Abstract: The invention is directed to a centrifugation bowl with a rotating core. The centrifugation bowl includes a rotating bowl body which defines a primary separation chamber. The core, which is generally cylindrically shaped and is disposed within the bowl body, defines a secondary separation chamber. A stationary header assembly may be mounted on top of the bowl body through a rotating seal. The stationary header assembly includes an inlet port for receiving whole blood and an outlet port from which one or more blood components are withdrawn. The inlet port is in fluid communication with a feed tube that extends into the primary separation chamber. The outlet port is in fluid communication with an effluent tube that extends into the bowl body. The effluent tube includes an entryway at a first radial position relative to a central, rotating axis of the bowl.

Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.

Abstract: A method for collecting, from whole blood, platelets suspended in plasma is described. By centrifuging the blood at a high enough rotational speed, the platelets are separated from the plasma and the red blood cells. In a preferred embodiment, some of the plasma is removed while the centrifuge is being spun to keep the platelets separated from the plasma. Then, the speed of rotation is altered so as to cause the platelets to mix with the remaining plasma. The platelets can then be collected with the remaining plasma.

Abstract: The invention is directed to blood processing method and apparatus utilizing a centrifugation bowl with a filter core disposed within the bowl. The centrifugation bowl includes a rotating bowl body defining an enclosed separation chamber. A generally cylindrical filter core is disposed inside the separation chamber. The filter core includes a filter membrane that is sized to block at least white blood cells, but to allow plasma to pass through. The filter core is generally arranged within the separation chamber such that plasma is forced to pass through the filter core before being removed from the centrifugation bowl. The addition of the filter core provides an efficient, low-cost method for recovering a “purer” plasma fraction from a donor.

Abstract: A system dynamically adjusts the delivery rate of a cryopreservation solution to red blood cells to permit freezing. The delivery rate is preferably determined according to an equation that maintains a linear change of red blood cell osmolarity over time so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a controller that is preconfigured to automatically deliver the cryopreservation solution to the red blood cells in accordance with the equation. The system may also support the recovery of thawed red blood cells by diluting the red blood cells and washing them of the cryopreservative. Again, the system preferably adjusts the delivery rate of a dilution solution so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells during the recovery phase. The recovered red blood cells may be suspended in a preservation solution to further increase their shelf-life following the recovery phase.

Abstract: A whole blood collection system includes an automated pump/control unit and an accompanying disposable blood set. When combined and connected to a source of anticoagulant, these elements allow automatic priming of the blood set with anticoagulant and automatic collection of anticoagulated blood product according to three different collection modes. The unit's pump and the blood set are specially designed to cooperate during the collection process to assure that the collected product has a precise blood to anticoagulant ratio. During the collection procedure, the pump/control unit automatically collects data relating to the procedure. Additional data specifically identifying components of the blood set, such as the blood collection bag, along with identification data on the donor's registration form may be scanned into the pump/controller unit by a scanner associated with the unit; this facilitates positive sample identification and tracking.

Abstract: A system dynamically adjusts the delivery rate of a cryopreservation solution to red blood cells to permit freezing. The delivery rate is preferably determined according to an equation that maintains a linear change of red blood cell osmolarity over time so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a controller that is preconfigured to automatically deliver the cryopreservation solution to the red blood cells in accordance with the equation. The system may also support the recovery of thawed red blood cells by diluting the red blood cells and washing them of the cryopreservative. Again, the system preferably adjusts the delivery rate of a dilution solution so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells during the recovery phase. The recovered red blood cells may be suspended in a preservation solution to further increase their shelf-life following the recovery phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a zero crack-pressure, high-flow valve assembly especially suited for use with blood salvage or recovery systems. The valve assembly cooperates with a valve seat defining an opening for selectively providing fluid communication between two adjacent chambers based on a pressure differential between the chambers. The valve assembly includes a disk coupled to a concentric ring support by a plurality of flexible or elastic arms, thereby permitting the disk to move relative to the ring support in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the ring support and the disk. The connecting arms also define fluid flow passages between the disk and ring support. The valve assembly is mounted so that the disk is normally spaced-apart from the valve seat, allowing fluid to flow between the two chambers. By increasing the relative pressure of the downstream chamber, the disk closes against the valve seat, blocking the opening.

Abstract: A whole blood collection system includes an automated pump/control unit and an accompanying disposable blood set. When combined and connected to a source of anticoagulant, these elements allow automatic priming of the blood set with anticoagulant and automatic collection of anticoagulated blood product according to three different collection modes. The unit's pump and the blood set are specially designed to cooperate during the collection process to assure that the collected product has a precise blood to anticoagulant ratio. During the collection procedure, the pump/control unit automatically collects data relating to the procedure. Additional data specifically identifying components of the blood set, such as the blood collection bag, along with identification data on the donor's registration form may be scanned into the pump/controller unit by a scanner associated with the unit; this facilitates positive sample identification and tracking.

