Abstract: A method is provided in a centrifugal blood processing system for adding replacement fluid without a dedicated peristaltic pump to blood components being returned to the donor. A disposable blood processing set for use in the method comprises a hermetically sealed set of blood bags, connecting tubes, needles or connectors, and supporting structures with a replacement fluid line coupled directly to a return reservoir without contact with an intervening pump.

Abstract: A method is provided in a centrifugal blood processing system for adding replacement fluid without a dedicated peristaltic pump to blood components being returned to the donor. A disposable blood processing set for use in the method comprises a hermetically sealed set of blood bags, connecting tubes, needles or connectors, and supporting structures with a replacement fluid line coupled directly to a return reservoir without contact with an intervening pump.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making to the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.

Abstract: A method is provided in a centrifugal blood processing system for adding replacement fluid without a dedicated peristaltic pump to blood components being returned to the donor. A disposable blood processing set for use in the method comprises a hermetically sealed set of blood bags, connecting tubes, needles or connectors, and supporting structures with a replacement fluid line coupled directly to a return reservoir without contact with an intervening pump.

Abstract: A blood cell collection system having means for detecting when a cell separation chamber has filled with white blood cells, and flushing the cells out of the cell separation chamber into a collect bag. A red-green sensor senses the optical characteristics of fluid leaving the cell separation chamber. A baseline value is calculated. The device calculates a ratio of the intensities of red light and green light and a peak-to-peak ratio of intensities. If either ratio exceeds thresholds computed from the baseline, the device flushes the cells into the collect bag. A camera detects white cells passing into the cell separation chamber and the device calculates the number of cells being collected. If the calculated number of collected cells exceeds a certain limit, the cell separation chamber is flushed. If the device is unable to establish a baseline, the donation can proceed, relying solely on the calculated number of collected cells.

Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system comprising a separation chamber rotating about a central rotation axis, the separation chamber having an outflow passage, a light source in optical communication with the density centrifuge blood processing system, the light source providing an incident light beam for illuminating an observation region and a viewing region on the outflow passage, a first detector for the separation chamber to detect light from the observation region, a second detector for the outflow passage, a computational apparatus distinguishing one or more phase boundaries in the observation region and distinguishing fluid composition in the viewing region as a function of light intensity received from the viewing region, and a controller regulating speed of at least one pump or of said separation chamber in response to signals from the computational apparatus.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood and blood components having a blood processing vessel mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge. A sensor in the outflow race of a return peristaltic pump detects air bubbles in the fluid within a return loop. The sensor may be a sonic sensor, a sonic pulse echo sensor, or capacitive plates. A pre-determined minimum bubble size or sizes or a cumulative volume may be selected, and the device operator may be warned only of the existence of bubbles that exceed a certain size or of a cumulative volume of bubbles, or the blood donation procedure may be stopped if a bubble exceeds a certain critical size or if a pre-determined volume of bubbles over a certain period or volume of fluid is exceeded.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system having a centrifugal rotor, a control system, a plurality of peristaltic pumps, and a removable tubing circuit wherein blood components can be processed. A pump-balancing process, implemented by the control system, causes selected pumps to fill and empty a reservoir in the tubing circuit. Ratios of displaced volume per pump revolution or other pumping action can be used by the control system to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the donation process. The pump-balancing process may be performed during priming or set-up of the blood processing system or during an actual donation.

Abstract: A blood cell collection system having means for detecting when a cell separation chamber has filled with white blood cells, and flushing the cells out of the cell separation chamber into a collect bag. A red-green sensor senses the optical characteristics of fluid leaving the cell separation chamber. A baseline value is calculated. The device calculates a ratio of the intensities of red light and green light and a peak-to-peak ratio of intensities. If either ratio exceeds thresholds computed from the baseline, the device flushes the cells into the collect bag. A camera detects white cells passing into the cell separation chamber and the device calculates the number of cells being collected. If the calculated number of collected cells exceeds a certain limit, the cell separation chamber is flushed. If the device is unable to establish a baseline, the donation can proceed, relying solely on the calculated number of collected cells.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity, or. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.

Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system comprising a separation chamber rotating about a central rotation axis, the separation chamber having an outflow passage, a light source in optical communication with the density centrifuge blood processing system, the light source providing an incident light beam for illuminating an observation region and a viewing region on the outflow passage, a first detector for the separation chamber to detect light from the observation region, a second detector for the outflow passage, a computational apparatus distinguishing one or more phase boundaries in the observation region and distinguishing fluid composition in the viewing region as a function of light intensity received from the viewing region, and a controller regulating speed of at least one pump or of said separation chamber in response to signals from the computational apparatus.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system having a centrifugal rotor, a control system, a plurality of peristaltic pumps, and a removable tubing circuit wherein blood components can be processed. A pump-balancing process, implemented by the control system, causes selected pumps to fill and empty a reservoir in the tubing circuit. Ratios of displaced volume per pump revolution or other pumping action can be used by the control system to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the donation process. The pump-balancing process may be performed during priming or set-up of the blood processing system or during an actual donation.