Centrifuge Inner Wall Radius Variation for Platelet Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifuges for processing blood and blood components often result in platelets sedimenting onto a wall, leading to lower quality platelets due to increased sedimentation distance, with most platelets remaining suspended in plasma or Platelet Additive Solution (PAS) when removed.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge design featuring a central chamber with an inner wall of varying radius, where the product collection bag extends adjacent to both upper and lower portions, reducing the surface area for platelet contact and allowing platelets to sediment on the portion with the greatest radius, thereby minimizing contact with the wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cylindrical wall is used in the central chamber, then platelets can be collected efficiently, but platelets sediment onto the wall reducing their quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional cylindrical wall design by using a non-cylindrical configuration where the radius varies along the vertical axis. Specifically, the upper portion has a smaller radius than the lower portion, creating an inverted geometry that prevents platelets from sedimenting onto the wall surface while maintaining efficient collection in the plasma layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating different radial dimensions at different vertical positions within the central chamber. The upper portion has a smaller radius to minimize platelet-wall contact, while the lower portion has a larger radius to maintain adequate plasma volume and collection efficiency. This spatial variation in geometry optimizes both platelet quality and collection productivity.
2Productivity
If the sedimentation surface area is increased, then platelets sediment faster, but platelet quality decreases due to wall contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by reducing the sedimentation surface area in the upper portion where platelets accumulate. Instead of maximizing wall surface area for sedimentation, the smaller upper radius limits platelet-wall contact, allowing platelets to remain suspended in plasma while still enabling efficient separation through the plasma layer.
3Productivity
If platelets are allowed to sediment completely, then collection is efficient, but platelet quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones within the central chamber. The upper portion with smaller radius serves as a collection zone where platelets remain suspended in plasma, while the lower portion with larger radius provides structural support and maintains adequate plasma volume. This spatial differentiation allows efficient collection while preserving platelet quality.
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 enhances the quality of platelets by reducing their contact with the inner wall, allowing them to sediment more efficiently and remain suspended in plasma or PAS, maintaining better quality during processing.
Implementation Method 1
the center well or central compartment or chamber to hold the platelet collection bag forms a cylindrical wall parallel to the axis of rotation of the centrifuge. This cylindrical wall provides a relatively large surface against which the platelets sediment under centrifugal force.
Implementation Method 2
the platelets sediment under centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the field of extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus which are particularly useful in blood component collection, and more specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for centrifugally separating buffy coat that reduce the surface available for separated buffy coat components to sediment on by varying the radius of the product collection bag.