Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Abstract: Described are embodiments for determining components of a composite liquid and controlling the flow of the components into containers. In one embodiment, components of whole blood, after separation, are determined and directed to different containers for collection and storage. Embodiments may be implemented on an apparatus configured to separate multiple discrete volumes of composite liquid (e.g., whole blood) into components.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.

Abstract: A hand held opener for opening a frangible closer comprising a handle adapted to be gripped by an operator, a motion actuator operatively connected to the handle, a first shaft connected to the motion actuator, a second shaft connected to the motion actuator, a first gripper portion on the first shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a first location, and a second gripper portion on the second shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a second location wherein the motion actuator provides reciprocal movement to the shafts to rotate the frangible closer in one direction and to rotate the frangible closer in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

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 multi-unit blood processor uses a hydraulic bladder system to express blood components out of whole blood bags and into collection bags. A dummy whole blood bag, containing an inert fluid, may be placed in a processing location. The dummy bag has characteristics that allow the blood processor to recognize the presence of the dummy bag. An opaque feature may be detected by a photo sensor. A radio frequency sensor may be used to detect a passive radio frequency emitter on the dummy bag. The dummy bag may have a bar code label identifying it as a dummy bag. The blood processor will not attempt to process the dummy bag.

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 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 hand held opener for opening a frangible closer comprising a handle adapted to be gripped by an operator, a motion actuator operatively connected to the handle, a first shaft connected to the motion actuator, a second shaft connected to the motion actuator, a first gripper portion on the first shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a first location, and a second gripper portion on the second shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a second location wherein the motion actuator provides reciprocal movement to the shafts to rotate the frangible closer in one direction and to rotate the frangible closer in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A self contained multiple color writing pen has a single writing tip for dispensing a user selectable variable color ink to paper or other surfaces from an internal mixing chamber. Several internal ink reservoirs each having a different color ink, supply their ink to the mixing chamber. A user may easily change the selectable writing color even as he writes by manually moving a rotatable thumbwheel on the pen and the dispensed ink output changes quickly in response to such thumbwheel input. The number of colors selectable by a user is seemingly infinite and includes the entire color spectrum.

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 set of bags having a three-way connector shaped to allow an outlet channel and tube connected thereto to be closer to the rotation axis of a centrifuge than another connected outlet and tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least two components. Independent microprocessors are provided on a rotor of a centrifugal separation apparatus, which respond to commands from a control computer, gather sensor data and independently control devices on the rotor to process one or more volumes of a composite liquid such as blood. Multiple microprocessors communicate with the control computer across a single communication channel, such as a pair of slip rings or an infrared communications link.

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: 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, which comprising 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 a first balancing means for balancing the rotor when the respective weights of the at least two separation bags in the at least two separation cells are different.