Blood Cell Separation Drip Chamber for Accurate Target Cell Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood cell separation systems face difficulties in accurately collecting smaller volumes of higher concentrated target cells due to negative pressure pulling back whole blood into the separation chamber during the spillover phase, making it challenging to collect compact fractions of target cells efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The second end of the red blood cell tube extends into the volume of the reservoir, specifically to the bottom surface, to avoid using whole blood for pressure equalization during pumping, allowing for a more compact layer of target cells to be collected by increasing the reservoir volume for the red cell fraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the red blood cell tube is configured to allow pressure equalization during pumping, then the pumping operation can proceed smoothly, but whole blood is pulled back into the separation chamber causing inaccurate collection of target cells
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure equalization function from the separation chamber by introducing a separate drip chamber. The red blood cell tube now terminates in the drip chamber rather than the separation chamber, allowing pressure equalization to occur in the drip chamber instead. This extraction prevents whole blood from being pulled back into the separation chamber while maintaining smooth pumping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drip chamber serves as an intermediary component between the red blood cell tube and the collection system. It mediates the pressure equalization process by providing a dedicated space where pressure can be balanced without affecting the separation chamber. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve both smooth pumping and accurate collection of target cells.
2Stress or pressure
If whole blood is used for pressure equalization during pumping, then pressure balance is achieved, but the volume and concentration of collected target cells are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the pressure equalization process from the separation chamber and relocates it to the drip chamber. By terminating the red blood cell tube in the drip chamber, pressure equalization occurs with drip chamber contents rather than whole blood from the separation chamber. This extraction preserves the quantity and concentration of target cells while achieving necessary pressure balance.
3Device complexity
If the red blood cell tube terminates above the reservoir, then the system structure is simpler, but accurate collection of smaller volumes of concentrated target cells is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the drip chamber as an intermediary structure that receives the terminus of the red blood cell tube. This additional component, while increasing structural complexity, enables accurate collection of smaller volumes of concentrated target cells by providing a dedicated space for pressure equalization that does not interfere with the separation chamber contents.
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 arrangement enables accurate collection of smaller volumes of higher concentrated target cells by preventing the use of whole blood for pressure equalization, improving the efficiency of target cell collection without modifying the separation or drip chamber design.
Implementation Method 1
The separation chamber is usually comprised in a centrifuge unit that is configured to separate the blood components by density and size
Implementation Method 2
a negative pressure within the separation chamber pulls back fluid to equalize the negative pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system for blood cell separation, comprising: a separation chamber (10) comprising an inlet port for blood (12), an outlet port for plasma (14) and at least an outlet port for cellular blood components (16) for the separation of whole blood; a blood pump (20) for pumping whole blood into the inlet port for blood (12); a plasma pump (22) for pumping plasma and/or target cells from the outlet port for plasma (14) out of the separation chamber (10); a red blood cell tube (30) comprising a first end (32) and a second end (34), wherein the first end (32) of the red blood cell tube (30) is connected to the outlet port for cellular blood components (16) for allowing red blood cells to leave the separation chamber (10); and a drip chamber (40) comprising a reservoir (42) and an inlet (46), wherein the second end (34) of the red blood cell tube (30) is connected to the inlet (46), wherein the second end (34) of the red blood cell tube (30) extends into the volume of the reservoir (42) for pressure equalization during pumping from the outlet port for plasma (14).