Automated Blood Component Separation Centrifuge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood separation techniques are labor-intensive, prone to contamination, and heavily dependent on human factors, which can compromise the quality and purity of blood components, especially during the transfer of separated components between centrifuge spins.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method for separating and treating blood components using a centrifuge with interconnected bags, where components are segregated and treated while the rotor is spinning, minimizing human intervention and maintaining separation edges through controlled centrifugal force and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual extraction and transfer of blood components is performed, then flexibility in handling is improved, but contamination risk and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic manual transfer step by implementing an automated extraction system that uses a robotic arm to selectively remove only the desired blood component (platelets or plasma) from the separation interface, leaving the other component undisturbed in the centrifuge tube. This eliminates manual contamination while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated extraction system as an intermediary between the centrifugation process and manual handling. This system includes a robotic arm, extraction needle, and control unit that automatically perform the transfer operation, eliminating direct human contact with the blood components during extraction.
2Productivity
If multiple manual transfer steps are performed between centrifuge spins, then component separation is achieved, but time consumption and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing by performing multiple separation and extraction operations in sequence without stopping the centrifuge or requiring manual intervention between steps. The automated system can sequentially extract different components from the same centrifugation process, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple operations (centrifugation, separation, extraction, and transfer) into a single integrated automated workflow. The system performs first extraction, then second extraction, and final transfer in one continuous automated sequence, merging what were previously separate manual steps into a unified process.
3Extent of automation
If automated extraction system is implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal automated extraction system that can handle multiple blood components (platelets, plasma, buffy coat) using the same hardware platform. The system uses a single robotic arm with interchangeable needles and a centralized control unit that manages all extraction operations, making the complex system multi-functional rather than requiring separate systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated extraction system performs self-positioning and self-adjustment operations. The robotic arm automatically positions the extraction needle at the correct location based on real-time centrifuge tube position feedback, and the system self-regulates extraction parameters without requiring complex manual programming or intervention.
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 automated system significantly reduces labor costs, enhances product quality and purity by minimizing human error, and allows for efficient processing and storage of blood components, including red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and leukocytes, while maintaining the integrity of separation edges during centrifugation.
Implementation Method 1
Centrifugation is a known technique for separating blood into its individual components. This is possible because each blood component has its own density. Therefore when whole blood is subjected to high centrifugal force, the components of different densities are separated.
Implementation Method 2
These sharp edges are maintained by constant rotation of the centrifuge, and rapidly disintegrate when the centrifuge stops rotating.
Data Source
AI summary
A blood processing centrifuge comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and being controllably spun around the axis, a mechanism for processing whole blood within the rotor while spinning, a computer controlling blood processing operations, the computer being mounted to the rotor and spinning therewith.