Flexible Membrane Centrifugal Blood Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood separation methods, such as differential centrifugation, face limitations in efficiently separating and purifying blood components for therapeutic use, particularly in apheresis procedures, where high purity and continuous processing are required.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible membrane in a separation chamber within a centrifuge system that expands under centrifugal force to separate composite liquids, such as whole blood, into distinct components, allowing for improved separation and collection of cells like white blood cells and platelets, and subsequent contraction for efficient component collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional differential centrifugation methods are used for blood separation, then the separation of blood components into discrete phases is achieved, but the purity and efficiency of component collection is insufficient for therapeutic use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can expand and contract within the centrifugal field. The membrane creates a selective barrier that enhances separation precision by allowing only specific blood components to pass through while retaining others, thereby improving purity. The flexibility enables dynamic adaptation to centrifugal forces, maintaining separation efficiency throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a dynamic system where the membrane can change its state between expanded and contracted configurations. During expansion, the membrane accommodates the centrifugal force and facilitates separation; during contraction, it enables efficient collection of separated components. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the system's physical state to different operational phases.
2Manufacturing precision
If high rotational speeds are used in differential centrifugation, then separation into discrete phases is improved, but the complexity of the separation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane simplifies the separation process by providing a passive, geometry-based separation mechanism rather than requiring complex active control systems. The membrane's natural response to centrifugal force creates the separation, reducing device complexity while maintaining high separation precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a flexible membrane is used for separation, then the recovery and purity of blood components is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a separation barrier, a structural element defining the chamber volume, and a dynamic component that responds to centrifugal forces. This multi-functionality enhances component recovery and purity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane structure performs multiple roles within the separation chamber - separating components based on density, defining the chamber's expanding/contracting volume, and facilitating efficient component collection during contraction. This universal design resolves the contradiction by making the added structural element work across multiple operational phases.
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
Enhances the recovery and purity of blood components by expanding to accommodate centrifugal forces and then contracting to efficiently collect separated cells, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of blood component separation and collection processes.
Implementation Method 1
The composite liquid may be a cellular containing liquid, such as liquids containing whole blood or components of whole blood
Implementation Method 2
Rotation of the blood processing vessel creates a centrifugal force directed along rotating axes of separation, oriented perpendicular to the central rotation axis of the centrifuge. The centrifugal force generated upon rotation separates particles suspended in the blood sample into discrete phases having different densities.
Implementation Method 3
The use of a flexible membrane in a separation chamber within a centrifuge system that expands under centrifugal force to separate composite liquids
Data Source
AI summary
Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating composite liquids into components. Embodiments involve the use of a flexible membrane for separating a composite liquid into components. The composite liquid may include, in embodiments, a cellular containing liquid, such as whole blood or components of whole blood. In one specific embodiment, the composite liquid is a buffy coat.