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Severe internal trauma results in millions of hospitalizations each year, including thousands of deaths caused by subsequent multiple organ failure. The majority of these deaths occur within the first 24 h, and thus, rapid diagnosis of internal trauma severity is necessary for immediate treatment. For early organ damage identification, diagnosis in point-of-care settings is crucial for rapid triage and treatment. Recent reports suggest that circulating histones may serve as a biomarker for severe organ damage and the risk of multiple organ failure. Here, we report a point-of-care diagnostic system that utilizes the inherent interactions between histones and DNA for the fluorescence-based detection of histones in whole blood. In the assay, histones within the sample are wrapped by DNA, thus preventing an intercalating dye from binding the DNA and fluorescing. To allow for quantitative fluorescent measurements to be made in a point-of-care setting, we integrate a rapid, automated blood separation step into our assay. Furthermore, we eliminate manual reagent additions using a thermally responsive alkane partition (TRAP), thus making the system sample-to-answer. Finally, we demonstrate the assay in a portable fluorescence reader compatible with a point-of-care environment. We report a limit of detection 112 ng/mL in whole blood, suggesting that our device can be used to rapidly diagnose internal trauma severity and the likelihood of multiple organ failure in near-patient settings.

The benefit of autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) treatment is still under discussion. Variations in PRP products, consequence of the lack of a standardised protocol for the multitude of commercially available blood separation systems and the lack of knowledge of the optimal composition of PRP or its suitability for the proposed indication are some of the reasons behind clinical inconsistencies. The impact of inter‐subject variability in PRP has received less attention in comparison. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter‐subject variability, based on age, in the concentrates prepared by a new blood concentration system. Twenty‐six healthy volunteers of both genders (29‐93 years) were enrolled. Whole blood (WB) was collected from each participant to prepare PRP using the Easy PRP kit. Platelets and white blood cells (WBC) from WB and PRP were analysed after split population by age; patients younger than 65 years (n = 13) and patients ≥65 years old (n = 13). Among the demographic characteristics tested, only age was significantly different between the groups. Cell capture efficiency of the system was specific for each type of blood cell and identical for both age groups. Platelets and WBC in PRP were higher than in WB (P

Antibodies are important biomarkers in clinical diagnostics in addition to being increasingly used for therapeutic purposes. Although numerous methods for their detection and quantification exist, they predominantly require benchtop instruments operated by specialists. To enable the detection of antibodies at point-of-care (POC), the development of simple and rapid assay methods independent of laboratory equipment is of high relevance. In this study, we demonstrate microfluidic thread-based analytical devices (μTADs) as a new platform for antibody detection by means of bioluminescence resonance energy-transfer (BRET) switching sensor proteins. The devices consist of vertically assembled layers including a blood separation membrane and a plastic film with a sewn-in cotton thread, onto which the BRET sensor proteins together with the substrate furimazine have been predeposited. In contrast to intensity-based signaling, the BRET mechanism enables time-independent, ratiometric readout of bioluminescence signals with a digital camera in a darkroom or a smartphone camera with a 3D-printed lens adapter. The device design allows spatially separated deposition of multiple bioluminescent proteins on a single sewn thread, enabling quantification of multiple antibodies in 5 μL of whole blood within 5 min. The bioluminescence response is independent of the applied sample volume within the range of 5-15 μL. Therefore, μTADs in combination with BRET-based sensor proteins represent user-friendly analytical tools for POC quantification of antibodies without any laboratory equipment in a finger prick (5 μL) of whole blood.

