Pneumatic Syringe Driver for Sterile Cell Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell washing systems are inefficient for processing small volumes of biological cells due to their large internal volume requirements, necessitating large volumes of wash media and posing challenges in maintaining sterility and controlled fluid movement.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic syringe driver system that uses a pressurized air source to actuate syringes, ensuring sterility and efficient movement of fluid through the system, with a movable air supply block and sealing mechanism to facilitate precise control of fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional cell washing systems with large internal volume are used, then fluid movement control is achieved, but wash media volume requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure differentials applied directly to the syringe plunger to drive fluid through the washing system. This eliminates the need for large-volume pumps and extensive flush media, as precise pressure control enables efficient fluid movement through minimal volumes, directly resolving the contradiction between reduced media usage and maintained washing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the fluid circuit into discrete, small-volume components including syringes, tubing, and connectors. This segmentation minimizes the total internal volume of the system, reducing the amount of wash media required while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow through each segment independently
2Ease of operation
If syringes are opened to load cell suspension, then fluid movement is enabled, but sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sterile filters and sterile connectors as intermediaries between the non-sterile environment and the sterile syringe interior. These components enable fluid transfer and syringe loading without direct exposure of the sterile interior to contaminants, thus maintaining sterility while facilitating ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable sterile syringes and single-use sterile connectors that are pre-sterilized and discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to re-sterilize components and ensures sterility is maintained throughout the procedure without compromising ease of loading, as each component is designed for single-use convenience
3Ease of operation
If peristaltic pumps and pinch valves are used for fluid control, then fluid movement is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fluid control systems (peristaltic pumps, pinch valves) with a pneumatic pressure control system that acts directly on syringe plungers. This substitution simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining precise fluid flow control through pressure differentials, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reduced complexity
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 efficient washing of small volumes of biological cells with reduced media usage while maintaining sterility and controlled fluid movement, addressing the inefficiencies of larger systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic driver includes structure that locates and supports the syringe, and sealingly engages the syringe so that the stopper of the syringe can be driven without breaking sterility and opening the system
Implementation Method 2
sealingly engages the syringe so that the stopper of the syringe can be driven without breaking sterility
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic driver for a syringe is provided. The syringe has an elongated barrel with a cap secured to the proximal end that has a through bore. A filter is secured to the cap interior of the barrel that covers an opening in the through bore interior of the barrel. The pneumatic driver includes a source of pressurized air; a support for receiving and locating the syringe; and a supply block configured to receive pressurized air from the source and having an outlet for delivery of pressurized air. The supply block is movable between a first position spaced apart from the cap of the syringe and a second position in contact with the cap with fluid communication being established between the outlet of the supply block and the through-bore in the cap.