Disposable Centrifugal Unit for Point-of-Care Platelet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Concentrates (PC) require expensive equipment and skilled operators, limiting their utility to facilities with resources and space, and are not suitable for point-of-care use.
Innovation Solution
A single-use, sterile, self-contained centrifugal separation unit that rotates at high speeds to separate platelets from whole blood, allowing for immediate use of PRP/PC without additional equipment, suitable for various clinical and emergency settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If specialized centrifuges with complex control systems are used to produce PRP/PC, then the quality and consistency of platelet concentration can be improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a reusable centrifuge unit and disposable centrifuge tubes with pre-installed separation elements. This segmentation allows the complex control system to be confined to a simple reusable unit while the separation functionality is integrated into disposable tubes, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A gel separation medium is introduced as an intermediary substance within the centrifuge tube to facilitate platelet concentration. This gel acts as a physical mediator that enables consistent separation based on density gradients, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If traditional centrifuge methods are used, then adequate platelet separation can be achieved, but the procedure time and operator skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge tubes are pre-prepared with gel separation media and proper density gradients before use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to manually prepare complex separation systems during the procedure, reducing both time and skill requirements while maintaining reliable platelet separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable centrifuge tubes are designed to perform the separation function automatically once activated. The gel media self-regulates the separation process based on centrifugal force and density gradients, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention and reducing procedure time while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive capital equipment is deployed for PRP/PC production, then consistent results can be achieved, but accessibility to point-of-care settings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive reusable equipment with inexpensive disposable centrifuge tubes containing pre-loaded gel separation media. Each disposable tube is designed for single use but can be mass-produced at low cost, enabling consistent PRP/PC preparation while making the technology accessible to point-of-care settings without requiring expensive capital equipment investments.
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
Enables quick, reliable, and portable platelet concentration from whole blood, reducing the need for complex equipment and skilled operators, facilitating point-of-care use and increasing accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
A single use, sterile, self-contained, compact, easy to use centrifugal separation unit provides for quick, reliable platelet concentration from whole blood
Implementation Method 2
The generated centrifugal force separates the blood into the different fractions based on their relative specific gravities
Data Source
AI summary
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.