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Acoustofluidic Plasmapheresis System Designed for Ultralow Blood Volume Applications

  • 0Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund SE-223 63, Sweden.
Analytical Chemistry +

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January 6, 2026

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January 6, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces an acoustofluidic plasmapheresis system for neonates, achieving high-purity plasma separation from minimal blood volumes. The innovative device supports critical care by enabling continuous, closed-loop plasma generation for infants.

Area Of Science

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Microfluidics
  • Acoustics

Background

  • Neonatal intensive care requires precise management of extremely low blood volumes.
  • Existing plasma separation methods often demand larger sample volumes, posing risks for neonates.
  • There is a need for efficient, in-line plasma separation systems suitable for point-of-care neonatal applications.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To develop and validate an integrated acoustofluidic plasmapheresis system for ultralow blood volume applications, specifically in neonatal care.
  • To enable continuous, closed-loop plasma separation with minimal sample loss for neonates.
  • To achieve high plasma purity and throughput while maintaining system robustness.

Main Methods

  • Integration of a two-stage acoustophoresis chip with microperistaltic pumps and PDMS-based flow pulsation dampeners.
  • Acoustic separation of whole blood into cell-free plasma and a returnable cell fraction.
  • Validation of plasma quality through hemolysis and residual cellular content quantification.
  • Testing system robustness across a range of hematocrit levels (up to 50%).

Main Results

  • The system achieved a plasma generation rate of 27.5 μL/min with approximately 100% cell removal.
  • Demonstrated superior plasma purity, throughput, and minimal sample volume compared to previous microfluidic approaches.
  • Validated plasma quality and system robustness, performing effectively at hematocrit levels relevant to neonates.
  • Achieved the fastest generation of clinical-quality undiluted plasma with the lowest blood volume requirement.

Conclusions

  • The developed acoustofluidic plasmapheresis system is highly suitable for point-of-care integration in neonatal intensive care units.
  • It offers a significant advancement for managing ultralow blood volumes in neonatal patients.
  • The system provides a safe, efficient, and effective solution for plasma separation in critical neonatal care settings.