Sealed Liquid Bladder Thawing Biological Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for thawing frozen biological materials like plasma in healthcare settings face challenges such as contamination risks in wet baths, inconvenience of overwrap bags, and prolonged thawing times, which can lead to wasted materials and degradation of coagulant factors.
Innovation Solution
A dry environment thawing apparatus using a sealed, fluid-filled bladder with an agitator and heater to agitate and heat the frozen material, maintaining sterility and efficiency by circulating heated fluid within the bladder to rapidly thaw biological materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wet bath is used to thaw frozen plasma, then the thawing process can be performed, but contamination of the bath occurs if the plasma bag leaks and contaminants in the bath may be transferred to the bag
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed bladder filled with sterile fluid serves as an intermediary between the heater and the plasma bag. The bladder contains the heating fluid, preventing direct contact between the plasma bag and the heating medium, thereby eliminating contamination risk while maintaining effective heat transfer for thawing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible sealed bladder made of sterile material that encloses the heating fluid. This flexible shell protects the plasma bag from contamination while allowing heat to pass through its walls to thaw the plasma, effectively isolating the plasma from potential contaminants in the heating system.
2Reliability
If an overwrap bag is used to protect the plasma bag, then contamination is prevented, but the overwrap bag becomes wet and must be wiped off with a towel which becomes a breeding ground for bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed bladder acts as a self-contained intermediary that prevents water and contaminants from reaching the plasma bag. Since the bladder is sealed, there is no external towel or overwrap bag that becomes wet, eliminating the bacteria breeding ground problem while maintaining protection.
3Reliability
If conventional thawing methods are used, then plasma can be thawed, but the process takes a long time which leads to wasted plasma and degradation of coagulant factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic agitation of the bladder using a piston mechanism that compresses and expands the bladder rhythmically. This periodic action circulates the heating fluid through the plasma bag, significantly accelerating heat transfer and reducing thawing time compared to static heating methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static heating to dynamic heating by incorporating a movable piston that periodically compresses and expands the bladder. This dynamic mechanism increases heat transfer efficiency by constantly moving the heating fluid, thereby reducing thawing time and improving plasma availability.
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 apparatus ensures rapid, sterile thawing of biological materials while minimizing contamination risks and reducing waste by maintaining the sterility of the thawed plasma, allowing for on-demand availability of thawed plasma without the need for excessive storage.
Implementation Method 1
a heater is also positioned external of the bladder to heat the fluid in the fluid-filled bladder while the fluid is contained within the sealed bladder
Implementation Method 2
An agitator is located within the housing and causes movement of the fluid-filled bladder to agitate the container of frozen material received by the bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for thawing and heating biological material such as plasma, bone marrow or stem cells. The apparatus includes a housing containing a fluid-filled, sealed bladder for receiving a bag of the biological material. An agitator is provided which is operable to inflate an actuator pillow causing a support plate to compress the fluid-filled bladder, thereby promoting movement of the fluid within the bladder to agitate the biological material. A heater is provided which heats the fluid while contained in the bladder.