Centrifugal Separation Chamber Variable Volume Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood separation systems face challenges with contamination risks due to piston seals and particle shedding, and difficulty in achieving precise volume changes during centrifugal processing, especially when handling small volumes.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal separation chamber with a variable volume separation space, featuring a rigid portion near the port and a flexible portion distal to it, eliminates sliding parts and piston seals, using a mechanical interface for controlled volume changes and a rotatable seal for fluid-tight rotation, reducing contamination and particle shedding risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a piston with sliding seals is used to vary separation space volume, then volume control is achieved, but contamination and particle shedding occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume control precisionVSAvoidcontamination and particle shedding

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the piston and sliding seals from the separation chamber entirely. Instead of using a mechanical piston to vary volume, the system uses a flexible membrane at the distal end of the chamber that can be deformed to change the separation space volume. This extraction of the problematic piston-seal assembly eliminates the source of contamination and particle shedding while maintaining volume control capability through the flexible membrane's deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible membrane (thin film) at the distal end of the separation chamber to replace the rigid piston with sliding seals. This flexible membrane can be deformed to vary the separation space volume without requiring sliding contacts or seals. The flexible material provides a smooth, seal-free surface that prevents contamination and particle shedding while achieving the desired volume control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid chamber is used for separation, then structural stability is maintained, but precise volume changes are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechamber structural stabilityVSAvoidvolume change precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The separation chamber is divided into two distinct segments: a rigid proximal portion that provides structural stability and supports the port connections, and a flexible distal portion containing the membrane that enables precise volume changes. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its optimal function - the rigid portion maintains structural integrity while the flexible portion provides precise, contamination-free volume control through membrane deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If sliding piston mechanisms are used, then volume control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume control capabilityVSAvoidmechanical interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex sliding piston mechanism with its seals, guides, and actuation systems. The volume control function is simplified by using a flexible membrane that can be deformed directly without requiring sliding contacts or complex mechanical assemblies. This reduction in mechanical complexity eliminates multiple moving parts while maintaining the essential volume control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design enables precise, contamination-free separation with minimal disturbance to constituents, allowing for efficient processing and collection of small volumes with reduced risk of contamination and improved separation purity.

Implementation Method 1

the present invention relates to a chamber for centrifugal separation of such fluids or suspensions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

separation of whole blood, apheresis blood, or bone marrow blood into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11712702B2Centrifugal separation chamber

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 BIOSAFE SA

AI summary

Disclosed is a centrifugal separation chamber (100) rotatable about an axis (AR) and having a variable volume separation space (116) therewithin and a port (102) in fluid communication with the volume for filling and emptying the volume, the chamber including a relatively rigid portion (104) proximal to the port which has walls defining a part of the volume and arranged to provide reducing dimensions of the volume toward the port, the chamber further including a flexible portion (106) distal to the port for providing said variable volume, the flexible portion including a mechanical interface (110) for transmitting movement to the flexible portion to cause said variable volume.