Flexible-Wall Biological Fluid Filters for Handling and Centrifuging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood filters with rigid housings face challenges in construction, performance, and manufacturability, particularly in handling and centrifuging, while flexible housing filters require improvements in design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A biological fluid filter assembly with flexible walls and a multi-layered filter medium, including a pre-filter, leukocyte removal layer, and a post-filter, sealed by inner and outer peripheral seals, allowing for efficient removal of microaggregates and leukocytes, with a third element providing support and air permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid housing filters are used, then structural strength is improved, but handling and centrifuging capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible housing material (soft plastic or elastomer) to replace rigid housing, allowing the filter to withstand handling and centrifuging without breakage while maintaining structural integrity through flexible seals and support structures
2Ease of operation
If flexible housing filters are used, then handling and centrifuging capabilities are improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction combining flexible housing material with rigid support elements (molded frame, peripheral seals, internal ribs) to achieve both flexibility for handling and structural strength for filtration integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is divided into functional segments: flexible housing for durability, rigid molded frame for structural support, peripheral seals for containment, and filter medium for filtration, each optimized for its specific function
3Reliability
If peripheral seals are added to flexible housing filters, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sealing functions into a single molded frame structure that combines peripheral seals, support ribs, and filter medium retention features, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sealing performance
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 flexible filter assembly effectively removes microaggregates and leukocytes, enhancing handling and centrifuging capabilities, while maintaining high air permeability and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The filter assembly includes a filter medium disposed between the flexible housing walls. The filter medium includes at least first, second and third elements wherein the first element is made of or includes a material suitable for removing a component or particulate of a biological fluid
Implementation Method 2
the walls of the filter housing have been made of a rigid, typically polymeric, material. More recently, filters wherein at least the walls of the housing are made of a flexible material have been used in blood collection kits. Soft or flexible housing filters provide the advantage of being able to withstand handling and centrifuging without breakage of the filter
Data Source
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AI summary
Flexible housing filters for filtration of fluids and methods of making such filters are disclosed. The filters may include one or more peripheral seals in the flexible housing.