Foam Collared Float for Blood Component Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating blood components, such as autologous platelet concentrates, require skilled operators, are time-consuming, and involve significant costs, with existing devices needing large blood volumes and being complex to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A foam collared float apparatus that facilitates the separation of blood components by using a closed cell foam material with a wide and narrow float stem portion, a foam collar, and a float hole, allowing for easy attachment and secure positioning within a container, enabling efficient centrifugation and minimal platelet damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional autologous platelet concentrate devices are used, then blood component separation can be achieved, but the process requires skilled operators, is time-consuming, and involves significant costs
Solution Approach 1:
The float apparatus is designed to automatically separate blood components without requiring skilled operators. The device self-regulates the separation process through the float mechanism that responds to density differences, eliminating the need for complex manual control and reducing operator skill requirements while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The float acts as an intermediary device between the blood sample and the separation process. It mediates the separation by responding to density changes in the blood components and automatically adjusting the centrifugal force distribution, thereby simplifying the operation while maintaining effective separation.
2Productivity
If traditional separation methods are used, then blood components can be separated, but the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The float apparatus utilizes changes in density parameters of blood components to achieve rapid separation. By designing the float to respond sensitively to density differences, the device accelerates the separation process, increasing productivity while reducing the time required for blood component separation.
3Reliability
If complex devices are used for blood separation, then separation effectiveness can be achieved, but the devices require large blood volumes and are complex to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential separation function from complex automated systems and implements it through a simple float mechanism. By removing unnecessary complexity while retaining the core separation effectiveness, the device achieves reliable blood component separation with minimal structure, reducing both device complexity and required blood volume.
4Reliability
If traditional centrifugation methods are used, then platelet-rich plasma can be obtained, but platelet damage occurs and the process is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces harsh mechanical centrifugation forces with a gentler float-based separation mechanism. This substitution reduces mechanical stress on platelets, improving platelet integrity while simplifying the device structure and reducing manufacturing costs, thereby achieving both better platelet preservation and cost-effectiveness.
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 foam collared float design allows for rapid and effective separation of blood components, reducing operator skill requirements, lowering costs, and enabling easy preparation of platelet-rich plasma with minimal platelet damage, while being easy to use and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a foam collared float apparatus that facilitates the separation of blood components by using a closed cell foam material
Implementation Method 2
The foam collar may be compressed between the float stem and the container interior wall
Implementation Method 3
The sedimentation of the various blood cells and plasma is based on the different specific gravity of the cells and the viscosity of the medium. Under the influence of gravity or centrifugal force, blood spontaneously sediments into three layers.
Data Source
AI summary
Float securement apparatus and methods are described herein. One method of securing a float within a container may generally comprise positioning a float into a bottom of a container, introducing a volume of fluid within the bottom of the container such that the fluid covers the float, and forming a vapor lock between the float and the container such that a position of the float is secured relative to an interior of the container.