Integrated Filter in Biological Fluid Cassette
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood processing systems require a dedicated hardware component for filters, increasing device footprint and complexity, particularly for leukoreduction in blood components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a filter directly into the design of a biological fluid processing cassette, eliminating the need for a separate filter receptacle by integrating a filtration medium within the cassette body and cap, which includes inlet and outlet ports for fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate filter component is used in blood processing systems, then effective leukoreduction is achieved, but device footprint and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filter directly into the cassette body, merging two separate components (cassette and filter) into a single integrated unit. The filter media is positioned within the cassette housing with inlet and outlet ports that align with the cassette's fluid pathways, eliminating the need for separate filter installation while maintaining leukoreduction functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette body is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the filtration medium, provides fluid pathways for blood flow, and maintains structural integrity during processing. This multi-functional design allows the same component to perform both containment and filtration roles, reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a separate filter component is used in blood processing systems, then effective leukoreduction is achieved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is merged with the cassette body, allowing the filtration function to be performed within the existing cassette footprint. The filter media is positioned inside the cassette housing, utilizing the same spatial envelope rather than requiring additional external space
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media is nested within the cassette body structure, with the filtration layer positioned inside the housing. This nesting approach allows the filter to occupy space within the existing cassette volume rather than requiring additional external space
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 integration reduces the device footprint and installation complexity while maintaining effective leukoreduction capabilities, enhancing the efficiency and manufacturability of blood processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration medium sealed within the cavity for filtration of a biological fluid flowing through the cavity from the inlet port to the outlet port
Data Source
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AI summary
Biological fluid processing cassettes with integrated filter structures are disclosed. A cassette body is formed of a generally rigid material, defining a plurality of internal fluid flow paths. The cassette body may be secured to a cassette cap to define a cavity, with a filter sealed within the cavity. Each of the cassette body and the cassette cap defines a port opening into the cavity, which allows fluid to flow from one of the internal fluid flow paths, into the cavity and through the filter, and then out of the cavity via the port of the cassette cap. Alternatively, the cassette body may define an external slot which receives at least a portion of a filter. Such a filter includes two ports, with one of the ports in fluid communication with a cassette port of the cassette body to allow fluid flow between the cassette body and the filter.