Autologous Lymphocyte Isolation for Splenectomy Infection Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients undergoing splenectomy face increased risks of post-splenectomy infection due to reduced immune function and inefficacy of current splenic autotransplantation methods, which often result in complications and declining vaccine titers against encapsulated organisms.

Innovation Solution

Harvesting and administering autologous splenic lymphocytes post-splenectomy, along with a vaccine antigen, to enhance immune response and reduce infection risk, using a device for lymphocyte isolation and purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If splenic autotransplantation is performed to restore immune function, then immune response is improved, but complications such as fibrosis, necrosis, and bowel adhesion occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune function restorationVSAvoidtransplantation complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and isolates lymphocytes from the removed spleen tissue, separating the beneficial immune cells from the problematic splenic tissue that causes complications. This allows administration of pure lymphocytes without the fibrosis, necrosis, and adhesion issues associated with whole tissue autotransplantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spleen is segmented into its functional components, specifically isolating the lymphocyte population from other splenic tissues. This segmentation enables selective transplantation of the immune-active lymphocytes while eliminating the harmful structural components of the spleen that cause transplantation complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If complete splenectomy is performed to treat severe conditions, then life-threatening conditions are resolved, but post-splenectomy infection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment of severe conditionsVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patient's own lymphocytes are harvested from the removed spleen and reinfused back into the patient. This self-service approach restores the patient's immune function using their own cells, eliminating the need for immunosuppression and reducing infection risk without requiring the spleen to be present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If splenic tissue is autotransplanted to maintain immune function, then antibody response is improved, but vaccine titers decline over time due to tissue necrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibody responseVSAvoidvaccine titer duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on long-term survival of transplanted splenic tissue, the invention uses a renewable source of lymphocytes that can be harvested and reinfused as needed. This approach replaces the declining vaccine titers from necrotic tissue with fresh lymphocyte infusions, maintaining immune protection indefinitely through periodic treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2887882B1Isolation of lymphocytes and delivery to splenectomy patients

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY

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AI summary

The present invention includes a method and device for the isolation of lymphocytes, particularly splenic lymphocytes, for administration to patients. In particular for patients undergoing a splenectomy, administration of splenic lymphocytes may increase a patient's immunity and reduce the likelihood of post-splenectomy infections and other complications.