Rotating Head Valve for Blood Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood separation technologies face challenges in efficiently processing multiple blood units with varying component proportions and require improvements in valve design for loading and unloading blood bags, as well as in reducing operator errors during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal blood separation device with a rotating head valve design that facilitates secure tube insertion, maintains constant pressure for sealing, and includes an asymmetrical junction for simplified bag placement, along with a control unit for managing centrifugation speed and component transfer, allowing for efficient separation and washing of blood components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional valve design is used for blood separation, then the device can maintain basic functionality, but loading and unloading blood bags is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head is designed to rotate dynamically between multiple positions (load position, open position, closed position) to adapt to different operational requirements. This dynamic positioning allows the valve to facilitate rapid tube insertion when in the load position, maintain open lumen for blood flow when in the open position, and provide sealed closure when in the closed position, thereby improving productivity without requiring overly complex multi-component valve assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating valve head serves multiple functions through a single integrated mechanism: it acts as both a loading guide (in load position), a flow control valve (in open and closed positions), and a sealing element (in closed position). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall valve mechanism while maintaining high operational efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the valve head remains open during tube insertion, then tube loading is simplified, but blood leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head transitions dynamically from an open state during tube insertion to a closed state during blood flow. The rotation mechanism allows the valve to be open when the tube is being loaded (ease of operation), then rotate to close the lumen when blood must flow through the sealed tube (reliability). This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation and sealing reliability at different operational phases
3Ease of manufacture
If symmetric tube connections are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but operator errors during assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube set incorporates asymmetric features (asymmetrical junctions, non-symmetric tube arrangements) that create a unique configuration. This asymmetry does not complicate manufacturing significantly but serves to guide correct assembly orientation, preventing operator errors by making incorrect connections physically impossible or obviously incorrect. The asymmetric design resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving assembly accuracy
4Productivity
If multiple blood units are processed simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent but integrated units, each capable of processing a separate blood volume. The rotor holds multiple separation cells with individual valves and tubing sets, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple blood units. Each segment operates independently with its own valve control, enabling parallel processing (improved productivity) while keeping each individual unit relatively simple through modular segmentation
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 accurate processing of multiple blood units with reduced operator errors, ensuring efficient separation and washing of blood components, including the ability to collect rare components and reduce unwanted cell types to medically acceptable levels.
Implementation Method 1
separating at least two components in each of the separation bags
Implementation Method 2
The head may also convey radio frequency energy to the tube to seal and sever the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising a valve design (138) that facilitates loading and unloading of blood bags and associated tubing and bag sets (10). The valves comprise a rotating head (136), mounted on a shaft ( 184 ), which assumes a "load" position. The head pivots to an "open" position, which secures the tube in its designated location, but which maintains an open lumen through the tube. When the head is in a "closed" position, blood components cannot flow through the tube. The valve apparatus comprises means for maintaining a constant pressure on the tube and contact with the tube as the tube is melted and sealed.