Modular Plasma Spray-Drying Facility for Rapid Emergency Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The availability of transfused human blood plasma is limited in emergency situations due to logistical challenges, as it can only be stored frozen for long periods or as a liquid for short periods, making it inaccessible in large quantities or in time-sensitive emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A transportable, modular, and expandable blood processing facility equipped with a spray drying system that can produce dried plasma on demand, allowing for stable storage and rapid rehydration, suitable for use in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If plasma is stored frozen, then long-term storage stability is improved, but accessibility and rapid deployment are worsened due to specialized storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of plasma from liquid/frozen to dried powder form. This parameter change enables plasma to be stored at ambient temperatures for extended periods while maintaining stability, eliminating the need for specialized frozen storage facilities and improving accessibility in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable, single-use spray drying chambers and collection containers that can be discarded after use. This eliminates the need for complex, reusable storage infrastructure and allows for rapid deployment in emergency situations where permanent facilities are unavailable.
2Loss of time
If plasma is stored as liquid, then rapid availability is improved, but storage duration is worsened due to limited shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition from liquid plasma to dried powder through spray drying. This phase change extends storage duration significantly while maintaining the ability for rapid reconstitution and administration when needed, resolving the contradiction between storage duration and rapid availability.
3Productivity
If a fixed plasma processing facility is established, then plasma production capability is improved, but mobility and deployment flexibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plasma processing system into modular, separable components including portable spray drying chambers, collection containers, and support equipment. This segmentation enables the facility to be disassembled and transported to different locations while maintaining full plasma production capability, thus improving both productivity and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the plasma processing facility with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be deployed, relocated, and reconfigured as needed. The system can be quickly assembled and disassembled, providing operational flexibility in various settings from permanent clinics to mobile field units.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional plasma storage infrastructure is used, then plasma availability is improved in urban areas, but logistical complexity increases in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential plasma processing functions from complex centralized infrastructure and packages them into self-contained, portable units. This extraction eliminates the need for sophisticated cold chains, power grids, and specialized handling systems, thereby reducing logistical complexity while maintaining plasma availability in remote areas.
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 facility enables the rapid production and aseptic manufacture of dried plasma units, which can be stored and used quickly, overcoming logistical limitations and providing immediate access to lifesaving plasma in emergency scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The spray drying apparatus is configured to receive a power source that provides electricity, a Clean Dry Air (CDA) source that provides a pressurized aerosol gas and a drying gas, and a plasma source that provides plasma
Implementation Method 2
the spray drying apparatus receives the clean dry air and provides the pressurized aerosol gas and the drying gas to the spray drying disposable
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a transportable, containerized, modular and expandable blood facility, namely a blood collection, blood processing and/or spray drying facility. The inventive self-contained portable plasma facility can be transported anywhere in the world and set up to provide a life-saving plasma product. The facility and associated spray drying equipment can be transported by helicopter, plane, truck, train or ship. Once set up, the facility can make spray dried plasma on demand, stored in various temperatures and can be ready for transfusion in just minutes after hydration. The inventive blood processing facility for housing a spray drying system includes the spray drying disposable device and, spray drying apparatus, and/or finishing apparatus. The facility further includes an electrical package, a Clean Dry Air (CDA) package to provide clean dry air to the facility, and an exhaust package to remove humid air generated by the spray drying apparatus.