Patent
A Microfluidic Device for Separating Platelets from a Blood Sample
Problem Statement
- Platelets play crucial role in blood clotting and healing and its need become critical especially in context of diseases like Dengue (in which the platelet count of the platelet falls by a huge amount) therefore the separation becomes very important.
- Conventional methods for obtaining platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP), such as centrifugation, are time-consuming, complex, and prone to contamination due to multiple manual steps. Existing microdevices for plasma separation are often multilayered and difficult to fabricate.
Abstract
The invention is a microfluidic device designed to separate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) from blood. It uses a single-layer microdevice to exploit biophysical and geometrical effects for efficient separation of plasma with varying platelet concentration, providing high purity PRP and PPP suitable for medical and research applications.
Uniqueness of the Solution
- High Purity: Achieves high purity PRP and PPP with minimal manual intervention due to the inclusion of Single-Layer Microchannel: Simplifies the design and fabrication
- Cost-Effective and Easy Fabrication: Single-layer design is simpler and cheaper to produce.
- No External Sources Required: Operates without needing additional equipment by the peculiar design that involves
- Minimal Contamination Risk: Reduces manual handling, thus lowering contamination risks.
Prototype Details
- A microchannel network fabricated in a single layer of PDMS, with a main channel for blood flow and side channels for extracting PPP ad PRP
- Gradual constriction and expansion zones to facilitate the separation process This prototype has been tested at various flow rates, the device effectively separated PPP and PRP with high purity, demonstrating its practical applicability.
Current Status of Technology
At present the prototype that has been produced has been tested at various flow rates, the device effectively separated PPP and PRP with high purity, demonstrating its practical applicability.
Technology readiness level
3
Societal Impact
- Enhanced Medical Procedures: Provides a reliable source of high purity PPP and PRP for various medical treatments, improving patient outcomes.
- Cost Reduction: Simplified fabrication and operation reduce costs in clinical and research settings
Relevant Industries, Domains and Applications
Medical Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, Regenerative Medicine
Applications or Domain
- Medical Diagnostics: Used for preparing PRP and PPP for platelet aggregation studies, tissue regeneration, and other medical applications
- Surgical Applications: PPP acts as a fibrin glue for hemostasis and tissue adhesion, reducing postoperative complications.
- PRP is used for wound healing and recovery Biomedical Research: Useful in studying blood components and related physiological processes
Application Number
201921023167
Filing Date
Grant Number
521410
Grant Date
Assignee(s)
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Faculty
Department
**This IP is jointly owned**