Developing simple, portable, rapid, and easy-to-use diagnostic technologies is essential for point-of-care (POC) blood molecular testing. Integrated microfluidic devices that include the functionalities of blood separation, microfluidic pumping, and molecular detection are desirable for POC testing; however, current technologies still rely on off-chip sample processing or require bulky equipment. We report a fully-integrated microfluidic diagnostic device, i.e., an integrated pneumatic microfluidic circuit (iPC), that can autonomously pump whole blood, continuously sort blood plasma, and readily enable blood plasma proteomic analysis. The iPC contains vacuum pillars as a vacuum source and waste reservoir, as well as microchannels connecting the pillars as a plasma separator or a flow stabilizer. We combined the iPC and a miniaturized fluorescence microscope to create a portable diagnostic platform that enables fluorescence-based biomarker detection. First, we performed systematic parametric studies to establish design rules for determining the transport and distribution of fluid streams in the iPC. We then demonstrated the capability of the iPC-based diagnostic platform by successfully separating blood plasma from microliter quantities of whole blood while simultaneously quantifying thrombin in blood samples using an aptamer beacon within 5 min of sample injection. Our platform holds potential as a rapid, field-deployable, essentially universal diagnostic tool in POC settings.

Separation of blood plasma or serum from blood is essential for accurate analysis. Conventional blood separation requires instrumentation, reagents, and large sample volumes, limiting this process to laboratory environments with trained personnel. Full implementation of effective blood separation and analysis on microliter sample volumes for point of care (POC) diagnostics has proven extremely challenging resulting in a growing market demand, with common challenges such as expensive device fabrication processes or devices being comprised of materials which are not easily disposable. We developed a membrane-based wicking microfluidic device which is made using a simple fabrication process. This device uses a unique 3D flow channel geometry, fabricated in a polycaprolactone-filled glass microfiber membrane, to efficiently separate microliter sample volumes of blood. Colorimetric assay chemistries were integrated to demonstrate utility of these devices in POC diagnostics. The devices are capable of separating both fresh and anticoagulant-treated blood at microscale sample volumes (

Background. In 2013, the World Health Organization reported a shortage of 17 million red blood cell units, a number that remains growing. Acts to relieve this shortage have primarily focused on allogeneic blood collection. Nevertheless, autologous transfusion can partially alleviate the current pressure and dependence on blood banking systems. To achieve this, current gold standard autotransfusion devices should be complemented with widely available, cost-efficient, and time-efficient devices. The novel HemoClear cell salvage device (HemoClear BV, Zwolle, Netherlands), a gravity-driven microfilter, potentially is widely employable. We evaluated its performance in the cardiac postoperative setting compared to the centrifugal XTRA™ autotransfusion device. Methods. In a split-unit study (n = 18), shed blood collected 18 hours after cardiothoracic surgery was divided into two equal volumes. One-half was processed by the XTRA™ device and the other with the HemoClear blood separation system. In this paired set-up, equal washing volumes were used for both methods. Washing effectivity and cellular recovery were determined by measuring of complete blood count, free hemoglobin, complement C3, complement C4, and D-dimer in both concentrate as filtrate. Also, processing times and volumes were evaluated. Results. The HemoClear and XTRA™ devices showed equal effectiveness in concentrating erythrocytes and leucocytes. Both methods reduced complement C3, complement C4, and D-dimer by ≥90%. The centrifugal device reduced solutes more significantly by up to 99%. Free hemoglobin load was reduced to 12.9% and 15.5% by the XTRA™ and HemoClear, respectively. Conclusion. The HemoClear device effectively produced washed concentrated red blood cells comparably to the conventional centrifugal XTRA™ autotransfusion device. Although the centrifugal XTRA™ device achieved a significantly higher reduction in contaminants, the HemoClear device achieved acceptable blood quality and seems promising in settings where gold standard cell savers are unaffordable or unpractical.

Apheretic therapies play an important role in the treatment of many diseases, both as first-line treatments and as rescue therapies, after failure or pharmacological toxicity or, again, in patients where a desirable achievement of the therapeutic objective in a short time. Apheretic technologies have evolved at a dizzying pace in recent decades. Therapeutic apheresis is almost always part of a therapeutic plan: therefore, a patient-centered approach to choose the most appropriate treatment, balancing personal preferences, drug interactions, and technological availability, can significantly influence the choice of technology/protocol to be used. If the wide variety of apheretic treatments can offer an increasingly personalized approach to the patient, it can also create an apprehension about the choice of the most appropriate therapy.

