Centrifuge Rotor Density Gradient for Sub-Micron Particle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifuges used in clinical apheresis are inadequate for separating sub-micron particles with densities higher than 1.9 gm/ml from blood, as they are designed for a limited range of densities, limiting the effective removal of unwanted materials like circulating tumor cells and toxins.
Innovation Solution
A specialized centrifuge rotor with a composite element that creates a density gradient to separate components based on their density differences, using a unique design that allows continuous or intermittent isolation of high-density sub-micron particles from blood or other fluids, with a system to monitor and adjust flow rates to ensure purity of separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional centrifuges are used for blood separation, then separation of standard blood components is achieved, but separation of sub-micron particles with density >1.9 gm/ml is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the centrifuge by increasing the maximum RPM capability and adjusting the density gradient formation parameters to enable separation of particles with density greater than 1.9 gm/ml, which conventional centrifuges cannot separate effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow rates and centrifugal forces during the separation process to optimize the separation of high-density sub-micron particles while maintaining compatibility with biological systems
2Reliability
If high density sub-micron particles are used for target capture, then capture efficiency of circulating tumor cells and toxins is improved, but separation from blood requires specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite high-density sub-micron particles that combine target capture functionality with enhanced density properties, allowing efficient capture of circulating tumor cells and toxins while enabling their separation through the specialized centrifuge rotor
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifuge rotor is segmented into distinct zones with different density gradients, allowing sequential separation of blood components and high-density particle targets at different radial positions
3Productivity
If continuous flow separation is implemented, then volume treatment capacity is increased, but flow rate control precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous flow separation where blood and processing fluids continuously pass through the centrifuge rotor, enabling unlimited volume treatment without interruption while maintaining precise flow rate control through regulated inlet and outlet systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to monitor and adjust flow rates during continuous operation, ensuring that the precision of flow rate control is maintained even as large volumes are processed over extended periods
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 efficient and continuous removal of high-density sub-micron particles and their bound targets from blood or other fluids, allowing for the retrieval of substances like circulating tumor cells and toxins, with a compact design that maintains flow rates compatible with biological systems.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor base with composite rotor element mounted thereon is rotated the orientation of the composite rotor element on the rotor base creates a density gradient that separates two components of the mixture of components
Implementation Method 2
the rotor base is rotated about the central axis when the centrifuge is in use
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for continuous removal of sub-micron sized particles and other materials attached thereto such as cancer cells and bacteria from blood and other liquids. A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base. This creates a density gradient field that separates materials of different densities input to the centrifuge that exit via different outputs. A monitor detects components of the fluid that are mixed with the particles before they exit the centrifuge. If there are any unwanted components detected with the particles logic circuitry changes the speed of rotation of the rotor, and the flow rate of pumps inputting and removing separated fluid and particles to and from the centrifuge until there are no unwanted components in the fluid exiting with the particles from the centrifuge.