Spinning Membrane Separator for Small Volume Cell Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell washing systems require large volumes of wash media due to their large internal volume, making it difficult to process small volumes of cellular suspensions effectively, such as single-dose quantities of mononuclear cell products.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a disposable fluid circuit with a spinning membrane separator and reusable hardware, including syringe pumps and a flow control cassette, that minimizes internal volume by using a compact design and precise fluid control to process small volumes of cell suspensions efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a traditional cell washing system with large internal volume is used, then the system can process larger volumes of cellular suspensions, but it requires large volumes of wash media which is not suitable for processing small volumes of cells
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is divided into multiple separate channels (first channel, second channel, third channel) with dedicated functions. The first channel handles cellular suspension flow, the second channel handles wash media flow, and the third channel handles filtrate collection. This segmentation allows precise control of small volumes in each channel while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow control through a flow control cassette with multiple valves that can selectively connect different channels. The controller dynamically switches between washing mode and flushing mode by actuating different valve combinations, enabling the system to adapt to different processing volumes and requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If the fluid circuit internal volume is reduced to process small volumes of cells, then wash media usage is reduced, but the system must maintain reliable fluid control and separation functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical peristaltic pumps with magnetic-driven syringe pumps. Magnets are positioned within the syringe barrels, and external magnetic fields drive the pistons to move fluid. This substitution provides more precise and reliable fluid control for small volumes while eliminating the bulk and complexity of peristaltic pump mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control cassette serves multiple functions: it controls flow direction through valves, provides magnetic coupling for syringe pump operation, and integrates the spinning membrane separator control. This multi-functionality maintains reliable separation functionality while minimizing the overall internal volume of the fluid circuit.
3Productivity
If a compact design with minimized internal volume is used, then the system can process small volumes of cells efficiently, but the device complexity increases due to precise fluid control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into integrated assemblies. The flow control cassette combines valves, channels, and magnetic coupling mechanisms into a single compact unit. The spinning membrane separator integrates the filtration membrane with the rotation mechanism. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining compact design for efficient small volume processing.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller serves as an intermediary that manages the complex fluid control operations. The controller receives user input, actuates valves through the flow control cassette, operates syringe pumps via magnetic coupling, and coordinates the spinning membrane separator. This centralized control simplifies the user interface while managing the underlying complexity of precise fluid control mechanisms.
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 the processing of small volumes of cellular suspensions with reduced media usage, effectively concentrating or washing cells to desired final volumes, improving efficiency in generating cell products.
Implementation Method 1
a spinning membrane separator having an inlet, a retentate outlet, and a filtrate outlet
Implementation Method 2
the first syringe pump configured to move a piston within the first syringe and the second syringe pump configured to move a piston within the second syringe
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid processing system includes a disposable fluid circuit and reusable hardware configured to accept the disposable fluid circuit. The disposable fluid circuit includes a spinning membrane separator, first and second syringes, and a flow control cassette. The reusable hardware includes a spinning membrane separator drive coupled to the spinning membrane separator, first and second syringe pumps coupled to the first and second syringes respectively, a control cassette interface coupled to the flow control cassette, and at least one controller coupled to the spinning membrane separator drive, the first and second syringe pumps, and the control cassette interface. The controller is configured to selectively operate the drive, the first and second syringe pumps, and the interface to provide a procedure according to a protocol.