Spinning Membrane Cell Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional filtration methods for separating biological cells from microcarriers are inefficient and expensive, particularly when dealing with large volumes, as they require large surface area filters and high upstream volumes to accommodate retained microcarriers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a separation device with a spinning membrane, where the membrane is sized to retain microcarriers while allowing biological cells to pass through, is employed to efficiently separate cells from microcarriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional dead-end filtration is used to separate cells from microcarriers, then separation can be achieved, but filtration efficiency decreases and costs increase due to accumulation of microcarriers on the filter surface requiring large surface area filters and high upstream volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static filtration system into a dynamic tangential flow filtration system where the filter membrane moves relative to the suspension flow. This dynamic configuration prevents microcarrier accumulation on the filter surface by continuously sweeping particles along the membrane surface, maintaining constant filtration efficiency without requiring large filter surface areas or high upstream volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by implementing tangential flow perpendicular to the traditional filtration direction. Instead of flow perpendicular to the membrane (dead-end), the suspension flows parallel to the membrane surface at an angle, creating a cross-flow pattern that prevents particle buildup and enables continuous efficient separation of cells from microcarriers
2Quantity of substance
If large surface area filters are used to accommodate retained microcarriers in traditional filtration, then separation capacity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tangential flow filtration system uses dynamic flow patterns to enhance separation capacity without increasing filter surface area. The angled flow creates hydrodynamic conditions that prevent microcarrier retention on the membrane, allowing continuous processing of large volumes through a compact filter with small surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by introducing tangential flow at a specific angle relative to the membrane surface. This parameter change transforms the filtration mechanism from depth filtration (trapping particles in pores) to surface sweeping (deflecting particles along the surface), enabling high separation capacity with minimal filter area
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 spinning membrane separation device effectively separates biological cells from microcarriers, improving efficiency and reducing costs compared to traditional filtration methods, by allowing cells to pass through while retaining larger microcarriers.
Implementation Method 1
one of the surfaces includes a porous membrane with pores sized to retain the microcarriers while allowing the biological cells to pass through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
systems and methods for the separation of cells from microcarriers using a spinning membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for processing suspensions of biological cells and microcarriers are disclosed. The biological cells are separated from the microcarriers by introducing the suspension into a spinning membrane separator whereby the biological cells pass through the membrane and the microcarriers do not pass through the membrane.