Cryogels are macroporous materials that display remarkable properties such as high pore inter- connection, large surface to volume ratio and high mechanical stability. As a result they are used in many areas of science spanning from blood separation and filtering to biological scaffolds for cells. However, shaping such material remains challenging because of the harsh conditions of synthesis at temperatures as low as −80◦C. In this paper we propose a solution for the 3D print- ing of cryogels. A micro-fabricated dispensing tool is presented and allows the last-second mixing of the different components for the cryogel synthesis as well as the control in temperature of the material during printing. This dispensing tool is mounted on a 3D printer allowing the multi-layer printing of the cryogel. By controlling the temperature of the dispensing tool during the printing process, we show the possibility to actively and locally tune the pore size of the cryogel. The printed gel are then coated with collagen and seeded with cells. The change in pore size allowed selective cell colonization opening the door to cell patterning through pore size manipulation.

Standard versions of blood separators typically use medium-price color sensors for a detection of a boundary level between red blood cells and plasma, at the last gate – at hose clamps. Discrete number of sensors is related to a number of significant levels to be detected thus making blood separation potentially faulty and unreliable. Our target was to make flexible, low cost replacement for level detection system that can be easily integrated into the existing product. We came up with an image processing solution that uses USB web-camera, ARM based off-the-shelf board – BeagleBone black and free OpenCV library. Flexibility is held in much higher, selectable number of levels, freely positioned USB camera and brand-free independent processing platform, as well as semi-automatic calibration system. By adding minimum additional electronics, we managed to integrate our solution into existing Blood processing machine. In conclusion, we added a new value to the machine at lower cost in production, increasing measurement frequency and resolution needed for improvement of blood separation process. Next step is to try to use two USB cameras on a custom-made board, for simultaneous level detection on two-channel blood separator, bringing the system integration to the higher level.

As the point of care diagnosis devices are becoming ever more popular, this paper suggest a miniaturized testing device from a drop of blood to diagnosis of disease for the global healthcare. The minimal requirements for the POC blood-testing device are blood microsampling, blood separation, immunoassay, and detection and communication of the signals. The microsampling of the blood can be achieved by specialized needle, which can be connected to the microchip or analytical devices. The sampled blood is then separated using either a filter (weir or pillar type), or by the phenomena unique to microfluidic system. The separated blood should then go through sandwich, homogeneous non-competitive, or competitive immunoassay, which can effectively diagnose diverse diseases. Lastly, the device should detect and translate the immune-signals to readable, and clinically significant signals. The development of such device will play a great role for improving healthcare technology.

Neutrophil dysfunction is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathophysiology, but the prognostic potential of neutrophil biomarkers remains largely unexplored due to arduous leukocyte isolation methods. Herein, a novel integrated microdevice is reported for single-step neutrophil sorting and phenotyping (chemotaxis and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETosis)) using small blood volumes (fingerprick). Untouched neutrophils are purified on-chip from whole blood directly using biomimetic cell margination and affinity-based capture, and are exposed to preloaded chemoattractant or NETosis stimulant to initiate chemotaxis or NETosis, respectively. Device performance is first characterized using healthy and in vitro inflamed blood samples (tumor necrosis factor alpha, high glucose), followed by clinical risk stratification in a cohort of subjects with T2DM. Interestingly, "high-risk" T2DM patients characterized by severe chemotaxis impairment reveal significantly higher C-reactive protein levels and poor lipid metabolism characteristics as compared to "low-risk" subjects, and their neutrophil chemotaxis responses can be mitigated after in vitro metformin treatment. Overall, this unique and user-friendly microfluidics immune health profiling strategy can significantly aid the quantification of chemotaxis and NETosis in clinical settings, and be further translated into a tool for risk stratification and precision medicine methods in subjects with metabolic diseases such as T2DM. MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore) NMRC (Natl Medical Research Council, S’pore) Accepted version

Appropriate sample collections and quality laboratory techniques are vital to ensure quality data, as results from the analysis of blood/urine/tissue samples are most often part of the primary or secondary outcome measures of a trial. This chapter describes the appropriate blood and urine sample collection, storage and shipment, principles of blood separation, the centrifugation process, plasma and serum sampling, and the consequences of preanalytical issues and nonadherence to protocol or laboratory manual.

