Abstract: A blood separation system is provided with a data entry device, a blood separator, a pump system, and a controller. The controller compares data regarding a blood source that is received by the data entry device and/or calculated values derived from the data to a target range, a maximum value, and/or a minimum value. The controller requests reentry or confirmation of at least a portion of the data when the data or calculated value is outside of the target range, less than the minimum value, and/or greater than the maximum value. The controller instead proceeds with a blood separation procedure when the data or calculated value is not outside of the target range, less than the minimum value, and/or greater than the maximum value or after determining that there have been no data entry errors.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a pump during a blood separation procedure that has at least a first and second state or phase where fluid is flowed to or from a reservoir by action of the pump. The state or phase of the procedure may be a priming state, a draw state, a separation state and a return state, and the pump calibration may be performed between consecutive performances of the same procedure state. The calibration is based on a variance between the volume of fluid predicted to be processed by the pump for the given state of the procedure and the actual volume processed based on the change of weight of the reservoir. Recalibration of the pump, if necessary, is accomplished before the performance of the second phase is commenced.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing blood from a blood source. The system cooperates with a disposable fluid flow circuit including a tubing line that is associated with a clamp of the system. The system also includes a sensor and a controller, which cooperate to determine whether the fluid flow circuit and/or the system itself is defective and/or if the fluid flow circuit has been installed onto the system improperly. If such an error or defect exists, then the controller determines whether a selected system state exists. The controller causes a change in the appearance of the display of the system, which includes displaying an interactive icon if the selected system state exists. The icon, when manipulated, causes the clamp to move from the closed condition to an open condition.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling flow through a biological fluid processing device. Pressure of fluid flow through a flow path is monitored and flow rate in the flow path is increased or decreased based on sensed pressure levels for selected periods of time. This has particular application in controlling flow in an infusion or return flow path of an apheresis device that separates whole blood into one or more blood components.

Abstract: A method is provided for the real time calibration of a pump that is part of a reusable hardware component having a programmable controller during a blood separation procedure where fluid is flowed through a tubing in a tubing set by action of the pump. The method comprises programming the controller with a continuous function defining a relationship between pump inlet pressure and pump stroke volume; commencing the fluid processing procedure to operate the pump to draw fluid through the tubing; measuring fluid pressure in the tubing at the inlet of the pump; calculating a current pump stroke volume with the controller based on the continuous function and the pump rotational rate; and adjusting the pump rotational rate utilized by the controller to control the procedure to achieve a target fluid flow rate. The continuous function defining the relationship between pump inlet pressure and the pump stroke volume may be empirically determined over a predetermined range of inlet pressures.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing blood from a blood source. The system cooperates with a disposable fluid flow circuit including a tubing line that is associated with a clamp of the system. The system also includes a sensor and a controller, which cooperate to determine whether the fluid flow circuit and/or the system itself is defective and/or if the fluid flow circuit has been installed onto the system improperly. If such an error or defect exists, then the controller determines whether a selected system state exists. The controller causes a change in the appearance of the display of the system, which includes displaying an interactive icon if the selected system state exists. The icon, when manipulated, causes the clamp to move from the closed condition to an open condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a fluid and then returning processed fluid and/or replacement fluid to a fluid recipient. The returning fluid is monitored to detect air therein and, if air is detected, steps are taken to automatically purge the air from the returning fluid without requiring the intervention of a system operator. The system may respond to detected air by pumping the processed fluid and/or replacement fluid away from the fluid recipient and into a processed fluid reservoir, where the air is purged from the processed fluid and/or replacement fluid. Thereafter, the weight of the processed fluid reservoir may be checked to confirm that sufficient fluid has been pumped back into the reservoir to remove the air. After it has been confirmed that the air has been purged from the fluid, the system may resume pumping the fluid toward the fluid recipient.

Abstract: A method is provided for the real time calibration of a pump that is part of a reuseable hardware component having a programmable controller during a blood separation procedure where fluid is flowed through a tubing in a tubing set by action of the pump. The method comprises programming the controller with a continuous function defining a relationship between pump inlet pressure and pump stroke volume; commencing the fluid processing procedure to operate the pump to draw fluid through the tubing; measuring fluid pressure in the tubing at the inlet of the pump; calculating a current pump stroke volume with the controller based on the continuous function and the pump rotational rate; and adjusting the pump rotational rate utilized by the controller to control the procedure to achieve a target fluid flow rate. The continuous function defining the relationship between pump inlet pressure and the pump stroke volume may be empirically determined over a predetermined range of inlet pressures.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling flow through a biological fluid processing device. Pressure of fluid flow through a flow path is monitored and flow rate in the flow path is increased or decreased based on sensed pressure levels for selected periods of time. This has particular application in controlling flow in an infusion or return flow path of an apheresis device that separates whole blood into one or more blood components.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a pump during a blood separation procedure that has at least a first and second state or phase where fluid is flowed to or from a reservoir by action of the pump. The state or phase of the procedure may be a priming state, a draw state, a separation state and a return state, and the pump calibration may be performed between consecutive performances of the same procedure state. The calibration is based on a variance between the volume of fluid predicted to be processed by the pump for the given state of the procedure and the actual volume processed based on the change of weight of the reservoir. Recalibration of the pump, if necessary, is accomplished before the performance of the second phase is commenced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a fluid and then returning processed fluid and/or replacement fluid to a fluid recipient. The returning fluid is monitored to detect air therein and, if air is detected, steps are taken to automatically purge the air from the returning fluid without requiring the intervention of a system operator. The system may respond to detected air by pumping the processed fluid and/or replacement fluid away from the fluid recipient and into a processed fluid reservoir, where the air is purged from the processed fluid and/or replacement fluid. Thereafter, the weight of the processed fluid reservoir may be checked to confirm that sufficient fluid has been pumped back into the reservoir to remove the air. After it has been confirmed that the air has been purged from the fluid, the system may resume pumping the fluid toward the fluid recipient.