Method for producing erythrocyte concentrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing red blood cell concentrates do not effectively address the storage stability and pathogen inactivation, particularly after UV irradiation, leading to potential hemolysis and quality degradation during storage.

Innovation Solution

A novel additive solution comprising specific components like disodium hydrogen phosphate, adenine, guanosine, sodium chloride, and trisodium citrate, combined with UV irradiation at wavelengths of 300 to 200 nm, is used to produce and store red blood cell concentrates, enhancing storage stability and pathogen inactivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UV irradiation is applied to inactivate pathogens in red blood cell concentrates, then pathogen inactivation is improved, but hemolysis and quality degradation occur during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepathogen inactivationVSAvoidhemolysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (riboflavin or other photosensitizers) that mediates the UV irradiation process. This photosensitizer absorbs UV light and transfers energy to pathogens for inactivation while being protected from excessive damage by the additive solution composition, thereby reducing hemolysis. The photosensitizer acts as a bridge between UV irradiation and pathogen inactivation without directly causing harmful effects to red blood cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the storage environment by adjusting the additive solution composition (specific pH range 6.8-7.4, specific ionic strength, presence of protective agents) to reduce the damaging effects of UV irradiation on red blood cells. By changing these parameters, the solution creates a protective environment that allows UV irradiation to inactivate pathogens while minimizing hemolysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional additive solutions are used for storing red blood cell concentrates, then storage stability is maintained, but pathogen inactivation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidpathogen inactivation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate functions into one integrated system: the additive solution simultaneously provides storage stability (by maintaining pH, osmolarity, and nutrient supply) and enables pathogen inactivation (by containing photosensitizers that reactivate under UV light). This combination eliminates the need for separate pathogen inactivation steps and maintains both storage quality and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The additive solution is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a storage medium, a protective agent against UV-induced hemolysis, a nutrient source for red blood cells, and a carrier for photosensitizers that enable pathogen inactivation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the storage solution itself capable of pathogen inactivation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If UV irradiation is performed on diluted red blood cell concentrates, then pathogen inactivation efficiency is improved, but concentration and storage stability become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepathogen inactivation efficiencyVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding photosensitizers to the additive solution before UV irradiation. This ensures that the photosensitizers are already distributed and protected within the solution, enabling effective pathogen inactivation even when the concentrate is diluted. The preliminary preparation of the solution with protective agents and photosensitizers allows subsequent dilution and irradiation to proceed effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution significantly reduces hemolysis and maintains red blood cell quality, as evidenced by lower hemolysis rates, higher ATP content, and better glucose and lactate levels during storage compared to conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

irradiation with UV light in the range of 300 to 200 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV irradiation: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

The invention relates to a process for producing red blood cell concentrates diluted with an additive solution, comprising the step of irradiation with UV light in the range of 300 to 200 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-oxidation: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4344397B1Method for producing erythrocyte concentrates
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 BLUTSPENDEDIENST LANDESVERBANDE DES DRK NIEDERSACHSEN SACHSEN ANHALT THURINGEN OLDENB BREMEN GGMBH
  • EP4344397B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4344397B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4344397B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an additive solution for storing erythrocyte concentrates, to erythrocyte concentrates that are provided with the additive solution, and to a process for producing erythrocyte concentrates diluted with the additive solution, comprising the step of irradiation with UV light, and to the use of the additive solution for storing erythrocyte concentrates.