Centrifuge-Free Blood Component Separation via Exclusionary Filtration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for processing whole blood into cellular and non-cellular components rely heavily on centrifugation, which is injurious to red blood cells and platelets, inefficient, and exposes blood products to contamination and environmental risks.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained component preparation system using a cassette-based flow-through system with specialized filters and product collection bags, eliminating the need for centrifugation and minimizing exposure to contamination, utilizing exclusionary filter technology and controlled flow routes to separate whole blood into leukocyte-reduced red blood cells, platelet-rich plasma, and plasma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centrifugation is used to separate blood components, then separation efficiency is improved, but cellular viability deteriorates and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidcellular viability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a filtration-based separation system. Specialized filters with controlled pore sizes and flow characteristics enable blood component separation through filtration rather than centrifugal force, thereby maintaining cellular viability while achieving efficient separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specialized filters as intermediary elements between the blood source and separated components. These filters act as mediators that enable separation without direct mechanical stress on cells, allowing efficient component division while preserving cellular integrity and reducing contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If centrifugation is used for blood separation, then component separation is achieved, but contamination and environmental exposure risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent separation capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the open mechanical centrifugation process with a closed filtration system. The filtration approach allows for contained processing, reducing exposure to environmental contaminants while maintaining effective blood component separation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a controlled, protected environment through the filtration system that isolates blood components from external contaminants. The filtration barriers establish a protective interface between the blood sample and the external environment, minimizing contamination risk during separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If traditional blood separation methods are used, then components can be separated, but processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent separation capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming centrifugation procedures with rapid filtration-based separation. The filtration system enables faster processing by eliminating the need for prolonged centrifugal separation, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining effective component separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary centrifugation steps from the blood separation process, retaining only the essential filtration operations. This extraction of redundant processing steps significantly reduces processing time while preserving the core functionality of component separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables efficient, rapid, and sterile separation of blood components, preserving cellular viability, reducing contamination risks, and allowing for tailored component preparation to meet specific patient needs, while avoiding the drawbacks of centrifugation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one red blood cell exclusion filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

whole blood is separated into the cellular and plasma components using manual separation techniques including pressure, centrifugation and/or filtration steps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity gradient separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 3

at least one leukocyte reduction filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

at least one platelet exclusion filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 5

at least one pump and/or at least one valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9480786B2Component preparation system

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 NEW YORK BLOOD CENT INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are centrifuge-free self-contained systems for aseptically separating components of whole blood comprising at least one cassette for receiving whole blood; at least one red blood cell exclusion filter; at least one leukocyte reduction filters; at least one platelet exclusion filter; a plurality of product cassettes; and optionally a plurality of pumps and valves; and wherein the filters, pumps, valves, and cassettes are fluidly connected by tubing and the system does not include a centrifuge. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining blood components using the system.