Abstract: Systems and methods take into account that the spleen normally holds a number of platelets in reserve out of circulation. During blood processing, the spleen releases these platelets into the donor's circulatory system, making them available for collection. The systems and methods estimate the number of platelets N.sub.SPLEEN held in reserve by the spleen in a human body. The systems and methods derives a splenic mobilization function (Spleen), which can be expressed as a function of a precount of platelets Plt.sub.PRE. The systems and methods estimate N.sub.SPLEEN where:N.sub.SPLEEN =(Spleen-1).times.Plt.sub.PRE .times.DonVolwhere DonVol is blood volume in the body. The systems and methods can also estimate the total number of platelets N.sub.PLT in a human body, taking the Spleen function into account, where:N.sub.PLT =Plt.sub.PRE .times.Spleen.times.

Abstract: Systems and methods centrifugally separate mono nuclear cells from whole blood in a separation chamber. The systems and methods control the exit hematocrit value of red blood cells separated in the chamber by recirculating a portion of the red blood cells removed from the chamber for mixing whole blood entering the separation chamber. The systems and methods also control the entry hematocrit value of whole blood entering the separation chamber by recirculating a portion of the plasma constituent removed from the separation chamber for mixing whole blood entering the separation chamber.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump tube holder includes a body that supports a flexible tubing loop in an erect, outwardly bowed position extending from the body for engagement with a peristaltic pump rotor. The holder also includes a receptacle carrying the body. The receptacle includes a wall forming a chamber that covers the flexible tubing loop and at least partially shields it from contact. The chamber further serves, during engagement between the tubing loop and a peristaltic pump rotor, as a cover for the peristaltic pump rotor.

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 H.sub.b representing an apparent hematocrit of whole blood entering the separation device, where: ##EQU1## and where H.sub.rbc is a value relating to hematocrit of red blood cells in the separation device. The systems and methods generate outputs and control commands based, at least in part, upon H.sub.b.

Abstract: A leukodepletion filter is provided including glass fiber filter pads and non-woven polyester fiber filter pads sealed within a filter housing. The filter is designed such that a fluid, such as whole blood, packed red blood cells, platelets or plasma, is conducted through the glass fiber filter pads before the non-woven polyester fiber filter pads. A method is further provided for leukodepleting a body fluid by filtering the body fluid through glass fiber filter pads and also filtering the body fluid through non-woven polyester fiber filter pads. After filtering, the body fluid is collected.

Abstract: A bone marrow collection kit is provided comprising a collection container for receiving a bone marrow containing fluid having a body that defines an interior and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and including a prefilter that extends from the outlet opening into the interior of the collection container so that fluid must flow through the prefilter to exit the collection container through the outlet opening. A first inline filter member is coupled to the outlet opening of the collection container, the first inline filter member having a flexible plastic body that defines an interior, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the interior including a filter so constructed and arranged that fluid that enters the inlet opening must flow through the filter to exit the first inline filter member through the outlet opening.

Abstract: The position of a rotating pump element is sensed by a reflective object sensor 406 in association with a view disk 412 coupled to the operative element for rotation in synchrony with the operative element. The view disk 412 has first 422 and second 420 surface portions that present themselves in succession to the reflective object sensor during rotation of the operative element. The first surface portion 422 is spaced at or near the optical focus of the reflective object sensor, whereas the second surface portion 422 is not. The reflective object sensor 406 thus generates different outputs, depending upon whether the first surface or second surface portions are in optical alignment with the reflective object sensor.

Abstract: A tube holder secures to the rotating processing chamber of a centrifuge tubing that conveys fluid to or from the chamber. The tube holder is part of a carrier that is connected by a pin to a support on the processing chamber. The support has walls defining an enclosure. The carrier swings about the pin on the support between an opened position free of the enclosure and a closed position captured within the enclosure. In the opened position, the tube holder is exposed for receiving tubing. In the closed position, the tubing is retained within the enclosure in the tube holder. The tube holder allows straightforward attachment and removal of the tubing, always in a prescribed manner and with a single hand. The tube holder securely retains the tubing during use in a closed, protected environment, safeguarding it against inadvertent dislodgement, removal, or damage.

Abstract: A squeezable, resilient pouch is used for collecting a blood sample. The walls of the pouch are moved together in response to the application of an external squeezing force. The squeezing force collapses the pouch and expels fluid from it. Upon removal of the squeezing force, the resilience of the pouch walls moves them apart. The resilient expansion of the pouch creates suction that draws a fluid sample into the pouch. The pouch can be attached to a blood collection and/or storage container by flexible tubing in a way that prevents communication with the atmosphere. By squeezing the pouch, the user obtain a sample of the blood without using special tools and with no danger of activating or damaging the blood component being sampled.

