Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining liquid samples from a fluid flow path is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having an access site communicating with the flow path and carrying a piercing member at a location spaced from the access site. The housing allows for translational movement of the piercing member toward the access site and into the flow path from where the sample is removed.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: Plastic compositions, containers useful in the storage of red blood cells, and methods for providing such red blood cell storage containers and for storing red blood cells are disclosed. The plastic composition includes a polyolefin copolymer and a plasticizer. The flexibility of such plastic compositions and containers made thereof is substantially unchanged upon heating to a high temperature relative to its flexibility before such heating.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating a biological fluid with light and for inactivating contaminants in biological fluid. The biological fluid is contacted with a light source providing a high intensity light to the biological fluid. The biological fluid may include a quantity of a photochemical agent that when activated by light is operable to cause inactivation of at least some of the contaminants.

Abstract: A method combining the techniques of immunoaffinity separation and continuous flow centrifugal separation is provided for selective separation of a nucleated heterogeneous cell population from a heterogeneous cell mixture. The heterogeneous cell mixture is intimately contacted to promote binding thereto by particles having attached a substance that actively binds to a specific desired type of cell out of the cell mixture. The particles are selected so that the sedimentation velocity of the particle/cell conjugate differs sufficiently from those of other cells in the cell mixture to allow its separation by means of a continuous flow cell separator.

Abstract: A disposable tubing set having an array of flexible tubing and a method for holding an array of flexible tubing. The disposable tubing set has a frame for holding segments of the tubing. The frame includes at least two sides and a plurality of apertures defined in the sides. Segments of the tubing extend through and are completely enclosed by the apertures.

Abstract: A method combining the techniques of immunoaffinity separation and continuous flow centrifugal separation is provided for selective separation of a nucleated heterogeneous cell population from a heterogeneous cell mixture. The heterogeneous cell mixture is intimately contacted to promote binding thereto by particles having attached a substance that actively binds to a specific desired type of cell out of the cell mixture. The particles are selected so that the sedimentation velocity of the particle/cell conjugate differs sufficiently from those of other cells in the cell mixture to allow its separation by means of a continuous flow cell separator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for separating and collecting blood fractions or components such as platelets. A first anticoagulant solution is added to whole blood, which is then separated into platelet-rich plasma and red cells. A second anticoagulant is added to the platelet rich plasma, which is then separated into platelet-poor plasma and platelet concentrate. The rate of red cell sedimentation is increased and the time of the separation/collection procedure may be reduced when the pH of the first anticoagulant is greater than approximately 6.0.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for sterilizing a selected portion of a product and for assembling a sterile product from two or more parts which can not be sterilized with the same form of sterilization. A sterile product produced by these methods is also disclosed. The method for sterilizing may include sterilizing a selected portion of the product by exposing the selected portion to an electron beam, while shielding the remainder of the product from the radiation of the electron beam. The method of assembling a sterile product from two or more component parts may include the steps of sterilizing the first part of the product, isolating a portion of the first part from the remainder of the first part, attaching the second part to the isolated portion of the first part, and exposing the isolated portion to a form of sterilization which is deleterious to the remainder of the first part, while shielding the remainder of the first part from such form of sterilization.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyester resins having an intrinsic viscosity higher than 0.57 dl/g from polyester resins having intrinsic viscosities of lower than 0.57 dl/g in which 1) a melt of the polyester resin having an intrinsic viscosity lower than 0.57 dl/g is mixed with a polyaddition additive containing at least two groups which react with the terminal OH and COOH groups of the resin, 2) the melted mixture is converted into solid particles which are subsequently crystallized at temperatures higher than the Tg of the polyester resin and lower than its melting point, and 3) the particles are heated at temperatures higher than 150.degree. C. but lower than the melting point of the resin to increase the intrinsic viscosity.

Abstract: A composition of polyester resins comprising diblock copolymers formed of two different polyester blocks joined by a bifunctional radical deriving from a dianhydride of a tetracarboxylic acid. The compositions are prepared by a reaction in the solid state of two different polyesters in the presence of a dianhydride of a tetracarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for the solid state upgrading of a polyester resin by polyaddition reaction in which the resin is upgraded in the presence of an upgrading additive which is a compound different from a dianhydride of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid, containing two groups capable of addition reactions with the terminal groups of the polyester, selected for example in the group of the dianhydrides of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic tetracarboxylic acids.

Abstract: An oxide superconducting film is formed by CVD. The starting material gas sources are Ba(DPM).sub.2, Ba(DPM).sub.2 .multidot.(THF).sub.n or Ba(DPM).sub.2 .multidot.(DMF).sub.n ; Cu(DPM).sub.2, Cu(DPM).sub.2 .multidot.(THF).sub.n or Cu(DPM).sub.2 .multidot.(DMF).sub.n ; and M(DPM).sub.3, M(DPM).sub.3 .multidot.(THF).sub.n or M(DPM).sub.3 .multidot.(DMF).sub.n, whereDPM is 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptaneodianate represented by the chemical formula:CH.sub.3 C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 COCHCOC(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH.sub.3THF is tetrahydrofuran represented by the chemical formula: ##STR1## DMF is dimethylformamide represented by the chemical formula:HCON(CH.sub.3).sub.2M is an element chosen from the list:Y, La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Er, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu,and n is any integer. The starting gas sources are introduced into a growth tank after gasification together with at least one of the gases O.sub.2, O.sub.3, or N.sub.2 O, and the oxide film being formed on a substrate placed in said growth tank.

Abstract: A plastic composition is disclosed which has particular application in the manufacture of blood bags and other medical products. The composition has anti-hemolytic effects when used in the storage of red blood cells. In connection with one aspect of the present invention, the plastic composition comprises the combination of a non-PVC plastic and a selected quantity citrate ester sufficient to suppress hemolysis of red blood cells. The non-PVC material is preferably a polyolefin copolymer. Materials other than citrate ester may also be used with polyolefin as a hemolysis suppressant.

Abstract: A flexible plastic container made from a flexible, autoclavable, non-PVC polymer composition capable of suppressing the hemolysis of red blood cells. The polymer contains a material selected from the group consisting of either triethylhexyltrimellitate (TEHTM) and citrate ester. In the preferred embodiment, the non-PVC plastic is comprised of a polyolefin copolymer containing a central block of ethylene and butylene units with terminal blocks of polystyrene.

Abstract: A plastic composition is disclosed which has particular application in the manufacture of blood bags and other medical products. The composition has anti-hemolytic effects when used in the storage of red blood cells. In connection with one aspect of the present invention, the plastic composition comprises the combination of a non-PVC plastic and a selected quantity citrate ester sufficient to suppress hemolysis of red blood cells. The non-PVC material is preferably a polyolefin copolymer. Materials other than citrate ester may also be used with polyolefin as a hemolysis suppressant.