Capillary Microstructure Plasma Separator Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating plasma or serum from whole blood are prone to variability, require trained personnel and expensive instruments, and often damage blood cells, leading to unreliable biomarker detection and storage issues, especially for unstable molecules like proteins and metabolites.
Innovation Solution
A device with a separation member that retains cellular components and an extraction member using capillary forces to separate and collect plasma or serum, eliminating the need for external energy sources and minimizing cell lysis, featuring a microstructure-based extraction member that enhances plasma or serum yield and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation is used to separate plasma or serum from whole blood, then separation is achieved, but expensive instruments and trained personnel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical centrifugation system with a simple capillary-based separation device. The separation is achieved through capillary forces and gravity rather than mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for expensive centrifuges and trained operators while maintaining reliable plasma/serum separation from whole blood
Solution Approach 2:
The separation device utilizes self-service through capillary action where the plasma/serum automatically migrates through the membrane and is collected in the reservoir without external power sources or manual intervention. The system performs separation autonomously based on physical principles inherent to the device structure
2Productivity
If manual pipetting is used to remove plasma or serum, then separation is completed, but variability in analyte measurement is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically completes the separation process through capillary forces that draw plasma/serum through the membrane and into the collection reservoir without manual pipetting. This eliminates human variability in the transfer process and ensures consistent analyte measurement while maintaining productivity
3Reliability
If centrifugation is applied to separate blood components, then plasma or serum is obtained, but cell lysis occurs leading to hemolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-force mechanical centrifugation with gentle capillary-based separation. The plasma/serum is drawn through the membrane slowly and continuously by capillary forces, avoiding the high g-forces that cause cell lysis while still achieving complete separation of plasma/serum from cellular components
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows plasma/serum to rapidly migrate through the membrane via capillary action while cellular components are retained. This selective rapid transport achieves separation without subjecting cells to the mechanical stress of centrifugation, preventing hemolysis
4Productivity
If multiple manual handling steps are performed on blood samples, then processing is completed, but variability and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual handling steps (separation, transfer, and collection) into a single integrated device operation. The entire process from whole blood input to plasma/serum collection occurs within one device without intermediate manual transfers, reducing contamination risks and maintaining sample quality while completing processing efficiently
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 device improves reproducibility and stability of analyte detection, allowing for efficient separation and storage of plasma or serum without manual intervention, suitable for point-of-care applications and downstream analysis like mass spectrometry.
Implementation Method 1
an extraction member for extracting the separated plasma or serum from the separation member, wherein the extraction member comprises or consists of a base and one or more microstructures protruding from and being integrally formed with the base, wherein the upper surface of the one or more microstructures forms an extraction member upper surface, and wherein the one or more microstructures are configured to extract plasma or serum from the separation member by capillary forces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for separation of plasma or serum from a blood sample from a small blood volume (e.g. capillary blood). The device comprises a separation member, an extraction member and a housing. The extraction member comprises a base and one or more microstructures protruding from and being integrally formed with said base, wherein said one or more microstructures are configured to extract plasma or serum from said separation member by capillary forces. The present invention further provides methods for separating plasma or serum using the device according to the present invention. Similarly, also methods for analyzing one or more proteins and/or metabolites contained in plasma or serum that is separated using a device according to the present invention are provided.