Abstract: A method separates blood by centrifugation in a rotating chamber into a first separated blood component, a residual blood fluid, and an interface between the first separated blood component and the residual blood fluid. The method withdraws the first separated blood component out of the rotating chamber through a first outlet port, and also withdraws the residual blood fluid out of the rotating chamber through a second outlet port. During the separating step, the method accumulates a second separated blood component in the interface without withdrawal from the rotating chamber by monitoring the location of the interface within the rotating chamber and maintaining the interface at a location spaced away from flow communication with both the first and second outlet pods.

Abstract: A centrifuge comprising a yoke element that rotates about a rotational axis and a processing chamber having an axis. The processing chamber includes a bowl element, a spool element, and a mechanism for joining the spool and bowl elements for relative movement between a mutually cooperating position for centrifugal processing and a mutually separated position for loading. A hinge attaches the processing chamber to the yoke element for pivotal movement between an operating position and an access position. In the operating position, the spool and bowl elements are in their mutually cooperating position and oriented for rotation with the yoke element about the rotational axis. In the access position, the processing chamber axis lies outside the axis of rotation and the spool and bowl elements are oriented for movement from their mutually cooperating position into their mutually separated position.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey anticoagulated blood suspension from a donor into a separation device for component separation. One or more components are retained for therapeutic use, while one or more are returned to the donor. The systems and methods monitor the rate at which anticoagulant carried in the returned components is being returned. The rate, expressed in terms of milligram (mg) of anticoagulant per kilogram (kg) of donor body weight per unit of time of blood processing, is compared to a nominal rate that is correlated with donor comfort.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a leukocyte rich sample from a mixed population of blood cells. The method comprises the steps of: separating an amount of blood into layers that include a buffy coat layer having a mixed population of blood cells including plasma and red blood cells; providing a chamber having an opening for receiving a fluid; causing the buffy coat layer to enter the chamber; centrifuging the chamber to separate the buffy coat layer into at least a plasma containing layer, a leukocyte containing layer, and a red blood cell containing layer; and separating the leukocyte containing layer from the other layers in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible plastic formulation capable of being RF sealed, extruded, cast or blow-molded, gas, steam and radiation sterilized. The plastic formulation of the invention comprises: a) from about 40 to about 90 percent by weight of a polyolefin polypropylene based material; b) from about 3 to about 25 percent by weight of a functionialized block copolymer, the functionalized block copolymer consisting essentially of a central block copolymer molecule including generally equal proportions of ethylene and butylene units, and terminal blocks of polystyrene; and c) from about 3 to about 20 percent by weight a nylon. The plastic formulations of the invention are useful in the manufacture of blood bags, tubing and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods predict a whole blood processing volume required to achieve a desired platelet yield based upon inputs of selected processing parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing a blood unit for viral contamination without rendering the blood unit unusable for therapeutic applications. The method comprises the steps of: removing and collecting from a blood unit a majority of the leukocytes present therein; and using the collected leukocytes to test the blood unit for viral contamination. The present invention also provides a method for validating viral inactivation processes.

Abstract: A chamber for use in a rotating field to separate blood components. An inlet port near one end of the chamber introduces blood into the chamber for flow circumferentially about the rotational axis toward the opposite end of the chamber for separation into at least one blood component. At least one outlet port is juxtaposed next to the inlet port near the one end of the chamber for conveying one separated blood component from the channel. The chamber directs the one separated blood component to a collection region near the opposite end of the chamber. An enclosed interior collection passage within the channel leads from the collection region and directs the one collected component to the outlet port for transport from the chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods of collecting blood cells, substantially free of undesired matter, use a first container, that forms a part of a blood collection system, to initially collect a quantity of blood cells. A filtration system is then attached to the first container. The filtration system includes a second container, a first fluid path that leads to the second container through a filtration device, and a second fluid path that leads to the second container bypassing the filtration device. The blood cells are conveyed from the first container through the first fluid path and filtration device and into the second container to separate the undesired matter from the blood cells. The blood cells, now substantially free of the undesired matter, are then conveyed from the second container through the second fluid path, bypassing the filtration device, and back into the first container. The filtration system is then detached from the blood collection system.