Abstract: An active hand gripper for use in a blood drawing apparatus provides a tactile signal to a blood donor reminding the donor to periodically squeeze the hand gripper, thereby increasing donor venous pressure and the related blood flow rate from the donor into the blood drawing apparatus. The tactile signal may be generated, for example, in response to a measured decrease in line pressure; or in response to a projected decrease in line pressure based on analysis of current and past flow parameters; or at pre-set intervals based on a target gripping frequency; or based on the donor's pattern of actual gripping. The gripper can be configured for autonomous operation such that the gripper itself contains circuitry for determining when the tactile signal should be issued, or the gripper can receive a trigger signal from a controller within the blood drawing apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated, vacuum-driven shed blood processing system that collects, dilutes, filters and washes postoperatively shed blood and concentrates red blood cells for reinfusion to the patient. The location of the centrifuge bowl between the surgical site and the vacuum source used to clean the site allows the immediate collection of shed blood in the bowl without an intermediate reservoir or an additional pump. In conjunction with a modified centrifuge bowl having a sealed aperture in its floor that permits reinfusion directly from the bowl without an additional reinfusion bag or reverse pump, this configuration processes blood for reinfusion using fewer steps and components yet without loss of functionality. Dilution of the blood upon its introduction into the system reduces the tendency to coagulate and allows the use of lower bowl rotation speeds. Slower rotation reduces red blood cell damage and lowers power requirements, which improves portability.

Abstract: Automated filtration of whole blood or blood components is accomplished in a manner that ensures consistent flow or pressure characteristics through the filter. A feedback circuit monitors pressure in the vicinity of the filter inlet and controls operation of a fluid pump that sends one or more unfiltered blood components into the filter. Using this arrangement, a variety of parameters relating to filtration efficacy can be precisely controlled, including flow rate, flow pressure, and average pressure over a predetermined volume. The system may provide an alarm or automatic cut-off in the event a maximum value of one of the parameters is reached or exceeded. The system is also capable of serially filtering multiple blood products through the single filter and accommodating different flow or pressure characteristics associated with each such product.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl suitable for separating blood components, in particular concentrated red blood cells. A centrifuge bowl 10 comprises a core 14 having an annular portion 50A and a cylindrical outer wall 50. Annular portion 50A has a thick wall for minimizing the holdup volume of blood components within a collection chamber CC and the radially inner wall of the annular portion is disposed radially closely adjacent to the opening defined by skirts 24a, 25a. The outer wall 50 defines a separation chamber SC with bowl body 12 and its upper tapered portion defines a separation region S. Three slit-like openings 52 are formed at the junction between outer wall 50 and annular portion 50A, thereby prevent back flow while permitting flow of blood components from separation chamber SC to collection chamber CC.

Abstract: A method for preparing red blood cell concentrates uses a single additive solution composition having a reduced citrate concentration both for anticoagulation of whole blood and for preserving red blood cells in storage.

Abstract: A multiprotocol blood-processing machine and disposable units for use therewith. The disposable units generally comprise a centrifuge bowl for separating whole blood into blood constituents, an inlet tube for conveying blood into the bowl, an outlet tube for conveying the blood constituents away from the bowl, and a manifold for placing the inlet tube and the outlet tube in fluid communication with a tube from a donor. The manifold has a machine-readable bar-code label for identifying to the blood processing machine which type of disposable unit is being coupled to it. The machine itself comprises a central processing unit that controls overall operation, a first computer memory containing safety-monitoring instructions that cause the central processing unit to monitor various state parameters in order to ensure donor safety, and a second computer memory containing instructions that define at least one apheresis or blood-processing protocol.

Abstract: A centrifugal chuck comprising a chuck housing and a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted around the outer perimeter of the chuck housing. Each finger includes a tip, adapted to receive the base portion of a separation bowl. The fingers are mounted to the chuck housing so that the tips can pivot in a generally radial direction. Rotation of the chuck urges each gripping finger against the bowl.

Abstract: An integrated, vacuum-driven shed blood processing system that collects, dilutes, filters and washes postoperatively shed blood and concentrates red blood cells for reinfusion to the patient. The location of the centrifuge bowl between the surgical site and the vacuum source used to clean the site allows the immediate collection of shed blood in the bowl without an intermediate reservoir or an additional pump. In conjunction with a modified centrifuge bowl having a sealed aperture in its floor that permits reinfusion directly from the bowl without an additional reinfusion bag or reverse pump, this configuration processes blood for reinfusion using fewer steps and components yet without loss of functionality. Dilution of the blood upon its introduction into the system reduces the tendency to coagulate and allows the use of lower bowl rotation speeds. Slower rotation reduces red blood cell damage and lowers power requirements, which improves portability.

Abstract: Automated apheresis apparatus and methods avoid unneeded collection and return of blood components. An operator "dials in" a desired amount of one or more blood components, whereupon the invention calculates the number of cycles necessary to achieve the target and directly implements an appropriate apheresis procedure. The invention may vary the volume of the separation chamber instead of, or in addition to, modifying the number of collection cycles in order to reach a target collection point. The invention may utilize a return procedure whereby, prior to the final collection cycle, only a portion of the contents of the separation chamber is returned to the donor; the returned portion is calculated such that filling the partly empty separation chamber on the last collection cycle results in just meeting the collection target.

Abstract: An autotransfusion apparatus for collecting salvaged blood includes an upper chamber for collecting blood and a lower chamber for receiving blood from the upper chamber. The upper chamber is subjected to a vacuum to withdraw blood from a patient. Particles and lipids are removed from the collected blood by a particle filter and a lipid separator. A selector valve located between the vacuum port and the lower chamber, and between the lower chamber and a vent, selectively couples lower chamber either to the vacuum source or the vent. The lower chamber receives blood from the upper chamber through a pressure-operated drain valve only when the lower chamber is coupled to the vacuum source. Coupling the lower chamber to the vent while the upper chamber is subjected to the vacuum source causes a pressure differential between the chambers, closing the pressure-operated drain valve.