Blood Plasma Separation Apparatus with Integrated Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating blood plasma components, such as thrombin and fibrinogen, are time-consuming and prone to contamination during transportation, making them unsuitable for immediate clinical use.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and process involving a mixing unit with a protein-precipitating agent, a filtering unit with a sponge-like filter, and a storage unit, which allows for real-time separation and purification of plasma components within a closed system to prevent contamination, using agents like ammonium sulfate or polyethylene glycol, and calcium buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protein precipitation and centrifugation methods are used to separate plasma components, then separation can be achieved, but the process takes significant time and requires transportation to operation room which increases contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the separation process into distinct functional units (mixing chamber, filtration chamber, storage chamber) that can be performed sequentially in a single integrated apparatus, eliminating the need for transportation between different locations and reducing contamination risk while maintaining separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtration step using a filter paper or membrane that separates the precipitated proteins from the plasma supernatant within the same device, eliminating the need for external centrifugation equipment and transportation, thus reducing contamination risk while maintaining separation quality
2Ease of operation
If conventional centrifugation equipment is used for protein separation, then solid protein precipitates can be separated, but no centrifuge equipment is provided in the operation room making immediate clinical use impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential separation function from complex centrifugation equipment and implements it through a simple gravity-based filtration system using filter paper or membranes, eliminating the need for bulky centrifuge equipment while enabling immediate use in the operation room
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable filter papers or membranes as the separation medium, replacing expensive and complex centrifugation equipment with inexpensive, single-use filtration components that are easy to store and deploy in the operation room without requiring specialized equipment
3Productivity
If protein precipitation methods are used to separate plasma components, then valuable components like fibrinogen and thrombin can be isolated, but the process is time-consuming and not suitable for real-time clinical application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mixing of plasma with precipitation agents (ammonium sulfate, polyethylene glycol, or ethanol) in a controlled chamber, allowing rapid precipitation of proteins followed by immediate filtration, thereby accelerating the separation process while maintaining high purity of isolated components through controlled precipitation conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a chemical precipitation-filtration system using precipitation agents and filter membranes, enabling rapid separation without mechanical equipment while maintaining high purity through controlled chemical precipitation and efficient filtration
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 rapid and effective separation of valuable plasma components like fibrinogen and thrombin, reducing the risk of contamination and allowing for immediate use in clinical settings, with demonstrated efficacy through electrophoresis and gel-clot assays showing high purity and activity.
Implementation Method 1
a compartment which is for a mixed liquid composed of plasma to be separated and a protein-precipitating agent
Implementation Method 2
a filtering tube (30) having a third connecting tube (31) connected to the filtering tube (30), a filter (35) and a third piston (32)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating blood plasma, having a mixing unit in the form of a first injection having a first connecting tube and a first piston to provide a compartment for a mixture composed of plasma to be separated and the protein-precipitating agent; a separating unit composed of a filtering tube for separating and preserving a solid material after separation. The filtering tube includes a third connecting tube a filter and a third piston, the third connecting tube communicates with the fourth injection tube having a fourth piston for receiving a separated liquid; and a storage unit in the form of a fifth injection tube having a fifth connecting tube, a second connecting valve and a fifth piston.