Capillary Buffy Coat Collection After Ordinary Blood Centrifugation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating the buffy coat layer from blood samples are cumbersome, costly, and require specialized equipment or density gradient centrifugation, making it difficult to efficiently and cost-effectively separate this critical layer for further analysis.
Innovation Solution
The use of devices comprising arrays of capillary tubes, flocked swabs, or cylindrical solids with bores, which can be used alone or in combination to collect and isolate the buffy coat layer from anticoagulated blood samples through ordinary centrifugation, utilizing vacuum or aspiration for efficient sample collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If density gradient centrifugation is used to isolate the buffy coat layer, then separation reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the buffy coat collection function into multiple capillary tubes arranged in an array, where each tube independently collects a portion of the buffy coat layer. This segmentation allows the device to achieve reliable separation without requiring complex density gradient centrifugation equipment, as the capillary action in each tube provides independent collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of buffy coat isolation from the complex density gradient centrifugation process. By using simple capillary tubes that rely on capillary action and surface tension rather than density gradients, the device takes out only the necessary collection function while eliminating the need for complex centrifugation equipment and specialized reagents.
2Measurement precision
If density gradient centrifugation is used to isolate the buffy coat layer, then separation precision is improved, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by using capillary tubes pre-filled with collection medium that are ready to immediately absorb and collect the buffy coat layer upon contact. This eliminates the time-consuming setup and layering procedures required for density gradient centrifugation, achieving rapid and precise buffy coat isolation without prolonged processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable capillary tubes as short-living objects that can be discarded after single use. These simple, inexpensive tubes replace expensive and time-consuming density gradient centrifugation procedures, providing precise buffy coat separation at low cost and with minimal time investment.
3Device complexity
If ordinary centrifugation is used instead of density gradient centrifugation, then device complexity and cost decrease, but manufacturing precision of sample separation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary tubes act as an intermediary between ordinary centrifugation and precise buffy coat isolation. After ordinary centrifugation creates the layered structure, the capillary tubes selectively interact with and collect only the buffy coat layer through capillary action, achieving precise separation without requiring the complex density gradient equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical system of density gradient centrifugation with a simpler system based on capillary action and surface tension. The capillary tubes use these physical phenomena to selectively collect the buffy coat layer, achieving precise separation with minimal mechanical complexity and without requiring specialized centrifugation equipment.
4Ease of manufacture
If the buffy coat layer is removed manually, then equipment cost decreases, but productivity and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary tubes perform self-service by automatically collecting the buffy coat layer through capillary action without requiring manual manipulation or specialized equipment. The tubes self-assemble into an array and autonomously absorb and transport the buffy coat, eliminating the need for skilled manual operation while maintaining high productivity and reliability.
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
These devices enable rapid, reliable, and cost-effective isolation of the buffy coat layer without the need for density gradient centrifugation, allowing for quantitative recovery and adaptation for isolating circulating tumor cells.
Implementation Method 1
devices comprising arrays of capillary tubes, flocked swabs, or cylindrical solids with bores
Implementation Method 2
flocked swabs...configured to be capable of absorbing at least a quantity of about 40 μl of sample
Implementation Method 3
utilizing vacuum or aspiration for efficient sample collection
Implementation Method 4
anticoagulated blood samples that have been processed by ordinary centrifugation...separate blood into its components
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices and methods for collecting liquid samples such as for removing a target liquid sample fraction from a larger liquid sample, e.g., from a biological sample. These devices and methods are particularly useful for rapidly and cost-effectively removing the buffy coat layer from an anticoagulated blood sample. These devices and methods have the advantage that the removal can be made on blood sample processed by ordinary centrifugation and do not require more complicated or costly processing techniques such as density gradient centrifugation.