Vacuum Plasma Separation Through Membrane Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for plasma separation from whole blood, such as centrifugation, are slow, require large instrumentation, and are impractical for point-of-care diagnostic instruments, while alternative methods like laminar-flow filtration and capillary-action processes are expensive, complex, or lead to hemolysis.
Innovation Solution
A plasma separation system using vacuum force to separate plasma from blood without centrifugation, utilizing a combination of capillary action and negative pressure to achieve rapid and minimal hemolysis plasma separation, which can be used in point-of-care assays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If centrifugation is used to separate plasma from whole blood, then plasma separation is achieved, but the process is slow and requires large powered instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the centrifugal mechanical system with a vacuum-based system. Instead of using centrifugal force generated by rotating components, the invention uses vacuum pressure applied through a needle to draw plasma through a membrane filter, eliminating the need for large centrifugal instrumentation and enabling faster separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using vacuum pressure (negative pressure) to drive the plasma separation process. A vacuum source creates a pressure differential that pulls plasma through the filter membrane, replacing the mechanical centrifugal approach with a pneumatic-driven filtration system.
2Reliability
If laminar-flow filtration or capillary-action based processes are used, then plasma separation is achieved, but these methods are expensive, complex, or lead to unacceptable levels of hemolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a porous membrane filter as the separation medium. The membrane contains pores that allow plasma to pass through while retaining blood cells. This porous material approach simplifies the device structure compared to complex laminar-flow systems and prevents hemolysis by using gentle vacuum-driven filtration rather than high-speed centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter by applying vacuum pressure (negative pressure) to drive filtration. This parameter change enables rapid plasma separation without the high g-forces that cause hemolysis in centrifugation, while avoiding the complexity of precisely controlled laminar-flow systems.
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 system enables rapid plasma separation in 10-90 seconds with minimal hemolysis, producing cell-free plasma suitable for point-of-care assays, and can be disposable or multi-use.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source to apply a negative pressure to the blood sample
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a combination of capillary action and negative pressure
Implementation Method 3
a filter to allow plasma to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma separation system and process for providing filtered plasma from a blood sample is described. The system may include a blood separation well having a separation membrane for filtering the blood sample. The filtering process may be aided by the use of a negative or positive pressure source attached to the plasma separation system.