Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a membrane separator and further separator the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator fluidly connected to the membrane separator to receive the separated plasma.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a separation vessel and further separator the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator fluidly connected to the separation vessel to receive the separated plasma.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the yield of a selected cellular component from a composite blood product by sensing the movement of the separated cellular component or another component during expression from a separation container to a collection container to produce a signal indicative of the movement, and predicting the yield of the separated cellular component from the signal.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling a fluid separation system, preferably a blood apheresis system having a leukocyte reduction chamber. The method utilizes at least a two-level alarm system. A first-level alarm condition is triggered in response to a pressure drop in the system to less than or equal to a specified system pressure and pauses fluid flow in at least a portion of the system. A second-level alarm condition is triggered in response to a specified number of said pressure drops within a specified period and reduces the flow rate of the fluid in the system. The alarm conditions may also trigger a visible and/or audible alarm. These alarm levels permit flow through the leukocyte reduction chamber to continue when the pressure drop is caused by a non-serious, self-resolving or easily-correctable condition such as misalignment of system components.

Abstract: A method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising centrifuging at least two separation bags containing two discrete volumes of a composite liquid respectively, so as to separate therein the first and second components; transferring at least one fraction of a first separated component from the separation bags into satellite bags connected thereto respectively; detecting a characteristic of a component at determined location in each separation bag; and stopping transferring the at least one fraction of the first component from each separation bag into the first satellite bag connected thereto, upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the determined location.

Abstract: A bag loader for loading and unloading at least one satellite bag into and from the central compartment of a rotor of an apparatus for separating a composite liquid into at least two components comprises an upper part for removably securing an upper portion of at least one satellite bag; a lower part comprising a receptacle; and an intermediate part connecting the upper part to the lower part and exposing an intermediate portion of a satellite bag.

Abstract: Clamps and methods are disclosed for clamping portions of fluid containers and displacing fluid from portions of fluid containers. In one embodiment, a clamp has a first jaw having a photopermeable main body portion and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are operatively associated so that at least one jaw, or both jaws, may be moved between clamped and released positions. The clamp is sized to receive a portion of a fluid container and displace fluid in the fluid container from a clamped region of the fluid container when the first and/or second jaw(s) are in the clamped position. The photopermeable main body portion(s) of the first and/or second jaw(s) allow some light to reach the clamped region of the fluid container during photoradiation to inactivate pathogens in the fluid. Various clamp embodiments and assemblies having lock members and interlocks are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for washing multiple units of blood product including providing a centrifuge having a wash cell for each unit of blood product, balancing the centrifuge to accommodate for differences in the wash cells, and transferring supernatant including any wash solution from each unit of blood product on the centrifuge.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a volume of composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component comprising a centrifuge having a rotor with a turntable for supporting a separation bag; a central compartment for containing satellite bags, and fitted with a support member for supporting at least one satellite bag so that a liquid contained in the supported satellite bag drains from the supported satellite bag into the separation bag under centrifugation forces when the rotor is set in rotation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a volume of whole blood contained in a separation bag into at least three components comprising centrifuging the separation bag so as to separate therein a first inner layer comprising plasma, a second intermediate layer comprising platelets, a third intermediate layer comprising lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes and a fourth outer layer comprising red blood cells, transferring, into a plasma component bag connected to the separation bag, a plasma component and transferring into a mononuclear cell component bag a mononuclear cell components.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating blood into blood components using a separation vessel satellite bags mounted on a centrifuge rotor and a balancing assembly for the centrifuge to compensate for changes to the center of gravity.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling a fluid separation system, preferably a blood apheresis system, by sensing fluid pressure and comparing the sensed fluid pressure to a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising centrifuging at least two separation bags containing two discrete volumes of a composite liquid respectively, so as to separate therein the first and second components; transferring at least one fraction of a first separated component from the separation bags into satellite bags connected thereto respectively; detecting a characteristic of a component at determined location in each separation bag; and stopping transferring the at least one fraction of the first component from each separation bag into the first satellite bag connected thereto, upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the determined location.

Abstract: A method used in connection with processing of blood components, wherein blood products are then filtered via a filter rotating along with a centrifuge rotor and the sensed pressure may be used in connection with controlling the pumping of the blood products and/or in connection with determining the location of an interface associated with the blood products.

Abstract: A non-reopenable, single-use clamp for receiving and pinching collapsible resilient tubing thus forming a mechanical tubing seal and having an open position for insertion of tubing, a neutral position for holding the tubing and a closed position for non-reopenably closing the tubing with a locking mechanism with locking hooks.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component comprises a centrifuge, with a rotor having a rotation axis comprising at least two separation cells, each for containing a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid; and first balancing elements for balancing the rotor when the respective weights of the at least two separation bags in the at least two separation cells are different.

Abstract: A method for separating a volume of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component is performed in a centrifuge cooperating with a separation bag containing the volume of composite liquid. The separation bag is connected to at least a first component bag and a second component bag. The separation bag is spun so as to centrifuge the volume of composite liquid and cause the sedimentation of the at least first and second components. When the at least first and second components have sedimented, the first component is transferred at least one first transfer flow rate into the first component bag. When the first component has been transferred into the first component bag, the second component is transferred into the intermediate component bag at least one second transfer flow rate that is different from the at least one first transfer flow rate.

Abstract: A device for loading a set of bags into the rotor of a centrifuge including a loading container having an annular rim extending outwardly such that the annular rim rests on the turn table of the rotor.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling a fluid separation system, preferably a blood apheresis system having a leukocyte reduction chamber. The method utilizes a return-flow alarm system. A return-flow alarm-triggering pressure is specified, and when pressure of the return flow in the system is higher than or equal to the specified pressure, a return-flow alarm is triggered.

Abstract: A centrifugal fluid separation system is disclosed for centrifugally separating a composite fluid into components thereof. This centrifugal separation system includes at least a centrifugal rotor which has a composite fluid containment area, a fluid flow channel/tubing and at least one separated component collection area defined therein. A composite fluid to be separated is delivered to the fluid containment area where under centrifugal forces the composite fluid is separated into components and then from which a component travels through an outlet channel to a respective separated component fluids flowing therethrough. A centrally disposed pump is also provided to move the separated component(s) to the collection area(s). Optical sensing of the interface of the separated fluid components may be used with a clamp to stop flow. A disposable bag and tubing system is also disclosed for use with reusable rotor devices.