Patterned Dried Blood Spot Card for Uniform Plasma Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic devices struggle to produce high-quality, reproducible fluid samples for analysis, particularly in cases where multiple components of a fluid need to be separated or distributed uniformly within the device.
Innovation Solution
The fluidic devices incorporate a central region with radially extending channels and sample regions, a filtration layer to separate components like blood cells from plasma, and a layer to distribute fluid laterally across the device, ensuring uniform distribution and separation of fluid components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filtration layer is added to separate blood cells from plasma, then the quality and reproducibility of plasma samples are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional layers: a first porous absorbent layer for sample application, a second filtration layer for cell-plasma separation, and a third porous absorbent layer for plasma collection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently, improving sample quality while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous absorbent materials in the first and third layers, along with a fibrous filtration layer, to enable controlled fluid flow and separation. The porous structure allows plasma to pass through while retaining blood cells, achieving reliable plasma separation without requiring complex mechanical filtration systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple channels extend radially from a central region to distribute fluid uniformly, then the uniformity of fluid distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channels are arranged in a radial pattern extending from a central region, creating a symmetric geometric configuration. This radial symmetry naturally promotes uniform fluid distribution across all channels, as the equidistant spacing and identical channel dimensions ensure equal flow paths, reducing the need for complex manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall pattern is symmetric, the patent employs asymmetric channel designs within the radial arrangement, with channels having different lengths or configurations to compensate for variations in fluid flow dynamics, achieving uniform distribution despite manufacturing variations.
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
This design allows for the formation of high-quality, reproducible samples that can be easily collected and analyzed without contamination, facilitating efficient plasma-based tests by ensuring uniform distribution and separation of fluid components.
Implementation Method 1
a layer comprising a porous, absorbent material... flowing a fluid sample from a central region through first and second channels
Implementation Method 2
a second, filtration layer configured to separate blood cells from plasma... retaining at least a portion of cells in the blood sample on a first side of the filtration layer, and transporting at least a portion of plasma in the blood sample away from the filtration layer
Data Source
AI summary
Articles and methods involving fluidic devices are generally provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic device comprises a first layer comprising a central region in fluidic communication with an environment external to the fluidic device. The first layer may also comprise a first channel and a second channel in fluidic communication with the central region and extending radially outwards therefrom. The first and second channels may comprises first and second sample regions from which first and second samples can be removed from the fluidic device. In some embodiments, a fluidic device comprises a first layer and a second, filtration layer configured to separate blood cells from plasma positioned between the environment external to the fluidic device and the first layer. In some embodiments, a fluidic device comprises a layer configured to distribute fluid from the region in fluidic communication with the environment external to the fluidic device laterally across the layer positioned between two porous, absorbent layers.