A Novel Multiplexed Inertial Focusing Microfiltration System for Intra-Operative Blood Salvage Autotransfusion
This technology describes a multiplexed microfluidic blood purifier intended for perioperative blood salvage in cancer surgery, designed to reduce reinfusion of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) during cancer surgery while preserving native blood components.
The purifier works by cycling the salvaged blood through spiral microfluidic channels, where hydrodynamic forces enable size-based separation of tumor cells from native blood components. This approach mitigates key limitations of current intraoperative blood replenishment methods, including immunosuppression, tumor progression, inconsistent tumor cell removal, and immune cell depletion.
Researchers
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system and method for inertial focusing microfiltration for intra-operative blood salvage autotransfusion
United States of America | Granted | 10,806,845
Technology
First, the patients’ salvaged whole blood enters the system through a single inlet and is distributed into multiple spiral microfluidic channels formed within stacked layers. The spiral channel geometry is engineered to leverage hydrodynamic foces, including inertial lift and Dean vortex–induced secondary flows, such that larger circulating tumor cells migrate toward defined equilibrium positions long one side of the channel cross-section, while smaller blood components remain on the opposite side. At the channel outlets, each spiral divides into at least two outputs, enabling spatial separation of tumor-enriched and tumor-depleted fractions. The tumor-depleted blood is then directed to the return outlet for reinfusion to the patient.
Problem Addressed
Significant intraoperative blood loss is commonly managed using allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) or intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS), in addition to preventative measures. However, ABT often strains blood banks, prolongs hospital stays, and is associated with transfusion-related immunosuppression and increased risk of post-operative infection. Additionally, while IOCS when combined with leukocyte depletion filters can reduce tumor cell contamination in some cases, this approach significantly depletes white blood cells which are critical for post-operative immune defense. The present technology overcomes these limitations by using size-selective, hydrodynamic separation that preserves native red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The multiplexed channel architecture also enables continuous-flow processing suitable for large intraoperative blood volumes.
Advantages
- Preserves native blood composition by returning red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets at concentrations substantially similar to those in the incoming whole blood, while achieving ≥95% removal of circulating tumor cells
- Relies solely on hydrodynamic forces for size-selective separation, eliminating the need for antibodies, membranes, or filters
- Supports continuous-flow, high-throughput processing of large blood volumes through multiplexed spiral microchannel
- Reduces reliance on ABT, lowering risks associated with transfusion-related immunomodulation, post-operative infection, and extended hospital stays
- Beyond cancer surgery, the platform may be applied to other high–blood-loss procedures
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