Lab-on-a-chip cartridge with spinning membrane for plasma separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting plasma from whole blood for lab-on-a-chip devices are inefficient, requiring two-step processes that are not suitable for point-of-care devices, especially in resource-limited settings.
Innovation Solution
An integrated lab-on-a-chip cartridge with a spinning membrane separator that extracts plasma directly from whole blood, eliminating the need for external centrifuges and enabling larger sample volumes to be processed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bench-top centrifuge is used for plasma separation, then plasma can be efficiently separated from whole blood, but the process requires a two-step procedure and external equipment that is not suitable for point-of-care devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the plasma separation function and the lab-on-a-chip analysis function into a single integrated device. The microfluidic chip includes both the sample processing chamber and the analysis chamber, eliminating the need for separate centrifuge equipment and enabling plasma separation and biomarker analysis to occur in one continuous process within the point-of-care device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the lab-on-a-chip device within the cartridge that also contains the plasma separation mechanism. The microfluidic chip is nested inside the larger cartridge structure, creating a hierarchical integration where the analysis device is contained within the separation system, allowing both functions to coexist in a single portable unit.
2Ease of operation
If a plasma separation filter is used, then plasma can be extracted using capillary action, but the filter stops extracting plasma upon becoming completely wetted out and cannot process larger volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of fluid flow through the system using pumps and pressure control mechanisms. Instead of relying solely on passive capillary action, the system actively regulates fluid movement through the plasma separation membrane, allowing continuous processing of larger blood volumes without the filter becoming saturated or wetted out, thereby increasing the maximum plasma volume that can be extracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical capillary action system with an active pump-driven fluid control system. The microfluidic pump actively draws blood through the separation membrane and controls the flow rate, enabling the system to process larger volumes of blood and extract more plasma before the filter becomes saturated, overcoming the volume limitation of passive filtration.
3Measurement precision
If traditional two-step plasma extraction processes are used, then plasma can be separated and analyzed, but real-time health decision-making is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the plasma separation step and the biomarker analysis step into a single integrated microfluidic system. Blood sample introduction, plasma separation through the porous membrane, and biomarker detection occur in one continuous process within the same device, eliminating the time required to transfer plasma between separate centrifuge and analysis equipment, thereby enabling real-time diagnostic decision-making.
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 solution allows for efficient plasma extraction and analysis directly in a point-of-care device, enabling real-time health decision-making and improving diagnostic capabilities in resource-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
an integrated LOC device is provided that extracts plasma from a whole blood sample
Implementation Method 2
The second standard method of using a plasma separation filter functions by capillary action to draw small volumes (about 50 μl) of whole blood through a tortuous path filter to extract plasma
Data Source
AI summary
A lab-on-a-chip cartridge includes a housing defining four separate chambers. A fluid (such as whole blood) flows through one of the chambers and into another one of the chambers, which includes a filter membrane. The filter membrane is rotated to separate a first fluid component (such as plasma) from a second fluid component (such as red blood cells), with the first fluid component passing through the filter membrane and the second fluid component not passing through the filter membrane. The separated first and second fluid components each flow into a different one of the remaining chambers, with the first fluid component contacting a lab-on-a-chip device for analyzing the first fluid component.