This paper describes a novel microfluidic chip, including implementation of serially connected filters for improvement of collection efficiency in blood plasma separation. We have previously reported on a blood plasma separation device, comprising serially connected filters, and its effect on plasma collection efficiency. This paper describes improvement of the device structure for biological blood separation and integration of the filters into a microfluidic chip. Plasma collection into an outer reservoir enables use of the separated plasma in further processing, although the ultimate objective is on-chip analysis of plasma constituents, this is not currently possible. Thus, a collection mechanism for the serially connected filters was also developed and implemented. The device developed in this study was able to extract approximately 4 μL of plasma from 50 μL of non-diluted whole blood into an outer reservoir without critical hemolysis. The successfully miniaturized filter device was able to collect both plasma and un-separated blood into outer reservoirs for further processing and will be a useful separation platform for μTAS applications.

Therapeutic apheresis refers to a group of related interventions characterized by the use of extracorporeal blood separation in the treatment of disease. The establishment of therapeutic apheresis in modern transfusion practice is due in large part to technological advances such as automation and optimization of equipment and to the formalization of evidence-based guidelines for appropriate use.

None of the present magnetic separators is capable of achieving the classification of particles according to their magnetic susceptibility. We have developed a new apparatus to attain these magnetic classification goals. In this paper, the design of the continuous-mode large-scale prototype of the magnetic classifier is presented. Many areas of application are foreseen for this device, and we analyse two of them – health sciences and chemical engineering – presenting also some possible application cases within these areas.

The aim of this work is to construct a computational fluid dynamics model capable of simulating the quasitransient process of apheresis. To this end a Lagrangian-Eulerian model has been developed which tracks the blood particles within a delineated two-dimensional flow domain. Within the Eulerian method, the fluid flow conservation equations within the separator are solved. Taking the calculated values of the flow field and using a Lagrangian method, the displacement of the blood particles is calculated. Thus, the local blood density within the separator at a given time step is known. Subsequently, the flow field in the separator is recalculated. This process continues until a quasisteady behavior is reached. The simulations show good agreement with experimental results. They shows a complete separation of plasma and red blood cells, as well as nearly complete separation of red blood cells and platelets. The white blood cells build clusters in the low concentrate cell bed.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is sensitive to nutritional stress and is reduced in soldiers during stressful field training. Methods have recently been developed to measure IGF-I from filter paper blood spots. Filter paper has advantages over traditional blood sampling in that neither blood separation equipment nor refrigeration is necessary after sample collection. This study determined whether filter paper blood spots collected in a field environment could measure IGF-I and subsequent changes during military operational stress. Thirty-four Marines participating in an 8-day military field exercise characterized by near-continuous physical work (total daily energy expenditure 17-25 MJ/day) and underfeeding (dietary intake 7.0 MJ/day) had blood samples taken on day 0, day 4, and day 8. IGF-I was measured by filter paper blood spot assays from fingertip blood samples and by conventional methods using serum. Correlation and measurement agreement were assessed. Blood spot (Day 0 152 +/- 6 ng mL(-1)Day 4 111 +/- 6 ng mL(-1)Day 8 74 +/- 4 ng mL(-1)) and serum IGF-I (Day 0 412 +/- 10 ng mL(-1)Day 4 258 +/- 14 ng mL(-1)Day 8 203 +/- 13 ng mL(-1)) concentrations declined (p0.05) progressively over the 8-day exercise. Overall, the two methods significantly (p0.05) correlated (r = 0.92); however, the blood spot values were on average 61% lower than serum, but could be used to predict serum values ( +/- 10%). IGF-I is a biomarker of metabolic status. The filter paper blood spot method for IGF-I detected reductions accompanying nutritional stress and may be of potential value for characterizing the IGF-I response when conventional blood sampling methods are not feasible.

