Elutriation Chamber Conical Constriction Platelet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating platelets from platelet-rich plasma using centrifugation result in platelet aggregation and activation, leading to increased thrombosis risk and contamination with other blood cells, which are difficult to remove effectively without damaging the platelets.
Innovation Solution
An elutriation chamber with a specific design that includes a supply line for cell suspension and a discharge line, featuring a conical constriction to accelerate the liquid flow and prevent pellet formation, allowing for high inflow speeds to maintain platelets in suspension and separate contaminants, while maintaining aseptic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If platelets are pelleted by centrifugation to remove plasma, then plasma separation is achieved, but platelet aggregation and activation occur leading to thrombosis risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the centrifugal mechanical system with an elutriation system that uses fluid flow dynamics. Instead of using centrifugal force to pellet platelets, the invention uses a controlled liquid flow through a conical chamber to separate plasma from platelets based on density and flow velocity, avoiding the mechanical stress that causes aggregation and activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the separation parameter from centrifugal force to fluid flow velocity and density gradient. By controlling the flow rate through the conical chamber and utilizing the density difference between plasma and platelets, the system achieves plasma removal without the harmful effects of centrifugation-induced platelet aggregation.
2Quantity of substance
If filtration is used to remove white blood cells from platelet-rich plasma, then white blood cell removal is achieved, but cell contents are released into the filtrate causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the filtration mechanical system with an elutriation system based on fluid dynamics. Instead of forcing cells through a filter membrane that releases contents, the invention uses differential flow velocities in a conical chamber to separate white blood cells from platelets based on their different sedimentation rates, maintaining cell integrity and preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical chamber acts as an intermediary separation zone where fluid flow dynamics mediate the separation process. The chamber geometry and flow pattern create conditions where white blood cells and platelets follow different flow paths, achieving separation without direct contact with filter surfaces that would cause cell rupture and contamination.
3Speed
If centrifugation is used to separate platelets from plasma, then separation speed is fast, but platelet aggregates form that are difficult to resuspend
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces centrifugation with an elutriation system that uses controlled fluid flow through a conical chamber. This substitution maintains rapid separation through optimized flow dynamics while preventing platelet aggregation by avoiding high-g centrifugal forces, resulting in platelets that remain individually suspended and easily resuspendable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the separation mechanism from high-g centrifugal force to controlled fluid flow velocity. By adjusting flow rate and chamber geometry, the system achieves rapid separation while maintaining platelet integrity and preventing aggregate formation, ensuring easy resuspension for subsequent applications.
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 elutriation chamber effectively separates platelets from plasma and contaminants without aggregating or activating the platelets, reducing the risk of thrombosis and ensuring aseptic conditions, allowing for the efficient removal of undesirable components without forming pellets.
Implementation Method 1
elutriation chamber for an elutriator system for washing and/or isolating cells, in particular thrombocytes
Implementation Method 2
separate plasma and microbial contaminants that may occur in the plasma from the platelets by means of an improved washing process
Implementation Method 3
featuring a conical constriction to accelerate the liquid flow and prevent pellet formation, allowing for high inflow speeds to maintain platelets in suspension
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elutriation chamber for an elutriator system for washing and/or isolating cells, in particular thrombocytes, which elutriation chamber has a supply line (1) for an aqueous medium, which contains in suspension the cells to be washed and/or isolated, and a discharge line (2) for the washed and/or isolated cells, the chamber (5) being rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis (a), characterized in that the ratio of the area of the section through the cavity of the chamber (5) normal to the axis (a) at the widest point (5a-5b) to the area of the section (1a) through the supply line (1) is in the range of 1000 to 250000.