Flexible Tube Clamp Flow Restriction for Leukocyte Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing leukocytes from blood components are inefficient at high temperatures due to increased blood flow and leukocyte deformability, leading to higher residual leukocyte counts and the risk of immune rejection and infectious agent transmission.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system for flexible tubes is designed to reduce fluid flow by compressing the tube without sealing it, using pinching surfaces that gradually reduce the cross-sectional area, allowing for effective leukocyte removal across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blood filtration is performed at high temperature (above 24°C), then the filtration process is faster and more efficient, but the leukocyte removal effectiveness decreases due to increased blood flow and leukocyte deformability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the flexible tube by compressing it with a clamp, thereby altering its cross-sectional area. This parameter change allows the system to maintain effective leukocyte removal at high temperatures by reducing the flow rate through the compressed tube section, compensating for the increased blood flow and leukocyte deformability that occur at elevated temperatures
2Ease of operation
If a narrow portion is created in the flexible tubing to regulate blood flow rate, then the flow rate can be controlled, but the clamp becomes unwieldy with large dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a localized compressed section in the flexible tube rather than compressing the entire tube. The clamp is designed to compress only a specific portion of the tube, creating a narrow section for flow regulation while keeping the rest of the tube uncompressed and flexible. This localized approach reduces the overall size of the clamp and makes it more manageable
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 clamp system maintains leukocyte depletion rates in accordance with European standards by reducing fluid flow, improving leukocyte removal efficiency and compliance with temperature variations from 24°C to 30°C.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp (1) arranged in a device for removing leukocytes from blood or a blood component, said clamp (1) comprising a body (2) provided with an opening (3) intended to receive said flexible tube (4), the opening (3) having at least one pinching portion (5) configured to compress said flexible tube (4) without closing it
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for reducing the flow of a fluid in a flexible tube comprising said flexible tube and a clamp (1), said clamp comprising a body (2) having an opening (3) for receiving said flexible tube, the opening having at least one pinch portion (5) configured to compress said flexible tube without closing it, said pinch portion is defined between a first pinch surface (6) and a second pinch surface (7) which face each other, characterized in that said pinch surfaces (6,7) approach each other over a height less than or equal to the width of the flexible tube when said flexible tube is compressed until closed, so as to reduce the flow of fluid in said flexible tube.