Compact Fluid Circuit for Small Volume Cell Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell washing systems require large volumes of wash media due to their internal volume, making it difficult to process small volumes of cellular suspensions effectively, such as single-dose quantities of mononuclear cell products.
Innovation Solution
A compact fluid circuit with a spinning membrane separator and a cassette-based fluid management system that includes internal mechanical valving and sensors, along with syringe pumps, to minimize the volume of the fluid circuit and reduce the amount of wash media needed, utilizing a disposable kit with integrated containers and syringes directly connected to the cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a traditional cell washing system with large internal volume is used, then the system can process larger volumes of cellular suspensions, but it requires large volumes of wash media which is not suitable for small volume processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a cassette with integrated fluid pathways, a spinning membrane separator, and syringe-based fluid management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for minimal internal volume while maintaining functionality, enabling the system to process small volumes of cellular suspensions efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The syringes are positioned within or directly connected to the cassette structure, with syringe barrels potentially integrally formed with the cassette. This nesting minimizes the overall footprint and reduces dead volume in fluid pathways, allowing the system to handle small volumes of wash media while maintaining the ability to process varying volumes of cellular suspensions
2Quantity of substance
If a compact fluid circuit with minimized tubing is used, then the volume of wash media required is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to integrated valving and sensing
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid management functions are merged into a single integrated cassette component. The cassette contains internal mechanical valving, fluid pathways, and sensing elements all in one unit, eliminating the need for extensive external tubing and separate control components. This integration reduces the overall fluid circuit volume while consolidating complexity into a manageable disposable component
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette with integrated valving and sensing is designed as a disposable component. This allows the complex integrated circuit to be manufactured with minimal cost using standard techniques, and eliminates the need for cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance of the complex fluid pathways. The disposable nature makes the system complexity acceptable by transferring it to a single-use component
3Volume of stationary object
If syringes are connected directly to the cassette or integrally formed with it, then the fluid circuit volume is minimized, but the ease of assembly and disassembly may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe-cassette connection is designed to be dynamically configurable. While the syringes can be permanently integrated into the cassette for minimal volume, the design allows for removable connections that enable easy assembly and disassembly. This dynamic design flexibility allows the same structure to achieve both volume minimization and ease of manufacture depending on the specific implementation
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 washing of small volumes of cellular suspensions by minimizing the volume of the fluid circuit, reducing the amount of wash media required, and effectively separating target components from non-target materials, facilitating the processing of smaller final volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a spinning membrane separator having an inlet for flowing the suspension of cellular material to be washed and a wash medium into the spinning membrane separator, a first outlet for flowing retentate comprising target components from the spinning membrane separator, and a second outlet for flowing filtrate comprising non-target components of the cellular suspension
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid circuit for cell washing is provided that comprises a spinning membrane separator and a fluid management system comprising a cassette that defines the fluid pathways, and including internally mechanical valving, pressure sensing and air sensing for controlling flow through the fluid pathways, thus minimizing the volume of the fluid circuit. Additionally, the fluid circuit comprises syringes that are acted on by syringe pumps associated with the hardware component of the system to provide pressure for moving fluid through the circuit. Preferably, the syringes are connected directly to the cassette, or formed integrally within the cassette housing, thus further minimizing the volume of the fluid circuit.