are used for tube sealing, then ease of manufacture improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistent sealing pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve replaces traditional mechanical sealing mechanisms with radio frequency (RF) energy for tube sealing. The head may convey RF energy to the tube to seal and sever the tube, providing more reliable and consistent sealing without requiring complex mechanical pressure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates a pre-loaded spring or similar structure to maintain constant pressure on the tube during RF sealing. This ensures consistent contact and sealing quality by maintaining a controlled pressure parameter throughout the sealing process.
4Measurement precision
If asymmetric junction design is implemented in blood bags, then measurement precision improves for component detection, but device complexity increases due to additional design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
An asymmetric junction design is implemented in the blood bag to enable reliable detection of fluid components. The asymmetric geometry provides distinct optical or physical characteristics that facilitate precise detection by sensors, allowing the system to accurately identify fluid levels, interfaces, or component boundaries.
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 device effectively processes multiple blood units with reduced operator error, ensures consistent pressure for tube sealing, and achieves efficient separation of blood components, including reducing prion levels through multiple wash cycles, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of blood component extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The valve head is driven to a 'closed' position by spring loading
Implementation Method 2
The head may also be raised into an 'open' position from time to time by the action of a shaft-activating stepper motor. When the head is in the closed position, blood or blood components cannot flow through a tube placed in the valve. The head may also convey radio frequency energy to the tube to seal and sever the tube.
Implementation Method 3
A centrifugal blood separation device with a reduced number of parts
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (60) for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets (10) of blood bags (14, 44, 16, 38). The valves (128, 130, 132) comprise a jaw (138) mounted on a shaft (180), the jaw (138) being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section(174), and at least two position sensors (234, 236) The valve sections (172) are mounted on an upper plate (176), and the stepper motor sections (174) are mounted on a lower plate (222). A main radio frequency coil (254) is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves (128, 130, 132) through a multiplexing switch (252).