Cell Washer Pocket Cavity Design for Automated Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cell washing methods are difficult to automate, time-consuming, and often damage cells due to high forces and fluid shear, leading to inefficient removal of unwanted substances and potential loss of cell types, with limitations in wash efficacy and increased risk of cellular alteration or destruction.
Innovation Solution
A cell washer device with a vessel having a pocket and cavity design that allows for controlled centrifugal force application, combined with a method involving multiple aliquots of wash liquid and controlled rotation speeds to minimize cell exposure to high forces, enabling efficient washing with fewer iterations and improved wash efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional centrifugal cell washing methods are used, then wash efficacy is improved, but cell damage increases due to high forces and extended exposure time
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process is divided into multiple discrete steps with alternating centrifugal forces: a first centrifugal step at higher g-force to sediment cells, followed by a second centrifugal step at lower g-force to allow wash liquid interaction, then a third centrifugal step to remove liquid. This segmentation allows effective washing while limiting continuous high-force exposure that damages cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The method employs periodic alternation between higher and lower centrifugal forces during the washing cycle. The centrifugal force is varied in a periodic manner: increased during sedimentation phases, then reduced during wash liquid interaction phases. This periodic action maintains wash efficacy while reducing cumulative cell damage compared to continuous high-force application.
2Reliability
If multiple wash iterations are performed to improve wash efficacy, then removal of unwanted substances is enhanced, but time consumption and cell exposure to damaging forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method optimizes the parameters of each washing iteration: using a limited volume of wash liquid (about 0.5-2.0 times the initial sample volume) combined with specific centrifugal force profiles. By carefully controlling these parameters, the protocol achieves effective washing in fewer iterations, reducing total washing time while maintaining high wash efficacy.
3Productivity
If high centrifugal force is applied to speed up sedimentation, then sedimentation time is reduced, but cell damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal sedimentation process is segmented into distinct phases with different g-forces. A higher g-force is applied only during the initial sedimentation step to quickly pellet cells, then the force is reduced for subsequent steps. This segmentation achieves fast sedimentation when needed while protecting cells during other phases of the washing protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal force is applied periodically at different magnitudes: higher force during sedimentation phases to accelerate the process, then lower force during wash liquid interaction phases to minimize damage. This periodic variation in force magnitude maintains productivity while reducing harmful effects on cells.
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 solution effectively reduces cellular damage and enhances wash efficacy by minimizing exposure to high forces and fluid shear, allowing for more effective removal of unwanted substances while preserving cell properties and proportions, as demonstrated by improved recovery and viability of cells compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
An actuating device such as a rotor may spin the vessel about the axis. Living cells are generally slightly denser than aqueous wash liquids. In centrifugal cell washers, the denser cells sediment through the wash liquids in regions of high relative force.
Implementation Method 2
EP0058436 relates to a fluid processing device with conduits for centrifugal separating of a fluid. In centrifugal cell washers, the denser cells sediment through the wash liquids in regions of high relative force.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A cell washer is disclosed. The cell washer includes a vessel configured to hold cells. The vessel includes an elongated body including an opening, an inner surface, and a pocket defined by a first inner surface portion of the inner surface disposed between and radially outward relative to a second inner surface portion and a third inner surface portion of the inner surface, and a cavity. The vessel also includes an actuating device capable of causing the vessel to spin about an axis.