Abstract: A bag loader for loading and unloading at least one satellite bag into and from the central compartment of a rotor of an apparatus for separating a composite liquid into at least two components comprises an upper part for removably securing an upper portion of at least one satellite bag; a lower part comprising a receptacle; and an intermediate part connecting the upper part to the lower part and exposing an intermediate portion of a satellite bag.

Abstract: A method for controlling cell expansion comprising conducting a fluid containing cellular matter into a cellular growth area; providing oxygenated fluid to said cellular growth area to maintain conditions conducive for cell growth in said cellular growth area; monitoring inflow and outflow conditions; determining rates of change (first derivative) for selected conditions and calculating cell numbers therefrom; determining a rate of change of a rate of change (second derivative) for the selected conditions and calculating a predicted process time; and terminating the growth process when adequate cell numbers have been produced and an apparatus for performing the method.

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: This invention is directed to methods of directly reseeding harvested adherent cells grown in a hollow fiber bioreactor. Also disclosed is a novel harvest media for use in directly reseeding adherent cells into a hollow fiber bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic tubes, thermoplastic melting plates, thermoplastic tube connecting apparatus, and methods for using the same.

Abstract: A disposable blood separation set of a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber a baffle within a separation area. The baffle may have a plurality of vanes with openings therein. A protruding inlet may have a frustro-conical inner surface that slants radially outwardly from an inlet to a mouth of the protruding inlet. A circumferential well may surround the protruding inlet.

Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system with automatic two-dimensional optical control of fluid separation by observing fluid characteristics in observation regions. The location of the regions is determined by monitoring an optical reference. Points representing edges of an optical reference are measured and lines are computed through the points. An error measurement is calculated for each line. If the error is too large, the image is abandoned. One of the lines is selected as a referent line. A new line is calculated orthogonal to the referent line. The error function is again computed for the dependant line. If the error exceeds a selected maximum, the frame is discarded. A transformation function translates data points from an (r, s) domain derived from measurements of the edges into an (x, y) domain used to identify pixels in the observation areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a volume of composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component comprising a centrifuge having a rotor with a turntable for supporting a separation bag; a central compartment for containing satellite bags, and fitted with a support member for supporting at least one satellite bag so that a liquid contained in the supported satellite bag drains from the supported satellite bag into the separation bag under centrifugation forces when the rotor is set in rotation.

Abstract: A method of distributing a plurality of cells in a bioreactor of a cell expansion system includes manipulating an orientation of the bioreactor such that a net impulse due to gravity acting on the plurality cells in the bioreactor is reduced. One method includes (a) rotating the bioreactor at an angular velocity ? about an axis of rotation and through an angular displacement ?, the bioreactor rotating from a first orientation to a second orientation; (b) holding the bioreactor still at the second orientation for a first period of time t1, wherein t1 substantially equals 2/?; (c) rotating the bioreactor at the angular velocity ? about the axis of rotation and through the angular displacement ?; and (d) holding the bioreactor still for a second period of time t2, wherein t2 substantially equals t1.

Abstract: A cell expansion system includes an air removal chamber to provide a bubble trap so that air and/or gas bubbles do not enter the bioreactor of the cell expansion system. The air removal chamber includes a pair of ports situated at the bottom of the air removal chamber. An entrance port allows fluid to enter the air removal chamber, and an exit port allows fluid to exit the air removal chamber. In one embodiment the air removal chamber forms an element of a premounted fluid conveyance assembly for use with a cell expansion machine.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood processing apparatus comprising a centrifuge rotor, a separation chamber, a tubing set for conducting blood components and fluids and a method for controlling the blood processing apparatus comprising separating a blood component in a separation chamber; flowing the blood component out of the separation chamber and into a concentration chamber; concentrating the blood component in the concentration chamber; and flushing the blood component out of the concentration chamber. The method further comprising simultaneously flowing a solution, such as a wash solution or PAS, into the concentration chamber between the separation chamber and the concentration chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for red blood collection and filtration is provided wherein a red blood cell collection assembly provides for leukoreduction filtration concurrent with or soon after the red blood cell separation and collection procedure. After red blood cells have been collected, an unwanted blood component, e.g., buffy coat, is diverted into the red blood cell collect line. Operation of a peristaltic pump engaging pump loop allows insertion of a pre-determined quantity of buffy coat into the collect line. The buffy coat can therefore push red blood cells out of the filter and into a collect bag without diluting the collected red blood cells. Alternatively, gravitational force may be used to allow the unwanted blood component to displace red blood cells out of the filter.

Abstract: A disposable blood separation set of a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having a protruding inlet therein. The protruding inlet may have a frustro-conical inner surface that slants radially outwardly from an inlet to a mouth of the protruding inlet. A circumferential well may surround the protruding inlet. The cell separation chamber may have a baffle within a separation area. The baffle may have a plurality of vanes with openings therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic tubes, thermoplastic melting plates, thermoplastic tube connecting apparatus, and methods for using the same.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood separation system comprising a rotor, a light source, an optical sensor, a control system, a separation vessel, and an optical cell on the separation vessel. The optical cell has a first extraction port extending radially outwardly into the optical cell, a red blood cell extraction port downstream from the first extraction port and extending into the optical cell beyond the first extraction port; and a dam between said first extraction port and said red blood cell extraction port, having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first extraction port and the red cell extraction port are radially between the upper edge and the lower edge of the dam. Also, a first extraction port having a bore having a first diameter, a lumen having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a frustro-conical passageway coupling the bore to the lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising a well provided on a rotor near the axis of rotation for receiving a relatively rare blood component, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), or for receiving a fluid that can be used multiple times, such as a washing solution. The well is placed radially outwardly from the axis of rotation and radially inwardly from cavity, which receives bags containing blood or another biologic fluid. The well is placed in a low centrifugal force region relative to the position of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising an asymmetrical junction or manifold in the blood bag and tubing set inhibits errors when the bags and tubes are loaded into the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of blood bags and associated tubing and bag sets. The valves comprise a rotating head, mounted on a shaft, which assumes a “load” position. The head pivots to an “open” position, which secures the tube in its designated location, but which maintains an open lumen through the tube. When the head is in a “closed” position, blood components cannot flow through the tube. The valve apparatus comprises means for maintaining a constant pressure on the tube and contact with the tube as the tube is melted and sealed.

Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system with automatic two-dimensional optical control of fluid separation by observing fluid characteristics in observation regions. The location of the regions is determined by monitoring an optical reference. Points representing edges of an optical reference are measured and lines are computed through the points. An error measurement is calculated for each line. If the error is too large, the image is abandoned. One of the lines is selected as a referent line. A new line is calculated orthogonal to the referent line. The error function is again computed for the dependant line. If the error exceeds a selected maximum, the frame is discarded. A transformation function translates data points from an (r, s) domain derived from measurements of the edges into an (x, y) domain used to identify pixels in the observation areas.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components with a two-dimensional optical measurement and control device. The method may comprise the steps of providing a blood processing system comprising a density centrifuge blood processing system and an elutriation blood processing system; filling the elutriation blood processing system with a desired component; measuring a cellular flux of cells entering the elutriation blood processing system with a two-dimensional optical control system; and flushing the elutriation blood processing system.