Floating Disk for Blood Component Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precision of separating red blood cells from plasma and other components during centrifugation of blood is hindered by variations in sedimentation rates and densities, leading to errors in the placement of separating elements, which significantly affects the recovery rate of desired cells like platelets and stem cells.
Innovation Solution
A floating separating element with a majority of its mass in a thin positioning part, designed to float near the interface between plasma and red blood cells, ensures accurate positioning by being dependent on the density difference between the plasma and red blood cell layers, minimizing the transfer of red blood cells while maximizing the collection of desired components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed separating element is used at the expected boundary location, then the device structure is simple, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to variations in sedimentation rates and density gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The separating element is designed to float freely at the plasma-red blood cell interface rather than being fixed in position. This dynamic positioning allows the element to automatically adjust to variations in sedimentation rates and density gradients, maintaining optimal separation accuracy without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The separating element's density is specifically engineered to be between that of plasma and red blood cells, enabling it to float at the interface. This parameter optimization allows the element to respond to density variations in the blood components, maintaining precise positioning despite changes in hematocrit or centrifugation conditions
2Reliability
If the separating element is positioned deeper to ensure separation, then red blood cell contamination is reduced, but the recovery rate of desired cells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The separating element features a thin separating part positioned just below the interface that provides localized separation action. This concentrated separation zone effectively prevents red blood cell contamination while preserving the thin layer of desired cells above it, achieving both high reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The element introduces a horizontal separating barrier at the critical interface zone rather than relying solely on vertical positioning depth. This dimensional approach creates an effective separation plane that stops red blood cells from mixing with plasma while maintaining access to the buffy coat layer
3Productivity
If the separating element is positioned higher to maximize cell collection, then the recovery rate improves, but red blood cell contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating element concentrates its separation function at the precise interface location through a thin separating part. This localized action creates an effective barrier exactly where plasma and red blood cells meet, preventing contamination while allowing maximum collection of desired cells in the plasma and buffy coat layers
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
This configuration allows for precise positioning of the separating element, ensuring a significant increase in the recovery rate of desired cells by maintaining the separating part below the interface, thereby reducing errors and minimizing the collection of red blood cells, thus enhancing the quality of the separated components.
Implementation Method 1
a floating separating element with a majority of its mass in a thin positioning part, designed to float near the interface between plasma and red blood cells, ensures accurate positioning by being dependent on the density difference between the plasma and red blood cell layers
Implementation Method 2
Blood is commonly separated into its components by centrifugation
Data Source
AI summary
A floating separating element for use in centrifugal separation of components of a physiological fluid comprises a positioning part and a separating part, where the positioning part is designed to automatically assume a position in a supernatant and a separating part is positioned at a desired location with respect to the interface between the supernatant and heavier components. In preferred embodiments the physiological fluids are blood or bone marrow aspirate, and the heavier components comprise red blood cells. The positioning part comprises the majority of the mass of the separating element and is thin so that differences in the position of the separating element with respect to the interface are small compared to differences in the densities of the separated components, particularly the component comprising red blood cells. A method allows red blood cells to move the separating element during decanting to ensure complete decant of the supernatant.