Leukocyte Removal Filter with Multi-Layer Fiber Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leukocyte removal filters face challenges in achieving high leukocyte removal performance and reducing filtration time, especially under ambient temperature filtration conditions, while minimizing clogging from blood cell components and plasma proteins, and are inadequate for both cold and ambient temperature filtration scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A leukocyte removal filter comprising multiple fibrous filter materials with specific average fiber diameters, where filter material A (2.0-4.0 μm) is used upstream to remove blood cell components and plasma proteins, and filter material B (0.7-1.2 μm) is downstream to efficiently remove leukocytes, with filter material C (1.2-2.0 μm) optionally inserted between them, to achieve balanced performance under both filtration conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter material with small fiber diameter is used to improve leukocyte removal performance, then leukocyte removal performance is improved, but liquid flow resistance increases and filtration time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple layers with different fiber diameters. The upstream layer uses larger fiber diameter (3-6 μm) to remove microaggregates and allow plasma proteins to pass, while the downstream layer uses smaller fiber diameter (1-2 μm) to remove leukocytes. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the downstream layer being clogged by aggregates and proteins.
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream filter layer with larger fiber diameter performs preliminary filtration by removing microaggregates and plasma proteins before the blood reaches the downstream leukocyte removal layer. This preliminary action prevents clogging of the downstream layer and maintains efficient leukocyte removal throughout the filtration process.
2Reliability
If filter material with small fiber diameter is used to improve leukocyte removal performance, then leukocyte removal performance is improved, but clogging from blood cell components and plasma proteins occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple layers with different fiber diameters. The upstream layer uses larger fiber diameter (3-6 μm) to remove microaggregates and allow plasma proteins to pass, while the downstream layer uses smaller fiber diameter (1-2 μm) to remove leukocytes. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the downstream layer being clogged by aggregates and proteins.
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream filter layer acts as an intermediary that removes microaggregates and plasma proteins before they can reach and clog the downstream leukocyte removal layer. This intermediary layer protects the critical downstream layer from harmful substances.
3Reliability
If three-layer filter structure is used to remove aggregates and leukocytes, then aggregate removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two-layer filter structure performs multiple functions: the upstream layer removes microaggregates and plasma proteins, while the downstream layer removes leukocytes. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive filtration without the complexity of a three-layer structure, as the upstream layer handles both aggregate and protein removal simultaneously.
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 significantly reduces filtration time in cold filtration and enhances leukocyte removal performance in ambient temperature filtration, minimizing blood recovery issues and ensuring high removal rates under both conditions.
Implementation Method 1
filter material A having an average fiber diameter of not less than 2.0 μm to less than 4.0 μm and a leukocyte removal filter material B having an average fiber diameter of not less than 0.7 μm to less than 1.2 μm
Implementation Method 2
leukocytes contacted with the surface of the filter material adhere to or are adsorbed on the surface of the filter material
Implementation Method 3
leukocytes contacted with the surface of the filter material adhere to or are adsorbed on the surface of the filter material
Implementation Method 4
a porous structure having continuous pores or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing leukocytes that through reducing of clogging of a leukocyte removing filter element by blood cell components and plasma proteins being a problem encountered at the time of removing leukocytes from blood, shortens the filtration time at refrigerated filtration and exhibits high leukocyte removing performance at room temperature filtration. There is provided a method of removing leukocytes including filtering blood containing leukocytes through a leukocyte removing filter apparatus having multiple fibrous filter elements with different average fiber diameters to thereby remove leukocytes from the blood, characterized in that use is made of a leukocyte removing filter apparatus wherein the multiple fibrous filter elements include at least leukocyte removing filter element (A) of 2.0 to <4.0 μm average fiber diameter and leukocyte removing filter element (B) of 0.7 to 1.2 μm average fiber diameter and wherein the filter element (B) is disposed downstream of the filter element (A), the leukocyte removing filter element (B) having an average fiber diameter of >17.5% to <50% of that of the filter element (A).