Blood Transfusion Kit With Filter Bypass for Emergency Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to provide a seamless transition between normal and emergency blood transfusions, necessitating separate systems and increasing medical staff burden during urgent situations.

Innovation Solution

A blood transfusion kit and system that allows easy switching between a leukocyte removal filter path and a bypass path, enabling safe normal transfusions and rapid emergency transfusions without leukocyte removal, with features like clamps for channel control and an air vent unit for priming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a leukocyte removal filter is used during normal blood transfusion, then transfusion safety is improved by removing leukocytes, but treatment speed deteriorates when emergency rapid transfusion is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfusion safetyVSAvoidtreatment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The blood transfusion system is segmented into multiple flow paths: a first flow path through the leukocyte removal filter for normal transfusion, and a second flow path (bypass) for emergency rapid transfusion. This segmentation allows selective activation of appropriate paths based on clinical needs, resolving the contradiction between safety and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different flow paths using clamps that can be opened or closed based on the transfusion situation. During normal transfusion, the first clamp is closed and second clamp is open, routing blood through the filter. During emergency, the clamps are reversed to bypass the filter, enabling rapid response while maintaining safety when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If separate systems are used for normal and emergency blood transfusion, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the normal transfusion system and emergency rapid transfusion system into a single integrated blood transfusion kit. The leukocyte removal filter, bypass channel, and associated clamps are combined in one system, eliminating the need for separate systems while maintaining both functions. This reduces device complexity and improves ease of operation during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blood transfusion system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both normal transfusion (with leukocyte removal) and emergency rapid transfusion (bypassing filter) through a single unified structure. The bypass channel and clamps enable the system to adapt to different clinical scenarios, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If a bypass channel is added for emergency transfusion, then treatment speed is improved during emergency, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency transfusion speedVSAvoidchannel configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass channel is implemented as a distinct segmented path with its own dedicated clamp (second clamp), separate from the main filtered transfusion path. This clear segmentation allows the bypass function to be added without complicating the overall system architecture, as each path remains independently controllable and understandable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates convenient and efficient blood transfusions by reducing staff workload and accelerating treatment, ensuring safe normal transfusions and rapid emergency blood administration without leukocyte removal.

Implementation Method 1

a leukocyte removal filter (82) provided in the first path (80)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a first clamp (88) provided in the first path (80) and a second clamp (94) provided in the second path (90)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3689391B1Blood transfusion kit, blood transfusion system, blood transfusion kit for emergency blood transfusions
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 TERUMO KK
  • EP3689391B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689391B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689391B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a blood transfusion system (a blood transfusion kit, a blood transfusion kit for emergency blood transfusion, or a method of using a blood transfusion kit) (10), a flow path (16) through which blood flows is formed using a tube (12) having a channel (14) therein. The flow path (16) includes: a first path (80) that connects an upstream path (60) and a downstream path (70) and has a leukocyte removal filter (82) removing leukocytes at an intermediate position of the channel (14); and a second path (90) that connects the upstream path (60) and the downstream path (70) and bypasses the leukocyte removal filter (82).