Cuboid Filter Assembly for Faster Blood Collection Without Antifoam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtering assemblies for body fluids, particularly blood, suffer from increased collection time due to reduced surface area and foam formation, especially in low volume scenarios, and the use of antifoam agents like PDMS can lead to potential emboli and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly with a cuboid frame structure and multiple layers of filtering media, including a defoaming layer with an embossed 3D structure and a depth filter layer, increases the surface area for filtration and reduces foam formation without using antifoam agents, enhancing the efficiency of blood collection and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a filter assembly with reduced surface area is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the collection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly transitions from a traditional planar filter structure to a three-dimensional cuboid frame structure with filtering media on multiple surfaces. This dimensional expansion allows the filter to process blood from six directions simultaneously (top, bottom, and four sides), dramatically increasing the effective filtration surface area without proportionally increasing the footprint or device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antifoam agents like PDMS are used to prevent foam formation, then foam-related complications are reduced, but the risk of emboli and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful antifoam agent (PDMS) from the system entirely, replacing it with a passive physical defoaming mechanism. The defoaming layer with its embossed 3D structure physically breaks up foam bubbles through mechanical disruption, eliminating the need for chemical antifoam agents that could cause emboli or contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of foam formation into a beneficial filtering process. The defoaming layer captures and breaks up foam bubbles, allowing the air and foam to be separated from the blood, while the filtering media simultaneously cleans the blood. This transforms the foam problem into an enhanced filtration opportunity.
3Device complexity
If a filter module with skeletal structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the surface filter area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the structural support function with the filtration function by forming a cuboid frame structure where the filtering media is applied to all six surfaces. This integration eliminates the need for separate skeletal structures and maximizes the use of available space for filtration, achieving both structural simplicity and maximum surface area utilization.
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
The solution significantly reduces collection time, especially for low volumes, and prevents contamination by eliminating the need for antifoam agents, thereby improving the quality and safety of filtered blood.
Implementation Method 1
the defoaming layer has an embossed three dimensional structure configured for entrapping foam built up in the body fluid
Implementation Method 2
Filtering assemblies are used to filter different types of fluids, e.g. body fluids, for removing aggregates, particles or specific cells from said fluids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filter assembly for filtering a body fluid comprising a filter holder and a filter system downstream of the filter holder; wherein the filter system and the filter holder are in contact with each other, wherein the filter system comprises a cuboid frame structure with six rectangular surface areas A1-A6, and wherein five of the six surface areas A1-A5 are covered by a filtering media, and wherein the sixth surface area A6 is in contact with the filter holder.