Blood Separator Float Ballast Valve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood collection tube separators are complex and costly to produce, prone to hemolysis, and result in poor sample quality due to manual assembly and bead-like edge formation, which increases the risk of contamination and separation time.
Innovation Solution
A separator with a float and ballast design that includes a passage opening and a reset element, allowing the valve to open under centrifugal force, reducing the risk of hemolysis and improving sample quality by aligning symmetrically with the tube axis and using a two-component injection molding process for economic manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bead-like edges are formed on float and ballast to create valve function, then valve sealing is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the valve sealing function from the complex bead-like edge structure and relocates it to a simple circular opening in the ballast that directly seals against the float's passage opening. This eliminates the need for complex bead formation while maintaining reliable sealing through the simplified circular geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of forming complex bead-like edges on both float and ballast, the invention inverts the approach by creating a simple circular opening in the ballast that seals against a corresponding opening in the float. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the same sealing function.
2Reliability
If narrow gaps between bead-like edges are used for liquid exchange, then valve function is achieved, but hemolysis risk and separation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid exchange function from the narrow gaps between bead-like edges and relocates it to a large circular opening in the float. This large opening allows easy liquid exchange while eliminating the harmful narrow gaps that cause hemolysis, thus maintaining valve function without the associated risks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual assembly of separator components is performed, then customization is possible, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the float and ballast into a single integrated component with a circular opening that serves both as a structural element and a valve sealing surface. This integration eliminates the need for manual assembly of separate components, significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining design flexibility through the unified geometry.
4Reliability
If float and ballast are designed with complex bead-like edges, then valve sealing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from complex bead-like edges and implements it through simple circular openings in the float and ballast. This simplification maintains reliable sealing while dramatically reducing manufacturing cost by eliminating the need for complex edge formation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional approach of forming complex edges by using simple circular openings instead. This inversion reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the same sealing function, making the separator more economical to produce.
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 separator effectively separates blood cells and plasma with reduced risk of hemolysis and improved sample quality, allowing easy air bubble escape and minimizing cell adherence, while being easier and less expensive to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
the separator (100) moves from its initial position to the phase boundary between the blood plasma and the blood cells due to the action of centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
a reset element (130) for resiliently connecting the float (110) to the ballast (120) is provided in such a manner that opening the valve requires a force to overcome a restoring force defined by the reset element (130)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a separator for separating blood plasma and blood cells in a blood collection tube. The separator comprises a float with a first density and at least one passage opening. In addition to the float, the separator comprises a ballast with a second density that is greater than the first density. The total density of the separator, that is, the float and the ballast together, lies between the density of the plasma and the density of the cells in the blood. The float forms a valve together with the ballast. The float and the ballast are arranged so as to be movable relative to each other. In accordance with the invention, the ballast has at least one valve element for opening or closing a passage opening in the float.