Plasma on Demand Tube Segmented Vacuum Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in efficiently separating plasma from whole blood without clogging filters and ensuring an uncontaminated plasma specimen, particularly due to inadequate vacuum forces and risk of contamination during the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a primary collection chamber containing an agglutinating agent and anticoagulant, coupled with a porous filter, uses a transfer device to separate plasma from agglutinated blood cells using a pressure differential, preventing filter clogging and ensuring contamination-free plasma collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a filter membrane with small and fine pore sizes is used to prevent cellular components from passing through, then plasma separation purity is improved, but the vacuum forces generated by the evacuated device become inadequate to draw plasma from a collected blood sample
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple evacuated chambers (first chamber for blood collection, second chamber for plasma collection) connected by a flow path containing the filter. This segmentation allows independent optimization of vacuum levels in each chamber and enables the use of larger pore filters without compromising overall separation purity
Solution Approach 2:
An agglutinating agent is introduced as an intermediary substance that causes blood cells to clump together before reaching the filter. This mediator allows the use of larger pore filters by pre-aggregating cells into larger clumps that cannot pass through the filter pores, maintaining separation purity while enabling adequate vacuum force
2Ease of operation
If a detachable chamber is used to allow user access to the separated plasma specimen, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of plasma contamination increases should the downstream tube be removed from the upstream tube
Solution Approach 1:
The second chamber containing the separated plasma is nested within the first chamber, with the plasma collection chamber positioned inside the blood collection chamber. This nested configuration allows the plasma to remain in a protected, enclosed environment throughout the collection and separation process, eliminating contamination risks associated with detachable chambers while still allowing easy access to the plasma specimen
3Device complexity
If conventional evacuated tubes are used with inadequate vacuum force, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to separate plasma from agglutinated blood cells through the filter is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single evacuated tube is segmented into multiple functional chambers (blood collection chamber, filter section, plasma collection chamber) that work together synergistically. The multiple chambers create a pressure differential that enhances plasma draw-through capability while maintaining the simplicity of a single tube design
Solution Approach 2:
The agglutinating agent is pre-loaded into the first chamber before blood collection. This preliminary action causes blood cells to clump together as the blood enters the chamber, preparing the sample for efficient filtration and plasma separation without requiring additional processing steps or complex equipment
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 effectively separates plasma from whole blood using a large pore filter with sufficient vacuum force, reducing the risk of contamination and filter clogging, making it suitable for clinical and research applications.
Implementation Method 1
separating plasma from agglutinated blood cells through a porous filter membrane
Implementation Method 2
uses a transfer device to separate plasma from agglutinated blood cells using a pressure differential
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separating plasma from whole blood is provided having an evacuated primary collection chamber capable of fluid communication through a porous filter to an evacuated secondary collection chamber. An agglutinating agent is provided within the primary collection chamber so as to aggregate blood cells within a whole blood sample. The porous filter has a pore size which is small enough to capture the aggregated blood cells therein, yet large enough to permit plasma to transfer therethrough under pressures associated with conventional evacuated blood collection tubes. The primary and secondary collection chambers may be provided in separate containers or tubes, with transfer occurring therebetween through a transfer device including the porous filter therein.