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: 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: The present invention provides an apheresis apparatus and method for separating blood. A phlebotomy needle draws anticoagulated whole blood from a donor into a separation chamber. The separation chamber separates plasma from higher density blood components. The plasma is displaced to a plasma collection bag. The separation process is terminated and the higher density blood components remaining in the separation chamber are diluted with saline solution and are returned to the donor via the phlebotomy needle. Anticoagulated whole blood is drawn again from the donor into the separation chamber. The separation chamber again separates plasma from higher density blood components in the separation chamber. The separation process is then terminated and the donor is disconnected. The higher density blood components remaining in the separation chamber are displaced to a bag for collecting higher density blood components and is rejuvenated with additive solution.

Abstract: The length of time required to draw, centrifugally separate, harvest blood components and return blood components is reduced by providing a two-arm pheresis system in which blood is drawn from one arm, anticoagulated and pumped into an input reservoir then transferred into a centrifuge bowl for separation, while separated blood components are harvested and returned to the donor from an output reservoir via another arm.