Guest Editor's Introduction: By 1977, the NCI/IBM 2990 and the Amico Celltrifuge, a conceptually similar instrument that had an identical centrifuge bowl, were being used worldwide. However, a major technical problem remained in that the blood path was still not completely disposable. To overcome this drawback, IBM 2977 was developed. The centrifuge bowl was changed from an axial flow separator to a circumferential flow geometry. The IBM 2997 single-stage channel instrument was first introduced and followed by the dual-stage channel instrument to obtain platelet concentrate with minimum lymphocyte contamination. This paper describes the basic design, operation conditions, and collection performance of the single-stage channel IBM 2977. This paper was printed in Blood, vol 54, page 254–268 (1979) and reprinted here with permission. A single-stage disposable channel and seal that provides for leukocyte and granulocyte collection by continuous-flow cell separation (CFCS) has been designed by the IBM Corporation. This paper describes (1) the separation characteristics of whole blood as it responds to varying gravitational (G) forces and flow rates through the channel; (2) the mechanism by which the buffy coat accumulates and is extracted; (3) the efficiency of extraction; (4) those donor and procedural variables that contribute to the final yield; (5) posttransfusion increment response in patients; and (6) the functional integrity of the cells collected.

Micro-manufacturing is a fast developing area due to the increasing demand for components and systems of high precision and small dimensions. A number of challenges are yet to be overcome before the full potential of such techniques is realised. Examples of such challenges include limitations in component geometry, material selection and suitability for mass production. Some micro-manufacturing techniques are still at early development stages, while other techniques are at higher stage of manufacturing readiness level but require adaptation in part design or manufacturing procedure to overcome such limitations. This article presents a case study, where the design of a micro-scale, biomedical device is adapted for functionality and manufacturability by a high-volume micro-fabrication technique. Investigations are described towards a disposable three-dimensional, polymer-based device for the separation of blood cells and plasma. The importance of attempting a three-dimensional device design and fabrication route was to take advantage of the high-throughput per unit volume that such systems can, in principle, allow. The importance of a micro-moulding fabrication route was to allow such blood-containing devices to be cheaply manufactured for disposability. Initial device tests showed separation efficiency up to approximately 80% with diluted blood samples. The produced prototype indicated that the process flow was suitable for high-volume fabrication of three-dimensional microfluidics.

This paper presents the challenges encountered in modelling biofluids in microchannels. In particular blood separation implemented in a T-microchannel device is analysed. Microfluids behave different from the counterparts in the microscale and a different approach has been adopted here to model them, which emphasize the roles of viscous forces, high shear rate performance and particle interaction in microscope. A T-microchannel design is numerically analysed by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the effectiveness of blood separation based on the bifurcation law and other bio-physical effects. The simulation shows that the device can separate blood cells from plasma.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) has been accepted as integral part of the management of patients with hematologic malignancies. Whereas standardization efforts of RQ-PCR, initiated by Europe Against Cancer (EAC) group, have been gradually widespread in the world, Japanese laboratories use their individual protocol for RQ-PCR analysis. Therefore, we assessed the variability of quantitative results obtained from 4 different laboratories in Japan, including 3 companies and Tohoku University Hospital, using identical peripheral blood or bone marrow samples of patients in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; n = 11) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; n = 2). RQ-PCR was designed to quantify the copy numbers of disease-specific fusion chimeras; BCR-ABL (CML) and AML1-ETO (AML). In 5 out of 13 samples, the quantitative results from 4 laboratories varied more than 10 times (up to 712 times). Thus, we next sought to determine factors affecting the variability of RQ-PCR results across laboratories, by sending back RNA and cDNA samples from each company to Tohoku University, and they were further proceed to yield quantitative data. The main difference between companies and Tohoku University was probably due to the difference of blood separation method (Blood lysis or Ficoll-Hypaque). On the other hand, the variability among 4 laboratories was the most noticeable in the PCR step, mainly attributable to the difference of primer/probe sequence among laboratories. In conclusion, our analyses indicate the importance to limit both preanalytical (sample processing) and analytical (RQ-PCR) interlaboratory variability for RQ-PCR protocol, and the need of further efforts on standardization program in Japan.

