Abstract: The invention provides a flexible plastic formulation capable of being extruded, blow-molded, ethylene oxide and radiation sterilized. The plastic formulation of the invention comprises: a) from about 60 to about 94 percent by weight of a copolymer consisting essentially of ethylene and vinyl acetate units; b) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of a block copolymer, the block copolymer consisting essentially of a central block copolymer molecule including generally equal proportions of ethylene and butylene units, and terminal blocks of polystyrene; and c) from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight of an ultra-low density polyethylene material. The plastic formulations of the invention are useful in the manufacture of blood bags, tubing and the like.

Abstract: An apheresis system is disclosed which may include a separation chamber; a suspension flow path which communicates at one end with the separation chamber and includes a connector at the other end for connecting to a source of cellular suspension; an anticoagulant flow path which communicates at one end with the suspension flow path and includes a connector at the other end for connecting to an anticoagulant source; and a return flow path which communicates at one end with the separation chamber and communicates at the other end with a connector for connection directly to the suspension source or to the suspension flow path for returning one or more suspension components to the source. The anticoagulant flow path includes a flow restriction, such as an internal flow restriction, which limits the free flow of anticoagulants into the suspension flow path while preferably not completely stopping the flow of anticoagulant.

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.

Abstract: A bone marrow collection kit is provided comprising a collection container for receiving a bone marrow containing fluid having a body that defines an interior and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and including a prefilter that extends from the outlet opening into the interior of the collection container so that fluid must flow through the prefilter to exit the collection container through the outlet opening. A first inline filter member is coupled to the outlet opening of the collection container, the first inline filter member having a flexible plastic body that defines an interior, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the interior including a filter so constructed and arranged that fluid that enters the inlet opening must flow through the filter to exit the first inline filter member through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A holder for receiving a sampling tube of a blood sampling system is disclosed. The holder has an interior pocket which can be conformed from a closed position to an open position for receiving the sampling tube.

Abstract: A device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube into a receptacle uses a cylindrical housing containing a hollow needle to puncture the segment tube as it is inserted into the upper port of the device. A series of ribs with medial edges are arranged in a radial pattern around the needle within the upper port to guide and support the segment tube as it is inserted. The ribs are separated by slots that also guide the sealed end of the segment tube. An annular recess around the lower port of the device holds the rim of the receptacle and allows blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain into the receptacle. The annular recess accommodates a wide range of test tube diameters, and exerts only a downward force on the rim of the receptacle when a segment tube is inserted into the upper port of the device.

Abstract: Fluid processing systems and methods make use of a replenishable source containing a volume of a processing fluid that is dispensed during a processing period. A processor serves to sequentially pause and resume the processing period. The processor records weight values of the source at commencement of the processing period; upon pauses in the processing period; and upon resumptions of the processing period. At termination of the processing period, the processor generates a total volume value of processing fluid dispensed from the source during the processing period, which takes into account replenishment of the processing fluid when the processing period is paused. The systems and methods can be integrated into blood processing circuits to monitor the introduction of anticoagulant.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods separate whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent within a rotating centrifugal separation device. The systems and methods convey whole blood into the separation device through an inlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods remove plasma constituent from the separation device through an outlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods derive a value Hb representing an apparent hematocrit of whole blood entering the separation device, where: H b = H rbc ⁡ ( Q b - Q p ) Q b and where Hrbc is a value relating to hematocrit of red blood cells in the separation device.

Abstract: A blood sampling system for obtaining blood samples from a fluid flow path is disclosed. The sampling system includes a container that can be isolated from the remainder of a blood processing set and allows for collection of a sample either before or after the blood donation.

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

Abstract: Containers and methods for making containers are disclosed. The containers include a chamber and a pouch fixed within the chamber. During manufacture, the open edges of the pouch are sealed between the walls of the container by a seal defining, in part, the peripheral edge of the chamber.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods establish on line communication between a container and a source of blood containing leukocytes and platelets, such as a human donor. The systems and methods create a centrifugal field between the source of blood and the container that separates from the blood an unfinished suspension of platelets having a first physiologic characteristic different than the desired physiologic characteristic. The systems and methods pump the unfinished platelet suspension outside the centrifugal field through a finishing device. The finishing device changes the first physiologic characteristic to the desired physiological characteristic, thereby creating the finished platelet suspension. The systems and methods convey the finished platelet suspension from the finishing device directly into the container. The systems and methods function without interrupting the on line communication between the container and the source of blood.

Abstract: A controller provides an abstract, “virtual” interface between the software based applications resident in the controller and the hardware elements of the fluid processing system. The controller also provides a straightforward yet very interactive dual region user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting blood substantially free of residual air and undesired matter also assure that accurate crossmatching and typing of cellular blood components can be done prior to transfusion.

Abstract: Improved stability, liquid enzyme compositions containing an alkylated trypsin and methods involving the combined use of these compositions with an aqueous composition are disclosed for the cleaning or simultaneous cleaning and disinfecting of contact lens. Methods for a daily use regimen are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing supports a rotating element. The bearing comprises an inner annular body and an outer annular body about the inner annular body. A bearing surface, which is located between the inner annular body and the outer annular body, supports the outer annular body for rotation about the inner annular body. A cage supports the bearing surface during rotation of the outer annular body about the inner annular body. The cage includes a material that imparts increased flexural modulus that resists deformation during rotation.

Abstract: Platelet suspensions and methods for resuspending platelet concentrates are disclosed. The platelet concentrates are resuspended by combining a platelet concentrate with a substance capable of resuspending platelets, such as a salt solution. The resuspended platelets may be stored and/or administered to a patient.

Abstract: A method for treating a body fluid to at least substantially inactivate viral contaminants that may be present therein is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a body fluid; adding to the body fluid a viral inactivating agent to create a resultant product; and passing the resultant product through a column including material having an affinity for the viral inactivating agent.

Abstract: A new citrate-based anticoagulant for donor whole blood provides good platelet yield and cell morphology at a significantly reduced risk of donor paresthesia during apheresis procedures. The primary citrate anticoagulant compositions include a citric acid to total citrate ratio greater than about 30%. The anticoagulants are mixed with whole blood to provide an anticoagulated blood mixture which contains a citric acid concentration of greater than about 5.0 mM, a total citrate concentration of less than about 20 mM, and an initial blood pH of less than about 6.75. The platelet rich products including PRP and PC prepared from blood collected in accordance with the invention exhibit better platelet yields and better platelet morphology on storage.