Membrane Plasma Separation Device for Point-of-Care Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating liquid biological specimens into constituent components are often inefficient, require expensive equipment, and can damage analytes, limiting their effectiveness for precise analysis.
Innovation Solution
A liquid biological specimen separation device comprising a base, collection membranes, separation membranes, and covers that allow for efficient and selective separation of specimens into two components, with features like ergonomic design, easy handling, and preservation of analytes, using membranes with specific pore sizes to trap solid components and allow cell-free fractions to pass through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centrifugation is used to separate blood plasma from whole blood, then separation efficiency is improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the separation function from complex centrifugation equipment and implements it through simple membrane structures. The separation membrane with specific pore sizes (0.1-10 micrometers) performs the separation function directly, eliminating the need for expensive centrifuges while achieving comparable separation efficiency between plasma and cellular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable microfluidic devices with integrated membranes that are low-cost and single-use. These devices replace expensive, reusable centrifugation equipment with affordable, disposable alternatives that maintain separation effectiveness without requiring complex mechanical systems.
2Productivity
If centrifugation is used to separate blood components, then separation capability is improved, but analyte damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugal force system with a passive membrane-based separation system. The separation membrane uses its pore structure (0.1-10 micrometers) to physically filter and separate components based on size, eliminating the high-speed rotation and mechanical stress that cause analyte damage in centrifugation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes porous separation membranes with controlled pore sizes (0.1-10 micrometers) to achieve separation based on molecular and cellular size. This porous structure allows gentle passage of plasma components while retaining cellular elements, avoiding the mechanical damage associated with centrifugal forces.
3Device complexity
If traditional filtering devices are used to separate biological specimens, then equipment simplicity is improved, but separation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating membranes with spatially varying pore size distributions within the microfluidic device. Different regions of the membrane have optimized pore sizes (0.1-10 micrometers) tailored to separate specific components at different stages, achieving high separation precision while maintaining overall device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite membrane structures combining multiple materials with different pore characteristics. These composite membranes integrate size-based filtration with charge-based separation capabilities, enabling precise separation of complex biological specimens through a single simple device structure.
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
Enables precise and accurate separation of specimens, preserving analytes for subsequent analysis without the need for expensive equipment, while minimizing damage to the analytes, making it suitable for point-of-care applications and further processing.
Implementation Method 1
membranes with specific pore sizes to trap solid components and allow cell-free fractions to pass through
Implementation Method 2
collection membranes, wherein the collection membranes collect a cell-free fraction of the biological specimen
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. The devices generally include one or more sample deposition regions supported on a base. Each sample deposition region includes a separation membrane for separating the liquid biological specimen into two different fractions. The first fraction is trapped by the separation membrane while the second fraction passes through the separation membrane and into a respective collection membrane. The separation and collection membranes are easily separable from the devices and can be utilized for further processing and analysis.