Abstract: Systems and related methods pump fluid through a pump. The pump comprises a pump chamber, which is responsive to applied pressures to convey fluid. The systems and methods place an electrode in electrical conductive contact with fluid in the pump chamber which, in use, is coupled to an electrical source. The electrode generates an electrical field in the pump chamber that varies according volume of fluid in the pump chamber. The systems and methods register variations in the electrical field as fluid is conveyed through the pump chamber.

Abstract: Programmable, fluid pressure actuated blood processing systems and methods are used in association a blood separation device. The systems and methods employ a cassette, which contains several preformed, pneumatically actuated pump stations, several preformed fluid flow paths, and several preformed, pneumatically actuated valves in the fluid flow paths. The systems and methods also employ a programmable pneumatic actuator to hold the cassette and selectively apply pneumatic force to the valves and pump stations.

Abstract: Systems and methods centrifugally separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma, and a platelet concentrate. The systems and methods rotate a first rotating separation zone about a rotational axis, to separate whole blood into red blood cells and plasma constituent carrying platelets. Red blood cells separated are directed in a first circumferential flow direction toward a terminal wall, where blood flow is halted. Surface hematocrit is successively increased in the first circumferential flow direction by separating the plasma constituent from the red blood cells. Separated red blood cells are directed from the first rotating separation zone through a path where the surface hematocrit is the most. Plasma constituent separated is directed in a second circumferential flow direction opposite to the first circumferential flow direction toward a different region in the first rotating separation zone, where the surface hematocrit is the least.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey blood cells from a blood cell source into a blood component collection flow channel that includes a blood cell storage container and an in-line filter to remove leukocytes from blood cells before entering the blood cell storage container. The systems and methods also convey additive solution from an additive solution source into the blood component collection flow channel. The systems and methods alternate the conveyance of blood cells through the filter with the conveyance of additive solution through the filter.

Abstract: A filter for removing leukocytes from blood comprises a filter media enclosed in a housing. The filter media includes a main filter region comprising a porous membrane structure extending between first and second skin surfaces. The porous membrane structure is formed by intersecting cells having a range of diameters. The cells adjacent to the first skin surface have diameters generally smaller than the diameters of the cells adjacent to the second skin surface. The first skin surface includes an open area defined by pores, which are formed by the intersection of cells with the first skin surface. The majority of the open area is defined by pores having a diameter of between about 12 &mgr;m and 28 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey whole blood from a donor into a centrifugal separation device for separation into red blood cells and a plasma constituent. The plasma constituent and red blood cells are removed from the separation device at least in part while whole blood is conveyed into the separation device. The systems and methods generate, at least in part while whole blood is conveyed into the separation device and plasma constituent and red blood cells are removed from the separation device, a control command affecting separation within the separation device based, at least in part, upon a factor representing hematocrit of red blood cells separated in the separation device.

Abstract: A method of processing blood establishes communication between a donor and a blood flow path and pumps whole blood from the donor into a container through the blood flow path. The method centrifugally separates the whole blood in the container into concentrated red blood cells and a plasma constituent. After the method interrupts communication between the donor and the blood flow path, the method pumps the concentrated red blood cells from the container to mix the concentrated red blood cells with a nutritive solution to restore the hematocrit of the concentrated red blood cells to a desired value. The method also removes the plasma constituent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing blood use at least one fluid activated pump and at least one fluid activated valve. The systems and methods apply positive and negative fluid pressures to operate the pump and valve. Different pressure conditions are applied to the pump and the valve, to insure that a valve used in conjunction with a pump is not overcome by the pressure applied to operate the pump, and that both the valve and pump are not overcome by normal system processing pressures.

Abstract: Blood collection systems include an integral flexible filter to remove leukocytes from blood components.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey blood drawn from a donor through a blood processing circuit to separate the blood into at least one targeted blood component for collection. The systems and methods derive an estimated effect of the procedure upon the donor. The estimated effect can be expressed in terms of a net blood fluid volume loss, or as a hematocrit of the donor after completion of the desired blood collection procedure. The systems and methods present the estimated effect to an operator for viewing, reading, or offloading.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and related methods place first and second fluid pressure actuated pump stations in in-line communication between a source and a destination. The systems and methods apply fluid pressure pump strokes to the first and second pump stations to convey fluid from the source to the destination. The systems and methods switch between a first flow mode and a second flow mode. In the first flow mode, the pump strokes draw a fluid volume into the first pump station from the source and expel a fluid volume from the second pump station to the destination. In the second flow mode, the pump strokes draw a fluid volume into the second pump station from the source and expel a fluid volume from the first pump station to the destination. The systems and methods synchronize the pump strokes so that fluid flow from the source is essentially continuous while fluid flow to the destination is pulsatile.

