Multilayer Blood Separation Device with Hydrophobic Boundary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dried plasma spot cards face challenges with sample collection and processing, including manual manipulation, low plasma yield, hematocrit compatibility issues, and lack of automated analysis capabilities, limiting their efficiency and accuracy in separating and detecting analytes from whole blood.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer device with a book-type design featuring a top and bottom cover hinged on one edge, sandwiching multiple layers of membranes and materials, allowing for the separation and detection of blood components, including a filtration membrane unit and a hydrophobic membrane to prevent plasma leakage, enabling efficient plasma collection and analysis without centrifugation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a wax boundary is used to retain plasma within the boundary, then plasma collection is enhanced, but accuracy biases occur at low and high hematocrit levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplasma yieldVSAvoidaccuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the boundary material from wax to a hydrophobic material with specific contact angle properties. This parameter change allows the boundary to retain plasma through surface tension effects while accommodating varying hematocrit levels without causing accuracy biases, resolving the contradiction between plasma retention and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different regions: the boundary material is hydrophobic to retain plasma, while the collection substrate is hydrophilic to allow uniform plasma distribution. This local differentiation enables both high plasma yield and accurate measurements across various hematocrit levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If excess filtered plasma is allowed to flow freely outside the disk, then plasma collection capacity increases, but sample loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplasma collection capacityVSAvoidplasma loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of excess plasma flow into a benefit by using the hydrophobic boundary to contain and redirect excess plasma back onto the collection substrate. The plasma that would otherwise be lost is instead retained and redistributed, maximizing collection capacity while preventing sample loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If manual manipulation is used for sample processing, then flexibility is maintained, but automation capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidautomated analysis capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be self-contained with integrated filtration, separation, and collection functions that automatically process the sample once applied. The multilayer structure self-regulates plasma flow and retention without requiring manual intervention, enabling both ease of operation and compatibility with automated analysis systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If a multilayer device with hydrophobic membrane is used, then plasma leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplasma containmentVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining hydrophobic boundary material with hydrophilic collection substrate in a multilayer configuration. This composite approach achieves reliable plasma containment through the hydrophobic effect while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes and device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 multilayer device facilitates simplified sample collection, increased plasma yield, and automated analysis, overcoming hematocrit range limitations and manual processing challenges, enabling accurate and efficient detection of analytes across a wide range of hematocrit levels.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophobic membrane to prevent plasma leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

a filtration membrane unit comprising at least one filtration membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250102408A1Multilayer device for separating blood components and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 PARTNERSHIP FOR CLEAN COMPETITION

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to analyte detection and products facilitating the collection, separation of sample components, and analyte detection. The multilayer device that allows for a rapid, easy, accurate, and efficient test of a fluid sample for analytes of interest and methods of collecting, separating components, and testing using the multilayer device are described in various embodiments of the invention.