Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Leukoreduction Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leukoreduction filters require additional processing steps and modifications to achieve effective leukocyte removal from blood products, which complicates the manufacturing process and may not fully address the need for reduced leukocyte content in transfusions.
Innovation Solution
A leukoreduction filter made from inert hydrophobic cyclic olefin copolymer fibers with a wettability of 44 dynes/cm, preconditioned with Tween® 20 to enhance filtration efficiency and biocompatibility, allowing for efficient leukocyte removal without additional processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filter media are used for leukoreduction, then leukocyte removal is achieved, but additional processing steps and surface modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclic olefin copolymer filter media inherently possesses the necessary surface properties for effective leukocyte adhesion and removal without requiring additional surface modifications or processing steps. The material's molecular structure provides natural cell adhesion capability, eliminating the need for separate coating or treatment processes that would otherwise be required to achieve the same functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the inherent physical and chemical parameters of cyclic olefin copolymer material to achieve effective leukoreduction. By selecting a base polymer with appropriate molecular weight, crystallinity, and surface energy characteristics, the filter media achieves optimal leukocyte adhesion properties without requiring post-manufacturing surface treatments or modifications.
2Productivity
If filter media wettability is increased to improve flow, then filtration efficiency decreases due to reduced cell adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclic olefin copolymer filter media achieves an optimal balance of wettability parameters that simultaneously supports both adequate blood flow and effective leukocyte adhesion. The material's surface energy and hydrophobicity are naturally tuned to allow blood components to pass through while maintaining sufficient cell-matrix interaction for efficient leukocyte removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media combines the inherent properties of cyclic olefin copolymer with controlled pore structure and fiber morphology to create a composite material system that achieves both good wettability for flow and sufficient surface characteristics for cell adhesion, resolving the trade-off between flow rate and filtration efficiency.
3Area of stationary object
If fiber diameter is reduced to increase surface area, then manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclic olefin copolymer material inherently supports the formation of fine fibers through standard melt-blown manufacturing processes. The polymer's molecular characteristics, including its melt flow properties and crystallization behavior, naturally facilitate the creation of high-surface-area fine fiber structures without requiring specialized or complex manufacturing equipment or processes.
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 filter effectively reduces leukocyte content by up to 80% while minimizing platelet and red blood cell loss, demonstrating improved filtration efficiency and biocompatibility, as shown by cell count experiments and biocompatibility testing.
Implementation Method 1
The filter is made of an inert hydrophobic material having a wettability of 44 dynes/cm melt-blown into fibers. The fibers are preconditioned with a material to increase wettability of the fibers.
Implementation Method 2
One such characteristic which may be modified in order to increase filtration efficiency is the 'wettability' of the media or material.
Implementation Method 3
adsorption of leukocytes on fiber surfaces is widely accepted as the mechanism of leukocyte removal
Implementation Method 4
Mechanical retention is achieved by the pore size of the material or media.
Implementation Method 5
Melt blowing, in which molten resin is attenuated into fibers by a high velocity stream of gas and collected as a non-woven web
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
This invention is directed toward a leukoreduction filter for selectively removing leukocytes from blood or a blood product. The filter is made of an inert hydrophobic material having a wettability of 44 dynes/cm melt blown into fibers. The inert hydrophobic material is a non-woven melt-blown web of cyclic olefin copolymer fibers, wherein the fibers are preconditioned with a material to increase wettability of the fibers. Also claimed is a method of conditioning the melt-blown COC media.