Abstract: The present invention provides a melt-blown fibrous web with a high degree of weight uniformity. The present invention also provides methods of preparing, processing and using such fibrous webs, as well as products incorporating such fibrous webs.

Abstract: A method for bonding a porous medium to the surface of a solid substrate is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a dry porous medium with a dry surface of a substrate and impregnating the porous medium with a bonding composition. The impregnated porous medium is maintained in contact with the substrate surface until the substrate surface is at least slightly dissolved in the bonding composition without dissolving the porous medium. At least a portion of the bonding composition is flushed through the impregnated porous medium towards the substrate and subsequently away from the surface of the substrate. The bonding composition is then evaporated at a controlled rate from the substrate and the porous medium.

Abstract: Melt-blown fibrous webs having a uniform structure for use in processing biological fluids are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises a porous filter medium, a substrate provided with at least one drainage pathway, and a support and drainage medium sandwiched between the porous filter medium and the substrate. The porous filter medium, the support and drainage medium, and the substrate are bonded free of any adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration method comprising passing a protein-containing solution through a filtration medium comprising a polyamide-polyether copolymer, such as a polyamide/polyalkylene-oxide-diamine, particularly a nylon 6/polyethylene-oxide-diamine copolymer.

Abstract: Melt-blown fibrous webs having a uniform structure for use in processing biological fluids are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: A device and method for processing a biological fluid comprises directing the biological fluid tangentially or parallel to the face of a separation medium in at least one serpentine fluid flow channel such that a plasma-rich fluid passes through the separation medium and a plasma-depleted fluid passes tangentially to the surface of the separation medium.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bag filter comprising a melt-blown fibrous nonwoven web formed into a bag configuration with a closed end, an open end, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The bag filter is constructed such that (a) the fibrous nonwoven web comprises fibers such that 90% of the fibers have a diameter ranging from a minimum fiber diameter to a maximum fiber diameter which is no more than about three times the minimum fiber diameter, (b) the fibrous nonwoven web as oriented in the bag filter has a tensile strength in the circumferential direction at least about 1.5 times the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction, and/or (c) there is no side seam and an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer end closure. The present invention also provides a method of treating a fluid by passing the fluid through such a bag filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a melt-blown fibrous nonwoven web comprising fibers ranging in average fiber diameters to about 2 microns or less, with a narrow fiber diameter distribution, and a high degree of weight uniformity. The present invention also provides methods of preparing, processing and using such fibrous webs, as well as products incorporating such fibrous webs.

Abstract: A method for preparing platelets comprises the steps of obtaining whole blood from human, preparing platelet rich plasma from the whole blood and then passing the platelet rich plasma through a filter comprising a porous medium having a CWST of at least about 70 dynes/cm, under conditions sufficient to remove in excess of about 99.99% of the leucocytes from the platelet rich plasma, with preparing platelet rich plasma and passing the platelet rich plasma through the filter occurring in an integrally-attached blood bag system within a few hours of obtaining whole blood from human.

Abstract: A device for processing donated blood comprises a porous medium interposed between the collection bag and a satellite bag into which a component separated by centrifugation can be expressed, the filter element preferably having a CWST of about 70 to about 115 dynes/cm. The porous medium blocks red blood cells, but allows platelets to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A high efficiency leucocyte-depletion filter for use with packed red cell concentrate derived from freshly drawn blood comprises a fibrous filter medium with a pore size of from about 0.5 to less than 3.6 .mu.m and a CWST of from 53 to about 80. The filter is preferably used in conjunction with a gel prefilter and, optionally, a microaggregate filter so as to minimize clogging. In a preferred embodiment, the voids volume is about 60% to about 85%.

Abstract: A method for bonding a porous medium to a substrate is provided which includes contacting a porous medium with a surface of a substrate, impregnating the porous medium with a bonding composition, maintaining the impregnated porous medium in contact with the substrate surface until the substrate surface is at least slightly dissolved in the bonding composition without dissolving the porous medium, and passing the bonding composition through the impregnated porous medium towards the substrate and subsequently away from the surface of the substrate to remove bonding composition containing dissolved substrate from a portion of the porous medium to minimize blockage of pores in the porous medium.

Abstract: A device for processing donated blood comprises a porous medium interposed between the collection bag and a satellite bag into which a component separated by centrifugation can be expressed, the filter element preferably having a CWST of about 70 to about 115 dynes/cm. The porous medium blocks red blood cells, but allows platelets to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration medium comprising a fibrous mass of nonwoven polymethylpentene fibers. Moreover, a filter element comprising the aforesaid fibrous mass of nonwoven polymethylpentene fibers surrounding a perforated, hollow, cylindrical tube is also provided. The present invention further provides a filter cartridge which comprises a housing and the aforesaid filter element.

Abstract: A method of preparing platelets for long term storage comprises the steps of (a) obtaining whole blood from a human, (b) preparing platelet rich plasma from the whole blood and (c) then passing the platelet rich plasma through a filter under conditions sufficient to remove substantially all leucocytes from the plasma, with steps (b) and (c) occurring in an integrally attached blood bag system within a few hours of step (a).

Abstract: The invention provides processing donated blood, particularly a platelet-containing solution such as platelet-containing plasma, involving separating blood into a red cell containing sediment layer and a supernatant layer, and passing the supernatant layer through a filter until the filter is blocked, thereby leaving platelets to be harvested. The preferred filter comprises a porous medium having a plurality of zones of progressively increasing density.

Abstract: A high efficiency leucocyte-depletion filter for use with packed red cell concentrate derived from freshly drawn blood comprises a fibrous filter medium with a pore size of from about 0.5 to less than 3.6 .mu.m and a CWST of from 53 to about 80. The filter is preferably used in conjunction with a gel prefilter and, optionally, a microaggregate filter so as to minimize clogging. In a preferred embodiment, the voids volume is about 60% to about 85%.