Transfusion Safety Device with Immunochemical Blood Group Checking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood transfusion safety systems are inadequate in preventing ABO group incompatibility errors, which can lead to serious complications or death, due to labeling mistakes and lack of strict protocol adherence, and existing solutions are costly and not foolproof.

Innovation Solution

A device integrating immunochemical ABO group checking systems with automatic control units and solenoid valves to ensure compatibility between packed red blood cells and recipient blood, using antibody-antigen reactions and PDA-type handheld computers to prevent incompatible transfusions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual checking methods with identification devices and protocols are used, then transfusion safety can be maintained, but the process becomes costly (5-7 euros per transfusion) and unreliable due to staff training requirements and emergency situation overrides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfusion safetyVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic self-checking of ABO compatibility through integrated immunochemical testing devices that autonomously test both donor and recipient blood samples, eliminating the need for manual protocol verification by staff while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical checking procedures with automated immunochemical testing devices that use biological reactions (antibody-antigen) to determine blood group compatibility, substituting human judgment with objective scientific measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If strict protocols and computer systems are implemented, then error prevention improves, but the system becomes vulnerable to labeling errors and staff non-compliance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror preventionVSAvoidstaff training requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The testing devices automatically perform compatibility checks without requiring staff intervention or training, as the system self-executes the immunochemical tests and interprets results to determine transfusion safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces immunochemical testing devices as intermediary components that objectively verify blood compatibility, serving as a mediator between the donor blood and recipient that cannot be bypassed or misinterpreted by human error

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual blood group checking is performed, then the process remains simple, but it is time-consuming and prone to human error in labeling and identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechecking speedVSAvoidtransfusion preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and labeling processes with automated immunochemical testing that uses biological reactions to rapidly determine blood groups, significantly increasing checking speed while eliminating human error in identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of blood group determination from manual visual identification to automated immunochemical reaction measurement, enabling rapid objective detection of ABO compatibility within minutes rather than requiring extensive manual verification time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Physically prevents incompatible transfusions, reduces errors even with untrained staff, speeds up the checking process, detects incompatibilities regardless of labeling errors, and offers a cost-effective solution for ensuring transfusion safety.

Implementation Method 1

a first device (2) for carrying out the check of the ABO blood group corresponding to the packed red blood cells contained in a bag (3), and a second device (4) for checking the ABO blood group of the individual receiving said transfusion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP3272373B1Transfusion safety device
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 PROPOSIT BIO SL
  • EP3272373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3272373B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A transfusion safety device to check the ABO blood group for packed red blood cells (PRBCs), contained in a bag (3), and the ABO blood group of the blood of a recipient and determine the compatibility thereof to carry out said transfusion, which comprises a blood transfusion unit (1), a first blood group checking device (2), in order to establish the blood group of the PRBCs contained in the bag (3), a second blood group checking device (4) intended to establish the blood group of the individual receiving the transfusion, and a control unit (5) intended to read the results obtained in the checking device (2, 4), to establish the compatibility or incompatibility of both blood groups based on the reading of the results, and to actuate a flow regulator (9) to enable or prevent the flow of PRBC from passing through.