Microfluidic Blood Plasma Separation via Capillary Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood plasma separation methods require trained personnel, specialized equipment, and a power source, and often result in low extraction volumes and long processing times, making them unsuitable for portable, point-of-care applications that need efficient biomarker screening without cell lysis or hemolysis.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a capillary pump and a separation membrane with specific pore sizes, allowing pressure-driven separation of blood plasma from whole blood without the need for electrical power, using a capillary pump and sequential draining to extract plasma while minimizing cell damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation is used to separate blood plasma from whole blood, then separation effectiveness is improved, but the need for trained personnel, specialized equipment, and power sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugal separation system with a capillary-driven microfluidic system. The microfluidic device uses capillary forces generated by the porous separation membrane and hydrophilic capillary pump to drive blood plasma through the separation membrane, eliminating the need for mechanical centrifuges and trained personnel while achieving effective separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic device is designed to be self-powered through capillary action. The hydrophilic capillary pump and porous separation membrane automatically generate the driving force for fluid flow without external power sources, allowing the system to perform separation autonomously without requiring operational intervention or power supply.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual pump-powered devices are used for blood plasma separation, then portability is improved, but the need for trained personnel to operate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device eliminates manual pumping by using self-generated capillary forces. The hydrophilic capillary pump and porous membrane create automatic fluid drive through capillary action, making the device operationally simple while maintaining portability for point-of-care use.
3Extent of automation
If electrically-powered devices are used for blood plasma separation, then automation is improved, but the need for power sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically-powered pumping mechanisms with capillary-driven fluid transport. The porous separation membrane and hydrophilic capillary pump generate automatic fluid flow through capillary forces, achieving automated separation without electrical power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-generated capillary forces from the porous membrane and hydrophilic pump materials to drive the separation process autonomously, eliminating the need for external power sources while maintaining automated operation.
4Productivity
If conventional filtration methods are used, then separation speed is improved, but blood plasma extraction volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous separation membrane with specific pore size distribution (top layer: 1-50 μm, bottom layer: 0.05-20 μm) to achieve efficient plasma separation. The porous structure allows rapid filtration while maintaining high extraction volumes by enabling complete plasma passage while retaining blood cells.
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 device enables efficient, automated, and complete separation of blood plasma with minimal cell lysis, allowing for easy biomarker extraction and analysis, suitable for point-of-care diagnostics without the need for trained personnel or power sources.
Implementation Method 1
The separation membrane contains a top layer proximal to the sample inlet, and a bottom layer distal to the sample inlet. The top layer has an average pore size of from about 1 μm to about 50 μm in diameter; or from about 3 um to about 20 μm in diameter; or from about 7 μm to about 13 μm in diameter. The bottom layer has an average pore size of from about 0.05 μm to about 20 μm in diameter; or from about 0.1 μm to about 7 μm in diameter; or from about 1 μm to about 3 μm in diameter.
Implementation Method 2
a capillary pump in fluid connection with and downstream of the junction
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device contains a blood sample inlet, a separation membrane, a manifold inlet in fluid connection with the blood sample inlet at a junction, a capillary pump in fluid connection with and downstream of the junction, and an air vent in in fluid connection to the capillary pump. The separation membrane contains a top layer proximal to the sample inlet, and a bottom layer distal to the sample inlet. The top layer has an average pore size of from about 1 μm to about 50 μm in diameter. The bottom layer has an average pore size of from about 0.05 μm to about 20 μm in diameter. The separation membrane is positioned between the blood sample inlet and the junction.