Abstract: A centrifugal fluid separation system is disclosed for centrifugally separating a composite fluid into components thereof. This centrifugal separation system includes at least a centrifugal rotor which has a composite fluid containment area, a fluid flow channel/tubing and at least one separated component collection area defined therein. A composite fluid to be separated is delivered to the fluid containment area where under centrifugal forces the composite fluid is separated into components and then from which a component travels through an outlet channel to a respective separated component fluids flowing therethrough. A centrally disposed pump is also provided to move the separated component(s) to the collection area(s). Optical sensing of the interface of the separated fluid components may be used with a clamp to stop flow. A disposable bag and tubing system is also disclosed for use with reusable rotor devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in inactivating pathogens in fluids such as blood or blood components. The apparatus includes a container having a main body portion and at least one tubing extending into the main body portion of the container. The apparatus also includes a container having a main body portion, at least one port and tubing extending from the port into the main body portion. The method includes flowing the fluid to be inactivated into the container via the port, and sealing the port off from the main body portion of the container through the container, without sealing the main body portion of the container.

Abstract: A container for pathogen inactivating and storing blood or blood components, which includes multiple sub-compartments fluidly interconnected by an openable closure assembly. Each sub-compartment may contain a component necessary for pathogen inactivation or blood storage. Upon opening the openable closure assembly, the sub-compartments become one compartment and the components contained within each sub-compartment may be mixed together to form a combined solution for pathogen inactivation and/or storage of blood or blood components.

Abstract: A centrifugal fluid separation system is disclosed for centrifugally separating a composite fluid into components thereof. This centrifugal separation system includes at least a centrifugal rotor which has a composite fluid containment area, several fluid flow channels and at least two separated component collection areas defined therein. A composite fluid to be separated is delivered to the fluid containment area from which it travels through an inlet channel to a substantially circumferential fluid separation channel where under centrifugal forces the composite fluid is separated into components which each then travel to distinct first and second separated fluid outlet channels, and thence on to exit therefrom into the respective collection areas. The first and second fluid outlet channels also have respective first and second heights which are related to each other so as to provide a balanced fluid pressure relationship for the respective separated component fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation device for use in a fluid separation system to centrifugally separate a composite fluid into the composite components thereof. This centrifugal separation device includes a centrifugal rotor housing and a rotor which is disposed in a freely rotatable disposition within the housing, the rotor having a fluid receiving area and several fluid flow channels defined therein. A composite fluid to be separated is delivered to the fluid receiving area from which it travels through a radial fluid transport channel to a circumferential fluid separation channel where it is subjected to substantial centrifugal forces which separate the composite fluid into components which each then travel to distinct first and second separated fluid outlet channels. The separated fluids then exit from these outlet channels and are then moved from the separation device to a collection bag for storage or may then be returned to the donor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in inactivating pathogens in fluids such as blood or blood components. The apparatus includes a container having a main body portion, a plurality of openings into the main body portion of the container, and at least one weld which partially surrounds at least one opening into the main body portion of the container. The method includes flowing fluid into the container via at least one of the plurality of openings and sealing at least one opening closed by extending the partially surrounding weld so that it completely surrounds the opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for inactivation of pathogens in fluids. Preferably the fluids contain blood or blood products and may include biologically active proteins. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an effective, non-toxic amount of a photosensitizer to a fluid and exposing the fluid to pulsed light, wherein the pulsed radiation emitting source emits radiation sufficient to activate the photosensitizer whereby pathogens are inactivated.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling biological fluids during collection without opening the functionally closed collection system, thereby compromising the sterility of the collected fluid. A sample bag connected to a fluid line or collection reservoir is filled coincident with fluid collection, then hermetically sealed and physically separated from the collection system using a radio frequency tubing sealer. A vacuum tube collection device is attached to the sample bag to minimize exposure to the fluid during sample handling and processing.

