Microchannel Plasma Separation Without Centrifugation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating plasma from a trace amount of blood require centrifugation, leading to increased labor, cost, and inefficiency, with existing non-centrifugation methods experiencing clogging issues and low plasma recovery rates.
Innovation Solution
A microchannel-based apparatus with a filter that allows plasma to pass through while blocking blood cells, utilizing axial accumulation of blood cells to separate plasma efficiently without centrifugation, enabling plasma separation from a trace amount of blood with high efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a channel is used to separate plasma from blood without centrifugation, then centrifugation labor and cost are reduced, but the channel is easily clogged with blood cells and the amount of separated plasma is small
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into two distinct channels: a blood channel for whole blood flow and a plasma channel for plasma collection. The filter is segmented into multiple regions (first region in contact with blood channel, second region in contact with plasma channel) that work together to separate plasma while preventing blood cell clogging of the plasma collection path
Solution Approach 2:
A filter serves as an intermediary component between the blood channel and plasma channel. This filter allows plasma to pass through while blocking blood cells, enabling plasma separation without direct contact between blood cells and the plasma channel, thus preventing clogging
2Ease of operation
If a channel is used to separate plasma from blood without centrifugation, then centrifugation labor and cost are reduced, but the amount of separated plasma is merely about 5% of the total plasma amount
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-channel design to a dual-channel parallel configuration. The blood channel and plasma channel are arranged in parallel with the filter connecting them, creating a two-dimensional flow path that enables efficient plasma separation. This dimensional change allows plasma to be collected continuously along the length of the channels, dramatically increasing the separated plasma volume from 5% to approximately 65% of total plasma
3Reliability
If diluted blood is used to prevent channel clogging, then channel clogging is reduced, but the amount of plasma separated is merely about 5% of the total plasma amount
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into functional regions: a first region that contacts the blood channel and allows plasma passage while blocking blood cells, and a second region that contacts the plasma channel for plasma collection. This segmentation enables the use of undiluted blood while maintaining high plasma separation efficiency by directing plasma flow away from blood cell accumulation zones
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 method achieves a high plasma separation efficiency of about 65% from a trace amount of blood, reducing labor and cost, and allowing self-administered blood collection, making it suitable for biochemical analyses.
Implementation Method 1
a filter which plasma can pass through but blood cells cannot pass through
Implementation Method 2
blood cell components in the blood flowing through the blood channel axially accumulate and at which hemolysis does not occur
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for separating plasma by which plasma can be separated from a small amount of whole blood cell sample without centrifugation is disclosed. This apparatus includes a blood channel through which blood flows; and a plasma channel through which plasma separated from said blood flows. The plasma channel is arranged at least partially in parallel with said blood channel and the blood channel and the plasma channel are at least partially in contact with each other along the longitudinal direction of the channels. Blood is made to flow at a flow rate at which blood cell components in the blood flowing through the blood channel axially accumulate and at which hemolysis does not occur. The plasma moves to the plasma channel after being separated into a blood cell layer and a plasma layer.