To add to the traditional method of blood separation by centrifugation, a membrane method has in recent years been coming into wide clinical use in treating autoimmune diseases by plasma exchange. The membrane method which not only is easy but also needs simple equipment has been the focus of attention as a new means to collect blood components, especially plasma.This paper discusses the results of clinical evaluation of the safety and performance of Terumo Corporation's membrane type plasma separator Donor Set GDS-1.As a result, it was demonstrated that 174ml of plasma could be separated from approximately 408ml of blood in a little more than 10min, and that the N-N time from needle insertion to withdrawal was approximately 21min. The laboratory data of the donors were not remarkable after plasma separation, and no adverse effects plasma separation were observed. Accordingly, plasmapheresis by this system may be considered to be for practical purpose adequately safe. The activation of the coagulation, fibrinolysis and complement systems was so slight that biocompatibility was considered satisfactory.This system which separates plasma from the blood by gravity is high of clinical use for its safety and procedural simplicity.

Healing and fusion in challenging bone grafting procedures is not guaranteed using the gold standard of autogenous iliac crest bone, and clinicians are increasingly interested in tissue engineering solutions using cells and signaling factors to enhance both overall success rate and time to fusion. The potential role in wound repair from application of cytokines contained in platelets was initially described more than 20 years ago. A rapid, simple preparation method to perioperatively separate and collect the platelet-rich fraction was developed a decade later, expanding the potential range of clinical applications. Numerous additional point-of-care techniques have since been introduced, potentially providing a cost-effective alternative to single recombinant proteins. As with many emerging technologies, clinicians are confronted with a frequently conflicting array of largely anecdotal claims for clinical utility. With a focus on structural bone graft repair, this chapter will present the therapeutic basis for clinical use of topically applied autogenous growth factor preparations and summarize existing experimental and application-specific clinical outcomes reports. Keywords: blood separation; platelets; growth factors; tissue regeneration; orthopedics

In this paper, we confirmed that clogging does not happen in short time and inline type separate efficiency is higher than stagger type. The mechanical micro blood separator can be a good candidate for bio sample separation devices. In future, we will observe the influence of micro structures geometry on clogging and separation performance will be clarified. And we will design micro structures geometry for clogging reduction and separation performance improvement. In this paper, we confirmed that clogging does not happen in short time and inline type separate efficiency is higher than stagger type. The mechanical micro blood separator can be a good candidate for bio sample separation devices. In future, we will observe the influence of micro structures geometry on clogging and separation performance will be clarified. And we will design micro structures geometry for clogging reduction and separation performance improvement

The Axial Separation Module (ASM™), which separates whole-blood specimens serially in Axial Process Containers (APC™), was evaluated for clinical performance at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center (UVA HSC) in a community-based outpatient laboratory (North Ridge Clinic). We hypothesized that moving the task of blood separation to point of care would reduce specimen turnaround time within the main laboratory. Blood drawn into an APC was separated in the ASM at point of care at the North Ridge Clinic. Blood drawn into a Vacutainer Tube™was separated in a conventional centrifuge at the main laboratory. Turnaround time was calculated for the “chem 17” test from files stored in our laboratory information system. Blood serially separated at point of care yielded turnaround time savings for specimens originating from the North Ridge Clinic. Average turnaround time decreased by 24%. Phlebotomists found no appreciable workload increase from incorporating the ASM as a point-of-care blood separation device. Phlebotomists also found that they could immediately detect hemolysis. We concluded that serial separation at point of care reduces specimen turnaround time at the main laboratory. The ASM/APC was found to be better suited for point-of-care blood separation than a conventional centrifuge. We speculate that immediate blood separation has the potential to improve the quality of analytical results.

