Centrifugal Cell Separation Using Disposable Microporous Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cell separation methods using centrifuges are cumbersome, cause mechanical trauma and pollution, and require a strict laboratory environment, leading to compromised cell quality and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal filtration device with a microporous membrane filter and a fully sealed system that uses centrifugal force to separate cells rapidly and automatically, minimizing cell damage and pollution, and includes a disposable piping system and instrument controls for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional centrifuges are used for cell separation, then cells can be separated, but mechanical trauma and pollution occur due to repeated drawing out and putting in of cell liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell qualityVSAvoidmechanical trauma and pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable sealed piping system containing the microporous membrane filter, which is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for repeated handling and cleaning of equipment, thereby preventing mechanical trauma and pollution to cells while maintaining separation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The microporous membrane filter acts as an intermediary component that enables cell separation through its porous structure. Cells are separated as they pass through the membrane during centrifugal filtration, avoiding direct contact with mechanical surfaces that could cause trauma or contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional centrifuges are used for cell separation, then cells can be separated, but strict laboratory environment is required which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidlaboratory environment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable sealed piping system with integrated microporous membrane filter eliminates the need for complex cleaning protocols and strict laboratory environment controls. The entire separation system is discarded after single use, simplifying operational requirements and reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining effective cell separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealed piping system with microporous membrane filter creates a self-contained, flexible filtration environment. This thin-film-based approach replaces the need for rigid, complex laboratory infrastructure and environmental controls, enabling effective separation in simpler settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If conventional centrifuges are used for cell separation, then cells can be separated, but the operation is cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the filtration membrane, piping system, and centrifugal separation mechanism into a single integrated disposable unit. This combination eliminates multiple separate operations (drawing out liquid, filtering, putting back), reducing operational steps and time while maintaining effective cell separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable nature of the entire piping system allows for rapid replacement rather than complex cleaning and preparation procedures. Each unit is pre-assembled and ready to use, significantly simplifying operations and reducing time requirements while ensuring effective separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system enables rapid, efficient, and automated cell separation with reduced mechanical trauma and pollution, maintaining cell quality while reducing the need for a high-end laboratory environment, and can be controlled by a computer.

Implementation Method 1

the water in the cell suspension, the biological particle and the biomolecules pass through the filter membrane owing to the flowing fluid pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the cells are blocked by the filter membrane and flung from the filter membrane to deposit in the front cavity due to the centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2933326B1Centrifugal dynamic filtering apparatus and cell separation system using same

Publication Date: 2021.04.07 ZHENG CHONG

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AI summary

The present invention directs to a centrifugal filtration device, for separating living cells, including a spindle (28), a rotary arm (211) which is connected to the spindle (28) and rotates as the spindle rotates, and a microporous membrane filter (31) which is mounted on the rotary arm (211).The microporous membrane filter (31) includes an inlet (311), an outlet (312), a front cavity (313) having the inlet (311) formed thereon, a rear cavity (314) having the outlet (312) formed thereon, and a filter membrane (315) arranged between the front cavity and the rear cavity; the diameter of each filter pore (3150) formed in the filter membrane (315) is smaller than that of the cell which needs to be separated. The present invention also discloses a cell separation system.