Disposable Centrifugal Separation Unit for Point-of-Care Blood Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Concentrates (PC) require expensive equipment and skilled operators, limiting their availability and consistency, especially for point-of-care applications.
Innovation Solution
A portable, battery-operated, single-use centrifugal separation unit that quickly and reliably separates platelets from whole blood using a tapered tubular barrel and frusto-conical wedge design, allowing for immediate use of PRP/PC without additional centrifugation equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized large centrifuges with complex control systems are used to produce PRP/PC, then the separation reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable drive unit containing the motor and control electronics, and a disposable centrifugal separation unit containing the separation chamber and collection components. This segmentation allows the complex control functions to be isolated in the reusable portion while the disposable portion remains simple and easy to replace, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal separation unit is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for expensive sterilization and maintenance of the separation chamber, reducing the overall device complexity and cost while maintaining high reliability through consistent factory-calibrated performance in each new disposable unit.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized test tubes and syringes with floats, tubing and gel materials are used, then the platelet concentration precision is improved, but the device complexity and operator skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable centrifugal separation unit is pre-configured with precisely positioned ports, channels, and internal geometry that automatically guide the separation and collection process. The device performs the separation function autonomously once activated, eliminating the need for operators to manually manipulate complex test tubes or syringes, thus maintaining precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If conventional centrifugation methods requiring 10-30 minutes of centrifugation time are used, then the separation completeness is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable centrifugal separation unit incorporates specifically engineered centrifugal forces, port positions, and chamber geometries that optimize the separation process. These parameter optimizations enable complete separation in significantly reduced time compared to conventional methods, resolving the contradiction between separation completeness and production speed.
4Reliability
If expensive capital equipment is used for PRP/PC production, then the separation reliability is improved, but the adaptability to point-of-care settings decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the device into reusable and disposable portions, the system achieves hospital-grade reliability in the reusable drive unit while the disposable portion enables deployment in resource-limited point-of-care settings, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
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, reproducible, and cost-effective production of PRP/PC at the point of care, reducing equipment costs and operator skill requirements, and facilitating immediate application or storage.
Implementation Method 1
wherein said at least one orifice (639) is positioned at a desired radius from said longitudinal axis and located in said channel, and a second orifice (610) positioned at a second desired radius from said longitudinal axis (XX)... whereupon said constituents of said liquid mixture separate as a function of radial distance from said longitudinal axis (XX)
Data Source
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4
AI summary
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patients side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.