Cell Washing with On-Line Dilution to Prevent Membrane Pressure Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing biological fluids, particularly those using spinning membrane separators, face issues with target cell loss due to pressure buildup from cellular material at the membrane surface, leading to reduced yield.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a separator with a rotatable cylindrical housing and internal member, where the surfaces define a gap with a porous membrane, allowing for controlled concentration of biological cells by determining a concentration ratio and diluting the cells with a wash solution to prevent exceeding the maximum input concentration, thereby minimizing cell loss during processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the concentration of biological cells is increased to improve processing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but pressure buildup occurs at the membrane surface leading to target cell loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dilution of the cell feed before it enters the separator. By pre-diluting the concentrated cell feed with wash solution to achieve the target concentration, the system prevents pressure buildup at the membrane surface before separation occurs, thereby avoiding target cell loss while maintaining processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control by monitoring the concentration of the cell feed and adjusting the dilution rate accordingly. The controller receives concentration information and regulates the wash solution flow rate to maintain optimal input concentration, preventing both over-concentration (which causes cell loss) and under-concentration (which reduces productivity)
2Productivity
If the flow rate of cell feed is increased to improve productivity, then processing speed is improved, but pressure buildup at the membrane surface increases causing cell loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the concentration parameter of the cell feed by diluting it with wash solution before separation. By adjusting the feed concentration to match the optimal input concentration, the system enables higher flow rates without causing pressure buildup at the membrane surface, thus improving processing speed while preventing target cell loss
Solution Approach 2:
Wash solution acts as an intermediary substance that dilutes the concentrated cell feed before it enters the separator. This intermediary dilution prevents direct contact of highly concentrated cells with the membrane surface at high flow rates, eliminating pressure buildup and cell loss while maintaining high productivity
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
This approach effectively concentrates biological cells while maintaining a high yield by ensuring the input concentration does not exceed the separator's capacity, reducing inadvertent target cell loss and optimizing the processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Separation devices may separate the biological fluid based on centrifugal separation and/or, as described below, membrane separation
Implementation Method 2
Where the biological cells are separated using a separation membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the washing of biological fluid/biological cells are disclosed. The method provides for the automated dilution of the cell feed during the cell washing procedure using a separator in which the separator has a predetermined maximum output concentration for the biological cells that are being washed. The method further includes determining the concentration ratio of the biological cells to be washed in the washing procedure and determining a maximum input concentration as a function of the maximum output concentration and the concentration ratio. Wash solution is then added to dilute said biological cells so that the maximum input concentration of the diluted biological cells entering the separator is not exceeded.