The aim of this work is to construct a com- putational fluid dynamics model capable of simulating the transient non-Newtonian process of apheresis. A Lagrangian-Eulerian model has been developed which tracks the blood particles within a two-dimensional flow configuration. Within the Eulerian method, the fluid mass and momentum conservation equations within the separa- tor are solved using the density and the viscosity is calcu- lated from the blood particle concentrations. Subsequently, the displacement of the blood particles is calculated with a Lagrangian method. Hawksley's model for the density of supensions is used in the variable density calculation. The viscosity is calculated with two models based on Vand's rigid particle suspension viscosity concepts, followed by the flow field calculation in the separator. Simulations were performed for various inlet hematocrit values and separa- tor lengths. The simulations are in satisfactory agreement with experimental results reported in literature, indicating a complete separation of plasma and red blood cells (RBCs), as well as nearly complete separation of red blood cells and platelets. No hemolysis was observed in the sim- ulations because the shear rate remained under the criti- cal value of 150 N/m 2 . Ke y Words: Blood separation —Apheresis—Centrifugation—Particle flow—Computa- tional fluid dynamics—Variable viscosity.

In this contribution a mathematical model for the simulation of a blood separation process is presented. The simulation algorithm calculates the time-dependent three-dimensional distribution of red blood cells in the sedimentation centrifuge from the geometry of the centrifuge and the dynamic process parameters such as the rotation velocity of the centrifuge or the volume flow of supplied patient blood. The resulting process model is the basis for a stepwise optimisation and automation of the complex centrifugal blood sedimentation process. The presented results were achieved in a research and development cooperation between the Institute for Process Automation and one of the leading producers of autologuous blood salvage systems (FRESENIUS AG).

Diagnostics plays a critical role in human health, while blood analysis is one of the most common clinical diagnoses. Biomedical engineers have been developing technologies that can robotically perform accurate and rapid blood analysis for field application. The simplified fabrication processes and low cost materials become the tendency of point-of-care (POC) devices for blood analysis. Recently, lab-in-a-tube technique comes up as a simple and robust method for POC measurements of multiple analytes. This paper proposed a tubing system with out-of-plane valves using tygon tubing assembled on a circular disc (CD) for blood separation. Pure plasma could be achieved within minutes after extracting blood from human body. The out-of-plane valve showed excellent capability in preventing backflow and reverse mixing due to diffusion. Therefore, the lab-in-a-tube platform has promising applications for the automation of POC analysis, especially important for the rural areas without enough medical resources.

This chapter narrates the ill-treatment meted on Elizabeth Blood by her husband, Holcroft Blood, and analyzes the legal procedures involved in the ensuing law suit. As a result of the new and plausible-seeming evidence of adultery by Elizabeth, her suit for separation with Holcroft Blood was rejected by the Consistory Court. Despite this serious set-back, Elizabeth was obstinate enough to appeal her case to the Court of Arches. There she turned the tables on her accusers by having them summoned to an identification line-up. She appeared with six other women, and, when asked to pick her out, the three key witnesses to her alleged adultery with Brome all failed the test. Moreover, Mrs Boteler and her maid swore that Elizabeth never slept out of the house a single night during all the period she was supposed to have been living with Brome.

When aiming a complete microfluidic analysis system for human blood tests the blood plasma separation should be preferably also integrated in the device. The sensitivity of the analysis is significantly affected by the sample quality, so in this work the efficiency of the Zweifach-Fung effect based microfluidic separation systems was characterized. The microstructures were fabricated by simple replication in polydimethylsilixane applying SU-8 photoresist master beside extensive variation of the geometric parameters.

Summary Three years after returning to the U.K. a 58-year-old British engineer, who had worked in the Nigerian oilfields for 24 years, was found to have Loa loa. His midday microfilarial count ranged between 12 × 10 6 and 16 × 10 6 parasites per litre. Before starting treatment, i litre of leucocyte/platelet-rich plasma was removed by means of a blood cell separator. Six intermittent cycles of blood separation were performed during a single 4-h session around midday in order to coincide with the period of maximum microfilarial presence in the peripheral circulation. This resulted in a 50 % reduction of the microfilaraemia. Where facilities for blood cell separation are available, this procedure, together with appropriate chemotherapy, should be particularly beneficial in the management of heavy filarial infections.