Abstract: A blood processing system comprises a processing chamber to process blood and a fluid flow cassette that communicates with the processing chamber. The cassette comprises a body, a pump chamber formed in the body, and a flexible diaphragm on the pump chamber responsive to an applied fluid pressures for flexure toward and away from the pump chamber to pump fluid through the pump chamber. The cassette also includes a flow path formed, at least in part, in the body to couple the pump chamber in fluid flow communication with the processing chamber, to convey fluid pumped by the pump chamber into the processing chamber. The cassette also includes an in line cavity formed in the body and located in the flow path to trap air to prevent entry of air into the processing chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods separate blood cells from whole blood and pump the separated blood cells through an in-line leukofilter to a blood cell storage container. The leukofilter has a filtration medium enclosed within a flexile housing. The systems and methods employ a fixture to restrain expansion of the flexible filter housing during operation of the pump. The fixture has a bracket to enable its releasable attachment to the blood processing device employed to carry out the separation process.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat plasma carrying contaminants and leukocytes that are capable of entraining contaminants. The systems and methods separate leukocytes from the plasma by filtration, thereby removing contaminants entrained within leukocytes. The systems and methods also add to the plasma a photoactive material and emit radiation at a selected wavelength into the plasma to activate the photoactive material and thereby eradicate the contaminant that is free of entrainment by leukocytes.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly for filtering fluids such as blood is described. The assembly includes first and second filter housing elements formed by an injection molding process. Each element is flexible and includes a peripheral flange formed thereabout and a fluid communicating port formed therein. Filter media, such as a filter membrane, is sealed between the mating flanges of two elements. The fluid filter assembly is capable of collapsing and expanding during the filtration process depending upon the composition of the fluid passed there through. A method for making the filter assembly and systems for using the filter assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat plasma by separating targeted blood cell species such as red blood cells and platelets from the plasma by filtration through hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly for filtering fluids such as blood is described. The assembly includes first and second filter housing elements formed by an injection molding process. Each element is flexible and includes a peripheral flange formed thereabout and a fluid communicating port formed therein. Filter media, such as a filter membrane, is sealed between the mating flanges of two elements. The fluid filter assembly is capable of collapsing and expanding during the filtration process depending upon the composition of the fluid passed there through. A method for making the filter assembly and systems for using the filter assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods rotate a processing chamber on a rotating element. The processing chamber includes a first compartment and a second compartment. Blood is conveyed into the first compartment for centrifugal separation into components. A liquid free of blood occupies the second compartment to counter-balance the first compartment during rotation on the rotating element. In one embodiment, the second compartment is served by a single fluid flow access. Prior to use, the single access is coupled to tubing, through which a vacuum is drawn to remove air from the second compartment. While the vacuum exists, communication is opened between the tubing and a source of liquid. The vacuum draws the liquid into the second compartment through the single access, thereby priming the second compartment for use.

Abstract: A device has processing hardware to carry out a blood processing procedure. A processing control manager resides on the device to monitor status conditions over time during the blood processing procedure. A data interface also resides on the device. The data interface includes a flash memory data storage medium formatted to allocate discrete block file spaces to receive data. Chronologic data or time-specific data are created based upon sensed conditions by a data generator task, which also resides on the device. A file manager task appends chronologic data to an allocated file space to create a chronologic block file, which, when read, provides a time-ordered account of processing activities or hardware conditions. The file manager also operates to block-write time-specific data to another allocated file space, which, when read, creates a snap-shot of processing conditions at a given point in time. The data file structure created on the flash memory medium withstands corruption of data due to power failure.

Abstract: A blood processing system comprises a blood separation chamber constructed and arranged for rotation about an axis separate blood into a plasma layer and an adjoining region comprising different first and second cellular blood species arranged in layers according to density. A collection line including a pump removes the plasma layer from the blood separation chamber. The pump operates to control flow through the collection line in response to pump control signals. A sensor assembly in the collection line detects concentration of first and second cellular blood species in the collection line. A controller coupled to the sensor assembly operates to generate the pump control signals according to a selected blood collection protocol. The controller operates, when a first blood collection protocol is selected, to generate a pump control signal when the sensor assembly detects changes in concentration of the first cellular blood species in the collection line.