Elastic Membrane Separator for Blood Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood collection tube separators fail to effectively separate blood serum from cruor due to incomplete sealing and material inefficiencies, as they rely on solid ballast for buoyancy and sealing, which is cumbersome and material-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A separator with a membrane constriction that acts as a tension spring to facilitate movement under centrifugal force, preventing liquid flow and ensuring a secure seal, while being lightweight and easy to manufacture, using a thin membrane that counteracts centrifugal force and allows the separator to widen for complete separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid ballast is used for buoyancy and sealing, then the separator achieves reliable sealing, but the device becomes cumbersome and material-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solid ballast with a thin elastic membrane that provides both sealing and buoyancy functions. The membrane's elasticity allows it to deform under centrifugal force during separation while maintaining its sealing function, eliminating the need for cumbersome solid ballast structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a sealing element, provides buoyancy through its elastic properties, and functions as a spring mechanism to maintain separation. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate solid components.
2Ease of manufacture
If a thin membrane is used instead of solid ballast, then the separator becomes lightweight and easy to manufacture, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The thin elastic membrane is specifically designed to provide sufficient sealing capability while maintaining manufacturability. Its elastic properties allow it to conform to the separation interface and maintain reliable sealing without requiring complex solid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's elastic properties and thickness are carefully controlled to optimize both sealing reliability and manufacturability. By adjusting these parameters, the membrane achieves reliable sealing while remaining thin and easy to manufacture.
3Ease of manufacture
If the separator uses a fixed structure, then it is simple to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to centrifugal force changes during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane structure transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adaptive structure. Under centrifugal force during separation, the membrane deforms to accommodate the separation process, and then returns to its original shape, providing continuous adaptation to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's physical state changes dynamically in response to centrifugal force. It deforms under force and recovers when force is removed, allowing the separator to adapt to different operational phases while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 membrane-based separator effectively separates blood serum from cruor by ensuring a reliable seal and efficient material usage, allowing for precise phase separation and easy production, with the membrane providing necessary spring action and preventing liquid accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
the separator detaches from its initial position and moves into a sealing position under the action of the centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
The membrane acts as a tension spring insofar as it counteracts a pulling force acting on the separator, in particular centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
Because the density of the entire separator lies in a value range between the density of the blood serum and the density of the cruor, the separator automatically positions itself exactly at the phase boundary between blood serum and cruor
Implementation Method 4
the blood collection tube with the blood located therein is centrifuged. The heavier cruor then settles due to centrifugation in the area near the bottom of the blood collection tube, while the lighter blood serum floats on the cruor
Implementation Method 5
it seals the float in the area of its constriction against the liquid; thus, a flow of the liquid through the float and also through the entire separator is effectively prevented
Data Source
AI summary
A separator for separating a first from a second phase of a liquid in a tubular container has an elastic float with a circular sealing edge for sealing engagement with the inside of the tubular container in a sealing position. At the underside of the float, a ballast is attached. The density of the ballast is greater than the density of the float and the density of the entire separator is in a range between the density of the first phase and the density of the second phase of the liquid. The float has a local constriction and, in the area of the constriction, a membrane.