Continuous Flow Red Blood Cell Washing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for washing packed red blood cells are inefficient in removing storage solutions and deteriorated components, leading to suboptimal quality for transfusion, as they often require intermittent processes and may not effectively separate red blood cells from supernatant.
Innovation Solution
A continuous flow method and system utilizing a centrifuge bowl with controlled flow rates and pumps to mix wash solution with packed red blood cells before separation, allowing for continuous washing and efficient separation of red blood cells from supernatant, monitored by sensors to optimize flow and product collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If intermittent washing processes are used for packed red blood cells, then the process complexity is reduced, but the washing efficiency and supernatant removal effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous flow washing process where packed red blood cells continuously flow through the centrifugal separation device while wash solution is continuously added. This continuous operation eliminates the intermittent stopping and starting of traditional methods, maintaining constant washing action to efficiently remove supernatant and storage solutions without increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-mixes wash solution with packed red blood cells in an inlet line before the cells enter the centrifugal separation device. This preliminary mixing ensures that wash solution is already distributed throughout the cell suspension, improving washing effectiveness from the start of the separation process rather than adding wash solution during intermittent phases
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous flow washing with pre-mixing is implemented, then supernatant removal efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal separation device performs multiple functions: it separates washed red blood cells from supernatant and wash solution, and simultaneously acts as a mixing chamber when wash solution is added in the inlet line. This multi-functionality achieves efficient supernatant removal without requiring separate mixing and separation devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet line serves as an intermediary component that facilitates the pre-mixing of wash solution with packed red blood cells before they enter the centrifugal separation device. This simple intermediary structure enables effective washing without complex mixing mechanisms within the separation device itself
3Speed
If wash solution flow rate is increased to improve washing efficiency, then the washing speed is improved, but the separation precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic flow rate control where the wash solution flow rate is adjusted based on process conditions. The system maintains optimal washing speed by coordinating the flow rate of wash solution with the rotation speed of the centrifugal separation device, ensuring that separation precision is maintained even at higher washing speeds through adaptive parameter adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for continuously washing packed red blood cells includes (1) transferring, at a first flow rate, packed red blood cells from a container to a separation device and (2) transferring, at the same time as the packed red blood cells, wash solution from a container to the separation device. The wash solution may be transferred at a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate. The wash solution mixes with the packed red blood cells within the inlet line of the separation device and dilutes/washes the packed red blood cells. The separation device separates the red blood cells from the wash solution and a supernatant. The method may then monitor the volume of washed red blood cells within the separation device and begin to extract the washed red blood cells into a red blood cell product container when a target volume is collected within the separation device.