Optical Monitoring for Blood Flow Circuit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood processing systems lack adequate safeguards to ensure proper alignment and suitability of disposable flow circuits within centrifuges, which can lead to damage and improper blood fractionation, affecting system effectiveness and safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating identification and alignment features in the disposable flow circuit that can be detected by an optical monitoring system to verify the circuit's suitability and alignment within the centrifuge, preventing improper use and ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no identification or alignment verification system is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the reliability of blood processing deteriorates due to risk of improper flow circuit use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing an optical verification system that checks the identification features of the flow circuit before blood processing begins. The monitoring system detects alignment features and generates alignment signals to confirm proper installation, preventing improper use before it can cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical monitoring system as an intermediary between the flow circuit and the centrifuge operation. This intermediary detects identification features on the flow circuit and generates alignment signals to verify proper installation, acting as a mediator that ensures reliability without requiring direct complex mechanical verification mechanisms.
2Reliability
If optical monitoring system is implemented, then the reliability of blood processing improves through verification, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical verification systems with an optical monitoring system. Instead of using mechanical sensors or physical alignment mechanisms, the system uses optical detection to identify features on the flow circuit and generate alignment signals, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying by detecting identification features and alignment markers on the flow circuit through non-contact optical means. The monitoring system creates an optical representation of the flow circuit's position and features to verify proper installation without physical interference.
3Measurement precision
If identification features are added to the flow circuit, then the measurement precision of alignment verification improves, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes or optical property changes by using identification features with distinct optical characteristics that can be detected by the monitoring system. These features may involve color-coded markers or optical patterns that are easily detectable but simple to incorporate into the flow circuit manufacturing process.
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 optical monitoring system effectively verifies the alignment and suitability of the flow circuit, preventing damage and ensuring accurate blood processing, thereby enhancing system safety and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor system to monitor the flow of blood and/or blood components through the flow circuit
Implementation Method 2
Whole blood is typically separated into its constituents through centrifugation... the heavier (greater specific gravity) components of the whole blood in the flow circuit, such as red blood cells, move radially outwardly away from the center of rotation
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge.