Fibrin Foam Formation Using Rotational Blood Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for forming fibrin products, such as fibrin foam, during surgical procedures are time-consuming, complex, and require specialized equipment, making them inefficient and unsuitable for emergency situations, especially when using autologous blood samples.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a single container with a rotational drive assembly for centrifugation to separate blood samples into plasma and packed cell segments, allowing for the formation of fibrin foam within a reaction chamber by mixing the plasma segment with a thrombin-like enzyme and calcium, facilitating efficient production during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to prepare fibrinogen containing fraction from autologous blood, then fibrin foam can be formed, but the process is time-consuming and too complex to be completed during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (blood collection, centrifugation, plasma separation, and fibrin foam formation) into a single integrated system. The blood collection tube contains both the anticoagulant and the thrombin reagent, and the centrifuge tube serves as both the separation chamber and the reaction chamber, eliminating the need for multiple separate steps and equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The blood collection tube serves multiple functions: it collects blood, prevents coagulation through anticoagulant, and provides the thrombin reagent for fibrinogen conversion. The centrifuge tube acts as both the centrifugation chamber and the fibrin foam formation chamber, reducing the number of components needed.
2Reliability
If fibrin components are prepared in advance, then safety and biocompatibility are improved, but additional procedures for identification and retrieval are required, creating opportunities for error and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the patient's own blood to serve itself by containing all necessary components (anticoagulant and thrombin reagent) within the blood collection tube. The autologous blood is processed immediately during surgery without requiring external preparation, storage, or retrieval procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The thrombin reagent is pre-loaded into the blood collection tube along with the anticoagulant, so that when blood is drawn, the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin is already prepared to occur. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for separate identification and retrieval steps.
3Productivity
If conventional fibrin foam formation methods are used, then fibrin products can be created, but specialized equipment and complex procedures are required, reducing efficiency during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blood collection function with the fibrin foam formation function by including the thrombin reagent in the blood collection tube. This eliminates the need for separate equipment for blood collection and fibrinogen conversion, simplifying the overall procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The blood collection tube acts as an intermediary that contains both the anticoagulant and thrombin reagent, facilitating the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin without requiring additional specialized equipment or complex procedural steps.
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 quick and efficient production of fibrin foam or other fibrin products in the operating room without the need for complex equipment, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety by utilizing autologous blood samples effectively.
Implementation Method 1
centrifugation of the canister results in separation of a blood sample into at least a plasma segment and a packed cell segment
Implementation Method 2
The thrombin enzyme converts the fibrinogen to fibrin which rapidly gels into a foam, film or like consistently textured matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A system for forming fibrin foam, preferably utilizing a single container, comprising a cartridge structured to be rotationally driven and including a primary chamber disposed and structured to receive a blood sample therein. The cartridge further includes reaction and cell chambers independently disposed in fluid communication with said primary chamber. The blood sample is separated into a plasma segment and a packed cell segment when subjected to sufficient centrifugation concurrent to the driven rotation of the cartridge. Concurrent to the centrifugation of the canister, the plasma segment is directed from said primary chamber into said reaction chamber and the packed cell segment is directed from an interior of said primary chamber to an exterior thereof, such as into the cell chamber. The reaction chamber includes sufficient quantities of gas and reactant composition to facilitate formation of fibrin foam therein concurrent to centrifugation.