Negative Pressure Growth Factor Extraction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting and isolating growth factors from platelets for wound healing are inefficient, requiring trained personnel and are costly due to the need for complex equipment and adherence to stringent FDA guidelines, with existing processes often damaging the growth factors during preservation and leaving behind cellular debris.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a reservoir and plunger mechanism that applies negative pressure to extract growth factors from platelets without the need for thrombin activation, allowing for the separation of growth factors in a bioactive state and their preservation through methods like lyophilization or freeze-drying, while minimizing contamination from platelets and other cellular components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex equipment and stringent FDA guidelines are followed for extracting growth factors, then extraction reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a reservoir for holding blood, a plunger mechanism for applying negative pressure, and a separation chamber for isolating growth factors. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall device structure manageable and understandable, reducing complexity without compromising extraction reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism is designed to be manually operable, allowing the user to directly control the negative pressure application without requiring complex automated systems. The device enables the operator to perform the extraction process through simple manual manipulation, eliminating the need for sophisticated control systems while maintaining reliable growth factor extraction
2Productivity
If thrombin activation is used to release growth factors from platelets, then growth factor extraction is improved, but cellular debris contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device directly extracts growth factors from platelets through negative pressure application without using thrombin activation. This extraction method isolates the growth factors from the platelet structure and removes them along with minimal cellular debris, achieving both high extraction efficiency and low contamination levels by taking out the desired component without the harmful activation process
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism acts as an intermediary that applies mechanical negative pressure to release growth factors from platelets without requiring chemical mediators like thrombin. This mechanical intermediary approach achieves growth factor release while avoiding the cellular debris contamination that would result from enzymatic activation
3Duration of action of stationary object
If growth factors are preserved using conventional methods, then shelf life is extended, but growth factor bioactivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables preservation of growth factors by changing the physical parameters of the preservation process. By maintaining growth factors in a purified state with minimal cellular debris and using controlled drying methods, the device extends shelf life while preserving bioactivity through parameter optimization rather than conventional preservation that compromises functionality
4Measurement precision
If trained personnel are used to operate extraction equipment, then extraction precision is improved, but operational cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be easily operated by any user through simple manual manipulation of the plunger mechanism. The self-explanatory design and straightforward operation eliminate the need for specially trained personnel while maintaining precise growth factor extraction, making the device accessible to a broader range of users without sacrificing extraction precision
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a simple, disposable-like design where the reservoir and plunger mechanism can be easily replaced or sterilized. This approach reduces the need for complex calibration and maintenance procedures that would require trained personnel, while still achieving precise extraction results through the device's inherent design simplicity
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 solution enables the efficient and cost-effective extraction of growth factors in a bioactive state, free from platelets and other cellular debris, which can be preserved for extended shelf life and used immediately or reconstituted for therapeutic applications, enhancing wound healing processes.
Implementation Method 1
A plunger mechanism is movable to selected positions within the reservoir to increase and decrease the volume of the chamber to apply negative pressure to growth factor starting material to produce activated growth factors
Implementation Method 2
separation of growth factors in a bioactive state and their preservation through methods like lyophilization or freeze-drying, while minimizing contamination from platelets and other cellular components
Implementation Method 3
their preservation through methods like lyophilization or freeze-drying
Implementation Method 4
their preservation through methods like lyophilization or freeze-drying
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir is supported by a base in a vertical position. A reciprocating member is positioned in the reservoir forming an internal chamber. The chamber receives growth factor starting material through an inlet in the reciprocating member. After the inlet is sealed, the reciprocating member increases the volume of the chamber to apply negative pressure to the growth factor starting material within the chamber to produce activated growth factors. The activated growth factors are extracted from the chamber through an outlet in the reciprocating member. Optionally, the growth factor starting material is held in the chamber to separate into fractions.