Vertical Membrane Plasma Separator for Point-of-Care HIV Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating large volumes of plasma from whole blood are inadequate for point-of-care HIV viral load testing in resource-constrained settings, as they often require centrifugation, electrical power, or extensive dilution, which are not readily available, leading to inefficient plasma separation and inaccurate viral load detection.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-based, sedimentation-assisted plasma separator that uses gravitational sedimentation and size exclusion-based filtration to extract large volumes of plasma without the need for pumps or electrical power, allowing for direct plasma collection using a pipet, and is designed for use in resource-poor regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation is used to separate plasma from whole blood, then plasma separation is effective, but the method requires electrical power and laboratory infrastructure that are not available in resource-constrained settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugal separation system with a passive membrane filtration system that uses only gravitational force and pressure differential, eliminating the need for electrical power and complex mechanical components while maintaining effective plasma separation
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma separator is designed to operate autonomously using the pressure of the blood sample itself and gravitational force, without requiring external power sources or complex operational intervention, making it suitable for resource-limited settings
2Use of energy by moving object
If membrane filtration is used to separate plasma, then electrical power is not required, but the membrane can become clogged by blood cells reducing filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the membrane vertically rather than horizontally, creating a height dimension that allows plasma to be collected from the top while blood cells sediment to the bottom, preventing membrane clogging and maintaining continuous filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows brief gravitational sedimentation of blood cells before plasma filtration begins, pre-separating cells from plasma to prevent immediate membrane clogging and enhance filtration productivity
3Quantity of substance
If large volumes of plasma are extracted, then sufficient sample is obtained for viral load testing, but the separation process takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical membrane configuration enables continuous plasma filtration from the moment blood is introduced, as plasma constantly percolates through the membrane while cells sediment, allowing large volumes to be extracted rapidly without interruption or multiple steps
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 device effectively separates 275±33.5 μL of plasma from 1.8 mL of whole blood in under 7 minutes with high recovery efficiencies for HIV viruses, producing pure plasma suitable for nucleic acid testing, and can operate without laboratory infrastructure or trained personnel.
Implementation Method 1
The separation process takes advantage of both gravitational sedimentation of blood cells and size exclusion-based filtration
Implementation Method 2
The separation process takes advantage of both gravitational sedimentation of blood cells and size exclusion-based filtration
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma separator includes a vertical chamber with a membrane or membranes partially or fully covering the internal chamber walls and forming an inner cavity to accommodate whole blood. The plasma separator further includes a plasma collection space separated from the inner cavity with one or more membranes and a plasma removal port.