Portable Platelet Extraction via RBC Aggregation and Sedimentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood separation technologies, such as centrifugation and sedimentation, are complex, expensive, and often require dedicated facilities, while sedimentation is time-consuming, making them unsuitable for portable and cost-effective platelet extraction at the point of need.

Innovation Solution

A portable blood separation device that aggregates red blood cells using polymers like dextran, aligns them in microfluidic channels, and accelerates sedimentation through curved channels and optimized sedimentation tank designs, followed by concentration using filter membranes to extract platelets efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centrifugation is used to separate blood components, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of centrifugation (separation based on density) and implements it through a simplified sedimentation process using gravity alone, removing the need for complex centrifugal machinery while maintaining separation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the separation parameter from centrifugal force to gravitational force, allowing separation to occur under natural sedimentation conditions rather than requiring mechanical centrifugal acceleration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If traditional sedimentation is used to separate blood components, then device complexity is reduced, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a polymer additive to blood before sedimentation to pre-condition the blood components, promoting faster aggregation of red blood cells and accelerating the sedimentation process without requiring complex equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a polymer intermediary substance that facilitates faster separation by modifying the interaction between blood components, acting as a mediator that accelerates sedimentation while keeping the device simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If aphaeresis machines are used for platelet separation, then platelet concentration is improved, but portability and accessibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatelet concentrationVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable microfluidic cartridges or chambers that can be easily discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures and enabling portability while maintaining platelet concentration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces large-scale mechanical centrifugal systems with microfluidic-based separation mechanisms that utilize gravity and simple fluid dynamics, dramatically reducing device size and enabling portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables rapid and efficient separation and concentration of platelets, reducing processing time and cost, while minimizing equipment complexity and the risk of red blood cell damage, and can optionally separate white blood cells, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution for platelet extraction.

Implementation Method 1

an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAggregation: Flocculation

Implementation Method 2

a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 3

a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8852446B2Platelet extraction from blood

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 XEROX CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods are used to concentrate and extract platelets from blood, where an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood. The aggregated red blood cells are provided to a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma. Finally a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use.