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

Abstract: Red blood cell sensing systems and methods rely upon straightforward measurement geometries. The systems and methods comprise an incident light source, an optical sensor, and a blood collection tube. The systems and methods hold the blood collection tube a predetermined radial distance from the incident light source where a linear relationship exists between sensed reflected light measured by the optical sensor and red blood cell hematocrit in a range of at least 10 to 90. The systems and methods make possible accurate red blood sensing without use of special optical cuvettes, mirrors, or focusing lenses. The systems and methods also make possible the use of standard transparent plastic tubing, without reliance upon special optical cuvettes.

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

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: 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: Blood processing systems and methods employ two sensors, one to detect a condition of plasma exiting a separation device and another sensor to detect a condition of a cellular component exiting the separation device. The first sensor detects, e.g., contamination of the plasma due to presence of unwanted cellular components. The second sensor detects, e.g., dilution of the cellular component due to presence of plasma. Blood processing parameters are carried out based, at least in part, by conditions detected by one or both of the sensors.

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 blood processing device is self-contained within a case, which sized to enable hand transport. Self-contained in the case is a blood separation device, which, for example, can comprise a centrifuge. A controller is also self-contained in the case. The controller includes a control program for carrying out one or more blood processing procedures. A fluid processing system employs a centralized cassette containing preformed, fluid pressure actuated pump stations, preformed fluid flow paths, and preformed, fluid pressure actuated valves in the fluid flow paths. A fluid pressure actuator in the case holds the cassette and selectively applies fluid pressure force to the valves and pump stations in response to the control program. The control program thereby operates the cassette to convey blood to and from the blood separation device through the fluid processing system.

Abstract: A blood separation chamber comprises a base that includes formed walls that define a hub. A separation channel extends about the hub. A flow passage extends between the hub and the separation channel. The hub enables attachment of external tubing to convey blood to and from the separation channel through the hub.

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: Systems and methods for efficiently separating blood in a rotating field convey blood into a blood separation chamber through an inlet passage for separation into a blood component. The systems and methods convey the blood component from the separation chamber through an outlet passage. The systems and methods rotate the blood separation chamber about an axis in direction of blood flow in the flow path from the inlet passage toward the outlet passage. It has been discovered that, by rotating the chamber during blood separation in the same direction as the flow of whole blood from inlet to outlet disturbances due, e.g., Coriolis effects can be minimized, resulting in increased separation efficiencies.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods separate blood into constituents including a plasma constituent that includes a platelet volume. The systems and methods detect the optical density of the plasma constituent and generate a first output indicative of the optical density. A processing element integrates the first output relative to the volume of plasma constituent and generates an integrated output. The integrated output correlates to the platelet volume. A second processing element generates an output based, at least in part, upon the integrated output, which comprises a value indicating a blood volume that needs be processed to obtain a desired platelet volume.

Abstract: Systems and related methods pump fluid through a pump having a stroke volume. The systems and methods employ gravimetric control measures to monitor fluid flow through the pump. An actuator interacts with the pump during a stroke interval (TStroke) to pump fluid through the pump. The systems and methods couple a receptacle to the pump, to either dispense fluid into the pump or to receive fluid from the pump. The systems and methods detect changes in weight of the receptacle over a sample time period. The systems and methods achieve a desired flow rate (QDesired) by deriving an actual flow rate (QActual) by sensing changes in weight of the receptacle over the sample time period, taking into account the density of the fluid, and adjusting the stroke interval based upon QActual so that QDesired is achieved.

Abstract: Red blood cell sensing systems and methods rely upon straightforward measurement geometries. The systems and methods comprise an incident light source, an optical sensor, and a blood collection tube. The systems and methods hold the blood collection tube a predetermined radial distance from the incident light source where a linear relationship exists between sensed reflected light measured by the optical sensor and red blood cell hematocrit in a range of at least 10 to 90. The systems and methods make possible accurate red blood sensing without use of special optical cuvettes, mirrors, or focusing lenses. The systems and methods also make possible the use of standard transparent plastic tubing, without reliance upon special optical cuvettes.

Abstract: Systems and related methods sense the presence of targeted cellular blood species during extracorporeal blood separation or processing. The systems and methods tailor the sensing parameters to the particular objectives of the blood processing procedure selected to be accomplished. Different cellular blood species are targeted for detection for different selected blood processing procedures. The systems and methods differentiate among different cellular blood species for detection, according to the blood processing procedure selected.

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.

Abstract: A fluid processing assembly is used in association with a cassette that conveys fluid and a holder to hold the cassette. A door is carried by the holder for movement between an opened position to expose the holder and a closed position enclosing the cassette in the holder. The door carries an expandable gasket. The expandable gasket normally rests, when the door is in the closed position, in a relaxed state out of sealing contact with the held cassette. An actuator applies pressure to the expandable gasket to achieve, when the door is in the closed position, an expanded state in sealing contact against the held cassette. The assembly also includes a latch assembly on the door and holder, which makes engagement when the door is in the closed position. The engagement is unlocked when the gasket rests in the relaxed state. The engagement becomes locked when the gasket achieves the expanded state.