Perfusion Device Segmentation for Hydraulic Seal and Optical Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perfusion devices for analyzing thrombotic-ischemic and hemorrhagic pathology lack reliability in simulating fluid-dynamic conditions and maintaining hydraulic seals, leading to suboptimal analysis of thrombus formation and stability, especially in real-time monitoring and diagnosis of cardiovascular pathologies.
Innovation Solution
A perfusion device with a cartridge and covering plate configuration, featuring micro-grooves for defining micro-channels, integrated suction pump, and optical acquisition means for real-time fluorescence imaging, utilizing non-autofluorescent materials like glass or polycarbonate to ensure high hydraulic and optical quality, allowing dynamic monitoring of thrombus formation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a perfusion chamber is made of transparent material to allow optical image acquisition, then optical transparency is improved, but hydraulic seal reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The perfusion chamber is divided into a body and a separate cover, allowing the body to be made of transparent material for optical imaging while the cover provides hydraulic sealing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different components.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element (such as a rubber or elastomeric seal) is introduced as an intermediary between the transparent body and the cover. This sealing element provides the hydraulic seal while allowing the body to remain transparent for optical acquisition.
2Ease of manufacture
If screw connections are used to assemble the perfusion chamber, then ease of assembly is improved, but hydraulic seal reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is segmented into a body and cover that can be easily assembled, with the sealing function separated from the assembly mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element acts as an intermediary between the body and cover, providing reliable hydraulic sealing without requiring complex screw connections. The sealing element compensates for minor misalignments and maintains seal integrity.
3Measurement precision
If the perfusion chamber geometry is optimized to simulate specific fluid-dynamic conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber geometry is optimized locally at critical regions (such as the micro-channel sections) to simulate specific fluid-dynamic conditions, while other parts of the chamber remain simple. This allows high measurement precision in the critical measurement zones without requiring the entire device to be complex.
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
Enables reliable, real-time analysis of thrombotic-ischemic and hemorrhagic events with high precision, simulating vascular conditions accurately and reducing biological risk to operators by using whole blood without artificial aggregation inducers, thus improving diagnostic accuracy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Optical acquisition means coordinated with said markers for analyses of fluorescence acquire images relating to the development of the hemostatic processes
Implementation Method 2
a suction pump device located downstream of said at least one micro-channel and configured to aspirate the flow of fluid through said at least one micro-channel in controlled and selectively variable fluid-dynamic conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
Perfusion device for the dynamic analysis of the thrombotic-ischemic and hemorrhagic pathology, comprising at least one micro-channel (54) able to be connected to a circuit (13) and in which a fluid is able to flow, such as a biological fluid, like blood or other hematic fluids, whether they are animal or human fluids and mixtures of said fluids with additive substances, or a non- biological fluid, and in which at least one reactive substrate is present, intended for the analysis to be carried out, such as a cytoadhesive substrate, in order to simulate a damaged vasal surface and to reproduce hemostasis phenomena and processes. The perfusion chamber is made of a material which allows the optical acquisition in fluorescence light and/or in visible light of images or videos of the flow of fluid inside the at least one micro-channel (54).