Abstract: A tubing set includes at least one fluid conveying tube. The fluid conveying tube has a predetermined outside diameter, and is formed of a material adapted to be dielectrically heated at a sealing location. The insulating sleeve has an inside dimension at least as large as the outside diameter of the fluid conveying tube. The tubular insulating sleeve is positioned in a substantially coaxial relationship with the fluid conveying tube at the sealing location, and has a wall with thickness which insulates the fluid conveying tube to permit sealing the fluid conveying tube, and forming a thin, easily tearable web, by the application of the radio frequency dielectric heating.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling biological fluids during collection without opening the functionally closed collection system, thereby compromising the sterility of the collected fluid. A sample bag connected to a fluid line or collection reservoir is filled coincident with fluid collection, then hermetically sealed and physically separated from the collection system using a radio frequency tubing sealer. A vacuum tube collection device is attached to the sample bag to minimize exposure to the fluid during sample handling and processing.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve retains heat in the plastic of a flexible plastic medical tube when the plastic of the medical tube is dielectrically heated by a radio frequency tubing sealer. The heat retained by the insulating sleeve permits additional melting of the plastic of the medical tube after a seal has been formed. The additional melting results in forming an easily tearable web between the segments of the medical tube in the same operation as the sealing operation. The medical tube is selectively sealed without forming the easily tearable web by using the radio frequency tubing sealer without the insulating sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting in the detection of bubbles in a fluid stream such as an intravascular line. Tubing having ribbing or other texturing spaced along the longitudinal axis to enhance signal transmission characteristics and to increase the number of signals intercepted by a passing bubble, is placed between an ultrasonic or other transmitter and detector. In other embodiments, bubbles are concentrated into a detection zone by a centrifugator or are concentrated and recirculated in a detection zone by an eddy-producing protrusion in the fluid stream.

Abstract: A fluidized bead bed having a scale integrated into the frame of the bed for providing a continuous readout of the weight of a patient supported on the upper surface of the bed. The bed includes a fluidized bead bed support mounted atop a frame such that a torque, corresponding to the supported, load is transmitted to the beam arms cantilevered from each end of the frame and extending to the longitudinal median of the bed along one side thereof. Springs oppose the torque and LVDT's are provided at the distal ends of the arms to produce an electrical signal with pulses of an amplitude related to the weight of the patient on the bed. The distal ends of both beam arms are protected and confined in their movements by a lower guard in the form of a single U-shaped channel, and the springs are mounted to the frame by means of upstanding supports on the top surface thereof. A control panel incorporates a signal processor for providing an accurate but readable output based on the LVDT signals.

Abstract: A cleaning and/or disinfecting system for flushing water and chemical treatment liquids through the hydraulic circuitry of dialysate preparation and supply apparatus, the system employing, for each particular treatment liquid of a plurality of possible liquids, a keyhole adjacent to a chemical intake port and means to send electrical signals to an electrical controller indicating the presence of a key within a particular keyhole, whereby the particular treatment liquid connected to the port is flushed through the hydraulic circuitry of the apparatus at the proper flowrate and for the desired period of time.

Abstract: A system for supplying fluid for a fluid flow transfer device and achieving target ultrafiltration fluid losses by automatically, periodically monitoring the ultrafiltration rate and transmembrane pressure, computing the transmembrane pressure necessary to achieve the target fluid loss by the end of a session, and adjusting the transmembrane pressure to the computed value.

Abstract: A fluid flow transfer device having a pleated membrane bonded at its tips to the interior of a housing and a method of making the same wherein a fluid manifold is provided by forming a channel portion in the housing interior, applying a gasket material around the channel portion, and placing the membrane tips against the adhesive to provide a formed-in-place gasket prior to potting of the membrane tips to the housing interior with a potting material.

Abstract: The tips of a pleated membrane are bonded to the interior of the housing of a fluid flow transfer apparatus by positioning support spacers in the membrane folds on the membrane side opposite the side to be bonded, closing the entrances to the spaces between the folds on the bonding side of the membrane, introducing flowable adhesive between the membrane tips and the housing interior while the entrances remain closed, applying a pressure differential across the membrane, with the higher pressure being on the bonding side of the membrane and the differential being large enough to force the membrane folds against their respective support spacers so that the spacers support the membrane, and curing the adhesive to harden it.