Blood Separation Media with Bottleneck Channels for Low-Hemolysis Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood separation technologies face challenges such as inadequate speed, hemolysis, and difficulty in automating the separation process, particularly in field conditions, due to the use of glass fibers and complex deposition requirements.
Innovation Solution
A blood components collection and separation media with a substrate having specific pore sizes and hydrophobic resin boundary walls, featuring a collection zone, storage zones, and channels forming bottlenecks, allowing easy deposition and separation of blood components while preventing hemolysis and facilitating automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If glass microfibers are used for blood separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but device strength and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of glass microfibers embedded in a polymer matrix. The glass microfibers provide the necessary separation efficiency by interacting with blood components, while the polymer matrix provides mechanical strength and flexibility for easy handling. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between separation efficiency and device strength.
2Strength
If binders are added to enhance glass fiber strength, then device strength is improved, but assay interference and hydrophobicity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer matrix to create a binder that is chemically inert and does not interfere with assays. The binder is designed to be hydrophilic or neutral, avoiding the hydrophobicity problem while maintaining mechanical strength. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between strength enhancement and assay interference.
3Ease of operation
If capillary flow techniques are used for field assays, then portability is improved, but separation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates zones of different capillary flow properties within the device. The polymer matrix provides controlled porosity and wettability in different regions, creating optimal local conditions for rapid blood component separation while maintaining overall device portability. This local optimization of flow properties resolves the contradiction between portability and separation speed.
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 enables efficient separation of blood components with reduced hemolysis, easy identification of zones, and automation compatibility, improving the speed and reliability of blood component analysis.
Implementation Method 1
capillary flow in lateral flow assay devices
Implementation Method 2
substrate aimed at being wetted by a whole blood sample
Implementation Method 3
boundary walls which form a pattern into said substrate, said boundary walls being made of a hydrophobic resin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a blood components collection and separation media (1) comprising a substrate (3) having a maximal flow pore size enabling the retention of at least red cells on the surface of the substrate (3), the blood components collection and separation media (1) comprises boundary walls (7) forming a pattern (9) and being made of a hydrophobic resin, and the pattern (9) presenting: a collection zone (91); at least one storage zone (93) aimed at collecting at least one component of the whole blood sample (5); and at least one channel (95) connecting the collection zone (91) to the at least one storage zone (93), the channel (95) forming a bottleneck between the collection zone (91) and the storage zone (93). The present invention further relates to a blood components collection and separation device and a blood components separation and extraction process.