Automated White Blood Cell Collection via Reverse-Flow Washing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for collecting white blood cells are not suitable for automation, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination during the washing process.

Innovation Solution

A white blood cell collection apparatus that includes a first container for blood, a second container for a wash liquid, a filter, a branching portion, and a controller to automate the liquid delivery operation, which involves capturing, pushing back, and washing white blood cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a filter is provided in part of a pipe through which blood flows to collect white blood cells, then white blood cells can be captured and collected, but the process cannot be automated and requires manual operation by an engineer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of white blood cell collectionVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a controller to automatically control the opening and closing of valves, enabling the white blood cell collection process to perform itself without manual engineer intervention. The controller autonomously manages the entire workflow including capturing, pushing back, and washing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses electronic signals to operate valves and fluid delivery mechanisms, substituting human skill with automated mechanical and electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the filter is washed by a wash liquid flowing in the same direction as blood flow, then the filter can be cleaned, but the wash liquid may become contaminated with blood

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of wash liquidVSAvoidcontamination of wash liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the flow direction for washing the filter by causing the wash liquid to flow from the downstream side to the upstream side through the filter, opposite to the blood flow direction. This ensures that the wash liquid does not contact blood-contaminated areas of the filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary actions by first pushing back the blood remaining in the branching portion toward the first container before initiating the washing process, ensuring that no blood remains in the path where wash liquid will flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the wash liquid flows through the filter in the opposite direction to blood flow, then the filter can be washed effectively, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidfluid delivery control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions: it controls the opening and closing of valves during blood flow, manages the push-back operation, and controls the reverse-flow washing process. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanisms into a single control unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the flow direction of the wash liquid based on operational requirements, switching from normal flow to reverse flow through controlled valve operation, allowing the same system to handle both capturing and washing operations efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 apparatus enables stable and efficient automation of white blood cell collection, maintaining the cleanliness of the wash liquid and ensuring high-quality cell collection, regardless of user skill.

Implementation Method 1

a filter, a branching portion, and a controller. The first container stores blood. The second container stores a wash liquid. The blood sent from the first container and the wash liquid sent from the second container pass through the filter.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a liquid obtained by separating components of blood is obtained in a test tube by a centrifuge. The liquid in the test tube is separated into red blood cells (45%), white blood cells and platelets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS20250073378A1White blood cell collection apparatus and white blood cell collection method

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a white blood cell collection apparatus includes a first container, a second container, a filter, a branching portion, and a controller. The controller controls liquid delivery operation through the branching portion. The liquid delivery operation includes: sending blood in the first container from the branching portion to the filter to cause the filter to capture white blood cells contained in the blood; pushing back the blood remaining in the branching portion toward the first container by sending the wash liquid in the second container from the branching portion toward the first container after the capturing; and washing the filter by sending the wash liquid in the second container from the branching portion to the filter after the pushing back.