Abstract: Systems and methods separate pump the blood cells through an in-line leukofilter to a blood cell storage container. The leukofilter has a filtration medium enclosed within a flexile housing. The systems and methods can employ a fixture to restrain expansion of the flexible filter housing during operation of the pump.

Abstract: A filter membrane, methods of making such filter membrane and apparatus employing such filter membrane are disclosed, in which the filter membrane is a monolithic polymeric membrane that includes a polymeric filter layer including a micron-scale precision-shaped pores and a polymeric support layer that has a precision-shaped porous support structure for the filter layer. Several methods are disclosed for making such a membrane using micromachining techniques, including lithographic, laser ablation and x-ray treatment techniques. Several filter apparatus employing such a membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

Abstract: A method for centrifugally separating whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent rotates about a rotational axis a separation zone having radially spaced apart walls with a high-G side and a low-G side located closer to the rotational axis than the high-G side. Whole blood enters the rotating separation zone in an entry region to begin separation. Separation is halted by a terminal wall that is circumferentially spaced from the entry region. The whole blood separates into red blood cells toward the high-G side and plasma constituent toward the low-G side. The method directs red blood cells separated in the separation zone in a circumferential flow direction toward the terminal wall. The method directs separated red blood cells from the rotating separation zone through a second path that extends, at least in part, radially beyond the high-G wall.

Abstract: A separation method comprises introducing a first fluid comprising first and second components having different density into a centrifugal field and allowing an interface to form between at least portions of such components at a first location. The method also comprises moving the interface from the first location to a second location and further comprises introducing the first fluid and removing one of the first and second components at known controlled flow rates so as to move the interface from the second location in a direction toward the first location and to return the interface to the second location. The flow rate of the first or second component may be determined based, at least in part, on the time interval between the interface moving from and returning to the second location. The flow rate may also be based on the weight of the one component removed during the time interval.

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: An adaptable blood processing platform comprises a blood processing device and a ground engaging frame including a shelf to which the blood processing device is secured. The frame supports the shelf for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. The shelf can be supported, e.g., for swinging cantilevered movement about an axis between the lowered and raised positions. The shelf can be supported, e.g., by a scissors linkage assembly coupled to the shelf for lowering and lifting the shelf between a lowered and raised positions. In the lowered position, the center of gravity of the blood processing device is located a first distance above ground, which is conducive for stable storage and/or transport of the platform. In the raised position, the center of gravity of the blood processing device is located a second distance above ground greater than the first distance, which is conductive for set-up and operation of the platform.

Abstract: Processing systems and methods comprise a separation device that, in use, performs a separation process including separation of red blood cells from blood or a suspension containing red blood cells. The systems and methods include an outlet line coupled to the separation device to remove red blood cells from the separation device, at least in part, while the separation process occurs. A sensor associated with the outlet line senses hematocrit of red blood cells removed from the separation device and generates a sensed hematocrit output. A controller is coupled to the separation device to control removal of red blood cells from the separation device based, at least in part, upon the sensed hematocrit output.

Abstract: A fluid processing assembly can be easily inserted into and removed from a rotatable centrifuge channel. The processing assembly comprises a processing container and a carrier. The processing container has flexibility and, in use, occupies the channel to receive fluids for separation in the centrifugal field. The carrier retains the processing container outside the channel in a flexed condition conforming to the channel. The carrier resists deformation of the processing container during its insertion into or removal from the channel.

Abstract: Collection systems and methods use a separation chamber that receives blood or a suspension containing red blood cells and performs a separation process including separation of red blood cells from the blood or suspension. The separation chamber contains, during the separation process, a red blood cell volume. An outlet line is coupled to the separation chamber to remove red blood cells from the chamber device, at least in part, while the separation process occurs. A collection container is coupled to the outlet line to receive a volume of red blood cells removed from the separation chamber. A controller includes a processing function that, during the separation process, includes comparing the volume of red blood cells received by the collection container to a selected targeted red blood cell collection volume to derive a difference.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

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: Blood component processing systems and methods are coupled to a blood component processing device. The systems and methods include a fluid circuit that comprises at least one fluid pressure actuated pump station, at least one fluid flow path communicating with the pump station, and at least one valve in the fluid flow path. A control module is sized and configured to interact with the fluid circuit. The control module includes an actuator to selectively apply fluid pressure to the pump station in concert with operation of the valve to pump fluid through the fluid flow path in response to a control program. A controller coupled to the control module includes the control program and a fluid circuit integrity test function.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods for withdrawing and replacing fluids in a patient are disclosed. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and collects the separated component. A replacement fluid capable of at least partially providing the biological function of the separated component is infused into the patient.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey whole blood from a donor into a centrifugal separation device for separation into red blood cells and a plasma constituent. The plasma constituent and red blood cells are removed from the separation device at least in part while whole blood is conveyed into the separation device. The systems and methods generate, at least in part while whole blood is conveyed into the separation device and plasma constituent and red blood cells are removed from the separation device, a control command affecting separation within the separation device based, at least in part, upon a factor representing hematocrit of red blood cells separated in the separation device.

Abstract: A method of processing blood establishes communication between a donor and a blood flow path and pumps whole blood from the donor into a container through the blood flow path. The method centrifugally separates the whole blood in the container into concentrated red blood cells and a plasma constituent. After the method interrupts communication between the donor and the blood flow path, the method pumps the concentrated red blood cells from the container to mix the concentrated red blood cells with a nutritive solution to restore the hematocrit of the concentrated red blood cells to a desired value. The method also removes the plasma constituent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing blood use at least one fluid activated pump and at least one fluid activated valve. The systems and methods apply positive and negative fluid pressures to operate the pump and valve. Different pressure conditions are applied to the pump and the valve, to insure that a valve used in conjunction with a pump is not overcome by the pressure applied to operate the pump, and that both the valve and pump are not overcome by normal system processing pressures.

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

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey blood drawn from a donor through a blood processing circuit to separate the blood into at least one targeted blood component for collection. The systems and methods derive an estimated effect of the procedure upon the donor. The estimated effect can be expressed in terms of a net blood fluid volume loss, or as a hematocrit of the donor after completion of the desired blood collection procedure. The systems and methods present the estimated effect to an operator for viewing, reading, or offloading.